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Tag: JTI

  • JTI: Mayfair Gold Strengthens Market Position in UK

    JTI: Mayfair Gold Strengthens Market Position in UK

    JTI says its Mayfair Gold continues with strong momentum in 2025, and is the UK’s fastest-growing low-price ready-made cigarette brand. With a 4.4% market share, the brand has established itself as a key player among independents and symbols, driven by strong demand for high-quality products at ultra-value prices since its launch in September 2024, JTI said. The company also said Mayfair Gold’s rolling tobacco is on track to exceed £200 million in retail sales within its first year, underscoring the brand’s rapid ascent in both the RMC and RYO categories.

    The growth comes alongside a series of retailer engagement initiatives on JTI360, including the Mayfair Gold Super Competition, which recently rewarded Salim Patel of The Swan Service Station, Mirfield, England, with a VIP cricket experience at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

  • U.S. Judge Grants Recognition to $23B Canadian Tobacco Settlement

    U.S. Judge Grants Recognition to $23B Canadian Tobacco Settlement

    A New York bankruptcy judge yesterday (August 26) approved U.S. recognition of Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd.’s restructuring plan, a key step in a landmark C$32.5 billion (US$23.6 billion) settlement resolving decades of Canadian tobacco litigation. Judge John P. Mastando III granted Chapter 15 approval without objection, clearing the way for the settlement, one of the largest restructurings in Canadian history, to take effect across both jurisdictions.

    The deal, approved by an Ontario court in March, involves Imperial, JTI-Macdonald Corp., and Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc. It will be funded over 20 years, beginning with a C$12 billion (US$8.7 billion) upfront payment, followed by profit-sharing contributions.

    The agreement resolves more than a trillion Canadian dollars in claims from class actions and provincial governments over smoking-related health costs.

  • Japan Tobacco to Issue Euro-Denominated Subordinated Bonds

    Japan Tobacco to Issue Euro-Denominated Subordinated Bonds

    Japan Tobacco Inc. said today (August 27) its foreign subsidiary, JT International Financial Services B.V. (JTIFS), will issue Euro-denominated Ordinary Subordinated Guaranteed Fixed Rate Resettable Capital Securities due 2055. The new hybrid-style subordinated bonds, which combine debt and equity characteristics, will be offered in international markets. Proceeds will be used to refinance JTIFS’s outstanding Euro-denominated deeply subordinated guaranteed bonds due 2081, for which a tender offer has been launched.

    JT said the move will help strengthen the group’s financial base, noting that rating agencies may recognize the new issuance as having partial equity credit.

  • Tanzania Tobacco Farmers Near Tree-Planting Target

    Tanzania Tobacco Farmers Near Tree-Planting Target

    Tanzania’s tobacco farmers have achieved 97.3% of their three-year tree-planting goal, planting 145 million trees out of the 150 million targeted since 2022, the Tanzania Tobacco Board (TTB) said. TTB Director General Stanley Mnozya said the initiative combats deforestation caused by tobacco curing with firewood, with each farmer required to plant at least 500 trees per hectare. Companies including Japan Tobacco International and Alliance One have supported the effort, contributing 20 million trees.

    The government has also allocated 4 billion shillings ($1.6 million) for modern drying facilities and introduced tobacco seed varieties that can be dried with solar or electricity instead of wood. This season, tobacco output rose to 183 million kilograms worth 1.3 trillion shillings ($520 million), up from 117 million kilograms last season. Tanzania exports up to 97% of its crop annually.

  • JTI Launches Lemon-Flavored Cigarillo in UK

    JTI Launches Lemon-Flavored Cigarillo in UK

    Today (July 1), JTI launched its Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow, a UK-first lemon-flavored cigarillo. In addition to the existing peppermint capsule, the product features a lemon capsule in the filter that users can click to release flavor. This adds a new, popular flavor to the brand that JTI says already holds a 93.6% share (£14 million per month) of the UK cigarillo market.

    “JTI is committed to supporting retailers by meeting consumer demand with innovative products like Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow,” said Lisa Anderson, marketing director at JTI UK.

    Sterling Dual Capsule Xtra Yellow retails for a suggested £6.95 for a 10-stick pack, and JTI offers retailers an introductory 20% profit on return wholesale.

  • JTI Philippines Eyes Expansion into RRP Manufacturing for Export

    JTI Philippines Eyes Expansion into RRP Manufacturing for Export

    Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines said it is exploring plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Batangas to include reduced-risk products (RRPs), with an eye on exporting to more markets across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

    Currently, JTI’s facility in Malvar, Batangas, produces traditional cigarettes for at least 17 countries, mostly in Asia, according to General Manager Guilherme Silva. As demand for alternatives to combustible cigarettes rises, Silva confirmed JTI is considering producing RRPs—such as heated-tobacco products—at the Philippine facility.

    “It’s a factory that has a huge footprint, but also that still has a lot of space to be increased,” Silva said. “These new categories of RRPs are becoming more and more important, not only in the Philippines but also across different markets in the Asia-Pacific region. We’re definitely exploring which of these categories [we could] produce from the Philippines, [and how we can] export them.”

