Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1547352
8 tobaccoasia Issue 6, 2026 November / December From the Editor © 2026 October Multimedia Co Ltd. TOBACCO ASIA (ISSN 2773-8701) is published bi-monthly by October Multimedia Co Ltd in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Printing and distribution of TOBACCO ASIA is overseen by October Inter Co. Ltd., Thamatee Building, 159/19 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 110, Ramkhamhaeng Road, Sapansung, Bangkok 10240 THAILAND. E-mail: info@octobermultimedia.com, web: www.tobaccoasia.com, WeChat/WhatsApp: +19178430000 Representation for Tobacco Asia Asia/Middle East/Australasia Southern Europe/Eastern Europe China/Italy/Spain/France October Inter Co. Ltd. Thamatee Building, 159/19 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 110, Ramkhamhaeng Road, Sapansung, Bangkok 10240 Tel +66 812861103. info@octobermultimedia.com WhatsApp/WeChat: +19178430000 The Americas/Benelux/UK Germany/Scandinavia Switzerland/Austria Cardinal Media LLC 2 Glenfield, Barrington RI 02806 United States Contact: Emerson Leonard Tel +1 917 680 1050 edl@octobermultimedia.com Printing/Distribution overseen by: October Inter Co. Ltd. Published by: October Multimedia Co., Ltd. Printed in Thailand © 2026 October Multimedia Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Bylined or initialed articles represent the opinion of the author. All articles published in Tobacco Asia or www.tobaccoasia.com are copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission. Subscriptions to TOBACCO ASIA magazine Subscription Rates: 1 Year – US$75.00 2 Years – US$145.00 3 Years – US$210.00 For inquiries, contact: accounts@octmm.com Secure online payment: https://www.tobaccoasia.com/subscribe Nattira Medvedeva Managing Editor As the year draws to a close, the industry has plenty to reflect on and no shortage of questions heading into the next one. Established markets are exploring new avenues for growth, companies are extending their reach beyond domestic bor- ders, and the range of products on offer continues to evolve. At the same time, regulatory approaches remain in flux, while conditions further up the supply chain are putting pressure on growers and manufacturers alike. How these different forces develop will be an important part of the industry's story in the coming year. China offers an interesting example of how established to- bacco businesses are looking ahead. Cigarettes remain the foundation of its domestic market, but China Tobacco is also investing in heated tobacco, researching nicotine pouches, and developing its cigar busi- ness. These activities suggest an interest in broadening the market without abandoning its traditional core. Meanwhile, China Tobacco International is building a more visible interna- tional presence. Its offering at InterTabac, spanning cigars, tobacco leaf, and novel tobacco products, reflected the breadth of its overseas ambitions. Together, these developments offer a glimpse of how China's tobacco sector is positioning itself for the next stage of its development (see Timothy Donahue's story on p.34 and Allen Liao's story on p.30 for more in-depth details). For growers, the outlook is shaped by a different set of considerations. Extreme weather, higher production costs, and uncertainty over buyers and demand can make decisions about planting and investment increasingly difficult. The reports presented at ITGA's 2026 An- nual General Meeting highlight the different pressures facing growers across regions, from the practical challenges of maintaining production to the wider question of whether tobacco remains a viable crop in their markets. These concerns deserve attention: the future of the industry depends not only on the products companies develop and the markets they enter, but also on the availability and sustainability of the leaf supply behind them. Read our report on p.58 for a closer look at the issues raised by ITGA members at the AGM. Regulation will remain another major influence on the industry's direction. In the US, FDA's Center for Tobacco Products has shown signs of a changing approach to product autho- rization and risk under Bret Koplow. Its willingness to discuss differences in risk between products, alongside efforts to improve review processes, has added a new dimension to the regulatory debate. The agency's plans to revisit its premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) framework could bring further changes, although the details remain to be seen. For manufacturers developing new products, the eventual direction of these policies could have important implications for investment, product launches, and market access (more details on p.18). The key question is how these developments will reshape the market. New product catego- ries, international expansion, tobacco leaf demand, and regulatory decisions will all influence opportunities across the industry. The year ahead promises no shortage of surprises as today's ambitions meet the realities of the market.