PMI introduces IQOS ILUMA i Electric Purple in travel retail

Philip Morris International Global Travel Retail (PMI) has introduced the new IQOS ILUMA i Electric Purple device to the travel retail channel, reinforcing its strategy to accelerate the shift towards smoke-free alternatives through product innovation and expanded airport distribution.

The latest addition to the IQOS portfolio is now available in domestic markets and across the global travel retail platform, with rollout beginning in Japan travel retail before expanding through a phased launch across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Asia.

The device forms part of PMI’s next-generation IQOS ILUMA range, which uses tobacco heating technology rather than combustion. The system heats real tobacco to produce a nicotine-containing aerosol without smoke, offering adult smokers an alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Presented in a new Electric Purple colourway, the device is designed to appeal to adult travellers seeking distinctive design and advanced technology within the growing smoke-free category.

Travel retail remains a strategic channel for PMI as it seeks to engage adult nicotine users at key international gateways. The company’s smoke-free products are now available in more than 300 airports worldwide, providing brands with opportunities to introduce innovations to a global audience of travellers.

According to PMI Global Travel Retail, the launch reflects its ongoing focus on combining product innovation with strong retail execution in airports, positioning travel retail as an important touchpoint in encouraging adult smokers to explore science-based alternatives.

More than 34 million adults worldwide have already chosen IQOS as an alternative to cigarettes, according to the company.

IQOS devices heat tobacco rather than burning it and are intended for adult smokers who would otherwise continue smoking. The products are not risk-free and contain nicotine, which is addictive.

BAT and Avolta announce McLaren Mastercard F1 Team collaboration

BAT Avolta F1 McLaren car — Image Credit: BAT

British American Tobacco (BAT) and Avolta have expanded their commercial partnership with a new collaboration for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Under the agreement, across nine races in the F1 calendar, BAT will share a portion of its BAT-owned branding space on the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team car with Club Avolta – Avolta’s global loyalty programme.

The expanded collaboration reflects the growing strategic alignment between BAT and Avolta. With more than 5,100 outlets across over 70 countries and a database of 15 million adult loyalty members, Avolta provides significant global reach.

BAT’s smokeless portfolio – including Vuse, glo and its nicotine pouch brand VELO – continues to grow, driven by worldclass science and consumer-led innovation.

The integration of McLaren Mastercard F1 Team branding alongside Avolta’s global footprint and digital touchpoints aims to offer a powerful vehicle to enhance the visibility of BAT’s smokeless products. This includes expanded visibility and distribution opportunities for VELO to adult consumers across key travel corridors, where regulations permit.

BAT & Avolta rev up reach

BAT Cluster General Manager Global Travel Retail and China Andy Hrstic commented: “We are thrilled to be able to bring this initiative to life in partnership with Avolta, and with the support of the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team.

“This partnership highlights the strong and growing strategic alignment between BAT and Avolta, and the value we can unlock when we bring our respective strengths together. The combination of Avolta’s global scale with BAT’s consumer-led innovation enables us to deliver richer, more engaging experiences for adult consumers across the travel retail channel.”

BAT execs Avolta F1 McLaren deal — Image Credit: BAT

BAT Customer Group Manager Alberto Henao Lafaurie noted: “Extending the collaboration between Avolta and BAT GTR to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team platform reinforces our shared ambition – it gives us a powerful new way to enhance visibility, build awareness of our smokeless brands, including our market leading nicotine pouch brand VELO, and raise the standard of execution in one of the world’s most dynamic retail environments.”

Avolta Chief Commercial Officer Nicolas Girotto added: “Bringing Club Avolta to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team stage reinforces our global brand presence and demonstrates what strong strategic partnerships can achieve at scale.

Avolta execs BAT Avolta F1 McLaren deal — Image Credit: BAT

“Through this collaboration, we are creating high-impact moments that connect with adult travellers across our markets and strengthen our commercial impact. We look forward to building further momentum together.”

Avolta Global Category Management Director – Liquor, Tobacco and Food Eduardo Heusi commented: “This partnership reflects the strength of our long-standing relationship with BAT and our shared ambition to elevate brand engagement across global travel retail.

“By connecting our retail footprint with one of the world’s most prestigious sporting platforms, we are creating new opportunities to strengthen brand visibility and enhance the experience for adult travellers across our markets.”

