Police crack down on tobacco product sellers

“The said drive was conducted between noon and 2pm in the central district, primarily in areas that fall under the jurisdiction of Daryaganj and Kamla Market police stations,” said Vivek Kishore, deputy commissioner of police (central).

“We raided several paan vendors located within a 100-metre radius of educational institutions and found that they were not selling tobacco products in accordance with the directions of Delhi high court,” he said.

Similar drives were conducted at the Delhi University’s north campus, northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh and Ashok Vihar, and several areas in the capital’s vast outer district.

“This is the second time that we have conducted this drive. The purpose is not to penalise the vendors but to apprise them of the honourable high court's decision in order to ensure compliance,” said Chhaya Sharma, DCP (outer), at whose directions random checking of vendors operating near schools and hospital located in the Mongolpuri, Rohini, Prashant Vihar, Begumpur and Badli areas was conducted.

Of all the districts where the random raids were conducted, west Delhi's Vikaspuri saw the only case in which a vendor was penalised. “During the drive, a vendor who was operating near the Mamta Modern Senior Secondary School in Vikaspuri's H block was penalised in accordance with the directions of the high court. The drive was conducted between noon and 1.30pm near the Acharya Shri Bhikshu Government Hospital in Moti Nagar and Vikaspuri,” said V Renganathan, DCP (west).

Big tobacco splutters over plain package law

TOBACCO giant Philip Morris has launched a website calling on smokers to unite and flex their political muscle over tough federal government regulations.

The online campaign comes as the tobacco industry ramps up opposition to a government plan for cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging from next year.

Philip Morris's new website - ideservetobeheard.com.au - claims smokers are under constant attack from a ''nanny state'' determined to raise taxes and ban smoking in public spaces, such as beaches and city malls.

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''If you're tired of being singled out as a smoker, it's time to speak up because the more that smokers like you have a say, the more the government will have to listen,'' the website, authorised by Philip Morris, says.

The site encourages disaffected smokers to contact their local member of Parliament and provides a forum to share grievances.

The web address is on cards inserted inside tobacco products manufactured by Philip Morris.

The new strategy follows a recent media blitz by the Alliance of Australian Retailers, which is extensively funded by Philip Morris, British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco.

The campaign claimed there was no evidence to support the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes, which would harm newsagents, service stations and convenience stores.

Quit Victoria executive director Fiona Sharkie accused the tobacco industry of hiding behind websites and third-party organisations that purport to be independent.

Japan Tobacco to halt domestic shipments

Japan Tobacco Inc. the world's No. 3 tobacco maker, says it will suspend shipments of cigarettes within Japan due to disruptions in supply following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Company spokeswoman Yumiko Hanamura said Friday that Japan Tobacco will halt shipments of all tobacco brands, including the popular Camel and Winston, from March 30 to April 10.

Japan Tobacco is the latest in a string of companies affected by the March 11 disaster, which decimated much of northern Japan. Police said Friday the death toll surpassed the 10,000 mark, and it could jump as more than 17,400 people are still missing.

Court voids Fortune Tobacco land title after uncovering anomalies in lot sale

In a decision promulgated March 16, the appellate court’s Special Seventeenth Division awarded the land title for the lot in Vigan City to petitioner Odon A. Teaño, who has been paying real estate taxes for the land since 1978.

“In the case at bench, we find that there exists certain circumstances which amply support the conclusion that extrinsic fraud indeed attended the issuance of the decree of registration over the parcel of land subject of the instant case,” the decision read.

Fortune Tobacco officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

Reports show that the disputed land was originally owned by a couple, who then sold it to Mr. Teaño in 1978. Unknown to Mr. Teaño, the Farmers of the North Tobacco Corp. (FNTC) filed with the Vigan City Regional Trial Court in 1967 an application for the registration titles for several parcels of land, including the questioned area. Neither the couple nor Mr. Teaño were summoned to the registration proceedings.

Despite failing to notify the owners of the land, the court allowed the registration of land in favor of FNTC. FNTC then sold the land to Fortune Tobacco.

Mr. Teaño claimed that he knew of the unlawful occupation of the land only in 2001, when he found out that Fortune Tobacco had built a concrete fence enclosing his property. He filed a case at the Vigan RTC, but it was dismissed, leading to the appeal.

Aside from accepting Mr. Teaño’s claims that he and the couple have not been notified of the registration proceedings, the appellate court found other anomalies in the process, such as the “highly suspect” instance where FNTC and Fortune Tobacco claimed that the notice of hearing for the original land titles were issued on Sept. 4, 1967 and published in the Official Gazette on the same day.

Japan Hot Stocks-TEPCO, Japan Tobacco, Tokyo Gas, Elpida

Shares in Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) were down more than 12.8 percent to 738 yen after it became clear over the weekend that Japan faces a protracted struggle to bring the company's quake-stricken nuclear plant under control.

