SALES of cigarettes have slumped yet again, with experts pointing to a rise in smuggling and smokers puffing less. Figures from Revenue showed that excise was paid on just more than 4.1 billion cigarettes in Ireland last year, down by more than 10pc from a year earlier. Sales quantities have been on a continuous downward trend for the past five years and are now down by a quarter from 2006. However, rises in duty on cigarettes have ensured that the revenue earned for the Exchequer is still on a par with five years ago at €1.1bn. The one area that has seen an increase in demand in recent year ... Jump to full article >>

Altria Group Inc. (MO)’s lawsuit challenging a 2009 New York City law banning the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco products except in tobacco bars was dismissed. U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon in Manhattan today rejected arguments by two Altria units, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands, that the law is preempted by the federal law that gave the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco. The Altria units, which make and distribute the Copenhagen and Skoal brands of smokeless tobacco, had argued that the New York ordinance imposed man ... Jump to full article >>

Thursday, November 10th marks one year since South Dakota’s smoke-free law went into effect. The law bans smoking in bars and restaurants. While smokers and business have adapted with outdoor smoking areas, those who supported the ban are touting its’ success. Darcy Ellefson a respiratory therapist says the health benefits are already being realized. “There is just an overall sense of relief in South Dakota that workers don’t have to be exposed to second hand smoke and consumers don’t have to worry about which bar or restaurant can I go to and have safe air to bre ... Jump to full article >>

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – When it comes to smoking, local hospitals having been putting up signs telling everyone to light-up off the property. But are they following through? It was almost three years ago when Sisters Hospital officials announced the campus was going 100 percent smoke-free. Back in November of 2008, CEO Peter Bergmann announced, “It’s our responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for those who work, visit and receive care at our hospital and outpatient facilities.” But fast-forward to today, are they still standing by their mission? We want ... Jump to full article >>

The Dutch health minister Edith Schippers has come under pressure from MPs, doctors, and anti-smoking groups to clarify her contacts with the tobacco industry after a critical television documentary entitled Minister of Tobacco. The documentary programme Zembla featured camera interviews with tobacco industry lobbyists and pro-smoking campaigners and quoted emails sent by Mrs Schippers. They concluded that since becoming an MP in 2003 Mrs Schippers has had “intensive” contact with the tobacco industry (www.zembla.vara.nl). Last year Mrs Schippers became minister of health and told MPs that ... Jump to full article >>