Tobacco.org

Survey of Irish Retailers on impact of POS Ban on Tobacco Products (PDF) 

Survey was conducted “on behalf of Heneghan PR” (ie Philip Morris was not named to respondents) . . .

Conclusion

• Overall, the majority of retailers believe the ban has had an negative impact on sales

• While most might support the objective of the ban, they believe it should be lifted (both because they believe it won’t work and because of the impact on their businesses)

• Retailers found it confusing at the start, but it seems to have settled down with customers and staff becoming used to the ban

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• The effectiveness of display bans: the case of Iceland (PDF) 

Executive summary

In this brief report I summarise the findings of my empirical investigation of the expected impact of display bans on tobacco consumption.

Display bans are regulations that prohibit the visual display of tobacco products within the point of sale. They are the most restrictive of all point-of-sale regulations, which include limitations on height and visibility of displays, prohibition of self-service displays, and restrictions on logos, banners, and window posters.

Whether display bans have an impact on tobacco consumption is an empirical question.

Also, the likely magnitude of that impact can only be estimated using empirical techniques. This is why this paper considers the case of Iceland, the only country in Europe to have introduced display bans before 2009.

Iceland introduced display bans in August 2001.1 . . .

The results I have just described are robust. I re-estimated the regression model including additional control variables (in particular health expenditure and different measures for tobacco prices) and found that the results remained qualitatively unchanged. Similarly, I re-estimated the model using data for all European countries with publicly available smoking incidence data.9 This implied extending the set of benchmark countries. I continued to find that point of sale regulation had no statistically significant impact on Icelandic smoking prevalence.

In summary, my analysis of the data shows that certain tobacco control measures reduce smoking prevalence and clearly establishes the impact of tobacco prices on consumption. But the data does not support the claim that a display ban is likely to cause a reduction in smoking prevalence. To the extent that there is a relationship, it is very small and the evidence shows it may be purely due to random chance. My statistical analysis therefore confirms the conclusions suggested by a simple inspection of Figure 1 and Figure 2 above: there is no evidence that the display ban in Iceland caused a reduction in smoking prevalence. . . .

I have been asked by Philip Morris International (PMI) to analyse the expected impact of display bans on tobacco consumption. . . .

Conclusions

My empirical investigation of the impact of display bans on tobacco consumption in Iceland shows that the introduction of this regulatory measure had no statistically significant effect on smoking prevalence in that country. This is true for all age groups for which data was available. Therefore, I found no support for the claim that a display ban is likely to cause a reduction in smoking prevalence.

In contrast, tobacco price increases, driven mainly by increases in taxes, had a negative and statistically significant impact on smoking prevalence. Furthermore, other tobacco control measures, like bans on smoking in public areas and health warnings on cigarette packages were effective tobacco control measures, as they had a negative and statistically significant effect on smoking prevalence.

In other words, the experience in Iceland does not suggest that a display ban would reduce smoking prevalence, and instead shows that other measures may be more effective in controlling tobacco consumption.

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I found no support for the claim that a display ban is likely to cause a reduction in smoking prevalence. In contrast, tobacco price increases, driven mainly by increases in taxes, had a negative and statistically significant impact on smoking prevalence. Furthermore, other tobacco control measures, like bans on smoking in public areas and health warnings on cigarette packages were effective tobacco control measures, as they had a negative and statistically significant effect on smoking prevalence.
Display bans must be tremendously threatening to Philip Morris if its own report establishes taxes, warning labels and smoking bans as effective tobacco control measures. It seems PM would prefer ANYTHING but a display ban.

Reports and Studies 

Canadian Convenience Stores Association

Contraband Tobacco in Canada: Time For Action - 2009 Status Report.

The report highlights the scale of the contraband tobacco problem in Canada and states that "[...] Smuggling and selling contraband tobacco has become a gateway crime for young people to other criminal activities such as drugs and weapons trafficking."

Click here for the full report

GfK National Study for the Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers' Council 2008

Illegal Tobacco Sales: A Crisis for Canadians.

The survey of 2000 adult smokers (19+) highlights the incidence and relative share of illicit "Tailor-Made" cigarettes among adult smokers, their awareness of such products as well as the purchase patterns of illicit trade in Canada.

Click here for the full report

LECG study - 2009

A recent study using statistical techniques conducted by LECG, a leading global finance and economic consultancy, shows that the point of sale display ban in Iceland has had no effect on reducing smoking prevalence . . .

PWC Study - 2007

Illegal tobacco trade: Costing Australia millions. Strategies to curb the supply and use of illegal tobacco products.

The report into the Australian illegal tobacco trade estimated that 1.8 million kilograms of illegal tobacco was in circulation in 2007. This represents approximately $450 million in lost tax revenue for the Government. . . .

