Marlboro SNUS market test being expanded..

January 12, 2010 - For the first time since early 2009, Altria Group's Philip Morris USA (PM USA) expanded the trial of its Marlboro Snus smokeless, spitless tobacco product this past November 2009. Marlboro Snus will now (or soon) be available in select markets in Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, and Colorado. (Altria to Expand Marlboro Snus Test, Convenience Store News, 11/9/2009)

This expansion plan was first hinted at by Michael E. Szymanczyk, chairman and chief executive of Altria Group, during the Barclays Capital Back-to-School Consumer Conference in September, where he revealed the product would enter new markets in the fall. (Altria - more Barclays Conference - comments menthol cigarettes..)

Marlboro Snus has been in test market since 2007 - started in August 2007 Marlboro SNUS was introduced in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and came in 4-varieties: rich, mild, mint and spice. Initially it was felt, Philip Morris USA might roll out Marlboro SNUS nationally three to six months after the start of the test market in Dallas, TX. The company has received feedback from initial tests and made some changes to the product. New Marlboro Snus includes smaller packaging that contains six pouches, available in Mild and Peppermint flavors (down from 4-flavors), down from 12 pouches, along with a larger pouch size, according to a spokesman.

The Marlboro Snus test was previously expanded at the beginning of this year when it entered Phoenix. It also expanded in March 2008 to cover Indianapolis, where the company's initial snus product - Taboka - was tested in 2007, and later discontinued when the Marlboro-branded product entered the market.

Meanwhile, new Copenhagen Wintergreen moist smokeless tobacco, by Altria's U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USSTC), hit shelves nationwide last week. And Altria's John Middleton will roll out a no-tip cigarillo style of its Black & Mild cigar in the Southeast US this month. (Altria expecting Copenhagen Wintergreen to have big impact..)

Also in Altria's cigarette business, there are plans for two line extensions under the Marlboro Special Blend brand that will be available nationwide early next year.

Reference: United States Altria to expands product base in the US, TobaccoInternational.com, 12/2009.