Last month, I wrote that Australia’s plain-packaging law was one of the worst setbacks for Big Tobacco in decades because it attacked the companies’ single most valuable asset: their brands. Big Tobacco has strong enough moats to survive high taxes, punishing lawsuits, and an aging and declining customer base intact.  But plain packaging threatens the...Read More

Back in April, I asked if E-Cigarettes would relight Big Tobacco’s prospects.   I had my doubts. E-cigs seemed to be a more pleasurable version of a nicotine patch: something that an existing smoker might switch to for health reasons but not exactly an attractive or glamorous product for someone who doesn’t already smoke.  (Humphrey Bogart...Read More

Life hasn’t gotten any easier for Big Tobacco.  Last week, Russia became the latest country to impose major new restrictions on smoking in public places.  Starting in June, Russians will no longer be able to smoke in restaurants, and cigarette advertising will be banned. I have my doubts as to how strictly the ban will...Read More

I like the occasional cigar after a hard week at the office, though I can hardly call myself a connoisseur.  And I’ve always been impressed by experienced smokers who can smoke their cigars down to a perfect ash without it crumbling off and landing in their laps.  I’ve seen ash still perfectly intact at 2-3...Read More