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  • Imperial Warning Landlords to Police Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    Imperial Warning Landlords to Police Tenants Selling Illicit Products

    Imperial Brands warned commercial landlords across the UK that they could face criminal prosecution if they continue to collect rent from retail tenants selling counterfeit or illicit tobacco products. The company said it has written to landlords of multiple premises where investigations identified illegal tobacco sales despite repeated enforcement action, formally notifying them of the potential legal consequences if the activity continues.

    Imperial said landlords who knowingly benefit from illegal trade could face prosecution under the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act, in addition to penalties associated with the sale of counterfeit goods, which can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years and unlimited fines. The company cited recent case law that it says confirms landlords may be held liable if they continue accepting rent from premises involved in illicit trade.

    Imperial is urging landlords to enforce lease provisions prohibiting illegal activity, cooperate with enforcement authorities, and evict non-compliant tenants where necessary. Deirdre Healy, Head of Corporate and Legal Affairs at Imperial Brands UK, said landlords “cannot turn a blind eye” to illicit tobacco sales, adding that the company is prepared to pursue legal remedies, including injunctions and support for criminal investigations, against landlords who fail to act.

  • Survey Finds 95% Happy Moving from Cigarettes to Pouches

    Survey Finds 95% Happy Moving from Cigarettes to Pouches

    A growing number of UK consumers are turning to nicotine pouches as an alternative to cigarettes and e-cigarettes, according to Haypp’s fourth annual Nicotine Pouch Report. Based on a survey of more than 2,000 nicotine pouch users, the report found that 68% began using pouches to quit smoking, vaping, or both. Forty-three percent said they switched to quit smoking, 40% to quit vaping, and 15% were seeking to stop using both products.

    The survey found that users were primarily drawn to nicotine pouches because they perceived them as healthier (64%), more discreet (64%), and less likely to affect others (52%). Among respondents who switched from cigarettes, 95% reported feeling better after making the change, while 76% reported encouraging others to switch. The products are most commonly used at home (85%) and at work (79%), reflecting their discreet nature.

    Haypp said the findings suggest the UK nicotine market is shifting following the disposable vape ban and the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, and that the changing regulatory landscape is prompting more adult nicotine users to explore alternatives that do not involve inhalation.

  • Pakistani Growers Reject Move to Scrap Price Mechanism

    Pakistani Growers Reject Move to Scrap Price Mechanism

    Tobacco growers in Pakistan have urged the federal Ministry of National Food Security to consult farmers before abolishing the weighted average price (WAP) mechanism used to determine the minimum indicative price (MIP) for tobacco. Speaking at a press conference in Swabi, growers and industry representatives argued that the government had presented misleading figures to the federal cabinet, overstating farmers’ profits to justify proposed amendments to the Tobacco Marketing Rules, 2016, and Martial Law Order 487.

    Former Pakistan Tobacco Board director Muhammad Ayaz Khan said rising production costs, lower yields caused by adverse weather, and reduced purchases by tobacco companies meant growers earned only marginal profits during the 2024-25 season. Farmer representatives also said many growers remain burdened with debt after companies declined to purchase lower-grade tobacco and called on the government to conduct an independent survey before making changes to the pricing system.

  • Maldives to Launch Program to Move People Away from Tobacco

    Maldives to Launch Program to Move People Away from Tobacco

    The Maldives is advancing a series of tobacco policy changes, with a parliamentary committee approving a bill to reduce cigarette import duties while President Mohamed Muizzu announced plans for a nationwide tobacco cessation program. The cigarette duty bill passed the Committee of the Whole House without amendments and now moves to the next stage of the legislative process after lawmakers unanimously declined to propose any changes, despite debate over the government’s rationale for lowering the tax following the country’s ban on vaping products.

    Separately, Muizzu said the government will launch a national cessation initiative through civil society organizations, with funding and incentives linked to their success in helping people quit tobacco. He also said import duties on smoking cessation products will be eliminated once the program begins to make them more affordable, adding that the proposed reduction in cigarette duties is part of a broader tobacco control strategy aligned with recommendations from the World Health Organization.

  • FDA Proposal Would Allow Oversight of Foreign Manufacturers

    FDA Proposal Would Allow Oversight of Foreign Manufacturers

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed a rule requiring foreign tobacco product manufacturers to register their manufacturing facilities and list the tobacco products they sell in the U.S., closing a regulatory gap that currently exempts overseas manufacturers from requirements already imposed on domestic companies. The agency said the proposal would strengthen its ability to identify and take action against illegal tobacco products—particularly unauthorized disposable e-cigarettes—and create a more level playing field for U.S. manufacturers.

    If finalized, the rule would require both foreign and domestic manufacturers to register their establishments, submit detailed product information, and update registrations annually and product listings twice a year. Foreign facilities would also become subject to FDA inspections, giving the agency greater oversight of products before they enter the U.S. market. Manufacturers would also be required to maintain records of labeling, advertising, and consumer information for at least four years.

    According to the FDA, the proposal would improve enforcement by providing more comprehensive information on tobacco products manufactured for the U.S. market and expanding oversight of foreign producers. Acting Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the rule would help ensure all companies selling tobacco products in the U.S. operate under the same standards while strengthening the agency’s ability to keep illegal products out of the marketplace. Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 14.

  • PMI Named Among ‘Best Companies for the Future’

    PMI Named Among ‘Best Companies for the Future’

    Philip Morris International Inc. was named to the inaugural WSJ Leadership Institute “Best Companies for the Future” ranking, placing No. 97 overall among S&P 500 companies and third in the Food, Beverage & Tobacco sector behind Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Compiled by Bendable Labs, the ranking evaluates companies across six areas: AI readiness, innovation, talent readiness, financial fitness, resilience, and agility.

    PMI said the recognition reflects its transformation into a consumer goods company focused on smoke-free products, supported by investments in science, innovation, and organizational capabilities. Group CEO Jacek Olczak said the ranking highlights the company’s progress in adapting to changing consumer preferences and advancing its long-term smoke-free strategy. PMI also noted that its flagship heated tobacco brand, IQOS, was recently named to Kantar’s BrandZ 2026 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking.

  • 5th Circ. Backs FDA’s Block on Vape Marketing

    5th Circ. Backs FDA’s Block on Vape Marketing

    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s denial of marketing applications for menthol-flavored e-cigarette products submitted by two vape manufacturers, ruling that the agency reasonably concluded the products’ potential benefits for adult smokers did not outweigh the risks of youth initiation. The decision affirms the FDA’s application of the “appropriate for the protection of public health” standard required under the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) pathway.

    The ruling, against Triton Distribution and Vapetasia LLC, reinforces the FDA’s authority to reject flavored vaping products where applicants fail to provide sufficient evidence that the products offer a net public health benefit.

  • Korea Subjects Synthetic Nicotine to Tobacco Rules

    Korea Subjects Synthetic Nicotine to Tobacco Rules

    South Korea announced that it has begun full enforcement of revised tobacco regulations that classify all nicotine-containing products—including synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes—as tobacco products. Following a two-month transition period after amendments to the Tobacco Business Act took effect in April, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and local governments launched nationwide inspections on June 24, targeting compliance in non-smoking areas and cigarette vending machine operations. Individuals caught using cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or liquid e-cigarettes in designated non-smoking areas can face fines of up to 100,000 won ($65).

    The revised law expands the legal definition of tobacco from products made from tobacco leaves to all nicotine-containing products, bringing synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under existing restrictions on use, advertising, sales, and health warnings. Authorities are also inspecting vending machines to ensure compliance with age-verification and youth-access requirements. The regulatory changes come as e-cigarette use continues to rise in South Korea, with government data showing liquid e-cigarette use increased from 4% to 4.5% over the past year and by more than 70% over the past seven years. The government said the new framework is intended to strengthen public health protections and close regulatory gaps involving synthetic nicotine products.

  • Quitting Smoking Motivated Nearly Half of Pouch Users: Study

    Quitting Smoking Motivated Nearly Half of Pouch Users: Study

    Haypp Group, the parent company of Nicokick.com and Northerner.com, released its Nicotine Pouch and Oral Nicotine Report 2026, based on purchasing data from more than 172,000 customers and a survey of 2,245 adult nicotine pouch users. The report found that 46% of respondents said quitting smoking, vaping, or both was a reason they first tried nicotine pouches, while 88% had previously used another nicotine product before adopting pouches. The average age of a first-time online nicotine pouch purchaser was 45, and adults aged 55 to 64 represented the fastest-growing customer segment in 2025.

    The report also highlighted differences between online and physical retail channels. Among surveyed customers, 98% recalled completing age verification when purchasing online, compared with 75% for purchases made in physical stores. Respondents who reported obtaining nicotine pouches while underage most commonly cited local shops (52%), friends (23%), and supermarkets (10%), while only 5% reported obtaining them online. Haypp Group said sales through Nicokick.com and Northerner.com increased 22% in 2025 after adjusting for sales interruptions in certain states and supply constraints affecting leading brands. The company noted that the survey reflects the experiences of its own customers and is not intended to represent the broader U.S. nicotine pouch market.

  • PMI Examines Role of Science in Smoke-Free Future

    PMI Examines Role of Science in Smoke-Free Future

    Philip Morris International convened public health experts, academics, consumer advocates, and policymakers in Rabat, Morocco, for its Technovation Smoke-Free conference on June 24, which focused on tobacco harm reduction, smoke-free alternatives, and evidence-based health policy. Discussions centered on the role of science and innovation in reducing smoking-related harm, with speakers highlighting the potential of smoke-free products and the importance of regulatory frameworks, consumer information, and locally driven public health strategies across Africa.

    The event featured senior PMI executives, including communications executive Tommaso Di Giovanni and Maghreb Managing Director Taylan Süer, alongside researchers and public health experts from Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Senegal, and France. Participants discussed nicotine-related misconceptions, consumer access to information, and health-policy sovereignty, emphasizing the need for African countries to develop public health approaches tailored to local conditions. The conference concluded with calls for greater collaboration between scientific communities and policymakers to support evidence-based decision-making and harm-reduction strategies.