45th InterTabac impresses with internationality, innovations and concentrated expertise
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High level of satisfaction among visitors and exhibitors.
Three days of InterTabac and InterSupply 2025 – three days of innovation. Three days of lively technical discussions and talks. Three days of business deals. And three days of diversity. The world’s leading international trade fair has once again made Dortmund the center of the tobacco and nicotine world. With more than 800 exhibitors from almost 70 countries in eleven halls and the North Entrance, the 45th edition of InterTabac once again reached a size that nobody would have dreamed of at its premiere in 1978. The trade visitors were satisfied with the anniversary event: almost 90 percent of them want to return in 2026.
Dortmund, 22.09.2025 – The first conclusion of Sabine LoosThe Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Group is therefore positive: “InterTabac and InterSupply together are the world’s leading forum for innovation, professional dialog and business deals. This is demonstrated not only by the high satisfaction ratings of visitors and exhibitors, which motivate us every year to continue developing the trade fair. It is also demonstrated by the high level of international participation on both the visitor and exhibitor side. An experienced and interested trade audience from all segments of the industry meets an incomparable variety and range of products and services. This is what makes trade fairs – and InterTabac – unique and irreplaceable.”
International visitors and exhibitors were satisfied
This year, visitors from countries such as the USA, Canada, Brazil and Argentina traveled to the Ruhr region to maintain and further develop their business networks, discover new products and find out about current topics and trends. Numerous interested visitors also came from China, Indonesia, India, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and countries such as South Africa and Tunisia. They also came from European countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Austria, the Benelux countries and the UK. Around 50 percent of visitors again came from Germany, demonstrating the importance of the trade fair for the local industry.
At around 35%, the retail sector once again made up the largest proportion of visitors this year – followed by wholesale and foreign trade with 20% and manufacturing/industry with 15%. They were all unanimous in their assessment of the trade fair: almost 90 percent want to return in 2026.
It was a similar picture for the exhibitors: Almost 90 percent of all InterTabac exhibitors were in favor of participating again next year. Incidentally, almost 80 percent of them came to Dortmund from abroad. At InterSupply, the figure was almost 90 percent. Here, too, great satisfaction prevailed: around 97 percent of the companies that exhibited here for three days want to do so again in 2026.
Event premiere heralded the start of the trade fair the day before
This year, around 250 participants had already entered InterTabac the day before the official start of the trade fair. The Cigar Culture Summit celebrated its successful premiere on September 17. The event attracted participants to the conference rooms in the North Entrance with a compact five-hour specialist program and three thematically different streams. With the support of new partner
Ricardo Carioni, who is also co-founder of The Cigar Academy and Director of International Affairs and Education at the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), has a positive initial conclusion: “Education is at the heart of the PCA’s mission – both at home and abroad. At the Cigar Culture Summit, we experienced not just a dialog, but true collaboration – a bridge between tradition, innovation and responsibility. We are deeply grateful to Sabine Loos for her vision, to the extraordinary team for their flawless collaboration, and to all the speakers, presenters, sponsors and attendees whose support and insights made the Summit a success we can all be proud of. Together, we have set a powerful example of what education and collaboration can achieve.”
In view of this special start to the trade fair and the diversity of more than 170 exhibitors from the cigars and accessories sector alone, Bodo Mehrlein, Managing Director of the German Cigar Industry Association (BDZ), had nothing but positive things to say: “For the cigar industry, for the association and for me, InterTabac was once again a very well-organized event and an excellent platform.” The BdZ, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, also took part in the specialist program of the Cigar Culture Summit.
Anniversaries, premieres and a VIP guest
In addition to InterTabac itself and the entire company, the German Cigar Industry Association was not the only “birthday boy” at the trade fair. The trade fair team also congratulated the Landewyck company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year like the Westfalenhallen, Maya Selva Cigares on its 30th anniversary and the Bündnis für den Tabakfreien Genuss (BfTG), which has been campaigning for sensible, objective and fair regulation of e-cigarettes for 10 years now – including at the trade fair.
