March 22, 2011 -
draft executive summary of "The Industry Menthol Report..
"The Industry Menthol Report" was submitted to the FDA at its request by the nonvoting tobacco industry representatives on TPSAC (Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee) and other tobacco industry stakeholders. Industry scientists with many decades of knowledge and experience in research involving tobacco, cigarettes and menthol have prepared this report after reviewing the best available data on the use of menthol in cigarettes. These scientists include leaders in their fields, recognized worldwide as experts for their published research investigating menthol and other constituents, as well as smoking and health issues.
Its major conclusions:
* Smoking prevalence is declining overall, nonmenthol cigarettes are preferred by most smokers, and menthol cigarettes are preferred by some subgroups of smokers.
* Menthol does not change the inherent health risks of cigarette smoking.
* Menthol in cigarettes has no meaningful effect on smoking biomarkers.
* Evidence on menthol and smoking topography is mixed; evidence does not support a conclusion that menthol cigarettes are smoked more intensely.
* Menthol does not meaningfully alter the chemical composition of mainstream smoke.
* Evidence is inadequate to conclude that menthol influences smoking initiation.
* Menthol has no meaningful impact on smoking cessation.
* Menthol has no meaningful impact on nicotine dependence.
* Numerous hypotheses put forth by TPSAC are speculative and cannot serve as the basis for regulatory policy.
* A ban on menthol will result in significant countervailing effects [including a black market].
Reference: 'First Step in Long Process' Lorillard, PM USA, RJR respond to TPSAC menthol report, vow to work with agency, CSP Daily News, 3/22/2011.
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Draft executive summary of "The Industry Menthol Report..
Bulgaria - Health Ministry to Increase Smoking Ban Checks..
Bulgaria - National Program for Limiting Smoking in 2011-2015...
According to the restrictions, which entered into effect on December 19, 2010, owners of restaurants, bars and coffee shops have to provide walls, tight-closing doors and good ventilation equipment. The requirements affect all smoking spaces inside commercial and administrative buildings, railroad stations and airports as well.
Owners of coffee shops and restaurants with less than 50 square meters have the right to decide whether smoking would be allowed. In case smoking is allowed, individuals under the age of 18 would not be admitted as they are banned from smoking in all indoors spaces. In larger establishments, at least 50% of the space must be dedicated to non-smokers. In night clubs, smoking is allowed at all times regardless of how large they are.
Open-space coffee shops and restaurants inside shopping malls are becoming non-smoking facilities.
Owners face fines for inadequate ventilation and lack of sings designating the non-smoking sections and the smoking ban for those under 18. Fines for owners range from BGN 500 (363.50 USD) to BGN 10,000 (7,269.91 USD). Individuals, who violate the ban, would also face fines, but only if they agree to provide their ID card.
At the beginning of March, the Health Ministry announced that advertisement of tobacco products in Bulgaria will be strongly restricted, according to the new National Program for Limiting Smoking in 2011-2015.
Effective 2011, there will be a ban on the production of any items such as toys or food resembling cigarettes and other tobacco products.
In 2013, there will be a ban on all forms of direct and indirect tobacco advertisement, such as displaying cigarettes and images of them in stores while the sale of tobacco products will be limited to specialized stores only. The same year, measures will be applied to restrict the showing of people smoking in Bulgarian movies, TV series and various broadcasts.
Cigarette manufacturers will be mandated to account for the exact amount of funds used for advertisement, and will not be allowed to sponsor social events. The program will also ban the use of additives aiming at improving the aroma and the taste of cigarettes.
The full ban on smoking in indoor public spaces legislation will be ready by 2012 with the goal to reduce passive smoking as well. Other measures include keeping high cigarette prices and campaigns to teach teach about the harmful effects of smoking.
Reference: Bulgarian Health Ministry to Increase Smoking Ban Checks, Novinite.com, (Sofia News Agency), 3/18/2011.
