DID YOU KNOW - Smoking is the biggest killer in Spain, with 50,000 smoking-related deaths annually. Did you know - fewer than 5% of Spanish women aged 45-74 smoke compared to nearly 40% of young (25-44) women in Spain.
"Public policy plays a crucial role in the prevention of smoking and improving health of the population," the study reads. "The estimated cost of premature death per package of tobacco is a key element in the cost-effectiveness of prevention polices and tobacco control."
The study examined average lost wages, cost of health care, social costs, and the economic impacts of lost retail sales to determine the total cost of smoking per pack of cigarettes.
The study found that the average cost of a pack of cigarettes was higher for men than women, but this was largely due to a difference in average wages and a difference in the number of cigarettes an addicted smoker is likely to consume.
For men, the average pack of cigarettes costs approximately $150, while the price is roughly $106 for women.
Reference: Cigarettes cost up to $150 per pack, written by: QMI Agency, CHealth.canoe.ca, 10/8/2010..
Spain - related news briefs:
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...
Paper: Spain - cost of each pack of cigarettes up to $150..
South Korea - stop people from smoking go ahead and triple the price of cigarettes..
October 9, 2010 - 
Currently, Korea’s male smoker rate hovers around 45 percent, compared with 17.9 percent in the United States and 19.9 percent in Canada, according to the OECD Health Data 2010.
An average pack of 20 cigarettes is sold at 2,500 won ($2.2) here, one of the lowest, if not the lowest, among the OECD countries. A pack of cigarettes costs around $4.17 in Greece, $4.75 in Japan, $7.28 in France, $9.94 in the U.K., $11.1 in Ireland and $10.80 in New York, according to Bloomberg and the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association in London.
Few deny that an increase in tobacco prices would reduce tobacco consumption, but the majority of smokers remain skeptical about such a drastic pricing policy, raising questions about fairness and concerns over possible side effects.
A World Bank report shows that a 10 percent increase in price would lead to a 4 to 8 percent drop in tobacco demand. Experts say an increase in price would have more of an impact on younger people as teenagers and those in their early 20s would find it difficult to afford such a habit. They claim that a 10 percent increase in price would lower youth smoking rates by some 6 percent and reduce the average number of cigarettes consumed by them by 12 percent.
The majority of policy makers, including new Health Minister Chin Soo-hee, have expressed their support for the KCDCP’s pitch. “It will be inevitable to raise cigarette prices as non-price policies alone cannot curb the smoking epidemic,” Chin told the press on Sept. 17. “The government is pushing a price hike not for the sake of raising additional funds for its health insurance budget, but to lower the smoking rate.”
Korea has seen moderate success when it has raised tobacco prices. When the government increased taxes to raise the average price of a pack of cigarettes from 1,800 won (1.61 USD) to 2,000 won (1.78 USD)in 2002, it witnessed the percentage of male smokers drop from 61 percent to 57 percent in a year. When it increased the price by another 500 won (0.45 USD) to 2,500 won (2.23 USD) in 2005, the smoking rate fell by 8 percent in the following year.
The KCDCP’s call for a price of 8,000 won (7.14 USD) per pack coincides with results of a Ministry of Health and Welfare survey carried out on some 3,000 adults nationwide this year. When the ministry asked about an ideal cigarette price to discourage smoking, the average figure was 8,511 won, suggesting that addiction to cigarettes is so strong that only a dramatic increase will have an impact.
A 2010 poll of 12,000 people by broadcasting station KBS found that only 23 percent of the surveyed smokers said they would stop smoking if the average cigarette price doubles to 5,000 won (4.46 USD). Of them, 28.6 percent answered that they will keep smoking no matter how high the price may go up. Minister Chin and other non-smokers will face an uphill battle to persuade nicotine addicts, who currently pay slightly more than 1,500 won (1.34 USD) in taxes for a pack of cigarettes, to pay more. The KBS survey shows that 66 percent of Korean smokers are still opposed to the idea of a price increase, though 74 percent of non-smokers support an increase in tobacco tax.
Many remain critical about a cigarette price hike, arguing that it would result in serious side effects, such as an increase in tobacco smuggling, and worsen economic polarization. Francesca Cornaglia from the University of London claims that smokers may buy fewer cigarettes when the price goes up, but inhale more deeply or smoke more of the cigarette to ensure nicotine levels in the body remain constant. “When that happens, the filter doesn’t really work for the second half of the cigarette as good as it does for the first half because it has already absorbed tar and substances,” she said. “So the second half of the cigarette actually gets filtered less properly than the first half.”
Other experts claim that a price increase will have negative effects on people in poverty and those less educated, who have a much higher smoking rate. They say those more educated and financially stable are more aware of the harmful effects of smoking and have a higher tendency to stop smoking when the price goes up.
Tobacco smuggling and cross-border shopping is also another concern. In Britain, the high tax-induced price of tobacco products has led to many smokers seeking alternative cheaper sources of cigarettes, both legal (duty-free and cross-border shopping) and illegal (smuggling and bootlegging). It is estimated that non-UK duty paid consumption accounted for 21 percent of the cigarettes and 58 percent of the handrolling tobacco in the U.K.
Rep. Son Sook-mee of the governing Grand National Party claims that authorities seized 762 cases of cigarette smuggling worth 19.5 billion won in Korea between 2006 through July 2010. She says smuggling and related crime will skyrocket once the government introduces a price hike in tobacco prices, noting that cigarette smuggling to Korea increased 16 times in 2009, compared to the previous year.
“Smuggled cigarettes will also pose a great health risk to the public as it is difficult to find out when they were made and what kind of toxic chemicals were added in them due to a questionable manufacturing process,” Son said.
