U.S. Convenience Store Sales Show Strong Growth in 2010..



April 7, 2011 - CHICAGO -- Convenience store in-store sales grew 4.4% in 2010, reaching a record $190.4 billion, according to figures released today by NACS. Combined with $328.7 billion in motor fuels sales, total convenience store sales in 2010 were $575.6 billion, or one out of every 25 dollars of the overall $14.624 trillion U.S. gross domestic product.

The industry's 2010 numbers were announced in Chicago today, April 6th at the annual NACS State of the Industry Summit, a two-day conference that reviews and analyzes the industry's key economic indicators.

The 4.4% growth rate of convenience store in-store sales surpassed the growth rates of other competing channels, including warehouse stores/clubs (4.0%), restaurants (3.4%), drug stores (2.4%) and grocery stores (2.3%), based on U.S. Department of Commerce numbers.

Part of the sales growth can be attributed to an increase in stores. The number of U.S. c-stores grew 1.2% over the past year and stands at a record 146,341 stores, according to the NACS/Nielsen TDLinx 2011 Convenience Industry Store Count, released in January 2011.

Nearly three-quarters of in-store sales are from the top five categories:

1. Cigarettes (35.8% of in-store sales).
2. Packaged beverages (14.2%).
3. Foodservice (12.9%).
4. Beer (8.3%).
5. Other tobacco products (4.0%).

While motor fuels revenues are closely tied to price volatility, the 17.2% growth in motor fuels sales outpaced the overall 14.4% increase in prices in 2010, meaning that c-stores, which sell an estimated 80% of the country's motor fuels, also picked up some volume in 2010. Overall, 69.3% of total c-store sales dollars were from motor fuels. Even with an increase in motor fuels gross margins to 15.8 cents per gallon, motor fuels margins remain slim and motor fuels still only account for 26.4% of pretax profits at c-stores.

As a result of these strong sales, c-store pretax profits reached $6.5 billion in 2010, a remarkable turnaround from just 20 years ago, when the industry reported a loss of $220 million in 1990. As a percentage of total sales, pretax profits in 2010 were 1.1%.

"Our strong performance in 2010 shows that our convenience offer--especially one-stop shopping and speed of service for refreshments, food and fuel--continues to resonate with customers," said NACS vice chairman of research Fran Duskiewicz, senior executive vice president of Canastota, N.Y.-based Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.

Despite the strong sales and profit numbers, concerns remain for the industry, especially with credit-card and debit-card fees jumping a staggering 21.6% to hit a record $9 billion. Total credit- and debit-card fees surpassed overall c-store industry profits for the fifth straight year. As a percentage of overall sales, credit- and debit-card fees increased from 1.45% to 1.56% of total industry sales dollars, factoring in all forms of payment, including cash and check. Just looking at motor fuels sales, credit- and debit-card fees added 4.7 cents to every gallon of gasoline sold at c-stores in 2010.

In-store sales have shown significant growth at c-stores over the past decade, growing 82.9% since 2000. This year's in-store sales alone topped total sales--combined in-store and motor fuels sales--for every year through 1998.

Reference: Convenience Store Sales Show Strong Growth in 2010 Daily News
4/6/2011`
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Australia - conducting research into the prevention of smoking for young people through mass media.


April 7, 2011 - CANBERRA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Social media is a powerful weapon in the fight to lower smoking take-up rates in young people, Australian researchers said Sunday, April 3rd.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of South Australia and Brisbane Royal Children's Hospital are conducting research into the prevention of smoking for young people through mass media. Researchers said existing mass-media messages, such as billboards and radio spots, had little impact on the youth market.

"There is a great deal of peer pressure in schools and the community for young people to smoke," a researcher at Adelaide's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kristin Carson told Australia Associated Press on Sunday. "Yet in the new forms of social media, like Facebook, there is a tag that encourages people to declare themselves smoke-free and to say they would not date somebody who smokes.

"That is exactly the opposite of what is happening in school yards, and we know young people are increasingly turning to things like My Space, Facebook and Twitter to communicate with each other. "

In that case, Kristin said researchers are now conducting trials to assess the potential of directing the anti-smoking message through online communication forums.

Tobacco manufacturers deny YouTube links..

References:internet to lower smoking rates among young people: researchnews.xinhuanet.com, 4/6/2011; Internet to lower smoking rates among young people: research marketreportchina.com,
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John Middleton Co. branching into the untipped cigarillo market..


April 7, 2011 - Already a market leader in tipped cigarillos, John Middleton Co., a division of Altria Inc., is branching into the untipped cigarillo market. After extensive test runs in Ohio and Tennessee, the tobacco giant is rolling out nationally two new profiles, Black & Mild Classic and Black & Mild Sweets.

"Classic is for adult cigar smokers interested in a classic Black & Mild pipe tobacco taste, while Sweets is a more traditional cigarillo taste made from primarily air cured tobaccos," Altria spokesperson Greg Mathe told CSP Daily News. "Both products are available in five-packs and singles."

The rollouts extend Altria's continued expansion into the other tobacco products (OTP), most notably in cigars and moist smokeless. Alluding to last year's test markets of untipped cigarillos, Mathe noted, "Middleton found...that there is significant interest and product appeal among both competitive and Black & Mild adult cigar smokers. The test market results exceeded Middleton's expectations and business objectives."

Because of growth in the untipped cigarillo segment, Altria views this foray as a natural step in ratcheting up its total-tobacco portfolio across all segments, from cigarettes to moist smokeless, cigars and snus. Since its acquisitions of USST and John Middleton, Altria has focused on brand extensions by offering a greater variety of tastes and blends..

Pointing to this latest move, Mathe said the company was buoyed by some key findings during its testing in Ohio and Tennessee, including that 20% of smokers who had bought and tried Black & Mild untipped cigarillo ranked it better than their regular brand, and that 75% rated it equal to or better than their regular brand.

John Middleton's cigar brands include Black & Mild, Middleton's Cherry Blend, Gold & Mild and Prince Albert's Cigars. Pipe-tobacco brands include Prince Albert, Carter Hall and Middleton's Cherry Blend.


Reference: Black & Mild Going Sweet
John Middleton enters untipped cigarillo market with Classic, Sweet flavors
by Mitch Morrison, Csp Daily N ws, 4/4/2011
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What was Pfizer thinking? Another family, Another drug, Another murder-suicide...



April 7, 2011 - Killer dad Andrew Case was taking powerful anti-smoking drugs, Was this man informed when he went to the doctor to get something to help him stop smoking, that chantix tops the list of “31 prescription drugs associated with violence”??? 33-year-old’s body Andrew Case, along with his wife Vicki, 31, and two little girls Phoebe, two, and Nereya, 18 months, were discovered at their home in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, on Monday July 26 2010.

