Even big tobacco finally resolves to quit smoking

It's clear the tobacco industry has little choice but to give up on cigarettes. (Image: NZME)

Sat, 23 Dec 2023

By Andrea FelstedIt’s not even Christmas, but already the new year’s resolutions to give up smoking are coming in thick and fast – this time from big tobacco.British American Tobacco (BAT) this month said it would take a £25 billion (NZ$51b) charge for reducing the value of its US cigarette brands Camel, Newport, Natural American Spirit and Pall Mall.Although non-cash, the scale of the writedown is striking. Analysts have predicted that in many markets there would be no smokers in 10-20 years' time and governments ha...

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