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Tim Lester's avatar

Heated tobacco capsule seems like a pipe dream or there be significant market penetration in 5 years?

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Devin LaSarre's avatar

HTC is just one of many avenues the company is working on. Heated tobacco, both HTC and HTP/HTS is largely untested in the U.S., but there does seem to be interest as gauged by Altria, as well as PMI and other major participants. One of the greatest hurdles for heated tobacco adoption is device cost. With higher income in the U.S., it may be easier to spur adoption; though regulation and taxation will play a major part in determining outcome.

The IP acquired from Poda is quite novel but it's far too early to gauge commercial potential. Perhaps most interestingly, Poda, prior to assets being acquired by Altria, stated that their device could be used for a variety of capsules, including tea leaves + synthetic nicotine, replicating the cigarette experience without combustion, as well as marijuana/THC oriented capsules. Altria has quite a few patents concerning cannabis and having a device with embedded flexibility is intriguing; but again, it's far too early, so I don't want to speculate too deeply.

Thanks for reading!

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Tim Lester's avatar

Thank you for the reply. Great info as always.

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John Blain's avatar

That was a fantastic and thorough write-up. Much appreciated!

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Devin LaSarre's avatar

Thank you, John!

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