Look for Imperial's Davidoff cigarettes to take market share from Marlboro cigarettes..

June 30, 2008 - Imperial Tobacco Group now with a presence in the United States is the world's fourth-largest multinational tobacco group in the world. Davidoff, just presented with a new product award for "Best Packaging & Design" was introduced into the U.S. domestic market in May 2008.

Gareth Davis, Imperial's chief executive officer, said: "Davidoff is our key international strategic premium cigarette brand and an important growth driver for the business. We have achieved considerable success with Davidoff cigarettes, increasing global volumes in the last four years." ( Imperial Tobacco in EUR540m deal for Davidoff trademark, The Independent(London), 8/24/2006) More on Imperial/Davidoff: June 17, 2008. Altria - Philip Morris Tobacco had considered Marlboro more than a cigarette - a brand that stands for superior tobacco flavor. But after setbacks in the smokeless tobacco arena with Taboka SNUS, Marlboro SNUS and with Marlboro MST they are no longer sure. More: Altria's growth depends on the Marlboro name.. Click on images to enlarge.. - the 2-page ad that appeared in GQ magazine, the July 2008 issue.
A Lehman Brothers tobacco analyst has said that Altria Group Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc. may offer to buy Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, with a view to breaking up the company.