Japan Tobacco (JT) acquired the international business of Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, the Reynolds American subsidiary that makes Natural American Spirit cigarettes, for JPY 600 billion (EUR 4.46 billion), the companies said.

Nine subsidiaries selling Natural American Spirit outside the US and international trade marks for the premium brand are part of the transaction, JT said. JT in past years has acquired international rights to other Reynolds brands, including Camel and recently sold Winston.
“Notably in Japan, which now accounts for the majority of the sales volume worldwide excluding the US, the (Natural American Spirit) brand has experienced significant growth,” JT said. “The existing operations of the acquired companies will be expected to remain unchanged in order to fully benefit from their extensive knowledge and experience.”