Wildrose leader says Tory overtaxing to blame for cigarette scandal

While the battle continues over the RCMP's confiscation of a Hobbema First Nation Band's 14 million cigarettes, an Alberta party leader says overtaxing by the provincial government is to blame for the issue.

"I think there is a balance between how far we can go to turning a legal substance into a contraband - that's essentially what we've done," said Wildrose Alliance Party Leader Danielle Smith.

She made the comments earlier this month as guest speaker at the Wetaskiwin & District Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon.

"Because we've put such onerous taxes on these (cigarettes), it's actually created an underground market for people who are trying to skirt away from the taxes."

Smith was responding to a question regarding a Jan. 5 incident, where the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission (ALGC) Hobbema RCMP conducted a record seizure of 75,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes, which could have cost the provincial government $3 million in loss tax revenue.

The illegal smokes were discovered inside a Quonset hut following a reported break and enter on the First Nations Reserve, located about 15 kilometres south of Wetaskiwin.

The Montana Band, its Chief Carolyn Buffalo and Quebec company Rainbow Tobbaco, have filed $1.5 million lawsuit against the AGLC, citing it had no jurisdiction under the Alberta Tobacco Tax Act to seize the smokes in the first place.

The suit is requesting the return of the cigarettes as well as almost $1.5 million in compensation.

Alberta Aboriginal Relations minister Len Webber told the Times, during a stop in Wetaskiwin last month, that since there is an ongoing investigation, the cigarettes will not be returned to the Montana band any time soon.

Smith said a better balance has to be struck when dealing with a legal substance.

"There are a number of vices that we recognize that we don't want to see here a proliferation of, which is why the government steps in to regulate. "Gambling is one. If you want to have a VLT, you have to go through Alberta Gaming. They don't try to stomp it out, and the reason for that is they know if they were to decriminalize it, it would create a huge black market of underground gambling activity," said Smith.

Illegal cigarettes seized from Howdon home

Police and customs officials have seized thousands of cigarettes from a house on Tyneside.

The raid, on a property in Howdon, followed reports from people living nearby, who were concerned that they were being sold to children.

The haul of 15,000 cigarettes and 7.5kg of tobacco was valued at more than £4,000 in unpaid excise and VAT.

A local man was interviewed under caution and the case is being sent to trading standards officers.

Government-Supplied Marijuana Cigarettes from Miami Are Lost in the Mail

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Elvy Mussika is a former South Florida resident who uses medical marijuana -- grown and supplied directly by the federal government. As detailed in our October "Legalize It" issue, the government started a program in 1982 that supplied pre-rolled joints to patients with chronic conditions. George H.W. Bush cut all new prescriptions when he was in office, but a few legal tokers remain. We profiled Irvin Rosenfeld, a Fort Lauderdale stock trader who tokes up legally, in the open, every day.

Now Mussika -- "one of the four remaining United States citizens who still receives medical marijuana from the United States government" -- has lost her pot.

JAABlog has the scoop on this one: In a letter to the director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the postmaster general, Mussika's lawyer, Norm Kent of Fort Lauderdale, explains the mix-up.

Mussika recently moved to Eugene, Oregon (a logical development, all things considered), and was unable to pick up her six tins of 300 marijuana cigarettes before flying out West. So she appointed Kent to make the pickup himself, and mail the 1,800-joint, six-month supply to her new home.

But apparently, Kent wrote the ZIP code wrong. Instead of "97405," he wrote "90405," which may have landed the packages in Santa Monica, California. Hence his letter to the DEA and the postmaster.

Japan Tobacco to halt domestic shipments of cigarettes due to supply disruptions after tsunami

Japan Tobacco Inc., the world's No. 3 tobacco maker, says it will suspend shipments of cigarettes within Japan due to disruptions in supply following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Company spokeswoman Yumiko Hanamura said Friday that Japan Tobacco will halt shipments of all tobacco brands, including the popular Camel and Winston, from March 30 to April 10.
Japan Tobacco is the latest in a string of companies affected by the March 11 disaster, which decimated much of northern Japan. Police said Friday the death toll surpassed the 10,000 mark, and it could jump as more than 17,400 people are still missing.

Japan Tobacco to halt domestic shipments of cigarettes due to supply disruptions after tsunami

Japan Tobacco Inc., the world's No. 3 tobacco maker, says it will suspend shipments of cigarettes within Japan due to disruptions in supply following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Company spokeswoman Yumiko Hanamura said Friday that Japan Tobacco will halt shipments of all tobacco brands, including the popular Camel and Winston, from March 30 to April 10.
Japan Tobacco is the latest in a string of companies affected by the March 11 disaster, which decimated much of northern Japan. Police said Friday the death toll surpassed the 10,000 mark, and it could jump as more than 17,400 people are still missing.

