Tobacco Asia

16 tobaccoasia FRONT PAGE NEWS 卷首新闻 InterTabac/InterSupply 2025 Preview The trade show duo of InterTabac and InterSupply has long established itself as a hub for innovation, networking, and the exchange of the latest industry trends. Top decision-makers, buyers, and trade visitors from the retail, service, and manufac- turing sectors will not only gain new inspiration for their business during the event, but also have exclusive opportunities to expand their business network. Here is a sneak preview of the exhibitor lists and supporting program. The classic segment covering cigars, cigarettes, pipes, pipe tobacco, and fine-cut tobacco is traditionally well represented. Their latest editions in the ci- gar sector will be showcased by Kleinlagel oHG, VCF J. Cortes, J.C. Newman Cigar Company, Maya Selva Cigars, Gesinta International Tobacco Company, and Humo Selecto S.A., among others. Joh. Wilh. von Eicken GmbH will also be presenting its comprehensive range of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and fine-cut tobacco. Lex Tobacco Company, Grand Tabac Inc., Has Tobacco Group, Cahan Tobacco International, Maans Nirdosh and Swan Valley International are among those specializing in cigarettes. Renowned companies such as AKRA Kotschen- reuther GmbH and Zippo GmbH are expanding the trade show offering with smok- ing accessories. The growing sector of next-generation products is also already represented by some big names. Among others, Intrade Concepts GmbH, InnoCigs GmbH & Co. KG, Gold Bar, Dinner Lady, HQD, Geekvape, TRULO GmbH, and EX-Trade GmbH & Co. KG have registered to showcase their e-cigarette products. Pouches will be presented by ICE Nicopods, Spectrum Leaf AB, House of Pouches, Altria Group, and Dholakia Tobacco, among others. Companies such as Philip Morris International, Nanyang Brothers Tobacco, First Union, and Imiracle Technology will showcase the latest trends in heat-not-burn products. The list of exhibitors for InterSupply, the trade fair for the manufacturing process of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, pipes, and water pipes, already fea- tures some exciting names. These include, for example, Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Nicos Gleoudis Kavex SA, Körber Technologies GmbH, the Tembo Group, and Hertz & Selck GmbH & Co. The industry get-together will be rounded off by a high-caliber supporting program. This includes numerous presentations and discussions in which lead- ing experts will share in-depth knowledge and the latest findings on topics that are driving the industry forward. The thematic focus will be on important aspects such as international regulations, innovation, trends and new markets, as well as sustainability. Companies and organizations that have already confirmed their participation in Dortmund include Tobacco Intelligence, Tobacco Europe, PLXSR, Chemnovatic, the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM). Trade visitors who do not want to miss this opportunity to take a deep dive into the industry can already purchase tickets for InterTabac and InterSupply in the online ticket shop. Tickets for some side events are also available here, including the premiere of the Cigar Culture Summit and the second edition of PouchXchange. Australia: NSW Sparks Tax Debate Over Black Market Tobacco New South Wales premier Chris Minns called to lower tobacco taxes, citing a sharp rise in illicit cigarette sales across the state and nationwide. Originally introduced in 2010 to help reduce smoking rates, the excise has come under renewed scrutiny as tax revenue from legal tobacco continues to fall. In March, federal budget figures revealed a nearly A$7 billion (US$4.6 billion) shortfall in tobacco-related revenue, attributed to a growing shift toward illegal cigarettes and nicotine vaping products. The treasury now projects a revenue drop of A$6.9 billion (US$4.5 billion) through 2029 as more Australians opt for cheaper, unregulated alternatives. "We need to take a serious look at the scale of this excise and how it's fueling illegal tobacco sales in our communities," Minns said. He also questioned the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts: "Is it really the best use of NSW Police time to focus on tobacco sales, when the federal government isn't collecting the tax revenue it expected from these steep increases?" While Minns reaffirmed his commitment to public health efforts around smoking cessation, he argued for a more practical policy approach. "I fully support the health messaging," he said, "but ignoring the explosion of illicit tobacco sales while pouring public money into enforcement doesn't seem like the smartest strategy." According to Minns, NSW plans to propose a reduction in the federal excise tax at an upcoming meeting of health ministers, acknowledg- ing that the suggestion may be politically unpopular. "There's been a tax on cigarettes for decades, and I understand that," Minns said. But he noted that excise levels had surged in recent years, creating conditions where even law-abiding citizens were turn- ing to the black market. "They wouldn't break the law in a million years," he said, "but they're being dragged into a black market where they go to the store, they can either buy a A$11–A$13 packet of illegal cigarettes, or a A$39 packet of cigarettes." Currently, excise makes up roughly 75% of the retail cost of a cigarette pack in Australia, pushing prices among the highest in the world. Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers, however, rejected the idea that reducing cigarette prices would curb the country's growing illegal tobacco market. "I don't think the answer here is to make cigarettes cheaper for people," he said. "I think the answer here is to get better at compliance." He added that the federal government has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to strengthen enforcement and tackle the illicit tobacco trade. "This is both a public health issue and a law enforcement issue, and we're addressing both," Chalmers said. Federal health minister Mark Butler echoed that sentiment, pointing to international examples that challenge the notion that lower prices reduce criminal Messe Dortmund is ready to open its doors again this September to visitors and exhibitors at InterTabac, InterSupply, and CB Expo. Credit: Messe Dortmund

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