Doctors say life expectancy decreases about 12 minutes per cigarette and 30 percent of heart ailments are linked to smoking, which causes more deaths than alcohol, AIDS, illegal drugs, auto accidents, fire, murder, and suicide combined. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that smoking is also a leading cause of preventable death, with 100 million deaths attributed to it during the 20th century, and nearly one billion deaths projected for the 21st century.
In Australia, about 300,000 people quit smoking in the two months after the government increased tobacco excise by 25 percent in April this year. (Australia - tobacco tax increase results in more people quitting..) A survey by pharmaceutical company Pfizer found that 1.2 million, or 38 percent, of smokers attempted to quit after the surprise tax increase at the end of April. In comparison, some 29 percent of smokers attempted to quit in the three months before the tax hike. Overall, 9 percent of smokers successfully quit in May and June and 29 percent said the price increase had led to them smoking fewer cigarettes.
Reference: Will tax hike effectively curb smoking? by Lee Tae-hoon, The Korean Times, 10/4/2010.
South Korea - some related news briefs:
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...
Read more...
Turkey - Cigarette consumption drops by 16 percent but increase in youth smoking..
According to these figures, 3.64 billion packs were sold in the first eight months of last year, compared to 3.1 billion this year. The effect of the smoking ban on cigarette sales was seen starting in the second half of last year, but smokers in Turkey still spend almost as much for tobacco products as the government allocates to investment.
The ban on smoking in public places first went into effect in May 2008 but was implemented gradually. The provisions of the law that introduce the smoking ban in restaurants, cafeterias and coffeehouses took full effect starting July 19, 2009. There was a significant fall in cigarette sales in 2009, during which a total of 5.4 billion packs were sold. However, the most serious drop was experienced this year. Last year in February, a total of 389 million packs were sold compared to 298 million packs this year. Even the tourism season and a higher number of foreign visitors to Turkey this year could not slow the fall. In July of this year 79 million fewer packs were sold than in July of 2008, while in August 44 million fewer packs were sold in comparison with the previous year.
During the more than four-and-a-half years from the start of 2006 up to August 2010, 25 billion packs were consumed in Turkey. In terms of single cigarettes smoked, this figure amounts to 492 billion. In monetary terms, this amounts to TL 86 billion. On average, smokers spend a total of TL 18 million on cigarettes, which nears the TL 22 billion in this year’s budget allocated by the state for hospital, school, road, utilities and other investments.
According to a recent survey by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat), 31.3 percent of individuals age 15 and higher use tobacco on a daily or regular basis; 47.9 of the smoking population are men, while 15.2 percent are women; and 8.4 percent of the 13-18 age group are smokers. The percentage of boys in this age group is 9.4 percent, while 5.3 percent are girls. These figures actually show an increase in the smoking rate for this group, which stood at 6.0 percent in 2003. TurkStat figures also show that tobacco addiction has become more common among women in comparison with the past.
Reference: Cigarette consumption in Turkey drops by 16 percent, Today's Zaman, 10/7/2010.
Turkey - related news briefs:
Turkey - smokers re-packaging cigarettes to avoid looking at graphic warnings..;
Turkey - WHO presents Prime Minister Erdoğan with award..;
Turkey - smoking ban a year later, goals are being achieved..;
Turkey - even in tea houses smoking ban is working..;
Turkey - smoking ban compliance excellent and cigarette sales drop 15 percent..;
Turkey - two television stations successfuly challenge fines..;
Turkey - two TV stations fined for airing shows featuring smokers..;
Turkey - smoking still major problem despite countrywide ban..;
Turkey - state tobacco monopoly sold workers still want jobs..;
Turkey - overall, smoking ban is working..;
Turkey - court overrules TAPDK on tobacco labels..;
Turkey - cigarette producers sue to reduce size of graphic images..;
WHO to unveil new 2009 tobacco epidemic report in Turkey..;
Turkey - graphic/written warning labels starting January 1, 2010..;
Turkey - with expansion of smoking ban cigarette sales drop..;
Turkey - smoking ban, cafes (teahouses) losing business, owners threaten to strike..;
Turkey - hundreds of cafe owners demonstrate against smoking ban..;
Turkey - small--scale retailers to demonstrate against smoking ban..;
Turkey - anti-smoking advocates happy with early results of smoking ban..; Turkey - smoker wounds manager and kills his friend when asked to stop smoking..
Turkey - cafe owners complain about smoking ban..;
Turkey - dangers of secondhand smoke media campaign..;
Turkish Government - makes major move to improve the health of its citizens..;
Turkey - smoking ban starting July 19th will be enforced - these guys are serious..;
Turkey - poll indicates employers, their employees and customers support smoking ban in cafes, bars and restaurants..;
Turkey - July 19th total smoking ban, will employees lose jobs..;
Turkey - on July 19, 2009 will mark the beginning of “100 percent smoke-free air” in this country..;
Turkey - national smoking ban starts July 19, 2009..;
Turkey - quit smoking photo displayed in İstanbul's Taksim Square..;
Turkey - data on tobacco usage - Turkish Statistics Institution..;
Turkey - smoking ban in all bars, restaurants and coffeehouses starting July 19, 2009..;
Smoking ban in Turkey lowers cigarette consumption..;
Turkey's ban on pubic smoking goes into effect on Monday, May 19, 2008..;
British American Tobacco (BAT) reported group volume sales up for first quarter 2008..;
More on the quick fix for outdoor smokers..;
BAT to Acquire Most of Denmark's ST..;
More on Philip Morris International of the Future..;
WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008...
Read more...
Northern Ireland - July 1, 2011 date of start of cigarette display ban..
The assembly had already approved the display ban in March 2009, but Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politicians wanted the ban to take effect in 2013 to give retailers the time to fund changes to their premises. (Northern Ireland - assembly approves ban on display of tobacco items..)
