Spanish Cigarette Sales Flat in H1, Takings Rise

Source from:  MADRID, July 27 (Reuters) 07/30/2007

Spanish cigarette sales steadied in the first half of 2007, after falling during the previous year on the introduction of anti-smoking laws, but revenue rose strongly on higher prices and taxes, official data showed on Friday. From January to June, 2.136 billion packets of cigarettes were sold, practically the same as in the same period of 2006, while turnover rose 13 percent to 5.34 billion euros, Spain's Tobacco Market Commission said in a statement. Altria's (MO.N: Quote, Profile , Research) Philip Morris Marlboro remained the leading brand, although its market share fell 0.8 percentage points to 15.85 percent. Altadis's (ALT.MC: Quote, Profile , Research) (ALDS.PA: Quote, Profile , Research) biggest seller, Fortuna, added 1.1 percentage points to stand at 11.65 percent, but its Ducados Rubio blonds brand fell 1.5 points to 5.84 percent. Enditem