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  • Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    A clinical study by Folktandvården Stockholm and the Karolinska Institutet found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches and traditional tobacco-containing snus produce different oral mucosal reactions. While both products were associated with increased tissue thickening as use increased, nicotine pouch users more frequently exhibited inflammatory changes such as erythema and, in some cases, ulceration, making their effects less predictable than those seen with traditional snus.

    The study, which evaluated 272 adults aged 18–30, found no increased risk of cavities or periodontitis in either group over up to six years of use, but researchers said the findings highlight the need for further research into the oral health effects of nicotine pouches and different flavor formulations.

  • Court Says HHS Can’t Impose Civil Penalties on Vape Retailer

    Court Says HHS Can’t Impose Civil Penalties on Vape Retailer

    A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated a $19,192 civil penalty imposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services against Texas-based vape retailer Texas Tobacco Barn, ruling that the company was entitled to a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment. The case involved the sale of unauthorized vaping products, with the court finding that HHS could not impose civil monetary penalties through an administrative proceeding without affording the company the opportunity for a jury trial, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent on agency enforcement actions. The court rejected the company’s separate challenge to FDA’s authority to regulate vaping products, leaving that framework intact.

    The 2-1 decision sends the case back and could have broader implications for how federal agencies pursue civil penalties in tobacco and vaping enforcement cases. The majority concluded that such monetary penalties are analogous to traditional legal claims historically decided by juries and do not fall within the narrow “public rights” exception that allows agency adjudication without a jury. The dissenting judge argued the administrative process was constitutionally permissible because the enforcement action lacked a close common-law analogue.

  • PCA Concerned Over FDA’s Proposed Tobacco Rules

    PCA Concerned Over FDA’s Proposed Tobacco Rules

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) said it will submit comments opposing portions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s proposed rule on tobacco product establishment registration and product listing, arguing the measure could impose significant compliance costs on manufacturers and retailers. The association noted that premium cigar manufacturers remain exempt from the proposal as a result of successful litigation overturning the FDA’s Deeming Rule for premium cigars, but warned that many other products sold by its 3,500 retail members—including pipe tobacco and non-premium cigars—would be subject to new registration, recordkeeping, and inspection requirements.

    PCA CEO Joshua Habursky said the organization is concerned the proposal could lead to additional regulation and higher costs throughout the supply chain, particularly for small businesses. The association said it intends to oppose provisions it considers unnecessary and argues that increased compliance costs for manufacturers would ultimately be passed on to retailers and consumers through higher prices and reduced product choice.

  • ITGA Chief Calls for Better Incomes for Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Farmers

    ITGA Chief Calls for Better Incomes for Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Farmers

    Outgoing International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) President José Javier Aranda called on the Zimbabwe government, merchants, and contractors to prioritize farmers’ livelihoods, warning that the long-term sustainability of the global tobacco industry depends on growers earning a living income. Speaking at the ITGA Africa Regional Meeting 2026 in Harare, Aranda said tobacco farmers continue to bear rising production costs, climate-related risks, and increasing regulatory pressures while receiving shrinking returns, despite value creation elsewhere in the supply chain.

    Zimbabwe Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka, speaking as both a government official and tobacco farmer, acknowledged that this season’s prices had been disappointing and noted production costs have risen about 90% since 2017, calling for targeted farmer support and measures to improve profitability. The meeting, which concludes this week, also highlighted concerns that oversupply is squeezing contractors and financiers, with delegates urging greater collaboration across the industry to strengthen grower incomes and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.

  • Zimbabwe Moves to Tobacco Industry Act

    Zimbabwe Moves to Tobacco Industry Act

    Zimbabwe’s Cabinet approved the principles for amending the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act, clearing the way for the first major overhaul of the legislation since 1997. The proposed reforms aim to modernize the legal framework by addressing developments in contract farming, tobacco research, corporate governance, and emerging tobacco products, while closing regulatory gaps related to contract breaches and side-marketing. Agriculture Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka said the amendments will also strengthen the regulatory role of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, align the law with public governance and financial management legislation, and expand the mandate of the Tobacco Research Board to include research on both manufactured and unmanufactured tobacco products, alongside greater support for farmers through research, extension services, and capacity-building.

