Anti-smoking lobbyists like Anne Jones know that packaging changes alone wont significantly curb smoking, especially among established smokers.

BBC: Australia smokers given plain packs

Earlier this month, Mr Bloomberg unveiled plans to require shops to hide cigarettes and tobacco products from public view, saying this would help to further cut the number of smokers, especially among the youths.

BBC: New York smoking ban in public places marks 10 years

Federal health authorities and regulators say those products appeal especially to young people and are thought to attract new smokers.

WSJ: NY Cancer Society says sweet smokes aimed at kids

Plans are under way to market clove cigarettes in Latin America, especially Brazil, where Mr Putera says market research has shown that smokers are favourably inclined towards kreteks.

ECONOMIST: The kretek man

Japan Tobacco has been especially aggressive, therefore, in Russia, the world's fourth-biggest market, where smokers lit up 300 billion cigarettes in 2002.

ECONOMIST: The tobacco business