Philip Morris USA market share rose 0.4 percentage points to 51.1 per cent in the first quarter on gains by its mainstay Marlboro brand, said parent company Altria.

Total volume at the leading US cigarette maker increased 1.6 per cent to 29.2 billion sticks in the three months ended 31 March. Marlboro shipments gained 1.2 per cent to 25.1 billion sticks. Operating companies income in smokeable products rose more than 10 per cent to USD 1.7 billion (EUR 1.6 billion) as higher prices boosted sales 6.9 per cent to USD 3.7 billion, net of excises tax.
Altria’s Nu Mark e-vapor unit introduced a larger format product with more liquid and battery capacity into lead US markets in April to expand its Mark Ten e-cigarette line. Copenhagen and Skoal increased moist snuff market share to boost profit at its smokeless products unit.