Oklahoma County Tobacco Prevention Coalition urges members of gay community to quit smoking

The Oklahoma County Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition has launched a new effort to raise awareness of the dangers of using tobacco and to encourage members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to take advantage of resources such as the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. “We're making a special effort to reach out to this community because smoking rates are so high,” said coalition member Robbinette Ramsey.

“We want everyone to know that we are here to offer resources and support for everyone who wants to break free of tobacco.” Oklahoma has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation, and the smoking rate in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is even higher. The result is an excess of heart disease, strokes and cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that tobacco use kills at least 30,000 gay and lesbian people each year in the United States. According to the American Lung Association, “a growing body of evidence indicates that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals are considerably more likely to use tobacco than the general population, with some studies estimating smoking rates as much as double the national average.”

“These high rates of smoking aren't surprising considering that the tobacco industry's marketing has deliberately targeted the gay and lesbian community for so many years,” Ramsey says. Internal industry documents reveal how tobacco companies have sought to exploit psychological factors in the gay community that make this particular population more vulnerable to tobacco marketing campaigns. Before federal rules banned the practice, tobacco companies routinely sponsored gay pride parades and other community events.

The companies still place customized ads in magazines directed at the gay community. “Our community has a much greater risk of developing tobacco-related health conditions than the general population,” said OKC Pride board member Matt Harney. “We recognize this problem and we're encouraging tobacco users to establish a quit date and to take advantage of the resources and information we provide so they can improve their chances of success.”

Tobacco sales dip 18.42% in Karnataka

Tobacco Board has sold 18.42 per cent lower Karnataka crop at 104.29 million kg in the crop year 2011-12. According to Mr K.N. Vishakantaiah, regional manager, Tobacco Board, there was a decrease in crop sales because it had fixed the state crop size lower at 100 million kg and had enforced strict regulation to cut down area under tobacco. It had also imposed steep fine/penalty on excess grown crop.

 The auctions in Karnataka ended on April 11. This year (2011-12), farmers received similar rates as last year at an average of Rs 92.69 a kg. Last year (2010-11), the grower received Rs 92.30 a kg. Of the total quantity marketed, bright grades comprised 22.14 million kg and were traded at an average price of Rs 119.21 a kg. Medium grades comprised 52.22 million kg and were traded at an average price of Rs 101.24 a kg. Low grades of 29.92 million kg, sold at an average price of Rs 58.14 a kg.

Following are platform-wise auction details, as on Tuesday: H.D.Kote-1 (platform number): 9.17 million kg, average price Rs 90.79 a kg, Hunsur-2 6.75 million kg, Rs 90.48 a kg, Hunsur-3 8.50 million kg, Rs 88.99 a kg, Hunsur-64 6.39 million kg, Rs 95.83 a kg, Periyapatna-4 11.58 million kg, Rs 96.68 a kg, Periyapatna-5 11.45 million kg, Rs 96.54 a kg, Periyapatna-6 10.78 million kg, Rs 95.85 a kg, Kampalapura-61 10.75 million kg, Rs 95.53 a kg, Kampalapura-62 8.94 million kg, Rs 91.91 a kg, Ramanathpura-7 11.02 million kg, Rs 86.85 a kg, Ramanathpura-63 8.91 million kg, Rs 88.22 a kg.

The Future of the Global Tobacco Industry: 1 Billion Smokers in 2050, Reports Euromonitor

With questions surrounding the viability and long-term future of the tobacco industry, Euromonitor International is releasing a global report on the projected tobacco industry in 2050. The Future of Tobacco report examines the long-term prospects for the industry and is based on the company's ongoing global tobacco research program in over 80 markets world-wide.

The report indicates that despite declining consumption in developed markets, world cigarette volumes will increase over the next few decades due to rising consumption in China. Asia Pacific, driven by China, is predicted to increase its share of the global cigarette market to over half of volume sales.