    Last year, the company introduced its heated-tobacco device Ploom X Advanced to the Philippine market, mirroring its success in Japan. While current production of Ploom’s tobacco sticks remains in Japan and Poland, JTI has signaled openness to expanding manufacturing based on market growth.

  • JTI Philippines Sees 23% Growth in Nicotine Pouches

    JTI Philippines Sees 23% Growth in Nicotine Pouches

    According to JTI, Nordic Spirit, the first nicotine pouch brand in the Philippines, is enjoying 23% monthly growth across the country. At a recent briefing in JTI’s office in Stockholm, Sweden, that included visiting journalists from the Philippines, Karin Tan, JTI’s director of reduced-risk products, said the product’s growth has been robust since it was introduced in May 2023.

    “There is actually traction in the market,” Tan said, citing data from major convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Uncle John’s. “It is all about giving consumers pleasurable choices.”

    In a recent JTI survey of 7,000 consumers, 80% reported a positive experience using nicotine pouches. Consumers in the Philippines cited convenience, taste, and satisfaction in the product, and noted it was convenient to use in a country that contains so many no-smoking areas.

    Against this backdrop, JTI’s Vårgårda facility, located in Västra Götaland County on Sweden’s western coast, is gearing up for increased demand for nicotine pouches. The facility will soon produce Nordic Spirit for the UK, Canada, France, and the Philippines, according to factory lead Serkan Karasulu. 

  • JTI Adds Three Flavors to Pouch Line

    JTI Adds Three Flavors to Pouch Line

    Japan Tobacco International UK has expanded its Nordic Spirit nicotine pouch line by introducing “three on-trend flavor variants designed to elevate the consumer experience and cater to the growing demand for berry and tropical flavors.” With Nordic Spirit already delivering £4.5m in value sales each month

    Available now for independent retailers and symbol groups, the new Raspberry, Tropical Mix, and Forest Berries offerings feature a quicker and stronger flavor release, along with increased moisture content. The packaging and pouch size has also been changed to be more convenient for the user.

    “Consumers in this space are seeking bolder flavor experiences and greater variety from nicotine pouches,” said Bruce Terry, Portfolio Brand Manager at JTI UK. “That insight guided the development of our latest Nordic Spirit range, where we placed a strong emphasis on both intensity and diversity of flavors.

    “With enhanced taste profiles and a more impactful sensory experience, our new variants are set to excite the category, creating a valuable opportunity for retailers to drive sales and maximize profitability.”

    Retailers can purchase the new Nordic Spirit flavors through wholesalers or via the JTI360 website.

  • Philippines Customs Seizes $1.5M in Illicit Cigarettes  

    Philippines Customs Seizes $1.5M in Illicit Cigarettes  

    Authorities in Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines, seized six truckloads with 717 boxes of assorted branded cigarettes in a warehouse last week, worth P83.7 million ($1.5 million). Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing and Japan Tobacco International both cited the Bureau of Customs’ “dedication and effectiveness” as well as the leadership of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. 

    Owners of the warehouse will be charged for violating the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law if they fail to present documents within 15 days, Rubio said. Charges could also be filed against the owners of the smuggled dried tobacco products for violating the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. 

  • JTI Completes Promotion for Ultra Value Products

    JTI Completes Promotion for Ultra Value Products

    Japan Tobacco International announced the winner of its Mayfair Gold competition that ran from September 2024 to February 2025, promoting the launch of the Mayfair Gold Rolling Tobacco (RYO) and continuing the momentum of Mayfair Gold Ready Made Cigarettes. Imran Ghaffar, of Wilsons Supermarket in, Kirkcaldy, Scotland, won a new Mini Cooper.

    The competition was open to all retailers, with participants earning entries by scanning the barcodes of Mayfair Gold RMC or RYO outers using the JTI360 scanner. Each scanned code acted as an entry ticket. Each week, five tickets were drawn, with retailers winning prizes such as £100 gift cards, iPads, and headphones. The competition gained 142,000 entries, and at the end, the grand-prize winner was drawn.

    “The Mayfair Gold JTI360 competition was a fantastic opportunity for us to continue supporting hard-working retailers across the UK,” said Lisa Anderson, Marketing Director at JTI UK. “We recognize the vital role they play in communities up and down the country, and we’re proud to offer initiatives like this that reward their hard work and dedication. We congratulate Imran and hope he enjoys his new car!”

    Mayfair Gold represents JTI’s most affordable cheapest offering in both the RMC and RYO sectors. JTI said the Ultra Value sector remains the fastest growing in share terms at 17.6% of the combined tobacco market.

    “Over 70% of shoppers who purchase tobacco in convenience stores say price is the main reason for their visit, and the majority of tobacco customers said price is important when purchasing the product in store, therefore, retailers should ensure they remain competitive by selling at [recommended retail price],” Anderson said. “Retailers can take advantage of the Margin Calculator on JTI360, JTI’s retailer hub, to establish their profit per pack [of JTI brands], making it easier to set competitive prices without sacrificing profitability.”