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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.