Stay on top of the tobacco industry. Get weekly highlights straight to your inbox. Become a Free member today: Tobacco Insider – Free Membership
—
Scandinavian Tobacco: News
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has completed the DKK 1.3 billion ($190 million) sale of its BREAK and Moro fine-cut tobacco brands to Japan Tobacco. Boosted by transaction proceeds and related inventory transfers, STG raised its full-year 2026 free cash flow forecast to DKK 1.2-1.4 billion (up from DKK 950-1,200 million). While the divestment is expected to be dilutive to overall earnings, STG confirmed that its primary 2026 financial metrics remain unchanged.
Read More: Scandinavian Tobacco: News
Patents Wars: International
Philip Morris International (PMI) has surrendered European patent EP3809884, which covered a rapid-release, tobacco-free nicotine pouch design, following a legal appeal by British American Tobacco (BAT). The European Patent Office officially revoked the patent after PMI chose not to defend the patent during the appeal proceedings. Despite the revocation, PMI maintains IP coverage for the fast-delivery pouch technology through divisional applications within the same patent family.
Read More: Patents Wars: International
US FDA – Tobacco: News
Philip Morris International (PMI) has surrendered European patent EP3809884, which covered a rapid-release, tobacco-free nicotine pouch design, following a legal appeal by British American Tobacco (BAT). The European Patent Office officially revoked the patent after PMI chose not to defend the patent during the appeal proceedings. Despite the revocation, PMI maintains IP coverage for the fast-delivery pouch technology through divisional applications within the same patent family.
Read More: US FDA – Tobacco: News
ZYN Melts
Philip Morris International has introduced ZYN Melts, a new format of dissolvable nicotine micro-tablets debuting in the UK and Switzerland. Formulated to fully dissolve under the upper lip within 7 to 8 minutes, the zero-waste product comes in low-dose 1 mg and 2 mg mint options aimed at consumers seeking maximum discretion without leftover pouch waste. The launch expands PMI’s modern oral portfolio into nicotine tablets as part of its ambition to derive over two-thirds of net revenues from smoke-free products by 2030.
Read More: ZYN Melts
British American Tobacco: News
At its Capital Markets Day, British American Tobacco (BAT) unveiled its “Horizon 2030” strategy, focusing on the accelerated expansion and profitability of its New Category portfolio. The roadmap targets mid-teens compound annual revenue growth for New Categories through 2030, alongside a segment contribution margin of at least 30%. Concurrently, BAT reaffirmed its full-year 2026 financial guidance, remaining on track for constant-currency revenue growth towards the lower end of its 3% to 5% target while aiming to bring net leverage within its 2.0 to 2.5 times range by year-end.
Read More: British American Tobacco: News
Tobacco Regulation: United Kingdom
British American Tobacco (BAT) is actively opposing proposed UK regulations that would introduce plain packaging, device appearance limits, and retail display bans for e-cigarettes under the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Ahead of the October 2, 2026 public consultation deadline, BAT warns the rules could cost UK retailers over £420 million by 2036 and discourage adult smokers from switching to reduced-risk alternatives. Instead, the tobacco company is urging ministers to adopt mandatory retailer licensing, targeted anti-youth design rules, and stronger border enforcement against illicit products.
Read More: Tobacco Regulation: United Kingdom
USA: Tobacco Regulation – States
California has enacted Assembly Bill 762, banning the manufacture, importation, and sale of single-use disposable vapes to combat e-waste and lithium-ion fire hazards. The law rolls out in phases, prohibiting manufacturing and importation on January 1, 2027, followed by a complete retail sales ban on January 1, 2028. To qualify as reusable and avoid prohibition, devices must be both refillable/reusable and rechargeable, with non-compliant businesses facing tiered civil penalties, inventory seizures, and potential license suspensions.
Read More: USA: Tobacco Regulation – States
India: Smokeless Tobacco Market
India’s Health Ministry has ordered state authorities to enforce a nationwide crackdown on tobacco-free nicotine pouches, citing rising addiction risks among youth and young adults. Emphasizing that imported nicotine pouch brands are unapproved under domestic law, the government directed officials to utilize drug laws to seize illicit stock and prosecute vendors. The heightened enforcement comes as federal drug panels recommend against approving new nicotine formulations, with legal scrutiny already targeting unauthorized sales at high-profile locations like Mumbai’s international airport.
Read More: India: Smokeless Tobacco Market
South Korea: Cigarette Market
According to the 2025 government health survey, overall nicotine product usage in South Korea rose slightly year-over-year to 36.3% for men and 8.6% for women. Conventional cigarette smoking fell by nearly 30% over the past decade, dropping from 23.9% to 17.0%. Consumer preferences shifted toward non-combustible alternatives in the same period, as e-cigarette usage more than doubled to 4.8% and heated tobacco usage reached 7.3%.
Read More: South Korea: Cigarette Market
Tobacco Regulation: Australia
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has officially classified 6-methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 Prohibited Substance, effective October 1, 2026. The decision targets synthetic nicotine analogues used in e-cigarettes and oral pouches to bypass domestic regulations under deceptive “nicotine-free” labeling. The Schedule 9 listing allows authorities to enforce severe legal penalties for the unlawful importation, possession, and distribution of the substance.
Read More: Tobacco Regulation: Australia
