Japan Tobacco Reports Cigarette Shortage And Relief Support

Source from:  Tobacco Journal 03/25/2011

The earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeast Japan this month have left some parts of the region without cigarettes, reports Reuters. A spokesman for Japan Tobacco yesterday told Reuters that some of its distribution centers in the region had been hit by the disasters, and some brands were out of stock in some regions. Also on Wednesday the company announced relief support activities including a donation of JPY 300 million (EUR 2.6 million) to the Japanese Red Cross Society to help those affected by the earthquake. The company also donated 480,000 bottled and canned beverages and 50,000 instant food products, along with JPY 50 million worth of winter clothes and household medicines. And it has provided hot meals at evacuation centers and donated food in the stricken areas. Donations by the group's employees, including those working outside Japan, amount to JPY 38.83 million, an amount that is being matched by the group; so that the total is JPY 77.65 million. Enditem