Tobacco sales drop sharply as anti-smoking campaign intensifies

Tobacco sales are reported to have slumped as much as 40 percent this year as anti-smoking campaigns intensify in the city and the industry is bracing for another bleak year in 2013 with an expected 10 percent decline as a new regulation requiring a larger space of health warning on cigarette boxes is taking effect from the beginning of next month. Industry players are being warned of possible layoffs in some companies.

The new law requires all cigarette packages to reserve at least 50 percent of their spaces for warning slogans or pictures provided by the Health Bureau on the possible risks caused by smoking. Starting from the 1st of January, retailers selling cigarettes that fail to comply with the new rules will face a MOP 2,000 penalty. In the newspaper stalls where cigarettes are also sold, some operators said they didn’t know much about the details of the new rules and fine, they blamed the government for insufficient publicity on the issue.

Some dealers also said producers could not change the old packages by this year and some cigarettes might have to be recalled next month for re-packaging. The retail sector would suffer losses as much as hundreds of thousands of patacas for those cigarettes that can’t be returned to producers for re-packaging, according to Macau Daily Times.

Switzerland to Increase Cigarette Tax in 2013

 During a recent sitting, the Swiss Federal Council united on plans to increase the tax imposed on cigarettes and on other tobacco products in the Confederation from April 1, 2013.

As a result, the price of a packet of cigarettes is to rise by CHF0.10 and a 50 gram packet of fine cut tobacco will cost CHF0.60 more from April next year.

The planned tobacco tax rise has been deemed necessary for both fiscal and health reasons. The measure is expected to yield additional fiscal revenues for the state of an estimated CHF50m (USD52.9m) annually. The additional revenues will be used to consolidate the budget.

In making its decision, the Federal Council not only considered possible additional revenues, but also evaluated the evolution of cigarette prices both in neighbouring countries and in the European Union as a whole. The Federal Council took into account the percentage of smokers in Switzerland and considered other factors such as black market sales of tobacco products, smuggling, and cigarette sales in border areas.
The Swiss Federal Council had already indicated that the tax on tobacco products would rise back in October, as part of a series of savings measures.

Tobacco tax was last increased in Switzerland at the beginning of 2011. Over the last few years the Federal Council has adopted a “balanced” approach to its tobacco tax policy, involving “small steps”, says Tax-News.
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WHO urges tax hike on tobacco

China's tobacco tax rate is still among the world's lowest, and the government should increase it to help curb a smoking epidemic that afflicts more than 300 million people on the mainland, according to the World Health Organization

About half of Chinese smokers spend 5 yuan (80 US cents) or less on a pack of 20 cigarettes, which is "much, much lower than the average cost in developed countries," said Angela Pratt, technical officer of the Tobacco Free Initiative in the WHO office in China.

Pratt made her remarks at a media briefing to prepare for Friday's launch of the Chinese-language translation of the WHO Technical Manual on Tobacco Tax Administration.

According to the manual, which was first published in 2010, total taxes on cigarettes account for about 50 percent of the average retail price for cigarettes at the global level, with the average price of a packet being $2.53. The lower-middle-income countries have both lower tobacco prices and lower rates of tobacco taxation.

The excise tax rate in China is 36 percent or 56 percent for cigarettes with different factory prices, official statistics show.

WHO has recommended that at least 70 percent of the retail price of cigarettes come from excise taxes to effectively reduce tobacco consumption, yet it says the excise tax accounts for only about 25 percent in tobacco's retail price in China, reports ChinaDaily.

How Fast Can Britney Spears Take a Cigarette Break?

For weeks now X Factor audiences have witnessed something entirely unexpected: judge Britney Spears composed, present, and engaged in the show, and entirely breakdown-free. These shows, however, have been built around previously taped material, with the moments featured cherry-picked from weeks of shooting at audition cities around the nation — and tonight the rubber hits the road with Spears' first live show. For two unscripted hours, America's most speculated-upon starlet of modern times will appear live before millions, marking her first major live TV appearance since the ill-fated VMA's performance in 2007, which capped the era of her public meltdown.

And according to sources on the set, the pressure point tonight will come in the most unexpected of places: the question of whether Britney makes it back from her cigarette breaks on time. Of all the woes a member of a reality show cast faces, perhaps none is more harrowing than squeezing in a quick cigarette during the brief commercial breaks.

