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 Mar 21, 2025 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
An Alert earlier this year covered the new agreement between 22nd Century Group and the Smoker Friendly convenience chain; now, the brands have revealed rebranding for VLN packs and new Smoker Friendly-branded SF VLN cigarette packs. According to the press release, the companies are awaiting state approval before shipping these products.
ENDS
Geek Bar promoted their presence at upcoming music festivals on Instagram, highlighting EDC Vegas, one of the biggest electronic music festivals in North America. The brand uses the booths at these events to share flavor samples, let visitors test products, and hand out merch.
Excerpt from the Mar 7, 2025 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Swisher Sweets shared on their Instagram account that their BLK line of pipe tobacco cigars will now be available to be purchased as singles. The singles will be sold in resealable pouches and are promoted as being “sealed fresh.”
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
A new ad for Rogue in a retailer magazine showed a new can design. The cans are much more colorful, with the top and sides completely filled with the color that matches their flavor.
Excerpt from the Feb 28, 2025 TIM Alert
CIGARS
Dutch Masters announced in an Instagram post that they are adding a new Russian Cream flavor to their line of tobacco leaf-wrapped cigarillos, Dutch Masters Leaf. This new flavor of Dutch Masters Leaf is not yet featured on the company’s website.
ENDS
Geek Bar has promoted a new “Slush Edition” series for the Pulse X disposable e-cigarette on their brand website and Instagram. The new flavors include fruity themes like Wild Cherry Slush and Peach Perfect Slush, and the device features a new screen animation with ice crystals.
Excerpt from the Feb 21, 2025 TIM Alert
ENDS
On January 29, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a decision affirming that Altria’s NJOY Ace devices infringe on JUUL’s patents, and issued a Limited Exclusion Order (LEO) and Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) prohibiting NJOY Ace devices from being imported and sold in the US. This decision follows an ITC Administrative Law Judge’s initial determination from August 2024 that Altria’s NJOY Ace devices infringe on JUUL’s patents.
MODERN ORAL NICOTINE PRODUCTS
Fre announced in an Instagram post that their nicotine pouches are now available at 7-Eleven stores in Virginia.
Excerpt from the Feb 14, 2025 TIM Alert
CIGARETTES
LD cigarettes has begun offering digital rebates, according to a direct email ad sent this month. LD promoted two rebate offers each month: $2 off two cigarette packs, and $10 off one carton. After purchasing these items in-store, consumers can redeem these savings to a Venmo or PayPal account by uploading photos of their receipts to the brand website.
CIGARS
White Owl has revealed an upcoming, limited-edition cigar flavor on their website. The new flavor is “Cherry Wine”, and it has a bright red pack with a picture of a glass of wine on it. This is the latest addition to White Owl’s alcohol-based flavors.