Radiation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has soared in recent days, with readings on Sunday showing contamination 100,000 times normal in water at reactor No. 2 and 1,850 times normal in the nearby sea, more than two weeks after the March 11 quake and tsunami. Adding to difficulties faced by engineers battling the emergency, the area was rocked by a fresh magnitude 6.5 aftershock on Monday. ID:nL3E7ER060

Shares in Japan Tobacco Inc 2914.T fell 2.2 percent to 307,000 yen after the company, which holds a two-third share of the domestic tobacco market, said it would halt shipments in Japan for 12 days from next Wednesday due to procurement and production problems after this month's devastating quake.

Tokyo Gas 9531.T gained 1.1 percent to 368 yen after the company hiked its net profit forecast for the business year to March 31 to 98 billion yen ($1.21 billion) from 71 billion yen on a jump in demand from factories in January and February and an increase in gas use by households due to a cold winter.

Oregon Reignites Tobacco Tax Debate

The Oregon House Revenue Committee will be holding a second hearing on raising taxes on tobacco products, including cigarettes, tomorrow, the Statesman Journal reports. Supporters are hopeful that such a measure will gain approval at this stage because a fall 2010 survey found that 71 percent of respondents were in favor of increasing cigarette taxes by $1 per pack.

“Everything is on the table this session, but taxes are controversial,” said state Rep. Vicki Berger, who co-chairs the committee. “We've heard arguments about this tax before, but the public may not have — and I think it's appropriate to bring it forward for a discussion.”

To increase taxes, both chambers must have a 60 percent majority in favor of the measures. This session sees the House evenly split among Republicans and Democrats and the Senate holding a slim majority of Democrats.

Currently, Oregon taxes cigarettes at $1.18 a pack, ranking the state in 27th place. One of the bills to be considered would hike the tax $1. One of those proposals also contains tax increase on other tobacco products. An additional bill would allow the imposition of additional taxes by county governments. Currently there exists a preemption precluding local jurisdictions from imposing taxes beyond those of the state.

Some supporters of a cigarette tax increase say they are more interested in curbing smoking than raising additional funds. “The main purpose of the cigarette tax is to reduce the use of the product,” said Rep. Mitch Greenlick, who is sponsoring the $1 hike. “Tobacco is the most addictive product of any kind we deal with.”

Those opposed to any jump in the cigarette tax say that such increases would impact low-income residents more than other residents. “I think it’s important that you look at who is paying and how much they are paying,” said Mark Nelson, a lobbyist for R.J. Reynolds and 7-Eleven.

John Calder said the 2002 increase of 60 cents per pack contributed significantly to the closure of his stores. “Within a year after the last tax increase, I had to close my second store and lay off six employees,” he said.

What readers say about increasing cigarette tax

Editor's note: Our Monday guest editorial from the Savannah Morning News said an increase in the tax on cigarettes would be a win-win for our state. Here is a sampling of readers' reactions posted on times-herald.com

-- I'm all for decreasing smoking, but, once again, you are creating a false sense of income. This will decrease over time, then where will the money come from? Don't balance on something that can not be sustained from year to year.

-- I think smoking is a disgustingly filthy habit, but it is wrong to tax users because of their addiction. Users do not care about the cost to get their fix, so this will not curb smoking. It only pushes them closer to stealing and cheating to pay the extra tax. Here is a better idea, reduce government size, drastically cut spending and cut taxes.


-- Here's your sustainable tax: Alcohol. People might be discouraged from smoking by the tax, but they will never give up alcohol.

-- Oh boy, here we go. First, cigarettes. Next, booze. After that, maybe fast food? I'm not a smoker -- deplore it -- but I am against more taxes. What part of "cut" do people just not get? It's pure folly to believe increasing cost will "reduce smoking." I've seen smokers brave hurricane weather to take a puff. A $1 extra will hardly scare them off.

-- Why not deal with the problem and cut spending? Deal with the real problem.

-- I don't smoke, but instead of punishing the consumer, the tax should instead be levied on the tobacco companies.

-- This is a good idea. Also, why not increase the tax on alcohol, and even better, place a sin tax on porn? Win, win, win.

-- If you put this tax on the tobacco companies, they simply turn it around and pass it on to the consumer inclusively. This is why the fair tax gets pushed a lot.

Cowboy Showdown: Philip Morris Aims at Small Electronic Cigarette Company

V2 Cigs, the fastest growing electronic cigarette company in the United States, has changed the name of one of its best-selling products in response to demand letters from Philip Morris USA, Inc., one of the world's largest cigarette manufacturers.
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, have exploded in popularity in recent years, catching the eye of Big Tobacco. Philip Morris recently targeted V2 Cigs, distributed by VMR Products, LLC, claiming their “Cowboy” flavor infringed and diluted the Marlboro trademark. Philip Morris alleged the appearance of the V2 Cigs graphic was likely to confuse consumers with the tobacco giant’s “Marlboro Man” trademark.

In response to Philip Morris’ demands, V2 Cigs has changed the imagery and name of their “Cowboy” product, while keeping the same popular flavor. The company renamed it “V2 Red” and changed the imagery to one of a modern maverick -- a motorcyclist riding into the sunset.

V2 Cigs’ V2 Red, formerly "Cowboy," is one of many flavors sold on its website (http://v2cigs.com).

Other flavors include Vanilla, Coffee, Menthol and Peppermint, but according to Jay Meistrell, a senior executive at V2 Cigs, the “Cowboy” flavor is the most popular as it mimics the smooth tobacco flavor most smokers prefer.

Despite the challenges, V2 Cigs stands behind its products. “The testimonials of our customers speak for themselves — their amazing stories of lifetimes spent smoking cigarettes and the damage tobacco caused to their health and their families,” says Meistrell of V2 Cigs. “People have found a satisfying and healthier alternative to tobacco. The personal triumph they express proves the benefits of our products.”

Electronic cigarettes function by converting a flavored nicotine or non-nicotine solution into a water vapor which tastes, feels and looks like a traditional cigarette. However, the water vapor does not contain the harmful chemicals or smell of tobacco smoke, making it an easy and desirable alternative for long-term smokers. The flavor solutions are sold in disposable cartridges, which customers purchase along with a rechargeable battery in the approximate size and shape of a traditional cigarette.

According to recent studies led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher Michael Siegel and John Ayers, a doctoral candidate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the success of e-cigarettes can be attributed to two main factors; effectiveness in mimicking cigarettes and increasingly stringent smoking bans.

“This study suggests that electronic cigarettes are helping thousands of ex-smokers remain off cigarettes,” said lead author of the Boston University study, Michael Siegel. Their popularity has risen dramatically since their introduction to the U.S. in 2004.

Cigarette displays to be banned in English stores

The cigarette packs piled into prominent displays behind store counters and supermarket checkouts in England can't be missed. They occupy prime retail real estate, helping to keep addicts hooked and quitters tempted.
But the government announced a ban on them Wednesday, a move that will keep cigarettes hidden away and make it just a tad more difficult for smokers to find their fix.

"We cannot ignore the targeting of young people through these displays," England's chief medical officer Sally Davies said in a statement, adding the can't-miss-it advertising encourages teens "to start smoking at an age when they are less able to make an informed choice."

England is following the lead of countries such as Iceland, Ireland and Canada, all of which have already forced cigarettes under the counter. Finland is also planning to introduce a ban on over-the-counter advertising in 2012, and a similar ban went into force in Norway at the beginning of last year.
That last ban even applies to imitation tobacco products such as chocolate cigarettes and licorice smoking pipes.
Cigarette packs in the U.K. already carry gruesome images of cancer-ridden lungs, corpses and tumors. Authorities are still mulling proposals to impose generic packaging on all tobacco products — a move that would force cigarette makers to use plain, logo-free packs, aside from health warnings. Australia is already working toward a generic packaging system. If it followed suit, England would be the first nation in Europe to do so.
Meanwhile, the English display ban drew predictable responses from both sides of the tobacco wars, with health groups cheering and retailers grumbling.
The Association of Convenience Stores said the new regulations would impose 40 million pounds ($65 million) in costs as owners dismantled displays and refit counters, while the National Federation of Retail Newsagents described it as a "betrayal of our nation of shopkeepers."
Both groups argued that there was no evidence to show such a ban would help improve public health.
Doctors disagreed. The British Medical Association said it was "very pleased" with the announcement, citing research which it said showed that a display ban would play "a key role in discouraging children from smoking and ... also help smokers quit."
The association's only complaint was about the deadline — which forces larger stores to take down their displays by April of 2012 and gives smaller stores an extra three years to comply with the ban.
In north London, most shopkeepers interviewed said they believed the new rules would be counterproductive.
Mohammad Mahmoodi, the Afghan-born manager of Capital Food convenience store in Camden, said that by shutting down displays the government would be "opening a window to a dodgy business."
"There'll be more of a chance for counterfeits" and contraband cigarettes if tobacco is kept under the counter, he warned.
England's ban doesn't apply to other regions in the U.K. such as Scotland, where the implementation of a similar law has been held up by litigation.

Cigarettes to come in plain packets

All brands of cigarettes would be stripped of logos and colour schemes, leaving health warnings as the most prominent feature on the packet.
The Government is also considering whether to implement a ban on displaying cigarettes in shops, which would force retailers to sell tobacco under the counter.
The proposals have caused alarm among shop owners, who fear that newsagents and convenience stores would face significant extra costs if restrictions on cigarette sales were imposed.

The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, is expected to publish the Coalition’s tobacco control plan to coincide with national No Smoking Day on Wednesday.
Shane Brennan, from the Association of Convenience Stores, said any proposals must consider the impact on shops.
“Plain packaging will have an impact on shops that needs to be properly understood but there is no evidence that it would help cut smoking,” he said. “Covering up the displays would pass significant costs and operational burdens on shops.”

