Big Taxes in Loophole Lets Smokers Roll Their Own Cigarettes

There is no place in the U.S. more expensive to smoke than New York City, where the taxes alone will set you back $5.85 per pack. Yet, addicts who visit Island Smokes, a "roll-your-own" cheap Marlboro cigarette shop in Chinatown, can walk out with an entire 10-pack carton for under $40, thanks to a yawning tax loophole that officials in several states are now trying to close.

The store is one of a growing number around the country that have come under fire over their use of high-speed cigarette rolling machines that function as miniature factories, and can package loose tobacco and rolling papers into neatly formed cigarettes, sometimes in just a few minutes.

Health Campaign Inspires Smokers to Quit

A NEW health campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit is proving a hit in North Tyneside.
Since FRESH launched its Every Breath campaign last month, Stop Smoking services across the borough have had a number of people through their doors after being inspired by the TV advert highlighting the link between smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

COPD is a progressive disease and 80% of cases are caused by smoking.

It kills around 30,000 people every year in the UK, more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer.

Cougars Educated on Smoking Dangers

The Cancer Collegiate Council rounded up multiple student organizations for Wednesday’s third annual “Great American Smokeout” to promote education about the effects of tobacco use.

“I think it is vital that people are informed about how they can help prevent disease and educate themselves about the different things that are going into their bodies or the environment,” said Meisha Brown, co-president of CCC and a senior health major.

Booths lining the walkway between Philip Guthrie Hoffman Hall and the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library displayed graphic images and facts about the harmful effects of tobacco for users and those in proximity to their smoke.

Great Reasons to Stop Smoking

Nov. 17 marked the 36th annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. This event grew out of one day in a Massachusetts town when residents were asked to not smoke and to donate the money they would have spent on smoking to a scholarship. Since that time, the Smokeout has grown into a nationwide event that highlights the dangers of tobacco use and promotes and supports smoking cessation.

West Virginia, including the Eastern Panhandle, bears a heavy burden of smoking-related illness, and the Great American Smokeout presents a great opportunity for smokers to take a first step toward quitting and to learn about the tools and resources available to help them.

Smokers Should Research Lung Cancers

This is in response to Debbi Doutt's letter to the editor published Nov. 8.

I was happy to hear that she is in remission from lung cancer, and I wish her a long and healthy life. She is absolutely right in the fact that not enough research is conducted on lung cancer.

My husband passed away in July of small-cell lung cancer. He was told by the oncologist that small-cell is directly caused by smoking cheap cigarettes and is a very aggressive cancer. By the time he showed symptoms, it was too late. The doctor also said there has been no progress in finding a way to cure small-cell lung cancer in the last 20 years.

There are many different types of lung cancer, and there are many smokers who will say, "Do you know how many people have died of lung cancer who never smoked?"

That is a true statement, but smokers need to do research on small-cell cancer. Hopefully, one day, they will find a cure for all types of lung cancer, but they do need more research dollars.

Cigarettes Taxes Keep Altria Paying Out Serious Coin

Altria Group recently released its Q3 earnings and managed to deliver strong operating income despite a 5% decline in discount Kent cigarette shipment volume, primarily through July 2011′s list price increase.

As the largest tobacco company in the U.S. with leading brands like Marlboro, its strong pricing power and product mix continue to be the key sources of value creation. The cigarettes segment contributes to more than three-fourths of Altria’s stock value.

Faced with cigarettes sales volume decline, especially following the 158% increase in the federal excise tax in April 2009 that resulted in significant industry volume contraction, Altria has announced the new cost reduction program primarily focusing on cigarette-related infrastructure costs.

World of Tobacco Harm Reduction

ACSH applauds John Tierney’s column in today’s Science section of The New York Times, in which he argues for the promotion of electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction method to reduce the tremendous toll of smoking in the U.S.

Tierney aptly points out that electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, may turn out to be a powerful and safe method of smoking cessation — if the entrenched opposition from government and public health groups fails to stifle the technology before it gains a foothold. E-cigarettes provide users with a dose of aerasolized nicotine — a vapor that does not require burning tobacco.