A record 800 exhibitors and 14,500 exhibitors packed the halls and corridors of the Messe Dortmund showgrounds in Germany across three days from 19th September, as Inter Tabac, the leading international trade event for the tobacco and nicotine industry, returned for its latest outing.
Belying overall downward trends in conventional tobacco use, InterTabac embraced diversity with a greater range of product categories than ever before welcomed on to the show floor. Alongside 180 exhibitors of e-cigarettes were many others promoting reduced risk products, especially nicotine pouches and other novel oral nicotine products, while nicotine-free products (such as energy supplements) continued their strong showing from last year. In total, three halls accommodated e-cigarettes, while a further two were dedicated to heated tobacco, novel oral nicotine and related products.
Further evidencing the central role that novel oral nicotine now plays within the wider tobacco and nicotine landscape were the inaugural PouchXchange networking event and the first ever edition of the InterTabac World Alternative Awards. Elsewhere, Mission Mixologist showcased the very best of flavour “mixology” in the e-cigarette space.
Hemp / cannabis had a more noticeable presence at this year’s InterTabac too: the second edition of the CB Expo was held in closer proximity to the main show, attributed in part to growing interest in cannabidiol in Europe following recent and expected regulatory change.
Meanwhile, highlighting the international profile of the event, over half of Inter Tabac’s visitors came from outside Germany, especially from North and South America, as well as Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, India and South Korea.
Out on the show floor, novel oral nicotine and nicotine substitutes were evident as the primary focus of innovation, demonstrating a desire by companies to stand out in an increasingly lucrative yet competitive category. One company was touting a “pouchless” pod addressing the issue of nicotine pouch waste, while others were innovating with film and and chewing gum formats and alternatives to conventional cellulose filler. Elsewhere, innovations of note included “beautifying” functional pouches, flavour roll-ons for heated tobacco sticks, “smokeless” vapes, and a heated tobacco device compatible with conventional cigarettes.
The next edition of Inter Tabac starts on 18th September 2025.