UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2018
 
or
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from_______________ to ________________
 
Commission file number: 001-37763
 
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 20-0709285
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5201 Interchange Way, Louisville, KY 40229
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(502) 778-4421
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: not applicable
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes        No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes       No   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer 
¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company     

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act  
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes       No   

At May 3,August 2, 2018, there were 19,237,90519,313,801 shares outstanding of the registrant’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
 


TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page No.
  
 ITEM 1Financial Statements (Unaudited) 
    
  5
    
  6
7
    
  78
9
    
  810
    
  1012
    
 ITEM 22630
    
 ITEM 33641
    
 ITEM 43641
   
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
  
 ITEM 13742
    
 ITEM 1A3742
    
 ITEM 23742
    
 ITEM 33742
    
 ITEM 43742
    
 ITEM 53742
    
 ITEM 63843
    
 3944
 
2

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events, and depend on circumstances, that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by Turning Point Brands, Inc. (“TPB”), in this quarterly reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.  Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:

·declining sales of tobacco products, and expected continuing decline of sales, in the tobacco industry overall;
·our dependence on a small number of third-party suppliers and producers;
·the possibility that we will be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a supply or product disruption;
·the possibility that our licenses to use certain brands or trademarks will be terminated, challenged, or restricted;
·failure to maintain consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our customers;
·substantial and increasing U.S. regulation;
·regulation of our products by the FDA,Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), which has broad regulatory powers;
·uncertainty related to the regulation and taxation of our NewGen products;
·possible significant increases in federal, state, and local municipal tobacco-related taxes;
·possible increasing international control and regulation;
·our reliance on relationships with several large retailers and national chains for distribution of our products;
·our amount of indebtedness;
·the terms of our credit facilities, which may restrict our current and future operations;
·intense competition and our ability to compete effectively;
·uncertainty and continued evolution of markets containing our NewGen products;
·significant product liability litigation;
·the scientific community’s lack of information regarding the long-term health effects of electronic cigarette, vaporizer, and e-liquid use;
·requirement to maintain compliance with Master Settlement Agreement escrow account requirements;
·competition from illicit sources;
·our reliance on information technology;
·security and privacy breaches;
·contamination of our tobacco supply or products;
·infringement on our intellectual property;
·third-party claims that we infringe on their intellectual property;
·failure to manage our growth;
·failure to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions;
·fluctuations in our results;
·exchange rate fluctuations;
·adverse U.S. and global economic conditions;
·sensitivity of end-customers to increased sales taxes and economic conditions;
·failure to comply with certain regulations;
·departure of key management personnel or our inability to attract and retain talent;
·imposition of significant tariffs on imports into the U.S.;
·reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors, potentially decreasing our stock price;
·failure to maintain our status as an emerging growth company before the five-year maximum time period a company may retain such status;
·our principal stockholders will be able to exert significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders and may take certain actions to prevent takeovers;
 
3

·our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain regulations, could discourage or prohibit acquisition bids or merger proposals which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock;
·our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are Restricted Investors. These restrictions may affect the liquidity of our common stock and may result in Restricted Investors being required to sell or redeem their shares at a loss or relinquish their voting, dividend, and distribution rights;
·future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us;
·we may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock; and
·our status as a “controlled company” could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
 
4

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands except share data)

ASSETS 
(unaudited)
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Current assets:      
Cash $3,433  $2,607 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $47 in 2018 and $17 in 2017  5,688   3,248 
Inventories  76,870   63,296 
Other current assets  19,173   10,342 
Total current assets  105,164   79,493 
Property, plant, and equipment, net  9,243   8,859 
Deferred income taxes  -   450 
Deferred financing costs, net  974   630 
Goodwill  134,620   134,620 
Other intangible assets, net  27,224   26,436 
Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits  30,229   30,826 
Other assets  1,087   963 
Total assets $308,541  $282,277 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $13,733  $3,686 
Accrued liabilities  14,104   18,694 
Current portion of long-term debt  8,000   7,850 
Revolving credit facility  16,000   8,000 
Total current liabilities  51,837   38,230 
Notes payable and long-term debt  186,349   186,190 
Deferred income taxes  951   - 
Postretirement benefits  3,932   3,962 
Other long-term liabilities  379   571 
Total liabilities  243,448   228,953 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders' equity:        
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-  -   - 
Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 19,312,720 at June 30, 2018, and 19,210,633 at December 31, 2017  193   192 
Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  104,892   103,640 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (3,227)  (2,973)
Accumulated deficit  (36,765)  (47,535)
Total stockholders' equity  65,093   53,324 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $308,541  $282,277 
ASSETS 
(unaudited)
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Current assets:      
Cash $3,792  $2,607 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $46 in 2018 and $17 in 2017  2,283   3,248 
Inventories  58,059   63,296 
Other current assets  12,387   10,342 
Total current assets  76,521   79,493 
Property, plant, and equipment, net  8,662   8,859 
Deferred income taxes  -   450 
Deferred financing costs, net  1,025   630 
Goodwill  134,620   134,620 
Other intangible assets, net  26,260   26,436 
Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits  30,316   30,826 
Other assets  1,021   963 
Total assets $278,425  $282,277 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $6,641  $3,686 
Accrued liabilities  13,586   18,694 
Current portion of long-term debt  10,000   7,850 
Revolving credit facility  -   8,000 
Total current liabilities  30,227   38,230 
Notes payable and long-term debt  188,165   186,190 
Deferred income taxes  35   - 
Postretirement benefits  3,968   3,962 
Other long-term liabilities  1,138   571 
Total liabilities  223,533   228,953 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders' equity:        
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-  -   - 
Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 19,222,617 at March 31, 2018, and 19,210,633 at December 31, 2017  192   192 
Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000;  -   - 
issued and outstanding shares -0-        
Additional paid-in capital  103,833   103,640 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (3,829)  (2,973)
Accumulated deficit  (45,304)  (47,535)
Total stockholders' equity  54,892   53,324 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $278,425  $282,277 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
5

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)

  Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 
  2018  2017 
Net sales $81,101  $72,086 
Cost of sales  45,306   40,076 
Gross profit  35,795   32,010 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  20,993   18,351 
Operating income  14,802   13,659 
Interest expense  3,579   4,050 
Interest income  (124)  (4)
Investment income  (144)  (89)
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  264   24 
Income before income taxes  11,227   9,678 
Income tax expense  1,908   2,795 
Consolidated net income  9,319   6,883 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556)
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $9,319  $7,439 
         
Basic income per common share:        
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $0.48  $0.39 
Diluted income per common share:        
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $0.47  $0.38 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic  19,268,625   18,886,418 
Diluted  19,788,865   19,585,069 
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2018  2017 
Net sales $73,942  $66,788 
Cost of sales  42,133   39,116 
Gross profit  31,809   27,672 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  22,068   16,823 
Operating income  9,741   10,849 
Interest expense  3,654   4,933 
Gain on investment  (95)  (114)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116 
Net periodic benefit expense (income), excluding service cost  (43)  92 
Income (loss) before income taxes  3,841   (178)
Income tax expense (benefit)  809   (2,055)
Consolidated net income $3,032  $1,877 
         
Basic income per common share:        
Consolidated net income $0.16  $0.10 
Diluted income per common share:        
Consolidated net income $0.15  $0.10 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic  19,221,892   18,734,393 
Diluted  19,762,194   19,633,353 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
6

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 
  2018  2017 
Net sales $155,043  $138,874 
Cost of sales  87,439   79,136 
Gross profit  67,604   59,738 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  43,061   35,230 
Operating income  24,543   24,508 
Interest expense  7,237   8,983 
Interest income  (128)  (4)
Investment income  (239)  (203)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116 
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  221   116 
Income before income taxes  15,068   9,500 
Income tax expense  2,717   740 
Consolidated net income  12,351   8,760 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556)
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $12,351  $9,316 
         
Basic income per common share:        
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $0.64  $0.49 
Diluted income per common share:        
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $0.62  $0.48 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:        
Basic  19,245,388   18,829,130 
Diluted  19,787,846   19,565,522 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2018  2017 
Consolidated net income $3,032  $1,877 
         
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax        
Amortization of unrealized pension and postretirement losses, net of tax of $10 in 2018 and $0 in 2017  30   120 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $135 in 2018 and $43 in 2017  (384)  71 
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $185 in 2018  (526)  - 
   (880)  191 
Comprehensive income $2,152  $2,068 
  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
Consolidated net income $9,319  $6,883 
         
Other comprehensive income,  net of tax        
Amortization of unrealized pension and postretirement losses, net of tax of $72 in 2018 and $89 in 2017  274   27 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $31 in 2018 and $98 in 2017  (123)  158 
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $162 in 2018  451   - 
   602   185 
Consolidated comprehensive income  9,921   7,068 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556)
Comprehensive income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $9,921  $7,624 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
 
78

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
Consolidated net income $12,351  $8,760 
         
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax        
Amortization of unrealized pension and postretirement losses, net of tax of $82 in 2018 and $89 in 2017  304   147 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $104 in 2018 and $141 in 2017  (507)  229 
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $22 in 2018  (75)  - 
   (278)  376 
Consolidated comprehensive income  12,073   9,136 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556)
Comprehensive income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $12,073  $9,692 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
9

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Consolidated net income $3,032  $1,877  $12,351  $8,760 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116   2,384   6,116 
Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment  -   17 
Depreciation expense  560   354   1,117   771 
Amortization of other intangible assets  176   175   351   351 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  238   294   474   530 
Amortization of original issue discount  -   66   -   66 
Deferred income taxes  793   (2,564)  1,443   371 
Stock compensation expense  197   45   691   272 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable  965   (1,801)  (2,440)  (621)
Inventories  5,237   1,299   (10,348)  (4,035)
Other current assets  (2,051)  (1,420)  (4,463)  612 
Other assets  (23)  26   249   (72)
Accounts payable  2,955   (1,597)  10,047   (629)
Accrued liabilities and other  (6,029)  (5,242)  (5,820)  (6,140)
Accrued postretirement liabilities  (14)  32   (71)  (3)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $8,420  $(2,340)
Net cash provided by operating activities $5,965  $6,366 
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Capital expenditures $(363) $(368) $(1,003) $(567)
Restricted cash, MSA escrow deposits  (530)  1,192   (1,735)  1,012 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (4,797)  268 
Issuance of note receivable  (6,500)  - 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $(893) $824  $(14,035) $713 
 
810

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Cont.)
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Proceeds from 2018 first lien term loan $160,000  $- 
Proceeds from (payments of) 2018 first lien term loan, net $158,000  $- 
Proceeds from 2018 second lien term loan  40,000   -   40,000   - 
Payments of 2017 first lien term loans  (140,613)  - 
Payments of 2017 second lien term loan  (55,000)  - 
Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 revolving credit facility  (8,000)  29,550 
Proceeds from 2017 first lien term loans  -   145,000 
Proceeds from 2017 second lien term loan  -   55,000 
Proceeds from 2018 revolving credit facility  16,000   - 
Payment of dividends  (768)  - 
Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 first lien term loans, net  (140,613)  143,538 
Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 second lien term loan, net  (55,000)  55,000 
Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 revolving credit facility, net  (8,000)  25,000 
Payments of VaporBeast Note Payable  (2,000)  - 
Proceeds from release of restricted funds  1,107   - 
Payments of first lien term loan  -   (147,312)  -   (147,362)
Payments of second lien term loan  -   (60,000)  -   (60,000)
Payments of revolving credit facility  -   (15,034)  -   (15,083)
Payments of financing costs  (3,279)  (4,792)  (3,279)  (4,765)
Payments of Vapor Shark loans  -   (1,867)
Prepaid equity issuance costs  -   (164)
Exercise of options  20   679   607   1,097 
Surrender of options  -   (1,000)  -   (1,000)
Redemption of options  -   (1,636)
Distribution to non-controlling interest  -   (4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $(6,872) $2,091  $6,054  $(7,246)
                
Net increase in cash: $655  $575 
Net decrease in cash: $(2,016) $(167)
                
Cash, beginning of period:                
Unrestricted  2,607   2,865   2,607   2,865 
Restricted  4,709   3,889   4,709   3,889 
Total cash at beginning of period  7,316   6,754   7,316   6,754 
                
Cash, end of period:                
Unrestricted  3,792   2,248   3,433   1,686 
Restricted  4,179   5,081   1,867   4,901 
Total cash at end of period $7,971  $7,329  $5,300  $6,587 
                
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities:                
Accrued expenses incurred for financing costs $154  $226  $43  $48 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements
 
911

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except where designated and per share data)

Note 1. Organizations and Basis of Presentation

Organizations

Turning Point Brands, Inc. (the “Company)“Company”), is a holding company which owns North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (“NATC”), and its subsidiaries and Turning Point Brands, LLC (“TPLLC”), and its subsidiaries. Except where the context indicates otherwise, references to the Company include the Company; NATC and its subsidiaries National Tobacco Company, L.P. (“NTC”), National Tobacco Finance, LLC (“NTFLLC”), North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (“NAOC”), North Atlantic Cigarette Company, Inc. (“NACC”), and RBJ Sales, Inc. (“RBJ”); and TPLLC and its subsidiaries Intrepid Brands, LLC (“Intrepid”), VaporBeast,Vapor Beast, LLC (“VaporBeast,” f/k/a Smoke Free Technologies, Inc.), and Vapor Shark, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vapor Shark,” f/k/a The Hand Media), Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC (“Vapor Supply”), and Vapor Finance, LLC (“VFIN”).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim, condensed, consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting practices described in the Company’s audited, consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited, interim, condensed, consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of the Company for the periods indicated. Such adjustments, other than nonrecurring adjustments separately disclosed, are of a normal and recurring nature. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or future interim periods. The unaudited, interim, condensed, consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited, consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. The accompanying interim, condensed, consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, accordingly, do not include all the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) with respect to annual financial statements.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The changes did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in any of the periods presented.

