The Trump administration has proposed creating a new federal agency to regulate tobacco products and removing that authority from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The White House’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year proposes making the Center for Tobacco Products independent of the FDA, with a director to be confirmed by the Senate.…
Natural Leaf Cigarillo
Optimo Cigars, a Swisher brand, continues its tradition of innovation with Optimo Cognac, a limited-edition blend that combines the rich aroma of Cognac complemented with notes of honey. This popular blend offers a smooth smoke with an elegant finish that is encased in first-class natural leaf wrappers and delivers a one-of-a-kind smoking experience. According to Management…
Smoker Friendly Acquires 22 Tobacco Road Outlet Stores
The Cigarette Store Corp. (TCSC) , doing business as (dba) Smoker Friendly, has acquired the 22 Tobacco Road Outlet (TRO) stores based in North Carolina. Smoker Friendly will rebrand them ‘Smoker Friendly’ and introduce the Smoker Friendly brand family of tobacco products at the acquired stores immediately. “These stores provide a great opportunity to expand our…
R.J. Reynolds Vuse Brand Partners With Arrow McLaren SP
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company‘s Vuse brand has partnered with Arrow McLaren SP for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. On Feb. 7, Arrow McLaren SP unveiled its IndyCar contender for the 2020 series — featuring the Vuse logo on the rear wing, chassis side and sidepod tops of the cars. “We’re excited to partner with Arrow McLaren…
Cannadips Partners With Lexaria Bioscience on CBD Absorption Tech
Oral pouch and dip initial licensing agreement for 10-year term, option for another five and possible expansion to all of North America and Europe. Smokeless CBD dip brand Cannadips CBD will partner with Lexaria Bioscience Corp., a global innovator in drug delivery platforms, to use Lexaria’s patented DehydraTECH technology for faster, irritation-free absorption of the…
Judge Overturns FDA Rule on Premium Cigar Warning Labels
U.S. Federal District Court Judge Amit Mehta issued a ruling on Feb. 3 overturning the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation that required six new health warning statements for premium cigars to be printed on premium cigar packaging/cigar boxes and premium cigar advertisements. The court found that “the FDA’s subjecting of premium cigars to warnings…
Natural Cone Leaf Wraps
Legal Lean has a new offering of organic cone leaf wrap. Legal Lean offers its consumers a non-tobacco ‘better-for-you’ (BFY) option that can still be used to fill herbal smoke blends. Its leaf wraps are made from a bidi leaf, which is native of India. Its leaves are organic, hand-rolled and contain no tobacco or other…
TPE Wraps Up in Las Vegas
At the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE), held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Jan. 29-31, the emergence of cannabidiol (CBD) and its potential for the industry were the talk of the show. The burgeoning assortment of products containing CBD holds both promise and uncertainty for convenience store operators, according to panelists in a session titled…
E-Cigs Rock While Cigars Roll
E-cigarettes and vape made a lot of noise — and a lot of money — in 2019, while cigars quietly rolled along in steady fashion befitting their staid, classic profile. “Cigars, the sticks, are up,” said Tim Greene, category director with Smoker Friendly, which has 105 stores across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Florida. “The…
FDA Issues Tobacco 21 Statement
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement regarding implementation of the law raising the federal minimum purchase age for tobacco to 21. While the law is effective immediately, the FDA acknowledges that there is a transition period, and therefore, the agency will only use minors under 18 in its compliance checks. The FDA…