High School Rodeo paticipants wear red to show opposition to tobacco

The High School State Finals Rodeo in Bozeman made a crimson statement Friday.

Red was the color worn by participants and spectators to show opposition to big tobacco. The Montana High School Rodeo Association is now the first in the nation to adopt a tobacco free policy at events. Some of the teens say it seems to be making a difference.

"You see parents smoking once in a while, but actually it hasn't been as bad lately...We're dedicated and we understand it's not good for you and we don't need to be doing it," said Rodeo Participant Charley Yeager.

Of the 375 teens in the rodeo, 300 signed a pledge not to use any tobacco.

Tobacco board plans to bail out AP farmers

The Tobacco Board has asked traders to procure more tobacco at higher prices to save farmers in Andhra Pradesh. Farmers in the state launched an agitation this month, seeking higher prices for the produce. This has led to the suspension of trade on six auction platforms in Prakasam district . "Indian Tobacco Association has given it in writing that it would require 180 million kg tobacco this year before the commencement of plantation.

Accordingly , we fixed the crop size. Now traders are not willing to procure tobacco and prices are falling due to low export demand. But we told traders to procure tobacco as per their earlier target and the prices should be higher than the input prices," said G Kamalavardhan Rao, chairman of Tobacco Board. Input prices required to produce one kg tobacco is . 87. Though the current prices are above . 100 per kg for good quality (bright variety) tobacco, farmers expect high prices as productivity this year was lower than last year's .

This year, the crop size was fixed at 170 million kg in Andhra Pradesh. "We could produce only about 150 million kg this year due to heavy rains in November-December last year. Quality also suffered due to rains. So, we are getting only . 90-110 per kg compared to . 120-130 last year. Prices are falling as there is a dip in export demand," says G Jagannath Rao, farmer & Tobacco Board member. India is the third-largest producer and second-largest exporter of tobacco. According to the Tobacco Board estimates, the country exported 2,49,997 million tonne of unmanufactured tobacco and related products in 2010-11 , realising an export revenue of . 4,163 crore.

"Tobacco, like any other crop, goes through a five year cycle of price fluctuations. Every five year, prices will fall to the lowest level and then will slowly pick up to reach a peak. When prices go up, more farmers will shift to tobacco cultivation, expecting higher returns. But due to higher supply, prices will start falling. This year is no different. Export demand is low as Zimbabwe and Brazil have bumper crop. The quality is also good there besides it is cheaper. As a result, global players are procuring stock from there, leading to a drop in demand here," says an official of a leading tobacco product manufacturer .

This year, Brazil produced 750 million tonne tobacco, up by 150 million over last year, while Zimbabwe produced 50 million tonne extra, leading to a crop size of total 170 mt. Besides, there was an unsold stock of 300 million tonne internationally. "Average price of tobacco is still higher than last year's . The Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned . 20 crore to an agricultural corporate on Ongole to procure 2 million kg tobacco. This kind of a market intervention is expected to boost demand," says Kamalavardhan Rao.

Auditor General, local experts agree on best use of tobacco settlement money

A month after listening to locals talk about the dangers of cutting the amount of tobacco settlement money that supports health programs, the state auditor general has issued a report supporting their stance.

On Thursday, Auditor General Jack Wagner released a special report with the results of five statewide public hearings about how the state should use money tobacco companies agreed to pay to settle a lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania and 45 other states to address health care costs associated with illnesses caused by tobacco use.

Mr. Wagner claims the General Assembly has diverted more than $1.34 billion in tobacco settlement money over the past few years to uses not allowed under 2001 legislation that lays out how the funds should be spent.

Among the uses of settlement money was about $121 million diverted to the state's teachers' pension fund, Mr. Wagner has said.

The report released Thursday summarizes testimony given in a public hearing held in Scranton on May 3, as well as at hearings held in Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

"The people who testified represent millions of Pennsylvanians, and they don't want settlement monies used to plug holds in the state budget as previously was done, or to fund a new loan program," Mr. Wagner said in a press release Thursday.

Robert Durkin, president of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, was one of several people who testified at Scranton's public hearing last month. He reiterated his concerns Thursday, saying that any cuts to health programs meant to address tobacco-related illnesses means a higher cost in the future.

"I think it's short-sighted not to spend money on prevention ... and cessation," he said, adding that putting money into those programs now "will pay dividends down the road."