Every year, 2,700 deaths in Northern Ireland are caused by smoking.
Merchants feel the cigarette displays in shops would increase the number of smokers buying on the black market. Three-quarters of corner shopkeepers believed putting tobacco under the counter will make smokers feel like they are doing something illegal, a survey for the Tobacco Retailers' Alliance said. (Concern over cigarette display ban, Belfast Telegraph, 8/25/2010)
Health Minister Micheal McGimpsey launched a consultation which puts the current tobacco control regulations under scrutiny on Friday, October 1, 2010. It will seek views from retailers and members of the public on the advertising of tobacco in shops and the sale of tobacco from vending machines. If the proposals go ahead, tobacco displays at point of sale in shops will be banned from 1 July 2011 and in vending machines from 1 October 2011.
Reference: 2011 date for cigarette display ban, U TV News, 10/1/2010.
I
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Greece - smoking ban - 4th attempt in 8-years failing..
The new Socialist government hoped fines would work after a partial ban in 2009 was largely ignored, but the law is flouted, again.
The law in a nutshell
* Individuals found smoking in public indoor places may be issued with a fine ranging from 50 to 500 euros.
* Owners of public places (restaurants, cafes, workplaces etc) where people are found smoking, those found guilty of selling tobacco and alcohol products to minors, and those found in contravention of the ban on tobacco advertising, will face a fine ranging from 500 to 10,000 euros. On their fifth violation, their respective operating licence will be cancelled.
* Repeat offenders in all categories will pay higher fines
(1.00 EURO = 1.28 USD)
Source: Article 17 of Law 3868/2010, published in the Government Gazette on August 3
“Everywhere, I mean in eight out of ten cases, the ban is being violated — and this is really bad for the state,” Health Minister Andreas Loverdos told lawmakers late on Wednesday, October 6th after undercover inspectors went to check on bars and restaurants.Bars and restaurants were given one month, until October 1, to comply with the September 1 ban on smoking in indoor public places — no easy task in a country where about 40 percent of people smoke.
Inspectors can impose up to 10,000 euros ($13,990) in fines on bar-owners tolerating smoking and up to 500 euros for smokers who break the law.
Dozens of bar owners rallied in a central square in Athens to protest against the ban, with banners reading: “We say yes to ashtrays.” Some also shut their cafes.
“Bars are dependent on tobacco, music and coffee. If this law is implemented, it will be a disaster. They will shut down,” said bar owner Spyros Aloyannis.
The government has also increased the tax on tobacco in a revenue-raising measure under a fiscal austerity plan mandated by an EU/IMF bailout to ease Greece’s sovereign debt crisis.
Reference: Eight in 10 Greeks violate smoking ban by Reuters, TorontoSun.com, 10/8/2010.
Some Greece related news briefs:
More - Greece- September 1st embarks on 4th attempt in eight-years to ban smoking in public places..;
Greece to go smoke free startng September 1, 2010 this time with the help of Harvard School of Public Health..;
Harvard SPH to help Greece with smoking ban..;
Greece - to try again to ban smoking in all indoor public places..;
Greece - another increase in tobacco taxes can be expected..;
Greece - trusty kiosks to shut in tobacco tax protest..;
Greeks smoke in defiance of ban..;
Greece - latest attempt at a smoking ban failing..;
Greek Farmers Renew Bulgaria Border Blockade..;
E-cigarettes - scientists want more safety studies before use..;
Greece - to increase tax on tobacco and alcohol..;
Greece - smoking ban, re-examining the legal framework supporting it..;
Pregnant women exposed to passive smoke greater chance of child will have respiratory distress..;
Greek betting firm - July 1st smoking ban has resulted in a further fall in sales..;
Greece - will the July 1st smoking ban work??;
Greece - ban on smoking in workplace starts July 1, 2009..;
Greece starts anti-smoking campaign..;
Greece May Have the Highest Cigarette Consumption Per Person in the World...
(Hellenic Republic, Greek)
Read more...
Kretek International (KI) rolls out premium e-cigarettes..
Starting on September 22, 2009, based on the on the new tobacco law, HR 1256 The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it was illegal to sell cigarettes flavored with cloves, fruit – anything but menthol. The new FDA law prohibits cigarettes with a characterizing flavor other than tobacco or menthol, but cigars are not covered by the new FDA ban.
Kretek International (KI), the nation's top distributor of clove cigarettes (97 percent of U.S. market) is offering fans a new way to get their fix after the spice-flavored cigarettes are banned - the New Clove Cigars..
The new filtered cigars—close to the size of a cigarette and flavored with clove, vanilla and cherry—allow KI, which imports Djarum-brand tobacco products from Indonesia, to avoid new federal laws banning flavored cigarettes other than menthol.
Clove cigars close but not cigarettes..;
Kretek International drops FDA lawsuit on clove cigars...
For further information CIG2o. Flavors include marbro, camelz, coffee, chocolate, grape, raspberry but not clove.
When is the US FDA going to permanently start regulating e-cigarettes..
Reference: Kretek Rolls Out Premium E-Cigarette by TOB (Tobacco Outlet Business), 10/6/2010.
Read more...
Ontario, Canada - legislator introducies bill to make it illegal for anyone under 19 to smoke cigarettes..
October 7, 2010 - An Ontario Tory (Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario) MPP (member of provincial parliament) introduced a private member's bill in Queens Park in Toronto (Legislative Assembly of Ontario) Wednesday, October 6th that would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 19 to smoke cigarettes. Under existing laws, it's illegal to sell cigarette to children and teens, but strictly speaking, it's not against the law for youths to smoke or possess them.
