Stay-at-Home Smoking Helps Tobacco Sales During Virus Lockdowns
- Imperial, BAT have seen no material impact on business
- Sector resilient as tobacco shops stay open during lockdowns
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
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Big Tobacco is one of the few industries whose sales are holding up during coronavirus lockdowns, with smokers lighting up while working from home.
Imperial Tobacco Plc, the maker of Kool cigarettes, said Tuesday the outbreak hasn’t hurt business and sales remain in line with expectations. British American Tobacco Plc, whose brands include Lucky Strike and Kent, said something similar two weeks ago, when it reiterated its 2020 guidance.