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, on January 1, 2018. The Company recognizes revenues, net of sales incentives and sales returns, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, upon delivery of goods to the customer at an amount that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in accordance with the five-step analysis outlined in Topic 606: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.

A further requirement of ASU 2014-09 is for entities to disaggregate revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Company management views business performance through segments that closely resemble the performance of major product lines. Thus, the primary and most useful disaggregation of the Company’s contract revenue for decision making purposes is the disaggregation by segment which can be found in Note 1516 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. An additional disaggregation of contract revenue by sales channel can be found within Note 1516 as well.
 
1012

Shipping Costs

The Company records shipping costs incurred as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. Shipping costs incurred were approximately $3.2$3.5 million and $2.2$2.3 million for the three months ending March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Shipping costs incurred were approximately $6.7 million and $4.5 million for the six months ending June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Fair Value

GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP are described below:

·Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
·Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
·Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts: The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on inventory purchase commitments. The Company accounts for its forward contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Under the Company’s policy, the Company may hedge up to 100% of its anticipated purchases of inventory in the denominated invoice currency over a forward period not to exceed twelve months. The Company may also, from time to time, hedge up to ninety percent of its non-inventory purchases in the denominated invoice currency. Forward contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as determined by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income. Gains and losses on these forward contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income as the related inventories are received. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in income.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements: The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate risk and reduce the volatility of future cash flows. The Company accounts for its interest rate swap contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Swap contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as determined by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income. Gains and losses on these swap contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income upon settlement of the derivative position or at maturity of the interest rate swap contract. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in income.

Risks and Uncertainties

Manufacturers and sellers of tobacco products are subject to regulation at the federal, state, and local levels. Such regulations include, among others, labeling requirements, limitations on advertising, and prohibition of sales to minors. The trend in recent years has been toward increased regulation of the tobacco industry.industry is likely to continue to be heavily regulated. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate content, timing, or effect of any regulation of tobacco products by any federal, state, or local legislative or regulatory body, nor can there be any assurance that any such legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

13

The tobacco industry has experienced, and is experiencing, significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes for injuries allegedly caused by smoking or exposure to smoke. However, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of smokeless products. Typically, such claims assert that use of smokeless products is addictive and causes oral cancer. Additionally, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and distributors of NewGen products due to malfunctioning devices. There can be no assurance the Company will not sustain losses in connection with such lawsuits and that such losses will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
11

Master Settlement Agreement (MSA):  Pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement (the “MSA”) entered into in November 1998 by most states (represented by their attorneys general acting through the National Association of Attorneys General) and subsequent states’ statutes, a “cigarette manufacturer” (which is defined to include a manufacturer of make-your-own (“MYO”) cigarette tobacco) has the option of either becoming a signatory to the MSA or opening, funding, and maintaining an escrow account to have funds available for certain potential tobacco-related liabilities with sub-accounts on behalf of each settling state. The Company chose to open and fund an escrow account as its method of compliance. It is the Company’s policy to record amounts on deposit in the escrow account for prior years as a non-current asset. Each year’s annual obligation is required to be deposited in the escrow account by April 15 of the following year. In addition to the annual deposit, many states have elected to require quarterly deposits for the previous quarter’s sales. As of March 31,June 30, 2018, the Company had on deposit approximately $32.1 million, the fair value of which was approximately $30.3$30.2 million. At December 31, 2017, the Company had on deposit approximately $32.1 million, the fair value of which was approximately $30.8 million. Effective in the third quarter of 2017, the Company no longer sells any product covered under the MSA. Thus, pendingabsent a change in legislation, the Company will no longer be required to make deposits to the MSA escrow account.

The Company has chosen to invest a portion of the MSA escrow deposits in U.S. Government securities including TIPS, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Realized losses are prohibited under the MSA; any investment in an unrealized loss position will be held until the value is recovered, or until maturity. The following shows the fair value of the MSA escrow account:

  As of March 31, 2018  As of December 31, 2017 
  Cost  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Estimated
Fair
Value
  Cost  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents $3,072  $-  $3,072  $3,602  $-  $3,602 
U.S. Governmental agency obligations(unrealized loss position < 12 months)  27,739   (1,706)  26,033   722   (17)  705 
U.S. Governmental agency obligations (unrealized loss position > 12 months)  1,247   (36)  1,211   27,733   (1,214)  26,519 
  $32,058  $(1,742) $30,316  $32,057  $(1,231) $30,826 
  As of June 30, 2018  As of December 31, 2017 
  Cost  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Estimated
Fair
Value
  Cost  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents $1,867  $-  $1,867  $3,602  $-  $3,602 
U.S. Governmental agency obligations                        
(unrealized loss position < 12 months)  2,443   (46)  2,397   722   (17)  705 
U.S. Governmental agency obligations                        
(unrealized loss position > 12 months)  27,757   (1,792)  25,965   27,733   (1,214)  26,519 
  $32,067  $(1,838) $30,229  $32,057  $(1,231) $30,826 
 
Fair value for the U.S. Governmental agency obligations are Level 2. The following shows the maturities of the U.S. Governmental agency obligations:

 As of  As of 
 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Less than five years $7,114  $7,114 
One to five years $7,114  $7,114 
Six to ten years  18,913   17,662   19,621   17,662 
Greater than ten years  2,959   3,679   3,465   3,679 
Total U.S. Governmental agency obligations $28,986  $28,455  $30,200  $28,455 
 
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The following shows the amount of deposits by sales year for the MSA escrow account:
 
Sales
Year
  Deposits as of 
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
       
1999 $211  $211 
2000  1,017   1,017 
2001  1,673   1,673 
2002  2,271   2,271 
2003  4,249   4,249 
2004  3,714   3,714 
2005  4,552   4,552 
2006  3,847   3,847 
2007  4,167   4,167 
2008  3,364   3,364 
2009  1,626   1,626 
2010  406   406 
2011  193   193 
2012  199   199 
2013  173   173 
2014  143   143 
2015  101   101 
2016  81   81 
2017  80   70 
         
Total $32,067  $32,057 
  Deposits as of 
Sales
Year
 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
       
1999 $211  $211 
2000  1,017   1,017 
2001  1,673   1,673 
2002  2,271   2,271 
2003  4,249   4,249 
2004  3,714   3,714 
2005  4,552   4,552 
2006  3,847   3,847 
2007  4,167   4,167 
2008  3,364   3,364 
2009  1,626   1,626 
2010  406   406 
2011  193   193 
2012  199   199 
2013  173   173 
2014  143   143 
2015  101   101 
2016  81   81 
2017  71   70 
         
Total $32,058  $32,057 

Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”): On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (“FSPTCA”) authorized the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)FDA to immediately regulate the manufacturing, sale, and marketing of four categories of tobacco products – cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. On August 8, 2016, the FDA deeming regulation became effective. The deeming regulation gave the FDA the authority to additionally regulate cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes”), vaporizers, and e-liquids as “deemed” tobacco products under the FSPTCA.

The FDA assesses tobacco product user fees on six classes of regulated tobacco products and computes user fees using a methodology similar to the methodology used by the U.S Department of Agriculture to compute the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (“TTPP,” also known as the “Tobacco Buyout”) assessment. First, the total, annual, congressionally established user fee assessment is allocated among the various classes of tobacco products using the federal excise tax weighted market share of tobacco products subject to regulation. Then, the assessment for each class of tobacco products is divided among individual manufacturers and importers.

Prior to October 1, 2016, these FDA user fees applied only to those products then regulated by the FDA. Effective October 1, 2016, the FDA began additionally applying FDA user fees to newly deemed tobacco products subject to FDA user fees as described above, i.e., cigars and pipe tobacco.

On July 28, 2017, the FDA announced a new direction in regulating tobacco products, including the newly “deemed” markets such as cigars and vapor products. The FDA stated it intends to begin several new rulemaking processes, some of which will outline foundational rules governing the premarket application process for the deemed products, including Substantial Equivalence Applications and Premarket Tobacco Applications. Compliance and related costs could be significant and could increase the costs of operating in our NewGen segment. The original filing deadlines for newly “deemed” products on the market as of August 8, 2016, have been postponed until August 8, 2021, for “combustible” products (e.g., cigar and pipe) and August 8, 2022, for “non-combustible” products (e.g., vapor products). No other significant filing deadlines were altered.have been altered at this time. The FDA also acknowledged a “continuum of risk” among tobacco products (i.e., certain tobacco products pose a greater risk to individual and public health than others), that it intends to seek public comment on the role flavors play in attracting youth and the role flavors may play in helping some smokers switch to potentially less harmful forms of nicotine delivery, and that it would be increasing its focus on the regulation of cigarette products. FDA has since published a number of Advanced Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPRM”) on these subjects.
 
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. This ASU requires the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of goods to customers at an amount that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in accordance with the following five-step analysis: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The adoption of this ASU had no effect on the timing or amount of revenue recognition, or on net income.

The Company adopted ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, in the first quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis. This ASU allows entities to make a one-time reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for the effects of remeasuring deferred tax liabilities and assets originally recorded in other comprehensive income as a result of the change in the federal tax rate by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of stranded tax effects related to the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings of less than $0.1 million.million during the first quarter of 2018.

The Company adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, in the first quarter of 2018 using the full retrospective method. This ASU requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million from cost of sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses to net periodic benefit expense (income), excluding service cost, for both periods presented.the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, in the first quarter of 2018 using the full retrospective method. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result of this ASU the Company’s statements of cash flows include changes in restricted cash, such as changes in the portion of the MSA escrow deposits held in cash.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset (the lease asset) for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less for which there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities and should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures will be required so that users are able to understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. At transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients related to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date of ASU 2016-02. An entity that elects to use the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commenced before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements.
 
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Note 3. Acquisitions

Vapor Supply

On April 30, 2018, the Company purchased the assets of Vapor Supply LLC, vaporsupply.com, and some of its affiliates including the Ecig.com domain through its subsidiary Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC, for total consideration of $4.8 million paid in cash to strengthen its presence within the NewGen segment. Vapor Supply is a business-to-business e-commerce distribution platform servicing independent retail vape shops. Additionally, Vapor Supply manufactures and markets proprietary e-liquids under the DripCo brand and operates company-owned stores in Oklahoma. As of June 30, 2018, the Company has not completed the accounting for the acquisition of these assets. The following fair value for working capital (primarily inventory), fixed assets, and trade name are based upon management’s preliminary estimates.