South Somerset company auctions rare cigarette cards

The London Cigarette Card Company based in Somerton has 430 lots, including cards dating back to 1896.

Some of the famous faces on sale include footballer Stanley Matthews, actress Marilyn Monroe and cartoon character Dan Dare.

A series of cards featuring cricketers including WG Grace and AE Stoddart is estimated to fetch £3,000.

Managing director Ian Laker said it was rare to find individual cards from the Wills' 50 Cricketers 1896 series, let alone a full set.

"Cards like this come up once every five years or so," he said.

Cigarette cards date back the 1890s when manufacturers used to wrap cigarettes in paper and place a protective piece of card inside.

Producers then realised that money could be made out of the cards as they became increasingly popular.

"People from all walks of life collect cards," Mr Laker explained.

"A lot of people come back into the hobby because they've collected cards as a child, say the Brooke Bond Tea cards.

"Then 30 years on, they've seen that they can still get them and rekindle their childhood and so on, through nostalgia."

There were so many cigarette cards produced in the 1930s that when World War II broke out production was halted because the government needed the paper for the war effort.

The auction closes at midnight on Saturday and bids can be made by phone or online.

Cost of cigarettes to rise by up to 50p a pack

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 the Tobacco Retailers' Alliance, said: "What we have seen in previous years is that when the government increases tobacco taxes, smokers turn to the black market, where they can buy products at half the price."

Youthlinks and RDHS Air Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry

Kick Butts Day is a nationally celebrated day of activism that puts the spotlight on big tobacco companies and the harsh consequences of tobacco use, especially among youth. The goal of the program is to reveal the truth about big tobacco companies and highlight the dangerous consequences of smoking. Youthlinks Program Manager and Project SUCCESS Coordinator Hilary Flagg collaborated again this year with RSU 13 District Health Coordinator Woody Moore , RDHS nurse Ilmi Carter, and the Knox County Community Health Coalition’s Nancy Laite to organize a Kick Butts Day exhibit at Rockland District High School entitled “Airing Out Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry.”

The exhibit was prominently featured in the frequently trafficked cafeteria hallway at RDHS, where students walking by could read messages and statistics that were displayed on t-shirts hanging from a clothesline. These messages included: the annual Maine healthcare cost directly caused by tobacco ($602,000,000); the chemicals included in cigarettes (ammonia, arsenic, cadmium, formaldehyde); the number of Maine youth currently under age 18 who will die prematurely as a result of tobacco (29,200); the percentage of adult smokers who began using tobacco as teenagers (90%); and excerpts from secret memos within big tobacco companies that reveal just how well those manufacturers understand the addictive and deadly nature of their products.

In addition to the Dirty Laundry exhibit, students were encouraged to stop by a resource table staffed by Flagg during their lunch period to pick up informational pamphlets, ask questions, and pick up a small bottle of bubbles as a reminder to “Blow Bubbles, Not Smoke.” In all, it is estimated that nearly all of Rockland’s 400+ students saw the exhibit, and approximately 150 stopped by the table to learn more and grab a giveaway.

Altria Responds to Menthol Cigarette Report

Altria Client Services on behalf of Philip Morris USA Inc. has sent the U.S. Food and Drug Administration a written report summarizing the science and evidence on the impact of the use of menthol in cigarettes on the public health. The FDA asked the tobacco industry to provide a separate report on the topic to the Tobacco Products Science Advisory Committee (TPSAC), which recently released its findings that there is scientific evidence to back up the notion that removing menthol cigarettes from the market would benefit public health in the United States. Lorillard Inc. issued its own response to the findings.

The Philip Morris report found that its “review of the science- and evidence-based information demonstrates that regulatory actions or restrictions related to the use of menthol in cigarettes are neither necessary nor justified. Significant restrictions, like eliminating menthol in cigarettes, would not reduce the population harm caused by cigarette smoking, and would lead to severe and lasting unintended consequences detrimental to public health objectives and society.”

The lengthy report concludes that the FDA should use the provisions already in place “to undertake an overall approach to reducing the harm from cigarette smoking. Sound public policy warrants that FDA give these provisions an opportunity to achieve their intended purposes before proposing further or supplemental—and possibly countervailing—steps.”

Kate Moss Swaps Handbag for Cigarette

Kate Moss stormed down the catwalk in black shorts and laced-up boots at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris yesterday, with one distinctive accessory: a lit cigarette. She made quite the statement–for national anti-smoking day.
The show, which Marc Jacobs said aimed to reflect woman's freedom of expression, has led to a controversy that's more about politics than handbags. Her rebellion follows the U.K.'s plans to introduce plain packaged cigarettes hidden from display. Though it might just have been Kate's successful attempt to steal the limelight.