The X Factor judges' desk sits a good 40 seconds from the nearest driveway where one can safely light up. During the roughly three-minute commercial breaks, judge Simon Cowell — first on American Idol and then on X Factor — has made a tradition of taking a brisk walk across the set when the cameras stop, through the giant sliding elephant doors next to the sound stage, through the makeup area and out into the driveway, where he would take a very small number of very deep drags before stamping his cigarette out and returning to the desk by the time lights went up.

According to sources on the junior levels of the production team, during the auditions, Spears paused frequently to step out of the arenas for a smoke, on some days between every act, often stepping away for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, BuzzFeed reports. During these prerecorded episodes, the production could and would pause and wait for the star to return. However, X Factor will be able to afford her no such luxury when cameras roll tonight.

Cops warn of counterfeit cigarette coupons in Pa.

Police in one northwestern Pennsylvania township say someone tried to pass a counterfeit cigarette coupon at a convenience store.
Vernon Township police say a 20-year-old man tried to use a phony coupon for $4 off a pack of Marlboro cigarettes at a Sheetz store near Meadville on Sunday.
Police say the coupons are made to appear as though they are from a company called Smartsource, which offers coupons online and in mailed circulars.
But police say the coupons are bogus and that the computerized bar codes on the coupons can not be read by cash registers.
Police haven't charged the man in Sunday's attempt, but are investigating leads that suggest the coupons were produced locally. Vernon Township is about 85 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Altria spent nearly $2.7 million in 3rd quarter lobbying on health care, cigarette trafficking

Altria Client Services Inc., on behalf of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker, spent nearly $2.7 million in the third quarter to lobby the federal government on legislation involving health care issues and cigarette trafficking, according to a recent disclosure form.
Altria also lobbied on legislation involving taxes, and a climate bill to create clean energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gases in the July-September period, according to the report filed Oct. 20 with the House clerk’s office.
Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc. owns Marlboro maker Philip Morris USA and UST Inc., the U.S. leader in smokeless tobacco with brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal.

$2K in cigarettes stolen from store

Have you seen a Marlboro man?
Police are investigating a burglary at the Pine Tree General Store on Route 1 this week involving the theft of more than 30 cartons of cigarettes.
Police were called to the store at 9:47 p.m. Monday, on a report that the front door had been smashed in and someone was inside the store.
When police arrived, they did not find anyone inside the store. They asked for a state police K9 unit, which followed a track north on Route 1; the dog subsequently lost the scent.
It was later determined that 34 cartons of cigarettes — most of them Marlboros — were stolen, with a total value of $2,190.
No cash was taken from the register nor did other items appear to have been stolen.

Electronic ciggies set to give agents a healthy income

A Long Crendon man is looking for local agents to sell healthier alternatives to tobacco products called 'electronic cigarettes', which he believes are set to take off in Britain.
Martin Whelan is an independent distributor for inLife, an American company now looking to expand in Europe.
He said the firm's e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine without the harmful toxins found in tobacco smoke, present a golden business opportunity for people.
He claims part-time agents can earn up to £500- £1000 per month, while full-timers can make as much as £10, 000 in the same period.
"I am looking for people to work with me, I help train them up to promote it to wider people and establish their own business," he said. 
Electronic cigarettes are not tobacco products, although they are designed to look and feel like conventional cigarettes.
As they do not produce any smoke, they can be consumed in pubs and other places affected by the smoking ban. Health charity ASH says they 'are likely to be a safer alternative to smoking'.
It is also claimed that inLife's e-cigarettes can save a 20-a-day smoker around £700 a year. 
Mr Whelan, who is a non-smoker, said: "There's ten million smokers in the UK so there is a lot of business opportunity here. 
"With all the smoking bans and everything like that, but there is no problem with electronic cigarettes. Places like bingo halls are a massive market for the business. They will bring trade back into pubs.
"We are right at the beginning of something. It is not going to have the scale of the mobile phone, but it's that kind of thing. And we have got a few celebrities using them now which is useful, it really, really helps."
Amanda Sandford, research manager at ASH, said: "We are hesitant to recommend e-cigarettes, we are not going that far, but on the face of it they do seem a less hazourdous option than smoking. "

MSMC campus store ceases sale of cigarettes

The campus store at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh is ending the sales of cigarettes permanently. The termination coincides with the Great American Smokeout today.
College Vice President for Student Development Harry Steinway said stopping the sales makes an important statement to students.
Removing the butts from the shelves may impact the store’s bottom line, Steinway acknowledged.
“There are a fair number of students, but not only students, there are employees who purchase tobacco products, so I think it will put a little dent in daily sales, but maybe candy bar sales or granola bars will pick it up and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
The health benefits far outweigh any potential economic costs to the store, Steinway said.
The college’s health Services and community health nursing students will be providing information to help students stop smoking during the Great American Smokeout.

