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 May 22, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
22nd Century Group, the company behind VLN low nicotine cigarettes, announced the launch of Pinnacle Pure cigarettes. The cigarettes are marketed with the slogan “tobacco & water,” language used by other brands such as Natural American Spirit, and will be available at over 2,000 retail locations nationwide.
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Zone announced a new watermelon flavored pouch in an email and on Instagram. The watermelon flavor will be available exclusively through Circle K stores. The new flavor is not on Zone’s website yet.
Excerpt from the May 15, 2026 TIM Alert
ENDS
Geek Bar announced a “Bull Edition” flavor lineup for the new Pulse X2 on the brand’s website, with copy that suggests an energy drink theme: “Pure kinetic energy. Fuel your cosmic momentum.” Flavors include fruity offerings like “Watermelon Bull” and “Coco Berry Bull.”
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
The new Rogue Max was announced on Instagram, offering 9mg, 12mg, and 15mg “full strength” nicotine concentrations in Wintergreen, Citrus, and Spearmint flavors. Previously, Rogue nicotine pouches have only been available in 3mg and 6mg. The post says that the products will be available in stores this month.
Excerpt from the May 8, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets announced the first ever limited-edition blend from their Leaf series of cigars, “Neon Nights,” on Instagram. The post says that the blend will be released in May.
ENDS
Geek Bar announced the upcoming arrival of the Pulse X2 model on Instagram, the next generation of their popular Pulse X model. The product is set to release on May 11.
Excerpt from the May 1, 2026 TIM Alert
ENDS
Geek Bar has added a new page to their website, Geek Bar Vibe, which promotes upcoming brand appearances at various summer music festivals and a themed giveaway. The giveaway is hosted on Instagram and TikTok, and invites fans to post videos holding their Geek Bars for the chance to win festival merch and Geek Bar products as prizes.
IQOS
This month, the US FDA renewed authorization for five IQOS products to be marketed as modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) with reduced exposure claims. This authorization applies to two devices (IQOS 2.4 and IQOS 3.0) and Marlboro HeatSticks in three flavors: Amber, Green Menthol, and Blue Menthol. This does not extend to the IQOS Iluma device, which is still under review with FDA. These products are allowed to be marketed with the following exposure modification claims:
Excerpt from the Apr 24, 2026 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
FDA has posted Not Substantially Equivalent Orders for 28 cigarette products manufactured by Seneca Manufacturing Company. FDA determined that the manufacturer has not provided enough evidence that the new products pose similar public health risk to their predicate products. This includes Seneca Sands and Seneca Heron cigarette lines. The orders were issued in 2018 but not posted until April 23, 2026. Retailers will have up to 30 days from the posting date to comply with the order, after which FDA may take enforcement action.
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
In an email to customers, Zone announced a new flavor, Cranberry, available exclusively on Nicokick.com. The email included a limited-time coupon offer for 50% off the new product.