In 2008 Kate tried to give up her 30-a-day habit, because it affected her skin and was bad for her daughter's health. She even started using nicotine patches, which were inconvenient at shoots.
Health campaigners said Kate is encouraging young girls to take up smoking. This isn't the first time that the supermodel has stirred up controversy. Back in 2009 she infuriated health campaigners when she said, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels", which they said encouraged more instances of eating disorders. She has also been involved in widely publicized cocaine scandals.
Sure, she doesn't seem to be the best of role models. But let's be thankful it was a cigarette she was smoking and not something that's actually illegal.

Read other article about smoking Kate Moss.

Hill Newsstand gets a new owner, jettisons cigarettes

There’s a new newsman in town. As of March 1, former Chestnut Hill Community Manager and current Councilman Frank Rizzo staffer Stewart Graham purchased the newsstand at the top of the Hill by Chestnut Hill West train station.
“I thought it would be interesting,” said Graham.
When he learned the former owners were looking to sell, Graham said he decided he would step in to preserve what he calls an “iconic” part of Chestnut Hill.
“People can expect it to be a friendly place,” he said.
Graham doesn’t plan to change much, but has already begun reshaping the newsstand to reflect his personality. For one thins, the stand no longer sells cigarettes.
“I have no objection to people smoking, but I don’t want to be a purveyor of cigarettes,” he said.
And now that Border’s is no longer on the Hill, the newsstand will once again sell magazines. Eventually, Graham would like to sell small, packaged food items like soft pretzels and cookies.
For now, he has hired Jim Boyle, a horticulturist, to run the stand.
“He’s very honest, concerned about people,” Graham said.
More changes are on the way. Graham plans to add central heat and air conditioning as well as replace the metal roll down grates with secure wood shutters.
Graham said his intention is to enjoy the stand, which is now open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and to preserve its place in the community.
“I’m not looking to make money, just want to do something fun,” he said.

MSU is soon to be smoke-free

Leave your cigarettes at home next semester because Morehead State University’s campus will be completely tobacco free.

Kevin Koett, dean of students at MSU, said the use of tobacco products will be forbidden on MSU’s campus starting July 1, 2011. This includes cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.

Last year a committee met to discuss the issue of a smoking ban on campus. The committee was headed by Vice President of Student Life, Madonna Weathers and also included student, staff and faculty representatives. The committee met again this this year and passed the ban.

Student Government Association President, Lindsay Adkins served on the committee to represent students at MSU.

Adkins said, “The committee conducted a survey and found that smokers and nonsmokers were in favor of the ban. They also looked into the health benefits for the campus community. The committee looked into how a tobacco ban worked on other campuses that had already implemented it to see if it really worked and if it benefited their campuses.”

Ultimately, the deciding factor in passing the ban was to improve the overall health of everyone on campus, Adkins said. The committee studied how smoking bans had benefited the health of other universities.

“This will make a difference over time like any new process. Some people may have already been looking for a reason to quit and this provides it,” Koett said. “We’re going to try to be educational instead of coming down hard on you.”

Despite the benefits of improving the health conditions for everyone on campus some students are not happy about the ban.

MSU Junior Tyler Hamilton said, “I still think it’s bs that they can tell me I can’t smoke when I pay money to get here.”

MAU Sophomore Amy Blevins said, “I don’t even smoke but it seems like it should be against some kind of personal right to tell people they can’t smoke outside. I bet a lot of people don’t even know and are going to be mad.”

Koett said at this time many details of the ban are still in the planning stages. The university doesn’t have a specific plan on how to implement and enforce the ban or inform campus visitors about the ban.

“We will probably have some signage and obviously some webpage things and publications in newspapers,” Koett said.

Koett said that the university wants to take the informative approach to the issue and be fair. He plans on working with students who violate the ban and try to inform them about the health risks rather than issuing written citations and taking legal action. He also recommends that smokers kick their bad habit by signing up for free cessation classes that are being offered by the Caudill Health Clinic.

“Student violations will be dealt with through my office. I’m not going to write you a ticket. That would be awkward. If anything is alleged I’m going to sit down and talk to you, get your side of the story,” Koett said.

Cigarette smoking linked to Lou Gehrig's disease

Smoking cigarettes may increase the risk of developing the rare muscle-wasting disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, according to a study published in this month's issue of Archives of Neurology.

Researchers, led by Dr. Hao Wang at the Harvard School of Public Health, found that current smokers had a 42 percent increased risk of developing the disease and former smokers had a 44 percent increased risk.

The longer people smoked and the more cigarettes they smoked per day increased the risk, the study found.

Previous studies have suggested that smoking may be a risk factor for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, but they involved a small number of participants or were conflicting. This study analyzed data from five different long-term studies involving more than 1 million people, 832 of whom developed ALS.