Of the 31 drugs, “the worst offender with the strongest association to uncontrollable, murderous violence–within days of ingesting the drug–is the smoking cessation drug, Chantix (varenicline), which increases dopamine: it ranks 18.0 in the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) with 408 cases of violence–including murder. There are two other smoking cessation drugs that do NOT pose serious risks of violence.”

Refeence: Killer dad Andrew Case was taking powerful anti-smoking drugs, leoniefennell.wordpress.com&, 4//2011.

Some Chantix (Champix) related news briefs:
Chantix (Champix) risks out weigh the benefits - the story of Dr. Brenda Wells..:
Japan - demand for Chantix (Champix) soars while more and more lawsuits pile up in the U.S..;
Champix (Chantix) - Health Canada issues stronger warnings..;
Champix (Chantix) - Canada class-action lawsuit started..;
Champix (Chantix) - more serious psychiatric reactions and death..;
Smoking Cessation - Chantix (Champix) vs. Cold Turkey..;
Chantix - Pfizer faces three lawsuits surely many more to come..;
Champix (Chantix) - the risks are greater then the benefits..;
Chantix - another wrongful death lawsuit filed..;
Anti-smoking drugs (non-nicotine) - Chantix and Zyban to carry mental health warnings..;
Another Chantix Warning in Canada..;
Operators of any form of transportation warned on the use of Pfizer's smoking-cessation drug Chantix..;
Pfizer Changes Chantix Label..;
Chantix Reports of Suicidal Thoughts and Aggressive and Erratic Behavior..;
Read more...

Rosendale Community Center - ULster County -p

April 7, 2011 - State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah had a message for people who want to smoke outside in public places – Don’t!

Shah was at the Rosendale Community Center Tuesday, April 5th to speak in support of smoke free outdoor spaces in Ulster County and throughout the state.

Second hand smoke can be just as bad,” he said, “children exposed to second hand smoke, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, are subject to have much higher rates of asthma and respiratory problems.”

Those problems are totally preventable, noted Dr. Shah, and they can be avoided by passing laws such as the ones on the books in Rosendale, and many other municipalities throughout Ulster County, which create smoke free outdoor environments.

Reference: tate health commissioner supports ban on outdoor smoking in public places, midhudsonnews.com, 4/5/2011.
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Australia - first look at the plainer, uglier cigarette packets..






April 7, 2010 - Health Minister Nicola Roxon says she wants all cigarette packaging to be olive green, because research shows it is the least attractive colour for smokers. Under proposed legislation aimed at reducing smoking rates in Australia, all logos will be removed from cigarette packaging, and tobacco companies will be required to print their brand name in a specific font.

VIDEO- Watch Health Minister Nicola Roxon interview with Lateline..

CONSULTATION PAPER Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 Exposure Draft 7 April 2011

Some background:
January 16, 2011 - Australia - Philip Morris (PMI) searching for ways to prevent plain packaging of tobacco products coming in 2012..;

October 14 , 2010 - Australia - world set to follow Australian tobacco policy..;

September 19, 2010 - Australia - plain cigarette packaging will legislation be written to avoid any legal challenge..;

August 4, 2001 - Australia - big tobacco fighting back against plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging..;

April 29, 2010 - Australia - plain packages on all tobacco products within 2-years...

The Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 is due to be introduced during the winter sitting of Parliament, after a 60-day period for public comment on the draft legislation.

If all goes to plan, the changes would come into effect on January 1, 2012 and all products on sale will be required to comply with the new laws within six months.

Ms Roxon said the new packaging had been consumer tested on smokers around the country and found to be the least appealing.

"We want to get the Australian smoking rate down to 10 per cent by 2018," she said.

Ms Roxon said tobacco companies would be able to use certain markings to stop counterfeit issues.

"We might be breaking ground but we are on firm ground and others will follow us," Ms Roxon said.

References: Roxon to unveil no-frills cigarette pack plan, ABC News, 4/7/2011; No-frills fight against Big Tobacco: Cigarette packets to be ugly olive green by Andrew Banks and AAP, 4/7/2011; Australia gets tough on cigarette packs, News24, 4/7/2011.
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India - pictorial warnings on tobacco products unclear....

Even as the government is delaying the notification of new pictorial warnings on tobacco products, a health ministry official Monday, Arpil 4th said they have received feedback that the present pictorial warnings are unclear to people.

India makes critical decision on education that will help convince children not to use tobacco. The government on Thursday, April 1st brought into force a new law that makes education free and compulsory for every child from age 6 to 14—the latest government initiative aimed at harnessing the economic potential of its young population. About a third of India's 1.2 billion people are under the age of 14, one of the highest ratios in the world. (Joining hands in the interest of children, Kapil Sibal, The Hindu, 1/31/2010)

The present pictorial warnings on tobacco packs feature lungs X-ray, a cross section of lungs with related cancer, and a scorpion. 'Globally, pictorial warnings have proved to be deterrent to tobacco use,' he said.

When asked about the new pictorial warnings which were supposed to be enforced from December last year, the senior official said: 'New warnings will come, consultations are going on,' he said, without giving a time frame.
Desraju, however, said he was unaware of any pressure from tobacco lobbies behind the delay in the implementation of new pictorial warnings.

'Many of the buyers in urban areas understand the meaning of the symbols but they still buy. Ultimately, it's the people who will have to understand that it's bad for them,' he added.

A survey done by an anti-tobacco advocacy group last year said that only 20.6 percent of cigarette smokers, 15 percent of bidi smokers and 13.2 percent of smokeless tobacco users either read or looked at the warning labels.

More current news briefs on pictorial warnings on tobacco products:

December 24, 2010 - India - cigarette/bidis companies resume tobacco production..;

December 9, 2010 - India - will delay for a year the use of scarier pictorial warnings on cigarette and bidi packs..;

December 4, 2010 - India - cigarettes and bidis manufacturers halt production seek clarification on pictorial health warnings..

November 30 2010 - India - revised pictorial warnings on tobacco products will be implemented from December 1, 2010..


More previous news briefs on pictorial warnings:

*India - still confusion pictorial warnings on cigarette packs..;
*Mumbai, India - NGO activists want closure of hookah bars..;
*India - gutkha and bidi companies NOT pictorial warnings..;
*India - cigarette packs with pictorial warnings are here..; *ndia - NO graphic pictorial warnings yet..;
*India - Still no pictorial warnings on cigarette packs..;
*India - pictorial warning on cigarettes and tobacco products effective May 31, 2009..;
*India - pictorial warning on cigarettes and tobacco products will be implemented from May 31 - no doubts about it..;
*India - will pictorial or graphic health warnings be implemented from May 30, 2009..;
*India - placing pictorial warnings on tobacco products delayed again..