Australian Association of Convenience Stores

Indicative regulatory cost analysis if proposed tobacco retail display ban for convenience store operators in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

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• Miss. tobacco tax called unconstitutional 

A Mississippi company that sells tobacco products wants the state to stop collecting taxes on cigarettes sold at retail outlets outside the state.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in Hinds County Chancery Court, the Corr-Williams Co. said a 2009 amendment to the state's tobacco tax policy that applies a $.0125-fee to cigarettes that pass through warehouses in the state violates the U.S. Constitution by applying an unfair burden on cigarettes sold through interstate commerce.

The lawsuit does not challenge the portion of the law that applies taxes to products sold in Mississippi.

Based in Pearl, the Corr-Williams company has warehouses in Columbia and Natchez.

Commonwealth Brands Inc., a Bowling Green, Ky.-based cigarette manufacturer that distributes its tobacco products through Mississippi, joined Corr-Williams in the lawsuit.

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SFH to attend tobacco control conference in Beijing 

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (October 11) flies to Beijing to attend the fourth session of the member representative assembly of the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control cum tobacco control conference to be held tomorrow.

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Missouri tobacco farmers struggling 

Missouri farmers report they're struggling to sell tobacco after Philip Morris stopped purchasing the crops last year.

Farmers told the St. Joseph News-Press that they're unsure where to sell the tobacco and might have to seek buyers across state lines. That will likely increase costs.

Last year, tobacco mogul Philip Morris USA announced it would no longer purchase Missouri tobacco.

Louis Smither, co-owner of the New Deal Tobacco Warehouse, said smoking bans, campaigns to cut tobacco use and increased cigarette taxes have lowered demand.

"Those are the causes, and this is the effect -- the small tobacco farmer suffers," Smither said. "We knew about Philip Morris about a year ago, and we still don't know where we're going to be sending our tobacco. This'll be an awkward and strange undertaking."

Smither said small farmers are being pinched.

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Altria’s strategy shows potential for growth 

In the new world of big tobacco, Altria (NYSE: MO) seems to march to its own beat.

Reynolds American and Lorillard have joined forces to fight the government over increased tobacco regulation, questioning the free speech (i.e., advertising) ramifications of FDA control over the tobacco industry.

Meanwhile, Altria announced plans to expand its product portfolio with Copenhagen- brand wintergreen smokeless tobacco (it bought snuff-and-wine connoisseur UST last year). That could drive Copenhagen's share of the segment from 23 percent to 32 percent, according to a company spokesperson. Also, Altria is introducing a value-priced L&M menthol cigarette and continues to look for growth with its Marlboro Snus.

As Reynolds American and Lorillard battle for advertising supremacy, the lawsuits can hurt their bottom lines.

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• Price Waterhouse and Big Tobacco 

There's a big scary new study out today from the health insurance lobby and PricewaterhouseCoopers purporting to show that the Senate Finance Committee's reform bill -- funded by new excise taxes on "Cadillac" health plans -- would cause future health insurance premiums to spiral out of control.

Before this genie gets too far out of the bottle, just consider the track record of such industry-funded excise tax "research" by Price Waterhouse.

In the early 1990s, Price Waterhouse did similar handiwork on behalf of Big Tobacco, serving up allegedly hard data to bolster arguments that a new excise tax on tobacco (a proposed mechanism to fund Clintoncare) would destroy hundreds of thousands of good American jobs.

Dire predictions. But a subsequent review of Price Waterhouse's methods by an independent team at Arthur Andersen, revealed that Price Waterhouse's "grossly exaggerated" and "one-sided analyses" were so "flawed" as to produce "patently unreliable results." . . .

“These and other serious flaws in the Price Waterhouse Report and the Tobacco Institute Estimates build upon one-another in a cumulative fashion to present grossly exaggerated and misleading estimates.”

“The cumulative effect of PW’s methods… is to produce patently unreliable results.”

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Insurance companies weighing discounts for those who quit smoking, lose weight  

Almost everyone agrees health care costs would plummet if Americans lost weight and stopped smoking. But like almost every other issue associated with health care reform, consensus hasn't been easy. . . .

The Senate Finance Committee, which is scheduled to vote on comprehensive health reform package on Tuesday, agreed earlier to allow insurance companies to provide greater savings for people who either are now healthy, or go through a stop smoking program or lose weight. It hasn't taken up proposals to tax soft drinks.

"I am a big proponent of building in healthly living incentives to health reform, " said Sen. David Vitter, R-La who has embraced a health insurance program adopted by Safeway, the supermarket chain, which the company says kept health insurance costs flat over the past five years. . . .

