Tobacco

"This license authorizes R.J. Reynolds Tobacco to sell its cigarettes in Iran. OFAC redacted the names of the Iranian purchasers. Iran charges an import tax of more than 7 percent on cigarettes, according to customs officials." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"This license authorized New Century, a tobacco manufacturer, to enter into a transaction in which Yara Tech Company of Tehran would buy cigarette tax banderoles from the Iranian government tobacco monopoly, forward those to New Century, which would then deliver them to a cigarette factory where they would be applied to cigarette packs to be sold in Iran. Iran charges an import tax of more than 7 percent on cigarettes, according to customs officials." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"This license authorized Lane Limited, a tobacco company, to export smoking tobacco and little cigars to companies that would ultimately re-export those products to the following Iranian entities: the Lariana Trading Company in Tehran for resale to BAT Pars Company in Tehran. Iran charges an import tax of more than 7 percent on cigarettes, according to customs officials." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"Brown and Williamson Tobacco received a license to export cigarettes under the agricultural exemption to the United States trade embargo against Iran. OFAC redacted the names of the businesses in Iran that would be buying the cigarettes. Iran charges an import tax of more than 7 percent on cigarettes, according to Iranian customs officials." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

"Iranian Tobacco Company and Philip Morris International Inc. have signed an agreement on joint production of the American company’s best-selling product, Marlboro cigarettes." (May 6, 2018)

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"This license authorized Philip Morris to sell cigarettes in Iran. Iran charges an import tax of more than 7 percent on cigarettes, according to customs officials." (New York Times, "Licenses Granted to U.S. Companies Run the Gamut," 12/24/10)

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"Cigarettes smuggled into Iran have been tainted with pig blood and nuclear material as part of a Western conspiracy, an Iran official claimed Friday.

The semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted Mohammad Reza Madani from the Society for Fighting Smoking as saying contraband Marlboros have been contaminated with pig hemoglobin and unspecified nuclear material.

Madani claimed Philip Morris International, which sells Marlboro outside the U.S., is "led by Zionists" and deliberately exports tainted cigarettes. Pig products are considered unclean under Muslim law.

He provided no evidence or information about the confiscated cigarettes. Friday's report also gave no details on how the alleged contamination was discovered.

Tehran, which often alleges Western conspiracies, says 20 billion cigarettes are smuggled into Iran every year." (MSNBC, "Iran: West taints cigarettes with pig blood," 7/30/10)

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In their 2010 10-K forms for the SEC, Philip Morris disclosed information regarding their business in Iran. 

“Certain of our subsidiaries have established commercial arrangements involving Iran.  In January 2007, a subsidiary received a license from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control to export cigarettes to Iran. Our subsidiary received new licenses for 2008 and 2009; however, we have not made any sales to Iran pursuant to these licenses. We have no employees, operations or assets in Iran.” (EX-13 of 10-K for Philip Morris International Inc, 2/26/2010)

"Croatian tobacco company TDR, one of the Balkans' biggest tobacco firms, on Friday announced a 30-million euro (40-million-dollar) investment to build a factory in Iran.

TDR will build the factory, which is to produce 6.5 billion cigarettes a year, in the northern Iranian town of Sari with the Iranian Tobacco Company as a local partner.

Construction is due to start late 2011 and the plant will serve the southwest Asian market.

TDR said the investment 'strengthens its position as one of Croatia's biggest exporters.' Overseas sales account for about 50 percent of the company's revenues.

The Iranian factory will produce TDR brands such as "Respect" which is already on the Iranian market but also develop a new brand with its Iranian partner." (AFP, "Croatian Tobacco Company to Build Iranian Factory," 2/19/10)

Japan Tobacco is listed on the March 1, 2022 Report to the New Jersey Legislature Iran Divestment as a prohibited company.

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"Despite recent gains by Iranian Tobacco Co. (ITC), multinationals continue to dominate the Iranian cigarette market, according to a report by PressTV, citing ITC CEO Siavash Afzali.   

Speaking at a press briefing on May 17, Afzali said that Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) control more than 61 percent of sales and some 70 percent of the value of the cigarette market in Iran. Afzali estimated that JTI and BAT supplied 46 billion cigarettes to Iranian consumers in the calendar year to late March." (Tobacco Reporter, "Foreign Firms Dominate Iranian Cigarette Market," 5/18/21)
 

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JTI attended the 2nd Iran International Banking 2017 Forum at the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof in Frankfurt, Germany in July 2017.

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In 2016, JTI’s leading brand,Winston, recorded double-digit volume growth in 34 markets and record market shares in 20 markets, including Iran. In addition, JTI launched its Camel brand into the Iranian market. (JTI Website, “Japan Tobacco Inc. Annual Report FY2016”).

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In October 2015, the Financial Times reported that Japan Tobacco International’s Iranian subsidiary, JTI Pars, acquired the privately owned Iranian cigarette maker, Arian Tobacco Industry (ATI), in an attempt to reinforce its position as the market leader in Iran. (Financial Times, “Japan Tobacco buys Iranian cigarette maker to boost dominance,” 10/18/2015).