Reference: Present tobacco pictorial warnings unclear: Health ministry, thaindian.com, 4/4/2011.





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Indonesia Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo skips trial..



April 6. 2011 - A clove cigarette lobbying group on Tuesday vented their anger against Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo for ignoring their courtroom challenge of the regulation banning smoking rooms from public buildings.

“We cannot accept that the governor, who resides in Jakarta, did not appoint anyone to represent him in court,” said Habiburrahman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs who call themselves Komunitas Kretek, or Clove Cigarette Community. “Meanwhile, the case has reached a third month without any progress,”

Governor Fauzi Bowo Governor of Jakarta for the 2007-2012 term) continues to come under from pro-tobacco campaigners. The gubernatorial decree, which makes smoking inside buildings or even near entrances and exits a fineable offense, has been a sore point not just for smokers across the capital, but also the entertainment and tourism industries who believe it will adversely impact their business. (Protesters Rail Against Indonesia Smoke Ban, Arientha Primanita, thejakartaglobe.com 11/2/2010; City starts scrapping smoking rooms, —JP/ Indah Setiawati, Jakarta Post, 10/14/2010; City to warn errant building owners about smoking ban. Andreas D. Arditya, The Jakarta Post, J12/22/2010.

Background:
Background: The Smoking Ban decree, signed on May 6, 2010 (Governor Regulation No. 88/2010), stipulates smoking is not allowed inside buildings, and people who want to smoke must do so outside. The regulation is an extension of a smoking ban which had allowed smoking in designated smoking areas in workplaces and public spaces. The decision came after a joint survey, by BPLHD, Swisscontact Indonesia Foundation (SIF) and the University of Indonesia Demography Institute, showed smoking rooms in buildings did not prevent smoke infiltrating non-smoking areas. (The Jakarta Government, through the Governor Regulation No. 88/2010, New Bylaw Designate All Public Buildings as Smoke Free Zones

"Non-Smoker Jakarta citizens are now able to breath freely. Starting from this year forward, citizens will be free from exposure to 4000 types of deadly toxins contained in a cigarette. The Jakarta Government, through the Governor Regulation No. 88/2010, ensure that they will protect citizens from second-hand smoke (Asap Rokok Orang Lain [AROL]) in buildings throughout Jakarta" Based on the second-hand smoke test conducted in 34 buildings in Jakarta by the Jakarta Environmental Management Agency (Badan Pengelola Lingkungan Hidup Provinsi DKI Jakarta [BPLHD]), smoking rooms were simply ineffective to protect citizens from second-hand smoke. Jakarta Government took the initiative to revise Governor Regulation No. 75/2005 to Governor Regulation No. 88/2010 which firmly prohibits the existence of smoking rooms in buildings.
Aside from eliminating smoking rooms in buildings, other important changes in the new gubernatorial decree include adding administrative sanctions by making public announcements through the media based on building inspection results

Governor Regulation No. 88/2010 represents a strong support by the City Government, specifically Jakarta's governor Fauzi Bowo, towards the realization of 100% Smoke Free Jakarta as was declared by Fauzi Bowo in closed hearings between the Jakarta Government and Smoke Free Jakarta Program partners. Fauzi Bowo stated that this new gubernatorial decree is a "first step of a long journey towards 100% Smoke Free Jakarta". This step will be followed up with the dissemination of the new gubernatorial decree to building managements. The Jakarta Environmental Management Agency will conduct routine monitoring and violation complaints of no-smoking areas in buildings through Smoke Free Jakarta Zwebsite. ;Swisscontact Indonesia Foundation (SIF)

Komunitas Kretek has filed a lawsuit seeking to withdraw a 2010 gubernatorial regulation that bans smoking rooms inside public buildings. At the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday, Habiburrahman argued that the decree was in conflict with a city regulation passed five years earlier that mandated smoking rooms in public buildings.

The overlapping regulations are taking their toll on “ethical smokers” who only enjoy their cigarettes without harming others, the attorney said.

“The case should have seen a verdict by now but the judges again adjourned because the governor failed to show up,” Habiburrahman said. “We will lodge our protest with the Judicial Commission.”

“We fully understand that the Jakarta governor does not have much time to spare, but he could at least appoint a lawyer.

“Judges must take firm measures regarding his absence, otherwise the case will never get settled,” he appealed to the bench, which consisted of presiding judge Enid Hasanuddin and his colleagues Supardja and Sapawi.

The gubernatorial regulation reflects the government’s ambiguity toward the tobacco issue, Habiburrahman argued. On one hand the state legalizes tobacco, levying taxes and earning big money from it, but at the same time criminalizes smokers, the he said.

Daru Supriono, another lawyer and member of Komunitas Kretek’s Yogyakarta branch, said the judges should have reached a verdict without the presence of the defendant, because the case had already gone through four hearings.
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“According to procedure, a decision can be made after the defendant fails to appear three times without explanation,” Daru said.

Reference; Tobacco Lobbyists In a Huff After Fauzi Skips Trial, Eddy Pratama, thejakartaglobe.com, 4/6/2011.

Directly related news briefs:
Indonesia - Jakarta’s entertainment industry complains about city's smoking ban..;
Indonesia - planning to file a judicial review against a joint ministerial decree regulating smoke-free zones..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - lawyers mount bid to challenge city's anti-smoking decree..;
Indonesia - by banning smoking inside buildings smokers could be considered criminals.

Reference: Nightlife Reps Say Smoking Ban Will Hit City’s Economy, Dessy Sagita, TheJakartaGlobe.com. 3/17/2011.