Many of the exhibitors also celebrated product launches and premieres at InterTabac – including, for example,
And InterTabac newcomer LA FLOR DE ZAIDA from Las Vegas brought along a VIP guest to make a name for itself at the trade fair: Hollywood star Ralf Moeller visited the stand in Hall 4 on the first day and not only tested the company’s cigars, but also engaged in conversation with aficionados and had his photo taken.
Regulations as a top topic in the conference program
In-depth technical talks, discussions and presentations were once again the focus of the InterTabac and InterSupply conference program. Interested trade visitors flocked to the conference rooms on all three days of the trade fair to pick up the latest insights from the industry. There was a particularly strong need for discussion on the topic of regulation. The need for exchange and discussion in the industry is high in view of the numerous challenges and further developments. Events such as the presentation “Tobacco and nicotine: Overview of industry paradigms, evolution of trends and legislative challenges” by Raphael Moreau, Senior Research Consultant at Euromonitor International, the masterclass “Regulatory Update: Navigating the EU Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) & EUDR – What’s Next for the Tobacco Industry?” by Leonhard Kipphan, Head of Customer Success at osapiens Services GmbH, and the presentation “Market and Legal Risks and Opportunities for the Nicotine and Novel Tobacco Industries in the EU and Beyond” by Pablo Cano Trilla, Head of Legal Analysis at ECigIntelligence/TobaccoIntelligence, were also fully attended.
The hybrid event organized by Tobacco Europe, the European umbrella organization for manufacturers of tobacco and nicotine products, entitled “Eyes on Brussels” also struck a chord with participants. Masterclasses and panels on innovations and trends were also in demand – such as “What’s Next for Filters?”, with Dr. Frank Henkler-Stephani, Director of Tobacco Harm Reduction at the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE) and Hugo Azinheira, Managing Director Global Research & Innovations at Filtrona, and the panel “Driving Change: Responding to the Unmet Needs of Heated Products” with Bruno Stefani, New Generation Product Marketing & Sales at SWM International, and other speakers.
There was no way around pouches
Whether at the trade fair, in the conference program or at the side events, there was one topic that no one could avoid at InterTabac – modern oral products such as nicotine pouches. The panel “Innovating the Oral Nicotine Segment: Product Development & Consumer Trend”, which was organized by the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) and included Dr. Sydney Hiller, scientist at Sanova, and Paweł Woźnicki, development and research specialist at Chemnovatic, and the masterclass “EU Nicotine Pouch Report: Regulatory and Market developments across the European” with speakers such as Jonas Lundqvist, CEO of the Nordic Nicotine Pouches Alliance (NNPA.EU), were among the most popular program items.
Those who wanted to continue the discussions started there had the opportunity to do so on Thursday evening at the second edition of PouchXchange, the exclusive networking platform for the pouch and snus industry. GINN was also involved here as a professional partner. Director Shem Baldeosingh summarized afterwards: “The PouchXchange evening program was fully booked and included one-on-one meetings and roundtables discussing international compliance frameworks and business opportunities. These events underscored GINN’s commitment to fostering evidence-based dialog and providing stakeholders with credible strategies for sustainable growth in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.”
Jan Mücke, Managing Director of the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE), also said at the trade fair: “This year, InterTabac has focused particular attention on novel, reduced-risk products. They are an important alternative for adult smokers. The added value of these products in terms of health policy must finally be recognized by politicians. It is therefore high time to regulate tobacco-free nicotine pouches in Germany in the same way as e-cigarettes in tobacco product law.”
