Last year, Lorillard bought Blu Ecigs for $135m and RJ Reynolds has started to develop its own electronic cigarette technology. Altria, the US maker of Marlboro, has stayed on the sidelines thus far, but analysts expect the tobacco giant to either acquire an e-cigarette manufacturer or launch its own brand soon.
Declining to divulge its plans, an Altria spokesman said: "Obviously we're monitoring what's going on in that category."
Hey Altria!!! Either keep up with market demands, or have your company become obsolete. AT&T didn't die out when mobile phones started taking over land lines, they kept up with market demands and offered their own wireless service.