Cigarette Traffic in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield Police say four men drove around and bought cigarettes from gas stations in Virginia, hoping to turn them around for a profit out of state. It's a problem NBC12 has been investigating for some time. And Lawmakers are working hard to keep people from doing it. Mohamed Ahmed el Moijtaba, Mohamed Jiddou, Ely Amar,and Elhacen Ouldelhakem all face a charge for Selling, Purchasing or Possessing Tax-Paid Cigarettes.

Centennial Park Soon Smoke-Free

The Helena City Commission will consider a resolution to keep tobacco out of the newly reconstructed Centennial Park, but it may rely on social pressure and the goodwill of park users, not law enforcement, to achieve that goal. A draft resolution slated for a vote and public hearing Dec. 3 says the park “will be operated as a tobacco-free environment.” But the measure as written would not carry any enforcement mechanism or proscribe any penalties for people who chew or smoke.

Nottinghamshire Inhabitants Quit Smoking

243 Nottinghamshire residents have pledged to quit smoking, with the support of the NHS Stop Smoking Service New Leaf during October as part of the first ever national mass quit attempt called Stoptober. The campaign has been supported locally by NHS Nottinghamshire County and Nottinghamshire County Council. New Leaf is the specialist stop smoking service commissioned by NHS Nottinghamshire County to provide advice and support to people who want to kick the smoking habit.

No Smoking Zones in Albany, Smoking Areas

Public housing properties in Albany are about to become no smoking zones. Residents will no longer be allowed to light up in their own homes. The Albany Housing Authority approved a smoking ban Tuesday evening that will go into effect January 1st. Authority officials say the ban will promote healthier living and accommodate future tenants who may be sensitive to cigarette smoke. There will be designated smoking areas. Some residents don't like the plan, but others say it's not such a big deal. "I understand why they want to try to prohibit it, to try to stop people from smoking at all, but you make the ordinances against them and all people are going to do is violate them," said resident James Jackson.

Kids Smoking Marlboro Cigs, Tobacco Ads

I did not think I’d have to explain it. But I guess I do. For lots of people are calling and asking “why do we have this ad in the paper?” It could be mistaken for a Marlboro ad, which shows kids smoking. “So how come you are running such an ad, are you trying to lure kids to smoke?” people are asking. Of course, many people, probably the majority, realize it is, of course, not an ad. That there’s no way Marlboro would ever run such an ad, and, therefore, through the process of elimination, it must be an anti-smoking, anti -tobacco message; an editorial using images.

Tobacco Users in Midland County

Smoking not only causes complicated health problems but can also take a toll on your pocketbook and that of your employer. After a shocking study, Midland County officials are looking at ways to cut down their insurance costs by the help of its employees changing their unhealthy habits. According to Midland County officials, 80 percent of Texas medical claims stem from tobacco usage and obesity. Now county leaders are encouraging their employees to quit smoking, if they don't, they are going to have to pay up.

Tobacco Brands Packs, Smoking Control

The High Court backed the federal government's world-first plain-packaging legislation earlier this year because it involved regulating, not acquiring, big tobacco's brands and logos. The court on Friday published its reasons for ruling in mid-August that plain packaging was constitutionally valid. "Although the (Tobacco Plain Packaging) act regulated the plaintiffs' intellectual property rights and imposed controls on the packaging and presentation of tobacco products it did not confer a proprietary benefit or interest on the commonwealth," a summary of the judgment released by the court states.

Menthol Smokes Banned, African-American Smokers

For African-Americans it’s a particularly harder feat. It’s hard to stop smoking. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that while 59 percent of Black smokers tried to quit, only 3.3 percent actually succeeded — the lowest success rate among all races and ethnicities. Those low rates may be explained by the fact that more than 80 percent of African-Americans smokers smoke menthols [PDF] — a minty tasting form of cigarettes that are harder to quit. Also, Big Tobacco spends millions on advertising these types of cigarettes specifically to our community.

Cigarettes Tax Hike, Cambodian Young Smokers

Ayda Yurekli, an academic from the World Health Organization, told a conference in the capital yesterday that: "Increasing tobacco retail tax would deter smokers and increase government revenue," and that "Cambodia has a huge young population, and the government has to prevent them becoming smokers. There is a lot of room to increase government revenue by raising taxes.” A packet of Cambodian produced ARA cigarettes costs around one third of a US dollar. Government tax on cigarettes in Cambodia is currently 10%. Neighbouring Laos taxes smokers 15%, Thailand 85% and Vietnam 65%.

