Tobacco.org

EDITORIAL: Regulating tobacco 

While some may yet protest federal intervention in the marketplace and regulations of a legal product, their numbers have been diminishing as the health dangers and deception by tobacco companies have become more apparent.

Cigarettes cause up to 400,000 deaths a year with smoking-related illnesses costing $100 billion annually in health care expenses, contributing to the changing political and social landscape.

The legislation gives the government authority it never had to regulate the manufacture and marketing of tobacco products. The Food and Drug Administration is allowed to evaluate the contents of tobacco products with the power to ban some of the estimated 6,000 chemicals used in the products that might be a danger to public health.

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CMA Applauds Senate Passage of FDA Tobacco Rules 

“California’s physicians have been outspoken on the ill effects of cigarettes for over 40 years,” said Dr. Dev GnanaDev, CMA president. “The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is long overdue. What we feed our pets is more regulated than cigarettes are today. ”

CMA has been a tireless advocate on stronger reforms for the tobacco industry. In 1970, 1978 and 1980, the medical association supported ballot initiatives that would have banned smoking in many public places. In 1987, CMA took on its biggest tobacco-related challenge and won, with the passage of Proposition 99, which established a 25-cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes and a tax hike for other tobacco related products.

Joining with labor, the California Restaurant Association and health-related groups in 1993, the medical association worked to pass the Indoor Clean Air Act, a law banning smoking in California workplaces, including restaurants and even bars. The passage of this law struck a huge blow against the scourge of cigarettes and sparked a nationwide trend.

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Statement by American Dental Association President Dr. John S. Findley on Passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act 

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A Little Backwardation In Tobacco Stocks Response To Legislation 

Tobacco stocks haven’t responded along the lines that imminent passage of legislation governing the industry would have suggested. Stocks seen best-insulated from the impact of the changes the bill would implement have weakened in the session, while the names with the most exposure have strengthened.

Shares of Altria (MO) have eased nearly 2% in the session, trading down to the $16.50-a-share price, representing the low since early last month. Meanwhile, Lorillad (LO) advanced 2%, and Reynolds American (RAI) gained 1%. . . .

However, Credit Suisse said that Altria remained a ‘’show-me” stock. Investors haven’t been able to accurately assess the company’s ability to grow, because its numbers have been distorted by the federal excise tax introduced in early April. They haven’t gotten much of a view of the integration of the UST smokeless tobacco operations, a business that Altria jumped into in anticipation of this legislation. Meanwhile, Lorillard remained Credit Suisse’s favorite name in the tobacco sector.

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EDITORIAL: Washington's Marlboro Men  

The legislation happens to make it more difficult for tobacco companies to market smokeless alternatives to cigarettes that are far less lethal because they contain fewer carcinogens than cigarettes and don't enter the lungs. And while reducing the tar or nicotine content of an individual cigarette might make it "safer," it will also induce some people to smoke more to achieve the same fix . . .

What's also clear is that prohibiting menthol would especially hurt Lorillard, the top menthol cigarette maker, and Philip Morris, whose Marlboro Menthol is the second-leading menthol brand after Newport. . . .

Which brings us to the real cynical beauty of this bill: It lets the politicians claim to be punishing Big Tobacco while further cementing their financial partnership. It's no coincidence that Philip Morris, the market leader, is squarely behind a bill that allows the FDA to curb advertisements. The Altria Group subsidiary is hoping to solidify its market share, and any regulation that impedes the ability of smaller rivals to advertise and lure away Philip Morris customers can only benefit the Marlboro Man and his shareholders.

The government has also become increasingly dependent on tax revenue from Big Tobacco . . .

There's also more than a little doubt that the bill's advertising bans can survive a First Amendment challenge. . . .

To sum up, this bill is largely an exercise in political and financial self-interest masquerading as public virtue. Another day at the Washington office.

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BOYER: Shape up, Mr. President  

Two words for President Obama as he tries to reform health care and get us to adopt healthier lifestyles: burgers and butts.

The president can't seem to kick either habit completely. . . .

I hope for the president's sake that he really has quit smoking this time. As he tries to control health-care costs, it would set an important personal example. Smoking is a harmful behavior that people can change without the government's spending a penny.

If the president really did quit smoking this time, he should preach it. He should remind Americans that smokers his age (47) double their chances of dying early. Public-service announcements are more effective coming from someone who's been there.

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PONTE: Tobacco Law Reflects Glare of Democratic Smoke and Mirrors 

President Barack Obama expects to receive and sign quickly into law today legislation imposing federal regulation on cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.

This odd measure is a harbinger of the hypocrisy and contradictions we can expect in the socialized medicine legislation Democrats aim to impose this year. . . .

First, let's correct an error in what The Times reported. Nicotine is not "addictive" in the strict scientific sense; it is "severely habituating," the difference being that nicotine requires no ever-increasing dose as addictive substances do. . . .

Cigarette levies "are one of the most regressive taxes . . . probably the most regressive of the federal taxes," says Jane Gravelle, senior specialist in economic policy at the Congressional Research Service.

So the Democratic president and ruling lawmakers who promised no new taxes on Americans earning less than $250,000 a year once again are socking it to poor voters fooled by Democratic smoke and mirrors. . . .

Democratic politicians apparently are hooked themselves on nicotine taxes and more than willing to sacrifice the lives and health of their own poor constituents to squeeze more money out of them.

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Smoking is a vile habit, unless it's cigars  

Now, wait a minute, I do smoke "mild" cigars occasionally, and while I'm not going get on a high horse and write about government intrusion into private enterprise, I don't see anything wrong with a good cigar now and then. Sure, I'm risking several forms of cancer, but I take a risk every time I walk across Main Street . . .

In a perfect world I would advocate the total ban of cigarettes.But a fine cigar -- and I'm not talking about those cheap plastic-tipped kind -- is an instrument to be savored at the end of a day with a glass of cognac or wine. Better still is the opportunity to spend time with friends while savoring the aroma. It takes a long time to smoke a cigar. It can't be done quickly. There is also a lot of complexity in the aroma, depending on the type and age.

Sure, teens should avoid smoking at all cost. But to my way of thinking -- which I'll admit may be clouded -- a good cigar every now and then isn't that bad.

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Wisconsin bar owners worry about impact of statewide smoking ban  

In just over a year, the smoke will be gone and the owners of the two iconic bars are hopeful that the card games and their customers will remain.

Advocates of a statewide smoking ban, which includes bars and restaurants and begins July 5, 2010, say the ban will largely eliminate the risk of secondhand smoke and will not force bars out of business.

The measure, signed last month by Gov. Jim Doyle, has been criticized by many in the shot-and-a-beer crowd who prefer to drag on a Marlboro or other brand while sipping their drink.

And for some small taverns, there is little to no room for a patio for smokers, something allowed in the new law.

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Nevada State Prison system goes tobacco free July 1 

July 1.

On that date, the entire system will become tobacco free.

Director of Corrections Howard Skolnik said the ban will apply not only to inmates but his staff as well. He said not even the administrative grounds at Stewart are exempt from the ban.

“We informed the inmates and staff a year ago,” he said. “We're not the first to do this. I have not spoken to any department that has had any serious problems.”

Skolnik said the problems at other prison systems have been greater for the staff than the inmates.

“They still have ready access. All they have to do is stop at a 7-Eleven,” he said. “But the inmates will be very lucky to get a very expensive cigarette.”

Skolnik said for new inmates, it will be easier since most of them are already off cigarettes.

“The vast majority of our inmates come to us tobacco free because both Clark and Washoe county ban smoking products,” he said. “So what we're doing is re-addicting them.”

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