The risk of developing ALS might be caused by damage to neurons from nitric oxide or other components of cigarette smoke (such as pesticide residue), the authors wrote. Chemicals in cigarette smoke also generate free radicals and by-products such as formaldehyde that are associated with the disease.

Tobacco taxes help Illinois schools

Every package of cigarettes sold in Illinois adds money to the state’s school fund.

Illinois tags a 98-cent tax on every package of cigarettes sold in the state, collecting an estimated $560 million during fiscal year 2010.

The tax stands almost as a twin to Indiana’s cigarette tax — which is 99.5 cents per pack. Illinois’ tax rate ranks 32nd nationally, with Indiana’s rate coming in at number 33.

Some members of the Illinois Legislature want to change that.

Earlier this year, a bill to increase Illinois’ cigarette tax by a total of $1 during four years fell just short of passage in the House. Members of the Senate did approve the bill.

Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, re-introduced the bill — Senate Bill 6 — which would add an estimated $377 million for Illinois schools. The new bill, Senate Bill 6, has been referred to the Assignments Committee.

If the proposed $1 per pack additional tax passes the General Assembly, the disparity in tax rates would prompt Illinois smokers in Vermilion County and the surrounding area to head across the state line to Indiana.

State Rep Chad Hays, R-Catlin, said he would not support the bill if it passes the Senate.

“There’s an impact to local businesses with this,” Hays said. “We have warehousing in the district that will be affected. McLane Midwest ships cigarettes throughout the Midwest. Higher taxes in Illinois could hurt that.

“There’s also the pragmatic issue of the cigarettes already stamped. Cigarettes going to various counties already carry the proper stamp. I asked the sponsor (of the veto session bill) to allow inventory already stamped to be exempt from any new tax to keep the cost of re-stamping the packs to a minimum. He agreed to put that language in the bill.”

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, also said he would not favor the change.

“It’s a regressive tax,” Frerichs said. “They’re trying to solve the state’s (financial) problems … but this is a tax that hurts the working poor.”

Frerichs also said a higher cigarette tax in Illinois would put local retailers at a disadvantage with competitors across the state line in Indiana.

“And there’s no guarantee it would bring in as much money as projected,” he said.

The proposed increase would push Illinois’ rate to 15th in the nation, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The group supports the increase because it also would bring in revenue for programs to educate children about the dangers associated with smoking.

Illinois now sits between two extremes with its current cigarette tax. To the west in Missouri, smokers pay only 17 cents per pack in taxes, which ranks as the second lowest rate in the nation.

To the north, Wisconsin charges smokers $2.52 per pack in taxes. That rate is seventh highest in the United States. Tax rates for the rest of Illinois’ neighbors are: 60 cents in Kentucky, which ranks 40th; and $1.36 per pack in Iowa, which ranks 25th highest in the nation.

Toss in the federal cigarette tax of $1.01 per pack, and the charges really start to add up. And Illinois allows local government to tack on their own tax rates as well.

For example, Chicago smokers pay the federal and state rates, plus a 68-cent per pack tax imposed by Chicago and a $2 per pack tax approved by Cook County. The combined tax on each pack is $4.67 — and that’s before sales taxes. The price of a pack of smokes in Chicago can climb to almost $10.

The extra revenue would help Illinois schools. The state’s cigarette tax brings in almost as much money for schools as the Illinois Lottery. The lottery brought in $625 million for schools in 2009. The state paid schools about $7.8 billion that year, which includes revenue from both the lottery and cigarette taxes.

Heather McKiernan, director of finance for Danville’s District 118 schools, said in an e-mail there’s no way to break down how much money from the cigarette tax comes into the local district. The money comes as part of the state’s contribution, which includes calculations based on a number of factors.

Police seize six million cigarettes near Quebec-Ontario border

Police have seized six million contraband cigarettes in a major bust in St-Anicet, Que. near the Ontario border.

The shipment was found in the 45-foot trailer when the police officers intercepted the smugglers.

RCMP in Valleyfield and the Surete du Quebec made the bust March 3, after receiving a tip concerning illegal activities related to cigarette smuggling.

They seized 600 cases of illegal cigarettes, a semi-trailer, a trailer and a vehicle used to transport tobacco products.

The total value is estimated at $825,000.

The cigarettes were packed in 30,000 Ziploc-type bags.

Two individuals were arrested and could face charges.

Money, cigarettes taken in convenience store robbery

There were no injuries in an early morning robbery Saturday at a south Cape Girardeau convenience store.
Cape Girardeau police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Don's Store 24, 341 South Sprigg St., at 5:28 a.m. Saturday.

Officers were told that two black male subjects wearing ski masks entered the store demanding cash and cigarettes from the clerk. After the clerk gave the men what they asked for, the suspects fled on foot, heading north on Sprigg Street, according to a police statement.

There was no one else in the store at the time of this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 332-0500, or the Cape Girardeau Police Department.