  Fair Value 
    
Working capital $3,163 
Fixed assets  498 
Trade name  1,139 
Total purchase price $4,800 

Vapor Shark

In March 2017, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Vapor Shark in which the Company committed to make a deposit up to $2.5 million to Vapor Shark in exchange for a warrant to purchase 100% of the equity interest in Vapor Shark on or before April 15, 2018. In the event the Company exercised the warrant, the Company granted Vapor Shark’s sole shareholder the option to purchase from Vapor Shark the retail stores it owns, effective as of January 1, 2018. In April 2017, the Company entered into a management agreement with Vapor Shark whereby the Company obtained control of the operations. As a result of the management agreement, Vapor Shark was accounted for as a VIE during the second quarter of 2017. The Company exercised its warrant on June 30, 2017, and obtained 100% ownership of Vapor Shark as of that date for a nominal purchase price. In January 2018, the Company finalized an agreement to pay Vapor Shark’s former sole shareholder total consideration of $1.5 million in exchange for his option to purchase the company-owned stores. The Company paid Vapor Shark’s former sole shareholder $1.0 million in February 2018 with the remaining $0.5 million to be paid in 24 monthly installments.

Note 4. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency

The Company’s policy is to manage the risks associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The policy allows hedging up to 100% of its anticipated purchases of inventory over a forward period that will not exceed 12 rolling and consecutive months. The Company may, from time to time, hedge currency for non-inventory purchases, e.g., production equipment, not to exceed 90% of the purchase price. The Company executed various forward contracts during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for the purchase of €6.0€6.3 million. The Company executed various forward contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2018, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for the purchase of €12.3 million. The Company executed no forward contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2017. At March 31,June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, the Company had forward contracts for the purchase of €3.8€6.3 million and €0 million, respectively.

Interest Rate SwapSwaps

The Company’s policy is to manage interest rate risk by reducing the volatility of future cash flows associated with debt instruments bearing interest at variable rates. In March 2018, the Company executed various interest rate swap agreements for a notional amount of $70 million with an expiration of December 2022. The swap agreements fix LIBOR at 2.755%. The swap agreements met the hedge accounting requirements; thus, any change in fair value is recorded to other comprehensive income. The Company uses the Shortcut Method to account for the swap agreements. The Shortcut Method assumes the hedge to be perfectly effective; thus, there is no ineffectiveness to be recorded in earnings. The swap agreements’ fair values at March 31,June 30, 2018, resulted in a liability of $0.7$0.1 million included in other long-term liabilities.

17

Note 5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using the methods and assumptions described below. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are, by definition, short-term. Thus, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Accounts Receivable

The fair value of accounts receivable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature.

2018 Revolving Credit Facility

The fair value of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility approximates its carrying value as the interest rate fluctuates with changes in market rates.

Long-Term Debt

As all of the Company’s long-term debt bears interest at variable rates that fluctuate with market rates, the carrying values of the long-term debt instruments approximate their respective fair values. As of March 31,June 30, 2018, the fair values of the 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Second Lien Term Loan approximated $160.0$158.0 million and $40.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the fair values of the 2017 First Lien Term Loans and the 2017 Second Lien Term Loan approximated $140.6 million and $56.1 million, respectively. See Note 910 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our current and past credit facilities.
15


Foreign Exchange

The Company had forward contracts for the purchase of 3.86.3 million at March 31,June 30, 2018. The Company had no forward contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The fair values of the foreign exchange contracts are based upon quoted market prices and resulted in an insignificant lossgain for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2018.  The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts resulted in an asset of less than $0.1 million as of June 30, 2018.

Interest Rate SwapSwaps

The Company had swap contracts for a total notional amount of $70 million at March 31,June 30, 2018. The Company had no swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2017. The fair values of the swap contracts are based upon quoted market prices and resulted in a liability of $0.7$0.1 million as of March 31,June 30, 2018.

18

Note 6. Inventories

The components of inventories are as follows:

 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Raw materials and work in process $2,403  $2,545  $2,869  $2,545 
Leaf tobacco  29,300   30,308   36,504   30,308 
Finished goods - smokeless products  6,503   5,834 
Finished goods - smoking products  11,510   14,110 
Finished goods - electronic/vaporizer products  12,910   14,532 
Finished goods - Smokeless products  6,814   5,834 
Finished goods - Smoking products  11,810   14,110 
Finished goods - NewGen products  23,384   14,532 
Other  699   1,290   755   1,290 
  63,325   68,619   82,136   68,619 
LIFO reserve  (5,266)  (5,323)  (5,266)  (5,323)
 $58,059  $63,296  $76,870  $63,296 
 
The inventory valuation allowance was $0.6$1.1 million and $0.5 million as of March 31,June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Note 7. Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:

  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Land $22  $22 
Buildings and improvements  2,072   2,072 
Leasehold improvements  2,036   1,873 
Machinery and equipment  12,509   12,635 
Furniture and fixtures  3,724   3,821 
   20,363   20,423 
Accumulated depreciation  (11,120)  (11,564)
  $9,243  $8,859 
 
  
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Land $22  $22 
Buildings and improvements  2,072   2,072 
Leasehold improvements  1,873   1,873 
Machinery and equipment  12,960   12,635 
Furniture and fixtures  3,857   3,821 
   20,784   20,423 
Accumulated depreciation  (12,122)  (11,564)
  $8,662  $8,859 
Note 8. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consisted of the following:

  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Note receivable $6,500  $- 
Inventory deposits  6,743   3,797 
Other  5,930   6,545 
  $19,173  $10,342 
On May 18, 2018, the Company entered into an arrangement with a supplier which manufactures and distributes vapor products whereby the supplier received a $6.5 million loan with a maturity date of May 18, 2019. The note is secured by the supplier’s assets and accrues interest at an annual rate of 15% with quarterly interest payments due to the Company beginning in August 2018.
 
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Note 8.9. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
 
 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Accrued payroll and related items $2,277  $5,683  $3,489  $5,683 
Customer returns and allowances  2,175   2,707   2,296   2,707 
Other  9,134   10,304   8,319   10,304 
 $13,586  $18,694  $14,104  $18,694 
 
Note 9.10. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

Notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following in order of preference:

 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
2018 First Lien Term Loan $160,000  $-  $158,000  $- 
2018 Second Lien Term Loan  40,000   -   40,000   - 
2017 First Lien First Out Term Loan  -   105,875   -   105,875 
2017 First Lien Second Out Term Loan  -   34,738   -   34,738 
2017 Second Lien Term Loan  -   55,000   -   55,000 
Note payable - VaporBeast  2,000   2,000   -   2,000 
Total notes payable and long-term debt  202,000   197,613   198,000   197,613 
Less deferred finance charges  (3,835)  (3,573)  (3,651)  (3,573)
Less current maturities  (10,000)  (7,850)  (8,000)  (7,850)
 $188,165  $186,190  $186,349  $186,190 
 
2018 Credit Facility

On March 7, 2018, the Company entered into a $250 million credit facility consisting of a $160 million 2018 First Lien Term Loan with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders, and a $50 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (collectively, the “2018 First Lien Credit Facility”) in addition to a $40 million 2018 Second Lien Term Loan (together with the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2018 Credit Facility”) with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders. The 2018 Credit Facility retained the $40 million accordion feature of the 2017 Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2018 Credit Facility were used to repay, in full, the 2017 Credit Facility. The Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the refinancing.

The 2018 Credit Facility contains customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2018 Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the 2018 Credit Facility, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets, (ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments. Refer to Note 1617 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding dividend restrictions.

2018 First Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 2.75% to 3.50% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan has quarterly required payments of $2.0 million beginning June 30, 2018, increasing to $3.0 million on June 30, 2020, and increasing to $4.0 million on June 30, 2022. The 2018 First Lien Term LoanCredit Facility has a maturity date of March 7, 2023. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of the Company’s capital stock, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”). The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.50x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.50x with step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 First Lien Term Loan was 5.13%5.34% at March 31,June 30, 2018. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility was 6.05% at June 30, 2018. At June 30, 2018, the Company had no$16.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. The $34.0 million unused portion of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by a $0.7 million letter of credit with Fifth Third Bank, resulting in $33.3 million of availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility at March 31,June 30, 2018.
 
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2018 Second Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 7.00% and has a maturity date of March 7, 2024. The 2018 Second Lien Term Loan is secured by a second priority interest in the Collateral and is guaranteed by the same entities as the 2018 First Lien Term Loan. The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Second Lien Term Loan was 8.70%9.05% at March 31,June 30, 2018.

2017 Credit Facility

On February 17, 2017, the Company and NATC, entered into a $250 million secured credit facility comprised of (i) a First Lien Credit Facility with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 First Lien Credit Facility”) and (ii) a Second Lien Credit Facility with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 Second Lien Credit Facility,” and together with the 2017 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2017 Credit Facility”). The Company used the proceeds of the 2017 Credit Facility to repay, in full, the Company’s First Lien Term Loan, Second Lien Term Loan, and Revolving Credit Facilityprior credit facilities and to pay related fees and expenses. As a result of this transaction, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.1 million during the first quarter of 2017.

The 2017 Credit Facility contained customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2017 Credit Facility also contained certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the 2017 Credit Facility, restricted the ability of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets, (ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments.

2017 First Lien Credit Facility:  The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility consisted of: (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”), (ii) a $110 million first out term loan facility (the “2017 First Out Term Loan”), and (iii) a $35 million second out term loan facility (the “2017 Second Out Term Loan”). The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility also included an accordion feature allowing the Company to borrow up to an additional $40 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more lenders. Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility could be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility had a maturity date of February 17, 2022, and the 2017 Second Out Term Loan had a maturity date of May 17, 2022. The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 2.5% to 3.5% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. The 2017 First Out Term Loan had quarterly required payments of $1.4 million beginning June 30, 2017, increasing to $2.1 million on June 30, 2019, and increasing to $2.8 million on June 30, 2021. The 2017 Second Out Term Loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 6% (subject to a floor of 1.00%). The 2017 Second Out Term Loan had quarterly required payments of $0.1 million beginning June 30, 2017.  The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility contained certain financial covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x.  The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility was 5.05%. The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 First Out Term Loan was 4.61%.  The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 Second Out Term Loan was 7.61%.

2017 Second Lien Credit Facility:  The 2017 Second Lien Credit Facility consisted of a $55 million second lien term loan (the “2017 Second Lien Term Loan”) having a maturity date of August 17, 2022. The 2017 Second Lien Term Loan bore interest at a fixed rate of 11%. The 2017 Second Lien Credit Facility contained certain financial covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 4.25x with step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 5.25x with step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x.

Note Payable – VaporBeast

On November 30, 2016, the Company issued a note payable to VaporBeast’s former shareholders (“VaporBeast Note”). The VaporBeast Note iswas $2.0 million principal with 6% interest compounded monthly and maturesmatured on May 30, 2018. The VaporBeast Note may be prepaid2018, at anywhich time without penalty and is subject to a late-payment penalty of 5% and a default rate of 13% per annum. The VaporBeast Note is subject to customary defaults, including defaults for nonpayment, nonperformance, any material breach under the purchase agreement, and bankruptcy or insolvency.
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First Lien Term Loan
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (“TPBI”), along with NATC and its subsidiaries, were guarantors under the First Lien Term Loan.  TPLLC and its sole subsidiary at the date of the agreement, Intrepid, were not guarantors of the First Lien Term Loan. The First Lien Term Loanit was secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of the capital stock of NATC or any guarantor, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”).  The loans designated as LIBOR loans bore interest at the LIBOR thenpaid in effect (but not less than 1.25%) plus 6.50%, and the loans designated as base rate loans bore interest at (i) the highest of (A) the Prime Rate, (B) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (C) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (D) 2.25% per year plus (ii) 5.50%.

