India: Smokeless Tobacco Market
October 2026: Bombay HC Upholds Ban on Duty-Free Nicotine Pouches, Rules Out Immunity from Domestic Laws In a ruling clarifying the reach of Indian regulatory oversight, the Bombay High Court dismissed two writ petitions filed by duty-free operators at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai). The decision upholds a ban
Tobacco Lawsuits: USA
October 2026: US Judge Pauses Altria Lawsuit as FDA Reconsiders Tobacco Product Review Framework A US federal judge has temporarily paused a lawsuit brought by Altria-affiliated companies challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) premarket review framework for tobacco products, following the agency’s announcement that it intends to evaluate potential
Tobacco Industry Highlights: October 3 – October 9, 2026
Stay on top of the tobacco industry. Get weekly highlights straight to your inbox. Become a Free member today: Tobacco Insider – Free Membership — US FDA – Tobacco: News A new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report calls on the FDA to overhaul its tracking systems to systematically monitor
ITC: News
October 2026: GQG Partners Sells 2.91% Stake in ITC as Stock Faces Sustained Downward Pressure US-based asset management firm GQG Partners, founded by investor Rajiv Jain, has sold a 2.91% equity stake in ITC Limited in a block deal valued at ₹9,395 crore (US$970 million). The divestment in ITC aligns
Tobacco Regulation: European Union
October 2026: Eight EU Nations Demand Comprehensive Ban on New Nicotine Products and Flavors A coalition of eight European Union member states has formally called on the European Commission to introduce sweeping restrictions on nicotine products, including a market ban on new releases, a broad prohibition on flavorings, and tighter
Imperial Brands: FY26 Trading Update
Imperial Brands has confirmed in its pre-close trading update for FY26 (ended September 30, 2026) that it remains on track to deliver full-year guidance across all key operational and financial metrics. This performance continues to be supported by sustainable growth in traditional combustible tobacco, driven by robust pricing power, alongside
ITC: News
October 2026: GQG Partners Sells 2.91% Stake in ITC as Stock Faces Sustained Downward Pressure US-based asset management firm GQG Partners, founded by investor Rajiv Jain, has sold a 2.91% equity stake in ITC Limited in a block deal valued at ₹9,395 crore (US$970 million). The divestment in ITC aligns
Imperial Brands: FY26 Trading Update
Imperial Brands has confirmed in its pre-close trading update for FY26 (ended September 30, 2026) that it remains on track to deliver full-year guidance across all key operational and financial metrics. This performance continues to be supported by sustainable growth in traditional combustible tobacco, driven by robust pricing power, alongside
KT&G: News
October 2026: Emtech Files Regulatory Complaint Against KT&G Over Alleged Forced Patent Transfers and Retaliatory Trade Cuts South Korean e-cigarette device manufacturer Emtech has reported KT&G to the Fair Trade Commission, accusing the company of violating the Fair Trade Act and Subcontracting Act by cutting off business ties after Emtech
KT&G: Manufacturing
Three key trends force tobacco companies to continuously re-assess and optimize their manufacturing footprint: (1) Cost savings: Transferring labor intensive operations to lower-cost countries within a certain geography (2) Geographical re-balancing: Fast-declining cigarette volume in the Western markets vs. Stable (even, increasing) cigarette volume in the emerging markets (especially, in
Scandinavian Tobacco: News
Background Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) became a pure-play cigar & pipe tobacco manufacturer, following the acquisition of its cigarette & snus business (“House of Prince”) by BAT in 2008. With operations mainly in Europe & the USA, STG owns well-known brands like Macanudo, La Gloria Cubana, Panter, Signature, La Paz, Café Crème, Cohiba, Partagas
Ispire Technology: News
September 2026: Ispire Technology Joint Venture Unveils IKE 2.0 to Drive Continuous Compliance Beyond the Point of Sale IKE Tech, a Joint Venture between Ispire Technology, Touch Point Worldwide (d/b/a Berify) and Chemular, has launched IKE 2.0 – a next-generation compliance infrastructure platform designed to maintain continuous accountability across the
India: Smokeless Tobacco Market
October 2026: Bombay HC Upholds Ban on Duty-Free Nicotine Pouches, Rules Out Immunity from Domestic Laws In a ruling clarifying the reach of Indian regulatory oversight, the Bombay High Court dismissed two writ petitions filed by duty-free operators at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai). The decision upholds a ban
South Africa: Tobacco Market
October 2026: BAT to Exit South African Manufacturing as Illicit Cigarettes Take 75% Market Share British American Tobacco (BAT) is bringing down the curtain on over 50 years of cigarette manufacturing in South Africa, sticking to its plan announced in January to close its Heidelberg factory by the end of
