http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/international.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/scottsville-legislator-goes-to-bat-for-burley/article_510ea84e-527e-11e1-9b48-0019bb2963f4.html http://tobacco.org/news/333612.html A southcentral Kentucky lawmaker hopes that Kentucky burley is given its due when future trade agreements are negotiated between the United States and foreign countries. "There is some discussion of excluding tobacco from the agreements," said state Rep. Wilson Stone, D-Scottsville. On Tuesday, Stone filed a nonbinding House resolution that says Kentucky farmers need to have the same access to trade as other agriculture commodities. The measure is expected to be voted on soon. Sen. Paul Hornback, R-Shelbyville, filed the same resolution in the state Senate, signaling bipartisan support for the issue. Stone said there have been rumors that President Barack Obama's administration wants to take tobacco out of the equation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, a regional trade agreement between the U.S., Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Those negotiations are expected to finish this summer. "It's not so much a price issue, because world markets determine that, but one of access," Stone said. "If you take tobacco out of those agreements, it will dearly hurt Kentucky and Kentucky's farmers," Bowling Green Daily News rminor@bgdailynews.com (ROBYN L. MINOR The Daily News) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.amazon.com/Global-Tobacco-Control-Governance-Transfer/dp/0230200044/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328847703&sr=8-1 http://tobacco.org/news/333610.html The first major book by political scientists explaining global tobacco control policy. It identifies a history of minimal tobacco control then charts the extent to which governments have regulated tobacco in the modern era. It identifies major policy change from the post-war period and uses theories of public policy to help explain the change. Editorial Reviews Review "This is an excellent case study in which the authors provide a thorough account of global tobacco control issues using political and public policy analysis. The book is clearly written, accessible and will be of great interest to students of politics, policy analysis and public health." - Rob Baggott, Professor, Health Policy Research Unit, De Montfort University, UK amazon.com Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thedaonline.com/news/professor-s-new-book-takes-political-cultural-look-at-tobacco-policies-1.2770188 http://tobacco.org/news/333609.html West Virginia University political science Professor Donley Studlar has published a new book that evaluates tobacco policies around the world. "Global Tobacco Control: Power, Policy, Governance and Transfer," explores the history of the tobacco industry and major concerns in the market. The book focuses on the gap between policy problems in the industry and government response across the globe, in addition to the vast changes in the system over the past 60 years, Studlar said. "Smoking is a very culturally and economically embedded practice in many countries. One of the most remarkable things is how much change there has been," he said. "While policies still vary in Western, industrialized countries, there's been a convergence of policies as information has diffused concerning the dangers of cigarette smoking, as well as how different countries have dealt with them." Studlar said the modern view on smoking in the United States has contributed to economic shifts in the marketplace. "In the 1950s, cigarette smoking was just normal and no one really objected to the situation. Today, smoking is denormalized, and there are restrictions on tobacco," he said. "What we're trying to do in this book is explore that shift - how it came about and the differences across countries." "Smoking is usually thought of as a public health issue, but it's also a very political issue, and the fact that it is perceived differently in different countries indicates that." Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the world, but many countries do not possess any laws regulating smoking, he said. Daily Athenaeum Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1202/S00261/paho-report-urges-higher-tobacco-taxes-bans-on-advertising.htm http://tobacco.org/news/333602.html A growing number of countries in the Americas are adopting effective measures to reduce consumption of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. But a new report from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommends further measures, particularly increases in tobacco taxes and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The new Tobacco Control Report for the Region of the Americas summarizes progress in countries’ implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s first international public health treaty, which requires States Parties to apply a series of policies and measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and protecting people from secondhand smoke. The treaty has been in force since 2005. Of 35 countries in the Americas, 29 have ratified the FCTC, most recently, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis. Scoop Latin America Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-09/philip-morris-climbs-to-highest-since-2008-on-forecast.html http://tobacco.org/news/333597.html Philip Morris International Inc. rose to the highest since its spinoff by Altria Group Inc. almost four years ago after forecasting profit this year that was higher than analysts estimated. The world's largest publicly traded tobacco manufacturer gained 3 percent to $80.18 at 2:41 p.m. in New York after climbing to $80.99, the highest intraday price since March 2008. Profit per share in 2012 will be $5.25 to $5.35, the New York-based company said today in a statement. The average estimate of 16 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg was $5.20. Chief Executive Officer Louis Camilleri boosted shipments of