Dr Domilyn C. Villarreiz 14 January 1966 – 18 August 2026 Dr Domilyn Villarreiz, or just Domz, was the smoke-free expert in the Philippines and beyond. As the first Co-chairperson of the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force, Domz was the driving force behind smoke-free Davao City even prior to the passage of a national tobacco […]
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A wake-up call for the EU: is it time for a renewed policy to combat illicit tobacco trade?
By: Luk Joossens and Erin Roman The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is the European Union’s external auditor, established to perform independent and high-quality audits to improve the EU’s governance, accountability, transparency and sound financial management, thereby contributing to citizens’ trust in the EU. ECA reports can have consequences. For example, in 1994, the ECA […]
Oral Nicotine Pouches in Mexico: how marketing exploits regulatory gaps
By Ponciano-Rodriguez Guadalupe and Flores-Escalante Valentina A new generation of nicotine products is entering markets worldwide, often moving faster than the regulations intended to protect public health. Oral Nicotine Pouches (ONPs), among the newest products promoted by the tobacco industry, have especially gained popularity among young people. Commercial ONP brands report that their products may […]
How smoking makes Australians poorer – and what we can do about it
Australia’s illicit tobacco market has grown rapidly in recent years, prompting some commentators and political parties to advocate for drastic cuts to tobacco tax. In this article originally published in The Conversation, Professor Coral Gartner and Dr Ara Cho from the University of Queensland lay out what is needed to support people who experience […]
Technovation and Narrative Power: Innovation, Influence and Information Saturation in the AI Era
By Ruth Njengere Lehmann, Kris Schürch and Luciano Ruggia Over the past decade, major tobacco companies, most prominently Philip Morris International (PMI), have repositioned themselves as technology-driven actors committed to a “smoke-free future.” Central to this transformation is the promotion of heated tobacco products such as IQOS and ILUMA, framed within a broader narrative that […]
The Five Truths of Tobacco for Africa: Tobacco a development trap
Robert Mwale & Leonce Sessou, Tobacco has shaped the economies of Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe for decades. Together, these countries sometimes referred to as “T5”, produced more than US$2.8 billion in tobacco export earnings in 2024, with Zimbabwe alone accounting for nearly half of this value. This could be seen as an economic […]
Finishing last in protecting young fans: F1’s six decades of driving addiction
Jorge Alday A small child in a red Ferrari suit advertising Zyn at the Japanese Grand Prix in late March should be a wake-up call for anyone not yet attuned to the dangers of tobacco sponsorship in Formula 1. This follows the December 2025 announcement extending Philip Morris International (PMI)’s sponsorship of the Ferrari Formula […]
Tobacco Industry Ties Exposed in Swiss Universities
Michela Canevascini, Pascal Diethelm & Sophie Lonchampt A recent investigation by the Swiss Transparency and Truth initiative, led by OxySuisse, reveals widespread collaborations between tobacco companies and Swiss universities. The report documents 29 partnerships involving 16 academic institutions between 2019 and 2024. These findings raise important concerns. The tobacco industry uses scientific collaborations to gain […]
Smyle Labs’ Focus on ‘Discreet’ and ‘Novelty’ Products Requires Regulatory Action
George Pearson, Megan C. Diaz & Jennifer M. Kreslake Based out of California, Smyle Labs is a producer of atomizers, batteries, cartomizers, clearomisers and empty tank systems. While, officially describing itself as a “trendsetter in the aromatherapy accessories industry,” it is clear that Smyle Labs produces products intended for cannabis and nicotine users looking for […]
Unmasking Tobacco Industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility in Oman
Ruth Mabry & Jawad A. Al-Lawati The 2026 World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) theme calls for stronger policies to protect youth and targets the marketing of e-cigarettes and similar products as innovative or less harmful aimed at attracting new users, particularly young people. With stricter bans on tobacco advertising, the tobacco industry reverts to corporate social […]