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.

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.

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."