Imperial Brands to spotlight portfolio at Summit of the Americas

Imperial Brands will return to the IAADFS Summit of the Americas 2026 in Orlando next month, using the regional platform to present its cross-category tobacco portfolio to partners across the Americas.

The event, taking place from 28–31 March at the Rosen Shingle Creek, remains a key fixture in Imperial Brands’ annual calendar and a strategic opportunity to reinforce relationships in what it views as a pivotal region for global travel retail tobacco.

At the show, the company will highlight a portfolio that balances international powerhouses with strong regional performers. Central to the presentation will be Davidoff, which marks its 100-year anniversary in 2026 and continues to hold strong recognition among legal-age travelling consumers.

Imperial Brands will also underline its customer-centric approach through a line-up tailored to diverse passenger demographics. American favourites such as Backwoods and USA Gold will sit alongside globally recognised names including L&B and Golden Virginia.

With the Americas expected to welcome significant inbound travel in the year ahead — including heightened attention around the FIFA World Cup across the USA, Canada and Mexico — the company sees the Summit as a timely moment to align with partners ahead of peak trading periods.

Scott Wilson, Regional Sales Manager Western Europe & Americas at Imperial Brands, said: “We’re very much looking forward to exhibiting at the Summit of the Americas and connecting with our partners and customers from across the region. With an exciting summer ahead and the FIFA World Cup bringing global attention to the USA, Canada and Mexico, the region will welcome millions of international travellers. Imperial Brands is proud to support this momentum with a multi-category portfolio of iconic brands tailored to the evolving expectations of global consumers.”

Imperial Brands will exhibit at Booth 301 during the IAADFS Summit of the Americas, reinforcing its commitment to the Americas market and its ambition to leverage major global travel moments to drive category performance.

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Philip Morris recognised as top employer for tenth consecutive year

Image Credit: Philip Morris

Philip Morris International (PMI) has been certified as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for the tenth year in a row.

The Top Employer certification is the result of an independent assessment. PMI affiliates were also recognised as leading employers in 32 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific.

The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers six HR domains featuring 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Learning, Diversity & Inclusion, Purpose & Values and Wellbeing.

Top Employers Institute CEO Adrian Seligman commented: “Achieving a Country Top Employer Certification for 2026 reflects PMI’s dedication to building an outstanding workplace that enables sustained business performance.

“Their strong alignment between people strategy and organisational goals, combined with a commitment to continuous improvement, demonstrates the impact of their transformative practices. We are proud to recognise PMI for their meaningful contribution to a better world of work.”

Philip Morris team — Image Credit: Philip Morris

“PMI is honoured to be recognised as a Top Employer for ten consecutive years, an achievement that underscores the quality and consistency of our people practices on a global stage,” noted PMI Group Chief People & Culture Officer Fred Patitucci.

“We strive to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. This milestone reflects the passion and dedication of our teams worldwide. Looking ahead, we’ll continue setting the benchmark for modern employment investing in growth, inclusion, and wellbeing to attract and develop exceptional talent.”

Casa 1910 inks distribution agreement with Royal Caribbean International

Ultra-premium cigar company Casa 1910 has secured a distribution agreement with Royal Caribbean International to establish its portfolio of cigars as part of the premium retail and smoking lounge offerings on select Royal Caribbean vessels.

“Securing a distribution agreement with a global leader like Royal Caribbean is a testament to the quality and unique appeal of Casa 1910’s Mexican-made cigars,” said Serge Bollag and Jamie Bär, Co-Founders of Casa 1910.

“Our brand narrative is deeply rooted in heritage, craftsmanship, and the spirit of discovery – values that resonate perfectly with the exceptional journey Royal Caribbean curates for its guests.

“This partnership is a defining moment, allowing us to introduce the true character of Mexican luxury to a sophisticated international audience in an unparalleled, high-seas setting.”

The collaboration builds on a period of intense global expansion for Casa 1910.

The brand is currently distributed in over 150 dedicated US retail locations and more than 30 international markets across Europe and Asia, with the move into the cruise channel said to ‘significantly accelerate the brand’s global visibility’.

Casa 1910 says it is poised to further strengthen its presence in the duty-free and cruise sectors throughout 2026 and plans to share additional announcements regarding its expansion and product development at key industry events.

