Imperial puts a toe in the caffeine-product market

Imperial Tobacco is moving into caffeine products with the launch of a melt-in-the-mouth strip designed to give an energy boost in seconds, according to a story by Martinne Geller for Reuters.

Reon, which was developed by Imperial’s Fontem Ventures subsidiary, is available in flavors such as ‘grapefruit & zing’ and ‘black currant & fresh.

It comes in packs of eight strips each with 20 mg of caffeine; or less than a third of the amount in a shot of Starbucks espresso.

Initially it is being sold only in the English city of Manchester and online for £2.50 pounds ($4) a pack.

Like other caffeinated products, Reon is not recommended for children, though currently there are no restrictions on sales to minors.

Similar products are said to have prompted concern among some health experts in Australia about the risks of overdose.

The full story is at: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/01/25/us-imperial-tobacco-caffeine-launch-idUKKBN0KY0K820150125.