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** 12 May 2026
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** UK
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** Bristol stop smoking alliance shortlisted for health inequalities award (#1)
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** Litter fines vary across Yorkshire (#2)
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** Philip Morris adds tobacco-free nicotine sticks to IQOS (#3)
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** STG adds mint variants to XQS nicotine pouch range (#4)
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** International
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** US judge dismisses BAT North Korea sanctions case after compliance agreement (#5)
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** Imperial Brands flags potential cost pressures linked to Iran war (#6)
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** Concerns raised over tobacco licensing costs for small retailers in Ireland (#7)
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** UK
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** Bristol stop smoking alliance shortlisted for health inequalities award
A regional anti-smoking partnership in Bristol has been shortlisted in the Innovation in Reducing Health Inequalities category at The MJ Achievement Awards. The Smokefree BNSSG Alliance brings together councils, NHS organisations and community groups with the goal of cutting adult smoking rates to below 5% by 2030.
Matt Lenny of North Somerset Council said the nomination recognised the strength of the partnership and underlined the importance of reducing smoking to help narrow health inequalities.
The programme includes expanded quit smoking services, the £2.2m Swap to Stop scheme and NHS tobacco dependency support across several care settings.
Source: Health Management, 12 May 2026
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** Litter fines vary across Yorkshire
People caught dropping litter, such as cigarette butts, in parts of Yorkshire and the North East can face different penalties depending on the council area, with some authorities imposing fines several times higher than others. Following a Government increase in the maximum fixed penalty for littering to £500 in 2023, councils across the region have adopted varying approaches to enforcement.
Cigarette butts, in particular, can take up to 12 years to degrade, with councils increasing enforcement efforts in response to ongoing environmental and anti-social behaviour concerns.
Source: Yorkshire Post, 12 May 2026
See also: ASH – Tobacco and the Environment ([link removed])
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** Philip Morris adds tobacco-free nicotine sticks to IQOS
Philip Morris International has introduced nicotine sticks for its IQOS ILUMA system that do not contain tobacco. The first release includes flavoured sticks created for use with the ILUMA device.
Source: Convenience Store, 28 April 2026
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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** STG adds mint variants to XQS nicotine pouch range
Scandinavian Tobacco Group has introduced a new mint-focused extension to its XQS in the UK, adding Spearmint, Peppermint and Menthol in two nicotine strengths. The company stated that mint flavours currently account for 78% of sales in the category.
The launch is being promoted by a consumer and trade campaign called ‘Get minted’, includes promotional activity and prize-based incentives for both shoppers and retailers.
Source: Better Retailing, 11 May 2026
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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** International
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** US judge dismisses BAT North Korea sanctions case after compliance agreement
A US federal judge has dismissed a criminal case against British American Tobacco over allegations that it conspired to breach US sanctions by selling cigarettes to North Korea.
The Department of Justice said the company had “fully complied” with a 2023 deferred prosecution agreement, including strengthening compliance systems and paying around $630m in penalties, forfeiture and fines. The agreement related to conduct between 2007 and 2017 involving sales linked to a third-party distributor.
The case involved allegations that tobacco products were sold into North Korea despite the company’s stated withdrawal from the market during that period. A subsidiary had previously pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge.
Source: Reuters, 11 May 2026
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** Imperial Brands flags potential cost pressures linked to Iran war
Imperial Brands has said that the conflict involving Iran could increase costs and affect demand if it continues.
The company reported adjusted operating profit of £1.64bn for the first half, an increase of 0.6% on a constant currency basis, compared with expectations of £1.66bn. It also recorded a 16 basis point decline in market share across its five core markets: the US, Germany, the UK, Spain and Australia.
Source: Reuters, 12 May 2026
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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** Concerns raised over tobacco licensing costs for small retailers in Ireland
A senator from Co Monaghan has raised concerns about rising licensing fees for the sale of tobacco and nicotine products in Ireland, arguing that recent changes are placing a disproportionate burden on small local retailers.
He said the annual cost of around €1,800 is difficult for smaller shops, convenience stores and rural off-licences to absorb, particularly in the current economic climate, and warned it could affect competitiveness along the border with Northern Ireland, where no equivalent fee is charged.
Source: Northern Sound, 11 May 2026
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