Japan Tobacco Says Tax Increase to Jumpstart Smokeless Devices

Japan’s impending tax increase on traditional cigarettes may rekindle its stalled market for smokeless devices, according to the chief executive officer of Japan Tobacco Inc. Masamichi Terabatake, who took over in January, said the new levies due to take effect in October will fall more heavily on traditional cigarettes, presenting an opportunity for tobacco companies to give more favorable pricing to next-generation devices. Investors are concerned about a stagnation in Japan’s smokeless products as the traditional cigarette business is threatened by tighter global regulations and declining smoking rates.