News analysis for professionals in the alternative tobacco sector

France shifts stance on nicotine pouches, paving the way for a potential ban

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 20th February 2025

In a sharp policy reversal, France has dropped plans to tax nicotine pouches. It is now likely to pursue an outright ban through future legislation, following the Senate’s adoption of the 2025 Social Security Budget...

Is European Commission caution on tobacco regulation based on science?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 20th February 2025

The European Commission is taking a cautious approach to tobacco-related regulations, and key directives might not be revisited until 2026, but is it based on the whole truth? ...

US free-speech challenges may reshape marketing rules for nicotine alternatives

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 18th February 2025

Packaging of US nicotine alternatives could face a major shake-up, thanks to First Amendment challenges against restrictions on what companies can say and do ...

Haypp Group reports strong growth in nicotine pouches, with UK sales surging

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 14th February 2025

Haypp Group, an e-commerce player specialising in nicotine pouches and snus, reported strong performance in 2024, with triple-digit growth in nicotine pouch volume in the UK ...

JTI’s growth driven by Vector Group deal and expansion in reduced-risk products

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 14th February 2025

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has reported its full-year and fourth-quarter financial results for 2024, highlighting steady progress toward its 2028 reduced-risk product (RRP) ambitions ...

BAT’s heated tobacco sales decline, but offset by strong growth in modern oral

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 14th February 2025

British American Tobacco (BAT) reported a drop in its heated tobacco category in 2024, partially offset by significant growth in the modern oral segment – particularly in the US ...

Can the US tobacco sector expect more stability under Trump’s second term?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 13th February 2025

Predictions on what president Donald Trump will do have always been difficult. But some indicators point to a second go-around of the Trump administration providing a degree more stability and predictability ...

Study that fails to link youth vaping with future smoking brings up research issues

Written by Barnaby Page | 13th February 2025

New research “fails to show that youth vaping causes future smoking,” announces the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Should harm-reduction advocates reach for the champagne? ...

Poland moves to extend tax to pouches and heating devices in regulatory shift

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 12th February 2025

The Polish Council of Ministers has adopted a draft bill to extend an excise tax to nicotine pouches and vaping and heating devices, including disposables ...

PMI hikes prices amid Egypt’s economic instability but steps up its investment

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 11th February 2025

Philip Morris International (PMI) raised its prices for heated tobacco products (HTPs) several times in Egypt last year, following a similar trend from 2023 that is likely to continue in 2025 ...

PMI’s growth in 2024 powered by Zyn and Iqos as its smoke-free user base expands

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 6th February 2025

Philip Morris International (PMI) achieved positive results in 2024, driven by the expansion of its nicotine pouch brand Zyn as 2023’s demand acceleration continued alongside Iqos growth momentum ...

A US FDA under Kennedy could impact innovation and nic alternatives in Europe

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 6th February 2025

The nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmentalist and vaccine sceptic, as US secretary of health could have indirect implications for the nicotine alternatives industry, even in Europe ...

Pouch-popping overshadows science in Kennedy US health secretary hearings

Written by Freddie Dawson | 4th February 2025

A second Health and Human Services secretary nomination hearing for Robert F Kennedy Jr. devolved into arguments over “science”, overshadowed by news of his alleged use of a nicotine pouch during his first hearing ...

CJEU advocate general backs European Commission’s ban on flavoured HTPs

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 31st January 2025

The advocate general of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a significant legal opinion supporting the European Commission’s decision to ban flavoured heated tobacco products (HTPs) across the EU ...

Kennedy US health secretary hearings: a low-key future for nicotine alternatives?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 31st January 2025

The first fiery hearing for the confirmation of Robert F Kennedy Jr. as US secretary of health and human services went on with plenty of fireworks but little of substance for the nicotine alternatives industry...

Altria reports strong oral tobacco growth and invests further in heated tobacco

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 30th January 2025

Altria released its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results today, highlighting significant growth in its oral tobacco segment and strategic steps forward in the heated tobacco market, despite ongoing challenges ...

Will Trump’s first executive orders impact nic alternatives in the US and abroad?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 23rd January 2025

Nicotine alternatives have gone unmentioned through the initial flurry of actions taken after the inauguration of US president Donald Trump, but several executive orders and proposals will have an impact on the sector ...