Indonesia some related news briefs:
http://snus-news.blogspot.com/2011/03/indonesia-planning-to-file-judicial.html;
Indonesia - court heard from officials and experts that say that tobacco is not addictive..;
Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia - 75% of town employed in cigarette industry..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - lawyers mount bid to challenge city's anti-smoking decree..;
Indonesia - at least one court still debatng whether tobacco is addictive..;
Indonesia - by banning smoking inside buildings smokers could be considered criminals.;
Indonesia - govt to raise cigarette excise up to 10 percent starting January 2011..;
Indonesia - tobacco companies provide volcano rescue relief..;
Indonesia - health minister drafting regulation on tobacco advertising ban..;
Indonesia - police drop tobacco graft case, sparking suspicions..;
;
Indonesia - Australian bands (2) will they perform at tobacco sponsored musical festival??;
Indonesia - confusion regarding possible suspects regarding the missing clause from the health bill passed in September 2009..;
Indonesia - 2-year old kicks the habit - COLD Turkey..;
Indonesia - agrees to ratify the WHO FCTC public health treaty..;
WTO - US rejected call by Indonesia to rule on dispute on ban of clove cigarettes in the US..;
Indonesia - on June 22nd will ask WTO to rule on US ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - PT Djarum Tobacco to sponsor badminton events..;
Indonesia - CNN Video on 2-year old nicotine addict..;
Indonesia - more on the 2-year old addicted to nicotine..;
Indonesia - paradise for smokers and paradise for tobacco companies..;
Indonesia - House Finance and Banking Commission opposes govt plan to lower cigarette production..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - more on the Kelly Clarkson tobacco sponsored concert April 29th..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - Singer Kelly Clarkson will she perfom concert sponsored by major tobacco company..;
Indonesia - launches formal dispute with WTO over U.S, ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - parents encourage 4-year old boy to continue smoking habit..;
Hemoglobin obtained from pigs may be used in cigarette filters..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette tax and cut cigarette output..;
Indonesia - Muhammadiyah-owned university students demonstrate against edict against smoking..;
Indonesia - kretek cigarette maker Gudang Garam's 2009 net profit jumps 84 percent..;
Indonesia - persons accused of eliminating clause designating tobacco as addictive..;
Indonesia - second largest Muslim organization launched a fatwa against smoking..;
Indonesia - RATIFICATION OF FCTC MAY RAISE INDONESIA'S BARGAINING POWER.. ;
Indonesia - 18 tons of illegal cigarettes destroyed..;
Indonesia - Government to limit cigarette production..;
Indonesia - BAT, Bentoel shareholders approve planned merger..;
Indonesia - another protest rejecting the new cigarette excise tax..;
Indonesia - workers from small cigarette producers protest excise tax increase..;
Indonesia - cigarette industry has pledged to stage a demonstration to protest a government plan to increase excise tax.;
Indonesia - the last paradise for a puff in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - trade minister officials want to meet with US counterparts to discuss ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - PT BAT Indonesia to merge with PT Bentoel International Investama Terbuka..;
Indonesia - missing tobacco regulation in approved Health Law..;
Indonesia - section on tobacco in health bill disappears..;
Indonesia - Constitutional Court by close vote rules that tobacco ads can continue..;
Indonesia - parent smoking can negatively affect the nutrition of children..;
Indonesia - new council member suspect in cigarette fraud case..;
Indonesia - an NGO commission assists cigarettes must be banned in films..
Indonesia - a paradise for tobacco companies..
Indonesia - after buying cigarettes very little left for food..;
Indonesia - will they ratify the first world public health treaty..;
Indonesia - last paradise to smoke in public places in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - Industry minister to close tobacco to new foreign investment..;
Indonesia Finance Ministry to cap tax deductions for tobacco companies..;
Indonesia - Smoking hits poor families the hardest, making the poor even poorer..;
Indonesia - Cigarette makers defy crisis, grows stronger..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette excise tax next year..;
WHO - Indonesia is crying out for your help..;
Indonesia - dispute with U.S. over banning the use of clove in cigarettes..;
Indonesia 'cash cow' for Philip Morris International..;
Tobacco industry has long targeted young people as "replacement smokers";
Indonesia - district court dismisses request to ratify FCTC..;
Asean Countries - Tobacco Industry Blocking Global Treaty On Tobacco..; Indonesia - farmers hold rally protest tobacco controls..;
Indonesia - tobacco farmers reject Islamic council's edict..;
Indonesia - Ulema Council - debate results is split on smoking..;
Indonesia - Withdraw Sponsorhip of Another Rock Concert..;
Indonesia to increase tax on tobacco products..;
Semarang, Indonesia - Cigarette Smoking Areas to be Prepared..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - Malls help enforce non-smoking ban..;
Indonesia - federal anti-smoking laws in one year - MAYBE..;
Indonesia - NGO's (non-government organizations) Demand the Government Ratify WHO's FCTC.;
Indonesia to raise cigarette tax by 6 to 7% in 2009..;
Surabaya, Indonesia - anti-smoking bylaw 10/2009 - FOR REAL??
Indonesians smoking more than ever before..;
Indonesia further rise in the excise tax would hurt the cigarette industry..;
Alicia Keys - Jakarta Concert (July 31st) tobacco companies forced to withdraw sponsorship.. and
Most Indonesians support moves to ban tobacco advertisements..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - lawyers mount bid to challenge city's anti-smoking decree..;
Indonesia - at least one court still debatng whether tobacco is addictive..;
Indonesia - by banning smoking inside buildings smokers could be considered criminals.;
Indonesia - govt to raise cigarette excise up to 10 percent starting January 2011..;
Indonesia - tobacco companies provide volcano rescue relief..;
Indonesia - health minister drafting regulation on tobacco advertising ban..;
Indonesia - police drop tobacco graft case, sparking suspicions..;
;
Indonesia - Australian bands (2) will they perform at tobacco sponsored musical festival??;
Indonesia - confusion regarding possible suspects regarding the missing clause from the health bill passed in September 2009..;
Indonesia - 2-year old kicks the habit - COLD Turkey..;
Indonesia - agrees to ratify the WHO FCTC public health treaty..;
WTO - US rejected call by Indonesia to rule on dispute on ban of clove cigarettes in the US..;
Indonesia - on June 22nd will ask WTO to rule on US ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - PT Djarum Tobacco to sponsor badminton events..;
Indonesia - CNN Video on 2-year old nicotine addict..;
Indonesia - more on the 2-year old addicted to nicotine..;
Indonesia - paradise for smokers and paradise for tobacco companies..;
Indonesia - House Finance and Banking Commission opposes govt plan to lower cigarette production..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - more on the Kelly Clarkson tobacco sponsored concert April 29th..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - Singer Kelly Clarkson will she perfom concert sponsored by major tobacco company..;
Indonesia - launches formal dispute with WTO over U.S, ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - parents encourage 4-year old boy to continue smoking habit..;
Hemoglobin obtained from pigs may be used in cigarette filters..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette tax and cut cigarette output..;
Indonesia - Muhammadiyah-owned university students demonstrate against edict against smoking..;
Indonesia - kretek cigarette maker Gudang Garam's 2009 net profit jumps 84 percent..;
Indonesia - persons accused of eliminating clause designating tobacco as addictive..;
Indonesia - second largest Muslim organization launched a fatwa against smoking..;
Indonesia - RATIFICATION OF FCTC MAY RAISE INDONESIA'S BARGAINING POWER.. ;
Indonesia - 18 tons of illegal cigarettes destroyed..;
Indonesia - Government to limit cigarette production..;
Indonesia - BAT, Bentoel shareholders approve planned merger..;
Indonesia - another protest rejecting the new cigarette excise tax..;
Indonesia - workers from small cigarette producers protest excise tax increase..;
Indonesia - cigarette industry has pledged to stage a demonstration to protest a government plan to increase excise tax.;
Indonesia - the last paradise for a puff in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - trade minister officials want to meet with US counterparts to discuss ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - PT BAT Indonesia to merge with PT Bentoel International Investama Terbuka..;
Indonesia - missing tobacco regulation in approved Health Law..;
Indonesia - section on tobacco in health bill disappears..;
Indonesia - Constitutional Court by close vote rules that tobacco ads can continue..;
Indonesia - parent smoking can negatively affect the nutrition of children..;
Indonesia - new council member suspect in cigarette fraud case..;
Indonesia - an NGO commission assists cigarettes must be banned in films..
Indonesia - a paradise for tobacco companies..
Indonesia - after buying cigarettes very little left for food..;
Indonesia - will they ratify the first world public health treaty..;
Indonesia - last paradise to smoke in public places in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - Industry minister to close tobacco to new foreign investment..;
Indonesia Finance Ministry to cap tax deductions for tobacco companies..;
Indonesia - Smoking hits poor families the hardest, making the poor even poorer..;
Indonesia - Cigarette makers defy crisis, grows stronger..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette excise tax next year..;
WHO - Indonesia is crying out for your help..;
Indonesia - dispute with U.S. over banning the use of clove in cigarettes..;
Indonesia 'cash cow' for Philip Morris International..;
Tobacco industry has long targeted young people as "replacement smokers";
Indonesia - district court dismisses request to ratify FCTC..;
Asean Countries - Tobacco Industry Blocking Global Treaty On Tobacco..; Indonesia - farmers hold rally protest tobacco controls..;
Indonesia - tobacco farmers reject Islamic council's edict..;
Indonesia - Ulema Council - debate results is split on smoking..;
Indonesia - Withdraw Sponsorhip of Another Rock Concert..;
Indonesia to increase tax on tobacco products..;
Semarang, Indonesia - Cigarette Smoking Areas to be Prepared..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - Malls help enforce non-smoking ban..;
Indonesia - federal anti-smoking laws in one year - MAYBE..;
Indonesia - NGO's (non-government organizations) Demand the Government Ratify WHO's FCTC.;
Indonesia to raise cigarette tax by 6 to 7% in 2009..;
Surabaya, Indonesia - anti-smoking bylaw 10/2009 - FOR REAL??
Indonesians smoking more than ever before..;
Indonesia further rise in the excise tax would hurt the cigarette industry..;
Alicia Keys - Jakarta Concert (July 31st) tobacco companies forced to withdraw sponsorship.. and
Most Indonesians support moves to ban tobacco advertisements..
Read more...