Fewer minors purchasing cigarettes

A sales compliance survey shows a decrease in tobacco sales to Wisconsin minors, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday.
The 2009 Synar survey shows the number of retail outlets that sell tobacco illegally to minors went down by 20 percent. In 2008, roughly 7.2 percent of stores sold tobacco to minors; in 2009, only 5.7 percent did not comply with the law.
Doyle thanked retailers for their work against minor consumption and possession of tobacco products.
"In Wisconsin, we are working hard to protect our kids from the scourge of tobacco," Doyle said. "Our state has a long history of preventing youth tobacco sales and I'm pleased our efforts are paying off."
The Synar surveys randomly selected retail outlets throughout Wisconsin to try to get an accurate snapshot of statewide compliance.
2009 is the seventh straight year that Wisconsin has been below the target rate of 20 percent noncompliance.

Tobacco Quit line Helps First Half-Million Callers

A free telephone service that helps Californians kick the smoking habit – funded by tobacco taxes approved by California voters and operated by the University of California, San Diego – reached a milestone today as the 500,000th person called for service.
1-800-NO-BUTTS, also known as the California Smokers’ Helpline, has been helping callers since 1992, when it became the nation’s first statewide “quit line.” Today, all 50 states offer similar services as part of efforts to reduce tobacco’s toll on the public health.
“The fact that half a million Californians have called for help shows how badly people want to quit,” said Christopher Anderson, program director for the Helpline. “When you see a person who’s still smoking, despite all the information about negative health effects, you might think they don’t want to quit. But, more often than not, they just don’t know how to go about it or don’t feel confident in their ability to quit. We help them come up with a good plan and stick to it.”
The Helpline provides free, confidential service to more than 30,000 callers annually, including self-help materials, referral to local programs, and one-on-one telephone counseling. Callers who choose counseling receive up to two hours of tailored assistance spread out over five calls. Services are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Vietnamese.
“Reaching the milestone of half a million callers is remarkable, but we have a long way to go,” said Shu-Hong Zhu, PhD, principal investigator for the Helpline. He added that there are still about four million smokers in California, and tobacco use remains the leading cause of premature death and disease. “Concerted efforts are needed to encourage more quitting among smokers and tobacco chewers.”
According to the 2005 California Tobacco Survey, 62 percent of smokers were advised by a doctor to quit smoking, but only 33 percent of those were referred to a quit smoking program.
The Helpline has experienced a big increase in referrals by health care providers, from six percent of callers in 1992 to nearly 44 percent today. Still, the Helpline wants to see more intervention by medical personnel.
“We are asking health care professionals to get more involved and help spread the word about available cessation services,” said Kristin Harms, communications manager for the Helpline. “We recommend the ‘Ask, Advise, Refer’ approach: ask your patients if they smoke or use chewing tobacco, advise those who do to quit, and refer them to 1-800-NO-BUTTS for effective help.”
Research has shown that patients who are advised to quit are more likely to try, and that those who receive telephone counseling are twice as likely to be successful.

Man charged with stealing computer, cigarettes

An Iowa City man has been arrested on charges for participating in several thefts and burglaries, including stealing 350 packs of cigarettes from a Tiffin store.Eli James Vargason, 18, 1112 Hotz Ave., was charged with third-degree theft, possession of marijuana and drunken driving after he was pulled over for an expired registration about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to the arrest reports, police found a computer case with a mini laptop computer inside that had been reported stolen from a Tiffin man and marijuana.
He was then considered a suspect in other ongoing burglary investigations, including an Oct. 31 break-in at the Casey's General Store in Tiffin in which Vargason allegedly smashed the front glass door and took about 350 packs of cigarettes, police said. He was charged with third-degree burglary for that break-in, police said.
Vargason remained Friday in the Johnson County Jail on a $16,000 cash bond.

Officials bust two stores for selling cigarettes to minors

Employees at two stores were ticketed Tuesday for selling tobacco to minors after town and state officials conducted an undercover operation.
An employee from the Tobacconist of Greenwich, at 8 Havemeyer Place, and the Oriental Market, at 214 Sound Beach Avenue, were cited for sale of tobacco to a minor under 18, an infraction that comes with a $200 fine.
The employee cited at the Oriental Market was Linda Chan, 54, of 403155 Henry St., New York, N.Y. Michael Cafagno, 23, of 560 Locust Ave., Port Chester, N.Y., was cited for selling to a minor while working at the Tobacconist of Greenwich.
Nineteen other establishments were subject to announced visits Tuesday and passed, police said.
The operation was managed by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement program, who utilized an underaged youth, employed by the program, to enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco.It is against state law to sell tobacco products to minors.
It is also against the law for minors to possess, smoke or use tobacco products in public as of Oct. 2008.
The two stores that failed the test will also be subject to administrative sanctions from the Department of Revenue Services, the state agency that issues cigarette dealer licenses.
Police said these types of undercover checks take place periodically throughout the year in town.

