BAT’S COVID PROGRESS
BANKRUPTCY MOVE
The first Big Tobacco company to join the hemp
and marijuana industries has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Pyxus International, one of the world’s largest tobacco suppliers,
plans to cut $400 million in debt and hand control to junior
bondholders. The North Carolina-based company was hard hit by
declining tobacco consumption and supply disruptions caused by
the coronavirus pandemic. The company’s Canadian marijuana
operations, Figr Brands, aren’t part of the bankruptcy filing, an
executive said.
British American Tobacco says its potential
COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to produce
a positive immune response and is poised to
move to the next testing phase. In April BAT
announced that its biotech subsidiary, Kentucky
BioProcessing, was developing a potential vaccine
for COVID-19. BAT said: “We are pleased to report
the potential vaccine has been shown to produce
a positive immune response. As such, the vaccine
candidate is now poised to progress to the next
stage which will be Phase 1 human clinical trials
pending FDA authorisation.”
The clinical trials were ready to start in June,
pending the responses from relevant health
bodies.
VAPE SALES SOAR
Demand for e-cigarettes has surged more than
elevenfold since COVID-19 and the UK ban on
menthol tobacco cigarettes.
Every Cloud Vape Shop said sales increased by
1,150% during the three months of lockdown,
between March and May, compared to the previous
three months. It also reported a 69% month-onmonth
increase in sales of menthol vapes and vape
oils in May.
Operations manager Jon Humphrey said:
“Thousands of smokers who have only ever used
menthol tobacco cigarettes are now likely finding
giving up smoking an unexpected challenge.”
DINNER LADY
JOBS BOOST
NHS SMOKERS QUIT
More NHS staff are quitting smoking than ever before,
according to data compiled by the UK’s largest vaping retailer
VPZ.
It said the COVID-19 pandemic had brought a sharp focus on
lung health and many smokers were using the lockdown as
a pivotal moment to begin their quit journey. VPZ said that
in the last month alone, over 1,100 NHS staff had used their
discount scheme to access products to help them stamp out
cigarettes for good. VPZ director Doug Mutter said: “We know
that smoking and COVID is a lethal combination and NHS staff
are more acutely aware of this than anyone.”
Vape Dinner Lady has
created 24 new jobs by repurposing one of its
production lines to make hand sanitiser during
and beyond the coronavirus pandemic. It has also
donated 10,000 bottles of hand sanitiser to staff
working in care homes and providing care in the
community. Dinner Lady has also launched new
Pink Berry and Fresh Menthol flavour disposable
e-cigarettes in 350 ASDA stores across the UK and
online. ASDA will also stock the full range of five
Dinner Lady e-cigarettes, including Blue Menthol,
Smooth Tobacco and the company’s flagship Lemon
Tart flavour.
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