TobaccoReporter logo

Tag: Germany

  • Report Examines Illicit Nicotine Pouch Markets

    Report Examines Illicit Nicotine Pouch Markets

    TobaccoIntelligence’s released its Global Illicit Nicotine Pouch Report 2026 today (October 26), determining that illicit nicotine pouch markets are prevalent in countries with strict regulations, including bans, nicotine-content limits, online sales restrictions, and high taxes.

    Among the findings, the report said Germany, which has a de facto ban on pouches, still has the ninth-largest market in the world, estimated at $195 million. France, despite its ban, is the No. 22 pouch market in the world at $34 million, with fewer than half of French consumers knowing the ban exists.

    “Illicit nicotine pouches are a by-product of rapid growth, fragmented regulation, and limited enforcement, and they affect consumers, governments, and compliant businesses alike,” said Tim Phillips, founder of TobaccoIntelligence. “This report is an attempt to define the nature and scale of the problem. Our role is to provide independent data and analysis, and we hope it supports a better-informed debate.”

  • Reemtsma Criticizes Planned German Tobacco Tax Increases

    Reemtsma Criticizes Planned German Tobacco Tax Increases

    Reemtsma, Germany’s second-largest tobacco manufacturer by overall market share, criticized planned tobacco tax increases from 2027 ahead of an expected Bundestag vote, saying the measures depart from the governing coalition’s commitment to predictable, moderate tax increases. The company said warnings from businesses, retailers, trade unions, researchers, and lawmakers about the potential effects of larger increases were largely disregarded during the legislative process.

    Reemtsma said higher taxes could accelerate cross-border purchases and illicit tobacco sales without reducing consumption at the same rate as legal-market sales. The company warned that declining legal sales could put pressure on manufacturers, retailers, employment, and domestic economic activity. It also questioned whether the government would collect the projected additional €11.8 billion in tax revenue through 2030 if consumers shifted to untaxed channels.

    Christian Cordes, Reemtsma’s director of corporate and legal affairs, compared the proposal with tax increases in the early 2000s, which he said contributed to a decline in the legal market and lower-than-expected revenue. Reemtsma said it supports a gradual, predictable tax-increase model and called for clear criteria to assess changes in legal sales, consumption, and tax receipts, along with measures to address potential market imbalances. The company’s position is outlined in its statement on tobacco taxation.

  • German Customs Seizes 115,800 Untaxed E-Cigarettes

    German Customs Seizes 115,800 Untaxed E-Cigarettes

    German customs officers seized 115,800 untaxed e-cigarettes during four inspections conducted between Aug. 10 and Sept. 4, preventing nearly €1.4 million in lost tax revenue, the Main Customs Office in Magdeburg said. The devices, which were not approved for the German market, contained a total of 4.37 million milliliters of liquid. One truck driver was provisionally arrested, and criminal proceedings were initiated against all four drivers on suspicion of commercial tax evasion and violations of tobacco product laws.

  • Germany Steps Up Enforcement Against Illegal Vapes

    Germany Steps Up Enforcement Against Illegal Vapes

    According to an article by Stuttgarter Zeitung published today (Oct. 7), German authorities are stepping up enforcement against illegal disposable e-cigarettes amid concerns over products that bypass regulatory and tax requirements and are increasingly marketed to young people. The report on enforcement efforts in Berlin highlighted a raid targeting businesses selling unauthorized disposable vapes, while authorities continue broader investigations into illicit vape distribution.

    The scale of the market was underscored by a separate investigation that found more than 7.6 million nicotine-containing disposable vapes had been imported illegally into Germany between January 2024 and March 2025, resulting in an estimated €33.3 million in lost excise tax. Authorities have also seized large quantities of illegal vapes in raids as they target distributors and organized networks behind the trade.

  • Germany to Discuss Annual Tobacco Tax Increases

    Germany to Discuss Annual Tobacco Tax Increases

    Germany’s Bundestag is scheduled to hold a first reading Sept. 24 of a government bill that would raise taxes on cigarettes, heated tobacco, e-liquids, fine-cut tobacco, and other tobacco products annually from 2027 through 2030. The proposal would increase the weighted average retail price of a 20-cigarette pack from about €8.05 currently to €8.77 in 2027 and €11.36 by 2030. The bill is expected to move to parliamentary committees after the debate.

    The government estimates the changes would generate €756 million in additional tobacco-tax revenue in 2027, rising to €3.589 billion annually by 2030. The German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE), backed by BAT, JTI, Philip Morris, Reemtsma, and tobacco trade associations, has launched a campaign calling for lower and more predictable increases, citing concerns about legal-market sales and illicit trade.

