Tobacco.org

• Just blowing smoke? 

On Thursday, the state tax on cigarettes will increase by a dollar, from $2 to $3 for a pack of 20, or from 10 cents to 15 cents for each cigarette. The increase makes Connecticut second only to Rhode Island, where the state tax is $3.46 per pack. . . .

Across Center Street from the Day Spa, Paul E. Raczynski runs "Fire N Smoke," a shop that specializes in cigars, other tobacco products and, somewhat incongruously, hot sauce. Cigar sales make up about 95 percent of his business, he said.

On Thursday, the state tax on those tobacco products will increase from 20 percent to 27 percent. The price of the only cigarettes Raczynski sells, American Spirit, will rise from $8 to $9 a pack.

Many cigar enthusiasts smoke just one or two a week, but there are others who puff anywhere from six to a dozen a day, said Raczynski . . .

But there are those who feel it's not right to tax cigarettes without spending at least some of the money raised on smoking-cessation initiatives.

The hope was that some of the money would go toward programs like nicotine replacement therapy for Medicaid patients, "and that just hasn't happened," said Margaret R. LaCroix, a spokeswoman for the American Lung Association of New England.

"I go further and call it immoral and unjust," said Dr. Patricia Checko, an epidemiologist who is chairwoman of the coalition MATCH, which stands for Mobilize Against Tobacco for Connecticut Health. . . .

Connecticut continues to use little of the more than $100 million a year it receives from the settlement with tobacco companies, which Blumenthal signed in 1998, on smoking cessation or prevention.

Connecticut's tax increase will put the average state tax on cigarettes at $1.34 a pack, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. South Carolina has the lowest state cigarette tax rate, at seven cents a pack. . . .

South Carolina is also one of just four states not to have raised the tax on cigarettes since 2000. The others are California, Missouri and North Dakota.

Jump to full article »

Outdoor smoke-free zone proposed 

NEW HAVEN -- A public hearing will be held on a measure to ban smoking on city streets surrounding the Hospital of Saint Raphael and Masjid Al-Islam mosque.

Alderman Yusuf I. Shah, D-23, who introduced the no-smoking zone, said it would result in cleaner air, a cleaner environment and increased awareness of the dangers of smoking.

He had hoped to fast-track the proposal by placing it on the unanimous consent agenda at Monday night's Board of Aldermen meeting, but opposition from another alderman led him to ask that it be referred back to committee to give the public a chance to comment. Shah said he expected it would be referred to the city services committee, but aldermanic President Carl Goldfield, D-29, would make that designation. A date for the public hearing hasn't been set. . . .

Shah said the mosque, which is across the street from the hospital, also wanted to post no-smoking signs to prevent thwarted smokers at the hospital from simply crossing the street onto its property.

Jump to full article »

St. Ray's Butt Ban Delayed 

Expectant fathers like Timothy Strong will be able to light up in front of the Hospital of St. Raphael for a little while longer, after a plan to immediately ban cigarettes there went up in smoke for now.

Strong (pictured), whose girlfriend was in labor with a baby boy at the Chapel Street hospital on Monday, was one of aseveral afternoon visitors to St. Raphael's who paused on the sidewalk to puff a cigarette. On Monday evening the Board of Aldermen considered a proposal that would make their behavior illegal.

In a repetition of recent history, the proposal encountered the same speed-bump encountered by a previous sidewalk smoking ban, at Yale New Haven Hospital: East Rock Alderman Roland Lemar slowed that ban down by calling for public input. The Yale-New Haven ban ended up having a public hearing and becoming law.

The St Raph's proposal, which seeks to designate the public area around the hospital as a smoke-free zone, was submitted by West River Alderman Yusuf Shah on behalf of the hospital.

