Tobacco Products International magazine – Quarter 2, 2017

SCANDINAVIAN TOBACCO GROUP

With Global Aspirations, Crafting Consumer Pleasures

PLUS: • Plain Packaging Fuels Black Market Trade

• Habanos S.A. Debuts Habanos Lounge

FEATURES

{MANUFACTURER PROFILE}

8 Scandinavian Tobacco Group has completed its transformation into a public company and has set its sites on dominating the global cigar and pipe tobacco markets.

STAFF REPORT

{REGULATORY AFFAIRS}

12 Tobacco Consumers Flex Will Over Laws, as black market activity in the face of packaging regulations proves. STAFF REPORT

InterTabac Continues to Grow

InterTabac, the world’s leading trade fair for tobacco products and smoking accessories., continues to grow. Visitors to InterTabac 2017 from 22 to 24 September in Dortmund, Germany, will see yet more configuration changes to accommodate exhibitors and visitors. For the first time, InterTabac will occupy halls 2, 2N, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Messe Westfalenhallen Dortmund. This means that InterSupply in hall 3B will have a central position, surrounded by InterTabac. Another premiere, exhibitors for the e-cigarette segment will be placed together in halls 2, 2N and 3A., while e-cigarette production will now also be represented at InterSupply. Exhibitors from 50 countries are expected to take part in the 2017 trade fair, which drew 11,700 trade visitors last year.

{ EDITORIAL }

E.EDWARD “TED” HOYT III Editor

ROBERT M. LOCKWOOD

Publisher & President

FRANK B. SCHUETZE Director of Exhibitions

{ ART & PRODUCTION } LILY LEE Art Director

MELINDA AYALA Production Coordinator

ROXANNE CORDOVA MELENDEZ Accountant

{ ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES }

central america, mexico, united states, asia, canada, south america, caribbean, Robert M. Lockwood

tel: + 1-212-391-2060, x109

fax: + 1-212-827-0945

email: robert@tobaccointernational.com

europe

Frank B. Schuetze

tel: + 49 30 645 7212

fax: + 49 30 6409 1350

email: f.schuetze@eurotab.com

special sales representative

George E. Lockwood

tel: + 1-413-775-0005

fax: + 1-413-775-9010

email: lockwood.george@gmail.com

Tobacco Products International Lockwood Trade Journal Co. Inc., 3743 Crescent Street, Second Floor Long Island City, New York 11101 U.S.A.

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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS/INQUIRIES: editor@tobaccoproductsmag.com

» Ted Hoyt, Editor

Czech Smoking Ban Sparks Debate, Interest in Heat-not-Burn Products

Short term opportunities for heat-not-burn (HNB) products in the Czech Republic, which joined 22 other nations in Europe in May when it implemented a wide ranging indoor smoking ban in public places, could be wide for the time being, according to a Radio Prague story. Regulators there are debating whether the products, which heat tobacco to release flavor and nicotine without any combustion or smoke, fall under the ban or are exempt like vaping products.

The smoking ban applies to numerous public places including theaters, cinemas, restaurants, and pubs.

Some European countries, including Poland, Hungary, and Spain, have already issued tough bans on HNBs, treating them equal to cigarettes, but others like the Czech Republic have to address the products. The Czech Health Ministry claims that the anti-smoking ban should apply to HNBs, but others claim that under existing Czech law they fall in the same category as electronic cigarettes which are not banned in pubs and restaurants.

Taxation of HNB tobacco products has not been decided yet at the EU level and the Czech Finance Ministry has yet to address the issue, so for the time being HNB products are exempted from consumer tax in the Czech Republic, giving them an enormous advantage over classic cigarettes. In Germany, Portugal, and Slovakia HNB products are taxes at a less rate than for regular tobacco products.

EU Poll Shows TPD Isn’t Working, Suggests Even Tougher Laws Will Result

The EU’s latest Eurobarometer survey, requested by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication, shows that the wildly unpopular Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) has failed to reduce smoking rates across the continent a year after it was introduced, and may have contributed to negative beliefs about e-cigarettes.

After questioning almost 28,000 people across the EU, it was revealed that the percentage of the population that smokes has been at 26 percent since 2014. The report calls this a “stable” figure, conveniently ignoring the fact that it actually shows a complete failure of the tobacco control policy as intended.

It also emerged that the Netherlands has the most negative view of e-cigs, with 85 percent of people there believing they’re harmful. Italians are the most positive, with only 34 percent believing this, while in the UK the number is 50 percent.