Cheapest Cigarettes in Korea

An average pack of cigarettes costs less in Korea than in any of the other 22 OECD nations surveyed, and almost six times cheaper than in Ireland, the most expensive nation for smokers, according to a report released Monday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Korea's smoking rate, on the other hand, was the second-highest among the OECD nations at over 44 percent. Greece was the only country with a higher rate of around 46 percent.

Smoking Ban, Greenbrier County Smoke-Free Law

At midnight on Saturday night it will be illegal to smoke in all public and private places of employment and in any business offering goods or services to the public in Greenbrier County. Many bars in Greenbrier County are attractive to customers simply because they are allowed to smoke inside. And they are worried if they lose their clientele, they'll lose their business too.

Cigarette Warnings US Tobacco Companies

A US court on Friday shot down orders to slap graphic anti-tobacco messages on cigarette packs, saying the government overstepped its authority by trying to "browbeat" smokers into quitting, AFP reports. In line with campaigns in several other nations, the United States planned from September 22 to require images on cigarette packs including a man smoking through a hole in his throat and a body with chest staples on an autopsy table.

Tobacco Products Makers Upgraded, Imperial Tobacco

Imperial Tobacco has been handed an infringement notice after local residents complained about the smell coming from its factory. The tobacco giant's plant in Lower Hutt has recently been upgraded, but locals say the work hasn't stopped the "sickly odour" from spreading across the town. The Petone factory has increased its tobacco production and says the smell is a result of steam from blending tobacco leaf and water.

Smoke-Free Campus, Missouri State University News

When students head back to Missouri State University next week, they'll have to go off campus to smoke. The university will go smoke-free Wednesday, August 15. It's the culmination of a process that started two years ago. Over the course of that time, smoking was restricted to designated areas only. Now, the policy is campus-wide, with "very few exceptions," according to a university news release.

Smokers Allured by Health Campaign

Tobacco retailers in Bahrain will this week start importing cigarette packets with graphic warnings about the dangers of smoking. They have also been given six months to get rid of their existing stock as part of GCC-wide efforts to combat the use of tobacco. The new decision will be effective starting Thursday and no imports without the image will be allowed into the country. The visual health warnings include horrific images of smoking hazards, such as the deterioration of organs and harmful effects on pregnant women, which will also be placed on sheesha tobacco packs.

Tobacco Products Sales Increased in India

A report has found that tobacco production has increased by more than 300% in India. It was also found that up to 35% of Indian adults use tobacco, and about one million Indians are estimated to die each year from smoking-related illness. “Conditions such as cancer, lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, account for 25% of all public spending on health in India”, said Professor Rob Moodie, Professor of Public Health at the University of Melbourne. Early market research indicates that many stakeholders believe plain packaging of tobacco products would reduce tobacco use and it could be implemented in India too.

British American Tobacco Market

British American Tobacco PLC Wednesday warned of global economic uncertainty as it posted a rise in profit driven by strong demand in emerging markets and price increases. The world's No. 2 tobacco company by sales boosted revenue slightly despite flat volumes and said the results were against tough year-on-year comparisons and were hit by adverse currency effects.

Smoking Prohibited on Campus

This is a response from Campuses Organized and United for Good Health (COUGH) Northridge to the opinion piece that was written by Joelle Katz in the Daily Sundial on January 30, 2012 titled “Non-smoker says: Don’t ban smoking!” With the recently passed mandate requiring that all University of California facilities be smoke free by 2014, it is evident that there is a national trend for colleges and universities to adopt tobacco-free policies. As part of the CSU system, we have the opportunity to lead and be the first campus in the system to move forward along with many other institutions nationwide.

South Africa to Severe Smoking Ordinance

Health authorities are working at tightening South Africa’s anti-smoking laws, proposing a total ban on indoor smoking and even making it illegal to puff away in open spaces such as beaches. Stadiums, zoos, parks, outdoor eateries and beer gardens would all be affected. At beaches, smoking would only be allowed at least 50 metres from the closest person. But before introducing any new law, the health ministry will throw open the proposals to the public in discussions next week.

