UK: British American Tobacco reports 9 month performance
British American Tobacco (BAT) has reported its financial results for the 9 months ended 30 September 2014, posting what it described as “a good performance in a challenging environment”. The results demonstrated continued strong growth of the Global Drive Brands, good market share performance in key markets and a 1% decrease in volume, the company […]
Denmark: Scandinavian Tobacco Group acquires Torano Family Cigar Company brands
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has announced the acqusition of all brands belonging to US-based cigar firm Torano Family Cigar Company. The transaction, the terms and conditions of which were not disclosed, will see Scandinavian Tobacco acquire the entire Torano Family portfolio, assuming responsibility for ownership and distribution. STG said the acquisition would strengthen the position […]
UK: Japan Tobacco International launches “signature blend” organic Amber Leaf tobacco
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is expanding its range of rolling tobacco with a new premium Signature Blend line under the Amber Leaf brand which is made with organic Brazilian tobacco. Amber Leaf is produced by the Gallaher Group, a division of JTI, and is sold in countries such as Japan, the USA and the United […]
India: ITC moves into e-cigarette business
ITC, India’s largest cigarette manufacturer, has announced that it is intending to expand its business by moving into the electronic cigarettes market, the Economic Times reports. According to company chairman YC Deveshwar, ITC is in conversations with government to develop a framework under which its range of e-cigarettes can be launched. Mr Deveshwar said that […]
UK: BAT to introduce ‘charge-on-the-go’ e-cigarettes
British American Tobacco (BAT) is to introduce a new ‘charge-on-the-go’ e-cigarette in a bid to tackle the problem of battery life in the category, Bloomberg reports. Due for launch in August, the new version of Vype eSticks can be continuously charged via the packaging, which users plug in overnight. Kingsley Wheaton, BAT’s director of regulatory […]
USA: Tobacco industry set for shake-up with Lorillard acquistion
In a move that is set to shake-up the US tobacco market, Reynolds American Inc, the second-largest player in the country, has acquired the third largest, Lorillard Inc for $25 billion, or $27 billion including debt. Reynolds, which owns brands such as Camel and Pall Mall, will now get a stronger foothold in menthol cigarettes […]
Japan: Japan Tobacco acquires e-cigarette brand E-Lites
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has announced that it has concluded an agreement that will see it take ownership of the e-cigarette brand E-Lites. Under the terms of the agreement, JT is to acquire all the outstanding shares of Zandera Ltd. which JT described as offering the most recognized range of high quality rechargeable and ready-to-use […]
UK: Three times as many electronic cigarette consumers as two years ago, report finds
The latest figures release from Ash (Action on Smoking and Health), a health charity, has shown that in the past two years the number of electronic cigarette users has tripled in the UK. Their research revealed an estimated increase from 700,000 to 2.1 million users in the period between 2012 and 2014. The report also […]
UK: STG launches “super value for money” cigars
STG UK (Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK) has announced that it is to launch its new Break brand of cigarillos with which it is aiming to open up a new super value for money (SVFM) segment in the cigar category. Break Filter Cigarillos, which will be available from May, are claimed to offer a smooth filtered […]
Netherlands: Philip Morris to close its largest plant
Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) announced its plans to close its Bergen op Zoom manufacturing facility in the Netherlands. The company said the decision was down to dwindling demand for traditional smoking products in Europe because of an increase in health awareness, a weak economy and higher taxes on smoking products. The closure will result […]