The report also mentions that many people would like to see bans on tobacco displays extended to vapour products and e-cigarettes covered by existing anti-smoking laws. The EU plans to revise the TPD in 2019 or 2020, and expanded display bans could be among the measures added to the updated version.

» Habanos S. A. has launched two new concepts to its Exclusive Distributors worldwide to identify and promote high level locations: Habanos Lounge (indoor) and Habanos Terrace (outdoor) providing cigar enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a Habano and an alcoholic beverage pairing from a wide range of choices under highly qualified service.

The world’s first Habanos Lounge has been unveiled in Naples, Italy, at the historic Sisimbro tobacconist, a Habanos Specialist since 2001. The venue provides a comfortable atmosphere, where store owner Anita Sisimbro welcomes clients and Neapolitan connoisseurs with high levels of service and know-how.

The grand opening event took place on May 25th, where Gonzalo Villalba Sánchez, Vice President of Diadema S.p.A., the exclusive distributor of Habanos, S.A. in Italy, joined a selected group of guests. A separate event celebrate the opening was held at the Cloister of Santa Chiara in Naples, where the Punch 48 was presented for the Italian market, an exclusive product for La Casa del Habano and Habanos Specialists.

Scandinavian Tobacco Group:

Dedicated to Smoker Enjoyment

Denmark’s Scandinavian Tobacco Group, a world-leading manufacturer of cigars and pipe tobacco, is on a mission: parlaying its extensive tobacco expertise and consumer insights to build its most promising brands and create “moments of great enjoyment” for smokers. It’s ultimate goal? To become the undisputed leader in cigars and pipe tobacco.

One event stood out last year that plays a major role in this mission: the listing of Scandinavian Tobacco Group on Nasdaq Copenhagen in February 2016. Jørgen Tandrup, in discussing the company’s 2016 results earlier this year prior to retiring and stepping down from his position as Chairman of the company’s board of directors in April, said of

the milestone, “We carry a heritage that dates back centuries. We have an obligation and a strong commitment to both hone and renew this heritage.”

The public listing, Tandrup explained, completes the transformation of the company, initiated by the merger of Scandinavian Tobacco Group with the majority of Swedish Match’s cigar and pipe tobacco activities in 2010. “Listing our group… marked the beginning of our journey to become the undisputed leader in cigars and pipe tobacco. Today, we have strongholds in handmade cigars in the US, machine-made cigars in Europe, and pipe tobacco globally.” The company aims at improving its leadership in markets where it currently operates and at expanding

into geographies where it can gain from a stronger presence.”

The listing was actually part of the 2010 merger agreement, and now improves STG’s ability to consolidate its markets and offers full flexibility to raise funding if needed for acquisitions. Following the listing, Swedish Match held a 9.1 percent share and Skandinavisk Holding holding a 33.1% share.

Niels Frederiksen, STG’s CEO, said 2016 was characterized by a solid performance by the company, which improved its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITDA) by 4 percent and delivered a strong free cash flow on the base of flat net sales.

“In addition, 2016 was the year when the new EU Tobacco Products Directive took effect and FDA’s deeming regulations was announced,” Frederiksen continued. “These were challenges that created—and still create—uncertainties and fluctuations in the market place, also to our business. For us, it was also a test of our ability to use new regulation to enhance our competitive advantage. We have managed well, but also learned lessons.”

The company has also invested in

Its transformation into a publicly-traded company complete, Danish multi-national STG sets its sites on dominating the global cigar and pipe tobacco markets.

growing its North American businesses and, in particular, its handmade cigars category. In 2016, STG’s business in Americas became its largest market, representing close to half of its business.

STG’s handmade cigar and fine-cut tobacco categories continued to grow in 2016, compensating for a weak volume development in machine-made cigars and pipe tobacco. Led by the company’s strong net sales and volumes growth in handmade cigars, the Americas were for the first time the company’s largest market, accounting for a 47 percent share of group net sales. Europe and the rest of the World accounted for 43 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

STG’s optimisation and efficiency program, announced in 2015, continued to perform well laster year, delivering tangible earnings and working capital improvements. The program has had a number of aspects, including reducing the number of merchandise SKUs and formats in machine made cigars and smoking tobacco. This product portfolio simplification is in turn enabling the company to reduce its factories from 14 to 12, with the planned closure of facilities in Nykøbing Falster, Denmark, and Wuustwezel, Belgium. Production volumes from those sites, which have been greatly reduced in recent years, will be transferred to the company’s two remaining factories for machine-cigars in Europe. Other aspects include material cost reductions, productivity and efficiency improvements, and integrated planning, where the company’s end-to-end demand and supply have been synchronised to reduce lead times and inventory.

STG tailors its overall strategy and priorities to extract value from every merchandise category and market.

HANDMADE CIGARS

Since two-thirds of all global sales of handmade cigars take place in the US, it’s little surprise that the US is STG’s largest market for this category, where it holds

leading positions in wholesale and consumer sales through several subsidiaries. None-the-less, outside the US, STG’s net sales growth was double-digit in 2016, although from a low base.

In 2016, the company’s iconic Macanudo brand evolved and adopted a modern look for the future. In recent years, Macanudo Inspirado has been developed to realise the brand’s potential outside the US, where it is leading handmade cigar brand. Based on consumer insights, unique blends and packaging have been developed to appeal to the European consumer. The most recent launch, Macanudo Inspirado Black, is a global release featuring a notably sweet stalk-ripened Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper, Ecuadoran Sumatra binder, and a Nicaraguan-forward filler blend features proprietary seeds grown in Estelí, and uniquely fermented to produce a very strong and flavorful taste.

MACHINE-MADE CIGARS

Approximately 50 percent of all global sales of machine-made cigars are in Europe, where STG holds the leading market position, as it also does in Australia and Canada. The company total machine-made markets continued their longterm trend with volume declines of 3-5 percent in 2016. In STG’s core markets, volumes declined even faster.

The company attributes the development partly to overall market trends, as well as a tighter management of stock levels in a number of these markets following the implementation of new regulations. To offset this total market decline, STG is aiming to manage prices and win additional market share, with both its current portfolio as well as new product developments. Furthermore, we drive efficiencies from our supply chain.

In several core markets, improved profitability came at the cost of slightly lower market shares whereas the company grew its shares in other core markets. In all, STG’s machine-made market shares were stable in 2016, while net sales decreased by 3.9 percent.

The number of SKUs and formats in machine-made cigars has been reduced by 45 percent, corresponding to net sales of approximately 4 percent in the category. The SKU and format rationalization program aims at reducing complexity and has been a cornerstone of sustaining the company’s profitability in the category. In several core markets, improved profitability came at the cost of lightly lower market shares whereas we grew our shares in other core markets. In total, our market shares were stable in the year.

STG has sales forces covering all major European machine-made cigars markets,

The average age of consumers of machine-made cigars is 45 years, says STG, and 25 percent are women. Taste drives consumers to choose a brand for the first time, but most smokers stay loyal to their initial choice.

focus specifically on key markets. In Poland, the company has transferred its sales to a third party distributor.

The company produces and markets La Paz, Mercator, and Henri Wintermans, but its single-most important brand is Café Crème, which has been the market and category leader since it was launched in 1963. The popular brand is known for its size, smooth smoking experience, optional filter variants, and its brightly-colored, innovative packaging and bright colored design.

In recent years, Café Crème has reclaimed its position as the smooth-tasting cigar that originally made it an innovative and disruptive cigar brand. The cigar blend has been refined to improve the smooth smoking experience. Line-extensions including filters, flavors and smaller sizes have been added and the packaging has been redesigned to maintain Café Crème’s contemporary appeal.

In 2016, a new packaging format for cigars saw the light of day when Café Crème shell-and-slide packages were introduced to the market.

PIPE TOBACCOS

STG holds leading positions in traditional pipe tobacco with a market share of approximately 50 percent in both Europe and the US, the two predominant markets for these products. Total markets for traditional pipe tobacco continued their longterm trend in 2016; consumers are loyal to the category and their brands, but volumes decline.

Almost every tobacco, flavor, and cut including traditional formats such as flake, spun cut and rope, can be found in STG’s pipe tobacco portfolio. Erinmore, Borkum Riff, Captain Black, and W.Ø. Larsen are the company’s most significant brands. Erinmore is its largest in terms of volumes, while Borkum Riff is the company’s most widely distributed brand and carries the most extensive offering of flavor variants. The majority of its pipe tobacco brands target the mainstream and premium market, but its W.Ø. Larsen continues to push the boundaries for the category in developing an entirely new luxury position for pipe tobacco, in recent years, developing exquisite blends in inspired packaging suited for gifts. Last year, W.Ø. Larsen set new standards for luxury when it introduced a limited edition of hand-pressed tobaccos in handcrafted humidors at a retail price of DKK 7,000 per 100 gm.