Two arrested in illegal tobacco swoop

TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle enough tobacco to make 800,000 cigarettes.
The suspected contraband – weighing 400 kg – was discovered in the back of a people carrier at Plymouth Ferry Port. 
A 46-year-old man and a 71- year-old woman, both from the Durham area, were arrested at the scene and interviewed by investigators from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
They have been released on police bail until January 26.The case is being handled by HMRC criminal investigators and enquiries are ongoing. 
The revenue evaded is estimated at about £46,000. UK Border Agency officers swooped on Saturday night, after the people carrier disembarked a ferry arriving in Plymouth from Roscoff, France. 
Due to the size of the haul, HMRC agents were called in to investigate and interview the pair.
Bob Gaiger, of HMRC said the seizure was probably the biggest seen in Plymouth so far this year.

Health Commission Re-elect Previous Chairman Amid Tobacco Scandal

The previous chairman of Health Commission of the House of Representatives, Ribka Tjiptaning, of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle, whose name has been mentioned in the report of the missing tobacco section in the new health regulation, had been re-elected to chair the commission for the next 2009 – 2014 term.
In the first meeting of the commission on Thursday, Ribka said “i have been officiated as the chairman.” 
The commission's 46 members also picked three deputies Ahmad Nizar Shihab (Democratic Party), Irghan Chairul (United Development Party), and Sumaryati Harjoso (Great Indonesia Movement Party). 
Former member of the commission have revealed earlier this month about the missing sectin to the public prompting bigger moves by consumers right and anti-corruption groups to attack stakeholders involved in the legislation.

Online Sales of E Cigarettes Expected to Rise Over the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, many consumers are considering e-cigarettes
as an option for their loved ones who smoke.
GAINESVILLE, Fla., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Previously e cigarettes sales have
generally been tobacco smoking individuals purchasing the product for
themselves. However, Teresa Peach, an online sales associate for E-Cigarettes
National, reports an influx of callers wishing to purchase the product for
their loved ones that smoke. "Some of these callers are stating that they wish
to buy the electronic cigarette starter kit for their spouses or partners that
have been smoking for thirty or forty years." She has reported that many of
these callers believe that the electric cigarette might be last hope for them
to get their loved ones to switch from using tobacco.
Of course, this at least is not new knowledge. Many tobacco smokers have tried
to stop smoking many times and have failed over and over again. The electric
cigarette offers them an alternative to smoking tobacco, yet still allows them
to have the nicotine they want and to engage in the most realistic mock
smoking act available. "When smokers have tried everything they know of and
still continue to smoke, the e-cigarette might be the best bet for them to
reach that goal."
Many consumers are considering purchasing an e-cigarette kit for the holiday
season, according to Teresa. Because there are more choices of this product
available online than ever before, including different styles and different
strengths of nicotine liquid (including zero nicotine), it is making it easier
to pick a gift for a smoker than ever before.
Instead of giving a smoker they know and love another ugly tie or sweater that
they might never even use, some people claim they are giving their loved ones
a gift of a better life - one without tobacco.

Social-conscious fund added to Virginia 529

The Virginia College Savings Plan is adding an investment option under its VEST program that only invests in companies that meet specific social criteria.
In addition to financial health and growth potential, the Parnassus Equity Income Fund takes social factors into account when choosing companies to invest in. The fund avoids companies that manufacture tobacco and alcohol or are associated with gambling. It also avoids companies that make weapons or earn revenues from electricity generation from nuclear power.
“A growing number of our Virginia Education Savings Trust account owners have indicated an interest in a socially targeted investment option,” Virginia College Savings Plan CEO Mary Morris said in a statement. “After reviewing socially targeted funds, the board selected the Parnassus Equity Income Fund because of its history of solid returns, active management and low expense ratio in conjunction with its social criteria screens.”
The VEST plans offers 16 different investment options, including a mix of equity and fixed-income investments. The plan allows account owners to save for qualified higher education expenses, including tuition, textbooks, room and board, fees and computers.

