Tobacco Industry News

Research

Nicotine poisoning common in tobacco workers
Recent research on tobacco field workers in North Carolina found that approximately 18% of the workers had experienced symptoms of nicotine poisoning in the past four months.  Because nicotine is water and fat-soluble, tobacco workers are at risk for nicotine poisoning through either direct skin contact with tobacco plants or indirect contact through wet clothes.  However, the researchers also state that if tobacco workers wear raingear, they are protected from skin contact with the plants, and lower their risk of tobacco poisoning.  The study is published in the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.  For more information, click here.

top

Reports

Altria expects growth in Marlboro brand, smokeless products after international unit spinoff
As Philip Morris International spins off from parent company Altria on March 28, Altria looks to Marlboro, its top brand throughout the United States, for profits.  Altria plans to adjust to an anticipated 2.5 to 3 percent drop in cigarette sales volume by popularizing smokeless tobacco and snus, and by capitalizing on its recent acquisition of cigar company John Middleton Inc.  Altria’s expected growth for this year is nine to eleven percent, slightly lower than the Philip Morris International’s projected 12-14% earnings.  Click here to read more.

top

International

Cuba says cigar sales increase 7 pct in 2007
Despite tighter regulations on smoking worldwide, Cuban government-run cigar company Habanos S.A. has reported an increase in cigar sales for 2007.  With an estimated 150 million cigars sold annually, and sales at $402 million, the Cuban cigar industry has generally not yet experienced sales declines as a result of stricter smoking laws.  However, Canada is the exception; cigar sales fell 7% after new smoking laws were imposed.  Find out more here.

top

Back to Table of Contents