Tobacco News
De Santis is already sold in Red and White varieties; just as the other cigarettes in the range, Black De Santis will be available in regular and slim formats
Monus Tobacco Company announces the release of Black De Santis line extension
Monus Tobacco Company recently announced the launch of Black De Santis as an extension of its popular De Santis range of cigarettes. Monus says that the new premium offering is “intended for people with high esthetic criteria and good taste. A well-balanced mixture of the finest tobacco combined with top-quality design provides exquisite smoking pleasure.” De Santis is already sold in Red and White varieties. Just as the other cigarettes in the range, Black De Santis (tar: 9 mg; nicotine: 0.9 mg; carbon monoxide: 10 mg) will be available in regular and slim formats. All versions are sold in a unique octagonal packaging that aesthetically brings together the themes of modernity and tradition. "In addition to the launch of the new extension in the De Santis range, we’re currently in the developmental stage for a new brand in the super premium segment," explains Živojin Zorkic, General Manager at Monus. "We pride ourselves on innovation and for this reason continually seek to offer our customers more choices.” Monus is currently listed with Dufry Serbia and Hellenic Duty Free Shops in Greece. In Africa, Monus is listed in airport stores in Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia, and the company is currently in negations with operators in Iraq, Iran, Syria, the UAE and Jordan. Most recently, Monus entered the Asia Pacific market with Monus Aroma Slim cigarettes, which are available in strawberry, grape and apple flavors. The company’s products are listed with Duty Free Shops in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and Macau.
Bommidala launches superslims and roll your own brand Innovation has been second nature for the BBM Bommidala Group, India’s leading seed-to-smoke integrated cigarette producer and exporter with an annual capacity of more than six billion sticks. Right from its inception 90 years ago, founder and Chairperson Bommidala Bhanu Murthy decided that the world was his market. He began exporting to Japan and Hong Kong as early as the 1950s. The company’s most well known brands are Bright, Deal, Lucky Mild, Miles, Pride, Ruby, Smart and Deal Super Slim. The company has a worldwide footprint and strong partner networks, exporting to more than 84 countries and serving clients in Europe, the Americas and Asia. Among its longtime customers are Phillip Morris and Imperial Tobacco. The company’s most recent product pushes in the Gulf-Africa duty free market are superslims and a roll your own brand called ROLON, which the company says is receiving encouraging support from European travelers. “There is also a premium brand of BBM called PRIDE, which is a good American blend smoke with Recessed dual Filter,” says Naveen Natarajan, President, Business Development (MEA & Central Asia). “From time to time we keep changing the promotions on cigarettes sold in the duty free market,” he says. “Sometimes it’s with attractive gifts like a watch or a pearl necklace attached to the outside of the box, or sometimes the promotion is more aggressive by offering ‘buy one, get one free,’ depending on the season.” At TFWA WE, Bommidala’s chairperson Raja Bommidala is expected to be present to meet with officials from the other large producers whose products are sold by BBM in the duty free shops of the Asian subcontinent.
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GULF-AFRICA DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAILING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
Publicly traded pioneer leads electronic cigarette industry Since 2008, electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular as an alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes given the fact that e-cigarettes can be used virtually anywhere. At the forefront of this burgeoning movement is pioneering e-cigarette company Vapor Corp. [OTCBB: VPCO], which offers a range of e-cigarette brands—from the rechargeable Fifty-One brand to the disposable Krave brand—to satisfy the varied needs of virtually any smoker. “Vapor Corp.’s e-cigarette brands are distinct from many other e-cigarettes available today, both in terms of the quality and the cutting-edge technology employed,” says Adam Frija, Director of Business Development at Vapor Corp. “Our electronic cigarettes do not emit any second-hand smoke. Instead, our products emit an odorless vapor. Our electronic cigarettes look like, taste like and feel like a cigarette, but they aren't cigarettes." The filter of the Fifty-One contains flavoring, nicotine and an atomizer that essentially vaporizes the nicotine. When you inhale, a microcomputer activates the atomizer and the battery (contained in the white part of the e-cigarette). The end of the Fifty-One even glows when you puff it. Over the last 3 years, Vapor Corp. has crossed into virtually every distribution channel available in the US, such as convenience stores, tobacco shops and supermarket chains. The company also sells direct-to-consumer on its website and has carved out a very respectable niche selling in mall kiosks throughout the US. The worldwide duty free channel is attractive to a company like Vapor Corp. for two main reasons, says Frija: “First of all, airports are very high-traffic areas for retail, which is what any company looks for. Furthermore, e-cigarettes are a perfect fit for the duty-free customer, for the busy traveler on the go. Vapor Corp. has increased its business exponentially year over year since its inception and I have no doubt that both the traveling public and the duty free industry will see immense value in our brands.” The Fifty-One starter kit will retail in duty free for about US$100; a refill cartridge costs US$3 and each can last as long as two pack of traditional cigarettes