Chalerm hits PM over cigarette 'tax evasion'

During the no-confidence debate, Chalerm alleged that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had instructed Kiat Sitthiamorn, president of the Office of Thailand Trade Representative, to facilitate the evasion in October 2009.

Citing an official document that he presented in Parliament, Chalerm accused the premier and Kiat of interfering in the investigation into alleged tax evasion by Philip Morris Thailand (PMT).

PMT earlier faced possible tax liability of as much as Bt68 billion for under-declaring the value of its imported cigarettes under the brand names Marlboro and LM.

While the investigation was underway, Chalerm said Kiat chaired meetings of top officials from the Customs, Excise and Revenue departments as well as the Department of Special Investigation and the Office of the Attorney General in late 2009 to help PMT, resulting in the public prosecutors' decision not to press charges against the US firm.

According to the opposition MP, the government's actions came ahead of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) decision on August 4, 2010, which said Thailand's tax-calculation method in the PMT case ran counter to its rules.

Thailand recently lodged an appeal with the WTO.

Chalerm said it was unconstitutional for the prime minister to interfere in the investigation and justice process involving a potential tax liability of Bt68 billion.

Chalerm also alleged this was evident when the Office of the Attorney General was asked to review its decision on the case.

He said the potential liability could exceed Bt100 billion when other fines were included, with the government allegedly helping foreign companies to dump cheap cigarettes into the Thai market.

PMT's products have a market share of as much as 30 per cent in Thailand but they have not been taxed properly, Chalerm said.

Government officials said earlier that the Bt68-billion figure was based on multiplying the number of cigarette packs imported by PMT in 2006 by Bt20. The latter figure came from the price difference between cigarette packs imported by duty-free firm King Power and the prices declared by PMT.

Illegal cigarettes seized from trailer at Immingham port

A TOTAL of 3.5-million smuggled cigarettes have been seized from a trailer arriving at Immingham port.

UK Border Agency officers discovered the illicit cigarettes in the back of a curtained trailer which had arrived in the port from the Hook of Holland on Sunday.

They were concealed inside two large pieces of industrial machinery.

With an estimated street value of £3.50 for a pack of 20 illicit cigarettes, experts believe the total revenue evaded by the smugglers is more than £600,000.
And for the first time, HM Revenue and Customs – which is continuing to investigate the incident – has released details of what happens to the illegal or illicit cigarettes once they have been seized.

The tobacco and contents of the cigarettes are burnt to provide power for the National Grid, while the cardboard packaging and wrappers are recycled.

HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said: "The expertise of local detection officers and investigators has prevented millions of illegal cigarettes from reaching the streets.

"Cigarette smugglers are solely motivated by profit and don't care about the impact their actions have on legitimate retailers."

A 38-year-old Polish national who was driving the vehicle containing the hoard was arrested at the scene and subsequently interviewed by HMRC investigators.

He has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

The latest hoard comes just months after seven-million illegal cigarettes were seized during two inspections at the port within seven days.

As reported, UK Border Agency officers uncovered an illegal haul of 4.35-million Lambert & Butler cigarettes following checks on a lorry that was carrying tyres from Germany at the end of December.

The potential value of the seizure in terms of lost revenue for the UK taxpayer was estimated to be about £997,000.

Just days before, more than three-million cigarettes were found inside sofas on lorries that had arrived in Immingham from the continent.

As reported, after discovering 38,000 Chinese-made cigarettes in the bottom of the first sofa they opened up for examination, a search of the remaining 84 sofas saw a total of 3.25-million cigarettes being recovered.

Kate Moss has turned to hypnotherapy to kick her smoking habit

The supermodel, 37 - who puffed away on the Paris catwalk this week - is trying for a baby with fiancé JAMIE HINCE.

And the pair have both had anti-smoking hypnosis sessions at a clinic in Harley Street, London.

Kate smoked when she was pregnant with her eight-year-old daughter by her ex JEFFERSON HACK.

Sources say she has cut her habit from 30 to 15 cigs a day after being told they could be an obstacle to her conceiving again. One said: "She is desperate to stop. She has set her wedding date as the final target.

"She hopes to get pregnant as soon as possible."

Kate lit up on Wednesday's No Smoking Day at a Paris Fashion Week show.

She plans to wed rocker Jamie, 40, in July.

Smuggled tobacco seized at port

UK Border Agency officers have seized five tonnes of hand-rolling tobacco that was hidden in a lorry as it entered the country at Dover's Eastern Docks.

The Czech-registered vehicle arrived on a ferry from Calais and was stopped by officers at the inward freight controls.

After questioning the 39-year-old Czech driver, officers searched the vehicle and trailer.

