Tobacco News

My disdain (that borders on a hatred) of smokers has nothing to do with my desire for a nanny state or for social controls to stop smokers from smoking. I really do not mind if people wish to smoke and harm themselves, but the problem is that smokers do not just harm or affect themselves.
There are massive social costs reflected in increased healthcare costs that drain healthcare schemes as well as put a strain on public resources paid for by taxpayers. But all activities do, the act of living puts strain on these resources and one can easily point a finger at obese people, speeders etc that also put extra strains on healthcare systems. Ream more »

Former Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher has reportedly quit smoking. According to a new report from Britain’s The Sun, the 38-year-old has found a new passion for fitness and wants to improve his voice before performing live with his new band Beady Eye.
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A new Rocky Mountain poll finds that 53 percent of likely voters in Arizona would vote Yes on Proposition 203, which would legalize marijuana for medical use. While 32 percent opposed it and 14 remain undecided, the poll found the most support among Democrats and Independents. Prop 203 is one of the most controversial propositions on the ballot. It would legalize the sale of medical marijuana in Arizona. Supporters say it’s about compassion for the sick — opponents say it could fall into the wrong hands. Ream more »

No medical marijuana plants will be pulled in Fresno County after a judge issued a temporary restraining order. The order stops the county from enforcing an ordinance passed last month, banning outdoor marijuana gardens. An attorney for medical marijuana patients argued the gardens were planted when it was legal to do so and the county would be denying patients their rights to the medical marijuana that was already growing. Ream more »

They might have competition from a few local businesses that offer hookah, but that didn’t stop two local entrepreneurs from continuing to capitalize on late-night hangouts. Brett Cromeri, who is an employee of the LIT smoke shop, is looking forward to the new portion of the store, which will be a hookah lounge. The new hookah lounge will be opened by Romi and Keith Mawardi. Ream more »

There are none operating here, and only one inquiry made, but the Tobacco Control Alliance is asking the city to create a regulation banning hookah bars and tobacco stores.
A hookah bar is a bar where people go to communally smoke flavored tobacco in a water-filled pipe called a hookah. A tobacco store is a store that exclusively offers tobacco and often allows customers to sample tobacco before buying it. Ream more »

There was an air of excitement at the corporate headquarters of Eluma Cigs, LLC the morning after Katherine Heigl’s appearance on Letterman when she touted her Electronic Cigarette or more widely known as Eluma. As a star on Grey’s Anatomy and in hit films like Knocked Up and Killers, Katherine Heigl always surprised her viewers, be it with her comic timing or her occasionally combative personality. But last week, her September 27 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman surprised for a different reason: her enthusiastic recommendation of electronic cigarettes! Ream more »

The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products is considering a ban on menthol cigarettes under its authority from the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The panel will meet to discuss the possible ways to regulate menthol cigarettes and the health impact menthol has on smokers.

Should a ban be enacted NACS believes there would be many unintended consequences. The most threatening result of such a ban would be creating a black market for these popular products. Ream more »

Up to half a million people die from smoking-related causes a year in Russia, whose population the United Nations says could shrink to 116 million by 2050 from 142 million now. Along with smoking, alcoholism, AIDS, pollution and poverty are among the factors leading to early deaths and discouraging births in Russia.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved the anti-smoking program on September 23, his press service said, which aims to cut the number of adult smokers by a quarter between 2010 and 2015, and reduce smoking-related diseases and deaths. Ream more »

SMUGGLERS control 83% of tobacco (cigarette) business in West Nile, Lt. Patrick Mwesigye, the revenue enforcement officer in Arua, has said.
The illicit trade has greatly affected Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) ability to collect taxes since only 17% of the entire tobacco business remains taxable, he added.
The high profits, difficult terrain and porous borders with the DR Congo and Sudan coupled with the thin URA personnel in the area, encourage people to engage in smuggling. Ream more »