Philip Morris International extends partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP

PMI nicotine patch brand ZYN will feature on Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 liveries.

Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced an expanded partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP and with Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, the single-marque motorsport championship created in 1993, for the 2026 season and beyond.

In a new development, nicotine patch brand ZYN will feature on Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 liveries at select races throughout the seasons. The ZYN branding made its debut on the Scuderia Ferrari HP car livery during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which took place on 7 December.

PMI President Smoke-Free Products & Chief Consumer Officer Stefano Volpetti commented: “PMI shares with Scuderia Ferrari HP the pursuit to innovate and challenge the status quo for millions of adults that share this passion. By engaging in this space, we demonstrate our commitment on this journey.

“By further enhancing our partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP, we hope to accelerate the replacement of cigarettes, and we want our adult consumers of nicotine products, like ZYN, to embrace and enjoy every moment of this thrilling ride.”

The expanded partnership reflects the ZYN brand’s impressive performance in GTR during 2025.

“PMI Global Travel Retail achieved remarkable milestones with ZYN during 2025, and this partnership will further reinforce ZYN’s position as the market leader and its commitment to innovation,” noted PMI Global Travel Retail Vice President Beste Ermaner.

Referencing ZYN’s GTR expansion this year – and its best-in-class executions at Arlanda Airport and onboard Baltic Sea ferries – Ermaner described the global travel retail environment as a destination where legal-age nicotine users can explore a diverse range of smoke-free products, and transition to better smoke-free alternatives.

Regarding the Middle East, Ermaner said: “Dubai was the first market to introduce ZYN 3.0 – a revamped product featuring a redesigned can and enhanced brand experience.”

She also highlighted the brand’s strong performance in Japan, where ZYN became the number one nicotine pouch product in travel retail just three months after it launched.

Oliva Cigar Company achieves FSC Chain of Custody certification

Oliva Cigar FSC chain of custody certification

The FSC initiative forms just one part of Oliva’s broader sustainability strategy.

Oliva Cigar Company has announced that its cigar boxes are now produced entirely using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood – making it the first cigar manufacturer to achieve FSC Chain of Custody certification.

The milestone underscores Oliva’s long-term commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and social accountability across its operations.

“This certification is not only about materials – it’s about a philosophy,” noted CEO Cory Bappert. “It ensures that all of the wood used in our boxes comes from responsible sources that support reforestation, biodiversity, workplace safety, and fair labour standards.”

The FSC Chain of Custody certification confirms that every stage of Oliva’s box production, from sourcing to finishing, follows rigourous sustainability protocols.

Oliva underlines sustainability commitment

The achievement caps a four-year company-wide project that involved developing new manuals, training employees across all departments, and expanding staffing to ensure standards were met consistently.

While certification marks a major step forward, Oliva said it viewed sustainability as an ongoing daily commitment. Each shipment of certified material will continue to be independently verified, ensuring that no uncertified wood enters the production process.

“The certification assessed our ability,” explained Director of Logistics and Product Regulations Bernie Rodriguez. “Now we are judged every day on how well we live up to it.”

At its Hacienda de Ernesto facility, Oliva develops its own seed varieties, to improve resistance and reduce pesticide use, protecting both the environment and the final product.

The FSC initiative forms just one part of Oliva’s broader sustainability strategy, which extends from the soil to the finished cigar. For more than five years, the company has operated a nursery outside Condega, Nicaragua, cultivating trees and plants for reforestation projects on its farms. It has also donated thousands of seedlings each year to schools and national programmes.

At its Hacienda de Ernesto facility, Oliva develops its own seed varieties, to improve resistance and reduce pesticide use, protecting both the environment and the final product. In addition, Oliva has adopted advanced Cuban soil-cutting techniques to minimise the disruption of natural biodiversity. The company has also established a circular farming system that closes the loop between factory and farm.

“Sustainability is not a campaign – it’s a way of thinking,” concluded Fred Vandermarliere, owner of Vandermarliere Cigar Family (VCF), Oliva’s parent company. “At Oliva, we understand that the only way to build a lasting legacy is to grow responsibly, give back to the land, and create cigars with integrity.”

Imperial Brands to unveil ultra-premium Davidoff Selected Leaf at TFWA Cannes

Davidoff Selected Leaf has 10% more tobacco than standard King Size formats; the Premium Line (PL) offers a longer lasting and more satisfying smoke.

