Episodios

  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #47

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #47
    Aug 29 2025
    Altria has launched the "Connect and Transform" initiative to accelerate its shift away from traditional tobacco products and drive innovation by connecting with external partners. Wael Safi, Altria’s Managing Director of Open Innovation and Venture Growth, explains that the program is designed to identify company needs, connect with outside experts, startups, and inventors, and bring in new capabilities to transform the business. The initiative stands out for its intentional approach: Altria clearly defines its needs through "needs briefs," actively seeks out relevant partners, and maintains ongoing relationships even if there isn’t an immediate fit. Success stories include leveraging AI to speed up concept validation, resulting in faster and more cost-effective innovation. To get involved, interested parties can visit Altria’s website, review the needs briefs, and submit a non-confidential pitch or concept outline that demonstrates their capability and relevance to Altria’s needs. Aiming for a win-win partnership, the program is open to a wide range of collaborators, but emphasizes the importance of practical, demonstrable solutions over just ideas.
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    18 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #46

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #46
    Aug 20 2025
    Thomas Schmid interviews Jordan Herring, CEO of Hidden Valley Genetics, discussing the rapid changes in Thailand’s cannabis laws. In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize cannabis, creating a booming industry but with little regulatory framework. In June 2025, the government reversed course, making recreational use illegal again and restricting cannabis to medical use only, which now requires medical prescriptions and on-site doctors at dispensaries. The interview highlights the economic, legal, and social consequences of these policy shifts, the struggles of small business owners, and the ongoing adaptation of the industry to new regulations. Delving deep, Jordan explains the real-life impact on the industry, especially small dispensaries unable to afford medical staff, leading to thousands of closures. The conversation covers the challenges of compliance, the effect on local and export markets, and the persistence of a black market. Jordan also details his involvement with THIPA, an industry group that helped shape new regulations and secure Thailand’s status as a legal exporter of medical cannabis.
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    25 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #45

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #45
    Jul 18 2025
    Thomas Schmid hosts a discussion about advancements in anti-counterfeiting technology, particularly focusing on the hidden image technology used in packaging. He introduces Julian Homer, the commercial manager at Arden Dies Limited, to elaborate on this innovative technology. Julian explains how hidden image embossing (or debossing) works, detailing that this method invisibly embeds a secondary image within a primary embossed or debossed design, which can be revealed using a special plastic lens. This technique offers increased security against counterfeit products, particularly in the tobacco industry. Julian clarifies how the hidden images work, how they can be verified, and who can access the special lens needed to see them. He confirms the effectiveness and complexity of the technology, which is extremely difficult to replicate, if at all.
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    15 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #44

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #44
    May 28 2025
    In this episode, host Thomas Schmid interviews Kimberly Foley, the new Executive Director of U.S. FCV grower cooperative, Tobacco Associates. Kimberly shares her passion for the U.S. tobacco market and outlines her plans to maintain and enhance the organization’s operations, focusing on quality, farmer visibility, and market development. She elaborates on efforts to navigate challenges such as global competition, costs, and tariffs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong international partnerships. She identifies potential growth markets for U.S. leaf, including Japan, Turkey, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand, and Poland, while acknowledging the complexities of certain regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The conversation also touches upon the significance of American Blend market share and the strategies to promote U.S. tobacco globally.
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    20 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #43

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #43
    Apr 22 2025
    Thomas Schmid interviews Shivam Bihani, the director of AVB International, about the evolving landscape of nicotine pouch regulations. The conversation covers various regulatory challenges faced by nicotine pouches across different markets, focusing on restrictions in the EU, UK, and the US. Thomas and Shivam discuss the potential for bans, flavor restrictions, and tax implications, highlighting the impact of stringent regulations on both manufacturers and consumers. Shivam emphasizes the importance of reasonable regulations rooted in scientific evidence to maximize harm reduction and prevent the rise of black markets. The discussion concludes with insights into how AVB International plans to adapt and innovate in response to these regulatory changes.
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    24 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #42

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #42
    Mar 17 2025
    Host Thomas Schmid welcomes Carolin Goetze, the Global Application and Scientific Coordinator at Detia Degesch Group and an expert with extensive academic and professional background in biological sciences and toxicology. They discuss the critical issue of tobacco beetle populations developing decreased susceptibility to phosphine fumigation, an essential topic for stakeholders in the tobacco industry. The conversation covers the definition of phosphine resistance versus tolerance, emphasizing the term "decreased susceptibility." Goetze provides detailed insights into the functionality of phosphine gas and its effect on insect respiratory systems. She explains how varying susceptibility of tobacco beetle populations can depend on geographical regions and different life stages of the insects. There is also a discussion on how improper fumigation techniques can lead to increased occurrence of decreased susceptibility in beetle populations. The importance of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy is highlighted, stressing preventative measures and proper fumigation practices to ensure effective pest control. But Goetze also reassures that despite an incidence of resistance successful fumigation remains possible with correct procedures.
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    23 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #41

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #41
    Feb 7 2025
    Thomas Schmid interviews Sonny Suciawan, the creator of the Mata Hari cigar brand. The conversation begins with a brief history of Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer and alleged spy during World War I, who was executed by the Germans. Sonny explains the brand's ties to Indonesia and discusses the intricacies of its cigar blends, including the types of tobacco used and the taste profiles of the various product lines: Mata Hari Courtesane, Mata Hari Limited Edition 2024, and Mata Hari Java Exotica. The dialogue also covers the production process in Indonesia and the brand's aspirations to introduce Indonesian cigars to international markets, including Germany and the United States.
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    17 m
  • TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #40

    TobaccoAsia/ InterTabac Podcast #40
    Jan 10 2025
    Hosted by Thomas Schmid, this episode focuses on the history and current market strategies of Gawith-Hoggarth Limited, the UK's sole remaining tobacco manufacturer. The company’s director, Rachel Gawith, discusses the company's unique position in the global market, particularly its surprising market presence in several Southeast Asian countries. Rachel also touches upon the company's cautious approach to opening new markets due to production limitations, regulatory challenges, and ensuring sustained product quality. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the importance and benefits of Gawith-Hoggarth exhibiting at InterTabac, a key trade show where the company can meet up with distributors and suppliers from around the globe.
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    24 m