Posted on 03/27/2023 4:15:37 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Marlboro parent Altria Group, the country’s largest cigarette maker, says it wants to focus on healthier products.
Relatively speaking, that is.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Altria CEO Billy Gifford said the company learned some lessons after losing more than $12 billion on its investment in vaping heavyweight Juul Labs.
It now wants to delve deeper into smoke-free — but not necessarily nicotine-free — products that pose less of a risk to users than old-school cigarettes.
“Previously, we were chasing the market,” Gifford said. “You’re constantly watching what the consumer is telling you in the marketplace, but none of them were satisfying the consumer enough to ultimately meet all of their needs and desires.”
This needs-and-desires thing is apparently at the heart of Altria’s strategic planning.
Gifford observed that people still like to schmooze during breaks. They like to give themselves a little treat or reward.
“How do you meet them in that moment and fix their unmet needs and desires?” Gifford said.
Maybe it’s smoke-free nicotine hits. Or maybe something else.
According to the Journal, Altria is exploring new (for them) products such as pouches that can be placed in the mouth for a jolt of caffeine.
It’s also looking at cannabis products.
If so, it’s a logical extension of Altria’s know-how — and addresses that goal of meeting people’s needs and desires.
I’ve long believed the cannabis market won’t truly take off until a major player like Altria takes part, bringing its marketing and lobbying muscle to addressing regulatory and tax issues.
If Altria is indeed going down this road, it would be a turning point for the company and a turning point for the cannabis market.
And anything that gets them looking beyond nicotine is a good thing.
They can throw in a little peyote as well.
“No stems no seeds that you don’t need....Acapulco Gold is.....*psssssssssss*...bad ass weeeeeeed!”
There was no reason for the Feds to target ONLY Juul, while teens just switched to myriad other products that also marketed to them and which the Feds didn’t touch. How does Altria not sue the Feds for this selective enforcement?
Currently pays an 8.49% dividend yield.
How long will that last?
Perhaps a wee nip of psilocybin and I’m in
Back in the early 70’s there was an urban legend that Marlboro was already doing market research on marketing marijuana should it become legal. Supposedly they were gonna name the product ACAPULCO GOLD, from that iconic Cheech and Chong gag.
🎶no stems no seeds that you don’t need, Acapulco Gold is ...badass weed🎶
Can’t believe I still remember that 🙄😃😜😜😃
Acapulco Gold...
Youre giving away your age lmao!
I actually credit Cheech and Chong for me never wanting to try drugs. I could laugh at them, but I sure didn’t want to be them.
“Hey man, what you want, good grammar or good taste?”
Yes!! 😜😜😜😜
I was the guy in my neighborhood that would record the Cheech and Chong records on cassette for my friends, whose parents wouldn’t let them listen to Cheech and Chong.
I was such a corrupting influence....LOL!
Dave’s Not Here
well kudos to ya for not needin to follow the flock!! I took a ride for a number of years back in the late 70’s early 80s. didnt take long to realize that old saying “Clear you mind and your ass will follow” has a lotta truth to it!
Isn’t that an archaic term?
I don't think that's an urban legend at all. Except for the name part. These companies have been putting things in the media for decades. Maybe even Cheech and Chong were sponsored.
Guess they’ll change the Marlboro Man to the Marlboro Dude.
Are you Dave?
Men like James Dean and John Wayne are doing somersaults in their graves at what this cuck country has become.
John Wayne yes, James Dean...uhh, not so much.
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