Second Lien Term Loan

The Second Lien Term Loan was secured by a second priority security interest in the Collateral and was guaranteed by the same entities as the First Lien Term Loan. Under the Second Lien Term Loan, the loans designated as LIBOR loans bore interest at LIBOR then in effect (but not less than 1.25%) plus 10.25%.  The loans designated as base rate loans bore interest at (i) the highest of (A) the Prime Rate, (B) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (C) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (D) 2.25% per year plus (ii) 9.25%.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Revolving Credit Facility provided for aggregate commitments of up to $40 million subject to a borrowing base, which was calculated as the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) the product of 70% and the value of eligible inventory or (b) the product of 85%, the net recovery percentage identified in the most recent inventory appraisal, and the value of eligible inventory, plus (iii) the lesser of (a) the product of 75% and the value of eligible inventory or (b) the product of 85%, the net recovery percentage identified in the most recent inventory appraisal, and the value of the eligible finished goods inventory, minus (iv) the aggregate amount of reserves established by the administrative agent.full.

Note 10.11. Income Taxes

In December 2017, the U.S. Congress passed the TCJA which the President signed in the same month. The TCJA reduced the corporate income tax rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. Other significant changes accompanying the corporate income tax rate reduction include eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax, limiting the interest expense deduction to 30% of adjusted taxable income, and limiting net operating losses to 80% of taxable income for losses arising in tax years beginning after 2017. As a result ofThe TCJA required the TCJA, the Company was required to remeasure its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the newly enacted tax rate resulting in $0.2 millionDecember 2017, the period of income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2017.enactment.

The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, was 21%. The Company’s income17% and 18%, respectively, which includes a tax benefitdeduction of $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 does not bear the normal relationship to loss before income taxes because of tax benefits of $2.0 millionJune 30, 2018, relating to stock options exercised duringoption exercises. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the quarter.three and six months ended June 30, 2017, was 29% and 8%, respectively, which includes a tax deduction of $3.4 million and $8.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, relating to stock option exercises. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, also reflected a tax benefit of $0.4 million primarily related to Kentucky corporate income tax changes enacted in April 2018. The significant impacts to the Company regarding the Kentucky changes included a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 6% to 5% and moving to a single sales factor apportionment formula for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2018.

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10-25, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has determined that the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions requiring recognition under the provisions of ASC 740-10-25. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions, if any, as part of interest expense. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. In general, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state tax examinations for years prior to 2014.

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Note 11.12. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan. Benefits for hourly employees were based on a stated benefit per year of service, reduced by amounts earned in a previous plan. Benefits for salaried employees were based on years of service and the employees’ final compensation. The defined benefit pension plan is frozen. The Company’s policy is to make the minimum amount of contributions that can be deducted for federal income taxes. The Company expects to make no contributions to the pension plan in 2018. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company made mutually agreed upon lump-sum payments to certain individuals covered by the defined benefit pension plan which resulted in a curtailment loss of approximately $0.3 million during the second quarter of 2018.
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The Company sponsored a defined benefit postretirement plan that covered hourly employees. This plan provides medical and dental benefits. This plan is contributory with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The Company’s policy is to make contributions equal to benefits paid during the year. The Company expects to contribute approximately $0.3 million to its postretirement plan in 2018 for the payment of benefits.

The following table provides the components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs and total costs for the plans:

 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended June 30, 
 
Pension
Benefits
  
Postretirement
Benefits
  
Pension
Benefits
  
Postretirement
Benefits
 
 2018  2017  2018  2017  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Service cost $26  $26  $-  $-  $26  $26  $-  $- 
Interest cost  142   170   29   58   142   150   29   14 
Expected return on plan assets  (254)  (256)  -   -   (253)  (256)  -   - 
Amortization of (gains) losses  60   120   (20)  -   60   116   (20)  - 
Net periodic benefit cost (income) $(26) $60  $9  $58 
Curtailment loss  306   -   -   - 
Net periodic benefit cost $281  $36  $9  $14 
 
  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  
Pension
Benefits
  
Postretirement
Benefits
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Service cost $52  $52  $-  $- 
Interest cost  284   320   58   72 
Expected return on plan assets  (507)  (512)  -   - 
Amortization of (gains) losses  120   236   (40)  - 
Curtailment loss  306   -   -   - 
Net periodic benefit cost $255  $96  $18  $72 
Note 12.13. Share Incentive Plans

On April 28, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Turning Point Brands, Inc., 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”), pursuant to which awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants. In addition, the 2015 Plan provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options to employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the 2015 Plan, 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s voting common stock are reserved for issuance as awards to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants as compensation for past or future services or the attainment of certain performance goals. The 2015 Plan is scheduled to terminate on April 27, 2026. The 2015 Plan is administrated by a committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Committee determines the vesting criteria for the awards, with such criteria to be specified in the award agreement. As of March 31,June 30, 2018, there were 20,72718,529 shares of restricted stock, 184,000 performance-based restricted stock units, and 301,792301,527 options outstandinggranted, net of forfeitures, under the 2015 Plan. There are 893,481895,944 shares available for grant under the 2015 Plan.

On February 8, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) of North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc., pursuant to which awards may be granted to employees. The 2006 Plan provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards to employees. Upon the adoption of the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with its IPO, the Company determined no additional grants would be made under the 2006 Plan. However, all awards issued under the 2006 Plan that have not been previously terminated or forfeited remain outstanding and continue unaffected.

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On February 7, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved stock option cash-out agreements with three Company officers and a director for the surrender of 83,400 expiring stock options in exchange for payment to the option holders of $11.99 per share. This payment equaled the difference between the exercise price of $1.06 and closing stock price of $13.05 on the approval date, or an aggregate of $1.0 million.

There are no shares available for grant under the 2006 Plan. Stock option activity for the 2006 and 2015 Plans is summarized below:
 
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Stock
Option
Shares
  
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  
Stock
Option
Shares
  
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2016  1,637,762  $2.41  $1.23   1,637,762  $2.41  $1.23 
                        
Granted  133,819   14.69   4.41   133,819   14.69   4.41 
Exercised  (923,708)  1.55   0.83   (923,708)  1.55   0.83 
Forfeited  (801)  15.37   4.59   (801)  15.37   4.59 
Surrendered  (83,400)  1.06   0.54   (83,400)  1.06   0.54 
Outstanding, December 31, 2017  763,672   5.73   2.36   763,672   5.73   2.36 
                        
Granted  124,100   21.27   6.39   124,100   21.27   6.33 
Exercised  (12,501)  1.61   0.87   (104,849)  5.79   1.81 
Forfeited  (9,323)  10.96   2.99   (9,587)  11.08   3.03 
Outstanding, March 31, 2018  865,948  $7.96  $2.95 
Outstanding, June 30, 2018  773,336  $8.15  $3.06 
 
Under the 2006 Plan, the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017, was $0.3$1.9 million, and $4.7$9.1 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options surrendered during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, was $1.0 million.

At March 31,June 30, 2018, under the 2006 Plan, the outstanding stock options’ exercise price for 92,53567,808 options is $1.06 per share, all of which are exercisable. The outstanding stock options’ exercise price for 471,621455,465 options is $3.83 per share, all of which are exercisable. The weighted average of the remaining lives of the outstanding stock options is approximately 0.600.35 years for the options with the $1.06 exercise price and 5.064.85 years for the options with the $3.83 exercise price. The Company estimates the expected life of these stock options is ten years from the date of grant. For the $1.06 per share options, the weighted average fair value of options was determined using the Black-Scholes model assuming a ten-year life from grant date, a current share price and exercise price of $1.06, a risk-free interest rate of 4.37%, volatility of 30%, and no assumed dividend yield.  Based on these assumptions, the fair value of these options is approximately $0.54 per share option granted. For the $3.83 per share options, the weighted average fair value of options was determined using the Black-Scholes model assuming a ten-year life from grant date, a current share price and exercise price of $3.83, a risk-free interest rate of 3.57%, volatility of 40%, and no assumed dividend yield.  Based on these assumptions, the fair value of these options is approximately $2.17 per share option granted.
 
At March 31,June 30, 2018, under the 2015 Plan, the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for the expected life at the time of grant. The expected volatility is based on the average long-term historical volatilities of peer companies. We intend to continue to consistently use the same group of publicly traded peer companies to determine expected volatility until sufficient information regarding volatility of our share price becomes available or until the selected companies are no longer suitable for this purpose. Due to our limited trading history, we are using the simplified method presented by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 to calculate expected holding periods, which represent the periods of time for which options granted are expected to be outstanding. We will continue to use this method until we have sufficient historical exercise experience to give us confidence in the reliability of our calculations. The fair values of these options were determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
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The following table outlines the assumptions based on the number of options granted under the 2015 Plan.

 
August 10,
2016, Grant
  
February 10,
2017, Grant
  
May 17,
2017, Grant
  
March 7,
2018, Grant
  
March 13,
2018, Grant
  
August 10,
2016
  
February 10,
2017
  
May 17,
2017
  
March 7,
2018
  
March 13,
2018
 
Number of options granted  53,996   40,000   93,819   98,100   26,000   53,996   40,000   93,819   98,100   26,000 
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018  47,247   40,000   90,445   98,100   26,000 
Number exercisable at March 31, 2018  47,247   13,600   31,898   -   8,840 
Options outstanding at June 30, 2018  -   38,300   87,663   98,100   26,000 
Number exercisable at June 30, 2018  -   11,900   29,262   -   8,840 
Exercise price $9.26  $13.00  $15.41  $21.21  $21.49  $9.26  $13.00  $15.41  $21.21  $21.49 
Remaining lives  0.18   8.87   9.13   9.94   9.96   -   8.62   8.88   9.69   9.71 
Risk free interest rate  1.16%  1.89%  1.76%  2.65%  2.62%  1.16%  1.89%  1.76%  2.65%  2.62%
Expected volatility  25.40%  27.44%  26.92%  28.76%  28.76%  25.40%  27.44%  26.92%  28.76%  28.76%
Expected life  5.375   6.000   6.000   6.000   5.495   5.375   6.000   6.000   6.000   5.495 
Dividend yield  -   -   -   0.83%  0.82%  -   -   -   0.83%  0.82%
Fair value at grant date $2.37  $3.98  $4.60  $6.37  $6.18  $2.37  $3.98  $4.60  $6.37  $6.18 
 
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The Company has recorded compensation expense related to the options based on the provisions of ASC 718 under which the fixed portion of such expense is determined as the fair value of the options on the date of grant and amortized over the vesting period. The Company recorded compensation expense related to the options of approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017. The Company recorded compensation expense related to the options of approximately $0.4 million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to options at March 31,June 30, 2018, is $0.9$0.7 million, which will be expensed over 2.492.17 years.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (“PRSUs”)

PRSUs are restricted stock units subject to both performance-based and service-based vesting conditions. The number of common stock shares a recipient will receive upon vesting of a PRSU will be calculated by reference to certain performance metrics related to the Company’s performance over a five-year period.  PRSUs will vest on the measurement date, which is no more than 65 days after the performance period (provided the applicable service and performance conditions are satisfied). On March 31, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors granted 94,000 PRSUs to employees of the Company. On March 7, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors granted an additional 96,000 PRSUs to employees of the Company. The fair values of the PRSUs granted on March 31, 2017, and March 7, 2018, are $15.60 and $21.21, respectively, the Company’s stock price on the date of grant. As of March 31,June 30, 2018, there are 184,000 PRSUs outstanding, all of which are unvested. The Company recorded compensation expense related to the PRSUs of approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million in the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017, based on the probability of achieving the performance condition. The Company recorded compensation expense related to the PRSUs of approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million in the consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at March 31,June 30, 2018, is $3.1$2.9 million which will be expensed over the service periods based on the probability of achieving the performance condition.

Note 13.14. Contingencies

Other major tobacco companies are defendants in product liability claims. In a number of these cases, the amounts of punitive and compensatory damages sought are significant and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The Company is a defendant in certain cases which have been dormant for many years. Plaintiffs’ counsel are in the process of voluntarily dismissing those claims.years, which cases have now been dismissed with prejudice.

