Russian smokers prefer elite cigarettes

December 3, 2007

Russian consumer prefers high quality cigarettes as it was noted by tobacco producers. Producers, responding to such tendency, offer smokers more elite products: premium, above premium and super slims formats.

St Petersburg tobacco factory Petro, 100% shares of which belong to JTI Company, sets out to the launching of new premium cigarettes, Camel Natural Flavor. Stuffing for new cigarettes represents the combination of American and Virginian tobacco sorts, what differs considerably these cigarettes from usual Camel, which is referred to the category of American blend. As producers promise, as distinct from other cigarette brands presented at the market, most of all contain additions (vanilla, guava), Camel Natural Flavor are made of entire tobacco leaf and do not contain aromatizers.

After introducing of new tobacco excises, it became unprofitable for many cigarette producers to manufacture inexpensive cigarettes without filter. Rise in price of cheap cigarettes with a slight increase of prices on high quality cigarettes led to the following: smokers began to smoke more expensive cigarettes. It has to be mentioned that in tobacco line, it is observed the competition among producers of high class cigarettes. Thus, in February 2007 two leaders of tobacco market Philip Morris and British American Tobacco declared about launching of new super slims brands.

In May BAT Russia launched the new cigarettes brand Kent Nanotek of premium class for Russian market. Kent Nanotek was introduced in two variants: Kent Nanotek Neo in black pack, and Kent Nanotek Infina in silver pack with different tar and nicotine content.