Kentucky-based tobacco company suing Washington over drug law

A District of Columbia law aimed at making it tougher for kids to get materials used to smoke marijuana is under fire from a tobacco company.

Kentucky-based National Tobacco has sued the city, arguing that a new law that curbed the sale of wrapping papers used to roll cigarettes and cigars was vague and unconstitutional. The company, the fourth largest manufacturer of roll-your-own tobacco products in the nation, plans ask a federal judge on Friday to halt enforcement of the law, which took effect last summer.
Lawyers for the city say officials have the authority to ban the sale of cigar wrappers, which they say have no legitimate purpose but for illegal drug use.

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Editorial: Consider new tobacco revenue

Gov. Mark Dayton offered something new Wednesday as part of his latest offer to legislators.

According to a press release issued by ClearWay Minnesota (clearwaymn.org), an independent, nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health of all Minnesotans by reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, Dayton included a $1-per-pack cigarette price increase in his updated budget proposal. Unfortunately, Wednesday didn’t end well in St. Paul, and both Democrats and Republicans acknowledged that an extended government shutdown was a very real possibility.

According to estimates provided by ClearWay, a $1 price hike would generate $283 in new revenue this biennium. And it’s not just about the money: it would prevent 41,000 Minnesota youths “from becoming addicted adult smokers” and “avoid over 18,000 smoking-related deaths in the future.”

A public opinion poll recently conducted by Raise It for Health (raiseitforhealth.org), a coalition of Minnesota health and nonprofit organizations that share a common goal of reducing tobacco use, determined that nearly three of five Minnesotans support a tobacco price increase. Seventy percent of those supporters said they would favor a $1.50-per-pack increase. In turn, the Minnesota Department of Revenue said such an increase would bring nearly $400 million per biennium.

It should be stressed that increased tobacco prices aren’t just supported by a strictly anti-smoking crowd. The Associated Press reported Thursday that “a commission convened by former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Gov. Arne Carlson says Minnesota should raise cigarette, alcohol and income taxes” to end the shutdown.

We’d like nothing more to see the shutdown go up in smoke. Let’s hope our legislators are listening.

Tobacco compliance campaign detailed

The Barron County Sheriff's Department and Barron County Department of Health & Human Services have teamed together under a new federal grant to perform underage tobacco compliance checks, said Public Health Nurse Laura Sauve.

Previously, cigarette compliance checks were performed in the county under a grant to the Stable Families Coalition. Sauve said the goal of the program was compliance, not to trick local retailers into selling cigarettes to those under the age of 18. She helps to recruit and train students who volunteer to work with the Sheriff's department.

"We tell them not to wear excessive make up, to dress age-appropriately. We're not trying to fool anyone," Sauve said, "just check to see if the clerks request the students present an I.D." Students are given a few extra dollars so they can look realistic in purchasing a can of pop or a candy bar, at the same time they request the clerk sell them tobacco products, she added.
If the undercover students are asked to present identification, they are trained to be honest about their age, Sauve said. They respond, "I don't have one" and if refused cigarettes, are told to turn around and leave the store.
Sauve then sends a letter to the business establishment within 2 days, congratulating them for passing the compliance check. The text of the letter goes on to read:

"Hiring, training and supervising responsible staff is essential to keeping your business in compliance with the laws and ordinances regulating the sale of tobacco. The refusal to sell tobacco to our underage buyer reflects your business's commitment to being a responsible member of the tobacco sales industry. Refusing to sell tobacco to underage customers is the right thing to do. Please pass our thanks and congratulations on to the staff working during the time of the check.

The Barron County Health Department, Barron County Safe & Stable Families Coalition and the Barron County Sheriff's Department conducts tobacco sales compliance checks because we care about youth access to tobacco. We will regularly use WI Wins tobacco sales compliance checks as a tool in our efforts to keep Barron County youth safe and healthy. Thanks for doing the right thing and keep up the good work!"

On Tuesday, June 28, all of the area establishments checked refused to sell tobacco to minors.

Stores found to be complying with the law include: Bob & Steve's BP Amoco in Dallas; Pack-ER Inn, Sheri's Shop-n-Save, The Corner Store and Amundson's Service in Prairie Farm; Miller's Sports Bar and Moon Lake Tavern in Clayton; Twin Town Store in Almena; Renegade's in Turtle Lake; Twin Pine Tavern in Cumberland; and Speedy's C-Stop in Barronett.

"Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known and retailers play an important role in preventing our youth from becoming addicted to the nicotine in tobacco," Sauve said. "Everyone can help keep our children tobacco free by encouraging and thanking retailers for checking IDs and not selling tobacco to youth."

On April 4, a letter was sent to area licensed tobacco outlets from Barron County Health Officer Kaye Thompson. She notified them that Wisconsin uses the "WI WINS" tobacco compliance check program, where trained 15 to 17-year-olds attempt to purchase tobacco products under adult supervision.
The letter also stated, "Your establishment may be one of the businesses that are checked during this process. Last year warnings were given to clerks who sold tobacco to the underage person. This year both owners and clerks are subject to citations issued from local law enforcement if they sell tobacco to the underage person.

"We are asking for your cooperation to ensure that your employees are educated about the laws pertaining to the sale of tobacco products in Wisconsin. At www.SmokeCheck.org your employees can learn the facts about Wisconsin's tobacco sales laws - for free! This simple web training tool makes meeting the state's training requirements easy. When they're finished, your employees will be able to print the necessary, state-approved training certificate. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping tobacco out of the hands of our youth."