"I am a big proponent of building in healthly living incentives to health reform, " said Sen. David Vitter, R-La who has embraced a health insurance program adopted by Safeway, the supermarket chain, which the company says kept health insurance costs flat over the past five years.

But Vitter has some concerns.

"We don't want to penalize people for their genes, " Vitter said.

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EDITORIAL: Teens and tobacco  

Earlier this year, the Baltimore County Health Department dispatched two 18-year-old police cadets to 80 local stores where cigarettes are sold. Want to guess how often the teenagers were asked to show some form of identification?

A miserable four out of 10 times.

When county officials surveyed stores close to county middle and high schools, the results weren't much better . . .

If Baltimore County wants to get serious about protecting its teens, the council will not only pass a mandatory ID regulation that meets or exceeds FDA standards, it will instruct county health officials to start enforcing existing law more aggressively. Instead of sending 18-year-olds to buy a pack of cigarettes from a local store, the county should dispatch actual minors - and issues fines to stores that sell to them.

That's what other Maryland counties do. Baltimore County may be the only jurisdiction that conducts pain-free "stings," a concession to the retail community that avoids $300 fines but which fails to adequately protect the county's youth.

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ABOUHALKAH: St. Louis County's pathetic anti-smoking plan  

Kansas City took about four years to finally pass a strong, effective smoke-free law. But St. Louis County -- the biggest in Missouri with 1 million people -- is still far, far behind us.

On Nov. 3, voters in the county will go to the polls to decide the fate of a proposed smoking ban. But it's an absurdly weak one, because it would allow smoking in many bars plus parts of the airport.

In fact, groups that usually support smoke-free laws, such as the American Cancer Society, have said they oppose the county's plan. The groups figure that passing a sham of a law would make it tougher to approve a stronger one in the future. . . .

The machinations in St. Louis County show -- once again -- how foolish it is to have cities pass piecemeal attempts to protect the health of millions of Missouri residents.

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Top 50 Smoking Health Awareness Blogs 

With smoking standing as one of the most prevalent and visible health threats, it comes as no surprise that many individuals have taken to the internet in order to discuss the relevant issues. Be they professionals or merely well-intentioned advocates of smoking cessation, these bloggers have devoted their time and energy to providing information on everything from the risks involved with tobacco use to the healthiest possible routes towards quitting.

1. Quit Smoking: Expert Blog at MayoClinic.com

A relative newcomer to the blogosphere, Mayo Clinic’s Expert Blog is run by Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S. Drawing from her experience as a counselor who has worked with those desiring to quit smoking, Kern posts clear, concise advice on the roles self-discipline, filial connections, and even spirituality can play into the decision to stop smoking permanently. . . .

9. Tobacco on Trial

Another blog that has not been updated for a while, Tobacco on Trial provides an eloquently penned glimpse into the legal battles of Philip Morris and other corporations. A widget on the right side of the page still links to headlines from Tobacco.org regarding updates on trials, legislation, and other issues pertaining to tobacco and smoking regulation in the United States. . . .

No matter their nation of origin, these blogs provide a valuable service to society. Their dedication to smoking prevention and awareness helps to ensure both clean air and clean bodies for the current generations as well as those to come.

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HBO Poll: Smoking In Idaho Bars 

Fine-particulate air pollution in Boise bars that permit smoking is 36 times worse than outdoor pollution levels in the valley, according to a new study by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute released today by the Coalition for a Healthy Idaho, and four times the EPA's standard for annual exposure. . . .

Yes 41% (43 votes)

No 59% (63 votes)

Dunno 0% (0 votes)

Total Votes: 106

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No smoking, please  

The Manchester Parks and Recreation Department and The Collaborative are considering an ordinance, which if ultimately approved, would ban smoking in the Rec Park.

The concept was first discussed several years ago when Ryan Scovil was director of the parks and recreation department, said Amy Herrmann, the department's interim director.

The two organizations had recently talked about banning smoking at Applejack Field and the grandstand, but decided to take the initiative further, Herrmann said.

"Upon further discussion we determined that it would be easier to make the whole park smoke free as opposed to one small piece of it being smoke free," Herrmann said.

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Roswell bans smoking in city parks 

Following the lead of other metro communities, Roswell passed an ordinance banning smoking on city park property except in specially designated areas.

The city Recreation Commission, with aim of promoting healthier lifestyles, brought the ordinance forward for council approval.

Asked where those "designated smoking areas" might be, Recreation and Parks Director Joe Glover said "in the patrons' cars."

Not only that, the ordinance submitted by the Recreation Commission also stated that smokers must light up with the windows up. Councilwoman Becky Wynn asked if that wasn't going just a little too far. . . .

The motion passed unanimously with the window section thrown out the, um, window.

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