Philip Morris International last year put in its best annual volume performance since 2012 – a performance that was underpinned by sales of heated tobacco units.
In announcing its results to the end of December, Universal Corporation said it was reducing its operations in Tanzania as demand for the country’s tobacco had waned.
Acquisitions by the Japan Tobacco Group helped boost its cigarette volumes, which last year were up by more than seven percent in respect of its international business.
The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is addressing seriously, and at a critical time, questions of poverty among smallholder tobacco growers.
Tobacco Reporter and Vapor Voice magazines, and the GTNF and TABEXPO events have been bought by the US-based TMA.
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity, and so it is encouraging to see a major tobacco company taking a lead on this issue, while also championing tobacco harm reduction.
A campaign to break the links between the finance and ethically-questionable industries would have merit, but it is not clear why the tobacco industry should be singled out.
A conference focusing on travel retail in China is scheduled to be held in Hainan province in March.
A tobacco harm reduction report is to form the backdrop of an international roadshow aimed at demonstrating the potential for ‘the most dramatic public health coup of modern times’.
It seems unarguable that while all stakeholders should be allowed to take part in policy discussions, it is essential that those behind the stakeholders are in clear sight. Cui bono?