Strict regulation on the tobacco industry along with increasing taxation continues to put pressure on volume sales of tobacco products in more developed markets like the US, Western Europe and Japan. Although China will pay lip service to tobacco control, population growth forecasts mitigate any fall in smoking prevalence, even in the long term. In fact, tobacco users will remain at a billion by 2050, according to Euromonitor's report. Buy marlboro cigarettes online: marlboroman.blog.com

Obesity worse than tobacco

Using tobacco is a big cultural no-no in Utah, in large part due to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ health doctrine. The dominant religion in the Beehive State counsels its members against using tobacco, and Utah has the lowest percentage of smokers in the nation. But now there is another culprit threatening not only members of the LDS Church, but all Utahns and everyone else alike. That threat is obesity, and many Utahns could certainly benefit if the LDS Church would shift its emphasis to another admonition of its scripturally based health code: eating well and in moderation.

If that’s what it takes to prevent more Utahns from becoming obese, we’re all for a faith-based intervention. More people die every year from tobacco than from illegal drug use, homicides, suicides, AIDS, motor vehicle accidents, fires and alcohol combined. But the financial costs and human suffering caused by obesity have surpassed those caused by smoking. It’s surprising but true: Obesity has surpassed tobacco use as a cause of poor health and death. According to the Utah Department of Health, Utah incurs $345 million in tobacco-related health costs every year and $294 million in lost productivity.

But a new report shows that obesity-related diseases and health problems among Utah adults cost the state $485 million in 2008. And, if the current trend toward more obesity continues, those costs will more than quadruple in the next six years, according to projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institutes of Medicine. The percentage of Utah adults who are obese is about 24 percent. If we could just keep that number from increasing, the savings by 2018 would be $1.4 billion — in Utah alone.

Obesity is a major cause of many chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, asthma, stroke and some cancers. The costs of treating these conditions for a lifetime are staggering. Obesity is linked to lack of exercise as well as too much fast food and other fat- and sugar-laden menus, too few fruits and vegetables, poor sleeping habits and stress. Obviously, there are no easy or simple solutions.

Intellicig Welcomes Major E-Cigarette Breakthrough in USA

The National Association of Tobacco Organisations Inc. (NATO) is one of the leading organisations fighting anti-tobacco legislation in the USA. NATO is committed to protecting the interests of all tobacco retailers – comprising some 144,000 convenience stores and 14,000 other tobacco outlets in the country. Yet 60% of the attendees at this year’s NATO industry trade show taking place from April 24th-26th at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas had told the show organisers in advance that they wanted to know more about the business potential of electronic cigarettes. Free tobacco blog is the best site for smokers and tobacco smokers: www.freetobacco.info.

Intellicig, the UK’s foremost producer and supplier of high quality electronic cigarettes and nicotine preparations, was there to provide that information to a marketplace hungry for knowledge. For the first time, some 15 electronic cigarette companies exhibited at the show – including key players NJOY, VaporCorp and Intellicig’s distribution partner Intellicig USA. There was also much discussion of the first move into e-cigarettes by one of the ‘big three’ tobacco manufacturers following the announcement by Lorillard of the acquisition of blu ecigs.

Speaking from the stand, Intellicig USA’s Managing Partner Sherry Cassaw said: "It was simply a matter of time before one of the tobacco companies made the move to include e-cigarettes in their product line." She added, " This merger shows tobacco companies are recognizing the future of e-cigarettes and do not want to lose out on the e-cig business. Intellicig is so different from the competition that we welcome the attention the merger will bring to electronic cigarettes." Intellicig Commercial Manager Tony Sefton added: “We are delighted to be in Las Vegas supporting our distribution partner in building the brand in the US. Sherry is absolutely right about our differences. Intellicig stands out because of our manufacturing standards and the sheer quality of our ECOpure nicotine liquid.

Brooklyn Bridge Park to expand under deal to settle Tobacco Warehouse lawsuit

Brooklyn Bridge Park will get bigger under a deal struck Monday settling lawsuit brought to stop the handover of the historic Tobacco Warehouse to a prominent theater company. The city agreed to turn a 38,000 square foot site it owns under the Manhattan Bridge into a new chunk of the waterfront park - to replace the DUMBO warehouse and nearby Empire Stores when they lose federal protection as parkland. Tobacco cigarettes blog: www.tobacco-news.net

 “These historic treasures will be preserved and put to use for the community and park’s benefit,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “Brooklyn Bridge Park has quickly become woven into the fabric of the neighborhood and this expansion will make it an even more invaluable community resource.” Local groups sued to stop the city from handing over the building to St. Ann's Warehouse, which planned to turn it into a theater and cultural center. Critics said the plan would freeze out park users who can't afford theater tickets.