Delaying Tobacco Authority Would Harm Public

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday will tell a federal judge in Kentucky that ordering the agency to delay enforcing new tobacco laws will have "devastating consequences" for public health.
The FDA is facing a challenge to its new tobacco powers, signed into law in June, from tobacco companies including Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) and Lorillard Inc. (LO). The companies say the law imposes unprecedented restrictions on their First Amendment rights and want a federal court in Bowling Green, Ky., to order a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of the regulations. 
A judge for the District Court for the Western District of Kentucky is holding a hearing on the preliminary injunction request and could soon decide whether to grant the injunction. 
The law restricts tobacco companies from using color in most ads, bars them from saying certain products are less risky than others and stops them from selling tobacco products in combination with other items, such as soda and mouthwash.
"It is crucial to the public health that tobacco products not be marketed as reduced-risk products unless they will, in fact, reduce risks," the FDA said in a brief filed with the court. 
The companies want to be able to make claims in ads and on boxes that certain cigarettes contain smaller amounts of harmful ingredients, such as being low in tar, and are, therefore, less risky than other tobacco products. In their briefing documents, the companies argue that such information is truthful and should be given to consumers.
The FDA says such information gives consumers the "mistaken belief" that the products are safe to use. The agency will allow companies to make such claims only after they prove the product does reduce a consumers risk for tobacco-related diseases. That appears to be a high hurdle. The agency notes that medical devices and prescription drugs must go through a rigorous review process before they can be sold to treat or reduce the risk of disease. 
The companies say they aren't completely against the FDA authority to regulate tobacco, and that they support restrictions in marketing and advertising to children.

Nepal border village tense as Indian BSF men torture a local to death

Situation in bordering Bankul Bazar in Rautahat district remained tense on Sunday after a local died allegedly due to excessive torture of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.
Locals in the areas adjoining to India shut down Bankul Bazar village and staged demonstration against the alleged torture and subsequent death of Mukul Raya Yadav, 35. They also chanted strong slogans against the BSF and demanded compensation to the victim´s family and punishment for the guilty involved.
Nepali Security officials said that BSF personnel from Sitamadhi Base Camp at Jamuniya allegedly arrested and tortured Yadav of Surmajuwa VDC-8 in Rautahat district when he was on way to bordering Indian town of Ghodasan to sell tobacco on Saturday afternoon.
Family members said Yadav died a few hours after he arrived home following torture by the Indian border security personnel on Saturday night. He arrived home late night in critical condition after the BSF men set him free.
Yadav, before breathing his last, had told family members that BSF men detained him for four hours and beaten up severely for no apparent reason. The dead body has been taken to the district headquarter Gaur for post mortem.
Nepali authorities in Rautahat district has taken up the issue with the local Indian authorities over the incident.
Officials at Home Ministry said Indian authorities have assured that they would investigate the incident.
Locals in bordering villages have alleged that the BSF personnel have stepped up their excesses in recent months. They complain that BSF men often beat up and manhandle locals living in bordering areas of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat.

Big Tobacco Fights Disclosure of Low-Tar Dangers

Major cigarette makers plan to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a May ruling that banned using words such a “light” and “low-tar” to sell cigarettes, and required them to disclose the dangers of smoking.
Altria Group Inc., Reynolds American Inc., and other makers want a federal court in Washington to delay implementing a May 22 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington which upheld a 2006 ruling which found the companies were guilty of violating federal racketeering laws by conspiring to lie about the dangers of smoking and were likely to do so in the future unless the court intervened.
The appeals court also wants the tobacco companies to publish statements that correct previous misstatements about addiction, smoking dangers, second-hand smoke dangers, and the dangers of “light” and “low-tar” cigarettes.
Omitting the descriptors would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and would “fundamentally alter the business landscape,” the cigarette makers argued.
This is the second time Big Tobacco has made that request to delay implementing the lower court ruling. On September 22, the appeals court denied the request, reports Reuters. 
Corporate Free Speech?
The major tobacco companies say the high court should consider open issues – The First Amendment free speech rights they enjoy; whether they should have been charged with racketeering; and whether the FDA’s takeover that now regulates tobacco deprives the court of jurisdiction.
The companies appealing to the high court include Altria Group Inc and its Philip Morris USA unit, British American Tobacco Plc, Lorillard Inc, and Reynolds American Inc and RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.
The Clinton Administration originally filed the case a decade ago.
It was seeking nearly $300 billion in damages. Ontario, Canada has sued to recover about $46 billion in damages to taxpayers’ health and the associated costs over the last 50 years.