03-18-2015, 08:25 PM
(03-18-2015, 10:26 AM)Roadmap2Retire Wrote:(03-16-2015, 08:37 PM)NilesMike Wrote:(03-15-2015, 06:06 PM)Roadmap2Retire Wrote:(03-15-2015, 05:38 PM)NilesMike Wrote:(03-14-2015, 01:29 PM)crimsonghost747 Wrote: Just last week the UK government made a decision for plain packaging.. think it was supposed to start at the beginning of 2016 but I'm not sure on that.
I don't know what the situation is on the other side of the pond but in Europe it's not only the governments that are anti tobacco. It's more and more of the people... smoking just isn't viewed as "cool" anymore and year after year the amount of smokers is dropping. It's a change in people's attitude and it's noticeable.
I hold a very small position in PM (one of my smallest ones) and I'm definitely not buying more. I even thought about selling but decided to see what happens and enjoy the steady dividend stream.
I have not seen any credible report to support the notion that smoking is on the down swing in Europe.
Perhaps you are not looking in the right place? Almost every report out there shows that the percentage of smokers is declining. A quick Google search reveals a plethora of such reports. Heres an exhaustive report compiled by WHO.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/20...562099.pdf
Couldn't open your link but, the total number of smokers is not decreasing. The rate of smokers is decreasing but as the population increases, the number of smokers is offset.
7% more cigarettes were sold in 2013 than 2001. That is not a decrease.
NilesMike,
With all due respect, I think you are in denial. A quick search on Google will show you all sorts of trends and charts from across the industry and independent studies, be it from health organizations such as WHO or CDC or studies conducted in universities. Even PM's annual report clearly shows the volume of cigarettes is declining in all geographic regions.
Yes, the profit is rising year over year, but that is because the cigarette prices have increased significantly to balance out the declining volume.
You mean like this one (1st one listed in search for worldwide cigarette consuption).?
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...-climbing/