 They charged officials illegally removed the building from federal protection - and a judge agreed, hitting the city with an injunction to halt the plan last year. Under the settlement, the St. Ann’s plan, which includes a theater space and an outdoor garden, will be able to go forward - eventually. First, city officials will have to get state legislation and approval from the National Parks Service for the development, expected to take about a year. The city will move the paint shed and water meter testing facility currently located under the bridge and turn it into part of the park, a Bloomberg spokeswoman said.

 “The expansion of the park is a great victory for everyone,” said Joan Zimmerman, president of the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, which brought the lawsuit along with the Brooklyn Heights Association and New York Landmarks Conservancy. St. Ann’s is set to get the boot from its current location later this year to make way for a development project, and will move temporarily to new space on Jay St.

Greenbelt Housing Co-op Passes Non-Smoking Directive

Greenbelt Homes Inc. (GHI) members voted in favor of paving the way for the creation of non-smoking rows in their housing cooperative. At GHI’s recent annual membership meeting, voters authorized their board of directors to develop such a proposal. After debate and amendment, members voted that they would have the last word on whatever proposal the board developed and that a row’s non-smoking designation could only come about through the unanimous agreement of members on that row. The ball is now in the board’s court.
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 “I’m sure that they will take it up shortly, “ GHI General Manager Eldon Ralph said in an interview on Monday. GHI Board Vice President Bill Jones said he is likely to bring up appointing a task force at the board's next meeting on Thursday. In March, a row of cooperative members on Ridge Road's 13 Court started the drive to create smoke-free housing, row by row. Court members Judy Bell and Linda Curtis eventually collected 52 members' signatures and won the right to take up the issue at GHI's annual meeting. Their petition read: "We, the membership, direct the Board of Directors of Greenbelt Homes, Inc. to develop and implement a policy that would allow members of an entire row of units to revise their Mutual Ownership Contracts to indicate that smoking inside these units is not allowed."

 But at Thursday’s meeting, members complained that the “develop and implement” language did not give them the final say. So they voted to approve both a primary amendment striking the word “implement” and a secondary amendment inserting “to develop a proposal for consideration by the membership.” Bell also prevailed with her own amendment to add the word “unanimously” before “agree to revise.”

 The final motion passed by a yes vote. The approved motion states: "We, the membership, direct the Board of Directors of Greenbelt Homes, Inc. to develop a proposal for consideration by the membership that would allow members of an entire row of units to unanimously agree to revise their Mutual Ownership Contracts to indicate that smoking inside these units is not allowed." GHI members may not have hold their breath until next year’s annual meeting to say yeah or nay to the board’s proposal. It could wait until then, but the proposal may also be presented to members in a special meeting, Jones told members on Thursday.

Food and drink, tobacco stocks weigh on Europe

European stocks pushed firmly into the red on Thursday, with downbeat data from China adding to political worries in Europe. Drug, food and beverage and oil sectors were selling off, pushing the Stoxx Europe 600 index (XX:sxxp) down 0.6% to 248.31, led by a 1.5% drop for Novartis AG (CH:novn)(US:nvg) and a 1.3% fall for British American Tobacco PLC (UK:bats).

The French CAC 40 index bore the brunt of losses, down 1.4% to 3,075.99, led by a 2% drop for Pernod Ricard SA (FR:ri) and a nearly 2% loss for LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (FR:mc). L'Oreal SA (FR:or) fell 1.7%. The German DAX 30 index (DX:dax) fell 0.4% to 6,447.52 and the FTSE 100 index (UK:ukx) fell 0.7% to 5,494.32. The Spain IBEX 35 index (XX:ibex) remained higher, up 0.7% to 6,863.10, on news of a nationalization for Bankia SA (ES:bkia) but pared earlier gains. The Athens Composite (GR:gd) was up 1.7% to 625.87 as political worries eased and the country got approval for most of its next aid tranche.