Bulgaria - some related news briefs:
Bulgaria - Major Tobacco Companies Back Bulgaria's Excise Policies..;
Bulgaria - Culture Minister protests against ban on smoking scenes in cinema..;
Bulgaria - National Program for Limiting Smoking in 2011-2015..;
Bulgaria - Bulgartabac 2010 profit 16.5 times larger than it was in 2009..;
Bulgaria - about a dozen investors declared interest in the privatization of Bulgartabac Holding..;
Bulgaria - according to CEO of Bulgartabac cigarette prices may not change in 2011..;
Bulgaria - advisory board for tobacco will be established..;
Bulgaria - Bulgartabac - sale should be completed by middle of 2011..;
Bulgaria - rightist SDS party - each EU state should set own excise duties..;
Bulgaria - tobacco contraband..;
Bulgaria - cigarette excise revenue down this year..;
Bulgaria - smoking restriction checks begin after January 3, 2011..;
Bulgaria - PMI to introduce their own Marlboro 10-pack cigarettes..;
Bulgaria - health minister will work for implementing full smoking ban in public places..;
Bulgaria - tobacco growers seeking more subsidies..;
Greece/Bulgaria - governments opposed to WHO's attempt to ban blended tobacco..;
Bulgaria - tobacco companies back effort to reduce illicit cigarette trade.;
Bulgaria - Mayor of Town of Kyustendil - non-smokers should pay less for health insurance..;
Bulgaria - smoking ban beginning January 1, 2011 - do they know which smoking ban applies??;
Bulgaria - Director of the Customs Agency announced Bulgaria ranks 1st in Europe in seizure of contraband cigarettes..;
Bulgaria - smoking rate down, knowledge of dangers of tobacco use gaining..;
Bulgaria - another tobacco tax increase in the draft 2011 budget..;
Bulgaria - confusion over which public smoking ban is in force..;
Bulgaria - WHO upset with Bulgaria's weakened smoking ban..;
Bulgaria - weakened smoking ban, just added minors can't be in disco clubs after 10pm..;
Bulgaria - final vote delayed on weakened smoking ban..;
Bulgaria - weakened smoking ban, second reading..;
Bulgaria - commission tightens smoking ban a little..;
Bulgaria - Bulgartabac buyer may be chosen by end of year..;
Bulgaria - prime minister not happy with giving tobacco growers subsidies..;
Bulgaria - to loosen smoking ban to start June 1, 2010..;
Bulgaria - finance minister comments may be good news for tobacco farmers..;
Bulgaria - parliament debates proposal to water down smoking ban..;
Bulgaria - majority of all Bulgarians - 78% are against the smoking ban delay..;
Bulgaria - every increase in excise duty on cigarettes consumption goes down..;
Bulgaria - grace period over, increase in tobacco tax starts Thursday, April 1, 2010..;
Bulgaria - Italian authorities arrest 2-Bulgarians smuggling cigarettes..;
Bulgaria - tractor trailer loaded with contraband cigarettes seized in Ancona, Italy..;
Bulgaria - cigarette consumption down, cigarette tax collection up, seeking funds for technology to intercept contraband goods..;
Bulgaria - justifying why smoking ban won't go into effect on June 1, 2010..;
Bulgaria - Citigroup chosen as consultant for sale of Bulgartabac..;
Bulgaria - ruling party may delay smoking ban until 2011..;
Bulgaria - Finance Minister Djankov, "Less Smoking Is Good for Economy..";
Bulgaria - govt to weaken full smoking ban to be effective June 1, 2010..;
Bulgaria - do producers support contraband cigarettes??;
Bulgaria - sale of Bulgartabac coming - selection of a consultant..;
Greek Farmers Renew Bulgaria Border Blockade..;
Bulgaria - leadership of tobacco fund to be replaced..;
Bulgaria - illegal trade in cigarettes will reach 40% of total trade in 2010..;
Bulgaria - limits on personal imports of tobacco products from outside the EU..;
Bulgaria - European Commission authorizes payment to tobacco producers for 2009 crop..;
Bulgaria -two cigarette smuggling attempts busted on Serbian border..;