FINE-CUT TOBACCO

Total markets for fine-cut tobacco were fairly flat in Europe in 2016. Overall, STG’s net sales from fine-cut tobacco increased by 13.3% last year, and the company grew its market shares across markets. Particularly strong market share performance in Germany resulted in significant volume increases and a slightly lower gross margin. Bugler, Escort and Break cover the price-sensitive value-for-money segment in Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark, while break was developed in 2013 as a cross-category brand for fine cut and little cigars in European markets, driving STG’s success in Germany. TPI

YOUR CUSTOMIZED ROLLING PAPERS PRODUCER SINCE 1910

Roll4You, s.r.o. is a leading private label rolling paper supplier to the global market. The company combines 150 years of cigarette paper making with the latest production processes, top technology, and co-operation with international tobacco companies.

The company’s factory in the Czech Republic is situated in the beautiful foothills of the Jeseníky Mountains in North Moravia. This mill with three paper machines was founded in 1861. The mill is fully upgraded and continually invests in the latest R&D facilities to improve its expertise. Environmental compliance is of prime importance and quality systems are certified with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Additionally, the raw materials responsibly sourced and certified by PEFC and FSC – Chain of Custody.

Roll4You has been a rolling paper specialist since 1910, producing customized products. Customers can choose

from regular to slow burning cigarette paper grades, made from a choice of fibres - wood, textile, mixed cigarette paperin various weights, ranging from 12 g/m2 up to 23 g/m2. All in all, over 30 paper grades are at your disposal to choose from. And a rolling paper is not complete without an excellent gumAcacia or other Natural gums.

Finally, your brand in rolling papers can be produced in a complete line of sizes, such as:

● Shorts

● Shorts Cut Corner

● Shorts Double Window Booklets

● 1 1⁄4, 1 1⁄2

● King Size Slim

● King Size Regular

● Rolls

Plain Packaging and Minimum Pack Size:

Tobacco Consumers Flex Will Over Laws

Comprehensive new research has shown that the introduction of plain packaging and the ban on small tobacco packs is already driving people to buy cheap, black market tobacco, according to the Tobacco Manufacturer’s Association (TMA).

In a series of questions put to consumers over a period of five months as new plain pack and small pack measures were being phased in throughout the United Kingdom, TMA tracked the impact of these regulations on smoker behavior and found a growth in people buying from non-UK duty paid sources.

Key findings from the London-based trade association found that:

• There was a 5 percent increase in smokers buying packs of 20 cigarettes from illicit sources and abroad from December–May 2017;

• Smokers buying larger packs of hand rolling tobacco from illicit sources and abroad almost doubled with a 7 percent increase;

• There was a 6 percent increase in smokers buying online from social media and websites advertising cheap illegal tobacco;

• There was a 1 percent increase in smokers buying any tobacco product from abroad, avoiding UK duty;

• In the final wave of the survey, the average price paid for a pack of 20

cigarettes from an illegal supplier was £5.63, or £1.72 less than the £7.35 sum which the British government has used to set the minimum excise tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes.

“It is clear from this research that plain packaging and the small packs ban, measures imposed by Europe and adopted by the UK Government, are already having an impact on smokers’ behavior as they seek out cheaper alternatives from the black market and abroad,” commented Giles Roca, Director General of the TMA, about the findings. “It’s no surprise that our research points to a rise in the illicit market—this is exactly what happened in Australia when plain packaging was introduced in 2012.”

Roca also pointed to independent research confirming that banning small packs, which are particularly popular in the UK, will cost the Treasury £2.1 billion in the first year and eliminate 11,190 jobs. At the same time, even those in public health agree that it will lead to people smoking more, not less, tobacco, Roca added.

“On plain packaging, a recent major independent review of 51 studies found no evidence that it acted to prevent youth-uptake—the chief justification why the measure was introduced in the UK—while figures from France, which introduced plain packaging in January 2017, show cigarette consumption actually increased compared to last year when branding was allowed,” said Roca. “In March alone the French bought four million packets of cigarettes, over four percent more than during the same period last year,” he added.

Roca noted the measures were introduced not based on evidence or hard fact but on the dogma of various health lobby groups. “Given these measures originated in Brussels, the Government should commit to review each and every one of them following Brexit,” he concluded. TPI

New research reveals that plain packaging and bans on small tobacco packs boost black market sales, proving those efforts don’t necessarily reduce consumption.