NMB businesses learn rules of alcohol, tobacco sales

The North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department will host an educational event that allows local business owners and their employees to learn the ins and outs of alcohol and tobacco sales. "You just can't take that step and serve somebody that's underage," said business owner Ken Talbot. "Because for a business owner that's a lot of trouble." North Myrtle Beach Police are trying to help keep businesses, and teens out of trouble by inviting store owners to attend the PREP (Palmetto Retailers Education Program) course.

It's held at the North Myrtle Beach Fire Station located in Barefoot Resort & Golf at 4740 Barefoot Resort Bridge Road. The course was offered on May 8 and will be repeated on May 10, from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. to make sure business owners know and understand all the laws before they put a drink in the wrong hands. The goal of the PREP course is to reduce underage access to alcohol and tobacco in South Carolina communities, while also ensuring store employees know the legalities of selling the products.

"The rules are confusing," said Brain Booth with Shoreline Prevention. "I think that they may be a little intimidated to approach the police about an issue they've been having. So I think the police making that first step and reaching out to the community is huge in building those relationships." PREP is the only merchant education program available in South Carolina that covers off-premise sales practices, on-premise alcohol sales practices, tobacco sales practices, and development of manage/supervisor sales policies. The program is approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and the South Carolina Department of Alcohol & Other Drugs Abuse Services.

Cancer Council commends tobacco move

Australia is leading the world by reducing the duty-free tobacco allowance, the Cancer Council of Australia says. From September 1, the government will slash the duty-free tobacco allowance, creating budget savings of $600 million over four years. At present, inbound international travellers aged 18 or over can bring in 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products tax-free.

Cancer Council CEO Professor Ian Olver said this was "an anomaly that encourages consumption of an extremely harmful substance". He said the commitment to cut the tax-free intake level to 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of cigars or tobacco products by September 1 would "discourage people from purchasing bulk quantities of the world's most harmful carcinogen".

Caryville joins WCHD against candy-flavored tobacco

Representatives from the Washington County Health Department and volunteers from Tobacco Free Washington County visited the Town of Caryville during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 8 to pass a resolution disagreeing on the local sale of candy-flavored tobacco targeting youth in Caryville. Guest speaker and volunteer for Tobacco Free Washington County Milton Brown came before the council to answer any questions and address any concerns the council may have about the resolution. “We’ve got a small town and smoking is bad but imagine the revenue that it would be taking away from us,” said Chairman Henry Chambers.

 Brown assured that it wasn’t a law that was being passed, just a request that the local convenient store not sale candy-flavored tobacco. “This is just requesting that the store not sale candy-flavored tobacco, excluding menthol, which is blatantly targeting our youth towards tobacco products,” said Brown. “This is just a resolution saying you disagree with what they’re doing.” Town Attorney Lyndia Spears concurred that it wasn’t a law-binding contract, just a request. “It won’t prevent them from selling it, it’s just the town saying they disagree with these tobacco companies targeting children,” said Spears. The Town approved of the resolution. Chambers then informed the council that there was a light out at the basketball court and that Gulf Power would need to be notified to see about replacing it.

 Spears informed the council that they have yet to hear back from Gulf Power. During the previous meeting on Tuesday, April 10 Spears reported that she was able to talk with a representative from Gulf Power about the town’s proposal. Caryville Town Council approved to pursue a settlement with Gulf Power during their regularly scheduled meeting on March 13 after a lumber company recently employed by the town cut down trees on land owned by Gulf Power. “The Town of Caryville’s land borders Gulf Power’s land and the man we hired went too far when he was cutting,” explained Caryville Town Attorney Lyndia Spears.

“Unfortunately we are unable to see how much money he received for the amount of trees he cut and if that money was included to the city when he paid for the trees.” Spears said that Gulf Power estimated an amount by the stumps left on their land, but instead of charging the town with the amount they would usually receive for their trees from their contractor, which would’ve been estimated at over $9,000 and decided to go with what the town would’ve received, which is $5,272. Since the town council agreed that they didn’t authorize for the contractor to cut down the trees, the council approved to pursue only paying half of the $5,272, which is $2,686. The council is also going to see about paying the amount to Gulf Power in payments while looking into getting the contractor to pay the other half. “Just going to court alone would cost over $4,000 in legal fees,” said Spears.

“It would be best at this point to minimize the damages as much as possible.” She said she spoke with the representative and the representative said that he would present it to his superiors and he would contact her with a reply. Also during the last meeting the Town approved of the request of owner of Paron’s Produce at Caryville Flee Market, Paron Beeco, to pay half of the $250 to place a light pole at the flee market so they could have power. “We’re still willing to pay half if you pay the other half,” said Chambers. Beeco informed the council that he was having trouble getting the other three venders to pay their portion. “They just don’t seem to understand where the money’s going and I can’t get them to understand it’s so that we can have electricity at the flee market,” said Beeco. “So as soon as I can get them to give me the money I’ll be down here to pay.”

 Chamber said that the offer still stands because the request has already been approved and they await payment. Resident Bobby Hipburn was present to inform the council that his water bill had drastically spiked the previous month and that the records would indicate that he normally has the minimum required payment every month. “We checked and there isn’t a leak, we just think it might be because it’s an old meter skipping,” said Hipburn. “I just want you to look into it and credit me the extra money on the next bill.” The council agreed to credit Hipburn’s account for the next billing cycle. The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12 at the Caryville Town Hall.

Dispelling the Myths of Tobacco Control

By Seth A. Mailhot, Special Counsel, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. This is the first of what will be a continuing series on the regulation of tobacco retailing. In future articles, I will address the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) regulation of tobacco retailers, and the pressing issues with FDA enforcement at the retail level. For my inaugural article, however, I address the recently released report “Deadly Alliance: How Big Tobacco and Convenience Stores Partner to Market cigarettes Products and Fight Life-Saving Policies.”

 The report was prepared by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Counter Tobacco and the American Heart Association. It has become increasingly clear that the key regulatory issues with respect to tobacco involve the point of sale, which places convenience stores and other tobacco retailers in the position of having to face the brunt of FDA’s enforcement efforts. The report, released on March 5, has the stated purpose of examining the relationship between convenience stores and the tobacco industry. The report argues that the relationships between c-stores and the tobacco industry justify even higher tobacco taxes and greater restrictions on retail sales of tobacco products.

 The report authors point to three issues in making their argument for higher taxes and greater restrictions. First, the authors cite information about convenience store advertising to suggest an intent to market tobacco products to children. Second, the authors point to promotional practices, including merchandising agreements and product discounts, to imply that such practices are designed to encourage children, minorities and the underprivileged to use tobacco products. Third, the authors claim recent lobbying efforts by convenience store organizations are a cover by tobacco companies to counter efforts to increase taxes on tobacco products.

House panel okays increase in alcohol, tobacco taxes

Alcohol and tobacco products will soon be slapped with higher taxes after the House committee on ways and means approved Wednesday the Malacañang-backed proposal. With a vote of 46-14, House Bill 5727 authored by Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, an ally of President Benigno Aquino III, was approved with amendments proposed by the Department of Finance (DOF) on alcohol products. Have something to report?

Tell us in text, photos or videos. As a result, the expected yearly revenue from the proposed increase of sin taxes will only reach P33 billion instead of the original target of P60 billion. This developed after Abaya said the committee “did away with the 45 percent proof on alcohol as basis” and shifted to net retail price. "These amendments were proposed because we recognize the concern of all sectors and we want to be responsive to the industries (which will be affected)," Finance Undersecretary Jeremias Paul said in an interview. Overall, the measure eyes to bring in an additional P400 billion in revenues to the government during the remaining four years of the Aquino administration. With this development, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda is hoping that the measure will be easily approved in the plenary.