Call for pictorial warnings on cigarette packs

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) called upon cigarette manufacturers to print pictorial warning labels on cigarette packs since they could easily make people aware on the harmful effects of tobacco use.

NATA Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka said if warning labels are displayed in picture form on cigarette packs, the consumption of cigarettes in Sri Lanka could be drastically reduced.

He said if the use of cigarettes and other tobacco related products are not controlled now, thousands of our younger generation will die of oral and lung cancers in the future.

Prof. Fonseka made this announcement at a media briefing organised by Jeewaka Foundation President Manjari Peiris.

"Due to the printing of these labels, at least a 60 percent reduction on cigarette sales has been reported from countries such as Canada, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Nepal," he said.

Prof. Fonseka said even three years ago, the NATA had emphasised the importance of printing pictorial warning labels.

"Unfortunately, the authorities ignored our repeated warnings. Otherwise, we could have stopped a large number of elders and youngsters from getting involved in cigarette smoking".

"It would also help reduce a colossal sum of money that is annually spent by the Health Department on cancer patients," he said.

Prof. Fonseka said the matter is before the Legal Draughtman's Department and will be gazetted under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act before January next year.

Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa of the Maharagama National Cancer Institute (NCI), said over 18,000 new cancer patients seek medical attention from the NCI annually of which 75 percent are due to tobacco smoking.

Jeewaka Foundation President Manjari Peiris said the media must play a major role to take the anti-tobacco message effectively to the public.

Appeals court gives go-ahead to cigarette tax

A New York state appeals court on Tuesday lifted a temporary restraining order that prohibited the state from collecting taxes on cigarettes sold to non-tribal members on Indian reservations.

The ruling, by the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, gives the state permission to start collecting $4.35 on each pack of cigarettes, while the Seneca Nation of Indians continues to challenge state regulations in court.

The tribe contends the state Department of Taxation and Finance failed to comply with the State Administrative Procedure Act before amending New York's tax law. The law requires tribal retailers to pay the tax to wholesalers when purchasing inventory and recoup the money by adding it to the retail price. Tribal members would have access to a set number of tax-free cartons.

In a one-page order, the appellate justices denied the nation's request for a preliminary injunction and vacated a temporary restraining order that has been in place since June 9. The appeal is still pending.

Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter said the Nation will seek leave to appeal the latest decision to the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court. In the interim, he said, the tribe will focus on selling native brands manufactured in their territories, instead of national brands such as Marlboro and Camel.

"While the state may be able to embargo through taxation premium brands from entering our territory, it cannot tax the brands made in our territory or any of the six nations," Porter said. "We will never stop fighting the state's predatory actions."

Burglars steal cash and cigarettes from Surrey store

Surrey Police said two thieves forced their way into the Co-Op store in High Street, Bookham, near Leatherhead, in the early hours of Friday.

They stole about £2,000 worth of cigarettes and a large quantity of cash.

The force said officers were looking at CCTV footage showing the inside of the store and the nearby Royal Oak pub.

Det Sgt Jules Knowles said: "This is not a victimless crime, the store has been burgled three times in the past and it is vital we catch those responsible so we can restore peace of mind for employees and the community.

"If you know of someone selling cheap cigarettes or tobacco products or you are offered them for sale over the weekend please think twice and report it to an officer as they may have originated from this offence."

The suspects were both male and were said to be wearing dark coloured hooded tops, tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

Philip Morris International: Illicit Cigarettes In EU Reach Record Levels In 2010

Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) PM -0.03% FR:PM +2.38% today announced results of a recent study showing that the illicit trade in contraband and counterfeit cigarettes in the European Union (EU) in 2010 reached its highest level since studies began in 2006.

The study, conducted by KPMG LLP (KPMG), estimates that annual consumption of illicit cigarettes increased by 3.1 billion units in 2010 versus 2009 to an annualized total of 64.2 billion units, equating to approximately 10% of total cigarette consumption in the EU. The loss to national and EU revenues due to cigarette smuggling is estimated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to be approximately 10 billion Euros per year.

KPMG has conducted this study every year as part of the landmark cooperation agreement between PMI, the European Commission and the EU member states. The results of these studies have been shared with the member states and OLAF.

Commenting on today's announcement, Timothy Lindon, PMI's Chief Compliance Officer & Vice President Brand Integrity, said: "While it is clear that law enforcement agencies in the EU are working hard to combat the problem, the study demonstrates that counterfeit and other illicit cigarettes continue to grow and are an increasing challenge to countries in the EU."

"The illegal cigarette market in the EU is now larger than the legal cigarette markets of France, Ireland and Finland combined, and brings increased criminality to EU member states, as profits from illicit trade are often used to fund other illegal activities, including drug smuggling, human trafficking and terrorism. In many EU countries, there are now two distinct cigarette markets, one legal regulated market which is declining, and an illegal unregulated market that is growing."

PMI is firmly opposed to the illicit trade in cigarettes and has undertaken a broad series of measures to combat this growing problem, including implementation of a global tracking and tracing system, comprehensive know-your-customer policies, consumer education and collaboration with governments. The key to success in this effort is local and international cooperation among numerous stakeholders, including governments, enforcement agencies, manufacturers and retailers, as well as a strong and globally-enforced protocol on illicit trade that addresses all forms of contraband and counterfeit tobacco products.