Tobacco Asia

72 tobaccoasia CLOSING NEWS 卷尾新闻 283 carton)," the source said. "But 7.27 cigarettes are rumored to be what Kim Jong Un smokes, so wealthy people buy them out of curiosity." The brand comes in two types — one with dark red packaging and another with light gray. The latter is considered the premium option and fetches a higher price. Those who have tried it often say it is"worth the money" and "no wonder Kim Jong Un smokes these," according to the source. The combination of limited availability and its reported connection to the North Korean leader appears to be driving demand among Chinese buyers. The name "7.27" refers to July 27, the date of the Korean War armistice. North Korea marks this day annually as "Victory Day," and the cigarette packaging includes the war years 1950–1953, showing a link between branding and national symbolism. "North Korean cigarettes have been smuggled over and sold here for a long time," the source explained. "Premium cigarettes like 7.27 used to require special requests to import, but now they're trickling in through illegal trade." Some Chinese consumers reportedly view Kim Jong Un and North Korea in a positive light. "Some say everything is free in North Korea and it's a good place to live," the source said, adding that this sentiment fuels demand for North Korean prod- ucts — especially the 7.27 cigarettes. In North Korea, the light gray 7.27s are considered a luxury item and are rarely available to the public. They're often used in informal exchanges or as gifts to officials, and even during major holidays, everyday citizens generally do not have access to them. Grupo Turrent Announces Leadership Transition Grupo Turrent, Mexico's most storied and internationally respected premium cigar house, is entering a new phase of leadership as part of its broader strategy to strengthen opera- tions across US and global markets. Effective June 4, Alejandro Turrent concluded his time with the company, where he most recently led international sales. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in expanding Grupo Turrent's global presence, building key commercial relationships, and elevating the reputation of Mexican cigars on the world stage. To ensure continuity, Ricardo Carioni and Gerardo Perez will jointly oversee US and international operations on an interim basis. Both bring deep experience in strategic planning and business development, and will serve as primary contacts for international partners. As the company moves forward, Grupo Turrent reaffirms its commitment to the values that have defined its legacy for five generations: honoring tradition, embracing innovation, and delivering exceptional cigars with a focus on customer satisfaction. BAT Targets MENA for Smokeless Growth British American Tobacco (BAT) is ramping up its move toward a future centered on smokeless products, and it views the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as a key driver of that strategy. With more than 60 years of history in the region, BAT views MENA as central to its strategy for reducing smoking-related harm and expanding its smoke-free portfolio. "The opportunities in the MENA region are immense, and smokers are actively making a switch from smoking to less risky products," said Alexandre Ghanem, cluster manager for BAT in MENA. "This consumer demand is aligned with our ambition to accelerate our THR journey by offering adult smokers a wide range of high-quality, scientifically substantiated reduced risk alternative nicotine products compared to cigarettes." Ghanem said BAT's efforts are grounded in science to develop non-combustible nicotine products that meet the evolving preferences of consumers. The company invests over £300 million (US$382 million) annually into r&d and employs more than 1,750 r&d specialists globally. Recent regional product rollouts include Velo, a tobacco-free nicotine pouch launched in the UAE. The move reflects BAT's push to meet changing consumer preferences in markets increasingly open to smoke-free products. Despite the shift, Ghanem pointed out a major obstacle remains: misinformation about nicotine. A recent global survey by Ipsos found that 74% of smokers believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking. Ghanem noted that this misperception persists despite endorsements from public health bodies like the UK's NHS, which has said vaping, while not risk-free, is less harmful than smoking. A Kantar survey showed 7.8% of UAE consumers already use non-combustible nicotine products, and 83% are open to switching. BAT aims to serve this demand with reduced-risk alternatives as part of its long-term vision to build a smokeless future. Nicotine Misunderstood by US Healthcare Providers A new nationwide survey reveals that many US healthcare professionals continue to hold inaccurate views about nicotine and its risks. Commissioned by Philip Morris International's US affiliate (PMI US), the study found that 47% of surveyed healthcare providers mistakenly believe nicotine is a carcino- gen. That number rises to 59% among medical professionals who indicate half or more of their patients smoke. An addi- tional 19% said they were unsure. The findings suggest that misconceptions about nicotine continue to hinder tobacco harm reduction. Although most medical professionals agree that smoke-free alternatives—such as nicotine pouches and vapor products—are addictive and not entirely without risk, the majority also recognize that they are significantly less harmful than cigarettes. Povaddo LLC conducted the survey between March 10 and April 5, reaching 1,565 licensed healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and mental health professionals across the US. More than two-thirds (69%) said they want the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to share clinical evidence on the role of smoke-free products in harm reduction as well as clear guidance on clear guidance on counseling patients about transitioning to smoke-free alternatives as part of harm reduction strategies (68%). Ninety-five percent of respondents would share FDA-provided information on smoke-free products with their patients, and 77% believe addressing smoking and tobacco use should remain a "high priority" for the US government. "One of the most striking findings from this research is the prevalence of misinformation about nicotine—even among otherwise well-informed healthcare professionals," said Matt Holman, vice president of US scientific engagement and regulatory strategy at PMI US and former director at FDA's Office of Science. "Addressing these misconceptions with robust, evidence-based communication from authorities like the FDA is crucial to helping providers guide their patients and support harm reduction."

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