http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/org/jt.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest News/Asia/Story/A1Story20100320-205724.html http://tobacco.org/news/298907.html A NONFLAMMABLE smoke-free cigarette will be released locally in Tokyo in mid-May, Japan Tobacco Inc. has announced. The product is likely to attract smokers who have felt reluctant about lighting up in public places over fears of secondhand smoke hazards. The cigarette, set with a tobacco cartridge, produces nearly no odor or secondhand smoke. JT will decide whether to sell it nationwide after test-marketing and obtaining customer reaction. The product, Zero Style Mint, is priced at 300 yen. It comes with a tobacco pipe and mouthpiece as well as two cartridges. AsiaOne Japan Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20100320a5.html http://tobacco.org/news/298906.html Japan Tobacco Inc. halted operations Friday at its cigarette plant in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, which has been open for more than a century, as it streamlines production in response to falling domestic demand. Following Friday's last shipment of 2.56 million cigarettes -- 480,000 Caster and 2.09 million Cabin Mild cigarettes -- the plant will close at the end of the month. The plant began operating in 1905. The plant turned out 13.1 billion cigarettes in its peak year in fiscal 2004, but sluggish sales forced output to be nearly halved to 6.6 billion cigarettes in fiscal 2008. Japan Times Japan Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://research.scottrade.com/public/markets/news/news.asp?docKey=100-077u4336-1&section=headlines http://tobacco.org/news/298765.html Japan Tobacco Inc. (TSE:2914) unveiled a new product Wednesday that allows smokers to enjoy the taste of tobacco in the increasing number of places where lighting up is banned. Zerostyle Mint is a pipe fitted with a cartridge containing shredded tobacco leaves. Few cigarette companies make pipe-shaped smokeless tobacco products, according to JT. The new offering hits stores in mid-May. A set with two cartridges, good for about 600 puffs each, will cost 300 yen (US$3.32). A package of four replacement inserts will go for 400 yen. Scottrade Japan Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://jt.com/investors/media/press_releases/2010/0317_01/index.html http://tobacco.org/news/298648.html Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) announced today the launch of a new smokeless tobacco product "Zerostyle Mint," with sales beginning exclusively in Tokyo in mid-May 2010. Tobacco has rich history and is available in a large number of varieties. In different parts of the world, smokeless tobacco including snuff(*1) and chewing tobacco are consumed in addition to cigarettes. While the majority of consumers in Japan are smoking cigarettes, demand is increasing for tobacco products designed to be used in places where consideration needs to be given for those nearby. . . . "Zerostyle Mint" is a new style snuff tobacco product. The new product does not require a flame, and thus is smokeless, allowing consumers to use it in a variety of locations, being considerate to neighbors at the same time. Through the introduction of the new menthol product, the company believes that it is offering a wider variety of tobacco categories for consumers to choose from. JT International Japan Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3954356 http://tobacco.org/news/298644.html Japan Tobacco (OOTC:JAPAY) Inc. said Wednesday it will release a smokeless tobacco product in mid May, expecting demand for its use in a variety of places including nonsmoking areas. The product, called Zerostyle Mint, does not need to be lit and thus is smokeless, JT said. It uses a replaceable cartridge, which contains tobacco leaves and is fitted with a tapered mouthpiece and a removable cap. While it looks like a regular cigarette, it is the first of its kind among smokeless tobacco products in the world, JT officials said. iStockAnalyst.com Japan Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=MO%3AUS&sid=a.0Vr475Sedw http://tobacco.org/news/298620.html Japan Tobacco Inc., the world’s third-largest publicly traded cigarette maker by volume, wants to expand production in India as the smoking rate declines in its home market. The company has been waiting for government approval to make additional investments in its venture in India since June 2008, Executive Deputy President Masakazu Shimizu said in an interview in Tokyo yesterday. “It’s to expand production and sales locally,” he said, declining to provide details or the planned investment amount. The Tokyo-based maker of Mild Seven cigarettes is boosting overseas sales as a declining smoking rate and higher taxes stifle demand in its home market. India has about 120 million smokers, more than four times the number in Japan. Bloomberg News nfujimura@bloomberg.net (Naoko Fujimura and Shunichi Ozasa) India Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=MO%3AUS&sid=aiXONaOhoh2k http://tobacco.org/news/298541.html Japan Tobacco Inc., the world’s largest publicly traded cigarette maker by sales, wants to expand production in India as the smoking rate declines in its home market. The Tokyo-based company has been waiting for government approval to make additional investments in its venture in India since June 2008, Executive Deputy President Masakazu Shimizu said in an interview in Tokyo yesterday. “It’s to expand production and sales locally,” he said, declining to provide details or the planned investment amount. The Tokyo-based maker of Mild Seven cigarettes is boosting overseas sales as a declining smoking rate and higher taxes stifle demand in its home market. India has about 120 million smokers, more than four times the number in Japan. Bloomberg News nfujimura@bloomberg.net (Naoko Fujimura and Shunichi Ozasa) Japan India Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/india-business/Govt-may-ban-FDI-in-cigarette-making/articleshow/5665028.cms http://tobacco.org/news/298162.html Government is all set to ban foreign direct investment (FDI) in cigarette manufacturing. A cabinet note towards this end has been prepared by the commerce and industry ministry and circulated among the other ministries of the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA). A ban on FDI in manufacturing of cigarettes will affect existing foreign players' future investment plans in the country. However, it will not affect their existing investments in Indian ventures. At present, three major global players — British American Tobacco (BAT), Japan Tobacco and the Altria Group — have large investments in India. The cabinet note also proposed to prohibit franchise operations for foreign companies to manufacture cigarettes for domestic consumption. It has proposed to allow