top news
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PMI Releases Value Report 2025, Sets Value Plan 2030+
PMI reported around 43.5 million adult users of its smoke-free products across 106 markets, with smoke-free net revenues reaching $16.9 billion.
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Bangladesh Reversing Vape Ban
The proposed changes follow recommendations from a parliamentary special committee, with the health ministry drafting amendments.
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Geekvape Introduces New Products in Paris
The launches were presented within a “Future Store Experience” concept booth that reflected Geekvape’s updated retail visual identity.
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Organigram Shares Results of AGM, Gains Approval for Sanity Acquisition
The acquisition is positioned to expand Organigram’s presence into the German medical cannabis sector and establish a broader European operational footprint.
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Court Allows Majority of Juul Lawsuits to Proceed
The court trimmed or dismissed certain narrower counts, but allowed most of the core claims to move forward, including allegations tied to consumer protection, fraud, and failure to warn.
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Hong Kong Bust Seizes $12M in Illicit Cigarettes at Sea
The cigarettes were found inside two 45-foot containers aboard the vessel off Waglan Island.
Upcoming Events
Global Regulation
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Bangladesh Reversing Vape Ban
The proposed changes follow recommendations from a parliamentary special committee, with the health ministry drafting amendments.
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Russia Moves Toward Ban on E-Cigarettes and Vapes
With a vape market worth $3 billion, experts warn that a ban could fuel Russia’s already large gray market, which accounts for roughly 68% of e-cigarette sales.
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Belgium Health Minister Wants EU to Tighten Vape Regs
The Health Minister urged stricter EU-wide limits on substances in e-cigarettes, a ban on disposable vapes, and restrictions on flavors.
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Tasmania’s New Bill Aims at Illicit Tobacco, Vapes
The Bill creates new offences and increases penalties for selling illicit products, grants authorities powers to close non-compliant businesses, and strengthens enforcement.
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Arizona Lawmakers Debate Bill That Would Regulate Alternative Products
It mandates that products meet federal standards and, by 2028, requires consumable materials to be manufactured and assembled in the U.S.
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South Korea to Regulate Vapes as Conventional Tobacco
The law also targets youth-focused marketing, limiting flavor descriptors and packaging imagery.
Agriculture & Sustainability
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Zimbabwe Working to Stabilize Tobacco Market After Rocky Start
The TIMB said several major merchants, who fund 85% of the crop, had not finalized their credit facilities by the time the market opened.
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Zimbabwean Farmers Ordered to Destroy Tobacco Stalks
To reinforce compliance, stakeholders have suggested linking funding access for the next crop to proper stalk destruction, while grower associations are conducting awareness campaigns.
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Pyxus Empowers Growers with New Mobile App
By reducing reliance on administrative tasks, the app is designed to give growers more time to focus on producing high-quality crops.
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Zimbabwe Orders Buyers to Get Active as Tobacco Market Starts Slow
As of March 5, tobacco sales dropped 57% from 2025, with the average price also dropping to $2.85 per kg from $3.35 a year earlier.
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Zimbabwe Assures Farmers as Tobacco Prices Begin Stabilizing
TIMB attributed the sharp early declines to a global oversupply of tobacco, the early opening of sales floors, and limited initial participation by buyers.
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Zimbabwe’s 2026 Tobacco Season Opens
The first bale for the 2026 season sold for $4.60 per kg, slightly below last year’s $4.65.
Science & Innovation
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Dutch Study: Supermarket Sales Ban Dropped Smoking 1%
Researchers found smoking likelihood falls 6% when no outlet is within 250 meters.
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KMI Study Examines Lung Risks and Smoking Habits
Among men, metabolic syndrome prevalence increased to 29.9% in current smokers and 12.6% with women.
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Tech Hopes to Get Zimbabwean Tobacco Farmers Paid in Minutes
A fully integrated digital system links the auction floors to allow real-time tracking of every bale, instant dispute resolution, and rapid electronic payment confirmation.
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Haypp Releases New Guidance on Nicotine Pouches
The company says proportionate limits would protect consumers while preserving nicotine pouches as a viable reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes.
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UK Awards Contract for Vaping Duty Stamps Program
The system will be introduced in phases, beginning with a transitional duty stamp in April, followed by an enhanced stamp integrated with a full track-and-trace solution from October.
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Study Warns Gen Z Getting Misinformation on Smoking, Vaping
Public health bodies want clearer communication about false beliefs and nicotine alternatives, while continuing to support measures to curb youth uptake.
Business & Finance
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PMI Releases Value Report 2025, Sets Value Plan 2030+
PMI reported around 43.5 million adult users of its smoke-free products across 106 markets, with smoke-free net revenues reaching $16.9 billion.
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Organigram Shares Results of AGM, Gains Approval for Sanity Acquisition
The acquisition is positioned to expand Organigram’s presence into the German medical cannabis sector and establish a broader European operational footprint.
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Imperial to Close Langenhagen Plant by 2027
The company said efforts to find a viable solution for the plant’s future had proved unsuccessful, citing high production costs and declining volumes.
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American Snuff Expands Manufacturing Workforce
The hiring, expected throughout 2026, includes machine operator and maintenance technician positions.
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KT&G Outlines Growth and Innovation Plans
The company aims to boost competitiveness in the NGP segment by accelerating R&D-driven innovation and leveraging global partnerships.
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22nd Century Debt-Free in Announcing 2025 Results
For the full year, net revenues were $17.6 million, down 28% from 2024, with a net loss of $13.1 million.
Around the Industry
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Geekvape Introduces New Products in Paris
The launches were presented within a “Future Store Experience” concept booth that reflected Geekvape’s updated retail visual identity.
-
Court Allows Majority of Juul Lawsuits to Proceed
The court trimmed or dismissed certain narrower counts, but allowed most of the core claims to move forward, including allegations tied to consumer protection, fraud, and failure to warn.
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Spain’s Supreme Court Takes Royal Portraits from Altadis
Altadis asked for a declaration of ownership in 2017, but the court determined that the artworks were part of the Crown’s patrimony
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Davidoff Expands Line with Zino Honduras
The new line responds to growing demand for more intense cigars while introducing innovative packaging formats, including tins, packs, and fresh packs with pre-cut cigars.
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Smoker Friendly Moves Events to Wyoming in 2026
Organizers said the move reflects a long-term strategy tied to Wyoming’s business- and tobacco-friendly regulatory environment.
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German Engineered Cigars Debuts Pill-Style Packaging
The packaging provides portability, protection, and an effective way to deliver product information through an included insert.
Thought Leaders
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Differentiate and Give Smokers a Safer Alternative
Science says combustibles and non-combustibles are not the same, and pretending otherwise undermines the goals we are trying to achieve in public health.
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Opinion: WHO Is Wrong on Flavors — It’s Time to Stand Up for Harm Reduction and Common Sense
The slogan—Bright Product. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal—is both misleading and dangerous. And the question we ask ourselves: to what end?
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Thoughts on FDA Reform
Prioritizing Education on Smoke-Free Alternatives By Dr. Tom Price The recent marketing authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products is a good…
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The Trailblazer
Godfrey Phillips’ Chairwoman Dr. Bina Modi Sits Down with Tobacco Reporter to Talk the Future of the Industry, Women’s Leadership, and More
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Don’t Gamble Your PMTA: Bet on Your Quality System
A PMTA is more than a regulatory formality. It’s a company’s game plan. A commitment to how the product will be manufactured, tested, controlled, and distributed.