Koch & Gesell: Swiss Cannabis and Tobacco Brand Goes Bankrupt

Business by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.10.2024
Koch & Gesell: Swiss Cannabis and Tobacco Brand Goes Bankrupt
Swiss marijuana cigarette company Koch & Gesell has filed for bankruptcy, leading to the closure of CBD and tobacco brand Heimat. The company plans to potentially restart its marijuana business.

According to a report by the Swiss media outlet Kleine Zeitung, Koch & Gesell, a cannabis cigarette company based in St. Gallen, has filed for bankruptcy, signifying the closure of the Swiss CBD and tobacco brand, Heimat. The company has suggested the possibility of relaunching its cannabis business. Additionally, the subsidiary in Austria has not been affected by the bankruptcy.

 

The primary reasons for the bankruptcy are the company's cash flow troubles and the loss of its tobacco license. Roger Koch, the founder and CEO of the company, explained to reporters that this was due to a decline in revenue, poor cash flow status, and the inability to find new sources of funding.

 

The company has a subsidiary in Austria and has launched a tobacco brand called "Tschick". However, according to the company's business director Reinhard Leitner, this subsidiary has not been affected by the bankruptcy of the Swiss company.

 

In regards to the company's next steps for development, Roger Koch suggested that one potential option may be to entirely shift the focus of their operations towards the more lucrative cannabis industry. This could involve prioritizing products such as cannabis-infused iced tea. Koch emphasized, "We possess a wealth of expertise, experience, formulations, and a global registered patent.

 

This tobacco company was established in 2015 and primarily focuses on producing locally sourced tobacco in Switzerland. In 2017, they successfully developed the world's first legal marijuana-infused tobacco cigarettes, gaining significant popularity in the market. In 2019, the company also launched industrially produced pure CBD marijuana cigarettes, for which they have already submitted a patent application for the production technology.

 

However, in 2019, due to investments in research and development, equipment purchases, and market expansion, the company faced financial difficulties and applied for bankruptcy protection. Although it managed to avoid bankruptcy in 2020, it is now unable to withstand the pressure and has ultimately filed for bankruptcy.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | BAT Expands VELO Peach Ice Medium to FamilyMart Stores Nationwide in Japan
Product | BAT Expands VELO Peach Ice Medium to FamilyMart Stores Nationwide in Japan
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) expanded VELO Peach Ice Medium to FamilyMart stores nationwide in Japan from September 7, 2026. The oral tobacco product first launched on July 6 and had previously been sold through VELO's official online store, glo Store Ginza and tobacco retailers. It combines peach flavor with menthol cooling at a Medium strength level and is priced at JPY 360. Japanese tobacco retailers list 15 pouches per pack. The move adds the new SKU to an existing nationwide FamilyMart distribution network for VELO rather than marking the brand's first entry into the convenience-store chain.
Sep.15
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
Special Report|Virginia Vape Directory Shows Contrast Between Vuse and JUUL Pod Systems and CrossBar 20K, Loon Flavored Disposables
Special Report|Virginia Vape Directory Shows Contrast Between Vuse and JUUL Pod Systems and CrossBar 20K, Loon Flavored Disposables
A 2Firsts analysis of Virginia's liquid nicotine and vapor product certification directory identified 213 product records from 15 manufacturers. Companies associated with BAT, Altria, Imperial Brands, JTI and JUUL account for 127 entries. The directory also includes independent brands CrossBar 20K, Loon and Breeze. CrossBar advertises a 13mL disposable capable of up to 20,000 puffs, while Loon has 16 disposable entries featuring fruit, cooling and beverage-related flavors. Of all records, 120 are labeled as under FDA PMTA review. Virginia introduced revised penalties on October 1, 2026, including a minimum first-violation civil penalty of $5,000 per unlisted product, alongside new retail tobacco permitting requirements.
Regulations
Oct.30
EU Vape, Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Pouch Tax Reform Reaches Ministerial Talks: Sweden Opposes Proposed 2032 Minimum of 50% of Retail Price or €50/kg for Nicotine Pouches
EU Vape, Heated Tobacco and Nicotine Pouch Tax Reform Reaches Ministerial Talks: Sweden Opposes Proposed 2032 Minimum of 50% of Retail Price or €50/kg for Nicotine Pouches
EU finance ministers are scheduled to discuss tobacco excise reform on November 9, 2026, seeking agreement on higher minimum duties for conventional tobacco and a common EU minimum tax framework covering e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. A November 5 Council document identifies nicotine pouch taxation as the main outstanding issue. The Irish Council presidency proposes phased increases, reaching 50% of retail selling price or €50 per kilogram in 2032. Sweden has formally said it cannot support the current compromise, objecting to both the proposed nicotine pouch tax burden and the adjustment of minimum rates based on national purchasing power. The package also addresses cross-border personal-use reference quantities, raw tobacco controls and the continued exclusion of traditional tobacco snus.
Regulations
Nov.10
Product | PIXL Adds 6ml PIXL 5K in UK Alongside 12ml PIXL 8000 as Vape Duty Takes Effect
Product | PIXL Adds 6ml PIXL 5K in UK Alongside 12ml PIXL 8000 as Vape Duty Takes Effect
Vaping brand PIXL has introduced the PIXL 5K reusable prefilled pod device in the UK, featuring a 2ml prefilled pod and a 4ml refill container with a combined e-liquid capacity of 6ml. The device uses 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid and is advertised to deliver up to approximately 5,000 puffs. Available through UK retailers by August 2026, the PIXL 5K sits alongside the existing 12ml PIXL 8000. The UK's Vaping Products Duty took effect on October 1 at £0.22 per millilitre, producing theoretical duty amounts of £1.32 and £2.64 for the two products' respective full refill sets.
product
Oct.10
FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
FDA Appoints Former Tobacco Enforcement Deputy Jessica Zeller as Director as Agency Weighs PMTA Framework Changes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has named Jessica Zeller director of the Center for Tobacco Products' (CTP) Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE), effective November 1, 2026. Zeller, the office's inaugural deputy director, returns from medical device manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences with more than 20 years of regulatory and legal experience. The appointment follows CTP leadership changes and adjustments to tobacco regulation. Bret Koplow became permanent CTP director in September; the FDA revised enforcement priorities for unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in May and announced faster PMTA review procedures. On September 28, the agency said it would evaluate changes to the existing PMTA regulatory framework, including potential rulemaking to replace it.
FDA
Oct.20 by 2Firsts Perspectives