Snuffing out cherry-flavored cigarillos and cookie dough laced cigars, the City Council banned the sale of flavored tobacco products Wednesday just weeks after the federal government took flavored cigarettes off of shelves nationwide. Often found behind the counter in glitzy, fluorescent colored wrappers and sometimes near candy, these cigars, chewing tobaccos and cigarettes have been laced with child-friendly flavors to get kids addicted early, said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. City officials hope getting this type of tobacco product off shelves will keep kids from starting smoking. ... Jump to full article >>

Say goodbye to flavored cigarettes because recently President Obama signed a law into effect that gives the Food and Drug Administration the ability to regulate the tobacco industry, allowing the FDA to ban the sale of flavored cigarettes. They claim ban is a preventive measure to decrease the number of minors smoking with the notion that tobacco companies purposely use flavor to lure an underaged audience. “Flavors make cigarettes and other tobacco products more appealing to youth, said Lawrence Dayton, director of the FDA’s new Center for Tobacco Products. “Studies show 17- ... Jump to full article >>

WASHINGTON — Altria Client Services Inc., on behalf of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker, spent more than $3.9 million in the second quarter to lobby for a bill that gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the industry and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form. Altria ( MO – news – people ) also lobbied the federal government on legislation involving health care issues and cigarette trafficking in the April-June period, according to the report filed July 20 with the House clerk’s office. Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group In ... Jump to full article >>

Erie MetroParks leaders are mulling over legislation that could snuff any park visitor’s chance of legally lighting up a cigarette on park property. As an agency that promotes wellness, the three-member park board said it only makes sense to make the MetroParks a smoke-free zone. “It doesn’t sit well with me,” said Tom Dusza, a MetroParks board member, pointing out the apparent contradiction of allowing a health-oriented agency to turn a blind eye to smoking on park property. But leaders at the park system don’t want to stop there — they also want to enact a ... Jump to full article >>

Ireland will become the first country in the EU to remove all tobacco advertising from retail outlets tomorrow. The changes mean that all tobacco products in shops are stored out of view, within a closed container or dispenser, only accessible by retail staff. A sign must be shown to advise that tobacco products are sold at the premises. Retail staff may use a pictorial list to inform a customer aged over 18 who wishes to buy tobacco products as to the products that are available. Self-service vending machines will be prohibited except in licensed premises and registered clubs. All retailers o ... Jump to full article >>

Michigan’s House of Representatives took another step toward making the state smoke-free by approving legislation to ban smoking in most public spaces. “Rep. Paul Scott, a leading proponent to make Michigan smoke-free, voted in favor of House Bill 4377. The measure bans smoking in public places, but exempts casino gaming floors, cigar bars and specialty tobacco stores. “Thirty-seven states currently have some form of smoking ban. “Although a smoking ban without exemptions is ideal, this measure is a vast improvement on current law and will make great strides to keep Mic ... Jump to full article >>

The Conservative government introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at clamping down on the sale and marketing of tobacco products to youths by making it illegal to add flavours to cigarillos and cigarettes. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq introduced an amendment to the federal Tobacco Act she called the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act. In addition to banning flavours — such as chocolate and bubble gum — for cigarillos, cigarettes and blunt wraps (sheets or tubes of tobacco), cigarillos and “blunts” must be sold in packages of 20. Cigarillos and blunts ... Jump to full article >>