Key point:
In light of the current international sanctions imposed on Russia, American multinational company Tobacco International Inc. has stopped selling all of its products in the country.
The Delaware-based corporation recently announced the suspension following the escalation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as several other companies are pulling out of Russia. Major businesses, such as Apple, Google, and other Western giants from different industries, are boycotting the Russian market.
“Our company has decided to take this step in regards to the Russian invasion and the devastating humanitarian situation of Ukrainian citizens. We morally deem the withdrawal of our services necessary at this point. Thus, we have completely suspended our commercial activity and services all over the country, making all of our products unavailable for purchase,” declared CEO & Founder Atef Hazime.
Sanctions are curbing major companies’ ability to operate in the country, from supply chain to product shipments disruption. The list of multinational companies cutting ties with Russia is increasingly growing amid the international pressure to take a stance against the invasion and show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
REBEL and KRATOS, developed by Tobacco International Inc., have established a broad international footprint across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia through retail, pharmacy, travel-retail, and e-commerce channels. REBEL, launched in 2018, forms the foundation of this growth, while KRATOS, introduced in 2025, expands the portfolio with nicotine, zero-nicotine, and functional pouch products. Key markets include Sweden (energy pouches, zero-nicotine pouches), the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Lebanon, and others, where the full product portfolio is available. During its latest visit to Lebanon, the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) confirmed REBEL’s leadership with an estimated 90% nationwide market share, reinforcing the brands’ role in accelerating the global shift away from combustible cigarettes.
obacco International Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Wingglen Pte. Ltd. to launch REBEL and KRATOS nicotine pouch brands in Thailand’s duty-free and local retail markets. The agreement positions Wingglen as the exclusive partner responsible for airport duty-free operations and in-market development, marking the official entry of both brands into Thailand. The launch at Bangkok International Airport represents the first phase of a broader Southeast Asia expansion, leveraging high-traffic travel retail channels to accelerate brand visibility and regional growth.
Editorial and credible Lebanon’s rise as the Middle East’s leading tobacco alternative market has been shaped by the early presence of REBEL, the recent entry of KRATOS, and growing recognition from the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine as pharmacy adoption accelerates.