Jump to full article »

Connecticut Cigarette Tax Increase Delivers Victory for Kids and Taxpayers  

Connecticut's leaders have taken decisive action to protect the state's kids and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco use by increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 to $3.00 per pack, making it the second highest state cigarette tax in the nation (Rhode Island's tax is $3.46 per pack). Connecticut is also increasing its tax rates on most other tobacco products, but they still remain shamefully low compared to the state's exemplary new tax rate on cigarettes. Increased tobacco taxes are a win-win-win solution for Connecticut and every other state -- a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise revenue to help alleviate budget shortfalls, and a political win that polls show is popular with the voters.

The evidence is clear that increasing the cigarette tax is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, especially among kids. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by more than six percent and overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. Connecticut can expect the $1 cigarette tax increase to prevent 24,000 Connecticut kids from becoming addicted adult smokers; spur 10,000 current adult Connecticut smokers to quit for good; save more than 10,500 Connecticut residents from future smoking-caused deaths; lock in more than $520 million future health care savings; and raise about $60 million a year in new state revenue.

Jump to full article »

Roof Smoking Snuffed, Hookahs Ignited 

There'll be no butts on the rooftop at Toad's Place, but smokers may soon be puffing on pineapple-flavored herbs from hookahs on Chapel Street.

Such was the result of two separate votes by the Board of Zoning Appeals during its monthly meeting on Wednesday night.

First, the board voted to approve Ajim Khan and Zahed Sarwar's (pictured) plan to open a new hookah lounge at 900 Chapel St., next to Starbucks and across from the Green. Then the board voted to deny a request from Toad's nightclub to build a roof deck for cigarette smokers. . . .

Young entrepreneurs Ajim Khan (at left in photo) and Zahed Sarwar (at right) had more luck with their application to the BZA. The received a unanimous vote of approval to open a tobacco- and nicotine-free smoking lounge on Chapel Street.

The new business will be named La Sheesh, which means "the place of hookah" in Arabic. It will be a South Asian-style hookah lounge where customers can get a water pipe for two and select from among many varieties of flavored herbs to smoke. . . .

Weber wanted to know what exactly Streever would be smoking.

"Herbs," Sarwar said.

"I don't like that word, but OK," Weber said.

After selecting the flavor of herb that he would like to smoke, Streever can "have a seat and enjoy the music," Sarwar said. "We'll go in back and put it in a water pipe. He'll smoke out of it for half an hour."

Each herbal experience will cost between $18 and $20, Sarwar said.

Per health regulations for a smoking lounge, La Sheesh will not serve food or beverages but customers can bring their own.

Jump to full article »

Zoning board rejects Toad’s terrace 

In a divided 3–2 decision Wednesday night, the Board of Zoning Appeals voted to reject a proposal by Toad’s Place owner Brian Phelps to create a 400-square-foot rooftop terrace, citing a potential strain on neighborhood parking.

Plans for the terrace had been widely expected to gain approval from the BZA, since the City Plan Commission ruled in August that Toad’s expansion would not unduly burden local traffic and parking. But Wednesday’s ruling puts the construction of the terrace — which would have increased the club’s maximum capacity by 40 people, to 750 from 710 — on hold unless the BZA decides that the expansion will not push the need for parking beyond what the neighborhood can accommodate.

Phelps’ lawyer, James Segaloff, said he was unsure how the club will proceed. “All the experts [in city planning and parking] concluded there were no problems,” said a shocked Segaloff after the meeting. “I don’t see any basis for the conclusion.”

Although most rejected proposals cannot be resubmitted for 12 months, the BZA also voted to allow Toad’s officials to hand in a revised design next month for reconsideration.

Jump to full article »

On the ground: Elis react to ‘hilarious’ Toad’s rooftop proposal 

The famous New Haven haunt Toad’s Place announced its intention to build a rooftop deck on which party-goers can take a break from the music to lounge under the stars, sip tea and eat cookies. But while some Yale students said they were intrigued by the concept, many thought the idea was laughable.

“It’s Durf-Toad’s,” Gregory Rubin ’11 said Monday to a chorus of laughs from his friends. “It’s like Durfee’s, but in Toad’s.”