Conservative Gerry Martiniuk introduced a private member's bill in the legislature that will ban teens from possessing, consuming or attempting to purchase tobacco. (In Canada, a private member's bill is a bill introduced in the House of Commons by a member of parliament who is not a cabinet minister. A private member's bill follows the same legislative process as a government bill, but the time allocated for its consideration is restricted. Very few private member's bills become law. Private Member's Bill by Susan Munroe, About.com Guide)
Canada Ontario/Quebec - make it illegal for minors to possess tobacco products..
Martiniuk said current rules don't go far enough to stamp out the practice. Although the teen smoking rate is at an all-time low nationally, the figure is creeping higher in Ontario, Martiniuk said, because the availability of contraband cigarettes makes it easy for teens to find cigarettes. "The youth smoking rate in Ontario is now growing because of easy access to cheap, illegal cigarettes," he said. But even Martiniuk admitted the best course of action would be to lower taxes to eliminate illegal cigarettes.
Canada - study finds the tobacco tax decrease implemented in February 1994 had no impact on tobacco consumption or promotion..; Ontario - don't cut provincial tobacco taxes to try to reduce contraband tobacco traffic...
"I am concerned with the low price of illegal tobacco, a problem which we are all aware is making smoking affordable for our young people to experiment with," he said. "The sale of these illegal cigarettes is largely in the hands of organized crime, and they are targeting our young people."
A 2008 study by the Canadian Convenience Stores Association found that almost half of the cigarettes smoked in the province were contraband. Ontario's Auditor General found in a report that same year that the province fails to collect $500 million in tobacco taxes each year, largely due to contraband tobacco.
Canada - Health Canada shelves update of graphic warning messages to concentrate on the problem of contraband tobacco..
Similar laws on the books in Alberta, Nova Scotia, as well as in numerous U.S. states have proven effective, the group says.
Why NOT make it illegal for kids to smoke??
Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best also indicated Wednesday the Liberal government would not back Martiniuk's bill. "We want to ensure that they don't start to smoke in the first place, and we do not want to criminalize the young people. That is definitely not our intent," said Best. "We want adults to take responsibility for ensuring that children are armed with the knowledge of how dangerous it is for them to smoke."
Private member's bills rarely become law in Ontario. The smoking ban seems unlikely to survive past a second reading since the ruling Liberal government has already signalled it will not support the legislation.
Reference: Teen smoking ban focus of Ont. private bill, CBC News, 10/6/2010.
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PMI - can acquire Colombia's Protabaco but with several significant conditions and constraints - decision under review..
For background information on this possible acquisition. Philip Morris International to appeal Colombia's rejection of proposed Protabaco acquisition....
Yesterday, June 6th PMI announced that the Superintendent of Industry and Trade of Colombia has issued its final decision pertaining to PMI's previously announced intention to acquire Productora Tabacalera de Colombia, Protabaco Ltda. in July of 2009. Approval to proceed with the acquisition has been granted subject to several significant conditions and constraints.
PMI will now thoroughly review those conditions and determine whether or not the strategic rationale and financial attractiveness of the originally envisaged transaction can still be safeguarded in the best interest of its shareholders.
PMI anticipates that it will be in a position to make a final determination on whether or not to proceed within the next three months.
Reference: Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) Evaluates Decision on
Colombian Acquisition, SOURCE: Philip Morris International, 10/6/2010.
Read more...
Australia - butts bigger problem since smokers forced outdoors..
The national survey, which has been running for five years, found the most litter per 1000 square metres in Tasmania, and the least in Victoria. 56 butts 1,000 square metres was measured in Tasmania, the highest in the country and well above the national average of 32 butts. The national average was 66 items of litter per 1000 square metres or 7.55 litres in volume.
Keep Australia Beautiful chairman Don Chambers credited Victoria's approach, which allows motorists who witness littering from cars to report it, with its low litter rate. "There is a group of people who will always litter unless they know they will be fined," he said. "They are not interested in the environmental issues, they are not embarrassed by dropping rubbish."
Cigarette butts were clearly the most common kind of litter counted, with 32 butts per 1000 square metres in the 2009/2010 survey, up from 30 butts in the previous count.
NSW is now the most littered state according to the National Litter Index, compiled by Keep Australia Beautiful. An average of 75 items of litter for every 1000 sq m were found in NSW in 2009-10.
National Litter Index..
References: Keep Australia Beautiful survey finds smokers ciggarette butts most common litter, AAP, HeraldSun.com.au, 9/23/2010; Tas worst in discarding cigarette butts, ABC Northern Tasmania, 10/2/2010.
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International Tobacco Control (ITC) Project - tobacco cessation studies..
Tobacco Cessation - Table of Contents..
The publication is timely as the global community, through the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is seeking to develop Guidelines for the implementation of Article 14 of the Convention which requires Parties to take effective measures to reduce tobacco dependence and promote cessation of tobacco use.
International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project) mission is to measure the psychosocial and behavioural impact of key policies of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) among adult smokers, and in some countries, among adult non-smokers and among youth. (The conceptual framework of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Policy Evaluation Project, G T Fong (gfong@uwaterloo.ca) et al., Tob Control 2006;15:iii3-iii11)
Reference: ITC Project Releases Results of Tobacco Cessation Studies by Katy McEwen, ITCproject.org, 10/4/2010.
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Malaysia - if you smoke you lose..
Director Dr Marzukhi Md Isa said all the 13,000 department personnel had been informed ab
Dr Marzukhi said the department was conducting campaigns to encourage its personnel to quit smoking, including giving them acknowledgement certificates for their effort.
“This is the first time we are not selecting smokers for the awards and it will continue in the future,” he said.