Imperial Brands is returning to this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference to unveil its latest innovation in ultra-premium tobacco: Davidoff Selected Leaf, a duty free exclusive range available only in a curated list of international airports.

The blend features a high concentration of rare oriental top-leaf tobacco, cultivated naturally in the foothills of the Southeast Mediterranean, delivering a refined and complex aromatic profile.

Davidoff Selected Leaf features Freshlock packaging, ensuring long lasting freshness and the perfect moisture level, as well as Senso-tipping paper for enhanced haptic feedback.

Imperial Brands General Manager, Global Travel, Rizla & Nordics, Pierpaolo Pascucci, said: “Selected Leaf continues Davidoff’s legacy of excellence, combining modern sophistication with timeless quality.

From cultivation to packaging, every detail is meticulously crafted to deliver an unparalleled smoking experience.”

PMI GTR launches Terea Kiwami IQOS packaging into Japan travel retail

PMI said this launch underscores its commitment to accelerating a smoke-free future through innovation and consumer-centric solutions.

Philip Morris International Global Travel Retail (PMI GTR) has launched its Terea Kiwami limited-edition packaging, now available in both Japan’s domestic and GTR channels. Japan is one of the world’s leading market for heated tobacco products (HTPs) and home to the largest IQOS user base.

The Terea Kiwami Edition is a special packaging available in Japan GTR market along with seven top-selling Terea SKUs tailored for IQOS Iluma i devices.

This edition is now available across Japan’s leading travel retail locations, including Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, and New Chitose Airport.

In this country, IQOS has surpassed over 10 million legal-age consumers.

“As a leader in crafting memorable travel retail experiences, we continue to elevate our iconic brands through culturally meaningful activations and premium design,” said Mami Sakamaki, Director of Smoke-Free Products at PMI GTR.

“The Terea Kiwami Edition reflects this approach with a design inspired by traditional Japanese artistry, offering a unique packaging experience. It’s thoughtfully created to engage traveling adult nicotine users – with a design that resonates with both, Japanese and a diverse global legal age nicotine users,” added Sakamaki.

The Terea Kiwami Edition was designed by Kyogen, led by master crest artisan Shoryu Hatoba and Yoho Hatoba.

Originally artisans who hand-painting Kamon onto kimono, the Hatobas later developed the unique artistic technique of “Mon-Mandala,” which has been applied to this package.

The new GTR&N Cluster unit will be led by Pierpaolo Pascucci.

Imperial Brands has created a new Global Travel, Rizla & Nordics (GTR&N) Cluster, which, says the company, enhances its ability to serve consumers across duty free, travel retail and the Nordic domestic markets.

The Nordic domestic markets will be brought together with Global Travel & Rizla to form a larger GTR&N Cluster.

The unit will be led by Pierpaolo Pascucci, who has been leading the Global Travel & Rizla cluster and will now extend his leadership to include the Nordics.

The move is said to underline Imperial Brands’ commitment to the duty free and travel retail channel while strengthening its expertise serving Nordic consumers.

As Pascucci explained: “This integration represents an exciting step for our consumers. By combining Global Travel, Rizla and the Nordics into one cluster, we can bring greater focus, agility, and collaboration to the way we support our partners.

“For duty free and travel retail, this means an even stronger platform to showcase innovation and drive growth.

“For the Nordics, it offers the scale and expertise of a dedicated international cluster. We look forward to building on these opportunities together.”

The transition to the new cluster will be completed on 1 October, with planning and handovers already underway.

Archives

PMI introduces IQOS ILUMA i Electric Purple in travel retail

BAT and Avolta announce McLaren Mastercard F1 Team collaboration

BAT & Avolta rev up reach

Imperial Brands to spotlight portfolio at Summit of the Americas

Philip Morris recognised as top employer for tenth consecutive year

Casa 1910 inks distribution agreement with Royal Caribbean International

Philip Morris International extends partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP

Oliva Cigar Company achieves FSC Chain of Custody certification

Oliva underlines sustainability commitment

Imperial Brands to unveil ultra-premium Davidoff Selected Leaf at TFWA Cannes

PMI GTR launches Terea Kiwami IQOS packaging into Japan travel retail

Imperial Brands unites Global Travel, Rizla and Nordics in new cluster

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