News&ViewsPodcast | Tobacco Asia - InterTabac

Host Thomas Schmid interviews Paul Varakas, Director-General of ECMA, the Brussels-based trade association representing over 30 European cigar and cigarillo manufacturers, most of them family-owned MSEs. Paul argues that cigars are artisanal, occasionally consumed products — primarily by adults over 35 — and should not face the same regulations as cigarettes. He pushes back against one-size-fits-a...

Tobacco Asia’s Thomas Schmid interviews Hugo Azinheira, Executive Director for Global Research and Innovation at Filtrona, discussing the company's ESG and SBTi commitments. Hugo marks 2025 as a turning point, with Filtrona transitioning from setting sustainability goals to executing them at scale. Key achievements include a 51% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, zero waste to la...

Thomas Schmid interviews Mark McQuillan, the managing director of Nicobrand, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical-grade nicotine suppliers. McQuillan explains what truly qualifies nicotine as "pharmaceutical grade." For instance, beyond basic monographs, it requires regulatory audits, drug master files, and strict impurity controls. McQuillan argues that all next-generation products like pouc...

In this episode, Thomas Schmid speaks with developmental neurobiologist Dr. Charles A. Gardner about the demonization of nicotine. Gardner explains that nicotine has been wrongly conflated with tobacco and smoking, leading to widespread misinformation — including 80% of US physicians falsely believing nicotine causes cancer. Gardner argues that safer alternatives like vapes, pouches, and snus are...

Thomas Schmid interviews Waqas Khan, global CEO of Clew, discussing how the nicotine pouch brand became the world's third-largest by distribution in just two and a half years. Khan attributes this rapid success to building a complete manufacturing ecosystem with pharma-grade facilities and prioritizing quality over cost. The brand has launched in 50 countries across five regional hubs, customizing...

In this episode, Thomas Schmid interviews Dr. Allen Liao, founder of Tobacco China Online, about China's groundbreaking regulations on oral nicotine products that took effect in January 2025. The new framework—covering everything from nicotine pouches to nicotine patches—came with no transition period, catching many smaller manufacturers off guard. Liao explains why the government moved so swiftly...

Thomas Schmid interviews Shem Baldeosingh, the director of the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN). Shem discusses GINN’s foundation in 2024, its mission to promote safer nicotine products, and its evolution into a structured organization with global influence. He highlights GINN’s advocacy for non-combustible and non-vaping products like oral nicotine pouches and mentions significant marke...

Thomas Schmid interviews Marcelo Marques, General Manager of B2B Tobacco Processing in Brazil. The discussion covers the current state and outlook of the Brazilian tobacco industry, focusing on expected crop shortages, especially in Burley tobacco, due to climate and market factors. Marcelo explains that while Burley will be in shorter supply, Virginia tobacco quality and volume should remain stab...

In this episode, Hugo Azinheira of Filtrona discusses with host Thomas Schmid the company’s pioneering work in sustainable, plastic-free filters for the tobacco industry. Driven by the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive (EUSUPD), Filtrona invested in R&D to launch the ECO range of biodegradable filters, using both new and historical materials. The conversation highlights how regulatory changes hav...

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 capab...

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, whi...

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 im...

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 glo...

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 t...

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 indu...

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 vario...

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 appr...

Thomas Schmid interviews Andreas Schweiger, sales manager at Micro Laser Technology (MLT), about microlaser perforation technology in the tobacco sector. Andreas explains how MLT stands out in the field with its high-performance systems and details the origin of the company, its competition, and technological advancements that make its product unmatched. Schweiger reveals that MLT is the leader in...

The episode features an engaging interview between Thomas Schmid and Emily Sahakian, co-founder of the premium cigar brand, Chateau Diadem. The remarkable growth of Chateau Diadem is underpinned by its success at various trade exhibitions and the dedication of its two founders, Emily and her cousin, Thierry Farah. Emily shares the backstory of the brand, revealing her and her cousin’s lifelong pas...

He discusses the challenges he faced, such as gaining clients' trust and overcoming initial slow business years. He emphasizes the importance of repeat business over short-term profits, sharing that his company's success is reflected in returning customers. He highlights the strategic partnerships Prestige Leaf has with various international merchants and emphasizes the importance of aligning comm...

The interview discusses Rebellion Cigars, a niche company founded in the UK by Mandi and Shaun Wilkinson in 2019, covering the company’s inception, Shaun Wilkinson’s passion for cigars, and the significant challenges faced entering the exclusive cigar market. Host Thomas Schmid also picks Wilkinson’s brains about the production process in a factory in Honduras and the development of Rebellion Ciga...

Thomas Schmid interviews Waqas Khan, global CEO of Nevcore Innovations, about the misconceptions surrounding nicotine pouches. Khan discusses the unique features and high standards of Clew, a newly launched nicotine pouch brand that has already achieved significant recognition, including FDA approval and winning the MENA Awards. Khan explains the intricate R&D behind Clew's products, their market...

Thomas Schmid interviews Guilherme Costa, Vice President of Sales at SWM International. The discussion revolves around the scope of SWM International’s paper products for the nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis industries. Guilherme touches upon the company's two market brands, SWM and Botani, exploring their roles and differences. He also delves into topics like sustainability, compliance with regula...

Rodolfo Maria Salvi is the sustainability and international relations manager of Salvarat s.r.l., a company specializing in post-harvest pest control for the tobacco industry. His conversation with host Thomas Schmid covers the significant impact of tobacco pests on global produce, highlighting both direct and indirect losses. Salvi explains Salvarat's integrated pest management strategy, PRE.MO.S...

Thomas Schmid talks to Justin Tarbell, vice president of strategy and business development of Ohserase Manufacturing, discussing the history of tobacco among Native American tribes. Located on Mohawk land in upstate New York, Ohserase produces the all-natural cigarette brand, Signal, which uses augmented reality technology and unique packaging features. Tarbell also explains the brand's commitment...