Tobacco giant Reynolds marks its 150th year amid a shift from cigarettes to nicotine pouches and vaping products. - Business North Carolina
Reynolds American celebrates 150 years while strategically shifting its focus from declining cigarette sales to growth in nicotine pouches and vaping products.Summary
Reynolds American, marking its 150th anniversary, is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from its traditional cigarette business—which has historically been vital to North Carolina's economy—toward next-generation nicotine products like vaping and oral pouches.
Founded by Richard Joshua Reynolds in 1875, the company has survived antitrust issues and health condemnation, adapting to changing consumer demands. Key executive Wade Huckabee notes that while cigarettes remain the primary profit engine, the long-term strategy relies on shifting the massive smoking population to less harmful alternatives like Vuse vapes and Velo nicotine pouches, which are seeing exponential growth.
The transition is supported by significant investment in North Carolina manufacturing and worker training. Despite facing competition from illicit vapes and slower-than-expected growth in smokeless revenue across its parent company, BAT Group, Reynolds is leveraging its distribution network and consumer data to accelerate this smoke-free vision, earning investor confidence.
(Source：Business North Carolina)
