Tobacco One, Inc. (Pink Sheets: TBCO) announced today that they have purchased a regionally popular cigarette brand from a Mexico City businessman for cash plus common stock. The previous owner will stay on as a consultant to Tobacco One, Inc. for a minimum two-year term.

The brand was first introduced in Mexico City in 2006. It remained a regional brand until recently when Tobacco One's international marketing team finished a three-month feasibility study focusing on national expansion and consumer acceptance. During this study, Tobacco One in partnership with the Mexico City marketing firm Integra Marketing, S.A. de C.V. obtained numerous commitments that will result in expanded distribution nationwide. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Cigar business hot at Buick Open

Many at the Buick Open decided to commemorate the special occasion with a cigar. Smokers Kastle Casa De Cuba sells cigars along the course.

Jay Ghoneim says "We saw a peak in our business come spring time, summer time. It's the best time to be outdoors, smoking cigars, enjoying fine games such as golf."

For some golfers, it's a ritual. "I smoke cigars every time I golf. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

$1 per pack cigarette tax hike passed by House 

BOSTON - Massachusetts lawmakers are debating the final version of a bill to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes by a dollar, with the change taking effect as soon as Tuesday.

The House approved the measure today by a 93-52 vote after a brief debate and sent the bill to the Senate.

Lawmakers are hoping to rush the bill to Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk in time for the tax to take effect tomorrow, the start of the new fiscal year.  More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

FTC-Altria Fight Could Embolden State Lawsuits

The Federal Trade Commission is asking the Supreme Court to reject an Altria Group Inc. argument that only that agency can regulate cigarette advertising, saying such an interpretation mischaracterizes the FTC's "scope and effect" on the issue.

The tobacco industry is trying to head off a wave of state-based challenges regarding the cigarettes, even as it appeals a federal judge's order to stop marketing cigarettes as "low tar," "light," "ultralight" or "mild" because they mislead consumers.  More...   Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Some stores take hit on cigarette tax hike

With state officials claiming a $1.50 tax increase for a pack of cigarettes has people quitting smoking, local store owners say people are still buying, just not at their stores.

This week, state Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines told the Associated Press the increase is working, because calls to the state’s Smoker’s Quitline have increased. He said the number of people seeking help quadrupled to almost 10,000 during the first week of the increase, compared with 2,300 people during the same time period last year.  More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

State's largest health insurer to go tobacco free in July

With recent trends favoring smoking bans, the state's largest health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, is stepping up its commitment to promote healthier lifestyle choices.

Starting July 1 the company, which employees 1,450 people in Topeka and its 10 field offices throughout the state, will implement a new tobacco-free workplace policy.

The use of tobacco products will no longer be allowed on any owned or leased company property, in company cars or on company-paid break times, BCBS representatives say. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Cigarette Sales Decline Only Part of Story

In the past decade, many Americans and Europeans have become more aware of the dangers of smoking. Large tobacco companies have seen their cigarette sales in these countries plummet as legislators have passed laws forbidding smoking in restaurants, bars and many other public places. But, as Rose Hoban reports, other tobacco sales are increasing.

New research from the Harvard School of Public Health has found that in the U.S. the drop in sales of cigarettes has been accompanied by increased sales of tobacco in other forms. This increase appears to offset at least a third of the drop in cigarette sales. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Decline In Cigarette Smoking Offset By Increase In Cigars, Snuff And Other Tobacco Products

While trends in cigarette smoking and sales have declined in the U.S. for the past decade, sales of non-cigarette tobacco products have been on the rise. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health, led by Professor Greg Connolly, director of the Tobacco Control Research Program at HSPH, and Hillel Alpert, research associate in the program, sought to compare trends in sales of all tobacco products in the U.S. and found that 30% of the recent decline in cigarette sales may be offset by the robust sale of small cigars, snuff and roll-your-own products. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Cigarette Maker Lorillard Breaks from Loews

NEW YORK -- Next week, Lorillard Inc. will follow in the footsteps of its largest competitor, tobacco giant Philip Morris USA (PM USA), by becoming an independent company.

In order to take this step, Lorillard, the third-largest cigarette maker in the U.S., selling brands including Kent and Newport, will break from conglomerate Loews Corp., a transition that will be complete Tuesday. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco
 

Lawmakers approve cigarette tax hike, wine discount cut

CONCORD, N.H.—A possible cigarette tax hike, a cut in a wine discount and borrowed money will be used to balance New Hampshire's books.

The Democratically controlled Legislature approved those measures in two bills in two heated sessions Wednesday, frustrating Republicans who had argued Gov. John Lynch and Democrats ignored warnings last year that the budget was just too large. Republicans argued the state should instead cut spending.

Republicans objected vehemently to a plan to use the state's credit card to fill $40 million or more of a looming budget hole. Lynch and the Executive Council called the Legislature into special session so that could be done by majority vote. Otherwise because deadlines had passed, a two-thirds vote would have been needed -- allowing Republicans to block the bill. More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Health Group Seeks Tobacco Ad Ban

DETROIT The World Health Organization is urging governments to prohibit all tobacco advertising, including sponsorships and promotions.

The group, based in Switzerland, claims that tobacco companies target marketing at young people by "falsely associating use of tobacco products with qualities such as glamor, energy and sex appeal."  More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco


NY tax on cigarettes now highest in nation

NEW YORK STATE -- Smokers across the state might be thinking about kicking the habit as the tax on cigarettes has gone up. This new tax has the cost of cigarettes running between $6 and $7 per pack. The total state tax on cigarettes is now $2.75 per pack, the highest in any state.  More...  Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

New York cigarette tax to be highest in nation starting tomorrow

Come tomorrow, smokers will need to pay even more for a pack of cigarettes.

The state’s cigarette tax will nearly double to $2.75, causing the price for a single pack of cigarettes to rise to nearly $7.

Since 2002, New York smokers have paid $1.50 in state tax for each pack of cigarettes. With the additional $1.25 bump, the state will rank first in the nation for the highest cigarette taxes, surpassing New Jersey at $2.58 a pack.

About 2.7 million New York adults smoke, which is about 18 percent of New Yorkers. According to health advocates, economists and smokers, many will likely continue despite the cost increase.  More... Nutty News - Discount Magazine Subscriptions - More News About Cigarettes and Tobacco

Shareholders Demand Philip Morris USA Stop Interf