Russia - still in discussion mode - significant tax hike should be coming..



April 6, 2011 he Finance Ministry is proposing that tobacco excises be increased to 3,000 rubles per 1,000 cigarettes from the current 270 rubles by the year 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kudrin, who is also finance minister, told the State Duma on Wednesday.

January 30, 2010 - Russia - Finance Ministry skeptical about raising taxes on tobacco..

"If Russia chooses to reach the level where tobacco tax represents 70 percent of the retail price, up to 2.7 million tobacco-related deaths among the Russian population can be avoided. Furthermore, the government would collect an additional RUB 153 billion (US$ 6 billion) in excise tax revenue per year." (Economics of Tobacco Taxation in Russia, Hana Zarubova Ross, PhD, Samina Shariff, MPH, Anna Gilmore, PhD, One of a series of reports on tobacco taxation funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, 2008.)
Plans for next year include raising tobacco excises by 60 percent and then moving to a more significant increase, he said. "When tobacco excises are growing at a rate of 50 percent, that, of course, will alter the behavior of smokers and enterprises planning their production capacity, so, I think, we cannot immediately triple excises but need to move at a rate of 50 percent to 70 percent and effect a doubling in a few years," Kudrin said. "That is sufficiently strong excise growth," he said, adding that this would generate substantial budget revenue. The budget will take in an additional 100 billion rubles ($3.54 billion) just from tobacco excises in as little as a year. There will be a discussion next month about the rate at which tobacco excises are hiked, Kudrin said.

Reference: Kudrin Confirms Cigarette Tax Hike, The Moscow Times, 4/6/2011

Russia related news briefs:
Russia - smoking ban coming- do you believe it??;
Russia - seeing is believing, legislation coming to restrict spread of cigarette smoke..;
Russia - accepting funds from PMI to improve technical colleges..;
Russia - govt talks the talk but can't walk the walk..;
Russia - KT&G Corp. completes construction of plant..;
Russia - launches anti-smoking program, maybe they're serious this time..;
Russia - electronic cigarettes to be banned..;
Russia - strong plans to reduce the burden of tobacco use - will it come true??;
Russia - finance minister urges citizens to smoke and drink more to lift tax revenues..;
Russia - BATR has an alternative instead of banning cigarette sales from kiosks or by street vendors..;
Russia - health warnings on cigarette packs..;
Russsia - 73 percent of boys and 65 percent of girls smoke..;
Russia - Finance Ministry skeptical about raising taxes on tobacco..;
Russia - tax on tobacco may be quadrupled..;
Russia - tobacco epidemic with no solution in site..;
Russia - public health official discusses tobacco control..;
Russia - making it more difficult for servicemen to smoke..;
Russia - draft tobacco law being considered by Duma..;
Russia among top-10 smoking nations..;
Russian lawmakers discuss smoking ban for restaurants and bars..;
Russia passes new restrictions on tobacco..;
British American Tobacco (BAT) Misleading Russian Consumers..;
Russian State Duma (Parliament) ratified the framework convention of the World Health Organization (WHO) on tobacco control...
a
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South Korea - smokers face uphill battle in Supreme Court..


April 6, 2011 - Will smokers be compensated for the cancer they develop after smoking cigarettes for decades without knowing its harms?

Background:

South Korea - lung cancer patients taken tobacco suit to the Supreme Court..;
South Korea - appellate court upholds lower court ruling rejecting claims of compensation for smoking lung cancer patients..
Moreover, will the court find tobacco firms guilty of selling carcinogens without appropriate warnings? The answers now depend on the Supreme Court justices as six smokers and 25 of their relatives have filed a suit against KT&G, the tobacco manufacturer here, over the prevalence of cancers believed to have been caused by decades-long smoking habit. They have demanded a total of 360 million won ($320,000) in compensation.