The haul of tobacco, with Luxembourg tax stamps, was found in 11 shrink wrapped pallets within a load of electrical materials.

The case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for further investigation.

Paul Booth, UK Border Agency (UKBA) assistant director in Dover, said: "This was an excellent detection by our officers. The tobacco had been well hidden and professionally wrapped in an attempt to evade UK Border Agency controls.

"The smuggling of tobacco and cigarettes is often linked to serious organised crime and can provide the funding for much larger criminal operations such as drug smuggling or people trafficking."

A UKBA spokeswoman said the seizure had prevented a potential revenue loss to the exchequer of £876,000.

It has also deprived the smugglers of thousands of pounds they would have made selling the tobacco on the black market in the UK, she said.

An HMRC spokeswoman said the driver was arrested and released pending further inquiries

Jail inmates charged with marijuana possession

Two inmates at the Hernando County Jail were charged with marijuana possession Wednesday.

Johnathan Lee Hicks, 25, and Steven Taggi, 32, also were charged with an additional count of introduction of or possession of contraband in a county detention center.

On Tuesday, detention staff conducted a search in Taggi's cell and uncovered a marijuana cigarette under his mattress, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Taggi told authorities the cigarette was his and he had traded a candy bar for the cigarette, deputies said.

On the same day, staff searched Hicks' cell and discovered a box filled with 13 marijuana cigarettes, according to an arrest report.

The report did not reveal whether Taggi got his marijuana from Hicks or vice versa.

Police break up home-delivery cigarette ring

Quebec police have busted a trafficking ring that they say was selling illegal cigarettes out of homes and shops and even offered a delivery service.

Police executed 25 search warrants Thursday morning in Montreal and L'Épiphanie, a small community in the Lanaudière region northeast of the city.

The Montreal police department's organized crime unit, the RCMP and the Quebec provincial police participated in the operation.

A dozen people were arrested including the distributor, said Montreal police spokesperson Simon Delorme.

By mid-morning, police were still looking for a 13th person.

Delorme said police got wind of the ring about six months ago from a member of the public who reported some suspicious behaviour.

In their investigation, said Delorme, police found a sophisticated network.

He said a supplier would sell contraband cigarettes to a single distributor who would then turn the product over to 50 resale locations including convenience stores and people's homes.

Police said the ring also offered to deliver the cigarettes to clients.

Authorities estimate that the ring was diverting $5.2 million per year in sales and tobacco taxes from the government.

Some of the suspects are expected to appear in court in Montreal on Thursday.

Police: Cigarettes taken from Low Bob's

Police say burglars broke out the window of an east-side Richmond tobacco store and made off with an armful of cartons of cigarettes.

Richmond Police Department Lt. Bryan Ervin said an unknown number of suspects broke into Low Bob's Discount Tobacco, 4746 National Road E., around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"They busted in a window and got in and stole some cigarettes," Ervin said. "The alarm didn't go off, so we weren't able to respond. But they didn't get a whole lot -- just whatever they could carry out by hand."

Ervin said no suspects have been identified in the crime.

Kyiv moves to ban sales of alcohol, cigarettes in kiosks

Cheap, easily available cigarettes and alcohol sold from kiosks add to nation's health woes.

Despite resistance from affected businesses, Kyiv on April 1 is banning alcohol and tobacco sales from small street kiosks. While many praise the initiative as helpful in improving public health, businesses appear set to challenge the legality of the move.

The decision, adopted by the Kyiv city council on Dec. 23, specifically bans alcohol and tobacco sales in street kiosks that occupy less than 40 square meters – covering most of more than 10,000 such small business establishments operating in the city.

The measure also forbids the sale of alcohol (except beer in plastic bottles) and tobacco during mass gatherings.

However, entrepreneurs who run kiosks call the decision unlawful and protested outside the Presidential Administration on March 11, demanding that Viktor Yanukovych ask the prosecutor to review the legality of the decision.

“Owners of big supermarkets obviously want to have a monopoly for alcohol and tobacco sales. Meanwhile these products account for most of the kiosks’ profit,” said Vadym Hladchuk, from the civil organization Molod – Nadiya Ukrajiny (Youth – Hope of Ukraine), who was among organizers of protest.

Entrepreneurs say no public hearings were held on the matter and the decision contradicts 1996 rules for alcohol retail still in force today. According to those rules, alcohol sale is allowed in shops bigger than 20 square meters, not 40, as in the council’s action.

Businessman Mykola Omelchuk says his small beer shop is under threat. “We have enough space, more than 20 square meters, so customers can come in and even take a seat. We sell quality beer and many customers appreciate the product,” Omelchuk said.

However, city council members say they are constantly hearing complaints from concerned Kyivans – especially parents -- about the easy availability of tobacco and alcohol on the streets. While street sales of hard alcohol were banned many years ago, the measure would broaden the alcohol ban to include beer and low-alcohol beverages as well.

“Kids manage to run to a nearby kiosk from school and buy cigarettes to smoke during breaks,” said Iryna Kovalchuk, who has a teenage son. “Supermarkets are probably easier to control so that they do not sell to kids under 18 and so that they do not sell counterfeit goods.”

The Kyiv prosecutor said many kiosk owners break the law by selling alcohol and tobacco to children. “In 2010, 60 licenses for retail alcohol sale were revoked and 30 more were revoked during the latest check,” said Myroslava Mushka, a spokeswoman for the Kyiv city prosecutor.

Members of the city council are sticking with their decision.

“Alcohol and tobacco are not sold in kiosks in civilized countries,” said Oleksiy Davydenko, one of the authors of the ordinance. “Mostly it is young people and teenagers who buy beer and low alcohol drinks in kiosks, so kiosks simply fuel alcoholism among youngsters.”

Menthol cigs don't pose greater risk

The tobacco industry argues in a report to the Food and Drug Administration that menthol cigarettes aren't riskier than regular cigarettes.

The industry is trying to defend a lucrative business as the agency weighs whether to ban the minty flavoring.

According to a summary obtained by The Associated Press, the industry says it believes there's no scientific basis to regulate the menthol any differently. It concludes that menthol cigarettes don't make it easier for people to start, harder for them to quit or raise their risk of disease.

An FDA advisory panel meets Thursday and Friday to discuss its own report on the impact of menthol.

Draft chapters of the panel's report show while menthol cigarettes may not be more risky, use is high among minorities, teenagers and low-income people.

Major Tobacco Companies Back Bulgaria's Excise Policies

Leading international companies - Philip Morris, Bulgartabac Holding, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Tobacco - have expressed their support for Bulgarian government's excise policies.

The general managers of Philip Morris Bulgaria, Bulgartabac Holding, British American Tobacco Bulgaria, Japan Tobacco International Bulgaria and Imperial Tobacco Bulgaria met Wednesday with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Finance Minister Simeon Djankov, and Customs Agency head Vanyo Tanov, and Angel Antonov, head of the Criminal Police Directorate.

Finance Minister Djankov has stressed the need of predictability and stability with respect to the cigarette excise as a measure against illicit cigarette trade.

He further supported the inclusion in the Excise Act of a timetable for changes of the excise in the period until 2018 as stipulated by Directive 2010/12/ of the EC.

The representatives of the cigarette industry have declared full support for the intentions of the Bulgarian government to maintain a stable excise regime at least until 2013 – when the Cabinet's term expires. They have also praised the efforts to crack down on cigarette contraband, and vowed to help the government any way they can.

The major prerequisites for achieving positive results are a stable and effective excise regime and the strict application of the counter contraband legislation. We see the determination of the government to fight the illegal cigarette trade and will continue to back these efforts," declared Nikitas Teofilopulos, General Manager of Phillip Morris Bulgaria, after the meeting.

Tobacco display ban faces challenge

A legal challenge to the Government's plan to ban cigarettes and other tobacco products from being openly displayed in shops is to take place in the autumn.
Applications for judicial review by an alliance of big tobacco groups and corner shop traders were due to be heard next month.

But on Tuesday a High Court judge sitting in London agreed to adjourn the five-day hearing until the second half of October because of current uncertainties.
Lord Pannick QC, appearing for the tobacco alliance, said new regulations were due to be enacted by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley affecting the ban, which is aimed in particular at reducing youth smoking levels.

The QC argued the adjournment was necessary so that the legal challenge, which he said was of considerable general public importance, could take account of revised regulations, and not out-dated draft versions.
Mr Justice Ouseley ordered the adjournment after being assured by Lord Pannick the issues in the case would be "sufficiently concrete" by the second half of October for the hearing to go ahead.
The prohibition on behind-the-counter cigarette displays is being attacked as an "unjustified and disproportionate" violation of article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of expression, and in breach of EU trading laws.

The tobacco alliance is accusing the Health Secretary of substantially underestimating the impact and costs of the ban, which is due to take effect in large shops from April 2012 and for all other shops from April 2015.
In a ministerial statement last week, Mr Lansley announced regulations governing the proposed ban were being amended to make it "more practical" for shopkeepers to put it into effect and to ease "burdens on business".

Opponents argue the new law will trigger a surge in illicit sales and organised crime, as well as pushing many legitimate small traders out of business, and say there is no credible evidence to suggest that restricting tobacco displays will reduce youth smoking levels.

Public speaks in favor of tobacco ban on Scarborough beaches

Many residents and beach users came out on a rainy Wednesday night to attend a public hearing on whether the town should ban smoking and tobacco use on its public beaches.

All but one speaker were in favor of the ban, many citing the effects of second-hand smoke and litter from cigarette butts as the reason for their support of the ordinance.

"My family feels pretty strongly against smoking on the beach," resident Jim Brady said. "We really enjoy the beaches and would be much happier if we could enjoy it more healthily."

Resident Tom Ranello spoke about his daughter's asthma.

"Having to worry about Emma’s asthma because of someone’s addiction to cigarettes doesn’t make sense to me," he said.

Resident Tom Schneller was the only person to speak against the amendment.

"I’m a smoker. I'm sorry. I know we’re the worst people in the world," Schneller said. "I'm also a surf fisherman. I spend a ton of hours down on the beaches of Maine."

He said if the ordinance passed, he would no longer be able to enjoy the town's beaches.

The ordinance amendment — which would ban use of all tobacco products, including snuff, dip and chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipes within 25 feet of town beaches except in designated smoking areas — comes after several citizens asked the Ordinance Committee to consider a ban to help deal with exposure to second-hand smoke and cigarette butts left on beaches.

Smoking is already banned at all Maine state parks, including Scarborough Beach. The new ordinance would include Higgins, Pine Point and Ferry beaches.

Several doctors, as well as representatives from public health agencies spoke during the hearing.

"As someone who works in public health, I can all think of changes that have helped make tremendous strides in this country," said Lisa Letourneau, a resident and executive director of Maine Quality Counts. "We know those changes make a profound impact."

Support tobacco-free parks in Auburn

The Cayuga County Tobacco Free Partnership is part of a New York statewide program working to prevent and reduce tobacco use to improve the health of New Yorkers. This is a statewide program that is working towards creating healthy environments for all community members. Many individuals will be opposed to these efforts but honestly, if each individual would look at the entire picture and see what the overall purpose truly is, you might feel differently.

The Auburn City Council proposed a ban on all city parks to alleviate smoking within the vicinity to create “smoke free parks and playgrounds.” In all reality, doesn't everyone want a safe and healthy environment for their family and children to enjoy? Outdoor parks and playgrounds were built for families and children of all ages to have a safe environment for physical activity and enjoyment.

“The New York Tobacco Control Program and its partners work to protect children from tobacco use and to help adult smokers quit. Reducing tobacco use is an effective investment in New York's future.” — state Department of Health.
Overall this initiative is the sole purpose of creating a healthier environment for all residents.
In a recent article in The Citizen, “Central NY smoking rate tops national average,” the central New York region has the second highest smoking rate among adults in the five regions in upstate New York. Why is this?

As a community we need to work together more as a whole and work to improve the environment around us. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be consumed while your children are playing on the playground, why is it difficult to understand that smoking shouldn’t be acceptable either? Why subject the younger generation to addictions that so many are trying to get over?

Overall, the message here is, the Cayuga County Tobacco Free Partnership Program and the NY State Tobacco Control program is designed to create effective messages to diminish the acceptability of this deadly habit and build a healthier environment for all of us to live, work and play in. Be supportive. Our community needs a change.

Ingestion of cigarettes among children has toxic effects

In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, March 20 to 26, Healthy Waldo County is alerting the public that cigarettes and cigarette butts may poison children who ingest them.

In 2007, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received more than 7,735 reports of potentially toxic exposures to tobacco products among children younger than six years of age in the United States. Most cases of nicotine poisoning among children result from their ingestion of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

The Northern New England Poison Center received reports of 140 Maine children ingesting cigarettes or cigarette butts in past two years. Most ingestions happen in homes where children are exposed to secondhand smoke and where cigarettes and ashtrays are kept within the reach of children.

“Adults who smoke in the home may not be aware of the danger of cigarettes and cigarette butts to children,” said Andrea Walker, Healthy Waldo County chairperson.

“Children aged 6 to 24 months old are actively exploring their environment and often put things into their mouths. It is very important that parents and caregivers always store tobacco products out of the reach of children always and that they do not smoke around children because of the health hazards of inhaling secondhand smoke”, said Barbara Crowley, program specialist with Healthy Waldo County.

While minor toxic clinical effects may occur, such as vomiting, nausea, lethargy, gagging, and a pale or flushed appearance, there have also been reports of severe toxicity among children who ingested cigarettes, cigarette butts, or snuff, including depressed respiration, cardiac arrhythmia, and convulsions. If ingestion does occur, a poison-control center should be consulted to assess the risks for serious toxicity and determine treatment.

In addition to preventing nicotine poisonings, avoiding the use of tobacco products in the presence of children should:

· decrease the risk for lower respiratory and middle ear infections in children;

· reduce the risk that children will smoke in the future; and

· decrease children's access to lighted cigarettes, matches, and cigarette lighters, thereby reducing fires started by children — a leading cause of fire-related deaths among children younger than five years of age.

Parents and guardians who want to quit should seek health care advice; call Barbara at 930-2650; or call the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230 for smoking cessation information and referrals.

Florida Cigarette Maker Battles Proposed State Fees

Freda Witherspoon marched up to the counter to buy cigarettes at a Kwik Stop store here, and bypassed the big-name tobacco brands.
"Give me two packs of DTC," said the 53-year-old Ms. Witherspoon. The price: just $4 a pack.

