Founded in 1999, JTI began when Japan Tobacco Inc. acquired the non-U.S. operations of RJR Nabisco Inc.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI has been on an exciting journey of growth and global expansion for the past 25 years. However, our roots reach far deeper, connecting us to some of the world’s most iconic tobacco companies, with a global history that stretches back to the late 16th century.
Our company's unique blend of history and innovation defines who we are today.
Browse the key milestones in our story below.
Our story began in 1784, when Austria Tabak was established by Emperor Joseph II. By the end of the 18th century, pipes, early cigars and loose tobacco were in everyday use in many parts of the world. A new industry was taking shape around the cultivation and consumption of tobacco.
Throughout the 19th century, the tobacco industry gained momentum.
Tom Gallaher began factory production in Northern Ireland in 1857 and Richard Joshua Reynolds on the other side of the Atlantic in Winston Salem in 1874. The Sobranie brand was first registered in London in 1879. The Ducat company began meeting the needs of Imperial Russia’s smokers in 1891.
In 1898, the Japanese government created a tobacco monopoly, which later evolved into Japan Tobacco and Salt Corporation (JTS) in 1949 to ensure stable supplies and tax revenues.
Japan’s tobacco monopoly was abolished in 1985, leading to the formation of Japan Tobacco (JT).
With a vision to expand globally, JT acquired several international companies, including RJR Nabisco Inc. in 1999 - marking the birth of JTI and its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
While the RJR Nabisco Inc. acquisition ultimately created JTI, the integration of Gallaher in 2007, at the time the fifth largest tobacco company, led to an overnight doubling in size of the JT Group.
With over 20 strategic acquisitions in the period between 2009 and 2019, JTI's commitment to growth was clear. The outcome gave JTI a truly global business profile with a focus on developing markets with favorable growth demographics such as the Philippines, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
2024 marked our 25th anniversary, and what a journey of innovation and sustainable growth we've been on.
Since integrating our Japanese and international businesses in 2022, we have extended our investment and geographic reach in reduced-risk products and completed key mergers and acquisitions. These strategic moves ensure we are well poised for continued success.
With our Japanese heritage and reputation for superior quality comes a strong desire for responsible and sustainable growth. We are proud of our tradition of care for the communities we operate in and our strong sustainability track record.
Building on each acquisition over our short history, we’ve preserved the essence of our key brands: from the instantly recognizable Winston to the additive-free, organic ingredients of Natural American Spirit, and more recently, our reduced-risk products range with Ploom, Logic and Nordic Spirit.
Employees around the world
Years of continuous growth
We wish to continue our journey to achieve sustainable growth, together with our stakeholders, local communities and the society that we are a part of.