Awards for innovative products and companies
Reduced-risk products were also the focus of another evening event, which was also the continuation of a premiere from last year: the presentation of the InterTabac World Alternative Awards. Because when the industry comes together, this is the perfect opportunity to recognize the latest innovations and the most progressive companies shaping them. While the 2024 awards were presented on the stand at the trade fair, this year a festive gala was dedicated to them on Friday with the support of
The categories represented the entire diversity of the NGP industry. These are the winners:
Best HNB Product of the Year: Usonic Dual by
Best Open Pod System of the Year: Medo Q by
Best Pouch Flavor:
Best Innovation: Vape Gold (Gold Bar)Best Newcomer: BLIP by Pouch solutions FZ
The InterTabac World Alternative Awards were not the only awards presented at the trade fair. On Saturday afternoon, InterTabac media partner
The Cigar Journal, another media partner of the trade fair duo, once again focused exclusively on the cigar segment. Once again this year, the magazine presented the Cigar Trophy Awards to the best companies from this classic core segment of InterTabac on the first day of the trade fair.
Diversity of the industry becomes clear
Not only these events make it clear: the tobacco and nicotine industry once again presented itself in all its diversity in Dortmund this year. As diverse as nobody would have thought possible at the first trade fair in 1978. Whether classic products such as cigars, pipes, cigarettes or fine cut, smoking accessories or water pipes or new generation products such as e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn products, pouches and cannabidiol-containing goods as well as everything for the specialist trade – from store design to additions to the product range. The exhibitors at InterTabac covered all segments. This was complemented by the exhibitors at InterSupply, who focused on the entire production chain of the tobacco industry and presented numerous products and services ranging from basic and raw materials to packaging and labeling solutions to software and machines for the production process.
For the third time, CB Expo, the Cannabis Business Expo and Conference, also expanded the range of topics covered by InterTabac and InterSupply. And not only with international exhibitors, who presented the entire process from cultivation to the end product in Hall 9, but also with more than 50 speakers from the industry, who shared their knowledge with interested visitors on two stages in the conference program.
New date already set
As we all know, after the trade fair is always before the trade fair. The date for 2026 has been set. Messe Dortmund had already announced the changed sequence of days for next year in June. InterTabac and InterSupply will then take place from September 15 to 17 – from Tuesday to Thursday instead of Thursday to Saturday.
>>> Read the preliminary report on the trade fair with detailed information on exhibitors and the program here.
You can also find the first photos of InterTabac and InterSupply 2025here.
You can find feedback from InterTabac and InterSupply exhibitors on this year’s trade fair in a separate document attached.
>>> Voices of associations and partners
Every year, Messe Dortmund can rely on strong partners who know the needs of the industry inside out when preparing and planning InterTabac and InterSupply. Here are some comments from the partner associations on this year’s trade fair:
Michael von Foerster, Managing Director of VdR – Der Tabakmittelstand:
“Every year, InterTabac is the most important family reunion in our industry – for three days we meet the entire tobacco family here and see for ourselves again and again what we are fighting for and what needs to be preserved. All the more reason for the regulators from Brussels, Berlin and other capitals to find their way to Dortmund – to see and experience with their own eyes that a cultural asset is lived here with a lot of passion, which must not be destroyed by ideological destructive rage.”
Jan Mücke, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE):
“This year, InterTabac has focused particular attention on the new reduced-risk products. They are an important alternative for adult smokers. The added value of these products in terms of health policy must finally be recognized by politicians. It is therefore high time to regulate tobacco-free nicotine pouches in Germany in the same way as e-cigarettes under tobacco product law. These products are similarly less harmful than nicotine patches. The least harmful product is still de facto banned in Germany, although it is freely available for sale to adults in 16 EU member states and is used safely in many countries around the world with low health risks. This anachronism must be brought to an end. InterTabac 2025 has sharpened the focus on the necessary regulation and approval. We are looking forward to InterTabac 2026.”
Bodo Mehrlein, Managing Director of the Bundesverband der Zigarrenindustrie e.V. (BdZ):
“For the cigar industry, for the association and for me, InterTabac was once again a very well-organized event and an excellent platform for member companies to present their products, conclude orders and make new contacts. Cigars and cigarillos in particular are an important part of the trade fair as a cultural and luxury product.”
