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 >>

IRELAND REMAINS one of the “preferred destinations” in the EU for cigarette smuggling because of its comparatively high taxes on tobacco, a new report into criminal activity in the union has found. Europol, the agency that handles criminal intelligence within the union, published its EU Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2011 yesterday. It covers a wide range of criminal activity, including the drugs trade, illegal immigration, human trafficking, fraud, counterfeiting, property and environmental crime and weapons trafficking. Europol says the “outstanding” feature of its latest assessm ... Jump to full article >>

But for other guests who stepped in to broker peace, a heated argument between two groups of youth at a bar in a Lagos suburb was on the verge of degenerating into a brawl. “The smokes from their cigarettes were coming in our direction and we told them politely that since we came here before them, they should change their seating position,” said one of the youth who identified himself as Fred. “Instead, one of them replied that we should be happy to be inhaling their smokes. And that was an insult,” he added. Cigarette smoking has remained a common sight in most public places in the c ... Jump to full article >>

The pro-reproductive health bill lobby group obviously has a huge public relations war chest amounting to millions. The fact alone that they can afford to go into TV advertising is a clear indication of this. I have not had the time to watch television lately but in the few times that I did, I was able to see that professionally produced and slick ad featuring one of the principal reproductive health bill advocates, senatorial wannabe Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel. Now those TV ads are expensive to produce and even more costly to show. I heard that the average cost of a 30-second ad on primetime is ... 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 >>

The price of local cigarettes could go up by as much as 83 percent next year based on estimates drawn up by the Finance Department on the seven excise tax bills pending in Congress. Finance compared revenue estimates and price increases under several proposals to reform the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products now lodged with the House Committee on Ways and Means. Finance said the price of local cigarettes could increase by 82.9 percent in 2012 if the government opted for House Bill 3465 filed by Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad and HB 3489 by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., both seeking to restru ... Jump to full article >>

Hawaii is facing a $1.3 billion state budget deficit — and in response, a series of bills have been introduced to hike taxes, including “other tobacco product” taxes. Among the proposed legislation is House Bill 273, which would increase taxes on products such as cigars and smokeless tobacco. The state should avoid all tax increases and instead turn to spending cuts to balance its budget. Tobacco taxes are often sold to the public as a way to improve public health by raising the cost of tobacco products. But proponents never advertise the hidden costs of such policies, which can ... Jump to full article >>

The cigarette excise tax hike passed by the House is another blow to small local businesses like Hibbert & McGee Wholesalers and other distributors that provide jobs to Vermont residents. But if that’s not bad enough, the increase could actually end up costing Vermont tax revenue as fed-up smokers go out-of-state to buy cigarettes. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the tax hike would increase by $1 the Vermont state excise tax on a pack of cigarettes to $3.24, and would be the fourth cigarette tax increase in five years (a 172 percent increase). Why do my employees and I car ... Jump to full article >>

Smokers are set to cough up an average of 20 cents more per pack from the beginning of next month, the tobacco industry has announced, blaming rising costs and government taxes. “On average the price will go up by 20 cents per pack,” said Ralf Leinweber, of the firm British American Tobacco, which makes Pall Mall. Competitor firms Reemtsma, which makes the JPS brand and Philip Morris, which makes Marlboro, confirmed similar rises. The price of a pack of 19 cigarettes will rise by about five percent. A pack of Lucky Strike, for instance, will rise from about €4.60 to €4.80. The top-sel ... Jump to full article >>

WASHINGTON — An illegal market in cigarettes, fueled by recent tobacco tax hikes, has spawned a smuggling industry attracting violent gangs and traffickers, officials said. Cigarette taxes, increased in 27 states during the past three years with the intention of bringing revenue to cash-strapped local governments, have sparked a surge in tobacco trafficking as smugglers flood high-tax states with cigarettes from low-tax states, USA Today reported Monday. “Everybody out there (involved in illegal trafficking operations) is tapping into tobacco,” said Larry Penninger, acting di ... Jump to full article >>

Alabama’s cigarette tax could be rising again. State Democratic Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham is sponsoring the bill that would raise the tax by $1. The legislation is getting heavy support from two high profile state leaders: Health Officer Don Williamson and Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. Todd’s bill would raise the total tax to $1.42 per pack, which would be more than Florida and Mississippi taxes. Supporters say the bill would generate revenue for the state during tough economic times and discourage people from smoking. Williamson said about 20 percent of Alabama adults smoke, ... Jump to full article >>