  • Germany Busts Ring that Imported 7.6M Illegal Vapes

    Germany Busts Ring that Imported 7.6M Illegal Vapes

    German customs investigators announced over the weekend that they are investigating an alleged international network accused of illegally importing nicotine-containing disposable e-cigarettes from China and selling them on Germany’s black market. Authorities said the manufacturer structure allegedly imported more than 7.6 million disposable vapes between January 2024 and March 2025, resulting in an estimated €33.3 million in unpaid excise taxes.

    The investigation covers 23 defendants, including four employees of a Chinese e-cigarette manufacturer and 19 Germany-based individuals allegedly involved in receiving and reselling the products. Authorities executed 13 arrest warrants and seized more than 100 pallets containing about 600,000 illegal vapes, with estimated tax losses of €4 million. Investigators also seized four properties, a vehicle, luxury watches, gold jewelry, gold bars, cash valued at more than €2.25 million, and 37 bank accounts. The investigation is being led by the Essen Customs Investigation Office on behalf of the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office. All defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.

  • STG Sells Fine-Cut Tobacco Brands to JT

    STG Sells Fine-Cut Tobacco Brands to JT

    Scandinavian Tobacco Group agreed to sell its fine-cut tobacco brands BREAK and Moro to Japan Tobacco Inc. for €176 million, representing a pre-tax enterprise value of approximately DKK 1.3 billion ($195 million). The transaction, which is expected to close by year-end pending customary approvals, includes brands primarily sold in Germany. BREAK and Moro accounted for about 4% of STG’s 2025 reported net sales and gross profit before special items, and approximately 6% of EBITDA before special items. Fine-cut tobacco represented around 12% of STG’s total 2025 sales.

    STG said the divestment supports its Focus2030 strategy by allowing the company to concentrate on higher-priority growth categories while transferring the brands to an owner better positioned to develop them. CEO Niels Frederiksen said proceeds from the deal will be used to reduce debt, lower leverage, and increase financial flexibility. The agreement also includes a contract manufacturing arrangement with JT for up to three years as STG reviews its manufacturing footprint and efficiency needs.

    The transaction is expected to reduce STG’s leverage ratio below its 2.5x target level at completion and will positively impact free cash flow through the transfer of inventories to JT. While the deal is expected to be dilutive to earnings, STG said it does not anticipate an impact on its 2026 guidance for reported net sales growth or EBIT margin before special items.

  • New German Plan Would Raise Cigarette Packs to €12 by 2030

    New German Plan Would Raise Cigarette Packs to €12 by 2030

    DW Media reported that Germany’s coalition government is planning a steeper increase in tobacco excise duties than previously proposed, with draft Finance Ministry plans expected to raise the average price of a pack of cigarettes from about €8 to €12 by 2030, while also increasing taxes on fine-cut tobacco used for roll-your-own cigarettes.

    According to German media reports, the higher-than-expected tax increases are intended to help close a budget shortfall while supporting the government’s public health objective of reducing smoking rates among youth and adults. The proposed measures would further increase the tax burden on the tobacco industry in one of Europe’s largest cigarette markets, where roughly one-quarter of the population aged 15 and older are regular smokers.

  • Vuse Unveils Collaboration at Berlin Fashion Week

    Vuse Unveils Collaboration at Berlin Fashion Week

    BAT Germany’s Vuse announced the expansion of its partnership with designer Marina Hoermanseder, unveiling a custom case for the Vuse Ultra device and Ultra Smart Pods during Berlin Fashion Week as part of the designer’s Spring/Summer 2027 show. Inspired by Vuse flavors, the accessory will be offered in three color variants — True Blueberry, Strawberry Fuchsia, and Elegant Tobacco — and will go on sale in October for €29 through Vuse’s website, selected retail locations, and the Vuse Loyalty Club. Following a successful collaboration with the designer last year, the new collection is part of Vuse’s “Follow your vibe” campaign, which emphasizes design, flavor, and personal expression.

  • German Study Finds Strict Laws Don’t Equate to Cessation Success

    German Study Finds Strict Laws Don’t Equate to Cessation Success

    An international study by the German Cancer Research Center analyzing more than 50,000 smokers across 29 countries found that while stronger tobacco control policies—such as taxes, warning labels, and smoking bans—significantly increase quit attempts, long-term success is driven largely by individual and social factors. The research showed that smokers living with other smokers or exhibiting higher nicotine dependence were substantially less likely to quit successfully, regardless of policy environment.

    Researchers said the findings highlight a gap between policy impact and behavioral outcomes, indicating that regulatory measures can prompt quitting efforts but do not guarantee cessation. The study concludes that outcomes are heavily influenced by personal environment, including household smoking behavior and addiction levels, suggesting that cessation success varies widely even in markets with strict tobacco control frameworks.