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Smoking Around the World 

Here's one more thing that seems to come with economic development: smoking. According to The Wall Street Journal, big tobacco companies are aiming squarely at developing countries, where populations are increasing and smoking is a status symbol. . . .

Most tobacco companies, including Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI), Carolina Group (NYSE: CG), and Vector Group (NYSE: VGR), have done well in the bull market. If investors have worried about the health and future of tobacco companies, given our shrinking taste for tobacco here at home, a glance at global numbers may be reassuring.

Still, threats exist. For example, consider New York City mayor (and billionaire) Michael Bloomberg. He has funded, with $2 million, a World Health Organization report on how to curb smoking around the world. . . .

Tobacco investors might want to keep tabs on global smoking trends.

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