The former owners of Zig-Zag rolling paper are set to go head-to-head with the current owners Republic Technologies, after launching their own range of ­papers and filters.

The Karma range, which is due to hit shelves next month, comprises menthol slim filters, classic filters, slim kingsize rolling paper Karma Blue, king-size rolling paper Karma Green, and standard-size rolling paper booklets Karma Green Cut Corners. The king-size lines and Green Cut Corners will be available in multipacks.

The range was developed by Fosters Distributors, owned by Jim and Andrew Armstrong. The brothers previously traded as Hilton Tobacco and distributed and developed the Zig-Zag brand under licence before selling it to Republic Technologies last October.

They retained ownership of the Fosters rolling tobacco brand and licensed it to Republic until the end of 2010. They have since set up Fosters Distributors to market and distribute Fosters and the recently launched Rasta rolling tobacco brand.

“We made the Zig-Zag rolling paper brand a great success by utilising a twin strategy of edgy, sometimes controversial, marketing executions and high retailer and wholesaler margins,” said Fosters managing director Andrew Armstrong. “This ethos will continue and be ­enhanced for Karma.”

There were two types of roll-your-own smoker those expressing their individuality and those saving money, he claimed. “Karma will appeal to the former, as we have taken great care over brand image and used only the highest-quality ­paper and a natural arabic gum,” he said.

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