In another matter: Malaysia's conservative Islamic party will field only a candidate who does not smoke in an upcoming by-election, reports, as the party seeks to boost its Islamic image. The Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS), which is a part of the opposition alliance, said the candidate it will pick for the poll in northern Kelantan state must display good Islamic character and the person must be a non-smoker. (Malaysia Islamic party to pick 'non-smoking candidate', AFP, 10/3/2010)
Reference: Health Dept snuffs out excellence awards for smokers by EMBUN MAJID, the Star, 10/4/2010,
Malaysia - some related news briefs:
Penang, Malaysia - specific areas for smoking..;
Malaysia - BAT wants gradual, moderate increases in the cigarette tax..:
Malaysia - horrific graphic warnings on cigarette packs, cartons..;
Malaysia - one out of three packets of cigarettes was smuggled;
Malaysia - doing a better job of seizing smuggled cigarettes..;
Malaysia - best way to get teenage girls to stop smoking is through education..;
Malaysia - ban on 14-stick cigarette packs delayed worry about increase in illicit cigarettes..;
Malaysia - slight decrease in illicit cigarettes; JTI Malaysia q1 2010 market share increases..;
Malaysia - Health Ministry's proposal to ban the sale of 14-stick cigarette packs beginning June 1, 2010..;
Malaysia - increase in number of women smoking..;
Malaysia - new strategy to penalize retailers who sell contraband cigarettes..;
Malaysia - youth and student smokers may not receive aid from government..;
Malaysia - two tobacco control regulations starting January 1, 2010..
Malaysia - about 368,000 teenager smokers in the country, 50-60 added per day..;
Malaysia - sale of cigarettes in packets of less than 20 prohibited as of June 1, 2010..;
Malaysia - stepping up efforts to curb the trade in illicit cigarettes..;
Malaysia - BAT plans to dispose of a parcel of industrial land..;
Malaysia - ban on cigarette sponsorship for sports will not be withdrawn..;
Malaysia - cigarette-shaped sweets packaged like cigarettes;
Malaysia - Penang consumer group ban cheap cigarettes and increase price on premium..;
Malaysia - Kelantin State Government may not promote staff who smoke..;
Malaysia - excise duty increased on tobacco - another increase could be coming this month..;
Malaysia - smoking limits your quality of life..;
Malaysia - smoking civil servants in Penang to receive free nicotine treatment..;
Malaysia - illicit cigarettes, BAT wants government to slow excise duty increases..;
Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government departments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government departments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...
Read more...
Study - many benefits including improvement in your sex life when you quit tobacco..
The University of Hong Kong study found 53.8 percent of smokers being treated for impotence said that their problems eased within six months of stubbing out their nicotine habits. That figure compared to just 28.1 percent of men treated for erectile dysfunction who continued smoking, meaning quitters have a 91.5 percent greater chance of a better sex life. More than 700 men suffering from erectile dysfunction aged 30 to 50 took part in the three-year study by the university's School of Public Health and Nursing.
Sophia Chan, a professor who helped conduct the survey, said erectile dysfunction was "very prevalent" in China and Asia and added that programmes to help smokers quit should be extended across the region. Her colleague Lam Tai-hing said: "Smokers should be aware of such adverse effects from their smoking and should quit now to prevent erectile dysfunction and other diseases caused by smoking.
"In fact, erectile dysfunction patients who smoke can expect some quick benefits after quitting smoking."
Reference: Give up smoking for better sex life: Study, IANS, IBNlive.in.com, 8/23/2010.
Nicotine most likely the culprit in sexual impotence and lower testosterone levels..
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U.S. - Experts Urge Further Research on Nicotine Reduction to Decrease Tobacco Addiction..
PAPER: Nicotine reduction revisited: science and future directions, Dorothy K Hatsukami (hatsu001@umn.edu), Kenneth A Perkins, Mark G LeSage, David L Ashley, Jack E Henningfield, Neal L Benowitz, Cathy L Backinger, Mitch Zeller, Tob Control 2010;19:e1-e10 doi:10.1136/tc.2009.035584, ABSTRACT..
Related paper by Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami and colleagues: Research shows nicotine-free cigs can help quitters by Raghav Mehta, MNdaily.com, 2/15. 2010.
Reference: Experts Urge Further Research on Nicotine Reduction to Decrease Tobacco Addiction, NCI Cancer Bulletin, October 5, 2010, Volume 7/Number 19, 10/5/2010.
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South Africa - Famous Smoking Chimpanzee Dies At 52..
After picking up a smoking habit because of cigarettes being thrown into his enclosure at the Mangaung Zoo in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Charlie began to bum smokes from zoo visitors by gesturing to his mouth with two fingers, mimicking the actions of smokers he'd watched. (See photos of the world's most endangered primates)
Visitors continued to indulge the chimp, bringing on a hailstorm of accusations from animal rights activists when videos surfaced online not long after, prompting Bloemfontein zoo officials to try to cut Charlie's nicotine supply off entirely.
Zoo officials claim that smoking was not a factor in the Charlie's death, who at 52, lived ten years beyond the normal life expectancy of the average chimpanzee.
Reference: VIDEO - Animals: Famous Smoking Chimpanzee Dies At 52 by: Allie Townsend, Times News Feed, 10/6/2010.
Image - Click to enlarge.. Image from Zoo Wants Chimpanzee to Stop Smoking, Smokers Club Inc., 4/15/2005.
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U.S. FDA plan to enforce the restrictions on promotion and advertising established by the Tobacco Control Act..
To find out more.. Enforcement of the laws and regulations..
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.., signed into law by President Barack Obama June 22, 2009..
It seems like the enforcement is limited to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. This is a extreme loophole that you can count on tobacco companies taken advantage.
C-store Update - cigar makers are getting a free ride..;
USA FDA - CTP - highly popular machine made flavored cigars...
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Camel SNUS ads Car and Driver Magazine - 2010..
October 6, 2010 -
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company tells people they market Camel Snus to adults but the ads seem like they are marketing snus to kids.. Take a look..