Lowering nicotine in cigarettes and the disconnect in US public health policy

Written by Freddie Dawson | 23rd January 2025

In something of a disconnect in US public health policy, the proposal for a rule to limit the nicotine content for most combustible tobacco products represents a major change from years of prior decisions ...

Germany’s 2025 elections: CDU leads with moderate stance on nicotine alternatives

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 21st January 2025

Germany’s elections on 23rd February puts regulation of nicotine alternatives at the heart of the political debate, with major parties offering contrasting policies that could also set the stage for future policies across the EU...

Poland proposes strict regulations on nicotine pouches to close legal loopholes

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 21st January 2025

Under a new draft bill, nicotine pouches – including synthetic nicotine variants – would be classified as related products under Poland’s tobacco laws, subjecting them to the same stringent restrictions as traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes ...

US FDA nicotine cap proposal: optimism in the face of uncertainty, delays, lawsuits

Written by Freddie Dawson | 20th January 2025

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expects its new proposal for a very low nicotine cap on conventional cigarettes to be a net positive for alternative nicotine products ...

US FDA allows marketing of Zyn nicotine pouches and flavours other than tobacco

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 17th January 2025

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the marketing of 20 Zyn nicotine pouch products, marking the first time the agency has approved such products through its rigorous premarket tobacco product application process...

Could 2025 be the year for heated tobacco regulation in Argentina and the EAEU?

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 16th January 2025

TobaccoIntelligence analysts make two riskier predictions: Argentina will move to legalise and regulate nicotine alternatives, and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will take steps to regulate them in 2025 ...

US FDA’s proposal to cap nicotine in cigarettes approaches final hurdles

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 15th January 2025

The US Food and Drug Administration’s proposed rule to slash nicotine levels in combusted tobacco products has cleared White House review, although it is still far from certain that the rule will come into force...

UK nicotine pouch market expands with innovation and rising consumer demand

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 15th January 2025

Despite a landscape dominated by regulatory uncertainty, the UK nicotine pouch market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by rising consumer demand for harm-reduction products and healthier alternatives to smoking ...

Could nicotine pouches be next in the crosshairs for stricter EU regulation?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 9th January 2025

As Europe tightens its grip on disposable vapes with bans and restrictions addressing environmental and public health concerns, attention is beginning to shift to another rapidly growing nicotine product: nicotine pouches ...

Tougher laws, EU TPD3 and first-time pouch regulations: what 2025 may bring

Written by Freddie Dawson | 8th January 2025

TobaccoIntelligence predicts 2025 will be very important for nicotine alternatives, with key decisions to be made and regulation expected to become tougher overall ...

Did we get it right? TobaccoIntelligence’s industry predictions for 2024 reviewed

Written by Freddie Dawson | 31st December 2024

We look back at predictions TobaccoIntelligence published at the start of 2024 to see how well we did in calling events that would occur in the nicotine alternatives industry throughout the year ...

Finland tightens up flavour and content rules for planned nicotine pouch market

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 30th December 2024

Finnish authorities plan to create a legal nicotine pouch market. However, the government has reversed a previous bill that would have permitted a greater range of flavours, and a new bill proposes tighter restrictions ...

Mexico’s new constitutional vape ban means PMI’s Iqos is on shaky ground

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 27th December 2024

Philip Morris International (PMI)’s judicial permission to sell heated tobacco products in Mexico is in jeopardy following the approval by Mexico’s Senate to ban vapes in the nation’s constitution ...

Australian study: tobacco and cannabis are both complements and substitutes

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 27th December 2024

A new study examining the economic relationship between cannabis and tobacco consumption in Australia has shown striking differences in how the two substances interact across age groups ...

UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill approved in its latest version, overcoming party politics

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 23rd December 2024

The UK passed an amended version of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the end of November, imposing new restrictions on the two industries ...

Nicotine alternatives were hit with bans in 2024, but markets continued to grow

Written by Freddie Dawson | 19th December 2024

The year that was 2024 saw the start of an inevitable regulatory pushback against increasing sales of nicotine alternatives, with multiple countries continuing to implement flavour bans on heated tobacco, and more restrictions on nicotine pouches...

