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."