Bae Keum-ja, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. “It seems the court is taking the side of a poison maker.” Bae, who graduated from Harvard Law School with studies on cigarette litigation, admitted that the struggle will be long and might not produce the result they are looking for.

The answers now depend on the Supreme Court justices as six smokers and 25 of their relatives have filed a suit against KT&G, the tobacco manufacturer here, over the prevalence of cancers believed to have been caused by decades-long smoking habit. They have demanded a total of 360 million won ($320,000) in compensation.

The Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul High Court took 12 years to rule in favor of the tobacco maker, acknowledging that smoking increases cancer prevalence but requiring individuals to verify that smoking was the direct cause of their cancer. To successfully sue, the patients must also show that tobacco firms have concealed information about the harm that cigarettes have on human health.

“KT&G has refused the court’s settlement offer to establish a public foundation dedicated to antismoking campaign. Unless a whistleblower turns up to reveal crucial facts that support our claims from the inside, the chances are not so high,” she said.


Reference: Herald Interview] Smokers face uphill battle in Supreme Court by Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldm.com). Korea Herald, 3/27/2011.

South Korea - some related news briefs:
South Korea - KT&G’s Esse is queen of the super-slim cigarettes..;

South Korea - lung cancer patients taken tobacco suit to the Supreme Court..;
South Korea - One out of every 10 female high-school students smoke cigarettes habitually..;
South Korea - appellate court upholds lower court ruling rejecting claims of compensation for smoking lung cancer patients..;
South Korea - more tobacco control measures to be implemented - wants positive results by 2014..;
South Korea - govt serious about getting smokers to quit..;
South Korea - charge enough for cigarettes smokers will quit..;
South Korea - BAT Korea launching Dunhill Nanocut 1 mg, next week..;
South Korean tobacco company KT&G signs deal to sell cigarettes in the Middle East and Russia..;
South Korea - BAT releases Dunhill Orient as a limited edition..;
http://snus-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/south-korea-end-of-next-year-teenagers.html;
South Korea - stop people from smoking go ahead and triple the price of cigarettes..;
South Korea - Smoking Manner Campaign - promoting cigarette butt-free streets..;
South Korea - in 2007, world's 12th largest cigarette exporter..;
South Korea - study finds higher prices most effective method to discourage smoking..;
South Korea - a new Raison line extension..;
next month enforcement of ban on smoking by taxi drivers..;
South Korea - fines collected for dumping cigarette butts are down.. ;
South Korea - BAT launches new cigarette seems similar to Camel Crush..;
South Korea - rate of male smokers probably higher than any other OECD country..;
South Korea - BAT to further invest in Sacheon factory..;
South Korea - a look at KT&G Corporation with 63% of the market..;
South Korea - streets and parks of Seoul City could be designated as non-smoking areas..;
PMI - slide presentation South Korean Cigarette Market..;
South Korea - KT&G forms alliance with Imperial Tobacco Group..;
South Korea - more smokers in 2009 than in 2008..;
South Korea - remote island going smoke-free, car-free and night lights-free..;
South Korea - Stressed-out Koreans smoking more..;
South Korea - to ban smoking in public places from 2011..;
Korea - BAT - winning the hearts and minds of customers based on tactics tailored to local tastes..;
Korea - sets target to reduce smoking 10% in 5-years..;
Korea - stricter regulation of the tobacco industry coming..;
South Korea - tobacco imports surge 396-fold over 10-years..;
Korea - slight increase in men smoking.. ;
South Korea - anti-tobacco campaign - body painting..;
Korea - smoking ban just about everywhere by end of 2009..;
Tobacco marketing in South Korea has been deliberately aimed at girls and young women..;
Korea - smoking rates fall for men and women...
(passive smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, ets, involuntary smoking, sidestream smoking)
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Conflicting Studies - does nicotine promote tumor growth..


March 6, 2011 - Back August 2010 researchers from Taipei Medical University looked looked at both breast cancer cells and normal cells to see if nicotine promoted tumour growth at a cellular level. It is the first time nicotine has been implicated as one of the chemicals in cigarettes that can trigger the development of breast cancer. Dr Yuan-Soon Ho and his team found that when normal cells were treated with nicotine in the laboratory it promoted the development of cancer characteristics. Likewise reducing the level of nicotine inhibited tumour growth. The findings, published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, could be a major blow to makers of nicotine-based products that help smokers to quit. The research could have a negative impact on companies that make nicotine gum, patches and electronic cigarettes that are promoted as a 'healthy alternative' for smokers. (PAPER: Nicotine in cigarettes linked to breast cancer..)



Now we found- nicotine at doses similar to those found in most nicotine replacements therapies did not increase lung cancer tumor incidence, frequency or size, according to results of a mouse study presented at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held here April 2-6.“If you take our data and combine it with epidemiological data from Europe, even in people who quit smoking and maintain the use of nicotine replacement therapy for months or years, there does not appear to be increased lung cancer incidence,” said Phillip A. Dennis, M.D., Ph.D., senior investigator at the medical oncology branch of the National Cancer Institute. “This suggests that nicotine replacement therapy is probably safe and is certainly safer than smoking.” Nicotine Does Not Promote Lung Cancer Growth in Mouse ModelsAmerican Association of Cancer Research, 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held here April 2-6. 4/4/201.

Nicotine Promotes Growth Of Tumors Already Established By Tobacco Carcinogens

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Spain - cigarette smuggling after tax hike..


April 6, 2011 - The sale of smuggled cigarettes in Spain has soared since the government raised the tax rate on tobacco, a spokesman for Franco-Spanish tobacco producer Altadis said Monday.

Directly related:
November 6, 2010 -Spain's Biggest Ever Counterfeit Cigarette Network Dismantled..

The company estimates smuggled cigarettes accounted for around six percent of Spain's total cigarette consumption during the first three months of the year, compared to just one percent in all of 2010, the spokesman said.

The problem is especially high in the southwestern region of Andalusia as a significant amount of smuggled cigarettes enter Spain from the nearby British territory of Gibraltar, he added.

The prices of cigarettes in Spain have risen by around 40 percent since June 2009 due to a series of tax hikes, with a packet of Marlboro now costing 4.25 euros ($6.04) from 3.10 euros.

Altadis is a unit of Britain's Imperial Tobacco Group, Europe's second-biggest tobacco company. Altadis (Alliance Tobacco Distributors) born from the merger of Spain's Tabacalera and France's Seita SA (F.STA) state tobacco monopolies..;
Imperial Tobacco successfully concludes acquisition of Altadis...