Bulgaria - price of cigarettes increases..;
Bulgaria - Bulgartabac stays in the economy ministry, sold by middle of 2010, starting price 100,000,000 euro..;
Bulgaria - tobacco producers propose Bulgartabac transfer..;
Bulgaria - government, tobacco growers reach subsidy agreement..;
Bulgaria - start of steps leading to the privatization of the state-owned cigarette monopoly Bulgartabac..;
Bulgaria - police hold smoking protest over lack of bonuses..;
Bulgaria - police busts major cigarette contraband ring..;
Bulgaria - Bulgartabac Holding” will be privatized in 2010..;
Bulgaria - MPs Impose Hefty Fines on Cigarette Sales Violators..;
Bulgartabac Chief - cigarette tax increase as of January 1, 2010..;
Bulgaria Bulgartabac Holding Sells 23% of Shares to Mutual Funds..;
Bulgaria - more than 70% of smokers want to quit..;
Bulgaria - cigarette taxes going up each year except 2011..;
Bulgaria - chair of the economic committee in parliament disapproves of planned raise in excise duties on cigarettes..;
Bulgaria and others - smoking ban, increased cigarette taxes, smuggling..;
Bulgaria - Cigarette excise duties will be increased next year..;
Bulgaria - cigarette contraband, government loses BGN 920M yearly..;
Bulgaria - one third of the tobacco products sold are illicit..;
Bulgaria - new government to speed-up Bulgartabac sale..;
Bulgaria - Fake Victory Light cigarettes..;
Bulgaria's tobacco monopoly may be up for sale..;
Bulgarian lawmakers vote to ban smoking in all publc places from June 2010..; Bulgarian tobacco company Sofia-BT exports increase by 541 percent..;
Does Russia own Bulgaria's tobacco monopoly, Bulgartabac..;
EU percent of adults smokers -highest Greece 1 , Bulgaria 2.. - lowest Slovenia..;
Bulgaria - 1 in 3 youths smoke / half of pregnant women smoke..;
PMI training Bulgarian custom officers to stop cigarette smuggling..;
Philip Morris International (PMI) was truly happy they had been back in the Bulgarian cigarette market for a year and had already had 6.8% of market..;
WHO FCTC Protocol to Prevent Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products Won't Be Completed Until End of 2010..;
WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2008..;
Bulgaria Enters 2009 with Cigarette Prices Hike...
Bulgaria is marking Tuesday, November 10, 2009, the 20th year since the internal coup at the Bulgaria
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EC preparing new regulations on tobacco market could effect Poland's burley crop...
According to Grazyna Sokolowska, director of corporate and legal affairs at Imperial Tobacco Polska, the third largest cigarette producer in Poland, quoted by the newspaper, the ban may have a significant influence on Polish manufacturing facilities. She explains that 40% of the tobacco produced in the country is Burley, used in American blend type cigarettes, the most popular in Poland. However, sugar, which would be considered an additive under the new regulations, must be added during the production of Burley tobacco cigarettes.
The new law could negatively influence the 14,500 Polish tobacco farmers, which employ about 60,000 people including seasonal workers. According to the Polish Association of Tobacco Growers, as many as 20,000 planters and seasonal workers may lose their jobs in Poland as a result of a ban on additives.
The EC is also considering the introduction of unified cigarette packages. Such regulation would deprive cigarette companies of their rights to trademarks and logos, according to Przemyslaw Filipowicz, a member of the management board at JTI Polska, also quoted by the newspaper.
Most likely the same thing will happen: WHO FCTC COP-4 - good news, WILL not ban ingredients used in producing blended tobacco..
Reference: EC preparing new regulations on tobacco market, Retail and FMCG sector in Poland, 3/17/2011.
Poland - related news briefs:
Poland - illegal cigarette factory near Warsaw - maybe biggest facility ever found..;
Poland - last state-owned cigarette manufacturer privatized..;
Poland - smoking habits revealed - GATS..;
Poland - on November 15, 2010 will implement smoking ban in public places..;
Poland - even non-smokers oppose smoking ban in eateries..;
Poland - proposed cigarette tax higher than tobacco companies expected..;
VIDEO - Poland is frontline in EU battle with tobacco smugglers..;
Poland - attempt to introduce smoking ban in public places fails..;
Poland - lower house weakens smoking ban..;
Poland - disappointment , full parliament sends smoking ban bill back to committee to weaken bill..;
Poland - pubs and restaurants fear bankruptcy if smoking ban becomes law..;
Poland - lower house of parliament (Sejm) will vote Friday, February 12th on smoking ban..;
Poland - son suing Philip Morris Polska and Zakłady Przemysłu Tytoniowego over death of his mother..;
Poland to ban smoking in indoor public places, in passenger cars if children present and prohibit display of cigarettes..;
Read more...
Tasmania, Australia - to ban smoklng in all outdoor dining areas..
Tasmania - GETTING EVEN TOUGHER ON TOBACCO, March 18, 2011.
Steve Old from the Hospitality Association says the government has not listened to the industry's concerns. "My question to the government is, when are you actually going to start standing up for the hospitality industry, instead of kicking it?"
The Cancer Council has welcomed plans to ban smoking in more public places in Tasmania, but has raised concerns about one element of the proposed legislation.
Darren Carr of Cancer Council says he is concerned about a proposal that allows approved officers to confiscate cigarettes from children. "I am confident that the Health Department and police will work through finding ways to appropriately credential people to do that," he said. "And see that it's done in way that doesn't actually cause more problems than it's trying to solve."
When individuals sit in outdoor dining venues where smokers are present it is possible that they will be exposed to substantial SHS (second hand smoke, passive smoking, involuntary smoking, environmental tobacco smoke) levels. Significant increases in exposure were observed when monitors were located under overhead covers, and as the number of nearby smokers increased. The role of outdoor smoking restrictions in minimising exposure to SHS must be considered. ( Secondhand smoke exposure (PM2.5) in outdoor dining areas and its correlates Melissa Cameron et al., Tob Control 2010;19:19-23)
Selling Tobacco In Tasmania
References http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/19/3168284.htm, Smoking ban angers industry, ABC News, 3/19/2011.
Related news briefs:
Tasmania - Cancer Council Calls For Tightening Anti-Smoking Laws..;
Tasmania, Australia - local council calls for complete ban on the sale and use of tobacco products...
Read more...
Pennsylvania - state deficit, time to tax smokeless tobacco and cigars..
March 21, 2011 - Pennsylvania’s 2011 budget is $28 billion, and there is already a projected deficit for 2012 of $5 billion Education is hit with the worst of the cuts — a $1.2 billion funding reduction.
Franklin & Marshall College survey found that there is little support for raising the state's income tax (27 percent) and the sales tax (36 percent). However, 62 percent favored taxing the companies that extract and sell natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, and 72 percent favor taxing smokeless tobacco and cigars.
Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn't tax smokeless tobacco, and it is one of just three that don't tax cigars. The commonwealth just also happens to be the only major producer of natural gas that does not impose a severance tax. In 2009, Smokefree Pennsylvania estimated that taxing cigars, chewing tobacco and moist snuff would produce about $54 million in revenue.
Related news briefs:
July 6, 2010 - Pennsylvania - no state tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco products..;
September 16, 2009 - Pennsylvania - Republican legislators still refuse to tax tobacco products other than cigarettes..;
May 25, 2009 - Camel ORBS flavored candy shaped tobacco pellets..
Reference: Money Matters,Beaver County Times, timesonline.com, 3/20/2011.
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