Tobacco News

Japan Tobacco Inc.’s international unit said it plans to invest as much as 25 million euros ($36 million) to increase cigarette output in Romania by next year.

The first new production lines at a factory in Bucharest will be operational in the second half of this month, Japan Tobacco International said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. The unit plans to complete the investment in the first part of next year, it said.
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The world’s largest tobacco firm were blasted yesterday for trying to force a Scottish university to hand over research about children smoking.
Marlboro manufacturers Philip Morris are using a freedom of information request to get the data from Stirling Uni.
The team have done 5500 confidential interviews with children aged 11 to16. Forty per cent of smokers have their first puff before 16. Ream more »

Philip Morris International has tried to force the University of Stirling to hand over secret data into teenage smoking and cigarette packaging gathered over more than a decade.
The manufacturers behind the popular Marlboro brand, have used Freedom of Information laws to gain access about 6000 confidential interviews undertaken with teenagers as young as 13, which discuss their views on smoking and tobacco. Ream more »

The Northwest Territories government can now launch lawsuits again tobacco companies to try to recoup health care costs.

Last week, MLAs passed legislation allowing the government to sue for tobacco-related diseases. Yukon is the only area in the country that does not have similar legislation.
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In order to make sure that local retailers that sell tobacco products are not selling to minors and are in compliance with federal laws, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with state regulators in conducting check inspections of those who sell the products.
Many may question the importance in doing this, but according to reports, retailers do play a very important role in the health protection of America’s youth. Ream more »

A relatively new brand of dissolvable tobacco has industry insiders on the defensive over critics claims that the Camel-brand product looks a lot like something you might pop in your mouth to freshen your breath.

“It’s an immense concern,” Bob Doyle, the head of the Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance, said on Tuesday. “This product is about addicting a new generation.”
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One year after a $1 increase in Utah’s excise tax, sales of tobacco products have dropped 15 percent.

The decrease has lawmakers and anti-smoking advocates cheering, pointing to it as an encouraging sign that the increased levy has spurred people to stop smoking, as CNBC.com reported. However, tobacco industry insiders counter that people may just be buying their tobacco products at out-of-state retail stores.
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Altria Group recently announced its Q2 earnings that were marked with solid operating margins and retail share performance of the company’s premium tobacco brands especially Marlboro. Its strong pricing power and product mix continue to be the key sources of value creation. Altria, previously named Philip Morris Companies Inc., is the parent company of Philip Morris U.S.A, John Middleton, Inc. Ream more »

Reynolds American Inc. has announced second-quarter increases in adjusted earnings per share and the market share for its top cigarette and moist snuff brands, though lawsuit costs and declining sales volumes brought an overall drop in profits.
The Winston-Salem tobacco company (NYSE: RAI) posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.67, up 1.5 percent from the second quarter of 2010, thanks to higher pricing and volume gains from its moist snuff brands. Ream more »

Tobacco companies are seeking clarification from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on the smoking ban in public places in Metro Manila which started in earnest last July 1.

They insist that Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003) allows smoking on streets and other open or non-enclosed spaces. The MMDA has started issuing tickets to violators of the smoking ban.
Chris Nelson, president of Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco, told ANC’s “Top Story” Wednesday that they want MMDA to clarify the implementation of the ban.
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