CIGARETTE sales are down by 15 per cent, compared to this time last year but rolling tobacco sales are up 25 per cent, since the tobacco tax hike was imposed in December, a leading importer said yesterday.
The importer, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters yesterday: “Smokers have abandoned cigarettes in favour of rolling tobacco,” The reason is that rolling tobacco is now cheaper, even with the new tax. Ream more »
Washington legislators are spending some of their time on pot this week, discussing it both as a potential revenue source through outright legalization, and as an administrative problem stemming from the medical marijuana law voters approved in 1998.
A day before the state’s revenue forecast, supporters of a bill to legalize cannabis, a term they prefer over marijuana, made a push to revive a measure they claim would be worth $440 million in a two-year state budget cycle. Ream more »
The city is pursuing further legal action to shut down two medical marijuana distributors that have announced they intended to remain open despite two judges’ orders to temporarily shut down, said City Attorney Dean Derleth.
The city filed papers Wednesday in support of contempt-of-court hearings because of the refusals.
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The regulations, banning the use of various additives in tobacco processing, are to be drafted by the end of 2012. Some 40 percent of tobacco grown in Poland constitutes the Burley variety, used for the production of so-called American blends, enjoying the greatest popularity among smokers here. The problem is that these brands require addition of sugar components in the production process. Ream more »
The changes to Michigan’s smoking laws have brought about the rise in popularity of smoking a hookah, a tobacco water pipe native to the Mediterranean and Muslim counties.
It’s becoming more and more popular, and many people who smoke this way think that they are enjoying a safer alternative to cigarettes. Ream more »
An age limit for electronic cigarettes has won initial approval in the Colorado Senate.
The bill makes it illegal to sell the battery-powered nicotine delivery devices to minors. The e-cigarette age limit has already passed the House.
Electronic cigarettes are billed as cessation aids, but critics worry that the smokeless devices mimic cigarettes and cigars and shouldn’t be legal for minors.
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Police are searching for a crook they call the “Marlboro Man.”
Surveillance cameras captured the thief as he order Marlboro cigarettes using a stolen credit card at a Coral Springs CVS in January.
The latest victim said bandits broke into her car and stole her purse while she was at a park in Parkland. According to police, the woman’s credit card was used at the CVS.
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Patrick Mckinnon has been smoking for nine years, and he’s seen three cigarette tax hikes.
“I was smoking more expensive cigarettes, then the price went up and I had to switch to a less expensive brand,” said Mckinnon.
His pack of cigarettes cost $3.63 with tax. He says it doesn’t get any cheaper than that.
Anti-smoking advocates like the American Cancer society and the American Lung Association worked at the capitol today to push for a higher cigarette tax. Ream more »
The Department of Health is tightening its grip on tobacco use through the newly approved implementing rules and regulations of a law that gave more teeth to its regulatory arm, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In a briefing on Monday, FDA director Dr. Suzette Lazo announced the recent approval of the IRR of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, which gave the agency the power to regulate tobacco products in the country, among other supplementary mandates.
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Sammer Karout is still waiting to exhale after the Planning and Zoning Board refused him a special permit this week to open his Bridgeport Avenue hookah lounge. The PZB voted 6-2 Tuesday to grant the permit, but with two members absent the application didn’t get the required two-thirds majority.
“There are no second chances,” PZB Chairwoman Susan Shaw said Wednesday. Ream more »