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Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Investments in Equity Securities | We account for our investments in ABI and Cronos under the equity method of accounting using a one-quarter lag. We account for our investment in JUUL at fair value.As of September 30, 2022, we accounted for our investment in JUUL as an investment in an equity security. We will continue to measure our investment in JUUL at fair value, in accordance with GAAP. Our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (losses) include any cash dividends received from our investment in JUUL and any changes in the estimated fair value of our investment, which is calculated quarterly. We use an income approach to estimate the fair value of our investment in JUUL. The income approach reflects the discounting of future cash flows for the United States and international markets at a rate of return that incorporates the risk-free rate for the use of those funds, the expected rate of inflation and the risks associated with realizing future cash flows. In determining the estimated fair value of our investment in JUUL, at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we made certain judgments, estimates and assumptions, the most significant of which were likelihood of certain potential regulatory and liquidity outcomes, sales volume, operating margins, discount rates and perpetual growth rates. All significant inputs used in the valuation are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, in determining these significant assumptions, we made judgments regarding the (i) likelihood of certain potential regulatory actions impacting the e-vapor category and specifically whether the FDA will ultimately authorize JUUL’s products, which have received MDOs and are now under additional administrative review; (ii) likelihood of JUUL maintaining adequate liquidity to fund projected cash needs, the absence of which could result in JUUL seeking protection under bankruptcy or other insolvency laws; (iii) risk created by the number and types of legal cases pending against JUUL; (iv) expectations for the future state of the e-vapor category, including competitive dynamics; and (v) timing of international expansion plans. Due to these uncertainties, our future cash flow projections of JUUL are based on a range of scenarios that consider certain potential regulatory, liquidity and market outcomes.
Basis of Presentation | Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Our management believes that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the interim results presented have been reflected in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. All such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. Net revenues and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.
New Accounting Pronouncements | On January 1, 2022, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU No. 2020-06”). This guidance simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Our adoption of ASU No. 2020-06 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. For a description of issued accounting guidance applicable to, but not yet adopted by, us, see Note 12. New Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted.
Standards | Description | Effective Date for Public Entity | Effect on Financial Statements
ASU 2021-08 Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers | The guidance updates how an entity recognizes and measures contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination. Acquirers will now account for related revenue contracts in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contract. | The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. | We do not expect our adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2022-03 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions | The guidance clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also specify required disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. | The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. | We do not expect our adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Cash Discounts | We calculate substantially all cash discounts, offered to customers for prompt payment, as a flat rate per unit based on agreed-upon payment terms. Prior to the first quarter of 2021 for USSTC and the third quarter of 2021 for PM USA, cash discounts were calculated as a percentage of the list price based on historical experience and agreed-upon payment terms. We record receivables net of the cash discounts on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue from Contract with Customer | We record an allowance for returned goods, which is included in other accrued liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. It is USSTC’s policy to accept authorized sales returns from its customers for products that have passed the freshness date printed on product packaging due to the limited shelf life of USSTC’s MST and snus products. We record estimated sales returns, which are based principally on historical volume and return rates, as a reduction to revenues. Actual sales returns will differ from estimated sales returns to the extent actual results differ from estimated assumptions. We reflect differences between actual and estimated sales returns in the period in which the actual amounts become known. These differences, if any, have not had a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. All returned goods are destroyed upon return and not included in inventory. Consequently, we do not record an asset for USSTC’s right to recover goods from customers upon return.
Equity Method Investments | We account for our investment in ABI under the equity method of accounting because we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of ABI, including having active representation on ABI’s board of directors and certain ABI board committees. Through this representation, we participate in ABI’s policy making processes. We report our share of ABI’s results using a one-quarter lag because ABI’s results are not available in time for us to record them in the concurrent period. The fair value of our equity investment in ABI is based on (i) unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for ABI’s ordinary shares and was classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and (ii) observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets for the Restricted Shares, and was classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We can convert the Restricted Shares to ordinary shares at our discretion. Therefore, the fair value of each Restricted Share is based on the value of an ordinary share. The Fixed-price Preemptive Rights and Cronos warrant are derivative financial instruments, which are required to be recorded at fair value. The fair values of the Fixed-price Preemptive Rights and Cronos warrant are estimated using Black-Scholes option-pricing models, adjusted for observable inputs (which are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy), including share price, and unobservable inputs, including probability factors and weighting of expected life, volatility levels and risk-free interest rates (which are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy). We elect to record the gross assets and liabilities of derivative financial instruments executed with the same counterparty on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in investments in equity securities.We record in our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (losses) any changes in the fair values of the Fixed-price Preemptive Rights and Cronos warrant as gains or losses on Cronos-related financial instruments in the periods in which the changes occu
Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Value | Following Share Conversion in the fourth quarter of 2020, we elected to account for our equity method investment in JUUL under the fair value option. In making this election, we believed measuring our investment at fair value provided quarterly transparency to investors as to the fair market value of our investment in JUUL, given the changes and volatility in the e-vapor category since our initial investment, as well as the lack of publicly available information regarding JUUL’s business or a market-derived valuation.
Derivatives, Policy | We recognized changes in the fair value of the foreign currency contracts and in the carrying value of the foreign currency denominated debt due to changes in the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate in accumulated other comprehensive losses related to ABI. We recognized gains on the foreign currency contracts arising from components excluded from effectiveness testing in interest and other debt expense, net in our condensed consolidated statements of earnings (losses) based on an amortization approach.
Income Taxes | We determine the realizability of deferred tax assets based on the weight of available evidence, that it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In reaching this determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including the character of the loss, carryback and carryforward considerations, future reversals of temporary differences and available tax planning strategies.
Revenue From Contract With Customer, Deferred Revenue | We record payments received in advance of product shipment as deferred revenue. These payments are included in other accrued liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets until control of such products is obtained by the customer.

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