Tag: Covid-19

  • BAT Unaffected by Virus Outbreak

    BAT Unaffected by Virus Outbreak

    British American Tobacco (BAT) has seen no material impact from the outbreak of Covid-19, the company said during a webcast on March 18.

    Consumers continue to purchase tobacco products, even in the hardest hit areas. “We don’t see any change in patterns of consumption of cigarettes because of Covid-19,” said Jack Bowles, chief executive officer of BAT. “It is a daily purchase, so consumers continue to go to shop, even in Italy and France where tobacco shops are still open.”

    BAT faced some manufacturing disruptions in February in China due to the virus outbreak, but production resumed in March.

    The company will not revise its forecasts of a 4 percent decline in 2020 cigarette and tobacco-heating product industry sales and a 5 percent decline in the United States, according to Reuters. BAT also maintains its forecast of 3 percent to 5 percent for constant currency adjusted revenue growth as well as its forecast of high single digits for earnings per share growth.

  • FDA suspends inspections

    FDA suspends inspections

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended domestic compliance checks and vape shop inspections amid the spread of coronavirus.

    The FDA has temporarily deferred all domestic routine surveillance facility inspections and postponed most foreign inspections through April. Administrative work can continue for two weeks, though, according to the Center for Tobacco Products.

  • Drastic Measures

    Drastic Measures

    Saudi Arabia has banned shisha and tobacco in cafes and restaurants to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

    “Shisha and tobacco were banned in cafes and restaurants in all the municipalities as a precautionary measure to preserve the health of citizens and residents from coronavirus (COVID-19),” the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs said.

    The ban has been implemented in several cities, including the capital. Municipality teams will conduct inspections to ensure that the ban is being upheld.