Cigarettes Smoking Exposure Can Lead to Diabetes

A new study from Charles Drew University found that adults exposed to environmental tobacco smoke had a higher measure of insulin resistance than nonsmokers without the smoke exposure. With insulin resistance, the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. It can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. "Passive cigarette smoking" Researchers measured "passive cigarette smoking" by how much cotinine they found in the blood of participants. Cotinine is a substance related to nicotine that measures a person's exposure to tobacco smoke.

Illegal Tobacco Business, Alarming News

The extraordinary increase in illicit tobacco business in the country has rung alarm bells in higher echelons of authority. An urgent need to check its rampant growth has been acknowledged by the tax authorities. According to sources there has been an increase of 11 percent in illegal cigarette trade during last one year, bringing losses worth billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

Secondhand Smoke Ordinance, the Buellton City

The Buellton City Council gave first approval to a law that snuffs out smoking in most public places. By a 4-1 vote, the council on May 24 voted to ban smoking within 20 feet of businesses and at bus stops and transit centers, in retail and service lines, in 75% of outdoor dining areas and other places. The ban would not apply to outdoor seating sections of bars.

Anti-Smoking Activists Ask for a Ban in Maharashtra

Will the state government ban gutka-acknowledged as the cause for the epidemic of oral cancer across the country? This is the question anti-tobacco activists are asking after Madhya Pradesh and, more recently, Kerala banned gutka. Food and drug administration minister Satej Patil said, "We are working towards the ban. Even Maharashtra will soon have a ban on gutka and other products." He added that Madhya Pradesh and Kerala had managed to implement the ban after getting a final approval from the judiciary. "We do not want any case in the court challenging the ban later. So we are trying to do a thorough job, which is taking time," he said.

Tobacco Outlawed and Marijuana Legalized

I agree with the conclusion of the Nanaimo Daily News editorial. In the first place, both tobacco cigarettes and marijuana (cigarettes) are made of plant material. They are both smoked. Tobacco has been used legitimately, albeit ignorantly, until more recent times when the addictive nature of nicotine and the cancer-causing effect of smoked tobacco become better understood. Therefore, replacing one addictive tobacco product with another that has a delivery system that is far worse and has the ability to impair judgment and affect the brain is looney. The fact that while society is tightening restrictions on the use of tobacco, we have a pro-marijuana movement bleating about legalization that would be laughable if it weren't so serious.

Secondhand Smoke and Heart Function

The findings could have major public health implications because this type of damage has been associated with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which can lead to heart attack or stroke. "Breathing in very low levels of secondhand smoke -- the same amount many people and children would encounter out and about in the community -- appears to impair one's vascular function after just 30 minutes of exposure," the study's lead investigator, Dr. Paul Frey, of the division of cardiology at San Francisco General Hospital, said in a news release from the American College of Cardiology.

Smoking Ban at Haddad

Smokers wanting to fire up at Haddad Riverfront Park during public events will now have to move up to Kanawha Boulevard before doing so. Charleston City Council members unanimously approved a resolution that prohibits smoking a pipe, cigarette or cigar during public events at the park. The park is defined as the publicly owned area from the north shore of the Kanawha River to Kanawha Boulevard.

Tobacco Manufacturer in UK

The British American Tobacco Co. (BATC) which pulled up stakes and left the country in 2009 following a Supreme Court decision that made continued Philippine operations untenable is ready to do battle with competitors again in a cigarette market considered the 15th largest in the world. James Lafferty, chief executive officer of the BATC who replaced the Australian BAT General Manager Jeremy Flint, said his principals in London have been encouraged by more recent signals from President Aquino to reform the local excise tax system and generate more revenues from both cigarettes and alcohol products.

Programs for Combating Smoking, Health Tax

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are expected to double customs tariffs on cigarette and other tobacco imports next month. A meeting of the finance ministers from six Gulf states scheduled to be held in May will approve the increase, according to a senior Saudi official. Majed Al-Monief, supervisor of the program for combating smoking at the Ministry of Health, said the ministers of finance and health from the GCC states have already agreed in principle to raise the levy charged on tobacco imports from 100 to 200 percent. “The new duty will be known as the ‘health tax,’ taking into account the huge amount of money each GCC state spends on the treatment of tobacco-related diseases as well as for the rehabilitation of smokers. The finance ministers will decide when the tax will take effect,” Al-Moneif told Asharq Al-Awsat daily yesterday.

Cigarette Packs With No Branding

A bitter row over Government moves to strip cigarette packets of branding was growing tonight. Health campaigners welcomed plans for plain packaging on tobacco products in a bid to cut smoking, but opponents claimed the proposals would lead to increased smuggling and job losses. As the Government prepared to launch a public consultation on Monday, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Health ministers across the UK have a responsibility to look closely at initiatives that might encourage smokers to quit and stop young people from taking up smoking in the first place.

Smoking Tobacco More Bad than Chewing Gum

It appears that the number of smokers, especially among young people, is on the rise. Smoking is banned in public places so non-smokers do not have to inhale second-hand smoke. But why not ban the sale of cigarettes altogether? The sale of chewing gum was banned in Singapore because it was not being disposed of correctly. But chewing gum is not harmful to health like tobacco. So isn't it more important to ban cigarettes?

Tobacco Sales Increased because of Cigarettes Displays

The Government has brought in the ruling with the aim of protecting children from being the target of tobacco promotion and helping people quit smoking. The Department of Health says evidence shows cigarette displays in shops can lure young people into lighting up, with nearly two-thirds of current and ex-smokers saying they picked up the habit before 18. A Morrisons' spokesman said: "We are prepared for the ban on the display of tobacco. "We have redesigned the tobacco booths in all stores in accordance with the regulations and have ensured all of our colleagues are aware of the changes."

Smokers Pay More for Cigarettes

The statutory warning on the box says ‘Smoking kills; tobacco causes cancer’. But it is now turning detrimental for your wealth, too, as cigarette prices have increased 9-12 per cent in the past week. For instance, a pack of 20 Classic branded cigarettes (from ITC) now costs Rs 120. The increase in this case has been nine per cent or Rs 10 per packet. Similarly, retailers are selling a 10-stick pack of Navy Cut cigarettes (also from ITC) for Rs 48-50 instead of Rs 44. However, the maximum retail prices printed on these packets have not changed so far as cigarette makers are yet to formally announce a price rise. "The stockists have already increased the price. We have no option but to charge a higher price," said a retailer.

Tobacco Funds Decision

OXFORDSHIRE County Council leader Keith Mitchell says he is happy the county’s local government pension fund is profiting from “stupid smokers”. The Oxford Mail revealed on Monday that the fund for the county’s councils has £20m invested in two tobacco giants. The pension fund is administered by the county council and critics said the cash conflicted with councils’ responsibilities to urge people to quit. But the county council leader hit back at the Oxford Mail for printing the story, quoting Stanley Baldwin’s attack on newspapers having power without responsibility like a “harlot”.

Tobacco Use is An Anti-Malaria Drug

Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have come up with a novel technology for manufacturing an anti-malaria drug in tobacco. Professor Alexander Vainstein -- from the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the HU-- and his graduate student Moran Farhi discovered a method that allows for the production of artemisinin - the herb used in cancer and malaria drugs -- in a heterologous plant system, such as tobacco. Medical communities around the globe agree that a key intervention to control malaria is prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies. But low-cost artemisinin-based drugs are lacking because of the high cost of obtaining the natural or chemically synthesized drug.

Ernakulam is Now a Smoke Free

Have you been plagued by problems of coughing and headaches due to the presence of active smokers on your travels around? Well your visit to Ernakulam city in the state of Kerala now promises to be smoke free. This is good new especially for those who may unwittingly become passive smokers during their travel plans. A one and a half year effort by the Ernakulam district administration, Health Department, Cochin Corporation and District Panchayat has finally borne good results for the “Smoke Free Ernakulam” project. The project was aimed at controlling smoking discount Marshal cigarettes in public places and effective implementation of the Indian Tobacco Control Act.

Imperial Tobacco Must Drop Cigarettes Price

Britain’s antitrust regulator must scrap its price-fixing trial over U.K. cigarette sales after being forced to abandon several claims in the seven-year-old case, Imperial Tobacco Plc told a tribunal today. Mark Howard, a lawyer for the company, told the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London that the Office of Fair Trading’s case had been “destroyed.” The court had asked the regulator to explain how it will continue fighting appeals of fines against Imperial Tobacco, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and 10 other manufacturers and retailers. “One can’t conduct litigation on this basis,” Imperial’s lawyer, Howard said. “To say this is hopeless is really an understatement.”

Smoking Ban in Austin Has Positive Effects

From now on if you are headed to one of Austin’s city parks, preserves or pools, you may want to leave the cheapest Winston cigarettes behind. A permanent smoking ban is now in effect. For months the Austin City Council heard lengthy debates about the smoking ban. City council ultimately decided that the temporary smoking ban, started earlier this year, should remain permanent. “When you’re taking away our rights to smoke outside in a park, it’s kind of like tightening the noose,” smoker Robert Ojeda said. According to the City of Austin, workers picked up more than 37,000 discarded cigarette butts this year across Austin’s 251 parks. Officials also said smoking can be especially dangerous during droughts.

Many Women Smoke During Pregnancy, Marathon News

Experts in Marathon County are sharing some shocking news about the number of women using tobacco during pregnancy. The data, from the Marathon County Life Report, says almost a fifth of women who give birth in the county use tobacco. "The state rate for pregnant women who smoke is quite high, but in Marathon County we even have a higer rate than the state," says Public Health Educator, Renee Trowbridge. "But yeah when you see a pregnant woman smoking that just goes to show how strong the addiction is." Experts say babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a low birth weight as well as a cleft lip.

Smoking Rates Among NZ Students High

A new study published by researchers from University of Otago, Wellington has found that smoking rates have declined rapidly amongst many occupational groups over the last 25 years. However, among some key 'role model' occupations smoking rates remain high. The researchers suggest that targeted support to help them give up smoking discount Pall Mall cigarettes should be considered. The research from the ASPIRE 2025 research collaboration has been published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research. It describes smoking prevalence by occupational groups, which may be role models in society, using data from the 1981 and 2006 censuses.

Smoking Ordinance and Smoke Outside

Smokers are free to light up on Burlington's Church Street. Just days after the city council passed an ordinance prohibiting it in certain sections, Mayor Bob Kiss vetoed the measure Friday. In a written statement Kiss said: "This smoking ordinance opens the door to difficult, inconsistent and selective enforcement." Kiss' decision was not welcome news at the Sweet Lady Jane women's clothing store. "It promotes a flow along Church Street, sometimes there were people that gathered in places, literally, just to smoke," said the store's Ginny O'Reilly.

Less Toxic Cigarettes with Wine and Tomatoes

Though emphasizing that quitting is the best remedy to combat health problems for smokers, Cornell researchers have found a way to make best Camel cigarettes less toxic. Researchers from the lab of Jack H. Freed, the Frank and Robert Laughlin Professor of Physical Chemistry, have demonstrated that lycopene and grape seed extract literally stuffed into a conventional cigarette filter drastically lowers the amount of cancer-causing agents passing through. Their research is published in the Jan. 2 issue of the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). "The implications of this technique can help reduce the hazardous effects of tobacco smoke," said Boris Dzikovski, research associate and paper co-author.

Student Smokers Should know More About Smoking

It’s been almost two years since smoking was prohibited in Michigan bars, restaurants and businesses, so I would think that my encounters with smokers would have decreased. Yet, here on MSU’s campus, I still come in contact with the effects of smoking on a daily basis. In my opinion, college campuses should be some of the least likely places to find smokers because this generation should be well aware of the health risks associated with it. Now, student smoking does have its personal effects on me. For starters, my day is ruined when I have to sit next to someone who has just been smoking for a two-hour lecture. And don’t even get me started on when I get behind a smoker and have to inhale secondhand smoke all the way to my next class.

Smoking Ban Could Affects Restaurants Business

With the city’s new restaurant patio smoking ban going into effect on New Year’s Day, area restaurants are bracing for fallout from customers. “About 50 percent of my customers are Marlboro smokers,” reported Igor Nicholas, managing partner of Isla Cantina located at 8788 Sunset Blvd. at Holloway Street. “We have a very multi-culti clientele and they won’t like it.” George Germanides, owner of Mirabelle Restaurant at 8768 Sunset Blvd., expects some frustrated customers. “They’re not going to be happy about this,” said Germanies, who estimates 20 percent of his patio customers smoke. “There are going to be a lot of complaints.” The city is expecting there to be some resistance.

Smoking Areas Built in Airport Area

For those people who get frustrated at having to hold their breath as they race past the just-arrived smokers at the entrance to the Perth Airport, clean air is not too far away. A purpose built smoking area is being built at the domestic terminal of Perth Airport to create a cleaner entrance and exit and provide a dedicated area for smokers. Construction has begun at the southern end of terminal three, the terminal that houses Virgin Australia and other smaller airlines and the area is expected to be in use next month While the spokeswoman would not say what the facility would look like, she said it would be 44 square metres in size and would have capacity for about 60 people.