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 Sep 11, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
An ad for Marlboro Cowboy Cut (mentioned in a previous alert) was observed in the September issue of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Magazine. This is the first ad for Marlboro Cowboy Cut in a business-to-business publication to our knowledge.
ENDS
In a prior alert, we reported that Vuse Pro was coming to the U.S. This week, a reporter at STAT News observed Vuse Pro pods for sale in Ohio. While Vuse Pro devices are currently not available in the U.S., RJ Reynolds Vapor Company submitted PMTAs for an age-gated Vuse Pro device and compatible pods in June 2024.
Excerpt from the Sep 4, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
Last week, we reported a Camel ad in a consumer magazine for the first time since 2024. We’ve identified another Camel magazine ad, this time in the September 7, 2026 issue of Us Weekly.
ENDS
Oxbar recently launched Oxbar Air, a new line of ultra-slim disposable e-cigarettes. Oxbar Air comes in 16 flavors and claims to deliver about 25,000 puffs. Oxbar’s website highlights Oxbar Air’s portability and concealability, stating that it “slides easily into pockets or purses without bulk.” At this time, the FDA has not issued a PMTA for an Oxbar product, and we were unable to find information indicating applications have been submitted to FDA.
Excerpt from the Aug 28, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
An ad for Camel cigarettes appeared in the September 2026 issue of Sports Illustrated. Camel last advertised cigarette products in consumer magazines in 2024.
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets recently released many new flavors across several styles to coincide with the brand's new look. The new flavors include those from the Classic line, like Watermelon, Purple Razz, and Mango Lemonade; Swisher Leaf in Cookies N Cream and Russian Cream; and Swisher Leaf Wraps in Blue Raspberry, Russian Cream, and Cookies N Cream.
Excerpt from the Aug 21, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets has recently promoted a new cigar flavor in retailer magazines. "Georgia Peach" is a new addition to their Leaf line, and it is a limited-edition cigar that comes in packs of 3. The packaging emphasizes that it’s made with “100% hand-selected premium American broadleaf.”
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Fre has released Strawberry Mango Ice pouches under Fre Flavor Labs (a “rotating series of limited-edition flavors” created with consumer input, mentioned in a previous alert). The Strawberry Mango Ice pouches are available in 6mg and 12mg strengths. The company is offering a free can of Blackberry Lemon Ice (mentioned in a previous alert) or Strawberry Mango Ice pouches when consumers spend $75 or more until August 31. Fre appears to have been selected for FDA ’s pilot program to streamline review of PMTAs for nicotine pouches. Although the pilot program was announced in September 2025, there are no PMTAs for Fre yet.
Excerpt from the Aug 14, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Backwoods has recently added a new flavor to their website. The new flavor, Red Velvet, is described as being for “the people who appreciate richness without heaviness”. The dessert-themed cigar is limited edition and comes in a 5-cigar pack.
ENDS
In their Interim Results 2026 presentation, British American Tobacco (parent company of RJ Reynolds Vapor) stated that four new Vuse Pro flavors will be released in Quarter 3 of this year. While Vuse Pro devices are currently not available in the U.S., RJ Reynolds Vapor Company submitted PMTAs for an age-gated Vuse Pro device and compatible pods in June 2024. The new Vuse Pro flavors are advertised as “coming soon” on Vuse’s website and in a display at a convenience store in the Kansas City area.