A bill that would create a process for the state of Nebraska to collect revenue from tribes for tobacco sales was forwarded out of the Revenue Committee Wednesday. A Winnebago tribal leader said his tribe doesn’t fully support changes made in the bill, some of which were negotiated with the tribe, but also wouldn’t oppose the bill. “No one’s shooting off fireworks in Winnebago,” said Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., his tribe’s economic arm. “That’s the nature of compromise.” Introduced by Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island, the bill (LB59 ... Jump to full article >>

Smoking is linked with lung cancer, emphysema, and other diseases. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (each year about 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 46.6 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. And cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion, $97 billion in lost productivity plus $96 billion in health care expenditures. Tobacco companies spend about $15.3 billion on tobacco marketing and promotion. Because they a ... Jump to full article >>

Lorillard Inc., the nation’s third-largest tobacco company, gave its former CEO, Martin Orlowsky, a 2010 pay package worth more than $18.8 million for fiscal 2010, up more than 90 percent from fiscal 2009. The maker of Newport, Kent, True and Maverick cigarettes saw its net income rise 8.5 percent to a record $1.03 billion for 2010, and its net revenue excluding excise taxes grew 10 percent to $4.05 billion as it sold 5 percent more cigarettes. Orlowsky retired as CEO in September and as chairman at the end of the year after leading Lorillard since January 1999. His successor, Murray Kes ... Jump to full article >>

TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — Texarkana’s board of directors is set to consider a local ban on tobacco advertisements, but the city attorney says the board should wait to act on the proposal because of freedom-of-speech issues. The board will meet Monday. The Texarkana Gazette reports an outreach organization in Magnolia, Ark., wants Texarkana to support the proposed ban. City Attorney Ned Stewart says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is about to consider the same issue. He says that whether one likes smoking or not, smoking remains legal. Stewart says the board should wait under the fed ... Jump to full article >>

Since April 1, no chemist shop or pharmacy is allowed to keep any of the tobacco related products at their store, throughout the province. It has been mandated by the government of Saskatchewan that no pharmacy is allowed to keep tobacco and related precuts at the store with the intention of selling them. Although, the ban has allowed retail stores for the sale of the tobacco products, it has been suggested that they must possess a separate entrance if they wish to serve the purpose. It has also been announced that those found violating the law will face a fine of no less than $500. The ban h ... Jump to full article >>

A group of Louisiana lawmakers, including Senate President Joel Chaisson, is pushing to boost cigarette taxes by 70 cents per pack, with similar increases for cigars and chewing tobacco. The change would increase the state tax on cigarettes from 36 cents per pack to $1.06. The tax hike will be considered in the upcoming regular session. It faces a tough battle for passage, with significant Republican opposition and Gov. Bobby Jindal threatening a veto if the bill could get the two-thirds vote it needs. Supporters of the proposal — led by Bogalusa Rep. Harold Ritchie — say it would ... Jump to full article >>

Shares of Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI) saw unusually high trading volume on Monday. Approximately 3,083,237 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 0.83% from the previous session. The stock last traded at $35.45. Separately, analysts at Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) downgraded shares of Reynolds American, Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note to investors on Friday, February 25th. Also, analysts at UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) upgraded shares of Reynolds American, Inc. from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note to investors on T ... Jump to full article >>

TOBACCO giant Philip Morris has launched a website calling on smokers to unite and flex their political muscle over tough federal government regulations. The online campaign comes as the tobacco industry ramps up opposition to a government plan for cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging from next year. Philip Morris’s new website – ideservetobeheard.com.au – claims smokers are under constant attack from a ”nanny state” determined to raise taxes and ban smoking in public spaces, such as beaches and city malls. ”If you’re tired of being singled out as ... Jump to full article >>

An extension of an existing ordinance that temporarily bans cigarette, tobacco and “head shops” within the city limits is among the items expected before the Buellton City Council on Saturday as part of an annual retreat. The agenda for the special meeting is also set to include an ad hoc committee update on the Zaca Creek Golf Course and reports on various items from City Manager Jim Kunkel and department heads. Among items, Kunkel is asking for council direction regarding the formation of a committee to study a proposed 2012 ballot measure seeking to change Buellton from a general law ci ... Jump to full article >>

Tobacco Retailers Alliance says increase could drive smokers to use the black market Smokers have been hit by the budget, with tobacco prices up 2% above inflation from . Duty on hand-rolling tobacco was raised by 10%. A packet of economy cigarettes now costs 50p more, while premium brands are up 33p as the government pursues both cash and health objectives. Small shops rely on tobacco sales – they make up a third of a newsagent’s trade – and warned the rise in taxes would endanger small businesses by boosting the black market. Ken Patel, a newsagent from Leicester and spokesman for ... Jump to full article >>

The word is in, and the word is no new taxes. Despite declining revenue’s contribution to the state government’s projected $1.6 billion budget for 2011-12, Gov. Bobby Jindal says he won’t abide higher taxes. Tuition, yes. Taxes, no. And both chambers of the Legislature now have Republican majorities. But the American Cancer Society is preparing to propose a tax increase that should be considered carefully, and then passed. It’s an increase in the state tax on tobacco products — a big one. Such a tax would take some of the financial pressure off higher education and he ... Jump to full article >>