This time last year, convenience store owners and operators were dealt a double whammy: First they had to adapt to the recently passed federal minimum tobacco purchase age of 21; then they had to pull product in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ban on most flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Next,…
Smoker Friendly Completes Minority Recapitalization, Debt Restructure
Smoker Friendly announced through its holding company, Bolder Panther Group, it has completed a minority recapitalization and debt restructure with Main Street Capital Corp. Smoker Friendly continues to be owned and operated by the Gallagher Family and led by the current management team. In the past 14 months, Smoker Friendly acquired 33 Smokers’ Outlet stores in…
E-Liquid Brand
Four Seasons e-liquids are designed to withstand flavor bans by being what they are and no more — pure, authentic tobacco flavors. Its flavors are all made from naturally extracted tobacco, with no artificial flavors, colors, additives or sweeteners. Four Seasons’ products are Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) accepted. Its products are branded in the […]
Study: NY Flavored Tobacco Ban Bad for Businesses, State Coffers
Outlawing the sale of flavored tobacco products for adults — such as cherry pipe tobacco and menthol cigarettes — would deepen New York State’s budget hole, threaten the survival of thousands of mom-and-pop retailers, and place the jobs of frontline workers at these businesses at risk. That’s the conclusion of an economic study performed by…
RAI Trade Marketing Services President Mike Auger Announces Retirement Plans
Mike Auger, president of RAI Trade Marketing Services Co., announced plans to retire in mid-February 2021 after a career spanning a combined 30 years of service and leadership to Reynolds American. Auger joined RAI in 2004, during the RJR / B&W merger, and held several RAI Trade leadership roles including area vice president and vice…
Significant Tobacco Issues for 2021
With the New Year comes new challenges for retailers that sell tobacco products. Just like in 2020, key issues for retailers will encompass local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions. Local Flavor Ban Ordinances In February 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made most flavored cartridge- and pod-type vaping products illegal. Then, in…
California Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products Delayed
California will delay its ban on flavored tobacco products after opponents led by tobacco companies said they filed enough signatures to put the law to a statewide vote. The law was passed this August and was set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The law would not make it a crime for people…
Congress Passes Online Vape Sales ID Measure
Congress has passed legislation in the end-of-year omnibus spending packages to stop the online sales of e-cigarettes to minors. The legislation closes the online loophole for e-cigarettes that exists by requiring that the age of the recipient be verified in-person at delivery, a requirement that exists for other age-restricted products sold online but not for…
Swisher Appoints John Haley as Chief Growth Officer
Swisher announced John Haley has been named Chief Growth Officer, overseeing Swisher’s newly formed Corporate Growth Department. In this new role, Haley will focus on growth, innovation, strategy and structure of Swisher to enable organizational transformation to drive change throughout the company. He will oversee Sales and Marketing, Strategic Growth, Innovation and Business Analytics. “I…
Disposable Device
Zstick is excited to announce that its PMTA has been accepted, passing the filing stage and currently under scientific substantial review. It is one of the only disposable companies on the market to be on the last stage of the PMTA process. It has all valid documents, including its acceptance and filing letter. Z Stick […]