Camel SNUS ads - Car and Driver Magazine - 2010..
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Star Scientific - U.S. patent Patent and Trademark Office To Consider Reopening Patent Examination..
October 5, 2010 - Star Scientific Inc. said the U.S. government would consider reopening an examination of two of the company's patents. (US Patent & Trademark Office revoked/ “vacated” its prior notice to terminate Star Scientific's patent, pertinent in their dispute with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.)
In May, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, ended its re-examination of the two patents, saying Star Scientific as the patent owner failed to follow procedure. At the time, Star said it would seek to reopen the examination process.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, a unit of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), requested the re-examination of two patents in January 2009. The companies have been battling in federal court over Star's patents for a method of curing tobacco that reduces some toxins in the end product.
Star Scientifiic denied new trial in patent infringement - files appeal..
Monday, October 4th Star said its lawyer received a letter from the patent office that vacates the office's May notice it would be ending the re-examination. Star Chairman Paul L. Perito said the company was working on a response that the company believes will reopen the examination.
"We also continue to believe that once the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has had the opportunity to review all issues relevant to the proceedings, we will prevail on the merits," he said.
RJR couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
Patent Office Revokes Notice of Intent to Terminate Reexamination of Star Scientific Patents, SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc., PR Newswire, 10/4/2010.
Reference: Star Scientific: PTO To Consider Reopening Patent Examination by Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswire, 10/4/2010.
Also, Star Scientific Comments on Roskamp Institute's Plans to Conduct Human Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Using a Compound (RCP-006) Developed by Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc., PR Newswire, 10/7/2010.
Reference: Patent Office Revokes Notice of Intent to Terminate Reexamination of Star Scientific Patents, Star Scientific, 10/4/2010.
Some related Star Scientific news briefs:
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify Ariva-BDL lozenges as less harmful than traditional forms of tobacco..;
Star Scientific - Star Scientific q1 2010 financial report..;
Star Scientific - continue incurring losses on its smokeless-tobacco products..;
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify lozenge less harmful..;
Star Scientific denied new trial in patent infringement - files appeal..;
Star Scientific - NASDAQ trading symbol changed to CIGX..;
Star Scientific - new product (in 2010) to help adult smokers maintain a nicotine-free metabolism..;
Star Scientific - will use its low-nitrosamine tobacco curing process to formulate smokeless tobacco dissolvable smokeless products..
Star Scientific - q2 2009 report..;
Star Scientific - Filing patent for zero-nitrosamine tobacco curing process..;
Star Scientific - 2008 annual report/Stonewall vs other OTC NRTs..;
Star Scientific Corporate Study Stonewall Lozenge in NRT..;
Star Scientific Files Third Quarter Financial Report..;
Star Scientific wants to augment sales of their tobacco lozenges..;
Star Scientific , second quarter 2008, sales down 23.6%..;
Star Scientific Applauds Recent State Legislation - Banning Smoking in Cars with Children..
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Philippines - Commission on Human Rights (CHR) support placing graphic warnings on cigarette packs...
CHR Chair Loretta Rosales expressed on Monday, October 4th her support for groups that have called for the implementation of the Department of Health's Administrative Order 2010-0013, compelling tobacco manufacturers to put pictures of the debilitating effects of smoking on their packs.
Background:Rosales, who admitted to be a former chain smoker who kicked the habit in 1994, said the companies' refusal to follow the rules “was a rights violation.” “The companies who do not implement the Administrative Order (AO) should be charged,” she said in a press briefing on Monday.
April 7, 2010 - Philippines - DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs..
May 25, 2010 - Philippines - Department of Health wants health warnings on cigarette packs within 90 days..
June 4, 2010 - Philippines - tobacco firms claim graphic warnings on cigarette packs are illegal..
July 7, 2010 - Philippines - tobacco industry has obtained temporary relief from placing graphic warnings on cigarette packs..
August 23, 2010 - Philippines - tobacco companies don't want warnings on cigarette packs..
August 26, 2010 - Philippines - injunction regarding picture health warnings on cigarette packs nationwide..
September 8, 2010 - Philippines - anti-smoking group files case to push for graphic warnings on cigarette packs..;
She noted that the health department has put the law in place to protect the lives and health of the public. CHR Commissioner Cecilia Quisumbing said the companies who have been fighting the law were guilty of “impunity.” The CHR chief issued the call for companies to follow the law after a support group of laryngeal cancer survivors appealed to her to pressure tobacco firms after two companies managed to secure an injunction against the order.
“Every day, 250 Filipinos die of smoking-related illness. But tobacco companies have not just refused to comply with the AO, they've also filed cases left and right against the Department of Health,” Emer Rojas, president of New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) said. “I have laryngeal cancer, a form of cancer that is 99% caused by smoking. The lying must stop so others will not have to go through the suffering and pain that we, victims of cigarettes – and our families – went through,” he added.
Recently, Fortune Tobacco, which is owned by tycoon Lucio Tan, and Mighty J, has asked the court to invalidate the Administrative Order (AO). The court granted their requests, prompting the Department of Health to contest the injunction orders.
The NVAP noted that placing pictures of ailments caused by smoking would discourage people, especially minors, from taking up the habit. It noted that the AO was consistent with the health department's mandate to protect the public's health.
Reference: CHR backs graphic warnings on cigarette packs by Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10/5/2010.
