Following yesterday’s (July 22) announcement that Japan Tobacco Inc. was acquiring the BREAK and Moro fine-cut tobacco brands from Scandinavian Tobacco Group, the company said the deal is intended to strengthen its combustible tobacco business and support its long-term growth strategy. JT said expanding its fine-cut portfolio in Western Europe will improve returns in its combustibles business, reinforce its position in a key market, and help fund continued investment in reduced-risk products. The company added that the acquisition reflects its disciplined capital allocation strategy and is not expected to have a material impact on its financial performance.
Tag: JT
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STG Sells Fine-Cut Tobacco Brands to JT
Scandinavian Tobacco Group agreed to sell its fine-cut tobacco brands BREAK and Moro to Japan Tobacco Inc. for €176 million, representing a pre-tax enterprise value of approximately DKK 1.3 billion ($195 million). The transaction, which is expected to close by year-end pending customary approvals, includes brands primarily sold in Germany. BREAK and Moro accounted for about 4% of STG’s 2025 reported net sales and gross profit before special items, and approximately 6% of EBITDA before special items. Fine-cut tobacco represented around 12% of STG’s total 2025 sales.
STG said the divestment supports its Focus2030 strategy by allowing the company to concentrate on higher-priority growth categories while transferring the brands to an owner better positioned to develop them. CEO Niels Frederiksen said proceeds from the deal will be used to reduce debt, lower leverage, and increase financial flexibility. The agreement also includes a contract manufacturing arrangement with JT for up to three years as STG reviews its manufacturing footprint and efficiency needs.
The transaction is expected to reduce STG’s leverage ratio below its 2.5x target level at completion and will positively impact free cash flow through the transfer of inventories to JT. While the deal is expected to be dilutive to earnings, STG said it does not anticipate an impact on its 2026 guidance for reported net sales growth or EBIT margin before special items.
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Japan’s HTP Tax Changes Threaten JTI Growth: CFO
Tax changes in Japan that will eliminate preferential tax treatment for heated tobacco products are expected to weigh on growth this year, according to Japan Tobacco International CFO Vassilis Vovos. The policy shift would tax heated tobacco at the same rate as traditional cigarettes, potentially raising retail prices by 70 to 100 yen ($0.46 to $0.65) per pack after sales tax. Vovos said the company plans to introduce incremental price increases throughout 2026 to offset the impact and avoid a single steep price hike.
The tax change poses a challenge to JTI’s expansion of its Ploom heated tobacco device in Japan, the world’s largest heated tobacco market, which is currently led by rival Philip Morris International, according to Reuters. Parent company Japan Tobacco has relied on newer product categories to drive growth, with Ploom volumes rising more than 38% last year and reaching a 14.4% share of the heated tobacco segment. While executives warned the tax change could temporarily slow category growth, they said heated tobacco remains a key long-term revenue driver.
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JT Reports Record Year with Revenue Up 13%
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) reported record fiscal 2025 results, with revenue rising 13.4% to JPY 3.47 trillion ($22.6 billion) and adjusted operating profit increasing 21.5% to JPY 902.2 billion ($5.9 billion), driven largely by tobacco business growth and the acquisition of Vector Group. Profit climbed 188.9% to JPY 499.1 billion ($3.2 billion), while free cash flow rose to JPY 272.7 billion ($1.8 billion), and the company plans to pay an annual dividend of JPY 234 ($1.52) per share.
For fiscal 2026, JT forecasts continued growth, projecting revenue to increase 6.6% and adjusted operating profit to rise 7.9%, as it accelerates investment in heated tobacco products to complement its combustible cigarette portfolio and support long-term earnings expansion.
“These achievements are the outcome of the strategic investments we have actively pursued over the years,” said JT Group president and CEO Takehiko Tsutsui. “In our Business Plan 2026, we intend to accelerate investments in heated products with the aim of establishing them as the second pillar of profit growth, alongside combustibles, in future years. Furthermore, we are targeting high single digit growth at a [compound annual growth rate] in consolidated adjusted operating profit at constant FX, driven by the tobacco business.”