US FDA’s plan to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes faces an uncertain timeline

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 17th December 2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s ambitious proposal to slash nicotine levels in cigarettes unexpectedly reached a critical new milestone as it entered the Office of Management and Budget for review on 10th December...

Minor Trump nominees could have major impact on future of US nic alternatives

Written by Freddie Dawson | 16th December 2024

Several minor nominations by US president-elect Donald Trump could have a major impact on the future of nicotine alternatives in the country ...

Study results could keep panic at bay over arrival of HTPs and nic pouches in the US

Written by Barnaby Page | 12th December 2024

A new study sheds some welcome and thought-provoking light on US CDC data, which ought to help to forestall undue panic about the arrival of nicotine pouches and heated tobacco ...

US surgeon general nominee vocal on vaping but not on other nic alternatives

Written by Freddie Dawson | 11th December 2024

In many ways more of a ceremonial position than a leader in policy creation, the US surgeon general has, nonetheless, had an outside impact on tobacco control for quite some time ...

Iraqi bill proposing legal ENDS definition could mark turning point for regulation

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 9th December 2024

An Iraqi bill that would define electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) – including heated tobacco devices – and bring them under the tobacco regime is now overdue for a vote ...

How will Trump’s Covid-sceptic nominees approach nicotine alternatives in the US?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th December 2024

A degree of Covid scepticism unites Trump’s picks for health positions. Will this beget an open mind in other areas of policy and research or will sensationalist science hold sway? ...

EU Parliament fails to agree smoke-free restrictions as diverging views emerge

Written by Sergi Riudalbas | 3rd December 2024

The European Parliament has failed to reach a consensus on the European Commission’s proposal for a revision of the 2009 Council recommendation on smoke-free environments ...

Should the industry pin its hopes on Trump’s pick for US FDA commissioner?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 3rd December 2024

Interest from the nicotine-alternatives industry in US president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, Martin Makary, is less about who he is and more about who he is not ...

Still no regulations on heated tobacco in Panama after ban ruled unconstitutional

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 28th November 2024

Nicotine alternatives remain unregulated in Panama following a 14th May Supreme Court decision declaring a 2022 law unconstitutional that banned e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and similar devices ...

Heated tobacco and nicotine pouches lead the global shift to safer nicotine products

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 21st November 2024

A major new report shows a pivotal shift in the global smoking landscape, highlighting the growing use of safer nicotine products, such as heated tobacco and nicotine pouches ...

Imperial Brands reports earnings surge with gains in heated tobacco, modern oral

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 19th November 2024

Imperial Brands has announced 2024 full-year earnings, underscoring its strong performance in next-generation products driven by heated tobacco and modern oral nicotine innovations ...

How could newly elected US governors approach tobacco and nicotine products?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 19th November 2024

Not a single US state governorship flipped parties during the elections held on 5th November despite strong gains in the Senate for the Republican party, as well as the party’s victory in the presidential election...

Polish industry concerned over planned prohibition of synthetic nicotine pouches

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 18th November 2024

Poland’s health minister, Izabela Leszczyna, has announced that her ministry is drafting legislation to ban synthetic nicotine pouches as well as e-cigarettes with flavours ...

A look at trends and shifts in nicotine product regulations in Southeast Asia

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 14th November 2024

Southeast Asia is experiencing significant regulatory shifts in the tobacco and nicotine product sectors, as countries in the region adopt varied stances on products like heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes ...

Disposables and single-use filters under increasing pressure from regulators

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 12th November 2024

Increasingly stringent regulation from environmentally conscious policy-makers looks set to put the vaping and tobacco industries under even more pressure with regard to disposable e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes ...

What to expect for US tobacco and nicotine regulation under Trump

Written by Barnaby Page | 8th November 2024

Talking about the future of the novel nicotine sector in the United States – its biggest single market by a long way – just got a whole lot harder ...

Congress passes strict regulations on tobacco and nicotine products in Peru

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 8th November 2024

Peru has taken a bold step in public health regulation with new legislation aimed at curbing the impact of tobacco and nicotine products as Congress approves strict guidelines for their use ...

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