Anti-smoking group: Cigarette tax hike must be larger

The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont applauds a proposal to raise the tax on cigarettes, but argued Monday the 27-cent increase isn’t enough.

The cigarette tax increase was included in a tax bill recommended by the House Ways and Means Committee. It would raise $24 million from a package of tax changes, including the proposed 27-cent increase in the cigarette tax.

The coalition — American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids — suggests a one-dollar increase would have an impact on public health by reducing smoking rates and preventing some young people from starting to smoke.

“Given that the average pack price in Vermont is currently $6.50, the proposed 27-cent increase would not be expected to produce any benefit for public health. While Vermont used to be a leader in protecting kids from tobacco initiation, we now have fallen behind most of our neighbors and have not passed a significant increase in the cigarette excise tax since 2006,” Tina Zuk, coalition coordinator, wrote in a statement.

The bigger increase would provide more money to deal with the state’s current financial problems and help the state saving health care dollars in the future by reducing the number of smokers, anti-smoking advocates argued.

The 27-cent increase would raise $3.66 million in new taxes, while a dollar increase would raise about $10 million.

Spain vows to temporarily close restaurant whose owner is defying new smoking ban

A Spanish official says a restaurant that is defying a new law banning smoking in bars and eateries will be shut down.
Andalusian regional Health Minister Maria Jesus Montero told reporters that officials will visit the restaurant Thursday in the southern resort town Marbella and tell it to obey the law or force it to close for two months.
But manager Javier Milla told The Associated Press that the Asador Guadalmina restaurant will not comply and wants to keep letting customers smoke.
The law imposing tighter restrictions on smoking in public places took effect Jan 2 to much grumbling from the hospitality industry.

Miley Cyrus Talks about Smoking Salvia in Marie Claire Interview

Singer and actress Miley Cyrus recently talked about the video showing her smoking salvia. Cyrus recently spoke about the incident in an interview with Marie Clarie. It's likely that Miley wants to put the whole bong viral video behind her and move on to more positive things, including romance and movie roles.
Kimberly Cutter of Marie Clarie spoke with Miley for the recent interview. A video (seen below) shows some candid outtakes of Miley as she talks to the magazine and poses for the cover shoot photos.

As for the whole smoking salvia from a bong incident, Cutter asks Miley, "But do you really think it was a mistake? Obviously college kids your age all over America are smoking bongs with a lot more than salvia in them."

Miley responds with what seems like remorse for her actions and the fact she was caught on tape. The 18-year-old Cyrus says of it all, "But they're not Miley Cyrus. They're not role models. So for me it was a bad decision, because of my fans and because of what I stand for."

Cyrus has been controversial while she was under 18 and controversial as she became 18. Her journey seems far from done, but this answer may appease many people. Since she's in the spotlight, it's important for her to take responsibility and move forward on her path of success. Hopefully that path is more a Miley Cyrus not in trouble and less of the path her fellow female celebs like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears have traveled!

Do you think Miley's "apology" is sincere and remorseful? Should she even have to accept responsibility for the smoking salvia bong video incident?
Read Miley Cyrus smoking, article.

PRESIDENT OBAMA STOPPED SMOKING LAST YEAR, SAYS THE FIRST LADY

The first lady made the announcement that her husband has quit smoking yesterday via The Associated Press:
OBAMA STOPPED SMOKING
“Yes, he has. It’s been almost a year. He’s always wanted to stop,” First Lady Michelle stated when asked if the President had quit.

But don’t think she’s patting him on the back for his endeavor. Michelle says she doesn’t want to give her hubby too much credit for doing the right thing.

“I haven’t really poked and prodded him on this. When somebody’s doing the right thing you don’t mess with them.”

We’re proud of our president….it’s gotta be one stressful job being in his position!

NYC Tobacco Ad Mandate Takes a Hit

A federal judge has struck a blow to New York City’s campaign to require retailers to post graphic pictures wherever tobacco is sold. The win for the nation’s big tobacco manufacturers has at least one applauding.

In his decision Dec. 29, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff said that only the federal government can dictate warnings that must accompany the promotion of cigarettes, according to the Associated Press. The ruling came in a suit challenging the legality of a 2009 New York City Board of Health code change that required the display of smoking cessation signs where tobacco products are sold. Individual retailers, the New York State Association of Convenience Stores, New York State Association of Service Stations and Repair Shops, and tobacco manufacturers are party to the suit.

"We are pleased that the Court recognized that only the federal government has the power to control the content of cigarette warnings," said Murray Garnick, Altria Client Services senior vice president and associate general counsel, speaking on behalf of Philip Morris USA. "This lawsuit is not about communicating the health effects of cigarettes, which Philip Morris USA does in a number of ways, including on its Web site. Rather we brought this litigation because the city’s resolution violates Congress’ mandate giving the power to regulate content of cigarette advertising and promotion to the federal government, subject to constitutional limitations."

In his written decision, Rakoff said that the part of the federal Labeling Act (1965) dictated that no state law could impose a requirement or prohibition with respect to advertising or promotion of cigarettes. An agreement among the parties to delay enforcement of the rule was set to expire on Saturday, Jan. 1. 2011.

Floyd Abrams, a lawyer representing some store owners, said the ruling will come as a relief to retailers who had agreed to post advertisements even though they were not yet required to do so, according to the Associated Press. He argued that the city could legally post anti-smoking advertisements across the city, but could not force others to do so.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement that it was "disappointed in and strongly disagrees with [Wednesday’s] ruling." Nicholas Ciappetta, a city attorney who handled the case, said the city is reviewing the decision and considering its legal options.

Tobacco, Defense Stocks Trail Year-Opening Rally

In trading Monday, cigarettes & tobacco shares were relative laggards in the broadly positive session, up just 0.4% on the day. Dragging down the group were shares of British American Tobacco, down about 0.8% and shares of Altria Group down about 0.7% on the day.

Also lagging the market Monday are defense shares, up on the day by just 0.5% as a group, led down by Applied Energetics, trading lower by about 2.5% and Alliant Techsystems ( ATK - news - people ), trading lower by about 0.4%.

China's Target for Tobacco Control Not Met

Nearly five years after China's accession to the WTO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, China is set to breach its commitment to ban smoking in all enclosed public places.

Five years ago, China promised to enforce a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces by January 9, 2011.

A report by the Beijing Times says as of today, China has failed to make any state-level legislation on a smoke ban and the smoke rate of its citizens has not yet declined. Meantime, the number of victims by second-hand smoking has increased 200 million within three years.

The report says tobacco-related advertisements and delicate cigarette cases are among the factors to be blamed for the country's high smoking rate.