JTI - Japan Tobacco International is the international tobacco business of Japan Tobacco, the world's third largest industry player, with a global market share of 11% and market capitalization of approximately USD 32 billion.Our group was formed in 1999 when Japan Tobacco Inc. purchased, for USD 8 billion, the international tobacco operations of the US multinational R.J.Reynolds.In 2007, Gallaher, a FTSE 100 business, was acquired by Japan Tobacco for GBP 9.4 billion. At the time, this was the largest foreign acquisition by a Japanese company.

British American Tobacco Malaysia, or BAT Malaysia, likes to see things go up in smoke. The company, a subsidiary of global giant British American Tobacco, is the #1 Malaysian cigarette company. It makes, imports, and sells cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco under the names Benson & Hedges, Dunhill, Kent, and Pall Mall, among others. BAT Malaysia has a leaf-processing plant, a factory, and about 10 sales offices. The company also houses the quality lab for all of British American Tobacco's Asian operations (Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Vietnam). It was formed in 1999 by the merger of Rothmans of Pall Mall (Malaysia) and Malaysian Tobacco Company.

KT&G's business goes up in a puff of smoke every day. As South Korea's leading cigarette manufacturer, KT&G enjoys about a 70% market dominance and exports its smokes under more than 20 different brand names to the US, China, and Central and Southeast Asia. The firm escaped government control in 2002 and has since added bio and pharmaceutical production, and real estate alongside its core cigarette manufacturing business. KT&G's products are also distributed in Russia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. The firm got its start in 1899 as the Korean imperial household's exclusive supplier of tobacco and ginseng.

Lorillard, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States. The company offers 44 different product offerings under the Newport, Kent, True, Maverick, Old Gold, and Max brands. It sells its products primarily to wholesale distributors, who in turn service the retail outlets, chain store organizations, and government agencies, including the U.S. Armed Forces. The company was founded in 1760 and is based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE:LO) operates independently of Loews Corp. as of June 10, 2008.

Imperial Tobacco Canada makes cigarettes, loose-leaf tobacco, and other tobacco-related products, including filter papers and tubes. It also operates marketing and event-planning subsidiaries. The company's brand names include du MAURIER, Player's, John Player, JPS, Matine, Peter Jackson, Sweet Caporal, Embassy, Hi-Dro, and others. Amid slumping sales, Imperial Tobacco in 2005 shuttered the last of its Canadian-based cigarette-making plants. Imperial Tobacco Canada was established in 1908 and is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, one of the world's largest cigarette companies.

The cigar-smoking fad may have lost some steam in other markets, but Altadis USA keeps rolling along. Created from the 2000 consolidation of HavaTampa Inc. and Consolidated Cigar Holdings, Altadis USA is a leading cigar maker nationwide that generates more than half of its parent Altadis, S.A.'s worldwide cigar sales. Altadis USA manufactures and markets both premium and mass-market cigars under well-known brand names such as Don Diego, El Producto, H. Upmann, and Montecristo. It also sells little cigars under the Dutch Treats and Supre Sweets brands, as well as humidors and cigar cases.

Zippo's refillable lighters (which come with a lifetime guarantee) are sold in more than 120 countries. Zippo also owns W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery (pocketknives) and makes key holders, money clips, pocket flashlights, tape measures, and writing instruments. George Blaisdell founded Zippo in 1932 after watching a friend try to light a cigarette in the wind. His daughters, Harriet Wick and Sarah Dorn (and her sons, George and Paul Duke), own Zippo. Thousands of collectors converge on Bradford, Pennsylvania, for the company's biennial swap meet.

British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) wants to smoke the competition by having its customers light up and keep the flame burning. The company makes and markets more than 27 brands, including local industry leaders Peter Stuyvesant and Lucky Strike. BATSA also buys more than 60% of all locally grown tobacco. In South Africa, the company is a smoking superstar, accounting for some 65% of the country's market share (which consists of nearly a quarter of the nation's adult population). BATSA was established in 1904 as United Tobacco Company. The company's current incarnation is a result of a combination of parent BAT and Rothmans International.

British American Tobacco Australasia (BATA) wants its customers in Australia and surrounding regions to smoke 'em if they've got 'em -- and buy some more if they've run out. In Australia, BAT is the market leader with nearly 45% of market share. The company has made the eradication of illegal tobacco as one of its highest priorities. In 2005 BATA ceased production of cigarettes with brand descriptions such as "light" and "mild" in relation to the safety level of the emitted smoke. At around the same time, the company also came out against so-called fire-safe cigarettes that theoretically extinguish themselves if left unattended or are discarded improperly. BATA is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco.

Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in the United States and internationally. The company also manufactures machine-made large cigars and pipe tobacco; and maintains a portfolio of leveraged and direct finance leases principally in transportation, including aircraft, as well as power generation and manufacturing equipment and facilities. It serves wholesalers and distributors, large retail organizations and chain stores, and the armed services. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

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