Imperial Tobacco makes Davidoff, West, Drum, Golden Virginia and Lambert & Butler cigarettes while Altadis manufactures Fortune, Gitanes and Ducados.

Reference: Cigarette smuggling soars in Spain after tax hike: company, expatica.com, 4/4/2011

Spain - related news briefs:
Spain - hostelry sector to present 1 million signatures against smoking ban..;
Spain - the govt is serious - smoking ban holding this time..:
Spain - Spanish Hotel and Catering Association (FEHR) complains about loss of business..;
Palencia, Spain - hotels and restaurants protest anti-smoking law..;
Spain - anti-smoking law goes into effect Sunday, January 2, 2010.;
Spain - new smoking ban goes into effect January 2, 2011 - how many jobs will be lost??;
Paper: Spain - cost of each pack of cigarettes up to $150..;
Spain - doctors call for tobacco sales banned in vending machine in bars and from kiosks..;
Spain - the Basque Governing Council gives green to the latest anti-smoking bill..:
Spain - ban smoking legislation wins unanimous support in parliament..;
Spain - tougher smoking restrictions not until 2011..;
Spain - Indonesia`s clove cigarettes popular in Spain..;
Spain - health minister believes society mature enough to accept total smoking ban..;
Spain - cigarette sales are up - so what else is new!!;
Spain - zero tolerence smoking ban this year or next??:
Spain - in June 2010 government will present a law to congress to ban smoking in closed public places..;
Spain - government postpones debate on tougher smoking legislation..;
Spain - smoking ban to be implemented on January 1, 2010 still being delayed..;
Spain - still some hesitation on total smoking ban for country..;
Spain - hotel and catering industry protests plan to ban smoking next year..;
Spain - hopes next year to expand ban on smoking in enclosed public places..;
Spain - impact of 2006 law banning smoking in public places..;
Spain - ready for expansion and enforcement of Anti-Smoking Act..;
Spain - ready for full smoking ban in public places..;
Spain - ban smoking public places - a lot of talk no action..;
Spain plans gruesome images on cigarette packs sometime in future..
Read more...

New York City - loosies still being sold in New York City..



April 5, 2011 - New York City selling single cigarette - call loosies on the street..
But with cigarette prices up and the number of smoke-friendly places down, the black market for loosies is now thriving on the streets.

Reference: A Cigarette for 75 Cents, 2 for $1: The Brisk, Shady Sale of ‘Loosies’ by JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN, The New York Times, 4/4/2011.

Kids using loosies..
Philadelphia, PA - teen-smoking rate is among the worst of big cities..

NYC directly related:
New York City - fewer smokers entering free quit smoking program..;
New York City - Should condos and co-ops be able to ban smoking inside owners' apartments?;;
New York City smoking ban includes city golf courses..;
NYC Mayor Bloomberg making the case for banning smoking at city bus stops..;
New York City - Mayor Bloomberg signs legislation into law that bans smoking in parks and on beaches..;
New York City Council votes to ban smoking in parks, beaches and other outdoor public places..;
New York City - tomorrow is the day, ban on smoking in parks, beaches, marinas, boardwalks and pedestrian plazas should pass..;
New York City - expects vote soon on smoking at beaches and park..;
New York City - . U.S. Court rejects NYC law for shops to have anti-smoking signs..;
New York City - suing tobacco company in Washington State..;
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gives $500,000 to defend anti-smoking laws in Uruguay..;
New York City - decreases in tobacco related disease..;
New York City - smoking-related deaths drop by 17% in 8-years..;
New York City - does it the RIGHT WAY, bans most forms of flavored tobacco products..;
New York City - City Council moves one step closer to extending smoking ban to parks and beaches..;
New York City - Poospatuck Reservation stores (2) caught selling cigarettes to bootleggers..;
New York City - smoking ban enforced, club fined and closed for letting patrons smoke inside..:
New York City - Mayor Bloomberg still mulling over smoking ban at NYC parks, beaches..;
New York City - Department of Health cracking down on smoking at outside areas at bars and other places....;
New York City - more on the anti-smoking signs lawsuit against Department of Health..;
New York City - Mayor Bloomberg still considering smoking ban in parks and beaches.. - Get It Done Already!!;
Big tobacco companies file lawsuit contesting NY City's anti-smoking signs..;
New York City - federal judge rejects plaintiffs attempt to stop the law that blocks the sale of flavored tobacco products..;
New York City - moving closer to closing a nighclub that flouted smoking ban..;
New York City - VIDEO: starting March 1, 2010 stores, anti-smoking signs..;
NYC Lawsuit against Online Cigarette Vendor Dismissed..;
NY City - smokers kicking the addiction and living longer than ever..;
NY City Council not backing down as US Smokeless Tobacco files lawsuit against city..;
New York City - ban on flavored tobacco products becomes law..;
New York City bans the sale of flavored tobacco products..;
New York City - Mayor Bloomberg pushing ahead to ban smoking in city parks and beaches..;
New York City - all retailers selling tobacco will be required to post warning signs..;
New York City - to ask public opinion - smoking graphic warning signs; New York City - proposed pictorial warning signs to show the sickness and suffering caused by tobacco use.;
New York City - may ban smoking in parks and beaches..;
New York City - can't sue Internet cigarette retailers for lost taxes..;
New CDC Chief Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH..;
New York City Council ban candy-flavored tobacco, smoking outside of hospitals..;
New York - city and state officials back off plans to crack down on cigarette black market..;
New York City - nonsmokers exposed to cigarette smoke..;
New York City - cigarettes more than $10- a- pack..;
NYC can move forward with reservation cigarette lawsuit..;
Michael Rubens Bloomberg - ELF Award winner 2008;
NYC sues reservation smoke shops over bootlegging..;
NYC Fights Smoking With Reality Images in Matchbooks..;
NY City Can Proceed With Lawsuits Against 10 Online Cigarette Vendors..;
NYC Warns Parents of Smoking Lawsuits...
(NY City)
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Hungary - for the health of the citizens smoking ban must not be delayed

April 5, 2011 - March 10, 2011 - Hungary Smoking Ban May Be Delayed

Hungary shows the poorest cancer-related mortality rate within Europe, World Health Organisation (WHO) data released in Geneva on Friday, on World Cancer Day, show. (Hungary cancer-related mortality rate poorest in Europe by: MTI, caboodle.hu, 2/7/2011. Recent male Hungarian lung cancer mortality rates have been among the highest in history. (Lung cancer mortality rates at age 35-69 years,Hungary and 5 other countries: 1950-2005 (males))

The introduction of smoking ban in bars and restaurants would not cause the Hungarian state HUF 50 billion (1 USD = 185.552 HUF) in tax losses, the National Institute for Health Development (OEFI) said in response to a study by NAV that estimated severe losses related to the measure, online media site Index wrote

Consumption in establishments can drop up to 2-4% as a result of the ban, which would not cost more than HUF 7 billion if it was introduced this summer, OEFI said.