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY COMES WITH AGE

Balmoral Añejo XO cigars are the result of an intensive blending process with exceptionally aged tobaccos: an Añejo blend crowned with a sungrown Arapiraca wrapper. After blending the cigar, it took another 6 months of aging to marry all its flavors. Let yourself be seduced by notes of cedar wood, cacao, spices and underlying sweetness.

VISIT US AT: InterTabac booth # 4.B18

Torpedo Mk52 | Gran Toro | Corona | Rothschild Masivo | Petit Robusto FT | Gordito

Brand News}

VegaFina Adds Fortaleza 2 Stalk Cut, Añejado 7 Años Robusto, Nicaragua Wide

Tabacalera S.L.U. recently released three new limited edition selections under its VegaFina brand, the top-selling premium cigar in Spain in 2016. Both releases feature heartier blends than the brand’s classic blend, and both are hand rolled at the company’s Tabacalera de García factory in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Stalk Cut features an undis closed maduro wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican Piloto and Nicaraguan filler leaves. Stalk cut tobaccos are considered more flavorful, as the entire tobacco plant is harvested and hung to cure rather than priming individual leaves. The series is limited to a production of 1,860 boxes of 25 cigars for Europe only.

VegaFina Añejado 7 Años Robusto Extra showcases tobaccos from five different regions—fillers from Columbia, Dominica Republic, and Nicaragua; a spicy Indonesian binder; and a smooth-tasting, refined, light-brown Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, with each leaf aged up to seven years. The blend delivers a mildto medium-bodied smoke with an earthy profile of wood and spice with hints of cedar, almonds, and white pepper. The cigar is offered in a single 6 x 50 robusto extra size, finished with a pig tail cap and presented in boxes of 25 cigars.

VegaFina Nicaragua is offered in a unique vitola not available in the standard VegaFina portfolio: Wide (55 ring gauge x 130 mm length). This cigar has been hand-made with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco leaves carefully aged for more than four years for a medium to strong strength that stands out for its woody and spicy aroma and rich nuances of cedar, nuts and vanilla. The cigars are presented in an exclusive 10-count wooden box.

VegaFina 5 Nicaragua

Short is a limited edition short smoking time vitola (42 ring gauge x 110 mm) that maintains the intense and rich aroma of the VegaFina Nicaragua line, along with the woody and spicy nuances so characteristic of Nicaraguan tobacco. It’s presented in an attractive, modern tin that contains 5 Short individually wrapped in cellophane and protected by a silver foil, offering a convenient size different from the standard port folio ones that’s easy to carry on the go.

Tabacalera S.L.U., Madrid, Spain, Tel: +34 91 360 9000.

Big Ring Gauge

Villiger Corrida in Two Blends

Villiger Sons of Switzerland has launched a pair of new full-bodied large ring gauge cigars each with its own aromatic blend.

Corrida Honduras, which is produced exclusively in Danli, Honduras by Nestor A. Plasencia and features bright red bands, offers powerful tobaccos, complex aromas, and earthy and peppery notes, ideal for special moments. It is offered in a 127 mm by 56 ring gauge “robusto plus” size at EUR 6,80 per stick.

Corrida

Dominican Republic, which features yellow bands, features a mixture of milder, well-matured tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, finished with a twice-fermented Ecuador wrapper. The blend offers a pleasant, naturally spicy sweetness with full, but fine aromas. It is offered in a 152 mm by 52 ring “toro plus” size at EUR 7,80 per stick. The cigars are presented in 20-count boxes.

Villiger Sons Ltd., Pfeffikon, Switzerland, Web: villiger.ch.

Ambasciator Italico, Traditional Italian Cigars

Moderno Opificio del Sigaro Italiano (MOSI) was founded in 2013 by tobacco experts eager to share their in-depth knowledge of Italian cigar production and create an entirely new cigar company. The firm began manufacturing in 2014 and today produces eight different varieties of its Ambasciator Italico (Italian ambassador) traditional Italian cigars using carefully selected tobaccos, the best production technologies, and strictly monitored processes for the highest quality products.

The Classico long cigar is the company’s flagship blend, a traditional Italian cigar made from 100% Kentucky tobacco— the wrapper is selected American Kentucky and the filler a blend of the best Italian Kentucky tobaccos, all aged eight months and presented in four-packs.