Philippines - some related news briefs:
Philippines - physicians told not to smoke and encourage their patients to quit..;
Philippines - Coloocan City smoking strictly prohibited in all public area..:
Philippines - anti-smoking group files case to push for graphic warnings on cigarette packs..;
Philippines - bill would require 75% of locally-grown tobacco in cigarettes..;
Philippines - lawmaker files bill to make cigarette-makers share in the health costs of smoking..;
Philippines - House of Representatives turns down proposal to hke tax on cigarettes by 400%..;
Philippines - PMI warehouse opens - former smokers that no longer have a voice are upset..;
Philippines - injunction regarding picture health warnings on cigarette packs nationwide..;
Philippines - more and more women dying of lung cancer..;
Philippines - tobacco companies don't want warnings on cigarette packs..;
Philippines - President Aquino has stated he will prioritize increase in the tax on cigarettes..;
Philippines - DOH pushing for hefty tax increase on cigarettes..;
Philippines - Muslim council says smoking is forbidden..;
Philippines - PMFTC has 90% of the tobacco market..;
Philippines - Philip Morris report sales higher than annual 2-3% growth..;
Philippines - National Tobacco Assoc. will oppose any move to reduce demand for tobacco unless govt..;
Philippines - tobacco industry has obtained temporary relief from placing graphic warnings on cigarette packs..;
Philippines - govt agencies and employees barred from unnessary interaction with tobacco industry..;
Philippines - Filipino Muslims forbidden to smoke, trade cigarettes..;
Philippine congress proclaims Aquino 15th president..;
Philippines - tobacco firms claim graphic warnings on cigarette packs are illegal..;
Philippines - new president smokes but this should not slow tobacco prevention activities..:
Philippines - Department of Health wants health warnings on cigarette packs within 90 days..;
Philippines - health groups want more protection from the dangers of tobacco..;
Philippines - DOH warns government agencies to avoid partnerships or accepting donations from tobacco manufacturers..;
Philip Morris Philippines..;
Philippines - DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs..;
Philippines - PMI - FTC merger may lead smokers continuing to smoke and lure children into a life of nicotine addiction..;
Philippines - PMI and Fortune Tobacco Corp. form new company called PMFTC..;
Philippines - Tanauan City names street Philip Morris..;
Philippines - DOH campaign for 100% smoke-free workplaces..;
Philippines - total tobacco industry could be down 10% to 15% this year..;
Philippines - 2003 ban on advertising and skirting the ban..;
Philippines - June is annually observed as 'No Smoking' Month..;
Philippines may be losing the war against smoking..;
http://snus-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/philippines-thai-cigarette-import-rules.html;
Philip Morris won't postpone Philippines Eraserheads Concert..;
Philip Morris could be criminally liable for its sponsorship of the event .in the Philippines..;
STOP PMI Sponsoring Concert in Philippines..;
Philippines - Smoker to be deported...
Filipino Read more...
Pakistan - as of October 1, 2010 - cigarette packs must have 20 cigarettes or more..
Click to enlarge..
For a country in turmoil - these public health minded people deserve a lot of credit in pushing ahead with tobacco control reforms..
Talking to ‘The News’, Director General Tobacco Control Yusuf Khan explained that the new SRO comprises two parts; the first deals with cigarette manufacturers and importers while the second is aimed at cigarette sellers or retailers.
According to the first part of SRO-863, all cigarette packs being manufactured by cigarette companies in Pakistan will be sold in packets of 20 cigarettes with effect from October 1, 2011. The sale of small packets containing 10, 5 or even three cigarettes will be illegal after this date, he said. “This is because it is much more affordable for youth and persons belonging to the poorer segments of the society to buy smaller packs of cigarettes rather than packs of 20 or more cigarettes,” he said. Yusuf Khan elaborated that youth and the poor are two segments that need to be protected most from falling into the habit of smoking.Pakistan, with an estimated population of around 17.3 million in 2008, is the sixth most populous country in the world and most populous country of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. Over 50% of the total population is under 20 years old; 42% is under 15 years of age. Males constitute 51% of the population. Although its urban population is steadily increasing, Pakistan remains a largely a rural country, with only 36% of the total population living in urban settings. (Progress in tobacco control in Egypt and Pakistan, Wordl Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, August 2010)
The SRO further stipulates that cigarette packs imported for consumption in Pakistan will not be cleared from the port of entry unless they are in a packet of at least 20 cigarettes. A period of one year has been granted to cigarette manufacturers and importers to adjust their manufacturing and business systems according to the new requirements of the Ministry of Health.
In addition, local manufacturers and importers will have to ensure that each cigarette pack, whether manufactured in Pakistan or imported for consumption in Pakistan, should have legibly printed on the side panel, in Urdu: “Sale to Persons under 18 Years of Age is Prohibited: Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan.” SRO-863 also prohibits the sale of sweets, snacks or toys in the form of cigarettes that may appeal to any person under the age of 18.
According to the second part of the SRO, which that deals with responsibilities of retailers or sellers, it shall be the duty of every seller of cigarettes to ensure, within his premises, that neither a person under the age of 18 years is permitted to sell or offer for sale cigarettes, nor should the same be sold to customers who under 18 years of age. Every seller will clearly and prominently display an A-4 size warning prescribed by the Ministry of Health saying, “Sale of cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 years is prohibited by law.” In case of doubt about the age of the customer, it shall be the duty of the seller of cigarettes to ask the customer to provide evidence, which may be in the form of the national identity card, to prove that he or she has reached the age of 18 years.
“The Ministry of Health recognises that tobacco companies want to aggressively market and recruit the youth of Pakistan as ‘replacement smokers’ and future customers, as 100,000 of their older customers die of tobacco-related illnesses every year in Pakistan. We intend to reverse this trend,” the spokesman said.
Tobacco Pakistan: Overview - as of 8/2010.. .
Reference: Ban on sale of small cigarette packs from 1st Oct Shahina Maqbool, Islamabad, The International News, 9/30/2010.
Pakistan - related news brief:
Pakistan beats India introducing - pictorial warnings on cigarette packs.. - REALLY..;
Pakistan - pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs will be enforced from June 1, 2010..;
Pakistan - govt misses deadline to implement pictorial tobacco warnings..
