Ever think snus/snuff will be like Big Tobacco?

[chadizzy1]

I was talking to a friend of mine today about this, and it got me curious about your thoughts.

Frank at Northerner, Joakim and Markus at Swedish Match, Roderick at Toque, etc etc etc...

They give us great service. They are involved with snus consumers. They run their companies with the "mom and pop" mentality that every dollar counts. And make every customer a customer for life.

Do you think snus/snuff will ever get big (in the distant/not so distant future), and if so - do you think the snus companies will lose touch with how they were in the beginning? Or do you think they hold themselves to a different standard from Big Tobacco in their business ethics?

It was a LONG conversation, so I felt like bringing it here to see your thoughts.

[sagedil]

LOL, it already IS big tobacco. There was talk last year of Swedish Match buying either Phillip Morris or Reynolds, I can't remember which. My point is, Swedish Match is bigger than them all.

I can't help but laugh sometimes how provincial we Americans are. Yeah, we may be big, but the world is way bigger.

And just because Joakim and Markus are spending time here, don't think that Swedish Match gives a damn about us really. If they think it wil make a bit more profit for themselves, they will do it. If not, they won't. But they are just like every other BIG tobacco company. Swedish Match is Big Tobacco, those that forget it are crushed by them


As for snuff??? Never, has always been a niche product, always will. And snuff companies have been small since day one

[justintempler]

General Cigar has spent more than $5 million lobbying Congress over the past eight years. It got lawmakers to strike a provision in a 2001 measure that it says would have allowed Cuba to barter cigars for food or medicine.

Link

General Cigar -> Swedish Match.

Chad what is your definition of big tobacco? :roll:

[Maahk]

That sound you are hearing is Chad's jaw hitting the desk as he realises just who SM really is. Mom and Pop? Hardly. Smart marketers with their fingers in multiple segments of big tobacco? And then some.

It's alright. I'd make the obvious Arkansas joke, but I lived there for a half dozen or so years and still have family, illegitimate children, cousins I dated, ect there.(Bentonville)

[fedora]

And just because Joakim and Markus are spending time here, don't think that Swedish Match gives a damn about us really. If they think it wil make a bit more profit for themselves, they will do it. If not, they won't. But they are just like every other BIG tobacco company. Swedish Match is Big Tobacco, those that forget it are crushed by them

Whoa! Sage - at least they're here. And they seem like decent folk. I think they represent the company officially here - so that means to me at least, that SM cares, at least about us here at SNUSON. Those are my 2 cents. :-)

[daruckis]

dont get it twisted, man. SM cares about money. theyre here to pick the american brain for better marketing. i think its sweet, no doubt about it. but still, theyre not here to make friends. and you wont see them posting for anything other than business like roderick does.

[darkwing]

"I can't help but laugh sometimes how provincial we Americans are. Yeah, we may be big, but the world is way bigger." Yup.

[sagedil]

Whoa! Sage - at least they're here. And they seem like decent folk. I think they represent the company officially here - so that means to me at least, that SM cares, at least about us here at SNUSON. Those are my 2 cents. :-)

Yes, SM cares because they think it will make them money. And I am not criticizing in any way.

But anyone is a fool who doesn't understand that SM IS Big Tobacco. Maybe a better run Big Tobacco, Big Tobacco who happens to sell a better product, but Big Tobacco nevertheless.

[chadizzy1]

I was just curious, had to at least ask and see some opinions.

[RobsanX]

dont get it twisted, man. SM cares about money. theyre here to pick the american brain for better marketing. i think its sweet, no doubt about it. but still, theyre not here to make friends. and you wont see them posting for anything other than business like roderick does.

There are a few forums related to my business, but I sure as hell don't post on them! Much more fun here!

[Toque Snuff]

I can only add my two cents worth as we really are a "Mom an' Pop" operation and we can't afford much more.

Our plan is for toque to have a share of 8% of the tobacco industry by the end of 10 years. That 8% is the estimate of the share of the tobacco industry in 10 years for all snuff companies. Even if Toque only achieves 1% of the industry, 1% is a substantial figure and I can't say how much that will change the company or me.

Does success always have to breed contempt?

[sagedil]

No Roderick. It will only if success changes you.

[lxskllr]

Does success always have to breed contempt?

A lot of the time it does :^D Snuff takers are bit better than the general crowd, but I wouldn't be surprised if people turned on you. It's like Sam Adams beer in America. They were everybody's darling when they were still a small brewery, but now that they're huge everyone craps on them. Their beer didn't change, it's arguably the best in the world(when you get to that level, it becomes more a matter of personal taste than quality differences), but people hate on them because they're big.

In any case, if snuff takes off, and people start hating Toque, you'll know you've arrived, and Toque is recognized as the omnipresent giant to beat. There's worse thing in life :^)

[sagedil]

But it won't happen Roderick, if you don't do as I said above.

[bakerbarber]

:lol: