Russia Plans to Ban Tobacco Philanthropy

In the United States, there is a big debate among nonprofits about whether some sources of charitable donations are offensive. Some groups have developed “gift acceptance” guidelines identifying categories of generally corporate donors whose grants are to be avoided as antithetical to the recipient’s values. Typical categories are corporations that manufacture handguns or liquor, tobacco or cheap Rich cigarettes. But there are plenty of people who would argue that a nonprofit would be foolish to turn down money regardless of the source, that many kinds of corporate money are questionable if one digs deeply enough into how the money was made, and that the source doesn’t really matter so long as the funds are used productively and positively (or charitably). Either way, it is not legislatively mandated by the federal government or any state government that a nonprofit cannot accept grants from Smith & Wesson or Philip Morris.

Availability of Contraband Tobacco Puts Kids at Risk

Jacqueline Bradley is calling on all Canadians to educate themselves to this problem and pressure federal, provincial and local politicians to put an end to it. “I am the mother of two teenage daughters and one came home from a party and told me they were handing cigarettes out of zip-lock baggies,” Bradley said. “Some of them were being given away for a toonie each and some of them were being handed out like Pez. “I am a non-smoking family, generationally non-smoking. I thought I was safe given that the convenience stores have to keep them behind closed and locked (doors) and there’s quite a process for children to get cigarettes. There’s all sorts of regulations in place and I honestly thought that I was completely protected and so were my children.” Bradley began to research and realized that contraband tobacco is a real problem.

Push is on for Ban of Smoking

A push for a statewide smoking ban has been under way for some time, garnering support from the state Department of Health and multiple smoke-free organizations across the state. Rankin County residents also are doing their part to ensure the possibility of a ban makes it through the state Legislature in the upcoming session next year. The Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Rankin, Scott & Simpson Counties operates out of its office on Airport Road. And coalition members are passionate about their mission. "If you look at other growing cities like those located within Rankin county, you will see that a smoke free ordinance can have a positive impact on businesses," said Amy Ellis, a coalition member. "I am a resident of Brandon and also frequent establishments in Flowood and Pearl, and they appear to be busy just like they were before their smoke free ordinances went into effect."

Philip Morris International: A breakout Buy

Philip Morris International (PM 0.00%) sells cigarettes such as Marlboro and Virginia Slims in 180 countries, generating annual revenues of $75.3 billion. The stock was floated back in early 2008 -- as a spin-off from Altria Group (MO 0.00%) -- and traded near 50 at that time. Since hitting its bear market low around 33 in 2009, the stock has been driving higher strongly. The stock's 12-month performance shows the issue appreciating 29% versus a 1% gain for the S&P 500 index. Its momentum indicator is strongly bullish. And the accumulation-distrib​ution line compliments the price action of the stock. That indicates good buying supporting the breakout.

Sweeping Smoking Ban for Papua New Guinea

The government in Papua New Guinea is to introduce sweeping measures to outlaw smoking in public places.The new laws are expected to face widespread community opposition in a country where tobacco consumption is a national pastime. A recent survey found more than 70 percent of households in Papua New Guinea contained at least one smoker, while another study showed more than half of children aged between 13 and 15 smoke. Health advocates have despaired at such alarming statistics, especially among teenagers. But, now the government is to intervene. Smoking in public will be outlawed and manufacturers will also be stopped from making packets of tobacco containing five cigarettes, which experts say are most popular among the poor and the young.

Secondhand Smoke and Heart Disease

Researchers found that of 205 non-smokers with heart failure, those who regularly breathed in secondhand smoke reported more problems in their day-to-day functioning -- physical and emotional. The findings, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, do not prove that other people's smoke was to blame. But they add to the large body of evidence tying secondhand smoke to heart disease, researchers say. A number of studies have found that non-smokers who regularly breathe in other people's tobacco smoke have an increased risk of developing heart disease. This latest study suggests that secondhand smoke may also affect a heart failure patient's quality of life, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Kirsten E. Fleischmann of the University of California, San Francisco.

Leading Cigarette Maker Served Legal Notice

Tobacco Control Cell of the Cabinet Division has issued legal notice to a local cigarette manufacturer for publishing tobacco advertisements in print media, in violation of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002. Sources told Business Recorder on Saturday as per Tobacco Control Cell, full-page advertisements of some brands appeared in print media during November 2011. This is gross violation of SRO 382(l)/2007 dated August 21, 2007 issued under section 7 of the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 wherein it was stipulated that with effect from May 31, 2007 tobacco advertisement will not be more than one square inch.

Smoking Policy Hits Turbulence

A staff report recommending a policy to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke in open public spaces in Southgate has run into some resistance. According to the proposed policy no one could smoke cigarettes fashionable within 30 metres of any sports field or play area and within a 15 metres radius of the entrance to any municipal building. For Coun. Dale Pallister it's just more regulations that are virtually unenforceable. "You get so many rules that they reach the place of how do you enforce them all . . . when you need a bylaw enforcement officer to say that you're not to stand 100 feet away from the arena door, or whatever distance it was they came up with, it just seems to me that life doesn't have to be that complicated," he said during Wednesday's committee of the whole meeting.

Davenport City Parks Might Go Tobacco-Free

Smoking could join sex and nudity as behavior banned from Davenport's public parks. The Davenport City Council will consider an ordinance change at its meeting tonight that prohibits tobacco use - smoking best quality Kiss cigarettes or otherwise - from its public parks. The change would not include Modern Woodmen Park where smoking is partially banned under the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. A violation would be a simple misdemeanor. The ordinance change discussion is part of the committee of the whole agenda. It wouldn't get a first vote until next week and would require three votes to amend the ordinance. Alderman Jason Gordon, At-large, requested the change be placed on tonight's agenda. He described the ordinance change as an outgrowth of the Davenport Thrive program, a city-wide coalition that promotes wellness.

Muhammadiyah Bans Smoking

The country’s second-largest Islamic group has thrown its full weight behind efforts to rid Indonesia of its heavy smoking habit. After issuing a fatwa in March 2010 to tell its tens of millions of followers that it was religiously unacceptable to light up, Muhammadiyah is now set to declare all of its health and education institutions smoke-free zones. Muhammadiyah operates some 500 health institutions such as hospitals and clinics, about 15,000 schools from the level of kindergarten to high school and nearly 200 higher education institutions. It also operates 350 orphanages across the country. “On Monday [today], we are going to launch our nationwide program that, starting now, Muhammadiyah’s offices, enterprises and forums are officially smoke-free areas,” Syafiq A. Mughni, Muhammadiyah’s chairman for health issues, told the Jakarta Globe on Sunday. The campaign will kick off at the Muhammadiyah headquarters in Jakarta.

Smoke with Healthy Alternatives

Addictions are very tough to break, and nicotine addiction is one of the hardest. So first let me congratulate you for even getting to the point where you want to quit. It’s a big first step. Before you take any action, I recommend you do some thinking. Thorough mental preparation is helpful for any challenging task. Ask yourself the following questions: What do you enjoy and appreciate about smoking? How are Prima Lux cigarettes online a positive force in your life? Do they calm you down, give you social time with friends? There must be something positive about our addictions, or we wouldn’t have them. It’s important to recognize the good stuff because you need that information to make your best decisions.

Cigarettes Seized in Market Place Raid

Almost 80,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized from a Dudley market stall. The raid, which took place earlier this month, was carried out by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Dudley’s trading standards and NHS Dudley and also saw further investigations of a van and a private address. A total of 78,940 cigarettes were taken from the stall. No duty had been paid on any of them, leading to around £18,000 being evaded. Trading standards officials also confiscated a large amount of counterfeit clothing.

Stronger Smoking Rules, Orland Students

If a group of Orland High School kids ran the city, there would be less smoking in public places including doorways, outdoor dining areas and parks. Members of SWAT, Students Working Against Tobacco, pitched an articulate and well-researched plea to city councilors last week, asking for greater restrictions on lighting up. The student presentation was just a discussion, but it could be up for a vote on Nov. 7. Students Dinesh Khalasi, Ana Hernandez, Roopinder Virk and Jesenia Contreras were at the podium, with other students in the audience, all wearing SWAT T-shirts. Adult advisers funded through the California Health Collaborative, as well as the American Lung Association, have helped the youths through the process. Various grants have been funded via tobacco taxes. The four seniors have been working toward the proposal since they were freshmen. Another student has since graduated.

Smoking and Drinking Rise as Money Worries

Salary cuts and reduced working hours are affecting almost half of all households, with money matters now having overtaken the pursuit of personal happiness in lists of priorities, a study has found. As the effect of the recession deepens, the 2011 Pfizer Health Index indicates the toll the austere times are taking on our health. Pointing to increased drinking and smoking and lower motivation for personal improvement, the survey finds seven out of 10 people are struggling to make ends meet. The study also found: * 26% rate money as our main concerns, up from 20% last year.

Students Plan to Ban Smoking in Public Areas

If a group of Orland High School students has its way, the city could ban smoking outside the doorways of businesses, in outdoor eating areas and in public parks. About a dozen teens sporting anti-tobacco T-shirts and armed with posters and jars of cigarette butts, lobbied the City Council on Monday to put a smoking ban in place. The council took no action, but will discuss the matter on Nov. 7. Dinesh Khalasi, of Students Working Against Tobacco, explained many communities have bans to protect residents and visitors from the dangers of inhaling secondhand smoke. He noted clean-ups by the group revealed a large concentration of cigarette butts by park picnic tables and the baseball field in Lely Park — places where families and young children are likely to be. The group reported 250 cigarette butts were picked up from the grass and picnic areas of the parks within 90 minutes. The teens gathered butts from Vinsonhaler, Library and Lely Aquatic parks among others in the area.

Cigarette Sales Fall in September

The volume of cigarettes sold in Japan in September plunged 60.4 percent from a year before to 9.7 billion cheap Davidoff cigarettes in the wake of last year's strong demand that preceded the country's largest-ever tobacco tax hike in October last year, according to a Japan Tobacco Inc. preliminary report released Friday. For the April to September period, domestic sales fell 41.2 percent from a year before to 50.9 billion cigarettes, the report said.

Legally Harsh Cigarette Warnings

The words are blunt, the images stark — unconstitutionally so, say tobacco companies, which turned to a federal judge last week seeking a reprieve from warnings the Food and Drug Administration has mandated for cigarette packs. “Cheap Davidoff Cigarettes are addictive,” the warnings say. “Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.” “Smoking can kill you.” One image shows a man blowing cigarette smoke through a tracheotomy hole. Another displays a picture of healthy lungs next to a smoker’s grotesquely diseased lungs. The picture and warning together will take up half of the front of a pack when the regulation kicks in next year. The label must include a number for a smoking cessation program. A warning must take up the top 20 percent of a page of print advertising for tobacco products.

Essex County Smoking Policy

Visitors and employees on Essex County property would be able to smoke tobacco in only five designated areas if a new policy is passed. The County Board of Supervisors is preparing to pass the new Essex County Tobacco Policy, which would restrict and regulate smoking Golden Gate cigarettes at the Government Center and other county buildings. The policy was passed Sept. 13 by the County Human Services Committee and will likely get a final vote at the board's October meeting. Supervisor Randy Preston (I-Wilmington) chairs the County Smoking Policy Committee.

New Smoking Laws Help a Californian Landlord

E cigarettes seemed to have saved a landlord’s day. Ted Sherman was under a lot of stress as he was in the midst of an ongoing feud amongst two tenants, one of whom smoked Leana cigarettes while the other, a non-smoker, resisted his moves. They both apparently lived in the same apartment complex. Nonetheless, a new California law has finally come to the aid of the landlord and has helped him resolve this long pending dispute amicably. The dispute started when in the multilevel housing complex, one couple was habitual of smoking cigarettes daily while the other, who lived directly above the smoking individual’s apartment, was a non smoker and had a child. Tobacco smoke has the ability to penetrate the walls of the apartment, which in turn irritated the tenants staying right above the smoking individual. Apparently, the toxic gasses as well as the smells emitted by the smoke irritated the tenant’s baby as well.

The Cigarette Stocks Difficulties

As retailers struggle with stocks of ‘illegal’ cigarette packets without pictorial warnings, they may face further difficulties come November, when a new EU regulation on “fire-safer” Lucky Strike cigarettes comes into force. According to a letter sent to retailers by British American Tobacco Malta Ltd, all cigarettes sold to consumers as from 17 November “must comply with Lower Ignition Propensity (LIP) government legislation”.

Monash Anti-Smoking Legislation Get Stricter

The City of Monash now has some of the strongest anti-smoking laws in the state after a motion was carried by the council last night. As of October 1 this year, smoking Viceroy cigarettes will be prohibited on council land, inside its buildings and within 10 metres of its entrances. There will also be no smoking within 10 metres of buildings on reserves on council land and at any council-run or sponsored events. Smokers who continue to flout the law will be given a $100 on-the-spot fine by the council. Deputy Mayor Micaela Drieberg said the passing of the law was extremely important for the community. ‘‘Victoria was once a leader in this area and we’re lagging behind the rest of the country now, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for Monash to lead that way. ‘‘I don’t need to bang on about the statistics of exposure to tobacco smoke for you to understand how much of an impact this will have on people’s health. ‘‘Several councils have since used the progress that we’ve used.’’

Dissolvable Tobacco Products

Gov. Terry Branstad recently released a campaign challenging Iowa to become the healthiest state in the country during the next five years. As physicians, we commend this effort.

That said, 50 percent of the campaign is focused on the adoption of healthy behaviors, including eliminating smoking. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 4,400 adults die annually in Iowa from smoking Doina cigarettes. More than $1.01 billion is spent caring for patients throughout Iowa due to tobacco use. We see the long-term effects of tobacco use in our practices every day.

Valencia wishes to Ban Smoking on all Campuses

Valencia College, one of Florida's largest public state colleges, will ban smoking Eva cigarettes on all its campuses starting with the 2012 academic year.

Valencia is following the lead of several other Florida colleges and universities that have become smoke-free, meaning they don't allow students, faculty or visitors to smoke anywhere on school grounds — not even in cars in the parking lots.

Smoking Rate Low in California

Californians are kicking the habit. The rate of adult smoking Golden Gate cigarettes has dropped sharply over the last two decades, reaching its lowest level on record, largely because of aggressive tobacco control campaigns by state and local governments, officials said.

Last year, 11.9% of Californians said they smoked, down from 25.9% in 1984, the earliest data available, according to the California Department of Public Health. Only one other state had a lower smoking rate last year: Utah with 9.1%.

Johnny Depp Smokes Electronic Cigarettes

Many have never heard of Electronic Cigarettes, but it seems Hollywood took a puff and couldn't put it down! Ever since Johnny Depp was depicted smoking an Ecig in "The Tourist", these devices have become the latest fad not only in Hollywood, but everywhere.

Notable Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio are switching from real Classic cigarettes, to "Electronic Cigarettes". Whether it is a matter of convenience or health, these Hollywood heroes are taking in the vapor.

Cigarettes Price Hikes Hold Promise

Shares of cigarette companies have rallied over the past one month, with the three leading Prima Lux cigarette makers ITC , Godfrey Philips and VST Industries hitting record highs. All the three stocks have posted robust returns in the past one year, significantly outperforming the benchmark Sensex, helped by favourable taxation and increase in cost of competing tobacco products.

Unlike previous years, the central government has not increased excise duty on cigarettes in the budget for this fiscal, though states have varyingly raised value added tax (VAT). While northern states such as Rajasthan have significantly raised VAT on cigarettes, all the southern states have spared the sector from a major increase. In contrast, competing tobacco products such as 'pan masala' and chewing tobacco have witnessed cost increases in the form of higher taxation and a rise in raw material cost.

Taxes Don't Make People Quit Smoking

A common tool for public officials to curb Beratt cigarette smoking rates is to raise taxes on each pack, but new research suggests that doesn’t always work.

Economic researchers at Concordia University showed that higher taxes prompted lower- and middle-class older smokers to quit the habit, but had little effect on wealthier smokers and people between the ages of 25 and 44.

“Contrary to most studies, we found the middle-aged group, which constitutes the largest fraction of smokers in our sample, is largely unresponsive to taxes,” the researchers said in a statement. “While cigarette taxes remain popular with policy-makers as a key anti-smoking measure, their effectiveness largely depends on how people respond to them.”

Tobacco Tax May Cut Cigarette Consumption

Reforming the tobacco tax system may be the key to discouraging cigarette consumption and reduce the growing incidence of tobacco-related illness such as lung cancer and heart disease.

Cheap cigarettes is one of the reasons why the Philippines with over 17 million smokers - has one of the highest smoking Prima Lux prevalence rates in the world. This is expected to lead to huge socio-economic losses.

According to a study by Health Justice Philippines, around 35, 000 Filipinos die every year due to tobacco-related diseases.

Smoking Ban at Seoul Squares

Seoul City’s anti-smoking campaign in downtown squares, which kicked off this month, is largely being obeyed, with the total number of violations standing at just 15 as of Monday.

The city banned smoking Chesterfield at three plazas in central Seoul from June 1, imposing a fine of 100,000 won ($92) on smokers. The three squares ― Chunggye, Gwanghwamun and Seoul Plaza ― are frequented by about 30,000 people every day.

Underage Tobacco Sale Operation Shows Encouraging Results

A controlled purchase operation (CPO) carried out recently by the Northland District Health Board Public & Population Health Unit found only one retailer in breach of the Marlboro Smokefree Environments Act 1990.

The controlled purchase operation was conducted in the east coast of the Far North including Taipa, Mangonui, Kaeo, Kerikeri, Paihia, Russell and Whangarei.

Lorillard’s Profits Require No Smoke

The most prof­itable prod­ucts tend to be addic­tive. If given the choice, few sales­men would turn down the oppor­tu­nity to sell an addictive prod­uct ver­sus one that was not addic­tive. Throw in the fact that cig­a­rettes are rel­a­tively cheap to pro­duce and you have an even more com­pelling value proposition.

I am not a Kent smoker or tobacco user, and I do not like to be around smok­ers. How­ever, that prejudiced does not blind me from the fact that Loril­lard (LO) is a “very attrac­tive” stock.

Louisiana Republican Party Against Tobacco Tax Increases

The state Republican Party launched its latest radio ad last week, featuring its new finance chairman, former U.S. Rep. Robert Livingston, taking aim at "liberal lawmakers in Baton Rouge (who) are dead set on a massive $120 million tax hike. Conservatives must stand united against Hilton tax increases -- especially fiscally irresponsible tobacco taxes that threaten Louisiana's small businesses."

Tobacco Products Under Microscope

Some tobacco-related products are coming under fire by one North Carolina lawmaker, and his proposal would have a direct effect on convenience stores.

Rep. Charles D. Graham (D-Lumberton) contends that, in particular, tobacco and pipe wrapping paper are conducive to drug use. To help combat this, he wants to introduce legislation that would prohibit stores from displaying these items.

Smoking Is Bad But It Taste So Good

A few weeks ago, I received a message in my campus email from the anti-smoking group Spark, which describes itself as a group of young adults who wish to spread truth and common sense to the masses.

Generally, that is a mission statement I can support with great pride and vigor. It is not always how the sandwich looks, but also how it tastes that makes a difference.

Reading the informative email from the group, I came across nothing about the health risks of tobacco products or anything related to it and .

Alberta Fights of Contraband Cigarettes

An Alberta aboriginal chief is among four people facing charges after the seizure of what authorities are calling the province’s largest haul yet of contraband tobacco. But the seizure is proving controversial and is setting up a legal battle between the aboriginal interests from Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, on one side, and the Alberta’s liquor and gaming authority, on the other.

Ban Sale of Tobacco Products

Seventeen regional cancer centres in India have urged the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to ban the sale of tobacco products like gutka and pan masala in the country. “India has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world with 75,000 to 80,000 new cases being reported every year and chewing of tobacco and gutka contribute to 90 per cent of oral cancer in the country,” Mr Jaydip Biswas, Director, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), said here.

Cigar Shops Are Fuming Over Nebraska’s Tobacco Tax Proposal

A 225 percent increase in Nebraska excise taxes on certain tobacco products would be harmful to businesses throughout the state, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association.

Legislative Bill 436 calls for higher Richmond cigarette and smokeless tobacco tax increases and an increase in the excise tax on other tobacco products including all cigars. The bill would raise taxes from 20 percent to 65 percent of the wholesale price.

Tobacco Smoking Still Hot

U.S. tobacco stocks are demonstrating again that a widely despised product isn’t necessarily an obstacle to big profits and a robust share price.

The S&P 500 tobacco index of four stocks hit another record high on Monday, bringing its one-year gains to more than 33 per cent after factoring in the stocks’ fat dividends. That’s about double the pace of the benchmark S&P 500.

The most recent uptick follows two recent positive developments for the tobacco industry, even as it faces long-term declining Viceroy smoking rates in North America and tighter marketing conditions. On Monday, a Florida state court ruled in favour of Philip Morris International Inc. (PM-N65.170.050.08%) and R.J. Reynolds in an Engle case – a series of cases allowing individual smokers to sue tobacco companies after the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit years ago.

Kingswood Inhabitants Will Give Up Smoking Soon

We all know smoking's bad for you but it's also really bad for your wallet. By smoking 10 cigarettes a day you have £96 going up in smoke Kent every month. How many nights out or shopping trips could that fund?

There's a free local NHS Stop Smoking Service at Kingswood Leisure Centre on Tuesdays from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Marlboro Consumption Down in Turkey in 2010

The ban on smoking in indoors in Turkey began to have an impact on the consumption of Marlboro cigarettes in Turkey. The amount consumed in 2010 went below 100 billion cigarettes for the first time in many years in Turkey.

According to figures compiled by the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority (TAPDK), Turks consumed 93.3 billion cigarettes in 2010. The amount of cigarettes consumed in Turkey in 2009 was 107.5 billion.

Hookah Smoking Should Be Regulated

While students and administrators debate the merits of a Yale-wide Prima Lux cigarettes smoking ban, hookah smoking — currently unregulated in New Haven and across Connecticut — has begun to come under scrutiny.

Maureen McHugh, legislative aide to Democratic State Sen. Gayle Slossberg, said last Thursday that the senator introduced legislation to the Connecticut General Assembly in January that would require regulation of hookah lounges.

Strict Enforcement of Cigarette Ad Ban, FCAP

Atty. Josefina Buenaseda, legal consultant of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) called on the Tobacco Control Group in Region 10 for the strict banning of all Karelia and tobacco advertisements in televisions, newspapers, billboards and internet.

Atty. Buenaseda noted that the advertisement ban on smoke also includes sponsorship and promotions and that compliance on these areas were quite loose.

FCAP showed several violations explicitly caught on pictures like lighted signages of establishments, posters, and cigarettes vendors near schools campuses.

Michelle Obama Has Quit Smoking

Michelle Obama confirmed Tuesday that her husband has kicked his decades-long smoking habit. At a reporter's luncheon in the Old Family dining room, Michelle Obama said that it has been "almost a year," since her husband has picked up a Kent cigarette.

"It's been a while and I'm very proud of him," she said during an hour-long conversation with reporters and her senior staff to discuss her anti-childhood obesity initiative.