The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set Sept. 9, 2020, as the deadline for manufacturers to submit a substantial equivalence application (SE) or a pre-market tobacco application (PMTA) for “deemed” tobacco products introduced into the marketplace between Feb. 15, 2007, and Aug. 8, 2016. Tobacco products subject to the PMTA requirements include cigars (except “premium…
Cigar Lovers Light Up to Ease Locking Down
While the COVID-19 pandemic has increased cigar demand by homebound consumers, production across Central America and the Caribbean has withered due to health concerns and government-mandated lockdowns. Those things add up to supply chain shortages. That has retailers like Brent Mouton, president of the 11-store Hit-n-Run chain in Louisiana, working to keep product on his…
TPE Announces New Show Format for 2021
Recently, Tobacco Media Group (TMG) announced plans to move the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) 2021 from January to May, in order to safely navigate the uncertainty of what the pandemic might still look like a few months from now. The shift in dates allows more time for precautions to be taken and peace-of-mind to develop,…
BAT Strengthens Portfolio With Acquisition of Dryft Modern Oral
British American Tobacco (BAT) announced that it has acquired the nicotine pouch product assets of Dryft Sciences LLC (Dryft), a U.S.-based Modern Oral nicotine product company. BAT will rebrand Dryft’s U.S. portfolio under its global Modern Oral brand, VELO, and expects to accelerate growth through superior distribution, marketing and channel capabilities. “We’re proud of the…
Tobacco-Free Dip and Pouches
Fully Loaded offers satisfying, tobacco-free moist dip and pouches. All food-grade ingredients infused with tobacco-free nicotine (TFN). Fully Loaded offers three nicotine levels and nine flavors: Wintergreen, Dark Wintergreen, Mint, Straight, Classic, Bourbon, Peach, Berry and Cherry. The Fully Loaded experience offers the same solid pack, mouth feel, spit and kick you desire without tobacco. […]
Smoker Friendly President Terry Gallagher Talks Tobacco Industry
Terry Gallagher, president of Smoker Friendly International, sat down with CStore Decisions Editor John Lofstock to discuss the state of the tobacco industry, pending legislation and how to be a responsible tobacco retailer. CStore Decisions · CStore Decisions Live Interview with Terry Gallagher
Best New Loyalty Program: QuickChek
In September, Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based QuickChek, with 160 fresh convenience market locations including 89 stores with fuel throughout New Jersey, New York’s Hudson Valley and Long Island, introduced its new QuickChek Rewards loyalty program. The program enables customers to receive benefits like free coffee, candy, sandwiches and other savings on foodservice purchases — and features…
Light at Any Angle
The new EZ Reach lighter from BIC features a 1.45-inch extended wand that helps keep fingers further from the flame. Its body is the size of a pocket lighter, so it fits comfortably in users’ hands, bags and pockets, making it perfect for lighting candles, grilling and everything in between. The new design directly meets consumers’ […]
Smoker Friendly Acquires Three MSMB Stores
The Cigarette Store Corp. (TCSC) doing business as (dba) Smoker Friendly announced the acquisition of MSMB Inc. a three-store chain in Hickory, N.C. Smoker Friendly will immediately take over all the locations. Stewart and Mary Beth Ruehl were longtime Smoker Friendly dealers and will be enjoying retirement. Smoker Friendly will retain the MSMB staff to…
Republic Tobacco Fights Counterfeiters During COVID-19
Republic Tobacco’s efforts to stop the sale of fake products have continued unabated during the COVID-19 crisis, as the company has been meeting this illegal behavior head-on with aggressive actions nationwide. Company officials from Republic have only stepped up their work with federal and state law enforcement agents, pursuing coordinated police raids, government enforcement actions,…