Juul in Early Talks with Tobacco Companies for Sale or Partnership

Jan.27.2023
Juul in Early Talks with Tobacco Companies for Sale or Partnership
Juul explores possible sale, investment, licensing or distribution opportunities with Phillip Morris, Japan Tobacco, and Altria.

According to a January 26th report in the Wall Street Journal, vaping company JUUL is exploring potential opportunities for sale, strategic investment, licensing or distribution, and has recently held preliminary discussions with international companies Fima, Japan Tobacco and Altria Group.


According to sources familiar with the matter, negotiations are still in the early stages and there is no guarantee a sale or partnership agreement will be reached.


Reference:


The electronic cigarette company, Juul, is reportedly engaged in discussions with tobacco companies.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Exclusive Analysis | Smoore H1 Revenue Rises 19.9% Amid Growth Concentration, Profit Pressure and Slowing Momentum
Exclusive Analysis | Smoore H1 Revenue Rises 19.9% Amid Growth Concentration, Profit Pressure and Slowing Momentum
Smoore’s first-half 2026 revenue rose 19.9%, but the results revealed growing structural risks beneath the headline growth. Heat-not-burn contributed about 61% of incremental revenue and remains driven largely by one core customer, while traditional vaping markets diverged, own-brand growth slowed and China enterprise revenue declined further. Gross profit and adjusted profit lagged revenue growth, while second-quarter revenue growth slowed to about 1.9%, putting greater focus on the quality, concentration and sustainability of Smoore’s expansion.
Capital Markets
Aug.20
JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine
JT Plans ¥800 Billion Investment in Heated Tobacco Over Three Years, Betting on Ploom as Second Growth Engine
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) CEO Takehiko Tsutsui said the company plans to invest about ¥800 billion (approximately US$5.4 billion) in heated tobacco products over three years through 2028, aiming to establish Ploom as a second growth engine after combustible cigarettes. Tsutsui said Ploom AURA helped JT increase its share of Japan’s heated tobacco market to 15.8% in the first quarter of 2026. Ploom products are now available in 29 markets, with Ploom AURA sold in 25 markets including Japan. JT also plans to continue its cigarette business while positioning its food operations, particularly frozen noodle products in North America, as another growth opportunity.
Jul.23
China Tobacco Regulator Deputy Head Visits Laos as Both Sides Strengthen Cooperation on Illegal Tobacco Trade
China Tobacco Regulator Deputy Head Visits Laos as Both Sides Strengthen Cooperation on Illegal Tobacco Trade
China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that Liu Sanjiang, deputy head and Party group member of China’s tobacco regulator, led a delegation to Laos from July 31 to Aug. 2, 2026, for discussions with Lao authorities on combating cross-border illegal tobacco trade. The two sides discussed areas including law enforcement cooperation, information sharing and efforts to address tobacco-related illegal activities such as counterfeiting and smuggling. The visit highlights cooperation between Chinese and Lao authorities on illicit tobacco control.
News
Aug.05
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
French Vape Market Under Pressure as Europe’s First Listed Vape Company Kumulus Vape Reports 7.8% H1 Revenue Decline, Retail Sales Rise 41.5%
French Vape Market Under Pressure as Europe’s First Listed Vape Company Kumulus Vape Reports 7.8% H1 Revenue Decline, Retail Sales Rise 41.5%
Kumulus Vape, Europe’s first publicly listed vape company, reported a 7.8% year-on-year decline in first-half 2026 revenue. Amid changing conditions in France’s vape market, the company said channel diversification helped offset pressure, with physical store sales increasing 41.5% year on year. Listed on Euronext Access Paris in 2019 and later transferred to Euronext Growth Paris, Kumulus Vape is viewed as a representative company of Europe’s vape sector. Its performance highlights the industry’s shift from rapid expansion toward more operationally focused growth.
Jul.27
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11