The Company is subject to several lawsuits alleging personal injuries resulting from malfunctioning vaporizer devices and may bemaybe subject to claims in the future relating to other NewGen products. The Company is still evaluating these claims and the potential defenses to them.  For example, the Company did not design or manufacture the products at issue; rather, the Company was merely the distributor.  Nonetheless, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail in these cases, and they could have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

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Note 14.15. Income Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations of net income:
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended June 30, 
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
 
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
  
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
  
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
  
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
 
Consolidated net income $3,032        $1,877       
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $9,319        $7,439       
                                        
Basic EPS:                                        
Weighted average      19,221,892  $0.16       18,734,393  $0.10       19,268,625  $0.48       18,886,418  $0.39 
                                                
Diluted EPS:                                                
Effect of dilutive securities:                                                
Stock options and warrants      540,302           898,960           520,240           698,651     
      19,762,194  $0.15       19,633,353  $0.10       19,788,865  $0.47       19,585,069  $0.38 
 
  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2018  2017 
  
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
  
Income
  
Shares
  
Per
Share
 
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $12,351        $9,316       
                     
Basic EPS:                    
Weighted average      19,245,388  $0.64       18,829,130  $0.49 
                         
Diluted EPS:                        
Effect of dilutive securities:                        
Stock options and warrants      542,458           736,392     
       19,787,846  $0.62       19,565,522  $0.48 
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Note 15.16. Segment Information

In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Company has three reportable segments: Smokeless products, Smoking products, and NewGen products. The Smokeless products segment (i) manufactures and markets moist snuff and (ii) contracts for and markets chewing tobacco products. The Smoking products segment (i) importsmarkets and marketsdistributes cigarette papers, tubes, and related products; (ii) importsmarkets and marketsdistributes finished cigars and MYO cigar tobaccos, and cigar wraps; and (iii) processes, packages, markets, and distributes traditional pipe tobaccos. The NewGen products segment (i) markets and distributes e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and certain other related products;products without tobacco and/or nicotine; (ii) distributes a wide assortment of vaping products to non-traditional retail outlets via VaporBeast, Vapor Shark, and Vapor Shark,Supply; and (iii) distributes a wide assortment of vaping related products to individual consumers via Vapor Shark and Vapor World branded retail outlets. Smokeless and Smoking products are distributed primarily through wholesale distributors in the United States while NewGen products are distributed primarily through e-commerce to non-traditional retail outlets in the United States. The Other segment includes the costs and assets of the Company not assigned to one of the three reportable segments such as intercompany transfers, deferred taxes, deferred financing fees, and investments in subsidiaries.

The accounting policies of these segments are the same as those of the Company. Segment data includes a charge allocating corporate costs to the three reportable segments based on their respective grossnet sales. Prior period corporate costs have been allocated in accordance with the current period allocation methodology to conform prior period segment operating income figures to current period presentation. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on operating income.gross profit.

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The tables below present financial information about reported segments:
  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
       
Net sales      
Smokeless products $24,410  $22,021 
Smoking products  29,328   27,019 
NewGen products  27,363   23,046 
  $81,101  $72,086 
         
Gross profit        
Smokeless products $12,533  $11,553 
Smoking products  15,180   14,117 
NewGen products  8,082   6,340 
  $35,795  $32,010 
         
Operating income (loss)        
Smokeless products (1)
 $6,440  $5,302 
Smoking products (2)
  8,781   8,965 
NewGen products (3)
  (312)  (734)
Other (4)
  (107)  126 
  $14,802  $13,659 
         
Interest expense  3,579   4,050 
Interest income  (124)  (4)
Investment income  (144)  (89)
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  264   24 
         
Income before income taxes $11,227  $9,678 
         
Capital expenditures        
Smokeless products $540  $154 
NewGen products  100   45 
  $640  $199 
         
Depreciation and amortization        
Smokeless products $333  $352 
NewGen products  400   241 
  $733  $593 

  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2018  2017 
       
Net sales      
Smokeless products $20,747  $20,248 
Smoking products  26,996   27,177 
NewGen products  26,199   19,363 
  $73,942  $66,788 
         
Operating income (loss)        
Smokeless products $4,486  $3,611 
Smoking products  6,894   8,048 
NewGen products  (1,496)  (664)
Other (1)
  (143)  (146)
  $9,741  $10,849 
         
Interest expense  (3,654)  (4,933)
Investment income  95   114 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  (2,384)  (6,116)
Net periodic benefit income (expense), excluding service cost  43   (92)
         
Income before income taxes $3,841  $(178)
         
Capital expenditures        
Smokeless products $349  $366 
NewGen products  14   2 
  $363  $368 
         
Depreciation and amortization        
Smokeless products $339  $352 
NewGen products  396   177 
  $735  $529 
  
(1) '"Other" includes the costs and assets that are not assigned to the three reportable segments, such as intercompany transfers, deferred taxes, and investments in subsidiaries. All goodwill has been allocated to the reportable segments. 
(1) Includes allocated corporate charges of $2,215 and $1,759 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2) Includes allocated corporate charges of $2,707 and $2,158 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(3) Includes allocated corporate charges of $2,259 and $1,841 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(4) '"Other" includes the costs that are not assigned to the three reportable segments.
 
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March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
Assets      
 2018  2017 
      
Net sales      
Smokeless products $97,279  $94,559  $45,157  $42,269 
Smoking products  139,872   141,869   56,324   54,196 
NewGen products  43,922   44,914   53,562   42,409 
Other (1)
  (2,648)  935 
 $278,425  $282,277  $155,043  $138,874 
                
(1) '"Other" includes the costs and assets that are not assigned to the three reportable segments, such as intercompany transfers, deferred taxes, and investments in subsidiaries. All goodwill has been allocated to the reportable segments. 
Gross profit        
Smokeless products $23,526  $20,869 
Smoking products  28,344   27,817 
NewGen products  15,734   11,052 
 $67,604  $59,738 
        
Operating income (loss)        
Smokeless products (1)
 $10,926  $9,221 
Smoking products (2)
  15,675   16,705 
NewGen products (3)
  (1,808)  (1,398)
Other (4)
  (250)  (20)
 $24,543  $24,508 
        
Interest expense  7,237   8,983 
Interest income  (128)  (4)
Investment income  (239)  (203)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116 
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  221   116 
        
Income before income taxes $15,068  $9,500 
        
Capital expenditures        
Smokeless products $889  $520 
NewGen products  114   47 
 $1,003  $567 
        
Depreciation and amortization        
Smokeless products $672  $704 
NewGen products  796   418 
 $1,468  $1,122 

(1) Includes allocated corporate charges of $4,262 and $3,590 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2) Includes allocated corporate charges of $5,319 and $4,602 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(3) Includes allocated corporate charges of $4,780 and $3,601 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(4) '"Other" includes the costs that are not assigned to the three reportable segments.
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June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
Assets      
Smokeless products $104,460  $94,559 
Smoking products  138,825   141,869 
NewGen products  63,763   44,914 
Other (1)
  1,493   935 
  $308,541  $282,277 

(1) '"Other" includes the assets that are not assigned to the three reportable segments. All goodwill has been allocated to the reportable segments.
 
Revenue Disaggregation—Sales Channel

Revenues of the Smokeless and Smoking segments are 100%primarily comprised of sales made to wholesalers while NewGen sales are made to wholesalers, retailers, and ultimate end-customers. NewGen net sales are broken out by sales channel below.
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
            
Wholesalers $2,330  $2,474  $2,350  $2,686 
Retail outlets  20,884   15,777   19,904   18,007 
End-customers  2,935   1,112   5,069   2,341 
Other  50   -   40   12 
 $26,199  $19,363  $27,363  $23,046 

  
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
       
Wholesalers $4,680  $5,153 
Retail outlets  40,624   33,764 
End-customers  8,168   3,480 
Other  90   12 
  $53,562  $42,409 
 
Net Sales—Domestic vs. Foreign

The following table shows a breakdown of consolidated net sales between domestic and foreign customers.

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Domestic $70,858  $64,371  $77,439  $69,355 
Foreign  3,084   2,417   3,662   2,731 
Total $73,942  $66,788  $81,101  $72,086 
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Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
Domestic $148,297  $133,726 
Foreign  6,746   5,148 
Total $155,043  $138,874 
 
Note 16.17. Dividends

On November 9, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of a cash dividend to shareholders.  The initial quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on December 15, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2017. The most recent dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on AprilJuly 13, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 26,June 25, 2018.

Dividends are classified as restricted payments within the 2018 Credit Facility. The Company is generally permitted to make restricted payments provided that, at the time of payment, or as a result of payment, the Company is not in default on its debt covenants. Additional restrictions limit the aggregate amount of restricted, quarterly dividends during a fiscal year to the aggregate amount of mandatory and voluntary principal payments made on the priority term loans during the fiscal year.
 
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Note 17. Subsequent Event
On April 30, 2018, the Company acquired the related assets of Vapor Supply, Vapor Supply.com, and some of its affiliates for total consideration of $4.8 million paid in cash.  The Company is in the process of assigning fair value to the assets acquired which primarily consist of inventory, fixed assets, and intangible assets.
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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion of the historical financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our historical condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which are included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, this discussion includes forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that may result in actual results differing from statements we make. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Factors that could cause actual results to differ include those risks and uncertainties discussed in “Risk Factors.”

The following discussion relates to the unaudited financial statements of Turning Point Brands, Inc., included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In this discussion, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “our Company” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Turning Point Brands, Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to “TPB” refer to Turning Point Brands, Inc., without any of its subsidiaries. We were incorporated in 2004 under the name North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. On November 4, 2015, we changed our name to Turning Point Brands, Inc. Many of the amounts and percentages in this discussion have been rounded for convenience of presentation.

Organizational Structure

We, Turning Point Brands, Inc., are a holding company which owns North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (“NATC”), and its subsidiaries National Tobacco Company, L.P. (“NTC”), National Tobacco Finance, LLC (“NTFLLC”), North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (“NAOC”), North Atlantic Cigarette Company, Inc. (“NACC”), and RBJ Sales, Inc. (“RBJ”), and Turning Point Brands, LLC (“TPLLC”), and its subsidiaries Intrepid Brands, LLC (“Intrepid”), VaporBeast,Vapor Beast, LLC (“VaporBeast”, f/k/a Smoke Free Technologies, Inc.), and Vapor Shark, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vapor Shark”, f/k/a The Hand Media), Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC (“Vapor Supply”), and Vapor Finance LLC (“VFIN”).

Overview

We are a leading independent provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) in the U.S. We sell a wide range of products across the OTP spectrum including moist snuff tobacco (“MST”), loose leaf chewing tobacco, premium cigarette papers, make-your-own (“MYO”) cigar wraps, cigars, liquid vapor products, and tobacco vaporizer products; but,however, we do not sell cigarettes. We estimate the OTP industry generated approximately $11 billion in manufacturer revenue in 2017. In contrast to manufactured cigarettes, which have been experiencing declining volumes for decades based on data published by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), the OTP industry is demonstrating increased consumer appeal with low- to mid-single digit consumer unit growth as reported by Management Science Associates, Inc. (“MSAi”), a third-party analytics and informatics company. Under the leadership of a senior management team with an average of 22 years of experience in the tobacco industry, we have grown and diversified our business through new product launches, category expansions, and acquisitions while concurrently improving operational efficiency.

Products

We operate in three segments: (i) Smokeless products, (ii) Smoking products and (iii) NewGen products. In our Smokeless products segment we (i) manufacture and market moist snuff and (ii) contract for and market loose leaf chewing tobacco products. In our Smoking products segment, we (i) market and distribute cigarette papers, tubes, and related products; (ii) market and distribute finished cigars and MYO cigar wraps,wraps; and cigars; and (iii) process, package, market, and distribute traditional pipe tobaccos. In our NewGen products segment, we (i) market and distribute liquid vapor products, tobacco vaporizer products,e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and certain other products without tobacco and/or nicotine; (ii) distribute a wide assortment of vaping related products to non-traditional retail via VaporBeast, Vapor Shark, and Vapor Shark;Supply; and (iii) distribute a wide assortment of vaping related products to individual consumers via Vapor Shark and Vapor World branded retail outlets. Refer to the ‘Recent Developments’ section below for details regarding the VaporBeast and Vapor Shark acquisitions.Supply acquisition. Our portfolio of brands includes some of the most widely recognized names in the OTP industry such as Stoker’s® in the Smokeless segment, Zig-Zag® in the Smoking segment, and VaporBeast® in the NewGen segment.

