Acquirer(s)

  • Scandinavian Tobacco's cigar division, ST Cigar Group

Target(s)

  • certain cigar brands of British American Tobacco

Summary

ST Cigar Group proposes to acquire 'Schimmelpenninck' and 'Mercator' cigar brands in Australia from British American Tobacco plc

Market definition

The ACCC considered the proposed acquisition in the context of the national market for the supply of cigars.

Competition analysis

On 14 August 2007, the ACCC decided to not intervene in the proposed acquisition.

The ACCC considered that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the national market for the supply of cigars because ST Cigar Group is likely to be constrained by competition from other cigar manufacturers, particularly Swedish Match and British Amercan Tobacco (through the retained cigar brands), post-acquisition.

Timeline

Date Event

ACCC commenced review under the Merger Review Process Guidelines. Market inquiries commence.

Closing date for submissions from interested parties.

ACCC announced it would not oppose the proposed acquisition.