 “The initiatives to reform the excise tax system started 15 years ago and it is only under this administration, with the President’s firm leadership, that such a legislative measure has been approved,” he said. Money that will be drawn from the tax measure will be used to improve public healthcare and welfare of tobacco growers, Lacierda said, as well as strengthen the current tax structure, and sustain revenue growth. "These reforms will enable us to increase the cost of tobacco and alcohol addiction while at the same time providing government with additional resources to respond to the public costs of these vices. The restructuring of the tax system will also create a more level playing field in the tobacco market as well as enable us to comply with our WTO (World Trade Organization) commitments," Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in a separate statement. The bill was considered a priority during the second Legislative-Executive Development and Advisory Council (Ledac) last year, thus the Palace saw no need to expedite its passage by certifying it as urgent. 

The second regular session of the 15th Congress will adjourn on June 6. Meanwhile, if Congress approves the bill, distilled spirits with a net retail price of less than P90 will be taxed with P25. This means that by 2013, prices of alcohol products like whiskey, brandy, rum, gin and vodka will increase to P115. The tax rate for distilled spirits with net retail prices ranging between P90 to P150 will be P80 while distilled spirits which cost above P150 will be taxed with P320. Tax rates for wines with net retail prices of P500 or less will be P250; and P700 for those that cost more than P500. For fermented liquor (beer, lager beer, ale, porter), if the cost is P50.60, taxes will be P15.49. If the cost is higher than P50.60, then the tax rate will be P20.57. The existing tax rate for fermented liquor is only P10.41. On the other hand, cigarettes that cost P11.50 or less will soon be sold for P23.50, while cigarettes that cost P11.50 and above will be sold for P31.80.

Police spot violation of tobacco norms, raid shop

The UT Police along with officials of the National Tobacco Control Programme on Thursday confiscated over 260 packets of tobacco molasses of brand Afzal , 20 hookahs and water pipes and about 16 packets of hookah charcoal from a shop in Patel market, Sector 15, in violation of Section 5 of the COTPA (Control of Tobacco Products Act) wherein advertisements of cigarette brands were also displayed. The raid was conducted on the basis of specific inputs.

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Dr Deepak Bakshi, nodal officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Chandigarh, along with Sunil Chowdary, drug inspector, and a team of police officers — SI Ramesh Kumar, SI Ashok Kumar, Head Constable Major Singh and Constable Birender Singh — raided a booth and found a huge cache of tobacco molasses to be used in hookahs along with water pipes, hookahs, charcoal for hookahs.

 The police team also found about 110 packets of cigarettes of brands like Pine and Black, Superslim, Marlboro, Rothmans packets and cigarettes without the mandatory pictorial warnings. Two other shops were also found displaying advertisements for cigarette brands and the same were removed by the police officers. Both the shops were booked for violations. Later, the team took a round of Sector 24 market wherein they found three violations of Section 5 of COTPA, ie advertisements of cigarettes and tobacco products. The advertisement boards were removed. At another shop, the team found some cigarette packets without the mandatory pictorial warnings. About 60 such packets were confiscated.

Tobacco and booze drop nets two arrests

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Two people who may have thought they were doing something nice for someone landed themselves in Mariposa County Jail on May 5. Their “good deed” was allegedly dropping off tobacco and alcohol to an inmate at the California Department of Corrections (CDC) camp at Mt. Bullion. According to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s report, a CDC officer had seen the pair drop off three black bags alongside Mt. Bullion Ridge Road, on the way to the camp.

Deputies responded and found Steven Nash and Carol Moss at the scene. Inside the bags were four bottles of vodka, seven cans of chewing tobacco, two boxes of rolling papers, 48 bags of tobacco and five cigarette lighters. Moss told deputies that she was driving on the road because she was looking for a headlight that had recently fell off on that part of the road when she went to visit her boyfriend at the camp. She said she stopped so that Nash, her boyfriend’s brother, could urinate.

 The CDC officer said he had seen Nash get out of Moss’s car and remove the bags and place them along the road. He believed that the pair was leaving it for Nash’s brother, who may face charges as well. Moss and Nash were booked on charges of bringing a controlled substance or alcohol into a prison. Moss is on probation for drug charges out of Madera County.