Gary Drapek, president of United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, said he was not surprised by the auditor general's findings but said he does not know what effect the report may have on legislators and the governor.

"I'm optimistic that the Legislature will take a hard look at the report" and the testimony it summarizes, Mr. Drapek said. "The state might be in bad financial shape, but these cuts will only make things worse in the future."

Traffic Stop leads to Contraband Cigarettes Seizure

The London Customs & Excise Section of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) seized approximately 65,000 contraband cigarettes and a vehicle as a result of an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region Highway Patrol Traffic stop. The brands seized included Discount, Putter's Light, Canadian Light and Canadian Ultra Light.

On Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 the OPP stopped a vehicle on Highway 401 just west of Putnam Road for a Highway Traffic Act violation. During the course of the traffic stop, the vehicle was searched and the contraband tobacco was located in the vehicle. RCMP officers were contacted and attended the scene, seizing the contraband tobacco and the vehicle.

The two male occupants of the vehicle, both residents of the Windsor area, face charges under the Excise Act, 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped.

If convicted, both men could face fines not exceeding $16,250 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.

This investigation is still ongoing and charges are pending.

World No Tobacco Day, Putting Out Cigarettes One By One

The World Health Organization (WHO), as it does every year, celebrates World No Tobacco Day, a day where we remember and reignite the fight against tobacco use.
The WHO came out on Monday and stated that by the year 2030, 8 million people will die from tobacco products annually.
This is an absolutely astounding number and it served its purpose to get the attention of people around the world as we once again come together on this day.
This year, the focus is most certainly on increasing awareness and preventing the usage of tobacco products in new ways, specifically with the way in which warning labels are being used.
Graphic warning labels are believed to be things which can deter potential smokers from lighting up a cigarette, one after another.
Tobacco products such as cigarettes lead to the development of many diseases, including emphysema, lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular health problems.
We are seeing more and more cities in the U.S. banning smoking in public places, such as the new ban in New York City, as well as bans in countries around the world.
These efforts are what will be highlighted on World No Tobacco Day as we once again come together to remember and be aware of the dangers of tobacco-related products.

Madison's ban on e-cigarettes, hookahs begins Monday

Beginning Monday, Madison County will enforce an amended smoking ban that includes electronic cigarettes.
The Madison County Board of Health voted in April to include e-cigarettes and hookahs, or water pipes, in its indoor smoking restrictions, which have been in effect since 2007. The amended regulation also eliminates smoking in retail tobacco stores, a practice that was exempted in the original regulation.
The amended regulation continues to prohibit smoking in enclosed public places such as restaurants, bars and businesses. It also prohibits smoking in the workplace.
Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker inhales. A tiny light on the tip glows like a cigarette.
Penalties for violation of the Madison County ordinance include a fee not to exceed $50 for individuals. For a business, there is a $100 fine for the first violation, $300 for a second violation and $250 for each additional violation. Continuous violations also might result in suspension of any permit or license related to the business.
Madison County joins Bardstown and Glasgow in prohibiting e-cigarettes. The Bullitt County Board of Health approved a similar regulation in late March; it takes effect Sept. 19.
A campus-wide tobacco-free policy that begins July 1 at St. Catharine College in Washington County also prohibits e-cigarettes and hookahs.
Lexington's smoke-free ordinance, passed in 2003 and implemented in 2004, does not include e-cigarettes.

Fruitvale butts out cigarettes from its parks

Fruitvale isn’t letting the issue of smoking in its parks burn for any longer.

The village decided to butt out cigarettes entirely from its parks at Monday night’s council meeting, just a day before World No Tobacco Day, which highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocates for effective policies and practices to reduce tobacco consumption.

“It makes it much easier for one parent to say to another, ‘Are you aware there is no smoking in the park?’” said village administrator Lila Cresswell.

Council decided to ban people from smoking cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or other forms of tobacco or combustible material after they received complaints from concerned parents.

“I don’t want to be a nanny state and order people how they live their lives but I don’t think there is really any question that smoking is not the best occupation for your health,” said Fruitvale Mayor Libby Nelson.

“And the cleanliness – smokers have tended to just drop their butts wherever they are and just stamp them out so you have the garbage aspect, too.”

Smokers are encouraged to leave the green space of a park before lighting up. Signs will be placed in a designated park area, reminding residents that it is a no smoking zone and should there be further complaints, the village’s bylaw officer will speak with those ignoring the new park rule.