Intertabac.
Podcast.
The industry to listen to.
Insights, trends and voices from the world of tobacco and luxury food retail – compact, up-to-date and to the point.
Welcome to the InterTabac podcast world!
Whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, aficionado, or industry insider – here you will find selected podcasts covering the latest industry news, market trends, and exciting behind-the-scenes insights from the international tobacco and cigar world.
From compact news updates and trade fair insights to entertaining conversations from the premium cigar scene, our podcast selection keeps you informed anytime and anywhere.
Discover the official InterTabac Podcast, DTZ – Tabak-Flash, and The Cigar Hustlers Podcast.
the current highlights
Mark McQuillan, Nicobrand
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 pouches and e-liquids should use pharma-grade nicotine to ensure consumer safety. The global nicotine market is roughly 1,000–1,500 metric tons annually, with nicotine pouches growing fastest. McQuillan also stresses the importance of supply chain transparency and correcting the widespread misconception that nicotine itself causes cancer.
Dr. Charles Gardner
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 vital harm reduction tools, yet prohibitionist policies often ban them while leaving deadly cigarettes legal. Prohibition, he notes, drives products underground and worsens outcomes.
Gardner also highlights nicotine’s potential health benefits: helping prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, reducing symptoms of ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, BPD, and schizophrenia, improving focus, and decreasing anxiety.
To shift public perception, he advocates amplifying voices of older ex-smokers who quit cigarettes by using reduced risk products, echoing strategies from cannabis activism. His core message: nicotine is not the enemy — preventable deaths from combustible cigarettes are. Policy should prioritize harm reduction over demonizing a molecule.
Waqas Khan, Clew
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 products for local taste preferences.
A major achievement has been penetrating the travel retail sector, with Clew now present in over 15 duty-free locations worldwide. Khan explains how the brand pioneered nicotine pouch listings in challenging markets like Thailand by working directly with regulators and demonstrating FDA authorization. The conversation also covers recent expansions into Colombia, Sweden, Morocco, and the Philippines, plus insights on navigating complex regulatory environments in markets like Japan and China’s evolving nicotine regulations.
You can always find more episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The Cigar Hustlers Podcast
The Cigar Hustlers Podcast is a fast-paced, no-BS cigar lifestyle show that blends industry insight with real-world conversation. Hosted by Mike Palmer and co-host Mike Szczepankiewicz—with Phil McGuffey behind the board—the podcast covers everything from premium cigars and industry news to current events, humor, and behind-the-scenes stories from the retail and manufacturing side of the business.
Known for its daily format, sharp takes, and unfiltered personality, ACHP delivers a mix of education, entertainment, and insider access—making it a go-to listen for both seasoned cigar smokers and newcomers looking to stay in the know.
The Cigar Guys Podcast
The Podcast is a premium cigar lifestyle show that blends industry knowledge with authentic conversation and media-driven entertainment. Hosted by co-hosts Alex, Mark, Zach, and Jared, the podcast explores every aspect of cigar culture—from premium cigars, lighters, cutters, brands, lounges, wholesale, and retail, to the people and stories shaping the industry today.
Featuring guest appearances from cigar industry professionals and insiders, the show delivers a mix of education, entertainment, and real-world insight for both seasoned cigar enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Known for its engaging discussions and passion for the cigar lifestyle, The Cigar Guys podcast strives to create content that keeps listeners informed, entertained, and connected to the cigar community.
