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BlackRock Enters Top Shareholder Ranks as KT&G Holding Reaches 5.01%

BlackRock Enters Top Shareholder Ranks as KT&G Holding Reaches 5.01%
BlackRock increased its stake in KT&G to 5.01% after purchasing 68,646 shares, bringing total holdings to 5,914,169 shares and triggering Korea’s large-shareholding disclosure rules. KT&G shares climbed to an all-time intraday high of 153,900(about US$106.19) won and closed at a record 152,900(about US$105.50) won. KT&G is set to report earnings on Feb. 5, with consensus pointing to year-on-year growth in revenue and operating profit.
Jan.30
Altria Reports Full-Year 2025 Results: Revenue Down 3.1%, Cigarette Volumes Slide 10% as NJOY Takes Impairment Hit

Altria Reports Full-Year 2025 Results: Revenue Down 3.1%, Cigarette Volumes Slide 10% as NJOY Takes Impairment Hit
Altria has released its full-year 2025 results, reporting full-year net revenues of $23.279 billion, down 3.1% year over year. Domestic cigarette shipment volume fell 10% for the year. on! nicotine pouches reached a 7.7% share of the U.S. oral tobacco category in the fourth quarter. NJOY posted $21 million in net revenues in Q4, while full-year net revenues were negative $13 million (mainly due to returns and related factors).
Jan.30
IQOS Japan launches three ILUMA i custom bundle sets with leather wrap and premium ring accessories, on sale from Jan 29

IQOS Japan launches three ILUMA i custom bundle sets with leather wrap and premium ring accessories, on sale from Jan 29
According to IQOS Japan’s official website, the company has introduced three custom bundle sets for its IQOS ILUMA i lineup, combining devices with accessories as bundled offerings, and began rolling them out across multiple sales channels from Jan. 29.
Jan.29
Philip Morris Japan adds “Electric Purple” to IQOS ILUMA i range, expands to convenience stores from Feb. 3

Philip Morris Japan adds “Electric Purple” to IQOS ILUMA i range, expands to convenience stores from Feb. 3
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) said on Jan. 29 it has introduced “Electric Purple” as a new standard color option for its IQOS ILUMA i heated tobacco device lineup, covering three models with prices unchanged. The new color will be available from Jan. 29 via the company’s official online and store channels, with sales expanding to convenience stores and some tobacco retailers from Feb. 3.
Jan.29
Reynolds American’s Grizzly expands NASCAR presence, to be primary sponsor for 27 Kaulig Racing Cup races in 2026

Reynolds American’s Grizzly expands NASCAR presence, to be primary sponsor for 27 Kaulig Racing Cup races in 2026
Grizzly Nicotine Pouches, a brand of American Snuff Company (ASC), a Reynolds American unit, said it will increase its NASCAR investment in the 2026 season, serving as primary sponsor for a combined 27 races across Kaulig Racing’s two full-time NASCAR Cup Series cars. The company added that Grizzly is already one of NASCAR’s official partner brands across all NASCAR tracks.
Jan.29
Product | “Mini Water-Bottle” Design, Rated at 60,000 Puffs: Al Fakher Launches New Disposable in the U.S. and UAE

Product | “Mini Water-Bottle” Design, Rated at 60,000 Puffs: Al Fakher Launches New Disposable in the U.S. and UAE
E-cigarette brand Al Fakher has recently listed its disposable hookah-style device, the Al Fakher Crown Bar 60K E-Hose X, across multiple online retail channels in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The product features a mini water-bottle-like design, is rated for up to 60,000 puffs, comes with a 50ml e-liquid reservoir and a 1,000mAh rechargeable battery, and supports dual DTL/MTL vaping modes.
Jan.28
Japan Tobacco seeks retail price hike for Ploom tobacco sticks; EVO and others to rise by 30 yen per pack

Japan Tobacco seeks retail price hike for Ploom tobacco sticks; EVO and others to rise by 30 yen per pack
Japan Tobacco (JT) said it has applied to raise retail prices for its heated tobacco-related products from April 1, 2026, covering 37 variants of Ploom tobacco sticks and with capsules, with most increases at 20–30 yen per pack (about $0.13–$0.19).
Jan.28
PMI says it submitted evidence to FDA panel backing ZYN bid for modified-risk status

PMI says it submitted evidence to FDA panel backing ZYN bid for modified-risk status
Philip Morris International said it presented scientific evidence to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee to support its ZYN nicotine pouches seeking a modified risk tobacco product designation, which would allow the company to communicate to adult smokers that switching completely to ZYN could reduce the risk of multiple smoking-related diseases.
Jan.26
KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year

KT&G’s Heated Tobacco Brand “lil” Named to Korea’s Brand Hall of Fame for Eighth Consecutive Year
KT&G said its heated tobacco brand “lil” was selected as an outstanding brand in the heated tobacco category of the “2026 Korea Brand Hall of Fame,” marking its eighth straight year on the list. The awards are organized by the Industrial Policy Research Institute (IPS) and determined through a composite evaluation of customer satisfaction, brand value and market performance.
Jan.26
Walgreens Brings Vapes Back to Some U.S. Stores; Juul Says It’s in or Near 6,000 Locations

Walgreens Brings Vapes Back to Some U.S. Stores; Juul Says It’s in or Near 6,000 Locations
Walgreens has begun selling vape products again in some U.S. stores, marking a notable reversal after the chain pulled vapes from shelves in 2019 amid concerns over youth use and health risks. Juul says it is expanding across thousands of Walgreens locations, and NJOY also lists Walgreens stores as retailers.
Jan.26
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Juul’s San Francisco Headquarters May Be Sold as Debt Talks Advance

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NASCAR adds nicotine pouch sponsor Grizzly as official partner; zone renews RCR deal for 2026

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JTI appoints Olesja Flores as General Manager for Global Travel Retail

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Japan Tobacco expands Ploom EVO stick lineup, rolling out four new variants in Japan in two phases

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Canada: “I Want My Pouches” launches during National Non-Smoking Week to push easier adult access to nicotine pouches

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UK vape firm Plxsur sold for £76,500 after touting $1 billion revenue target

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JTI reshuffles regional leadership; Gabriella Offeddu to lead Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria

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USITC Issues Final Ruling in 337-TA-1392 Investigation, Imposes Limited Exclusion Order and Cease and Desist Orders

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PMI’s Japan unit to raise IQOS ILUMA stick prices; TEREA and SENTIA to increase from April