  • Zambia Tobacco Sales Near $105M Through 11 Weeks

    Zambia Tobacco Sales Near $105M Through 11 Weeks

    Zambia’s tobacco industry generated more than $104.9 million in cumulative sales through Week 11 of the 2026 marketing season, according to the Tobacco Board of Zambia. Farmers sold 51.96 million kg of tobacco during the period, led by 44.45 million kg of flue-cured Virginia tobacco, which generated $87.34 million at an average price of $1.97 per kg. Air-cured Burley tobacco sales totaled 7.51 million kg, earning $17.63 million at a higher average price of $2.35 per kg.

  • South Korea Tightening Tobacco Enforcement After Compliance Failures

    South Korea Tightening Tobacco Enforcement After Compliance Failures

    The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched tighter enforcement of South Korea’s revised Tobacco Business Act after inspections found widespread compliance failures among liquid e-cigarette retailers and significant weaknesses in vending machine age-verification systems. Between April 24 and June 23, authorities inspected 666 retailers and found that 28.5% operated vending machines. Of 415 machines examined, 339 used ID-based age verification, but 168 accepted forged or altered identification during testing, while 112 recognized every fake ID used.

     Inspectors also found inadequate youth warning signage and advertising violations, with many in-store advertisements visible from outside. The city said it will push for stronger ID verification requirements, require retailers to improve age-checking systems, distribute compliant warning labels, and continue inspections as liquid e-cigarette use continues to rise, particularly among adolescents, whose 2025 vaping rate exceeded conventional cigarette smoking for the first time.

  • Russia Adds New Laws for Tobacco Licensing

    Russia Adds New Laws for Tobacco Licensing

    Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation introducing a licensing system for the wholesale and retail sale of tobacco and nicotine products, with separate licenses required for each retail outlet and delivery vehicle. The new laws also clarify the method for determining exclusion zones around educational institutions where tobacco and vape sales are prohibited, while introducing criminal penalties that include fines and forced labor for large-scale wholesale or retail sales conducted without a license.

    The legislation also gives Russia’s regions the authority to ban the retail sale of vapes, e-liquids, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems under a five-year pilot program running from March 1, 2027, through March 1, 2032. Regions choosing not to participate will continue operating under the existing national regulatory framework, with the results of the pilot expected to inform future policy decisions.

  • Proposed UK Vape Rule Would Add £5 Deposit

    Proposed UK Vape Rule Would Add £5 Deposit

    A UK council backed a proposal to introduce a refundable deposit on vape devices sold in the city, aiming to improve disposal rates and reduce fires caused by discarded lithium-ion batteries. Under the plan by the Norwich City Council, consumers would pay an additional £5 when purchasing a vape and receive the money back upon returning the device. Council members said the scheme would help reduce cleanup costs, recycling contamination, and fire risks, while Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it supports measures that encourage the safe disposal of vapes and other lithium battery-powered products.

  • Maldives Reduces Cigarette Duty

    Maldives Reduces Cigarette Duty

    The Maldives Parliament approved government legislation cutting the import duty on cigarettes from MVR 8 to MVR 4 ($0.52 to $0.26) per cigarette, with the bill passing unanimously on July 1 without amendments. The measure was approved by 68 MPs after advancing through the Committee of the Whole Parliament, despite earlier heated political debate over the government’s reversal of the duty increase introduced in November 2024. Government lawmakers said the reduction reflects evidence that the country’s vape ban did not lead to a significant increase in cigarette smoking and supports its broader tobacco control strategy.

    The government said the duty reduction follows recommendations from the World Health Organization and forms part of a longer-term approach to sustainable tobacco control. Officials have indicated they will continue to review cigarette duty rates based on future research while maintaining other tobacco control measures introduced in recent years.