FDI in SEZs for exports. . . . If the cabinet approves the proposal, it will affect the plan of Japan Tobacco, which owns brand like Camel, to increase its stake in Indian venture from 50% to 75%, with an investment of $100 million. At present, the rest 50% in the company is owned by KK Modi group. Similarly, BAT wants to increase its stake in ITC The Times of India India Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/government-gets-13m-tobacco-payment-47398.html http://tobacco.org/news/298079.html Japan Tobacco International (JTI),which produces some of the world’s most popular cigarettes, made the payment to the government under an agreement between certain EU member states and the tobacco giant. The money was transferred to the exchequer shortly before Christmas, as a result of a 15year agreement to combat contraband and counterfeit cigarettes. The agreement includes substantial payments to certain EU member states to fight cigarette smuggling. Sunday Business Post Ireland Europe Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://inventorspot.com/articles/cough_please_japan_tobaccos_smoking_manners_adults_ads_part_7_32502 http://tobacco.org/news/297812.html The success of Japan Tobacco's Smoking Manners for Adults campaign is debatable, though the Tokyo Subway authority's series of monthly Subway Manners posters proves imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. For JT, however, everything must come to an end - much like lit cigarettes - so let's enjoy ads 61 through 73! 61) "The trash was dumped in the bicycle basket. It was turned into a garbage basket" A somewhat confusing ad that reminds smokers to use the surprisingly rare Japanese urban trash baskets instead of their bicycle's basket. I guess if it was other people's bike baskets I'd see their point but the distinction isn't made clear in the artwork. Besides, when have you ever seen a bike-riding smoker deposit a spent butt in their basket - the mobile butt flick is way more common. 62) "It only takes fingers to throw it away. It takes the whole body to clean it up" . . . 65) "Spring in Japan. Cigarette smoke joins the pollen assault" . . . 71) "A cigarette butt tossed away on dead leaves on the pavement. That's all you need to start a bonfire" . . . The 73rd and final ad isn't an ad at all; rather, it's an online teaser that invites browsers to come check out the Japan Tobacco website. It also mentions a Smoking Manners For Adults screensaver that features horizontal scrolling action starring many of the characters that appeared in the preceding 72 graphic ads. I really, REALLY want this screensaver; in fact, I crave it. Damn you Japan Tobacco!! InventorSpot.com Japan Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=a6EER47FMVnE http://tobacco.org/news/296749.html Japan Tobacco Inc., the world’s third-largest publicly traded cigarette maker, rose in Tokyo trading after raising its profit forecast 13 percent on higher overseas demand. The stock gained 5.5 percent to 327,500 yen as of 10:56 a.m. on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, headed for its biggest one-day gain since Dec. 3. Japan Tobacco is boosting overseas sales as a declining smoking rate and higher taxes stifle demand in its home market. The maker of Mild Seven cigarettes bought U.K.-based Gallaher Group in 2007 to expand in Russia and other markets. Bloomberg News nfujimura@bloomberg.net (Naoko Fujimura and Shunichi Ozasa) Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100209-700425.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesAsia http://tobacco.org/news/296664.html Japan Tobacco Inc. (2914.TO) said Tuesday its net profit for the fiscal third quarter declined 34% on year, blaming foreign exchange factors and a slump in domestic demand. The world's third-largest tobacco company by sales volume after Philip Morris International Inc. and British American Tobacco PLC, had a net profit Y40.86 billion in the October-December quarter, compared with a Y61.97 billion profit in the same period a year earlier. The company, commonly known as JT, suffered a 14% decline in revenue to Y1.598 trillion from Y1.849 trillion, while operating profit amounted to Y88.82 billion, down 29%. JT cited foreign exchange factors as dragging down tobacco sales overseas. The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://search.japantimes.co.jp/rss/nn20100127f3.html http://tobacco.org/news/295987.html A five-year legal battle against Japan Tobacco by two former smokers and a widow has ended with damages demands thrown out, but a court for the first time clearly acknowledged the health risks of cigarettes. "We were able to win a progressive ruling," plaintiff Masanobu Mizuno, 68, said. "I am deeply convinced the fight was worth it." The Yokohama District Court ruled Jan. 20 there is a link between smoking and lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. It also said smoking may be addictive. But it rejected the plaintiffs' demand, filed in January 2005, for ¥30 million in damages, saying they smoked of their own will and there was no proof smoking had directly caused their sickness. AP Japan Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-economia-empresas-ampliacion-jti-responde-auge-tabaco-liar-lanzamiento-winston-bolsa-lata-20100126124717.html http://tobacco.org/news/295983.html Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has responded to strong growth that is tracking snuff rolling in Spain with the launch of its flagship brand 'Winston' in 30 gram bag and can of 100 grams, at a price of 2.50 euros and EUR 8,35 respectively, tobacco reported Monday. Europa Press Spain Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article91377.ece http://tobacco.org/news/295750.html A five-year legal battle against Japan Tobacco by two former smokers and a widow has ended with damage demands thrown out, but a Japanese court for the first time clearly acknowledged the health risks of cigarettes. "We were able to win a progressive ruling," one of the plaintiffs, Masanobu Mizuno, 68, said on Friday. "I am deeply convinced the fight was worth it." The Yokohama District Court, in a ruling released on Wednesday, said there was a link between smoking and lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses, and that smoking may be addictive. But it rejected the plaintiffs' demand, filed in January 2005, for 30 million yen ($330,000) in damages, saying they smoked of their own will and there was no proof smoking had directly caused their sickness. . . . Japan Tobacco Inc., a former monopoly that is still majority-owned by the government, argued that smokers are free to quit and cancer has multiple causes. The ruling urged continued public discussion to shape policies on smoking and tobacco-selling. AP letters@thehindu.co.in Japan Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT