Italian Authorities Investigate Misleading Ads by BAT and Amazon

Apr.18.2023

Italian Authorities Investigate Misleading Ads by BAT and Amazon

Italian authorities investigate misleading ads for BAT's glo hyper X2 on Amazon for potential health risks.

On April 18th, according to a report by Market Watch, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) launched an investigation into British American Tobacco (BAT) and Amazon, citing claims that the two companies have been providing misleading information in their advertising for new heated tobacco devices.

The Italian competition watchdog announced that the advertising campaign for the glo hyper X2 product, owned by British American Tobacco, inaccurately suggested that the product is nicotine-free. The advertisement was disseminated on Amazon, and could potentially pose health risks to some consumers, particularly minors.

Currently, neither British American Tobacco nor Amazon have responded to the issue.

Further reading:

British American Tobacco responds to 2FIRSTS: Testing of disposable e-cigarettes in the UK is a valid concern.

British and American tobacco companies are suspected of initiating an anti-ban movement against electronic cigarettes in Australia. The related videos have been removed.

The IBVTA says that any harm reduction claims made by BAT should be questioned.

Legal Expert Op-Ed: BAT Cannot Serve as Enforcement Police for E-Cigarettes

BAT has launched a pop-up store called "Glo studio" in South Korea to kick off a new product experience event.

References:

Amazon and British American Tobacco are under investigation in Italy for their promotion of heated tobacco devices through advertising.

#Legislation #Africa #Uganda #British American Tobacco (BAT)

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact

EVO NXT European Tobacco & NGP Exhibition

EVO NXT European Tobacco & NGP Exhibition

PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation

PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation

PMI’s U.S. business released a white paper and cited a national online survey showing that 79.00% of Americans surveyed believe more should be done to reduce smoking-related harm. The paper calls on policymakers, public health authorities, and medical professionals to place cigarette smoking back at the center of public health priorities, and recommends broader access to FDA-authorized smoke-free alternatives, clearer nicotine risk communication, and risk-based taxation.

Apr.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai

IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination

IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination

A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.

Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs

Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs

According to a complaint filed on March 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fontem US, LLC and Texas retailer OM Investment, LLC sued the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services over FDA’s refusal-to-file decision for certain Zone nicotine pouch PMTAs.

Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai

FDA and IKE Tech Hold Formal Listening Session on Youth Access and Illicit ENDS Products

FDA and IKE Tech Hold Formal Listening Session on Youth Access and Illicit ENDS Products

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products held a formal listening session with IKE Tech LLC to discuss youth prevention at the point of use for ENDS products, the circulation of illicit products in the supply chain, and the regulatory treatment of software in tobacco products.

Apr.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing

Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency said border officers at the Point Edward port of entry in Sarnia, Ontario, seized more than CAD 4.5 million worth of illegal tobacco and nicotine vapes over a seven-day period. The agency said the contraband was entering Canada from the United States and described the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal products from entering the country and disrupt organized crime.

Mar.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai

State Attorneys General Urge Visa, Mastercard and Others to Stop Processing Illicit E-Cigarette Transactions

State Attorneys General Urge Visa, Mastercard and Others to Stop Processing Illicit E-Cigarette Transactions

Fourteen U.S. state attorneys general sent a joint letter dated April 14, 2026 to Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, asking them to immediately help stop the sale of illicit e-cigarette products by cutting off payment access.

Apr.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Related Topics

News

Related Read

PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation

PMI U.S. White Paper Calls for Greater Access to FDA-Authorized Smoke-Free Alternatives and Risk-Based Taxation

IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination

IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination

Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs

Fontem Sues FDA Over Refusal-to-File Decision for Nicotine Pouch PMTAs

FDA and IKE Tech Hold Formal Listening Session on Youth Access and Illicit ENDS Products

FDA and IKE Tech Hold Formal Listening Session on Youth Access and Illicit ENDS Products

Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing

Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing

State Attorneys General Urge Visa, Mastercard and Others to Stop Processing Illicit E-Cigarette Transactions

State Attorneys General Urge Visa, Mastercard and Others to Stop Processing Illicit E-Cigarette Transactions