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Lists JTI Pars PJSCO in Tehran, iran as its Iran head office.

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"Japan Tobacco, owned 50 per cent by the Japanese government, has been aggressively expanding overseas as demand declines at home. The company dramatically ramped up production in Russia last year and has a major presence in Ukraine, Iran, Turkey and Malaysia." (The Globe and Mail, "Deals, dividends and growth set tobacco stocks alight," 4/11/07)

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"GIANTS WITH A FOOT IN TEHRAN: Total, Shell, Statoil, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, MTN, UPS, Linde, Technip, Nokia, Ericsson, Peugeot, Renault, OMV, Societe Generale, ENI, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Siemens, LG, Samsung, Bosch, Valeo, Nestle, Unilever, BAT, Japan Tobacco. (The London Times, "American pressure threatens UK firms," 5/27/06)

Now known as Imperial Brands Plc.

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"According to the Ukrainian National Association of Tobacco and Alcohol Producers and Distributors SOVAT, cigarette export may grow by 8-10% in 2006 year-on-year. Last year Ukraine exported 6.5bn cigarettes. Export totalled 2.57bn cigarettes in the first five months of 2006. Main importers were Iran, Taiwan, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, and Georgia. The company Reemtsma/Imperial Tobacco is still an export leader. In January-May 2006 it supplied over 1.56bn cigarettes overseas. Then follow the companies JTI, PM and Gallaher. They exported 467bn, 246.6bn and 162bn cigarettes, respectively." (Tobacco Journal International, "Ukraine: Cigarette export to increase by 8-10% in 2006," 5/01/08) Listed by U.S. Government as doing business in Iran. (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, List of Companies Doing Business With State Sponsors Of Terror, Removed from the internet in July of 2007)

"Despite recent gains by Iranian Tobacco Co. (ITC), multinationals continue to dominate the Iranian cigarette market, according to a report by PressTV, citing ITC CEO Siavash Afzali.   

Speaking at a press briefing on May 17, Afzali said that Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) control more than 61 percent of sales and some 70 percent of the value of the cigarette market in Iran. Afzali estimated that JTI and BAT supplied 46 billion cigarettes to Iranian consumers in the calendar year to late March." (Tobacco Reporter, "Foreign Firms Dominate Iranian Cigarette Market," 5/18/21)

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2019: "BAT has a local operation in Iran, established on 18 October 2003, through its wholly-owned non-US subsidiary, B.A.T. Pars Company (Private Joint Stock) (BAT Pars). BAT Pars produces its products, which include Kent, Pall Mall and Montana brands, in its own factory in Eshtehard, which is in the Alborz province of Iran. BAT Pars distributes its product via 75 sub-agents with national and provincial distribution licences, who sell products to wholesalers and retailers with the support of BAT Pars’ sales representatives. BAT Pars has 307 direct employees and an additional 1,159 contract workers supplied by a private company.

Concerning the business of BAT Pars, various elements such as income tax, payroll, social security, other taxes, excise, monopoly fees, duties and other fees, including for utilities, licences and judicial fees to commence litigation, are payable to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities regarding BAT Pars’ operation. BAT Pars maintains bank accounts in Iran with various banks to facilitate its operations in the country and to make any required payments, as described above, to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities regarding its operations.

During the year ended 31 December 2019, BAT did not have any gross revenues or net profits derived from transactions with the Government of Iran or affiliated entities.

BAT believes, and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure, that its activities in Iran and elsewhere comply in all material aspects with the applicable and relevant trade sanctions laws and regulations, including US and other international trade sanctions and/or embargoes. BAT’s sanctions policies and procedures have been designed to be as robust as possible. However, there can be no absolute assurance that these policies and procedures will be effective. Were they to be ineffective, penalties or sanctions could be imposed against BAT, which could be material. To the extent permitted under applicable law, and as long as it continues to meet BAT’s risk management and operational requirements, BAT Pars’ activities in Iran are expected to continue."

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As of August 27, 2019, British American Tobacco is listed on the Illinois Investment Policy Board list of Iran restricted companies.

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Lists British American Tobacco Pars in Tehran, Iran on its company website.

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Dec 2016 Subsidiary filings with SEC lists B.A.T. Pars Company as its subsidiary.

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"B.A.T. [British American Tobacco] said it now makes cigarettes for export to Iran in Turkey. (USA Today, "From bull semen to bras, Iran still buys American," 7/9/08)

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"GIANTS WITH A FOOT IN TEHRAN: Total, Shell, Statoil, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, MTN, UPS, Linde, Technip, Nokia, Ericsson, Peugeot, Renault, OMV, Societe Generale, ENI, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Siemens, LG, Samsung, Bosch, Valeo, Nestle, Unilever, BAT, Japan Tobacco." (The London Times, "American pressure threatens UK firms," 5/27/06)