Tobacco News and Information.

Categories: · Business International: · U.K.	British American volumes down 1%, revenue up Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/,2010-04-26 British American Tobacco said Wednesday that cigarette volumes in the first three months of 2010 slipped 1% to 168 billion from 170 billion a year earlier as declines in Europe, Africa and the Middle East were partially offset by growth in the Asia-Pacific region. "Our consumers are clearly finding economic conditions difficult and volumes suffered as a result of market size declines," said CEO Paul Adams. "However, there was continued pricing momentum and good growth in market shares, leading to solid revenue growth. We remain on track for the year," he added.
Categories: · Business International: · U.K.	OFT fines U.K. tobacco manufacturers, retailers Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/,2010-04-14 The Office of Fair Trading said Friday that two tobacco manufacturers and ten retailers engaged in unlawful practices in relation to retail prices for tobacco products in the U.K., and has imposed fines totalling 225 million pounds ($348.8 million). The tobacco manufacturers involved are Imperial Tobacco and Gallaher, and the retailers are Wal-Mart Stores' Asda unit, The Co-operative Group, First Quench, Morrisons, One Stop Stores, Safeway, Sainsbury's, Shell Somerfield and TM Retail. The 225 million pound fine represents the largest total fine imposed by the OFT to date in a case under the Competition Act 1998.
Categories: · Business International: · Europe	Imperial Tobacco cut to sell from neutral at UBS Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/,2010-03-05 Imperial Tobacco was downgraded to sell from neutral on Tuesday at UBS, which said the stock is fully valued and market consensus for fiscal 2011 onwards is too high. Post-2010, the investment bank said, the rate of underlying earnings per share growth will slow significantly as the bulk of cost savings from the Altadis integration are completed and the group remains unable to repurchase stock or make any meaningful acquisitions as it tries to re gear. Imperial also derives 70% of its profit from Europe and in the longer term, growth will come from emerging markets, where it has limited exposure. Lack of distribution in emerging markets and lack of big international brands means it's tough to see how Imperial can change this, said UBS.
Categories: · Business International: · U.K.	U.K. cigarette vending machine ban faces challenge Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/,2010-02-15 The cornerstone of a new British attack on smoking that would ban the sale of cigarettes through vending machines will be challenged in court by the country's leading tobacco firm.
Categories: · Business International: · Asia	KT&G Joins With Imperial Tobacco Group Source:http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/,2010-02-03 KT&G, South Korea's foremost tobacco company, sealed a partnership with Imperial Tobacco Group under which the former will manufacture products for the latter this year.