Thomas Gryson, co-founder of The Cigar Academy:
“What made the Cigar Culture Summit at InterTabac 2025 so remarkable was the spirit of openness and willingness to listen, share and learn from each other. It was a celebration of culture, knowledge and responsibility intertwined. We are very proud of what we have achieved. Together we have laid a strong foundation. We look forward to building on this momentum and working together again to further improve and expand this important platform next year.”
Steffen Kahnt, Managing Director of the Bundesverband des Tabakwaren-Einzelhandels e.V. (BTWE):
“45 years of InterTabac, that’s 45 years of inspiration, exchange and innovation. In 2025, Dortmund was once again the place to be for the international nicotine industry – with impressive brands, exciting new products and valuable contacts. A big thank you to the unbeatable trade fair team, who always have their finger on the pulse and have made InterTabac the ultimate meeting place for the global nicotine industry!”
Oliver Pohland, Managing Director of the Association of the eCigarette Trade (VdeH)
“Every year, InterTabac is a key highlight for the e-cigarette trade association and the entire industry. The large number of visitors and the intensive discussions with our members as well as with trade visitors have once again shown how great the interest in our work and in e-cigarettes is. The industry continues to grow and was once again able to slightly increase its turnover. At the same time, however, it is clear that this growth is increasingly reaching its limits – not least due to the persistently strong black market, which is putting the legal market under considerable pressure. The new Fact Report 2025/26, which VdeH presented at the trade fair, was also received with great interest. It is and remains our goal to create reliable and practical framework conditions so that the potential of e-cigarettes in Germany can be fully exploited.”
Philip Drögemüller, Managing Director of the Bündnis für Tabakfreien Genuss e.V. (BfTG):
“We are very satisfied with this year’s InterTabac and the general development of the trade fair. The share of e-cigarettes is growing continuously and shows the increasing relevance of our industry. InterTabac therefore remains the most important meeting place for manufacturers, retailers and associations.”
Ciprian Boboi, Treasurer of the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA):
“All the major European associations in the e-cigarette industry were represented in Dortmund. InterTabac offers an adequate platform for exchange, networking and joint strategic discussion. It strengthens the European cohesion of our industry and underlines its importance in an international context.”
John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA):
“Supporting trade shows such as InterTabac is vital for associations to inform and advise the industry on the ever-changing national and international legislation. This information is vital for exhibitors, visitors and the media. Without the support of the organizers, we would be far less effective in achieving this goal.”
Thomas Schäfer, Managing Director of the North Rhine-Westphalia Westphalia-Münsterland Trade Association:
“InterTabac has been developing steadily since 1978, and this year is no exception. Whether it’s the exhibition stands, the variety of exhibitors, the quality of the product range or visitor interest: In its 45th edition, InterTabac has once again made a name for itself as the world’s leading trade fair for the tobacco industry and a meeting place for the tobacco family. My thanks go to the trade fair company and the professional team, who do such a great job of organizing this unique trade fair year after year – à la bonne heure!”
Folke Rega, Managing Director of the German Waterpipe Tobacco Association – THE SHISHA ASSOCIATION:
“This year’s InterTabac was a great success from the point of view of the shisha industry. Interest at the stands was very high. There are signs of a recovery in the market, which is strongly driven by innovation. Electronic heat sources, closed systems and nicotine-free variants in particular are dominating the picture. We look forward to the next InterTabac with even more innovations. “Shem Baldeosingh, Director of the Global Institute of Novel Nicotine (GINN):
“This year’s InterTabac and PouchXchange events were characterized by energy, forward thinking and a strong spirit of collaboration – offering a clear outlook on the direction the alternative nicotine products sector is taking. As the world’s largest trade show for nicotine products and accessories, InterTabac showcased an impressive range of non-combustible, alternative nicotine products for consumers looking for a better alternative to smoking. GINN’s presence was both visible and influential. Member companies were represented with prominent booths and even lavish hospitality suites. As PouchXchange’s knowledge partner, GINN curated expert-led sessions designed to provide practical and actionable insights. Two outstanding panel discussions addressed key industry topics: ‘Innovations in Oral Nicotine Products’ led by Dr. Nveed Chaudhary and ‘Regulation, Retail and Compliance in the Nicotine Market’ led by Robert Sidebottom.”
