Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds Tobacco, the No. 1 and No. 2 cigarette makers have their eyes on the menthol category currently ruled b

April 12, 2007 - Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds Tobacco, the No. 1 and No. 2 cigarette makers have their eyes on the menthol category currently ruled by Newport from Lorillard Tobacco, the 3rd largest U.S. cigarette maker. Why the interest in menthol cigarettes?? While fewer people are smoking, menthols' share of the overall cigarette market has grown steadily for several years. Craig Fischel, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds has stated that in 2000 about 26.5% of smokers were menthol smokers, in 2006 you're looking at 28.5% and we expect the menthol category to continue to grow. Philip Morris, USA launched Marlboro Smooth in March 2007 under the tag line "Menthol like no other." As can be seen in the image from our convenience store series Marlboro comes in lots of varieties now has it's second menthol, after Marlboro Menthols. (Competition heats up for menthol smokers, Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area, Mark Tosczak, March 30, 2007). From 1971 to 2005, Marlboro's share of the cigarette market in the U.S. climbed from just over 10 percent to more than 40 percent. Click on image for a larger display. For more convenience store displays see newsbrief below dated March 23, 2007.