Nicotine Whispers: 2026 | Weeks 39 & 40
Alchem NicSelect™ Nicotine Whispers
Welcome to Nicotine Whispers – a biweekly news digest on global developments in nicotine and tobacco, compiled by Alchem NicSelect™ in collaboration with PharmaCompass.
Stay informed on the latest regulations, market trends, and insights shaping the NGND industry.
Weeks 39 and 40 Highlights:
Denmark
STG Completes Sale of BREAK and Moro to JT
Scandinavian Tobacco Group has completed the sale of its fine-cut tobacco brands BREAK and Moro to Japan Tobacco for approximately DKK 1.3 billion. The brands, primarily sold in Germany, represented around 4% of STG’s 2025 net sales and gross profit.
UK
UK Vaping Duty Takes Effect
The UK’s new Vaping Products Duty began on 1 October, adding £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid and introducing new duty stamps to improve traceability. The government expects the measure to raise over £550 million annually by 2030–31 while strengthening action against illicit and underage sales.
Europe
PMI Relinquishes Nicotine Pouch Patent After BAT Challenge
Philip Morris has relinquished a European patent covering nicotine pouch compositions designed for rapid initial nicotine release and stability. The move follows a challenge by BAT, as both companies expand their nicotine pouch portfolios and compete in the growing oral nicotine market.
UK
BAT: Nicotine Pouches Set to Drive Growth Through 2030
BAT expects nicotine pouch revenue to triple between 2025 and 2030, making Velo its primary growth driver within New Categories. The company targets mid-teens annual revenue growth for New Categories, while global cigarette volumes are expected to decline by around 2.5%.
UK
PMI Launches ZYN Melts in the UK
PMI has expanded ZYN beyond nicotine pouches with Melts, fully dissolvable oral nicotine tablets available in 1mg and 2mg strengths. The UK launch includes four SKUs in Cool Mint and Peppermint, priced at £6.50 per can.
EU
Tobacco Tax Vote Delayed Over Swedish Nicotine Pouch Veto
The EU has postponed its vote on higher tobacco and nicotine taxes from October to November as Sweden forms a new government. Sweden opposes the proposed €71.50/kg minimum levy on nicotine pouches, creating a potential veto over the tax package.
Russia
Tobacco and E-Liquid Tax Hike Proposed for 2027
Russia’s government has proposed raising excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco, heated tobacco and e-liquids by around 6.5% from 2027. The draft would increase the minimum cigarette tax to RUB 4,741 per 1,000 sticks and the e-liquid rate to RUB 52 per ml.
USA
US FDA Considers Changes to PMTA Review Process
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to streamline FDA requirements for new tobacco products, potentially easing authorization for flavoured vapes and nicotine pouches. Industry groups and companies say the current process is costly and slow, particularly for smaller businesses, and has contributed to the growth of illicit products.
Philippines
JTI Opens Southeast Asia’s First DIET Plant
JTI has invested more than PHP 2.1 billion ($37 million) to upgrade its Batangas facility, including Southeast Asia’s first Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco (DIET) plant. The investment also doubles Controlled Atmosphere treatment capacity, strengthening JTI’s advanced tobacco manufacturing capabilities in the region.
Germany
Annual Tobacco Tax Increases Proposed from 2027
Germany’s government plans annual tax increases on cigarettes, heated tobacco, e-liquids and other tobacco products through 2030. Industry groups are calling for lower, more predictable increases, warning of risks to legal-market sales and illicit trade.