Juul recently released a statement announcing that it settled with 37 states and Puerto Rico in an effort to resolve past issues, specifically underage usage. It will pay $438.5 million to 34 of the states and territories, according to CNN, following a two-year investigation into its marketing strategies. “We remain focused on the future as…
Opportunity in Nicotine-Free Smoking Alternatives
As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues its regulation of the tobacco category, manufacturers are developing products that are less harmful, fly under the government’s regulatory eye and may even help customers quit traditional cigarettes. The FDA announced plans in June to implement a maximum nicotine level to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes and…
Bidi Vapor Granted Petition for Review
Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has ruled 2-to-1 in Bidi Vapor’s favor, granting its petition for review. The decision set aside and remanded as arbitrary and capricious the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) order denying the Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTA) for the…
What Is Snus?
In simplest terms, snus is an unfermented tobacco product whose origin goes back to 1600’s Sweden. Wedged between the upper lip and gum, snus is enjoyed very much like dipping tobacco but usually does not cause the user to spit. Snus originated as a way to preserve tobacco. It is widely viewed as an alternative…
Black Buffalo Completes $30 Million Equity Raise
Black Buffalo has announced that — led by The Pritzker Organization (TPO) and Listen Ventures — it has completed a $30 million Series A equity raise. Additional help raising the funds was received from Watchfire Ventures, Vice Ventures and UTC Ventures. TPO Managing Director Jason Pritzker and Listen Ventures Managing Partner Jeff Cantalupo have joined…
FDA Provides Update on Synthetic Nicotine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an update on the current state of synthetic nicotine product pre-market tobacco applications (PMTAs). The announcement was made by the director of of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Dr. Brian King. According to the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), the announcement makes the following points:…
Smoker Friendly Acquires Tobacco Superstores
The Cigarette Store LLC (TCS) dba Smoker Friendly has acquired Forrest City, Ark.-based Tobacco Superstores (TSS), which encompasses 79 stores that are spread across Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri and Kentucky. The stores will be rebranded Smoker Friendly and introduce the SF cigarette and tobacco product lines to the TSS consumers. Smoker Friendly will operate these…
Redesigned Contemporary Cigarette Packaging
Premier Manufacturing has redesigned the packaging for its 1839 cigarettes, which now feature an eye-catching contemporary design that refreshes the iconic brand. Premier developed a premium visual design that showcases updated brand colors, a cleaner overall look and the distinctive 1839 logo — all while maintaining some traditional elements to help make 1839 attractive on […]
Ban Away: What FDA’s Menthol Ban Would Mean for C-Stores
The looming menthol ban has been hanging over our heads for many years now, but as it becomes closer to a reality many retailers have shared their anxiety over what the future of the cigarette category will look like. The worries over the ban certainly impact some retailers more than others, and there’s a direct…
Vape and Cigar Restrictions Tighten
With the tobacco category under continuous scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), c-store retailers must consider how they need to respond, especially with the vape and cigar segments. Vape sales increased by 3.5% in Q2 2022 compared to Q2 2021, whereas cigar sales decreased by 3% for the same period, according to store…