MEASUREMENTS AT A GLANCE |
| INTERTABAC, WORLD’S LARGESTTRADE FAIR FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS & SMOKING SUPPLIES At InterTabac, the world’s largest trade fair for tobacco products and smoking accessories, trade visitors meet top decision-makers from the retail, manufacturing and service sectors. The quality and internationality of the visitors is a hallmark of the world’s leading event for the tobacco industry – more than 40 percent of visitors come from abroad. International market leaders and industry representatives from the fields of cigars, cigarillos, cigarettes, pipes and smoking accessories, cigarette and pipe tobacco, RYO and MYO, fine cut and rolling papers, store fittings, press, IT and cash register systems, vending machines, water pipes and accessories, electronic cigarettes and next generation products are represented. InterTabac’s thematic leadership as the world’s leading trade fair was further expanded with presentations on current issues relating to the topics and challenges of the industry in the newly developed, innovative InterTabac supporting program. INTERSUPPLY – INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR FOR THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, E-CIGARETTES, PIPES AND WATER PIPES Market leaders and industry representatives from all over the world present their innovations at the InterSupply international trade fair in Dortmund every year. InterSupply covers all aspects of the manufacturing process for tobacco products, e-cigarettes, pipes and water pipes. The product and range segment offers top decision-makers, trade visitors and employees from the tobacco industry a complete overview. InterSupply, which takes place parallel to the renowned InterTabac, is therefore ideal for maintaining contact with regular customers, generating leads and acquiring new customers. |
| DATE: September 18 to 20, 2025 ORGANIZER: Messe Dortmund GmbH EXHIBITORS: More than 800 exhibitors from almost 70 countries TRADE VISITORS: 14,500 trade visitors PARTNERS: North Rhine-Westphalia Trade Association, Landesfachverband Tabak (conceptual sponsor) Bundesverband des Tabakwaren-Einzelhandels e.V. (BTWE) Bundesverband der Tabakwirtschaft und neuartiger Erzeugnisse e.V. (BVTE) Bundesverband der Zigarrenindustrie e.V. (BdZ) Verband der deutschen Rauchtabakindustrie e.V. (VdR) Bundesverband Wasserpfeifentabak e.V. Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) Bündnis für Tabakfreien Genuss e.V. (BfTG) Verband des eZigarettenhandels e.V. (VdeH) Cigar Association of America (CAA) ProCigar – Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) European Confederation of Tobacco Retailers (C.E.D.T.) OctoberMultimedia And many more: Overview | INTERTABAC VISITOR TARGET GROUP: Top international decision-makers from the trade (tobacco product specialists, wholesalers and retailers), manufacturing and the service sector. International and national industry representatives from the fields of cigars & cigarettes, pipes, cigarillos, smoking accessories, RYO, MYO fine cut, pipe tobacco, store fittings, press, IT, cash register systems, vending machines, water pipes & accessories and electronic cigarettes. InterTabac addresses visitors from all over Germany as well as tobacco industry employees worldwide. The trade fair is ideal for maintaining contacts with regular customers, generating leads and acquiring new customers. Admission for trade visitors of legal age only. INTERSUPPLY VISITOR TARGET GROUP: Market leaders, key players, manufacturers and suppliers in the global tobacco industry. International and national specialists and managers from the fields of purchasing, production management, product development, research & development, quality management and controlling. |