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Operations

Our core tobacco business (Smokeless and Smoking segments) primarily generates revenues from the sale of our products to wholesale distributors who, in turn, resell the products to retail operations. Our acquisition of VaporBeast in Novemberthe fourth quarter of 2016 expanded our revenue streams as we began selling directly to non-traditional retail outlets and to ultimate consumers via non-traditional retail outlets as well. Our acquisitionacquisitions of Vapor Shark in the second quarter of 2017 and Vapor Supply in the second quarter of 2018 have further expanded our selling network by allowing us to directly reach ultimate consumers through Vapor Shark and Vapor World branded retail outlets. Our net sales, which include federal excise taxes, consist of gross sales net of cash discounts, returns, and selling and marketing allowances.
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We rely on long-standing relationships with high-quality, established manufacturers to provide the majority of our produced products. Approximately 86%85% of our production, as measured by gross sales, is outsourced to suppliers. The remaining 14%15% represents our moist snuff tobacco operations located in Dresden, TN, and Louisville, KY; the packaging of our pipe tobacco in Louisville, KY,KY; and our Vapor Sharkthe proprietary e-liquids operations located in Miami, FL.Oklahoma City, OK, and Louisville, KY. Our principal operating expenses include the cost of raw materials used to manufacture the limited number of our products which we produce in-house; the cost of finished products, which are generally purchased goods; federal excise taxes; legal expenses; and compensation expenses, including benefits and costs of salaried personnel. Our other principal expenses include interest expense among other expenses.

Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

We consider the following to be the key factors affecting our results of operations:

·Our ability to further penetrate markets with our existing products;
·Our ability to introduce new products and product lines that complement our core business;
·Decreasing interest in some tobacco products among consumers;
·Price sensitivity in our end-markets;
·Marketing and promotional initiatives, which cause variability in our results;
·General economic conditions, including consumer access to disposable income;
·Cost and increasing regulation of promotional and advertising activities;
·Cost of complying with regulation, including newly passed “deeming regulations”;
·Counterfeit and other illegal products in our end-markets;
·Currency fluctuations;
·Our ability to identify attractive acquisition opportunities in OTP; and
·Our ability to integrate acquisitions.

Recent Developments

Vapor Supply

On April 30, 2018, we acquiredpurchased the related assets of Vapor Supply Vapor Supply.com,LLC, vaporsupply.com, and some of its affiliates including the Ecig.com domain through our subsidiary Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC, for total consideration of $4.8 million paid in cash. We arecash to strengthen its presence within the NewGen segment. Vapor Supply is a business-to-business e-commerce distribution platform servicing independent retail vape shops. Additionally, Vapor Supply manufactures and markets proprietary e-liquids under the DripCo brand and operates company-owned stores in Oklahoma. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more details regarding the process of assigning fair value to the assets acquired which primarily consist of inventory, fixed assets, and intangible assets.Vapor Supply acquisition.

Credit Facility Refinancing

On March 7, 2018, we entered into a $250 million credit facility consisting of a $160 million 2018 First Lien Term Loan with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders, and a $50 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (collectively, the “2018 First Lien Credit Facility”) in addition to a $40 million 2018 Second Lien Term Loan (together with the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2018 Credit Facility”) with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders. The 2018 Credit Facility retained the $40 million accordion feature of the 2017 Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2018 Credit Facility were used to repay, in full, the 2017 Credit Facility. We incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the refinancing. Refer to the ‘Long-Term Debt’Long-Term Debt section for a more complete description of our credit facilities.

Other Developments

On November 9, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a cash dividend to shareholders. The initial quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on December 15, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2017. The most recent dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on April 13, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 26, 2018.

On July 28, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced a new direction in regulating tobacco products, including the newly “deemed” markets such as cigars and vapor products. FDA stated it intends to begin several new rulemaking processes, some of which will outline foundational rules governing the premarket application process for the deemed products, including Substantial Equivalence Applications and Premarket Tobacco Applications. Compliance and related costs could be significant and could increase the costs of operating in our NewGen Segment. Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding this new direction and other applicable FDA announcements.

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On June 30, 2017, we filed a Form S-3 Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission providing for the potential to offer up to $200 million in the aggregate of our common stock, preferred stock, depository shares, warrants, and units, as well as a secondary offering and sale of up to approximately 12.8 million shares of TPB common stock by selling shareholders. We currently have no plans to utilize the offering; however, we believe it provides future flexibility as we continue to drive our strategic organic growth and acquisition initiatives.

In March 2017, we entered into a strategic partnership with The Hand Media, d/b/a Vapor Shark (“Vapor Shark”), a leading distributor and manufacturer of premium vaping e-liquids with nationwide distribution through independent retail vape shops as well as Vapor Shark branded retail locations.  Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding the Vapor Shark acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies and Uses of Estimates

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K with the exception of the items listed below.

Revenue Recognition

We adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, on January 1, 2018. We recognize revenues, net of sales incentives and sales returns, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, upon delivery of goods to the customer at an amount that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in accordance with the five-step analysis outlined in Topic 606: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.

A further requirement of ASU 2014-09 is for entities to disaggregate revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Our management views business performance through segments that closely resemble the performance of major product lines. Thus, the primary, and most useful, disaggregation of our contract revenue for decision making purposes is the disaggregation by segment which can be found in Note 1516 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. An additional disaggregation of contract revenue by sales channel can be found within Note 1516 as well.

Interest Rate Swaps

We enter into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate risk and reduce the volatility of future cash flows. We account for interest rate swap contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Swap contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as determined by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income. Gains and losses on these swap contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income upon settlement of the derivative position or at maturity of the interest rate swap contract. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

We adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP,Refer to Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report for a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including those recently adopted.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the first quarter ofThree Months Ended June 30, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. This ASU requires the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of goods to customers at an amount that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in accordance with the following five-step analysis:  (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The adoption of this ASU had no effect on the timing or amount of revenue recognition, or on net income.Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 

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We adopted ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, in the first quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis. This ASU allows entities to make a one-time reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings for the effects of remeasuring deferred tax liabilities and assets originally recorded in other comprehensive income as a result of the change in the federal tax rate by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of stranded tax effects related to the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings of less than $0.1 million.

We adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, in the first quarter of 2018 using the full retrospective method. This ASU requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of less than $0.1 million from cost of sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses to net periodic benefit expense (income), excluding service cost, for both periods presented.

We adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, in the first quarter of 2018 using the full retrospective method. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result of this ASU our statements of cash flows include changes in restricted cash, such as changes in the portion of the MSA escrow deposits held in cash.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset (the lease asset) for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less for which there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities and should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures will be required so that users are able to understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. At transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients related to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date of ASU 2016-02. An entity that elects to use the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commenced before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. We are currently evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on our financial statements.

Results of Operations

Summary

The table and discussion set forth below displays our consolidated results of operations (in thousands):
 
  Three Months Ended June 30, 
  2018  2017  % Change 
Consolidated Results of Operations Data:         
Net sales         
Smokeless products $24,410  $22,021   10.8%
Smoking products  29,328   27,019   8.5%
NewGen products  27,363   23,046   18.7%
Total net sales  81,101   72,086   12.5%
Cost of sales  45,306   40,076   13.1%
Gross profit            
Smokeless products  12,533   11,553   8.5%
Smoking products  15,180   14,117   7.5%
NewGen products  8,082   6,340   27.5%
Total gross profit  35,795   32,010   11.8%
             
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  20,993   18,351   14.4%
Operating income  14,802   13,659   8.4%
Interest expense  3,579   4,050   -11.6%
Interest income  (124)  (4) NM 
Investment income  (144)  (89)  61.8%
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  264   24  NM 
Income before income taxes  11,227   9,678   16.0%
Income tax expense  1,908   2,795   -31.7%
Consolidated net income  9,319   6,883   35.4%
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556) NM 
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $9,319  $7,439   25.3%

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  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2018  2017  % Change 
Consolidated Results of Operations Data:         
Net sales         
Smokeless products $20,747  $20,248   2.5%
Smoking products  26,996   27,177   -0.7%
NewGen products  26,199   19,363   35.3%
Total net sales  73,942   66,788   10.7%
Cost of sales  42,133   39,116   7.7%
Gross profit            
Smokeless products  10,993   9,260   18.7%
Smoking products  13,164   13,700   -3.9%
NewGen products  7,652   4,712   62.4%
Total gross profit  31,809   27,672   15.0%
             
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  22,068   16,823   31.2%
Operating income  9,741   10,849    -10.2
Interest expense  3,654   4,933   -25.9%
Investment income  (95)  (114)  -16.7%
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116   -61.0%
Net periodic benefit expense (income), excluding service cost  (43)  92   -146.7%
Income (loss) before income taxes  3,841   (178)  -2257.9%
Income tax expense (benefit)  809   (2,055)  -139.4%
Consolidated net income $3,032  $1,877   61.5%

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018, to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Net Sales:  For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, consolidated net sales increased to $73.9$81.1 million from $66.8$72.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $7.2$9.0 million or 10.7%12.5%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by volume growth across all segments in addition to our acquisition of Vapor Supply in the NewGen segment which includes the acquisition of Vapor Shark induring the second quarter of 2017.2018.

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net sales in the Smokeless products segment increased to $20.7$24.4 million from $20.2$22.0 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $0.5$2.4 million or 2.5%10.8%.  For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, volume increased 0.4%6.5% and price/mix increased 2.1%4.3%. NetThe increase in net sales growth was primarily driven by the continuing growth of Stoker’s® MST.

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net sales in the Smoking products segment decreasedincreased to $27.0$29.3 million from $27.2$27.0 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, a decreasean increase of $0.2$2.3 million or 0.7%8.5%. For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, Smoking products volumes decreased 0.3% whilevolume increased 3.4% and price/mix decreased 0.4%increased 5.1%. The decrease in netNet sales is due to an increase in cigarettefor Zig-Zag® branded papers sales of $1.0and cigar wraps were up $3.8 million, offset by a $1.2 million decreasedecreases related to our strategic decision to deemphasizede-emphasize the low margin cigar products business and the discontinuationline rationalization of our MYO tobacco line.

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net sales in the NewGen products segment increased to $26.2$27.4 million from $19.4$23.0 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $6.8$4.3 million or 35.3%18.7%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by progress againstcontinued VaporBeast momentum and our goal to grow sales in the existing store base and the acquisition of Vapor SharkSupply in the second quarter of 2017.2018.

Gross Profit:  For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, consolidated gross profit increased to $31.8$35.8 million from $27.7$32.0 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $4.1$3.8 million or 15.0%11.8%, primarily due to increased net sales and a favorable LIFO impact when compared to the prior year period.  Gross margin increased to 43.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 41.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to a favorable impact of LIFO when compared to the prior year period.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, gross profit in the Smokeless products segment increased to $11.0 million from $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $1.7 million or 18.7%.sales.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increasedrevenue decreased to 53.0% of net sales44.1% for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, from 45.7% of net sales44.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in gross margin isJune 30, 2017, primarily due to a favorable LIFO impact when compared tochange in product mix associated with the prior year period.growth of the NewGen segment.
 
3033

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, gross profit in the SmokingSmokeless products segment decreasedincreased to $13.2$12.5 million from $13.7$11.5 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, a decreasean increase of $0.5$1.0 million or 3.9%8.5%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 48.8%51.3% of net sales for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, from 50.4%52.5% of net sales for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by an unfavorable LIFO impact when compared to the prior year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, gross profit in the Smoking products segment increased to $15.2 million from $14.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $1.1 million or 7.5%.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 51.8% of net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2018, from 52.2% of net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to an adverse year-over-year Euro exchange rate impact.

For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, gross profit in the NewGen products segment increased to $7.7$8.1 million from $4.7$6.3 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $2.9$1.7 million or 62.4%27.5%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 29.2%29.5% of net sales for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, from 24.3%27.5% of net sales for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, primarily as a result of the inclusion of Vapor SharkSupply in 2018, which generally has higher margins.margins due to retail store operations.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:  For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $22.1$21.0 million from $16.8$18.4 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increase of $5.2$2.6 million or 31.2%14.4%, due primarily to the inclusion of Vapor Shark’s expenses in 2018,Supply, transaction costs associated with the Vapor Supply acquisition, higher legal and litigation expenses associated with our anti-counterfeiting initiatives, non-recurring departmental reorganization expenses,initiative, and the variable costs associated with increased sales at VaporBeast.VaporBeast offset by $0.5 million supplier receivable reserve reversal related to the $6.5 million loan.

