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 >>

BETHEL, Alaska – The common-law wife of a man who died of lung cancer has filed a civil lawsuit against the nation’s largest tobacco company, accusing it of engaging in a deceptive advertising campaign designed to get people to smoke, including those in Alaska villages. In a complaint filed in Bethel Superior Court, Delores Hunter of Marshall accuses Philip Morris USA Inc. and its parent company, Altria Group Inc., of making and marketing cigarettes even though they knew the products were addictive and caused cancer. Hunter is the court-appointed personal representative of Benjamin ... Jump to full article >>

End Smoking NZ says cigarettes released for sale fell 11% in 2010. In 2009 3697 million cigarettes were released for sale by manufacturers, decreasing to 3343 million in 2010. And End Smoking NZ said in total, cigarette sales decreased 54% per adult from 1990 to 2010. Chairman Murray Laugesen said the number of cigarettes per adult is now at its lowest in 90 years. “We can thank the record 119 MPs from all parties who voted in April 2010 to increase tobacco excise,” Dr Laugesen said. He said the increased tax on hand-rolled cigarettes, the Maori Affairs Parliamentary CommitteeR ... Jump to full article >>

TOKYO — Japan Tobacco (JT) said it planned to close its Austrian factory by early 2012 and cut related administrative staff, entering negotiations with labour union representatives towards shedding 320 jobs. “We have formalised intent to close the Hainburg factory, followed by the commencement of consultations with the local works council,” the company said in a statement issued late Thursday. Along with the plant closure, some of the Vienna-based administrative functions are also anticipated to be rationalised. The move is “for the purpose of developing the manufacturing ... Jump to full article >>

MAASIN CITY, Philippines—City officials are butting out opposition from a multinational tobacco company to an ordinance that prohibits smoking in all public places and workplaces. Philip Morris has claimed that Ordinance No. 2009-042 was inconsistent with Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which, it says, established a “balanced policy” in the use, sale and advertisements of tobacco products. In a press conference on Monday, Mayor Malone Samaco vowed that the city would continue to implement the city’s no-smoking drive, saying it had gained ground and would ma ... Jump to full article >>

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) — Eating healthy can start in the checkout line. So Vermont officials are making a pitch to retailers in hopes of getting consumers to eat healthier food and avoid tobacco and alcohol. On Wednesday, the state Department of Health is holding a conference to launch its “Healthy Retailers” campaign, a training session involving 75 community health advocates. As part of it, store owners will be offered free point-of-sale materials including posters that show people involved in healthy activities. Dr. Harry Chen, the state health commissioner, says point-of-sale a ... Jump to full article >>

After 91 years, The Tobacco Shop in downtown Hartford was about to close this spring. Shop owner Jim DeLisle said he couldn’t afford a rent increase imposed by the building’s owner, and potential buyers seemed as scarce as a genuine Cuban cigar. But four former patrons purchased the shop and are moving the business to 89 Pratt St., a 2,000-square-foot retail space that was formerly a shoe store. The Tobacco Shop will reopen May 9, if not sooner, said one of the new owners, who asked not to be identified. He would not disclose how much he and his three partners paid for the business ... Jump to full article >>

MONTGOMERY, Ala. and AUGUSTA, Maine — State representatives in Alabama and Maine are seeking cigarette tax hikes of $1 per pack and $1.50 per pack respectively, reported tobacco-news.net and Forbes. Alabama State Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) proposed House Bill 457, which would raise the state’s cigarette tax to $1.425 per pack. Todd stated that the tax funds would raise an estimated $230 million a year and primarily benefit Medicaid and the Children First Trust Fund, as well as encourage smokers to quit the habit. “It’s a win-win,” said Todd. If the bill pas ... Jump to full article >>

Businesses are not pleased about the push by Senator Richard Blumenthal LAW ‘73 to ban menthol cigarettes. In an Apr. 18 letter, Blumenthal expressed his support for the United States Food and Drug Administration’s call to ban cigarettes with more than 0.3 percent menthol by weight. But six New Haven store proprietors interviewed said they were worried about how this move would negatively affect thier business profits. While business operators and smokers interviewed agreed that the potential ban would have public health benefits, they said business interests and personal freedom should al ... Jump to full article >>

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) and Japan Tobacco Inc. are among potential buyers of Bulgartabak Holding (57B), Bulgaria’s state tobacco company, Privatization Agency chief Emil Karanikolov said. South Korean tobacco producer KT&G Corp. (033780) and four international financial firms have also shown interest in a 79.83 percent stake in Bulgartabak, Karanikolov told reporters in Sofia today. The asset-selling agency has set May 10 to Aug. 28 as the bidding period, he said. “There are many political and economic considerations to be taken into account, which have made previous sel ... Jump to full article >>

PLEASANTON — Five Pleasanton businesses were cited over the weekend for selling cigarettes to underage police decoys. On Saturday Pleasanton police cited the Vista Bottle Shop on West Las Positas Boulevard, Beverages and More on Johnson Drive, Chevron on Hopyard Road, Union 76 on First Street and Shell on Hopyard Road for selling cigarettes to someone under 18. According to a press statements, plainclothes officers and decoys visited a total of 38 businesses. The other 33 establishments visited did not sell cigarettes to minors. Violators are subjected to either a misdemeanor or a civil ... Jump to full article >>