Emma Rumney

Some e-cigarette companies targeted by U.S. authorities have altered their business model or changed their corporate structure, including by transferring operations to offshore firms, according to a U.S. regulator and representatives of two companies.

Sales of unauthorised, flavoured disposable vapes in the United States amounted to around $2.4 billion in 2024, or 35% of the e-cigarettes from outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, according to private retail sales data reviewed by Reuters.

Japan Tobacco on Thursday reported a 9.7% increase in annual adjusted operating profit from its tobacco business, thanks to selling more higher-priced packs of tobacco and its acquisition of U.S. tobacco company Vector Group.

Heineken's shares surged 12% on Wednesday as the Dutch brewer predicted more growth next year after producing forecast-beating profits in 2024, and said it would launch a 1.5 billion euro share buyback.

Global makers of alcoholic drinks like Diageo are caught in the cross-fire of a major trade war as threatened tariffs -- postponed for a month-- could deal a hefty blow to an industry already struggling with falling sales.

Automakers, French cognac makers and Italian producers of parmesan cheese have all expedited deliveries to the United States.

Altria , the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, has placed under review its 2028 goals for selling alternatives to smoking on the U.S. market, saying on Thursday it may not be able to meet them because of competition from disposable vapes.

Spirits giant Diageo has agreed to sell its 80.4% shareholding in Guinness Ghana to Castel Group for $81 million, it said on Tuesday, continuing to refine its operating model in Africa.

Diageo's new finance chief Nik Jhangiani is under pressure to row back on the spirits giant's medium-term sales goals next week, which some investors say may no longer be realistic given sliding sales across the sector.

Vivek Murthy said alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, but most U.S. consumers remain unaware of this.