Interest Expense:  For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, interest expense decreased to $3.7$3.6 million from $4.9$4.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, as a result of lower interest rates from our February 2017 and March 2018 refinancingsrefinancing of our credit facilities.facility in conjunction with lower debt levels.

Interest Income:  For the three months ended June 30, 2018, interest income increased to $0.1 million from less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, as a result of our issuance of a note receivable to a supplier during the second quarter of 2018.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit):Expense:  Our income tax expense of $0.8$1.9 million was 21.1%17% of income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our income tax benefitJune 30, 2018 compared to 29% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017. The decrease is primarily a result of the change in the federal tax benefitsrate from 35% to 21% and the exercise of stock options duringchange in the quarter.Kentucky tax rate from 6% to 5%.

Investment Income:  Investment income relating to investment of the MSA escrow deposits was approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated Net Income:  Due to the factors described above, consolidated net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, was $9.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest:  Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, is related to Vapor Shark being a VIE in the second quarter of 2017.

Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.:  Due to the factors described above, net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc., for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, was $9.3 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018, to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
34

The table and discussion set forth below displays our consolidated results of operations (in thousands):
  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2018  2017  % Change 
Consolidated Results of Operations Data:         
Net sales         
Smokeless products $45,157  $42,269   6.8%
Smoking products  56,324   54,196   3.9%
NewGen products  53,562   42,409   26.3%
Total net sales  155,043   138,874   11.6%
Cost of sales  87,439   79,136   10.5%
Gross profit            
Smokeless products  23,526   20,869   12.7%
Smoking products  28,344   27,817   1.9%
NewGen products  15,734   11,052   42.4%
Total gross profit  67,604   59,738   13.2%
             
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  43,061   35,230   22.2%
Operating income  24,543   24,508   0.1%
Interest expense  7,237   8,983   -19.4%
Interest income  (128)  (4) NM 
Investment income  (239)  (203)  17.7%
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116   -61.0%
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost  221   116   90.5%
Income before income taxes  15,068   9,500   58.6%
Income tax expense  2,717   740   267.2%
Consolidated net income  12,351   8,760   41.0%
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest  -   (556) NM 
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $12,351  $9,316   32.6%
Net Sales:  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, consolidated net sales increased to $155.0 million from $138.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $16.2 million or 11.6%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by volume growth in the NewGen segment which includes an additional quarter of Vapor Shark results in 2018 and the acquisition of Vapor Supply in the second quarter of 2018.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net sales in the Smokeless products segment increased to $45.2 million from $42.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $2.9 million or 6.8% primarily due to the continuing growth of Stoker’s® MST.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net sales in the Smoking products segment increased to $56.3 million from $54.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $2.1 million or 3.9%. Net sales for Zig-Zag® branded papers and cigar wraps were up $4.6 million, offset by $2.5 million of decreases related to our strategic decision to de-emphasize the low margin cigar products business and line rationalization of our MYO tobacco line.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net sales in the NewGen products segment increased to $53.6 million from $42.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $11.2 million or 26.3%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by continued VaporBeast momentum, inclusion of an additional quarter of Vapor Shark results in 2018, and our acquisition of Vapor Supply in the second quarter of 2018.

Gross Profit:  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, consolidated gross profit increased to $67.6 million from $59.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $7.9 million or 13.2%, primarily due to increased net sales.  Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 43.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2018, from 43.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to higher margins in the NewGen segment resulting from the inclusion of an additional quarter of Vapor Shark results, the inclusion of Vapor Supply, and efficiencies realized within the growing Stoker’s® MST line along with a favorable LIFO impact when compared to the prior year.
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For the six months ended June 30, 2018, gross profit in the Smokeless products segment increased to $23.5 million from $20.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $2.7 million or 12.7%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 52.1% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2018, from 49.4% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to a favorable LIFO impact when compared to the prior year in addition to efficiencies realized in the growing Stoker’s® MST line.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, gross profit in the Smoking products segment increased to $28.3 million from $27.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $0.5 million or 1.9%.  Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 50.3% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2018, from 51.3% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to an adverse year-over-year Euro exchange rate impact.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, gross profit in the NewGen products segment increased to $15.7 million from $11.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $4.7 million or 42.4%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 29.4% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2018, from 26.1% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily as a result of the inclusion of an additional quarter of Vapor Shark results and Vapor Supply in 2018, both of which generally have higher margins due to retail store operations.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses:  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $43.1 million from $35.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $7.8 million or 22.2%, due primarily to the inclusion of an additional quarter of Vapor Shark expenses, inclusion of Vapor Supply results, transaction costs related to the Vapor Supply acquisition, higher legal and litigation expenses associated with our anti-counterfeiting initiatives, non-recurring departmental reorganization expenses, and variable costs associated with increased sales at VaporBeast, offset by $0.5 million supplier receivable reserve reversal related to the $6.5 million loan.

Interest Expense:  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense decreased to $7.2 million from $9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as a result of lower interest rates from our March 2018 refinancing of our credit facility in conjunction with lower debt levels.

Interest Income:  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, interest income increased to $0.1 million from less than $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as a result of our issuance of a note receivable to a supplier during the second quarter of 2018.

Income Tax Expense:  Our income tax expense of $2.7 million was 18% of income before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to 8% for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 is lower than expected based on our estimated annual effective tax rate as a result of discrete tax deductions of $8.6 million from the exercise of stock options during the six-month period.

Investment Income:  Investment income relating to investment of the MSA escrow deposits was approximately $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt:  For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, loss on extinguishment of debt was $2.4 million as the result of refinancing our credit facility in the first quarter of 2018. For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, loss on extinguishment of debt was $6.1 million as the result of refinancing our credit facility in the first quarter of 2017.

Consolidated Net Income:  Due to the factors described above, consolidated net income for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 and 2017, was $3.0$12.4 million and $1.9$8.8 million, respectively.

Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest:  Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, is related to Vapor Shark being a VIE in the second quarter of 2017.

Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.:  Due to the factors described above, net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc., for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, was $12.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
36

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning purposes and is presented to our Board of Directors. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are appropriate measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to operating performance. In addition, our credit agreements contain financial covenants which use Adjusted EBITDA calculations.

We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and other items we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance.

Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA excludes significant expenses required to be recorded in our financial statements by U.S. GAAP and is subject to inherent limitations. Other companies in our industry may calculate this non-U.S. GAAP measure differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. The tables below provide reconciliations between net income and Adjusted EBITDA.

 (in thousands) 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $9,319  $7,439 
Add:        
Interest expense  3,579   4,050 
Interest income  (124)  (4)
Income tax expense  1,908   2,795 
Depreciation expense  557   417 
Amortization expense  176   176 
EBITDA $15,415  $14,873 
Components of Adjusted EBITDA        
LIFO adjustment (a)  -   (302)
Pension/postretirement expense (b)  290   50 
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c)  492   175 
Foreign exchange hedging (d)  (46)  (21)
Strategic initiatives (e)  1,030   444 
New product launch costs (f)  -   533 
Organizational development (g)  44   - 
Adjusted EBITDA $17,225  $15,752 
31

(in thousands) 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
  2018  2017 
Consolidated net income $3,032  $1,877 
Add:        
Interest expense  3,654   4,933 
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116 
Income tax expense (benefit)  809   (2,055)
Depreciation expense  560   354 
Amortization expense  175   175 
EBITDA $10,614  $11,400 
Components of Adjusted EBITDA        
LIFO adjustment (a)  (57)  1,189 
Pension/postretirement expense (b)  (17)  118 
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c)  197   45 
Foreign exchange hedging (d)  46   (69)
Product line rationalizations (e)  1,008   - 
Strategic initiatives (f)  599   327 
New product launch costs (g)  682   628 
Organizational development (h)  636   - 
Adjusted EBITDA $13,708  $13,638 
 

(a)Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting.
(b)Represents our non-cash Pension/postretirement expense.
(c)Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense.
(d)Represents non-cash gain and loss stemming from our foreign exchange hedging activities.
(e)Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization.
(f)Represents the fees incurred for the study of strategic initiatives and acquisition expenses.
(g)(f)  Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.
(g) Represents costs associated with departmental restructuring.
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(in thousands) 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
  2018  2017 
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. $12,351  $9,316 
Add:        
Interest expense  7,237   8,983 
Interest income  (128)  (4)
Loss on extinguishment of debt  2,384   6,116 
Income tax expense  2,717   740 
Depreciation expense  1,117   771 
Amortization expense  351   351 
EBITDA $26,029  $26,273 
Components of Adjusted EBITDA        
LIFO adjustment (a)  (57)  887 
Pension/postretirement expense (b)  273   168 
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c)  689   220 
Foreign exchange hedging (d)  -   (90)
Product line rationalizations (e)  1,008   - 
Strategic initiatives (f)  1,629   771 
New product launch costs (g)  682   1,161 
Organizational development (h)  680   - 
Adjusted EBITDA $30,933  $29,390 

(a)  Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting.
(b)  Represents our non-cash Pension/postretirement expense.
(c)  Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense.
(d)  Represents non-cash gain and loss stemming from our foreign exchange hedging activities.
(e)  Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization.
(f)  Represents the fees incurred for the study of strategic initiatives and acquisition expenses.
(g) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.
(h)Represents costs associated with departmental restructuring.
 
Liquidity and Capital Reserves

Our principal uses for cash are working capital, debt service, and capital expenditures. We believe our cash flows from operations and borrowing availability under our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined herein) are adequate to satisfy our operating cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

Our working capital, which we define as current assets less current liabilities, increased $5.0$12.1 million to $46.3$53.3 million at March 31,June 30, 2018, compared with $41.3 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in working capital is primarily due to the paying downissuance of the balancenote receivable, the acquisition of our 2018 Revolving Credit FacilityVapor Supply, and a reductioninvestment in accrued liabilities partially offset by a decrease in inventory, an increase in accounts payable, and an increase in the portion of our debt possessing current maturities due to our 2018 refinancing.inventory.

 As of  As of 
(in thousands) 
March 31,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
            
Current assets $76,521  $79,493  $105,164  $79,493 
Current liabilities  30,227   38,230   51,837   38,230 
Working capital $46,294  $41,263  $53,327  $41,263 
 
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Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $8.4$6.0 million compared to net cash used inprovided by operating activities of $2.3$6.4 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, an increasea decrease of $10.8$0.4 million, or 460%, principallyprimarily due to higher working capital changes.investments in 2018.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net cash used inby investing activities was $0.9$14.0 million compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $0.8$0.7 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.7$14.7 million, or 208%, primarily due to changesissuance of the note receivable and the acquisition of Vapor Supply in restricted cash relating to our MSA escrow account.2018.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, net cash provided by financing activities was $6.1 million compared to net cash used in financing activities was $6.9 million compared to net cash provided by in financing activities of $2.1$7.2 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017, a decreasean increase of $9.0$13.3 million, or 429%, primarily due to payments onborrowings against our 20172018 Revolving Credit Facility into fund our investing activities.

Dividends

On November 9, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the first quarterinitiation of a cash dividend to shareholders.  The initial quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on December 15, 2017, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2017. The most recent dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on July 13, 2018, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 25, 2018.

Long-Term Debt

As of March 31,June 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the financial and restrictive covenants of the 2018 Credit Facility. The following table provides outstanding balances of our debt instruments.