OEFI cites several international examples where smoking ban did not caused losses. The raise of excise duties and VAT usually has much more impact on consumption, the organization claimed.

Reference: Smoking ban would not hurt tax revenues, OEFI claims, Budapest Business Journal, 4/4/2011.

Related news briefs:
Hungary - smoking ban may be delayed..;
Hungarians must adjust to new anti-smoking ban or pay..
Read more...

Sri Lanka - to strengthen amendments to the NATA Act..



Prof. Fonseka..

April 5, 2011 - The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) has stated that the agency was going to closely advise the government and tobacco industry on implementing the Tobacco and Alcohol Act (Sri Lanka - NATA to advise government and tobacco industry..)

Authorities are set to introduce new legislation to ensure 100 percent smoke free public and work places shortly. They are also planning to enforce regulations relating to publishing pictorial warnings on tobacco product packagings to discourage smoking, especially among youth.

The new legislation would come into force as soon as the authorities ratify the amendments to the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act, NATA Chairman Prof Carlo Fonseka said.

According to Prof Fonseka, the proposed amendments to the NATA Act which would enforce the above are with the Legal Draftsman of the Health Ministry.

Prof Fonseka expects that the proposals would be ratified by the authorities shortly.

Sri Lanka’s Current National Tobacco and Alcohol Regulations prohibit smoking in any enclosed public place except hotels, guest houses or lodges with 30 rooms or more; restaurants or clubs with a seating capacity of 30 or more people; and airports subject to allocating a separate place with adequate ventilation for smoking conforming to the prescribed air quality standards.

According to Prof Fonseka, NATA has proposed to delete the word ‘enclosed’ to prohibit smoking totally in all public and work places.

Public Health authorities worldwide have concluded that there is no safe level in secondhand smoke exposure.

Secondhand smoke has proved to cause lung cancer, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weight and serious respiratory conditions. Scientific evidence is clear that the only effective way to protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke is to enact 100 percent smoke-free laws in all indoor work places and public places, according to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control FCTC.

NATA has also proposed to enforce Article (11) under their agreement with the FCTC which stipulates the inclusion of pictorial warnings in all tobacco packaging material. Sri Lanka which is a Party to the FCTC was the first Asian country which ratified FCTC.

At least 40 countries including India and Thailand belonging to South East Asia have finalized requirements for (Article 11), picture warnings.

Many other countries’ judiciaries are in the process of doing so or have stated that picture warnings are under consideration.

Although Parties to the Convention are required to implement Article 11 within three years from the date of Convention entering into force (the Convention entered into force on February 27, 2005), Sri Lanka has not been able to implement Article 11 up to date.
However, since the present regime led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed Office there has been high political commitment towards tobacco control in the country.

The country was the first in the South-East Asia Region to ratify the WHO FCTC. It enacted a Tobacco Control Act in 2006 for comprehensive tobacco control and established NATA to implement the Act.

The proposed amendments to the NATA Act are expected to further strengthen its efforts at discouraging smoking among the public.

Reference: Puffers smoked out", free public, work places, No safe level in secondhand smoke exposure, pictorial warnings in all tobacco packaging material, Rasika Somarathna, Daily News, 4/4/2011.

Sri Lanka - related news briefs:
Sri Lanka - flood of counterfeit cigarettes reduces the effectiveness of tobacco control program..:
March 8, 2010 - International Women's Day..;
Sri Lanka - ambiguity in Alcohol and Tobacco Act..;
Sri Lanka - NATA to advise government and tobacco industry..;
Sri Lanka - Industry gimmick to entice youth to smoking..;
Sri Lanka - huge drop in tobacco smoking..
(contraband, black market, smuggling)
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BAT creates Nicoventures Ltd. plans to develop tobacco -free nicotine products..


April 5, 2011 - British American Tobacco (BAT), estimated to be the world’s second largest tobacco group by global market share, created a unit that will seek to develop nicotine products for people wanting an alternative to cigarettes as governments aim to reduce smoking.

British American Tobacco confirmed on April 5 that it has established a start-up company, Nicoventures Limited, that will focus exclusively on the development and commercialisation of innovative regulatory approved nicotine products. (British American Tobacco establishes stand-alone company, Nicoventures Limited, politics.finchannel.com/Main_New, 4/5.22011.


BAT Press Release, 4/5/2011..

Nicoventures Ltd. plans to develop tobacco-free nicotine products, Kate Matrunola, a spokeswoman for London-based BAT, said today. The unit employs four people and will discuss with regulators what sort of products might work, she said by phone.
Restrictions on advertising and marketing may be a challenge to smoking substitutes, according to analysts.

“The biggest obstacles will be regulatory,” Erik Bloomquist, an analyst at Berenberg Bank in London, said by phone. “The mindset in much of public health around tobacco is quit or die, not harm-reduction.” Adrian Marshall, who previously led a program at BAT that sought to develop less-risky alternatives to cigarettes, will head the unit. Two of the other employees previously worked at Swedish Match AB and one worked with smoking cessation brands in the U.K., according to Nicoventures’s website.

The U.K. tobacco company and Swedish Match have lobbied the European Union to lift a ban on selling snus, a moist form of snuff legal in Sweden, in other countries in the region. (Swedish SNUS - European Union not about any time soon to legalize the use of snus..)

Nicoventures said it aims for the products to give smokers “much of the experience they expect to get from a cigarette.” “The grail is a product that replicates as closely as possible the sensations and rituals of smoking,” Berenberg’s Bloomquist said .

Altria Inc. said Jan. 31 it will try selling new smokeless products in test markets throughout the U.S. About a quarter of smokers are interested in smokeless tobacco alternatives to cigarettes, according to the Richmond, Virginia-based company. (Altria companies to test new smokeless tobacco stick..)

BAT’s other harm-reduction projects continue, and the company’s “core business” remains tobacco, Matrunola said. The maker of the Kent and Pall Mall brands said in April 2009 it was beginning clinical tests on a cigarette prototype that might have fewer health risks. BAT will provide more information on the tests “soon,” Matrunola said, without elaborating.

Reference: BAT to Develop ‘Safer’ Nicotine Products for Long-Term Useby Tom Mulier (tmulier@bloomberg.net, editor responsible for this story: Celeste Perri (cperri@bloomberg.net), 4/5/2011.
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