TIM Alerts

Tobacco Industry Marketing (TIM) Alerts provide weekly newsletters to subscribers to keep up to date with tobacco industry marketing and emerging tobacco products. Below are excerpts from the five most recent TIM Alerts. To see an archive of all previous alerts, click here.

Excerpt from the Jul 18, 2025 TIM Alert

CIGARS

On the brand's Instagram, Backwoods promoted a new exclusive 7-Eleven flavor, Bourbon Dark Leaf Reserve, for 7-Eleven Day.

SMOKELESS TOBACCO

America’s Best Chew (Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP) sent a direct-email ad promoting a free trial of their sugar-free Silver Blend flavor. Consumers may redeem a coupons for this free trial once every six months. These coupons are available on the brand’s website, which is accessible to consumers who have registered for an account and provided their name, address, date of birth, and tobacco use status.

Excerpt from the Jul 11, 2025 TIM Alert

CIGARS

Zig-Zag (a brand of rolling papers from Turning Point Brands) launched a new line of cigarillos (Zig-Zag Woods), which come in five flavors—Crème Royale, Natural, Silk & Berries, Sweet Aromatic, and Velvet. Zig-Zag Woods are available for retailers to purchase via the Turning Point Brands Marketplace website but are not yet shown on Zig-Zag’s website or Instagram.

MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS

Lone nicotine pouches were recently reviewed on Snubie.com, a blog that primarily discusses and reviews snus and nicotine pouches. Lone’s website claims that Lone pouches contain “no sweeteners that destroy your gut,” “no pH agents that burn your mouth,” and “no synthetics that compromise long-term health.” Lone nicotine pouches contain xylitol (a commonly used sugar substitute, often found in sugar-free gum), which the company’s website claims is, “derived from fruits and veggies—shown to reduce cavity risk and support oral health.” Lone nicotine pouches come in two strengths (3mg and 6mg) and three flavors (Crisp, Raw Cinnamon, and Wintergreen) and are available in a limited number of stores in four states (Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas)

Excerpt from the Jul 3, 2025 TIM Alert

CIGARS

Crwnz promoted a new line of cigars in retailer magazines. Their line is called Crwnz Woods, and the ad describes the product as having a “natural leaf cut.” The cigars will begin shipping to retailers this month. The line includes “O.G.,” “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Royal Aromatic,” and “Honey Drip” flavors.

ENDS

Lost Mary is marketing a new, upgraded version of their popular Turbo device on Instagram and their website, called the MT35000 Turbo. It now offers up to 35000 puffs in five flavors, with names like Scary Berry and Tigers Blood.

MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS

VELO now offers a 3mg strength option for the Wintergreen and Wild Berry flavors of VELO Plus pouches. Previously, VELO Plus was only offered in 6mg and 9mg strength options. The new 3mg option was announced via VELO Pouch Talk (text message alerts) and on VELO’s website.

Excerpt from the Jun 27, 2025 TIM Alert

CIGARETTES

In the recent issue of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) magazine, a business-to-business publication, KOOL announced the forthcoming launch of KOOL Black in July, a new menthol cigarette. Apparently, the product has been tested in 14 states and will now be available nationally; KOOL Black is not yet featured on KOOL’s consumer-facing website. The ad promises a lower price point for this product to entice retailers.

OTHER

22nd Century, the maker of VLN cigarettes, which have exposure modifications orders from FDA to make certain reduced exposure claims regarding nicotine, recently announced the release of a new low-nicotine product. As part of the company’s line of Pinnacle branded products, they will release a new reduced-nicotine moist snuff product, available in Straight and Wintergreen flavors. The company will also release two new branded Pinnacle VLN cigarettes - Pinnacle VLN Gold cigarettes and Pinnacle Menthol VLN. Pinnacle’s moist snuff is expected to be available to consumers in the second half of 2025 and the Pinnacle VLN cigarettes are expected to be available in late summer/early fall of 2025. 

Excerpt from the Jun 19, 2025 TIM Alert

CIGARETTES

Pall Mall cigarettes have released “Select” versions of their Red, Blue, and Menthol styles, as announced via direct mail.

MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS

Grizzly announced on their official Instagram account that their new synthetic nicotine pouches are now available to purchase online at various retailers, like Nicokick; previously, the product was only available in retail stores in select states (North Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana).