If you smoke and want to know what the top selling Japanese cigarette brands are, you are at the best place. Insider Monkey has recently published an interesting article about this topic. I must confess I smoke too, although I know it’s very harmful. Japan has 400 years long smoking history. Tobacco was introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese sailors and tradesmen, around the same time tobacco was introduced to the rest of the world coming from America. During the Edo period (1603-1868) Japan has developed a serious smoking culture. In the Museum of Tobacco and Salt in Tokyo (founded by Japan Tobacco Inc.), visitors can meet these both significantly important everyday ingredients in ancient Japan’s life, and see, among other things, replicas of Edo period tobacco shops. Since then Japanese started growing their own tobacco, and producing their own cigarettes later on.
Japan Tobacco Inc. is one of the leading tobacco producing companies (along with Philip Morris International Inc., British American Tobacco Plc. and Imperial Brands Plc.). Japan Tobacco Inc. exports to over 120 countries. Also, apart from factories located in Japan (there are 4 cigarette manufacturing factories and one tobacco-related factory), Japan Tobacco Inc. has also established factories world widely. Tobacco manufacturing factories have been established in over 30 countries among which Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Canada.
Now without a further ado let’s see what Insider Monkey has investigated for us. We have picked one cigarettre brand from their list.
Hope cigarettes were first Japanese filtered cigarettes. They contain high levels of tar (14 mg) and nicotine (1,1 mg), but also filter enriched with charcoal, and charcoal filters disputably lower the chance of inhaling bad substances. Peace cigarettes have been on the stage since the 40s and remained among the top selling Japanese cigarette brands. Newly launched fancy luxury Peace cigarette series is made of only pure Virginia tobacco. Pianissimo is the last one for today. What a weird name for a Japanese product. And it was used for this cigarette brand to describe its tasteand properties – Pianissimo contains 1 mg tar and less smoke and bad smell because it was aromatized with menthol. Interestingly, and maybe because of the mildness of these cigarettes, it attracted more female than male smokers when it was launched during the 90s.
For any further interesting information read Insider Monkey’s article about top 5 selling Japanese cigarette brands.