Little known outside Florida, DTC, which stands for Dosal Tobacco Corp., has become a major player in the Sunshine State, selling nearly as many smokes statewide as Reynolds American Inc., the second-largest U.S. tobacco maker by revenue.

"They're cheap, and they have a good taste," said Ms. Witherspoon, who has smoked DTCs for 15 years.

Big tobacco makers, however, hope to stub out the Miami-based cigarette maker's growth. Reynolds, Altria Group Inc. and other industry giants are lobbying the Florida Legislature to close what they say is a loophole that allows Dosal to sell its cigarettes at cut-rate prices.

In the session that began last week, state lawmakers are expected to consider several bills that would impose fees of about 50 cents a pack on Dosal and other smaller producers.
Dosal has survived similar campaigns before, but this time its larger rivals are turning up the heat at a time when Florida, which faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit, is under pressure to find new funds.

The big tobacco makers' beef against Dosal is rooted in a 1997 settlement they signed with Florida, which sued them to recoup the money its Medicaid program spent on treating sick smokers. Under the settlement, Altria, Reynolds, Lorillard Inc. and other major companies agreed to make payments to the state that have totaled more than $300 million a year.

Dosal was the only small tobacco producer sued by the state, partly because Florida accounted for the bulk of its sales. But it was ultimately dropped from the lawsuit because its market share at the time was tiny—less than 2%.

As a result, Dosal and other small producers aren't required to pay settlement-related fees to Florida, which pursued its own litigation, rather than joining the so-called 1998 master settlement the major tobacco companies reached with 46 other states.

Exempting Dosal and about 30 other small players from the settlement fees has tilted the playing field, giving them a cost advantage of about 40 to 50 cents a pack, according to Altria and Reynolds.

That's at least partly why Dosal is roughly tied for sales with Reynolds, the No. 2 player in Florida behind Altria's Philip Morris USA unit. The industry's largest players dominate the market in most states, making Dosal, whose Florida market share was 18% in the second half of last year, an unusual case.
"Essentially, they are taking advantage of a loophole to get these huge market shares," said Frank Lester, a spokesman for Reynolds, maker of Camel and Pall Mall.

Lawyers for Dosal argue that imposing a fee on the company would be unfair. Dosal, they say, wasn't involved in the alleged industry practices, such as manipulating the nicotine content of cigarettes, that triggered the wave of lawsuits against major tobacco makers in the 1990s.

Dosal's chief executive, Yolanda Nader, said the company's value pricing has helped fuel its robust growth. Cigarette prices in Florida range from about $4 a pack for Dosal and other bargain brands to about $6 a pack for Philip Morris's Marlboros.

It doesn't hurt that Dosal, which is housed in a former boat factory, has deep roots here. It was founded in 1962 by an eponymous cigarette-making family that left Cuba after the revolution, and has been controlled since 1992 by Margarita Dosal. The company's 305's, it's top-selling brand, was named for a Miami area code.

But the real key to the company's success, according to Ms. Nader, is the "greedy" larger tobacco companies, which have raised prices sharply over the years, especially after cigarette-tax increases. "They've done more to help us than what we have done," she said.

Mayor Fuming Over Camel Cigarette Ad Campaign

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu usually welcomes national attention of New Orleans, but not by a cigarette company. One campaign ad has him fuming.

The ad that shows Joe Camel in front of New Orleans which actually read "N'Awlins" and other things like "where voodoo queens preside" and "party people get down." Mayor Landrieu doesn't like the campaign at all and so he wrote a letter to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

"There was a lot of aggressive advertising to young smokers and I think that was inappropriate. You know when I was in the legislature, I worked really hard to reduce the cancer rate in the state of Louisiana and especially aggressive targeting to youths for smoking I think is inappropriate, and Camel did that and so we asked them to stop," Landrieu said.

We found some New Orleans residents downtown who really agree with Mayor Landrieu but we found others who really believe he should really be doing some more.

"Cigarettes will kill you. It will kill you. You get hooked on them. You can't get off of them for some reason, I don't know, but I'll go along with the mayor," said New Orleans resident Shirley Hicks.

"I don't that cigarette companies should be advertising about New Orleans without the consent of the city or anything like that. While New Orleans is great for having a party and stuff like that, it's not always the best thing to do, as we're trying to get healthier as a city, as a society and stuff like that," said New Orleans resident Alexander Huseman.

"So in reference to kids stop smoking. Yeah, more power to him. You want to build up revenue. You want to build up tourism for New Orleans pick your poison," said New Orleans resident Kerry Watson.

Some wonder, why he's not going after alcohol companies also picking up on the mardi gras theme, whether it's beer or a bottle of booze to get people in the Carnival spirit.

The campaign was late last year, and we couldn't find any of the New Orleans-themed Camel cigarettes left on the shelves.