Pakistan - over 273 people die daily of smoking related disease..;
Pakistan - implementation of tobacco control laws difficult..;
Pakistan - February, 2010 - graphic warnings on cigarette packs..;
Pakistan National Conference Tobacco Control, October 28th..;
Pakistan - pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs and cartons soon..;
Pakistan - More, on rollback of the Statutory Regulatory Order on Designated Smoking Areas..;
Smuggled Cigarettes Give Boost To Pakistani Militants..;
Pakistan - strong tobacco control measures..;
Pakistan - Government must withdraw Statutory Regulatory Order..;
Bloomberg Grant: Tobacco Reforms in Pakistan...
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New Global Company: Swedish Match and Scandinavian Tobacco Group..
Background: In Swedish Match 2009 Annual Report under Reshaping Swedish Match: Swedish Match International makes up the fourth division, with production and supply chain responsibility for cigars, as well as sales responsibility for cigars in Europe and the US premium cigar market, and overall responsibility for managing the lights and pipe tobacco businesses. As outlined in greater detail further below, if the proposed creation of a new company with Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) is achieved, much of what is now Swedish Match International will become part of this new company.
On January 15, 2010, Swedish Match AB announced that it had signed a letter of intent with Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) which would, if an agreement is reached, combine the cigar and pipe tobacco businesses of Swedish Match (with the exception of the US machine made cigar business) with the cigar, pipe tobacco, and fine cut tobacco businesses of STG.
Swedish Match - 2009 Annual Report
All necessary approvals have been obtained and the transaction was finalized on October 1st. The new company will operate under the name Scandinavian Tobacco Group, and will be headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. (For example: New Zealand - Scandinavian Tobacco granted clearance to merge its cigar and pipe tobacco businesses with Swedish Match..)
Swedish Match has contributed its cigar businesses (with the exception of US mass market cigars and its minority interest in Arnold André) as well as its pipe tobacco and accessories businesses. STG has contributed all of its tobacco businesses (cigars, pipe tobacco and fine cut tobacco. Skandinavisk Holding A/S holds 51 percent of the new STG, and Swedish Match the remaining 49 percent.
The joint venture to create the world’s second-largest cigar maker makes the Scandinavian snuff maker an easier takeover target, according to Rolf Karp, an analyst at Ohman Equities. Swedish Match will be able to focus on the smokeless business now,” Karp said. “It does make it a bit easier to take over, because you could just sell off the remaining stake in cigars.”
Tobacco companies have expanded into smokeless products as cigarette consumption falls in North America and western Europe. Philip Morris International Inc. formed a joint venture with Swedish Match last year to sell snuff worldwide, while Imperial Tobacco Group Plc bought the Skruf brand in 2005 and said this month it’s now Sweden’s second-largest snuff seller by value. (Swedish Match finalizes sale of South African operation to PMI..; PMI to buy Swedish Match South Africa..; PMI will jointly sell SNUS worldwide with Swedish Match AB..; Imperial Tobacco acquires rest of Swedish Tobacco Company Skruf Snus AB...)
References: Swedish Match completes transaction with Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Press Release, Swedish Match, 10/4/2010; Swedish Match Cigar Venture Makes Takeover Easier, Analyst Says by Tom Mulier (tmulier@bloomberg.net), editor responsible for this story: Celeste Perri at cperri@bloomberg.net), Bloomberg.com, 10/4/2010.
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U.S. Supreme Court - rejects appeal from Indian merchant who wanted an Idaho Supreme Court ruling overturned..
Without comment, the justices let stand an Idaho Supreme Court ruling that said Maybee must register with the state and pay a fee, just like all other tobacco merchants. The state adopted the laws after a national legal settlement between the states and tobacco companies was implemented in 1998.
In the original lawsuit, the state claimed Maybee, a Native American from New York, was violating state laws requiring cigarette peddlers to register with the state and pay a fee to the state. The laws were passed in the wake of the national tobacco settlement in 1998.Maybee, one of the Senecas' largest tobacco merchants, who sold millions of cigarettes to Idaho smokers through Smartsmoker.com and Ordersmokesdirect.com.
Maybee claimed Idaho laws don't apply because he's protected by federal interstate and Indian commerce laws. The justices disagreed and awarded attorney fees and costs to the state.
January 18, 2010 - Idaho - online cigarette marketer not immune from state laws...
The case is not at all related to the Seneca Nation's legal challenges against New York's attempts to collect taxes on tobacco sales to non-Indian purchasers on Indian reservations. (New York State - now the Oneida Indian Nation gets restraining order from federal judge.)
Refernec: Seneca cigarette merchant's appeal rejected by Jerry Zremski (jzremski@buffnews.com), 10/4/2010.
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North Carolina - smokers be careful where you flick your cigarette..
October 5, 2010 - Raleigh Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a beating that left one person in critical condition.
Witnesses say 23-year-old Evan Benjamin Lawrence was smoking a cigarette outside of the bar when he flicked the cigarette, which reportedly "hit somebody on the leg."
Lawrence's father, Ben, says that is when his son apologized but the suspect "went crazy wrestling with him."
During the fight Lawrence received what doctors would later classify as massive, life-threatening head trauma. But at the time, he walked away from the bar to his apartment about a block away. "His friends checked on him and stayed with him all night and kept him awake," Ben Lawrence explained. "He wouldn't go to the hospital."
Ben said Evan's friends finally drove him to Rex Hospital in Raleigh. "They got him there some 18 hours after the incident," Ben said. Evan is still listed in critical condition at Rex Hospital.
Reference: Suspect Arrested In Connection With Jackpot Beating, NBC-17, 10/4/2010.
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