The Classico Ammezzato is a half-length cigar, the same blend as the long cigar but aged for six months for a somewhat stronger taste, presented in five-packs.

The Superiore long cigar is the company’s product of excellence, featuring both American and Italian Kentucky leaf in the filler blend with an American Kentucky wrapper. Aged for a minimum of 12 months, this complex, full-bodied cigar delivers aro-

mas of coffee, leather, wood, and liquorice and is presented in three-packs.

Il Buttero N.05 is a half cigar made with 100% Italian Kentucky tobacco for a strong taste and medium aftertaste of pepper and wood, presented in five-packs.

Four flavored varieties are also available, combining mixtures of dark tobacco with natural aromatic essences. Each are half-cigar formats presented in five-packs.

Nero adds the aroma of dark and fresh liquorice for a smooth aftertaste; Rosato del Grappa combines the aromatic notes of the typical Italian after-dinner drink grappa for a fresh, clean flavor that is full and balanced; Giallo Soave uses light Kentucky tobacco with the additional natural aromatics for a extremely pleasant, soft and relaxing smoke; and Bianco Stellato is the company’s newest addition, adding a sip of liquore all’Anice (stellato), resulting in a sweet and balanced taste and a fresh and clean aftertaste.

Moderno Opificio el Sigaro Italiano S.r.l., Orsago, Treviso, Italy, Web: mosi.it.

METAL IS ETERNAL

Metal is perhaps the most recyclable of the materials used in packaging today. In fact, metal is 100% recyclable if disposed of correctly : Over 80% of the metal mined by humans throughout history is still in use today.

Metal can be recycled over and over with no loss in quality. Currently, tins are Europe’s most recycled consumer packaging container. In

many markets, up to 93% of tins are recycled, starting out as packaging but later becoming something else entirely, such as hardware, toys, jet engine parts, cars, electronic components, and many other things we use every day.

Learn about the amazing recyclability of the tins produced by Hoffmann: www.hoffmann.ch/metaliseternal

Colibri Combines Straight, V Cuts in SV-Cut

Colibri Group has announced the new Colibri SV-Cut—a two-in-one combination of its incredibly popular Colibri V-Cut and S-Cut pocket cigar cutters. The “V” side effortlessly cuts a wedge as deep as 7mm for a full robust draw, crisply cutting up to a 60-ring gauge cigar. The depth of the wedge is easily regulated so cutting a smaller wedge out of lanceros or figurados is just as easy as with large ring gauge ones.

On the “S” side (straight cut), the aperture is slightly larger and can accommodate up to a 68-70-ring cigar. The cut is governed to 3mm. Both blades are released simultaneously by a single trigger, and the unit features an ergonomic shape, spring-loaded blades, and a textured pachmayr pattern for a sure grip. Five finishes will be offered: all black, black and chrome, chrome and black, gunmetal, and rose and black. Colibri Group, New York, N.Y., U.S.A., Email: jmiudo@colibri.com, Web: colibri.com.

S.T. Dupont’s Fun, Powerful Updated MiniJet

S.T. Dupont’s updated miniJet lighter design continues the line’s appeal to fun-loving under-30year-olds, with a powerful new superheated blue torch flame that’s been improved with a simplified mechanism. A fresh, rounded shape delights the hand with smooth sides that ease into the fitted trigger with its famous signature. The side-mounted air inlet gets a playful twist in the shape of a naked flame, while the sides are thicker for greater resistance to the rough and tumble of everyday life. For a sense of playful fun, the new line is offered in a range of fresh colors including deep black, polar white, chrome, blood red, Caribbean blue, and coral orange, plus the famous skull designs that infuse the miniJet with a shred of “exotic menace.” Every miniJet is good for 20,000 lights. S.T. Dupont, Paris, France, Web: stdupont.com.

Xikar Adds Turrim Single Flame Edition

Xikar, Inc. has introduced the Turrim

Single lighter, built on the same principles of the 5 in. by 64 ring Turrim double flame, the Turrim Single is small but mighty, featuring a thinner, shorter body with a powerful single flame. Its sleek, elongated shape accommodates an extended fuel tank for maximum fuel capacity and features Xikar’s Ratcheting Fuel Adjustment System and EZ-View Red Fuel Window technology to effortlessly view and control flame capacity. The lighter’s unique shape fits comfortably in the hand at the size of a 4-1/2 x 50 ring cigar and fits conveniently into a cigar travel case slot for easy portability. Xikar, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., U.S.A., Web: xikar.com.