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JT Applies to Raise Prices of Plume and Wiz Products
Japan Tobacco (JT) submitted an application to Japan’s Minister of Finance yesterday (January 27) seeking approval to revise the retail list prices of cigarettes, aligned with the government’s review of the heated tobacco taxation system effective April 1. The application covers all 37 variants of Plume tobacco sticks and Wiz tobacco capsules, marking a comprehensive price adjustment across JT’s heated tobacco portfolio. JT said the proposed revisions are intended to help maintain product quality and brand value while continuing to meet consumer expectations amid changes to the tax framework. If approved, the new retail prices will take effect from April 1, with the company acknowledging the added cost to consumers while committing to further improvements in product quality and customer service.
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JTI to Launch Four New EVO Flavors
Japan Tobacco (JT) is set to launch four new EVO variants for its Ploom heated tobacco line, covering mint, capsule (crushball), and regular (non-menthol) flavor segments, according to Neosmo. The variants—Green Mint, Cacao Mint Crystal, Tropical Lime Crystal, and Sakura Regular—will be sold in 20-stick packs at 550 yen ($3.50) each, keeping the range within the same price band. Two flavors go on sale January 22 and the remaining two on February 3, initially through CLUB JT online and Ploom retail stores. Consumers will vote to select one variant for nationwide distribution, including convenience stores, with results expected in early March.
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JT Introduces ‘Purple Dusk’ for Ploom AURA
JT released the fourth offering in its limited color series for the Ploom AURA today (January 13), introducing “Purple Dusk.” It joins “Amber Haze,” “Bronze Royal,” and “Aqua Green.”
Regarding Purple Dusk, JT says, “the deep colors reminiscent of the night scene and the accented patterned front panel create a mysterious atmosphere and presence. It contains the desire to be close to the moment to enjoy the night in your own way and to encourage the time you spend with your sensibility.”
A limited quantity is available in Japan for pre-sale at CLUB JT online shop and Ploom Shop for 2,980 yen ($18.77). It will be available at convenience stores and some tobacco stores beginning January 20.
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JT Launches EVO Honey Lemon for Ploom
Japan Tobacco (JT) introduced the EVO Honey Lemon Crystal, a new flavored smoke stick for its Ploom heated tobacco brand, that will be available in Japan beginning today (December 16) through the CLUB JT online shop and Ploom Shops, followed by a nationwide rollout in convenience stores and tobacco retailers on January 16, 2026.
The EVO Honey Lemon Crystal “combines lemon-flavored capsules with honey sweetness to offer a balanced, dual-profile sensory experience.” It is compatible with all Ploom devices, sold in packs of 20 sticks at a retail price of JPY 550 ($3.70).
The launch follows recent additions to the Ploom EVO lineup, including Evo Black Menthol and Evo Fresh Mint (released December 1) and a formula upgrade for Evo Cold Menthol in November, expanding the EVO mint range. JT’s Ploom smoke stick portfolio now totals 27 variants, catering to diverse flavor preferences in Japan’s heated tobacco market.
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JT Announces Board, Leadership Changes
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) announced several resolutions from its Board of Directors concerning the company’s new and revised executive appointments, including changes among its Representative Directors. The most notable change is that Takehiko Tsutsui is being promoted from executive vice president of JT International to assume the office as president and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Masamichi Terabatake, who will become the deputy chairperson of the Board. The move will be effective January 1, 2026, subject to ratification at the company’s shareholders’ meeting and approval of the Board of Directors. Tsutsui joined JT in 1997 and has been a vice president since 2012.
The company also announced that Shigeaki Okamoto will become the new chairperson of the Board, appointed Yukiko Uchida to the Board, and announced the resignations of Yukiko Nagashima and current chair Mutsuo Iwai. The Board changes will be effective at the conclusion of the shareholders’ meeting scheduled for March 25, 2026.
In other moves, Adam Vilalta was named senior vice president of marketing of Tobacco Business in Japan with the resignation of Igor Dzaja, and Hisashi Shimobayashi was promoted to senior vice president, Chief Technology & Information Security Officer.
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JT Completes €500 Million Subordinated Bond Issuance
Japan Tobacco International Financial Services B.V. (JTIFS), a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT), completed the issuance and settlement of €500 million Euro-denominated subordinated bonds due 2055. The transaction was first announced on August 27.
The securities, which carry equity-like features while being classified as debt, were launched to refinance JTIFS’s existing subordinated bonds due 2081.
JT said the transaction, which also included the settlement of a related tender offer, will help strengthen the group’s financial foundation. The new securities are callable at the issuer’s discretion from March 2031 and on subsequent interest payment dates.