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 Jan 16, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets has recently promoted a new cigar blend in retailer-focused magazines. The new blend is an unflavored one called Dark Aromatic, and it will be a part of their Leaf line of cigars. Swisher Sweets says the new blend is a way for retailers to hop on the trend of “non-flavored rough cuts” that are driving profits.
ENDS
Juul recently announced in a direct email that limited edition Emerald devices are available through 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Cal's chain stores.
Excerpt from the Jan 9, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
A recent article from CStore Decisions advertised the Southern Harvest cigarette brand, which is available only in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas. The brand advertises on its packaging that Southern Harvest cigarettes are “made with only tobacco + water.” The Southern Harvest brand is owned by WMLR LLC, a subsidiary of the US Tobacco Cooperative, the parent company of Premier Manufacturing, Inc. (maker of several deep-discount brands, including 1839 and Wildhorse).
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
On! nicotine pouches has a paid partnership with a golf social media influencer, Nick Delfico (@nick_delfico), indicated by recent posts on Instagram. Delfico has approximately 78,000 Instagram followers. A recent video describes the benefits of using the packaging to dispose of used pouches while on the green.
Excerpt from the Dec 19, 2025 TIM Alert
ENDS
Juul is using their mobile coupons program to promote their brand in retailer magazines. The ad focuses on the potential of the program to boost sales and foot traffic for retailers that participate. It even goes on to specifically mention that “over 10,000 customers have made repeat purchases through the Mobile Coupons program” in 2025.
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Bridge nicotine pouches are now available at Buc-ee's convenience stores, according to an ad on Convenience Store Decisions’ website. Bridge comes in five flavors (Citrus, Mint, Original, Spearmint, and Wintergreen) and three nicotine strengths (4mg, 10mg, and 15mg).
Excerpt from the Dec 12, 2025 TIM Alert
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Alp announced on its Instagram page that a new flavor (Classic) is available to California customers. The new Classic flavor is available through Alp’s website, which states that this new flavor only ships to California (describing it as “California Exclusive”).
IQOS
IQOS announced on its social media accounts that HEETS inserts will be available to consumers in select Sprint Mart stores in Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson is one of three locations where IQOS products are currently sold, in addition to Austin, Texas and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. IQOS is also encouraging consumers to explore their Austin pop-up shops by promoting a free non-alcoholic beverage at 7-Eleven and Circle K from Dec 3 to 16.
Excerpt from the Dec 5, 2025 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets recently announced the return of their limited-edition Peppermint cigarillos on Instagram. The packaging features a snowflake theme.
ENDS
Geek Bar recently introduced two new products on Instagram: a new Marble Edition for the Meloso Mini, and a new model called the Hookah X, which appears indistinguishable from their Pulse X models but includes an adjustable airflow mechanism. According to the website, the Hookah X will be available in 10 new flavors like “Pink Berry,” “Lemon Ice,” and “Bali.” The Marble Edition Meloso Mini has a marbled pastel appearance and introduces new flavors like “Pink Lemonade” and “Raspberry Watermelon.” As always, it remains to be seen if these products will appear at point of sale in the US.