The proposed Toad’s terrace will be surrounded by 6 feet of wooden fencing and will feature a lounge area for snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. There will be no music, so some students said the lounge scene won’t be like the Toad’s Saturday night dance parties to which they are accustomed. But even though Yale officials oppose the plan, citing potential fire and health hazards, students are just raising their eyebrows.

Each of the 32 students interviewed felt Yale’s objections were out of place.

Jump to full article »

Toad's Remains Rooftopless 

People who were afraid ashes would be falling on their heads from a rooftop terrace at Toad's Place can walk confidently.

New Haven's Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a proposal for the terrace Wednesday night.

Club owner Brian Phelps has been trying to get approval for a 400-square-foot rooftop terrace for smokers, but in an unexpected vote Wednesday night, the BZA voted down the plan, citing a potential strain on neighborhood parking, the Yale Daily News reports.

Last month, the New Haven City Plan Commission recommended that the Board of Zoning Appeals allow a special exception and ruled that Toad's expansion would not unduly burden local traffic and parking.

Wednesday's ruling puts the construction of the terrace on hold.

Jump to full article »

To Yale's dismay, Toad's plans terrace 

If Toad’s Place owner Brian Phelps has his way, the iconic club known for concert venues and Saturday night dance parties will also be known for popcorn, coffee and tea. Phelps would have his vision actualized: an “L”-shaped, 40-person terrace for patrons who want to light up a cigarette.

But if Yale officials have their way, the Toad’s terrace, as it is proposed, would not exist at all.

Courtesy Toad's Place/

The proposed plan for Toad’s Place’s new rooftop terrace includes a 6-foot fence to block cigarette butts, as well as a counter to sell espresso, soda, tea, cookies and popcorn to those seeking relief from the crowds in and outside the dance venue.

The designs of the club’s rooftop have already been approved by the city’s fire marshal, and the next milestone before Toad’s can begin construction — approval by the New Haven Board of Zoning Appeals — is all but expected at a BZA meeting tonight. Although Yale officials raised health and fire concerns about the project in a July letter, they ultimately have no authority in the board’s decision tomorrow. . . .

Phelps announced in June that he was seeking approval of the plan, but at a BZA public hearing in July, he received a letter of opposition written by Associate Vice President and University Properties Director Abigail Rider on behalf of Yale. In the letter, Rider claimed that a rooftop smokers’ area would facilitate smoking, which would contravene public health policies set by the University, as well as city, state and federal governments. She also said Toad’s customers would be able to flick cigarette butts off the roof and onto the heads of bystanders, a fire and health hazard.

But she ultimately has no jurisdiction

Jump to full article »

Smoking tax burns hole in wallets 

Governor Jodi Rell didn't sign the budget that passed in the General Assembly last week. But, it still became law today. And part of that budget increased taxes on cigarettes.

Democrats and Republicans alike jumped on the cigarette tax as a way to balance the budget in a cash-strapped year. The habit will bring in $500,000 to our state coffers.

But it will cost one-billion dollars in health-related costs. So some say we're being penny-wise and pound-foolish. And smokers, well, they're just fed-up with being a target.

"It's gonna cost me a lot of money, I won't pay it," said Leah Charney of Milford.

Charney is a woman on a mission.

She's buying tobacco, rolling papers and a machine. She plans to roll her own from here on out; an act of defiance against yet another tax increase on cigarettes.

Jump to full article »

O'FLAHERTY: 'Sin Tax' Alone Not Enough To Snuff Out Smoking Addiction 

After months of standoff, Connecticut lawmakers adopted a state budget Tuesday. In the final days of the debate, the one issue both sides seemed happy to agree on was increasing the tax on cigarettes. The proposal they settled on will increase the tax from $2 to $3 per pack, one of the highest in the nation.

While Gov. M. Jodi Rell said "sin taxes" such as this are acceptable because people "don't have to smoke," there has been no conversation about how to help people break their addiction.

Connecticut has one of the worst track records when it comes to helping people quit smoking. In recent years, the state was ranked dead last in smoking cessation program coverage. . . .

Connecticut's lawmakers should look to neighboring state Rhode Island, which paired its recent increase in tobacco taxes with insurance regulations that require all smoking cessation programs to be covered. Corresponding legislation is pending to turn those regulations into law.

Raising taxes on cigarettes is a positive step towards reducing unnecessary deaths due to smoking. Now lawmakers need to go the extra mile and offer help to those who want to quit.

Jump to full article »

• Connecticut Cigarette Tax Increase Delivers Victory for Kids and Taxpayers; $1 Increase Gives State Second Highest Cigarette Tax in the Nation 

Connecticut's leaders have taken decisive action to protect the state's kids and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco use by increasing the state cigarette tax by $1 to $3.00 per pack, making it the second highest state cigarette tax in the nation (Rhode Island's tax is $3.46 per pack). Connecticut is also increasing its tax rates on most other tobacco products, but they still remain shamefully low compared to the state's exemplary new tax rate on cigarettes. Increased tobacco taxes are a win-win-win solution for Connecticut and every other state - a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise revenue to help alleviate budget shortfalls, and a political win that polls show is popular with the voters.

The evidence is clear that increasing the cigarette tax is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking

Jump to full article »

Budget Negotiators In Accord To Raise Cigarette Tax To $3 A Pack 

Smokers beware.

Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and top Democrats still sharply disagree on many budget issues, but they have reached an accord on the cigarette tax: It needs to go up $1 a pack.

An internal document from the closed-door, confidential budget talks shows that Democrats now agree with Rell's proposal to raise the cigarette tax to $3 a pack, up from the current $2 a pack. That is one of the largest tax increases in Rell's package, raising $103 million more than the state currently receives.

Jump to full article »

Attorney General Warns of E-Cigarette Dangers Citing Recent FDA Analysis Finding Carcinogens and Antifreeze  

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today issued a consumer warning urging consumers and retailers to avoid e-cigarettes in the wake of a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analysis finding cancer-causing chemicals and an antifreeze ingredient in some of the devices.

E-cigarettes, which lack FDA approval, are battery-powered nicotine delivery systems that produce heated vapor instead of smoke. Manufacturers and retailers claim e-cigarettes are a safer, healthier alternative to smoking.

The FDA, however, recently tested two brands, Smoking Everywhere and NJoy, finding both contained nitrosamines, known carcinogens. An antifreeze ingredient -- diethylene glycol -- was found in a Smoking Everywhere cartridge. In addition, nicotine levels varied more than 60 percent in cartridges labeled as containing a high concentration of the drug. Researchers also found nicotine in cartridges marked nicotine-free.

Blumenthal said e-cigarettes falsely claim to deliver nicotine without the health risks of smoking. He expressed concern they could addict young people to nicotine, leading them to smoke.

Jump to full article »

Dodd Statement on the Launch of FDA's New Center for Tobacco Products 

“Every year more and more children become addicted to tobacco products. In Connecticut alone, 15,000 kids will smoke their first cigarette this year,” said Dodd. “That is completely unacceptable and this historic legislation finally put tobacco products where they belong – under the careful watch of the FDA. I am pleased that we will have an experienced expert and public health advocate in Dr. Deyton leading the charge in preventing the tobacco companies from turning our kids into addicts.”

Dodd co-authored the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act with Chairman Edward Kennedy and acted as the lead cosponsor, shepherding it through committee mark-up and debate on the Senate floor. It was signed into law earlier this year by President Obama. The legislation provides the Food and Drug Administration with the authority to prevent the sale and marketing of tobacco to children, to require changes to cigarettes to make them less harmful and protect the public health, and to prevent tobacco companies from using misleading marketing practices to encourage tobacco use.

Jump to full article »