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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is warning consumers to be wary of free trial offers for electronic cigarettes. Customers who tried to take advantage of “free” Internet offers for smokeless cigarettes say they were burned by unexpected charges that totaled $100 or more. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) is warning consumers to be wary of free trial offers for electronic cigarettes. Customers who tried to take advantage of “free” Internet offers for smokeless cigarettes say they were burned by unexpected charge ... Jump to full article >>

There is a growing list of healthcare facilities and local worksites that are becoming 100 percent tobacco-free grounds. Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Grant counties have joined together to form West Central Wellness, a regional effort to promote community policies that improve the health of residents and reduce health care costs. There is a growing list of healthcare facilities and local worksites that are becoming 100 percent tobacco-free grounds. Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Grant counties have joined together to form West Central Wellness, a regional effort to promote commun ... Jump to full article >>

Katherine Heigl just can’t seem to go anywhere without sparking up a cigarette. Even in the back of a taxi, the 32-year-old can be seen puffing away on her trusty stick. The actress is on holiday in Miami with her husband Josh Kelley, and cuts a rare sight on the non-smoking beaches with a cigarette elegantly protruding from those picture-perfect lips. But all is not what it seems, because the Knocked Up star is using her handy ‘smokestick’ electric cigarette accessory. The stunning mum-of-one credits the contraption with helping her beat a chronic addiction to nicotine. An ... Jump to full article >>

On Friday Britney Spears made a bit of an exciting announcement on Good Morning America. In a short video clip on the TV show the singer revealed that she’ll be travelling to San Francisco next month to tape a special performance of her new song which will then be played on the morning TV show. Yay! She said: “Good morning, America. I am excited to tell you on Tuesday morning, March 29, I will be performing for the first time ever in a special concert in San Francisco’s historic Castro District on ‘Good Morning America.’ ” Yes that all sounds lovely we’re sur ... Jump to full article >>

He may be a multi-million music mogul workaholic, but every now and again Simon Cowell likes to unwind. Last night the X Factor guru enjoyed a meal with his fiancée, Mezhgan Hussainy, at London celebrity hotspot Cipriani. His wife-to-be looked stunning in a dark green dress, and as the pair pulled away from the Mayfair restaurant it appeared that Mezghan, who has been engaged to the 51-year-old for 12 months, appeared to take a cigarette from her man. The pair met on the set of American Idol and, while Cowell is known to smoke, Miss Hussainy is thought to be a non-smoker. The couple are seldo ... Jump to full article >>

He might have won a £1million recording deal from being crowned X Factor champion last year, but Matt Cardle is not about to blow his fortune any time soon by the looks of his latest purchase. The 27-year-old heartthrob was spotted taking his new £9,000 Peugeot 107 out for a spin around London, which was hardly the car you’d expect a pop star to be driving. Instead of opting for a high priced sports car or four-wheel drive, Cardle decided to keep his ride modest for a low profile. But despite the silver two-door vehicle not turning many heads, the singer was still spotted in his favourite ... Jump to full article >>

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A district judge has shot down Teton County’s ban on smoking in public places, saying the county’s health board lacked the authority to enact 2009 rule. District Judge Timothy Day said in his ruling Wednesday he could “only imagine that the individuals on the board who create the Smokefree Air Rule were motivated by legitimate public health concerns.” But it’s clear the state Legislature never gave the Teton County District Board of Health authority to promulgate the rule, which had proposed criminal penalties for violators, Day wrote. The b ... Jump to full article >>

School districts already offered or accepted funding won’t be affected A recent Ohio Supreme Court decision on the disbursement of the state’s tobacco settlement money is causing some confusion among residents who worry it could affect local school construction projects that are possible or already in progress. In late December, the court ruled that $230 million of the settlement, which had once been set aside strictly for anti-tobacco efforts, could continue to be used for other things, as it had been since the recession set in. The money that was the focus of the court case is not th ... Jump to full article >>