Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/550304
8 tobaccoasia Representation for Tobacco Asia, ProTobEx and Inter-tabac ASIA Global Glenn Anthony John (Thailand) Tel +66 22 55 66 25 Fax +66 26 55 22 11 Mobile +66 818 299 409 gaj@octobermultimedia.com The Americas Northern Europe Emerson Leonard (United States) Tel/Mobile +1 917 680 1050 edl@octobermultimedia.com China Allen Liao or Ms. Zhao (China) Tel +86 10 6342 9839 Fax +86 10 6324 4446 allen@tobaccoasia.com or zrg@tobaccochina.com Spain/Italy Jonathan Wesley Bell (France) Tel: +33 563 414790 jwb@octobermultimedia.com Asia/Middle East/United Kingdom Chris Michaelides (Hong Kong) cam@octobermultimedia.com Published by: October Multimedia Co. Ltd. Produced and Distributed by: October Inter Co. Ltd. Bangkok, Thailand Tel +66 22 55 66 25 Fax +66 26 55 22 11 Directors Glenn Anthony John Boonthin Tubsongkroh ©2014 October Multimedia Inc. TOBACCO ASIA is published five times annually in February, May, July, September and November by October Multimedia Co. Ltd. Production and distribution of TO- BACCO ASIA is overseen by October Inter Co. Ltd., Vanit Bldg. 2, Room 1403A, 1126/2 New Petchburi Rd., Bangkok 10400 THAILAND. Tel +66 22 55 66 25, Fax +66 26 55 22 11. E-mail: info@octobermultimedia.com web: www.tobaccoasia.com. From the Publisher In with the New Welcome to the first issue of Tobacco Asia in a brand new year. And, appropriately, if we have a theme this time round it is: "In with the new". First of all, we welcome our new managing editor, Howard Richardson, an award-winning feature writer with more than 20 years experi- ence in publishing. We look forward to working with him as we continue with the job of keeping you, our readers, abreast of all the important de- velopments in the tobacco industry. We've also introduced a few slight changes to the magazine layout, making it easier to read, while keeping all the established departments, from factory news to industry spotlight and up-to-the-minute features. New, too, is our shift to Bali for this year's exhibitions ProTobEx Asia and Inter-tabac Asia, which will be held from February 27-28. The exhibition, orchestrated jointly by October Multimedia, publisher of this magazine, and Messe Westfalenhallen GmbH, organizers of Inter-tabac (Dortmund), brings trading opportunities and expert speakers from around the world to the heart of Asia. We will carry a full review of this exciting event in coming issues. Groundbreaking in the wider world of tobacco are the latest rounds of talks concern- ing several legislative developments internationally. These are so far reaching they could potentially shape the industry for years to come. And they are busily stacking up in the few short months ahead. In our feature on e-cigarettes, we hear not only about all the latest trends in the market, but also that the long awaited legislation defining which category the products will fall under is close at hand. The new regulations on e-cigarettes are part of the European Union's To- bacco Products Directive (TPD), which is due to be ratified early this year. Will e-cigarettes be included under consumer items? Or the more strictly regulated medical products? Indus- try insiders believe the outcome could influence other countries' decisions on the matter and ultimately fully open up global markets for one of the most rousing and talked-about additions to the tobacco world in recent years. In addition the TPD will have implications in areas such as health warnings on packaging and flavorings in cigarettes and RYO tobacco. High on the agenda, too, is the matter of the plain packaging of tobacco products, man- dated by the Australian government and brought into force in December 2012. Several coun- tries and several tobacco companies are suing the Australian government through the World Trade Organization and other channels. The latest developments will take shape over the next few months, and we have an in depth overview of the situation in our feature Plain Talk- ing. Read why there is cause for guarded optimism for the industry. In other news, we hear from Asia-Pacific cigar expert Eric Piras about progress in the regional cigar market, and from Allen Liao on how – amid all the restrictions on conventional forms of advertising – marketers in China are becoming increasingly savvy about how to connect with consumers. And last, but far from least, we bring you up to the mark on new scientific discoveries, products, services and investment, including expanding interests in Russia for the likes of Phillip Morris and Japan Tobacco International.