Imperial Tobacco to Drop Tobacco From Name

LONDON — Imperial Tobacco Group is dropping "tobacco" from its name, reported Reuters. It will now be known as Imperial Brands.

The new name "better reflects the dynamic, brand-focused business that we are now," Imperial said in an official statement.

The company's portfolio includes cigarettes, the Tabacalarea cigar business, Fontem Ventures e-cigarette business, and the Logista logistics business.

Earlier this year, Imperial paid $7.1 billion to acquire the Winston, Kool and Salem brands from Reynolds American Inc. and the Maverick and blu eCig brands from Lorillard Inc.

The name change is subject to approval by the company's shareholders at the annual general meeting in February.