Marlboro and the company's nine other biggest brands in 2011, leading to higher global market share for the fourth straight year. Philip Morris anticipates stronger growth in Asia in 2012, Camilleri told analysts today on a conference call. Business Week/Bloomberg cburritt@bloomberg.net (Chris Burritt) Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2012/02/09/cigar-bars-make-a-comeback-at-luxury-hotels/ http://tobacco.org/news/333544.html Following worldwide bans on smoking in public places, cigar bars have become something of an endangered species. But we’ve spotted a few of the clubby, usually dimly lit dens making appearances once more—this time ensconced in luxury hotels. And in some of the new iterations, they’ve got technology on their side—advanced air filtration systems make spending time in one a breath of fresh air. Here are a few of the best cigar lounges around the globe. . . . On the other side of the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing’s swanky Davidoff Lounge welcomes guests nightly until 2 a.m. For those set to impress, the bar’s VIP rooms (which are equipped with everything from card tables to Wii stations and karaoke machines) are available for business meetings and private parties. Davidoff cigars from the Dominican Republic are the top choice here, but you can also puff away on hand-rolled Cubans. U.S hotels have picked up on this old-school tradition, too—Florida (given its proximity to Cuba) hosts some of the grandest smoking rooms in the nation Forbes Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf/alps_tour_is_first_to_ban_smoking_1_2105343 http://tobacco.org/news/333537.html THE first smoking ban imposed on any professional or amateur golf circuit in the world has been enforced on the third-tier Alps Tour. Before the circuit teed off its new season in Morocco yesterday, the organising committee announced it had banned smoking or chewing tobacco by players and caddies during any kind of play in its tournaments Dedicated smoking areas have been created near practice areas to avoid seeing players with cigarettes on the practice greens or driving range. “The Alps Tour committee has taken this courageous decision to uphold the reputation of the game of golf and the Alps Tour and to take care of the health of its young members,” said a statement. “Golf will be an Olympic sport soon (in 2016) and the Alps Tour wants to become a role model. A breach of this rule will be a fine.” The Scotsman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120209005935/en/Philip-Morris-International-PMI-Reports-2011-Results http://tobacco.org/news/333535.html Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE / Euronext Paris: PM) today announced its 2011 full-year and fourth-quarter results. “While admittedly lifted by Japan, our 2011 results were simply superb in each and every aspect. Every single one of our top ten brands recorded volume growth, we surpassed all of our key financial performance measures and grew our global market share for the fourth year in a row. Our total shareholder return in 2011 was an impressive 39.8%, substantially outperforming the broader market indices,” said Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Economic uncertainty, currency volatility and the year-on-year comparison of our business performance in Japan are obvious challenges in 2012. We nevertheless begin the year with solid business momentum, confident in our ability to meet our constant currency financial growth targets, and as steadfast as ever in our commitment to reward our shareholders with superior returns over the long-term.” Conference Call A conference call, hosted by Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Hermann Waldemer, Chief Financial Officer, with members of the investment community and news media, will be webcast at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 9, 2012. Access is available at www.pmi.com. Business Wire Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120208005548/en/22nd-Century-Announces-Nicotine-Free-Tobacco-Cigarettes-International http://tobacco.org/news/333480.html 22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCBB: XXII), a company focused on tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation products, today announced that its subsidiary, Goodrich Tobacco Company, is making two of its proprietary cigarette brands (and related tobacco blends) available to licensees and distributors outside the United States. “Based on inquiries we receive, there is demand for our brands in practically every country, especially for nicotine-free tobacco cigarettes which simply do not exist outside the United States.” In response to numerous inquiries from around the world, Goodrich Tobacco is offering MAGIC® EXPORT the world’s only virtually nicotine-free tobacco cigarette and MOONLIGHT™, a cigarette with exceptionally low “tar” per milligram of nicotine, to international partners. As an initial part of this effort, 22nd Century has signed a confidential letter-of-intent for an exclusive agreement to market the company’s technology, brands and tobacco blends in India. Business Wire info@GoodrichTobacco.com Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://tobaccoreporter.com/home.php?id=498&art=5540 http://tobacco.org/news/333435.html Television propaganda that graphically communicates the serious harm caused by tobacco use was likely to be effective with smokers in low- to middle-income countries and could be readily translated and adapted for local use, according to a story in The Hindu. This was one of the key findings of a recent survey conducted in 10 countries where the non government organisation, World Lung Foundation, was working as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Smoke. However, the survey noted that the effectiveness of advertisements with complex medical terms or metaphors, or those that featured personal testimonials was more variable. Tobacco Reporter Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/0367d817414c4f8ca82478ad310711fb/KY-XGR-Tobacco-Trade-Pact/ http://tobacco.org/news/333432.html Legislators have drafted a bipartisan resolution urging the Obama Administration to include burley tobacco in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. On Tuesday, Rep. Wilson Stone, a Democrat from Scottsville, and Sen. Paul Hornback, a Republican from Shelbyville, introduced their resolution about the agreement being negotiated by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Stone said farmers are worried the administration in Washington will "bow to the pressure of anti-tobacco advocates in Congress" by excluding tobacco. Almost all of the burley tobacco grown in the United States is grown for export, Wilson said, and "Kentucky grows the highest quality of burley in the world." Stone said he is concerned that opponents in Congress and the administration want to use the trade agreement as a way to "drive a nail in the coffin" of the tobacco industry. Associated Press Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-07/japan-tobacco-gains-after-profit-forecast-increased-tokyo-mover.html http://tobacco.org/news/333404.html Japan Tobacco Inc., the world's second-largest listed cigarette maker, climbed the most in four months in Tokyo trading after raising its profit forecast and planned dividend. Japan Tobacco gained 5.5 percent, the biggest advance since Sept. 20, to 406,500 yen at the close of trade in Tokyo. A faster-than-expected sales recovery after the March 11 earthquake prompted the company to raise its full-year net income forecast by 17 percent to 189 billion yen ($2.5 billion), following a 34 percent gain in nine-month profit. Tokyo-based Japan Tobacco will also boost its annual dividend payout to a record, it said yesterday. "Their results and dividends are good and their payout will improve, so I think this is a winner," Mikihiko Yamato, an analyst at JI Asia in Tokyo, said by telephone. "There is a growing expectation that the company will increase dividends further next quarter." Business Week/Bloomberg sozasa@bloomberg.net (Shunichi Ozasa and Cheng Herng Shinn) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.wfpl.org/2012/02/07/kentucky-lawmakers-urge-inclusion-of-tobacco-in-pacific-trade-agreement/ http://tobacco.org/news/333403.html Kentucky lawmakers are protesting a current trade agreement that they say would hurt tobacco. The U.S. is currently negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which includes countries like New Zealand, Peru and Vietnam. But the lawmakers say the proposal excludes tobacco protections. At a news conference in Frankfort today, Democratic and Republican lawmakers urged President Barack Obama to add provisions for tobacco to the agreement. Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says including the crop will help Kentucky farmers. “What we have to be able to do with tobacco is the same thing we’re doing with corn and beef cattle and horses in Kentucky,” Comer says. “We have to grow our export market. In order to do that we have to make sure tobacco is treated fairly along with every other crop in the United States in trade agreements.” A letter supporting the inclusion of tobacco has been signed by all eight members of Kentucky’s federal delegation. State Representative Wilson Stone has sponsored a resolution defending tobacco. He says the crop should be treated as an asset in negotiations over the trade agreement. WFPL 89.3 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120207005184/en/Research-Markets-China-Expected-Lead-Tobacco-Industry http://tobacco.org/news/333397.html Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0e511c/tobacco_bric_br) has announced the addition of the "Tobacco - BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Industry Guide" report to their offering. "Tobacco - BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Industry Guide" Tobacco - BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Industry Guide is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) Tobacco industry. The report includes easily comparable data on market value, volume, segmentation and market share, plus full five year market forecasts. It examines future problems, innovations and potential growth areas within the market. Business Wire press@researchandmarkets.com China Brazil Russia India Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thehindu.com/health/policy-and-issues/article2863601.ece http://tobacco.org/news/333369.html Television advertisements that graphically communicate the serious harms of tobacco use are likely to be effective with smokers in low- to middle-income countries and can be readily translated and adapted for local use - this was one of the key findings of a recent survey conducted in 10 countries where the non government organisation World Lung Foundation contributed as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Smoke. The survey, however, noted that advertisement with complex medical terms or metaphors, or those that feature personal testimonials, are more variable and require more careful pre-testing and adaptation to maximise their potential. "In order to test the comprehension, acceptability, and effectiveness of advertisements that emphasize the harms of second hand smoke exposure, especially on children (to the extent of getting smokers to quit) and increase awareness of the harms of second hand smoke exposure (and smoking) among both smokers and non-smokers, we conducted the survey," noted a release issued by the World Lung Foundation. The aim of the study was to assess the comprehension, acceptability and potential effectiveness of five television advertisements in communicating an anti-smoking message and motivating cessation among adults in low- and middle-income countries. . . . As part of the study, 2,399 smokers aged 18- 34 years in 10 low to middle income countries (Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam) viewed and individually rated the same five anti-smoking advertisements The Hindu Online web.thehindu@thehindu.co.in (Bindu Shajan Perappadan) Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT