TobaccoReporter logo

Blog

  • Illicit Cigarettes Threaten Malaysia’s Micro-Businesses

    Illicit Cigarettes Threaten Malaysia’s Micro-Businesses

    The Malaysian Micro Businesses Association (MAMBA) highlighted the growing impact of illicit cigarette sales on local small enterprises, following NielsenIQ’s Illicit Cigarettes Study 2025. The study found that illegal cigarettes now account for 54.4% of total cigarette consumption, creating steep competition for micro businesses such as sundry shops, coffee shops, and neighborhood kiosks.

    With legal cigarettes costing RM18.40 ($4.60) and illicit ones as low as RM3 ($0.75), MAMBA Secretary-General Alvin Low said the wide price gap encourages consumers to bypass legitimate retailers, undermining micro-enterprises that comply with licensing, taxation, and health regulations. He stressed that this distorted market threatens the broader micro-business ecosystem, which comprises 97.4% of Malaysian businesses, and called for a balanced approach combining enforcement with measures to stabilize the legal market.

  • Don’t Criminalize Nicotine Over Illicit Vapes: CAPHRA

    Don’t Criminalize Nicotine Over Illicit Vapes: CAPHRA

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates cautioned governments in Asia not to use the rise of etomidate-laced “zombie vapes” as a pretext to restrict regulated nicotine products. While authorities have reported health risks linked to illicit vapes, CAPHRA stresses that adults using safer, legal alternatives to quit smoking should not face penalties.

    CAPHRA calls for stronger enforcement against criminal traffickers, enhanced testing and surveillance, and clear public warnings on adulterated products, while maintaining access to regulated nicotine alternatives as part of credible tobacco harm reduction strategies.

  • Macau Proposes Tougher E-Cigarette, Tobacco Rules

    Macau Proposes Tougher E-Cigarette, Tobacco Rules

    The Health Bureau (SSM) unveiled five proposals to strengthen Macau’s Smoking Prevention and Control Law, targeting youth and emerging products. Key measures include banning public possession of e-cigarettes, prohibiting nicotine pouches, shisha, and herbal cigarettes, and introducing standardized packaging with 85% health warnings.

    The proposals, aimed at curbing smuggling and teen appeal, also allow frontline monitors to use body cameras during inspections and open a public consultation period from March 8 to April 8. The SSM emphasized that these measures build on the 2012 law and the 2018 amendments to protect public health.

  • Philippines Seizes $4M in Undeclared Cigarettes

    Philippines Seizes $4M in Undeclared Cigarettes

    Philippine authorities have seized 637 cases of undeclared cigarettes valued at about P235 million ($4 million) at the Port of Batangas, according to the Bureau of Customs. The shipment, which arrived aboard a vessel from the United Arab Emirates, reportedly contained MAC-branded cigarettes but was not listed in the bill of lading, inward foreign manifest, or discharge list, prompting a non-intrusive inspection and subsequent physical examination.

    Officials said the cigarettes were not supported by proper import documents and that the listed consignee was not authorized to import tobacco products, suggesting an attempt to smuggle regulated goods into the country. The case is being investigated under the provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

  • KMI Study Examines Lung Risks and Smoking Habits

    KMI Study Examines Lung Risks and Smoking Habits

    A large health data analysis by the Korea Medical Institute (KMI) examined the effects of traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and dual use and their impact on higher rates of metabolic syndrome and declining lung function. The study, part of KMI’s “Health Big Data Series,” analyzed medical check-up data from about 3 million individuals screened at eight centers across South Korea and compared health outcomes by smoking type and cumulative exposure measured in pack-years, a metric defined by the National Cancer Institute.

    Among men, metabolic syndrome prevalence increased from 21.5% in non-smokers to 29.9% in current smokers, reaching 31.2% among conventional cigarette users and 30.8% among dual users. Among women, overall prevalence was 10.7% among non-smokers and 12.6% among current smokers. By smoking type, the rate reached 15.8% among conventional cigarette users and 12.1% among dual users.

    Risks also rose with cumulative exposure, climbing to 36% among men with more than 20 pack-years of smoking and 22% for women. Lung function impairment was recorded in 23.4% of men and 21.5% of women, rising sharply among heavy smokers. The study also found smoking patterns shifting, with the share of male lifetime non-smokers rising from 36.7% in 2022 to 39.7% in 2025, while e-cigarette-only use increased from 7.8% to 10%. Researchers noted the findings are based on anonymized screening data and may not fully represent the national population.

  • Zimbabwe Orders Buyers to Get Active as Tobacco Market Starts Slow

    Zimbabwe Orders Buyers to Get Active as Tobacco Market Starts Slow

    Zimbabwe’s government ordered licensed tobacco merchants who have not yet participated in the 2026 marketing season to begin buying within 14 days or face regulatory action, amid concerns that low buyer turnout has contributed to weak auction prices. The directive from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board requires non-participating merchants to explain their absence and outline planned purchase volumes to ensure competition in the market. Only seven of 43 registered buyers were active during the opening days of the season, prompting some farmers to withdraw bales while waiting for better prices.

    Officials say the market is currently in its price-discovery phase and expect prices to firm as more buyers enter the floors and competition increases, however, farmers are concerned as early-season figures show auction sales significantly lagging behind last year. As of March 5, 626,742 kg of tobacco had been sold for $1.79 million compared with 1.24 million kg worth $4.17 million during the same period in 2025. The average price also dropped to $2.85 per kg from $3.35 a year earlier.

  • Nasco Files to Have Claims Thrown Out of Hestia Lawsuit

    Nasco Files to Have Claims Thrown Out of Hestia Lawsuit

    Nasco Products LLC asked a federal judge in North Carolina to dismiss portions of a lawsuit filed by the owners of Hestia Tobacco, arguing that the complaint fails to clearly identify the contracts it allegedly interfered with or provide sufficient details to support claims of fraud. In the new filings, Nasco contends that the plaintiffs rely on vague allegations and have not specified which agreements were disrupted or how the company’s actions constituted fraudulent conduct.

    The lawsuit was filed in January by The Tobacco Company, which operates the Hestia Tobacco brand, against its former manufacturer, Nasco, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hestia alleges that Nasco breached their manufacturing and supply agreement by sharply increasing production prices and then encouraging retailers to remove Hestia products from store shelves, actions the company says harmed its sales and business relationships. The suit seeks monetary damages and was filed under federal diversity jurisdiction.

  • Ireland Seizes €8.5 Million Worth of Illegal Cigarettes

    Ireland Seizes €8.5 Million Worth of Illegal Cigarettes

    Irish authorities seized about 9 million illegal cigarettes at Dublin Port during an inspection of a container arriving from Rotterdam. Officers from Revenue Irish Tax and Customs discovered the cigarettes, branded “Richmond,” concealed in a shipment declared as food after conducting routine risk profiling, assisted by a detector dog and a mobile X-ray scanner.

    The cigarettes have an estimated retail value of more than €8.5 million and represent a potential loss to the Irish Exchequer of over €6.6 million in unpaid taxes. Authorities said the seizure forms part of ongoing efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade and the wider shadow economy, with investigations continuing.

  • Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law

    Singapore Approves Tougher Anti-Vaping Law

    Singapore passed amendments to strengthen enforcement against vaping, with tougher penalties set to take effect May 1 under the renamed Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act 1993. The updated legislation replaces the earlier Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and targets e-cigarettes and “KPods,” vaping devices laced with the anesthetic etomidate. Individuals caught using vapes could face fines of up to S$10,000 ($7,800), up from S$2,000 ($1,560), while sellers may be fined up to S$200,000 ($156,000) and jailed for up to six years. Importing vapes will carry mandatory prison terms of up to nine years and fines of up to S$300,000 ($234,000).

    The law also introduces harsher penalties for offenses involving minors or vulnerable people, including up to 20 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane for adults who involve them in smuggling or supplying KPods. Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars must prevent patrons from vaping and require devices to be discarded, while drivers entering Singapore can no longer avoid liability by claiming they were unaware of vapes in their vehicles.

  • Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh Moves to Enact Tobacco Control Ordinance Into Law

    Bangladesh is preparing to convert the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 into law in the upcoming parliamentary session, with government officials emphasizing urgent action to curb tobacco-related health and economic impacts. State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M.A. Muhit and Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that tobacco use affects over 21 million adults, causing nearly 200,000 deaths annually and economic losses of about BDT 87,000 crore ($7.9 billion).

    The ordinance includes strict measures such as banning e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and heated tobacco products; prohibiting tobacco sales within 100 meters of schools, hospitals, and playgrounds; eliminating designated smoking areas in public spaces and transport; and increasing pictorial health warnings on packaging from 50% to 75%.

    Civil society representatives, including anti-tobacco groups and media organizations, urged the government to pass the law without delay to protect public health, especially for women and children. Officials stressed that the law’s passage is critical to fulfill election commitments, reduce mortality, and prevent further economic losses, while the Ministry of Information pledged to support implementation once enacted.