Tobacco Regulation: European Union
October 2026: Eight EU Nations Demand Comprehensive Ban on New Nicotine Products and Flavors A coalition of eight European Union member states has formally called on the European Commission to introduce sweeping restrictions on nicotine products, including a market ban on new releases, a broad prohibition on flavorings, and tighter
South Korea: Heated Tobacco Sticks
October 2026: Japan Tobacco Expands Ploom Lineup in South Korea with Launch of EVO Slate Japan Tobacco (JT) has expanded its heated tobacco portfolio with the release of EVO Slate, a new stick variant designed for its Ploom device line. Developed in response to strong market demand for intense menthol
Tobacco Regulation: Europe
October 2026: Ireland Increases Excise Duty on Tobacco and E-Liquid Products The cost of smoking and vaping in Ireland is set to reach record highs following significant excise increases announced by the Minister for Finance during the presentation of Budget 2027 in Dáil Éireann. Under the new measures, the excise
UK: Vapes
October 2026: Vapers Continue to Outnumber Smokers in Great Britain as Smoking Rates Halve Since 2011 Adult cigarette smoking in the UK fell below 10% for the first time in 2025, reaching a record low of 9.8% (approximately 4.9 million people), down from 10.6% in 2024. The latest data from
USA: Cigar Market
October 2026: Higher Retail Prices Keep U.S. Convenience Store Cigar Revenue Flat at $4.11 Billion Total U.S. convenience store cigar sales remained virtually unchanged year-over-year at $4.11 billion, edging up 0.2%. A 6.1% rise in average unit price – bringing the mean to $2.18 – successfully countered a 5.5% contraction
Regulation: Cannabis – USA
October 2026: DEA Judge Pauses Federal Cannabis Rescheduling Process Following GAO Findings A DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge has granted a stay in the administrative proceedings regarding the proposal to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The pause follows a petition from groups
Global Vape Market
September 2026: China’s Vape Exports Ease to $979 Million in August 2026 as U.S. Demand Recedes China’s exports across vaping products reached $979 million in August 2026, marking a 3.3% year-over-year increase but declining 6.4% from the peak seen in July. According to China Customs data, the growth driver shifted
Cannabis: USA
September 2026: Minnesota Cannabis Sales Surpass $250 Million After One Year of Legal Retail Market The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that combined statewide cannabis sales surpassed $250 million following the first full year of the legal market’s launch. According to data released by the agency, the total
Heated Tobacco: Products
September 2026: REJO Expands European Footprint with Heat-Not-Burn “Puff-Twice” Technology Heat-not-burn (HNB) brand REJO has announced its expansion across Europe, showcasing its proprietary “puff-twice” technology. The rollout introduces the brand’s newer device configurations and heating systems to key European markets, including Italy, Germany, Spain, and Austria. The company states that
Soluble Nicotine Products
August 2026: Soluble Nicotine Products Emerge as the Next Billion-Dollar Oral Nicotine Opportunity A new category of nicotine products is emerging alongside the rapid expansion of nicotine pouches, with tobacco companies and specialist manufacturers developing nicotine lozenges, tablets, oral strips, gels, sticks and other products designed to dissolve in the
ZYN Melts
ZYN Melts Guide: ZYN Dissolvable Nicotine Tablets vs. ZYN Pouches The smokeless nicotine landscape continues to undergo a evolution with Philip Morris International (PMI) officially introducing ZYN Melts – a brand-new dissolvable nicotine tablets. Debuting first in the United Kingdom, ZYN Melts offer adult nicotine consumers a discreet, low-dose, zero-waste
ZYN USA
September 2026: PMI U.S. Boosts ZYN Can Size to 20 Pouches in Major Portfolio Expansion Philip Morris International’s U.S. division is increasing the pouch count in its core ZYN lineup, transitioning its flagship 3 mg and 6 mg dry pouch cans from 15 to 20 pouches per unit. Scheduled for
New ZYN Flavors: ZYN Black Cherry, ZYN Peach, ZYN Dragonberry
ZYN Expands U.S. Lineup with Three New Permanent Flavors: Black Cherry, Peach, and Dragonberry America’s leading nicotine pouch brand, ZYN, has officially expanded its U.S. lineup with the rollout of three new permanent flavors: Black Cherry, Peach, and Dragonberry. Available nationwide in brick-and-mortar retailers as well as online through major
IQOS ILUMA
July 2026: PMI Unveils Limited-Edition IQOS ILUMA i REMIX Device Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced the IQOS ILUMA i REMIX Limited Edition, a special global release of its latest heated tobacco device that combines the technology of the IQOS ILUMA i platform with a distinctive seasonal design. The limited-edition