Legislators override governor's veto of local tobacco tax bills

The days-long saga continued Tuesday in the Alabama Legislature with the Senate overriding Gov. Robert Bentley's veto of three tobacco tax bills that apply to Randolph, Clay, and Chambers counties. Jeremy King, spokesman for the governor, said "The fact remains that there were discrepancies between what was publicly advertised about the bills and the substance of what actually passed.

Those concerns led to the governor's veto. The legislature has the choice to override a veto, but the governor stands behind his decision and respects separation of powers." Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, who drafted the bills that drew local opposition, said "I think the senators just realized it is not the governor's job. He doesn't decide if something is constitutional. I think the Senate didn't want people messing with local bills." Rep. Richard Laird, D-Roanoke, who after the veto introduced what is viewed by opponents as an even harsher bill, said, "Well, I just want to drop it (his new bill). It is in a position to pass tomorrow. I may go ahead and send it up to Sen. Dial." He said he hopes the three original bills would go into law but this is new territory and he has not looked into the way a vetoed bill becomes law.

After the dust settles, he is going to sum it up and review why everything happened the way it did, he said. Both Randolph County bills, the one that survived Gov. Bentley's veto and Rep. Laird's substitute bill, are opposed by the Randolph County Democratic and Republican parties, the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, the Randolph County Economic Development Authority and the Randolph County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority. They have united under the name Randolph County Bipartisan Coalition. Many of the coalition members from this area attended a hearing on Laird's substitute bill, HB785, in Montgomery Tuesday morning. Laird said he brought up this bill just in case the governor's veto stood on the first bill, SB486.

Both bills redistribute tobacco tax funds and take funds and some local control away from local agencies currently receiving them and put the money into a grant fund under the exclusive and unregulated control of Dial and Laird. SB486, the bill that was vetoed, called for eliminating funding currently going to the Randolph County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority, reducing to 24 percent the amount going to the Randolph County Industrial Development Council while specifying that no more than 20 percent could be used for personnel costs, and using 10 percent of the tobacco tax total to set up a grant authority controlled by Dial and Laird, even though the bill that was advertised in The Randolph Leader called for a District Community Service Office instead of the grant authority that appeared in the final bill.

HB785, the bill Laird introduced following the governor's veto, also calls for creation of a District Community Service Office and also eliminates funding for the county water authority. Rather than 24 percent of the total going to the industrial development council, however, Laird's bill reduces this to 15 percent while also specifying no more than 20 percent can be used for personnel costs. The 10 percent specified for the newly created grant authority/district office in SB486 would increase to 19 percent in Laird's HB785. Laird said he asked the Randolph County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority to do a water line with the money it received and they did not do it so he put that funding back into the grant fund. Dial and Laird said they were not told about a heavily attended town meeting in Wedowee several weeks ago where opposition was expressed, and they were busy with the legislature.

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Kesa Johnston Dunn, who serves on the Industrial Development Council board, said the bi-partisan committee asked for a meeting for three weeks prior to the town hall meeting. Some of the others attending Tuesday's hearing in Montgomery were Todd Freeman, Lathonia Wright, Mack Arthur Bell, Terry Lovvorn, Jerry Cotney, Cotina Terry and Mark Prestridge. From eight to ten Chambers County residents also were present to support the opposition to the bills. Jeff Nolen of Roanoke was the only local resident speak in favor of the bills other than the legislators themselves. Wright, a Randolph County Commissioner, said "We're talking about economic development, good clean water and they want their little slush fund."

Coalition members said they are very appreciative of Gov. Robert Bentley for recognizing that the tobacco tax bills were very bad for the citizens of Randolph and neighboring counties and for the whole state of Alabama. Rep. Laird, however, said, "It is local legislation. It is unheard for a governor to veto local legislation. All local legislation passes by a low vote. Legislators who need votes on other issues do not want to vote on local legislation. Nobody voted against it," he said. The Randolph County bills as well as similar bills affecting Clay and Chambers counties, are in Laird's district of Randolph, Clay and part of Chambers counties. (Bridges represents a portion of Chambers.) Dial, who is the majority whip in the Senate, has these counties as well as portions of or all of Cherokee, Cleburne and Lee counties.