(in thousands) March 31,  December 31,  
June 30,
2018
  
December 31,
2017
 
 2018  2017 
2018 Revolving Credit Facility $-  $-  $16,000  $- 
2018 First Lien Term Loan  160,000   -   158,000   - 
2018 Second Lien Term Loan  40,000   -   40,000   - 
2017 Revolving Credit Facility  -   8,000   -   8,000 
2017 First Lien First Out Term Loan  -   105,875   -   105,875 
2017 First Lien Second Out Term Loan  -   34,738   -   34,738 
2017 Second Lien Term Loan  -   55,000   -   55,000 
Notes payable - VaporBeast  2,000   2,000   -   2,000 
  202,000   205,613   214,000   205,613 
Less deferred financing charges  (3,835)  (3,573)  (3,651)  (3,573)
Less revolving credit facility  -   (8,000)  (16,000)  (8,000)
Less current maturities of long-term debt  (10,000)  (7,850)  (8,000)  (7,850)
Notes payable and long-term debt $188,165  $186,190  $186,349  $186,190 

2018 Credit Facility

The 2018 Credit Facility contains customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2018 Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the 2018 Credit Facility, restrict our ability: (i) to pledge assets, (ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments. Refer to Note 1617 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding dividend restrictions.

39

2018 First Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 2.75% to 3.50% based on our senior leverage ratio. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan has quarterly required payments of $2.0 million beginning June 30, 2018, increasing to $3.0 million on June 30, 2020, and increasing to $4.0 million on June 30, 2022. The 2018 First Lien Term LoanCredit Facility has a maturity date of March 7, 2023. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of our capital stock, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”). The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.50x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.50x with step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 First Lien Term Loan was 5.13%5.34% at March 31,June 30, 2018. WeThe weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility was 6.05% at June 30, 2018. At June 30, 2018, we had no$16.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility. The $34.0 million unused portion of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by a $0.7 million letter of credit with Fifth Third Bank, resulting in $33.3 million of availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility at March 31,June 30, 2018.
33


2018 Second Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 7.00% and has a maturity date of March 7, 2024. The 2018 Second Lien Term Loan is secured by a second priority interest in the Collateral and is guaranteed by the same entities as the 2018 First Lien Term Loan. The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Second Lien Term Loan was 8.70%9.05% at March 31, 2018.

2017 Credit Facility

On February 17, 2017, Turning Point Brands, Inc., and NATC entered into a $250 million secured credit facility comprised of (i) a First Lien Credit Facility with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 First Lien Credit Facility”) and (ii) a Second Lien Credit Facility with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 Second Lien Credit Facility,” and together with the 2017 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2017 Credit Facility”). We used the proceeds of the 2017 Credit Facility to repay, in full, our First Lien Term Loan, Second Lien Term Loan, and Revolving Credit Facility and to pay related fees and expenses. As a result of this transaction, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.1 million during the first quarter of 2017.

The 2017 Credit Facility contained customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2017 Credit Facility also contained certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the 2017 Credit Facility, restricted the ability of Turning Point Brands, Inc., and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets, (ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments.

2017 First Lien Credit Facility:  The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility consisted of: (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”), (ii) a $110 million first out term loan facility (the “2017 First Out Term Loan”), and (iii) a $35 million second out term loan facility (the “2017 Second Out Term Loan”). The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility also included an accordion feature allowing us to borrow up to an additional $40 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more lenders. Borrowings under the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility could be used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.

The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility had a maturity date of February 17, 2022, and the 2017 Second Out Term Loan had a maturity date of May 17, 2022. The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 2.5% to 3.5% based on our senior leverage ratio. The 2017 First Out Term Loan had quarterly required payments of $1.4 million beginning June 30, 2017, increasing to $2.1 million on June 30, 2019, and increasing to $2.8 million on June 30, 2021. The 2017 Second Out Term Loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 6% (subject to a floor of 1.00%). The 2017 Second Out Term Loan had quarterly required payments of $0.1 million beginning June 30, 2017.  The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility contained certain financial covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x.  The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility was 5.05%. The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 First Out Term Loan was 4.61%.  The weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2017, on the 2017 Second Out Term Loan was 7.61%.

2017 Second Lien Credit Facility:  The 2017 Second Lien Credit Facility consisted of a $55 million second lien term loan (the “2017 Second Lien Term Loan”) having a maturity date of August 17, 2022. The 2017 Second Lien Term Loan bore interest at a fixed rate of 11%. The 2017 Second Lien Credit Facility contained certain financial covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 4.25x with step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 5.25x with step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x.2018.

Note Payable – VaporBeast

On November 30, 2016, we issued a note payable to VaporBeast’s former shareholders (“VaporBeast Note”). The VaporBeast Note iswas $2.0 million principal with 6% interest compounded monthly and maturesmatured on May 30, 2018. The VaporBeast Note may be prepaid2018, at anywhich time without penalty and is subject to a late-payment penalty of 5% and a default rate of 13% per annum. The VaporBeast Note is subject to customary defaults, including defaults for nonpayment, nonperformance, any material breach under the purchase agreement, and bankruptcy or insolvency.
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First Lien Term Loan

Turning Point Brands, Inc. (“TPBI”), along with NATC and its subsidiaries, were guarantors under the First Lien Term Loan.  TPLLC and its sole subsidiary at the date of the agreement, Intrepid, were not guarantors of the First Lien Term Loan. The First Lien Term Loanit was secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of the capital stock of NATC or any guarantor, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”).  The loans designated as LIBOR loans bore interest at the LIBOR thenpaid in effect (but not less than 1.25%) plus 6.50%, and the loans designated as base rate loans bore interest at (i) the highest of (A) the Prime Rate, (B) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (C) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (D) 2.25% per year plus (ii) 5.50%.

Second Lien Term Loan

The Second Lien Term Loan was secured by a second priority security interest in the Collateral and was guaranteed by the same entities as the First Lien Term Loan. Under the Second Lien Term Loan, the loans designated as LIBOR loans bore interest at LIBOR then in effect (but not less than 1.25%) plus 10.25%.  The loans designated as base rate loans bore interest at (i) the highest of (A) the Prime Rate, (B) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (C) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (D) 2.25% per year plus (ii) 9.25%.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Revolving Credit Facility provided for aggregate commitments of up to $40 million subject to a borrowing base, which was calculated as (i) the sum of 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (A) the product of 70% and the value of eligible inventory or (B) the product of 85%, the net recovery percentage identified in the most recent inventory appraisal, and the value of eligible inventory, plus (iii) the lesser of (A) the product of 75% and the value of eligible inventory or (B) the product of 85%, the net recovery percentage identified in the most recent inventory appraisal, and the value of the eligible finished goods inventory, minus (iv) the aggregate amount of reserves established by the administrative agent.full.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

During the firstsecond quarter of 2018 we executed various forward contracts, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for the purchase of €6.0€6.3 million with maturitysettlement dates ranging from MarchAugust 2018 to July 2018.January 2019. During 2017, we executed no forward contracts. At March 31,June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, we had forward contracts for the purchase of €3.8€6.3 million and €0 million, respectively.

Contractual Obligations

As of March 31,June 30, 2018, there had been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017, as reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, with the exception of changes to our long-term debt obligations due to the refinancing discussed in the ‘Long-Term Debt’ section.

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations (in thousands):
  Payments due by period as of June 30, 2018 
  Total  
Less than 1
year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  
More than 5
years
 
Long-term debt obligations, including interest $269,783  $36,870  $43,419  $147,005  $42,488 

  Payments due by period as of March 31, 2018 
  Total  
Less than 1
year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  
More than 5
years
 
Long-term debt obligations, including interest $260,575  $19,730  $41,031  $155,694  $44,119 
  Payments due by period as of December 31, 2017 
  Total  
Less than 1
year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  
More than 5
years
 
Long-term debt obligations, including interest $266,052  $29,803  $42,444  $193,805  $- 
  Payments due by period as of December 31, 2017 
  Total  
Less than 1
 year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  
More than 5
years
 
Long-term debt obligations, including interest $266,052  $29,803  $42,444  $193,805  $- 
 
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Inflation

We believe that any effect of inflation at current levels will be minimal. Historically, we have been able to increase prices at a rate equal to or greater than that of inflation and believe that we will continue to be able to do so for the foreseeable future. In addition, we have been able to maintain a relatively stable variable cost structure for our products due, in part, to our successful procurement with regard to our tobacco products and, in part, to our existing contractual agreement for the purchase of our premium cigarette papers.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign Currency Sensitivity

Although we engaged in hedging inventory purchases induring the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, there have been no material changes in our exposure to exchange rate fluctuation risk, as reported within our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the period. Please refer to our ‘Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk’ included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Credit Risk

There have been no material changes in our exposure to credit risk, as reported within our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2018. Please refer to our ‘Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk’ included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

Our March 2018 refinancing resulted in all of our long-term debt instruments with the exception of the VaporBeast Note Payable, having variable interest rates that fluctuate with market rates. To reduce the volatility of future cash flows, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with lenders under the 2018 Credit Facility.Facility in March 2018. At March 31,June 30, 2018, $70 million of our $188.2 million outstanding long-term debt carrying variable rates is covered by the interest rate swap agreements and, thus, effectively bears interest at a fixed rate. We believe the effect, if any, of reasonably possible near-term changes in interest rates on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, ofor cash flows would not be significant. A 1% increase in the interest rate would change pre-tax income by approximately $0.6$1.4 million per year. Refer to Note 4 for additional information regarding the interest rate swap.swaps.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We have carried out an evaluation under the supervision, and with the participation of, our management including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO)CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”)) as of March 31,June 30, 2018. Based upon the evaluation, our CEO, CFO, and CAO concluded our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

On March 13, 2018, our former CFO Mark Stegeman resigned, Robert Lavan was named CFO, and Brian Wigginton was appointed CAO. Outside of these actions, there wereThere have been no changes in ourthe Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter. Due to the consistency of other personnel surrounding the financial reporting process and the lack of change in control activities surrounding financial reporting process, the change in our principal financial officer has notquarter which have materially affected, and is notor are reasonably likely to materially affect, ourthe Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting.
 
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are a party from time to time to various proceedings in the ordinary course of business. For a description of the Master Settlement Agreement, to which we are a party, see “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Risk and Uncertainties.” Other than the proceedings mentioned below, there is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such, and we and our officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding.

Other major tobacco companies are defendants in a number of product liability claims. In a number of these cases, the amounts of punitive and compensatory damages sought are significant and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We areThe Company is a defendant in certain cases which have been dormant for many years. Plaintiffs’ counsel are in the process of voluntarily dismissing those claims.years, which cases have now been dismissed with prejudice.

We are subject to several lawsuits alleging personal injuries resulting from malfunctioning vaporizer devices and may be subjectsubjct to claims in the future relating to our other NewGen products. We are still evaluating these claims and the potential defenses to them.  For example, we did not design or manufacture the products at issue; rather, we were merely the distributor.  Nonetheless, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in these cases, and they could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.  As a resultBecause of their relative novelty, electronic cigarette and vaporizer product manufacturers and sellers have only recently become subject to litigation.

See ‘Risk Factors—We may become subject to significant product liability litigation’ within our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, carefully consider the factors discussed in the ‘Risk Factors’ section contained in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors set forth in the 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.
 
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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.Description
  
Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the obligors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Amended and Restated Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as obligors, Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Omnibus Amendment, Reaffirmation Agreement and Joinder dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the Grantors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Second Lien Omnibus Amendment, Reaffirmation Agreement and Joinder dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the Grantors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
First Amendment to Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc., and the other grantors party thereto, Fifth Third Bank, as first lien collateral agent, and Prospect Capital Corporation, as second lien collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to5the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Employment Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Robert M. Lavan, dated March 13, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018).
10.7Release and Severance Agreement dated as of May 2, 2018, between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Mark A. Stegeman.* (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2018).
  
Amendment to the Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement dated as of May 3, 2018, between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Mark A. Stegeman.*Stegeman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2018).
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Lawrence S. Wexler.*
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Robert Lavan.*
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Brian Wigginton.*
  
Section 1350 Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
  
101XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2018, filed on May 9,August 8, 2018, formatted in XBRL: (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of income, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (v) the notes to consolidated financial statements.*
 
*Filed herewith
 
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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
  
By: /s/ Lawrence S. Wexler 
 Name: Lawrence S. Wexler 
 Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer 
   
 By: /s/ Robert Lavan 
 Name: Robert Lavan 
 Title:  Chief Financial Officer 
   
 By: /s/ Brian Wigginton 
 Name: Brian Wigginton 
 Title:  Chief Accounting Officer 
   
Dated: May 9,Date: August 8, 2018 
 
 
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