VEEV Vapes
June 2026: Philip Morris International (PMI) Expands Vaping Portfolio with European Roll-Out of VEEV ONE PLUS Philip Morris International (PMI) is officially extending its closed-pod vaping lineup with the release of the VEEV ONE PLUS. Designed as a direct evolution of their core VEEV portfolio, the new device targets a
ZYN Ultra vs. ZYN
ZYN vs. ZYN Ultra: The Ultimate Comparison Guide to Nicotine Pouches in the U.S. The U.S. smoke-free nicotine market is evolving rapidly, and Philip Morris International (PMI) continues to lead the space by catering to a wide range of adult nicotine preferences. While flagship ZYN remains the gold standard for
Tobacco Lawsuits: USA
October 2026: US Judge Pauses Altria Lawsuit as FDA Reconsiders Tobacco Product Review Framework A US federal judge has temporarily paused a lawsuit brought by Altria-affiliated companies challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) premarket review framework for tobacco products, following the agency’s announcement that it intends to evaluate potential
Tobacco Industry Highlights: October 3 – October 9, 2026
Stay on top of the tobacco industry. Get weekly highlights straight to your inbox. Become a Free member today: Tobacco Insider – Free Membership — US FDA – Tobacco: News A new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report calls on the FDA to overhaul its tracking systems to systematically monitor
Tobacco Regulation: European Union
October 2026: Eight EU Nations Demand Comprehensive Ban on New Nicotine Products and Flavors A coalition of eight European Union member states has formally called on the European Commission to introduce sweeping restrictions on nicotine products, including a market ban on new releases, a broad prohibition on flavorings, and tighter
Tobacco Regulation: Europe
October 2026: Ireland Increases Excise Duty on Tobacco and E-Liquid Products The cost of smoking and vaping in Ireland is set to reach record highs following significant excise increases announced by the Minister for Finance during the presentation of Budget 2027 in Dáil Éireann. Under the new measures, the excise
USA: Tobacco Regulation & Legislation
The regulatory landscape for tobacco in the United States is notably complex, involving multiple layers of authority that sometimes come into conflict. At the federal level, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches, under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco
US FDA – Tobacco: News
October 2026: GAO Urges FDA to Systematically Monitor Timeliness of Tobacco Product Application Reviews The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a new report advising the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to overhaul its tracking systems, citing critical data gaps that prevent the agency from evaluating whether it is
Tobacco Pulse Surveys: Q2 2026
Every Sunday, we run a poll on the hottest subject in the Tobacco Industry. Hundreds of our Twitter/X followers vote, offering a collective wisdom on the subject matter or an immediate pulse on the market/industry developments. Results of the Sunday polls: May 31, 2026 What will you scrutinize first &
Credit Commentary: Tobacco Industry
May 2026: Most Tobacco Companies Receive Stronger Business Profile Assessments In a recent credit commentary, Fitch Ratings noted that most global tobacco companies received stronger business profile assessments following updates to its Corporate Rating Criteria. The revised criteria resulted in rating upgrades for British American Tobacco (BAT, A-/Stable) and Altria
Tobacco Pulse Surveys: Q1 2026
Every Sunday, we run a quick poll on the hottest subject in the Tobacco Industry. Hundreds of our Twitter/X followers vote, offering a collective wisdom on the subject matter or an immediate pulse on the market/industry developments. Results of the Sunday polls: March 28, 2026 What is your small-cap tobacco
Tobacco Pulse Surveys: Q4 2025
Every Sunday, we run a quick poll on the hottest subject in the Tobacco Industry. Hundreds of our Twitter/X followers vote, offering a collective wisdom on the subject matter or an immediate pulse on the market/industry developments. Results of the Sunday polls: Dec 28,2025 What is your small-cap tobacco (nicotine)
Tobacco Pulse Surveys: Q3 2025
Every Sunday, we run a quick poll on the hottest subject in the Tobacco Industry. Hundreds of our Twitter/X followers vote, offering a collective wisdom on the subject matter or an immediate pulse on the market/industry developments. Results of the Sunday polls: Sept 28, 2025 Considering a 20-year time horizon,
Dividend Changes – Tobacco Companies
September 2025: Philip Morris International increases its annual dividend by +8.9% Philip Morris International (PMI) increased the its regular quarterly dividend by 8.9% to an annualized rate of $5.88 per share. The new quarterly dividend of $1.47 per share, up from $1.35 per share, is payable on October 20, 2025,
