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.

Tobacco Trust Fund grants available

Innovative projects that address agricultural issues and the needs of communities and farmers affected by the changes in the tobacco industry can apply now for grant funds. The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in Raleigh has announced its next grant cycle and is accepting applications until Dec. 4. Grant winners will be announced by May 1, 2010.Previous grants include farmer’s market renovations, new crop research, agricultural marketing campaigns and assistance for unemployed workers to improve job skills. The NCTTFC also funds programs designed to decrease farm energy costs, assist value-added producers and provide research on brambles, improved pasture grazing and strawberry season extension.

12 years for violent robbers

Two men, who went on a robbery spree and terrorized two families in May 2005, have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each by the Lautoka High Court.
In his ruling, Judge Justice Paul Madigan noted that 25 year old Isei Turagakula and 22 year old Manasa Volau embarked on a night of violent action on May 22nd, 2005.
The two first entered the home of a Surendra Prasad at 1:30am and threatened the occupants with a wooden pole.
The two forced the occupants to crawl through the house before tying them up with wire. 
They then stole money, mobile phones and electronic equipment. Before making off in Prasad's vehicle, they threatened Prasad that they would kill him if he called the police.
The robbers then went to the bakery shop of the second victim, punched him in the face and took bread, cigarettes, money and another mobile phone.
The two were arrested by police hours later and confessed to their crimes.
In his ruling, Justice Madigan stated that, what was probably a joyride for the two was a night of terror for the victims.
He said the offences were committed at night resulting in a heightened state of fear for the victims, the two acted in concert as one fearsome force to invade private and commercial premises. 
Turagakula is to serve 12 and a half years imprisonment while Volau is sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

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.