http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/tobacco/ en-us Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:35:20 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135632/posts In 2006, Alaska desperately needed cash to complete a museum featuring a mummified bison and other natural wonders of the frozen north. So the state dipped into its share of the landmark 1998 tobacco settlement. The billions that began flowing from cigarette makers to the states a decade ago also helped outfit the Niagara County, N.Y., golf course with new carts and sprinklers. And the money has gone toward college scholarships in Michigan, tax breaks in Illinois and Ohio, a dog catcher in Lincoln, Neb., and jails and schools elsewhere around the country. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135632/posts#comment Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:35:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133760/posts Groups unveil plans for Cuyahoga County cigarette-tax grants to individual artists by Karen Sandstrom / Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday November 12, 2008, 6:05 PM The diciest part of distributing Cuyahoga County's cigarette tax for the arts is about to start. Beginning in mid-February, individual artists will be able to apply for fellowships worth $20,000 each. The fellowship program -- details of which were hammered out this week by two nonprofit organizations involved in creating it -- is aimed at building a strong arts community in Northeast Ohio by helping individuals with their development as artists. Up to 20 fellowships will... The Cleveland Plain Dealer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133760/posts#comment Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:50:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128049/posts Tobacco giant Philip Morris struck out again in its attempts to kill San Francisco's new ban on cigarette sales at pharmacies such as Walgreens and Rite Aid. A federal court judge in Oakland rejected an unusual first amendment argument. Philip Morris argued that the sales ban effectively kills in-store tobacco advertisements, a violation of free speech. But Judge Claudia Wilken didn’t buy it. She said the company could still advertise in any store it liked. Philip Morris said 20-percent of its San Francisco sales took place at Walgreens and Rite Aid, the two chains affected by the ban. The first... KCBS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2128049/posts#comment Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:14:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101520/posts Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell says Shell Oil Products U.S. has agreed to take steps to reduce cigarette sales to minors at 13,000 gas stations, including 76 in Vermont. Forbes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2101520/posts#comment Thu, 9 Oct 2008 17:46:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2097568/posts Report: Cannabis Less Harmful Than Alcohol, Tobacco Friday, October 3, 2008 9:19 AM Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, according to a report by a research charity Thursday, which called for a "serious rethink" of drug policy. The Beckley Foundation, a charity which numbers senior experts and other academics among its advisors, said banning cannabis has no impact on supply and turns users into criminals. "Although cannabis can have a negative impact on health, including mental health, in terms of relative harms it is considerably less harmful than alcohol or tobacco," says the report by the Foundation's Global... newsmax.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2097568/posts#comment Sat, 4 Oct 2008 20:29:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084744/posts The chairman of the House Banking Committee called today for an investigation into the investment practices of Freddie Mac, the Congressional-chartered, shareholder-owned mortgage finance company, saying it had abused the preferential borrowing terms it enjoys through its ties to the Government. Representative Jim Leach, Republican of Iowa, said Freddie Mac -- short for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation -- had borrowed $125 million in the bond markets on Monday at 6.99 percent, an interest rate reflecting the market's belief that the Treasury had effectively guaranteed repayment. Freddie Mac, whose charter calls for it to invest primarily in mortgages and... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2084744/posts#comment Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:21:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2079573/posts ActBlue $649,130 Altria Group $59,400 Verizon Communications $33,000 Northrop Grumman $32,800 HBK Capital Management $32,200 Covington & Burling $29,050 Columbia Capital $25,300 Hogan & Hartson $24,600 Norfolk Southern $24,200 Alion Science & Technology $22,900 Humana Inc $22,500 Patton Boggs LLP $21,300 Williams & Connolly $21,100 Time Warner $21,050 Dickstein, Shapiro & Morin $20,900 Dominion Resources $20,400 DLA Piper $19,850 SLM Corp $19,600 Friedman, Billings & Ramsey $19,400 McGuire, Woods et al $19,400 http://www.opensecrets.org/ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2079573/posts#comment Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:26:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059452/posts    Year  Output  Type  Cigarette Use (Adults) – BRFSS2007 State Current Cigarette Use (%) Alabama 22.5 Alaska 22.2 Arizona 19.8 Arkansas 22.4 California 14.3 Colorado 18.7 Connecticut 15.5 Delaware 19.0 District of Columbia 17.3 Florida 19.3 Georgia 19.3 Hawaii 17.0 Idaho 19.2 Illinois 20.2 Indiana 24.1 Iowa 19.8 Kansas 17.9 Kentucky 28.3 Louisiana 22.6 Maine 20.1 Maryland 17.1 Massachusetts 16.4 Michigan 21.2 Minnesota 16.5 Mississippi 24.0 Missouri 24.6 Montana 19.5 Nebraska 19.9 Nevada 21.5 New Hampshire 19.4 New Jersey 17.2 New Mexico 20.8 New York 18.9 North Carolina 22.9 North Dakota 21.0 Ohio 23.1 Oklahoma 25.8 Oregon 16.9 Pennsylvania 20.9... CDC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059452/posts#comment Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:07:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2056566/posts This is still a free country, right? Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to more closely regulate the wages that firms pay workers and to more strictly regulate tobacco products by putting them under FDA supervision. The Los Angeles City Council also approved a one-year moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a 32-square-mile low-income area in the city; the poor, after all, have “above-average rates of obesity” and must be protected from themselves. Perhaps the government may just want to ask people if they are poor before we let them enter certain restaurants. Barack Obama promises a... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2056566/posts#comment Tue, 5 Aug 2008 01:19:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2055548/posts Reactions from smokers ranged from stunned to furious -- and often unprintable. "Outside?" gasped Isaac Kim, who's about to start pre-pharmacy classes at the Silver Spring/Takoma Park campus. "Do they have the right to do that?" Welcome to the land of tolerance and freedom Mr. Kim. Your rights will be dictated to you in the Citizens Manual. Should you stray, they have a special police force to enforce your right not to smoke or chew tobacco. See if you can pick out the innocent-sounding, Stalinist name for the anti-smoking cops. And yes, employees could ultimately be fired or students kicked... The Patriot Room http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2055548/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 23:28:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2054516/posts The House approved legislation yesterday that would for the first time empower the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the tobacco industry, a measure long sought by anti-smoking advocates. After about 40 minutes of sometimes passionate debate, the House voted 326 to 102 to approve the measure, which would give the agency broad authority over cigarette makers, including the power to ban marketing of cigarettes to children, require disclosure of tobacco ingredients and mandate larger, more specific health warnings. It would also enable the agency to require tobacco companies to reduce or eliminate harmful ingredients and ban candy- and fruit-flavored... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2054516/posts#comment Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:50:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2053545/posts San Francisco lawmakers voted Tuesday to make the city the first in the nation to ban the sale of tobacco products at most pharmacies, a move that backers hope will lead to similar laws across the country. The ban has already attracted the attention of Marin County leaders, who may push forward with their own proposal. The ban passed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on an 8-3 vote, with some supervisors predicting it would be a "first step" toward additional bans on the sale of tobacco in the city. "Whatever we can do to make this country a smoke-free... sfgate.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2053545/posts#comment Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:56:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046830/posts Researchers say industry manipulates the ingredient to recruit new generation of users Tobacco companies are manipulating menthol levels in cigarettes to appeal to newer, younger smokers, part of a deliberate strategy to get younger people, particularly African-Americans, hooked, a new study contends. Menthol makes cigarettes more palatable to the novice smoker. "If anything, menthol is being used as a candy to help the toxin go down," said Dr. Gregory Connolly, senior author of a paper being published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health. "If we let the industry go ahead and willy-nilly design the product... U.S. News and World Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046830/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:26:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042828/posts I can hear it coming already: faux outrage, MSM feeding frenzy, Worst Person in the World designation, and a 24-hour cycle of cable TV teeth-gnashing over McCain’s off-handed joke about cigarette exports to Iran. Here we go. In 5, 4, 3, 2… “McCain jokes about killing Iranians with cigarettes” Presidential candidate John McCain, who once sang in jest about bombing Iran, on Tuesday reacted to a report of rising U.S. cigarette exports to the country by saying it may be “a way of killing ‘em.” McCain, known for acerbic comments and for sometimes firing verbally from the hip, was responding... MichelleMalkin.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042828/posts#comment Wed, 9 Jul 2008 11:34:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2039053/posts You can still light up in a Dutch cafe after July 1, but only if you're smoking marijuana, not tobacco. Bloomberg reported June 20 that the Netherlands' new indoor-smoking ban allows patrons to smoke inside marijuana "coffee shops" as long as the joint is pure cannabis. But cutting joints with tobacco will be illegal. Tobacco smoking also will be banned in other public places except in separate, unstaffed rooms. "Every customer will have to learn how to smoke pure,'' said Robert Kempen, co-owner of The NooN and Mellow Yellow Amsterdam coffee shops. "Sales will definitely fall," said Rida Oulad, a... Join together http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2039053/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:21:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031753/posts ITHACA — Legislation further restricting smoking in the City of Ithaca should reduce exposure to secondhand smoke while not creating unintended consequences, according to members of the Smoke-free Zone Legislation Subcommittee. The smoking ban legislation Common Council is exploring includes ... a huge variety of outdoor, public spaces, including parks, natural areas, outdoor concerts and festivals, trails and walkways, parking garages and lots, transit shelters, Newman Golf Course, and city cemeteries. This would include outdoor dining areas at all times, and entire parks or the entire Commons during festivals like Ithaca Festival or the Chili Cook-Off.... It could also include... © 2008 FingerLakes1.com, Inc. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2031753/posts#comment Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:05:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018207/posts Nearly 10 years after the tobacco industry was sued, the same lawyer has brought suit against the energy industry for “conspiring to cover up the threat of man-made climate change.” “As scientific evidence accumulates on the destructive impact of carbon-dioxide emissions, a handful of lawyers are beginning to bring suits against the major contributors to climate change,” Stephan Faris wrote in the June 2008 Atlantic Monthly. According to the article, a lawsuit was filed in February that named several companies it claimed were responsible for global warming and accused them of plotting to cover it up. “More important, the suit... businessandmedia.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2018207/posts#comment Mon, 19 May 2008 18:40:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2014109/posts Today's article on smoking restrictions and the "wellness" movement makes no mention of a politically incorrect truth: some people smoke because they find net positive benefits in it. Nicotine is not just an addictive drug, it is a powerful drug which affects the mind in ways that are often positive. Now let me add that I do note advocate people taking up smoking. I have no financial interest in tobacco, have never owned a tobacco stock, and if tobacco companies have advertised on American Thinker, I have not noticed it. (I would not get rid of their ads if they... American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2014109/posts#comment Sat, 10 May 2008 18:20:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010911/posts No puffing allowed at pipe convention The United States' largest gathering of pipe smokers is being held near Chicago but none are lighting up inside the convention center, aficionados lament. Illinois law requires pipe smokers attending the Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show to retreat to a tent 15 feet away from the St. Charles convention center if they want to enjoy a puff or two, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday. How would you like it if you went to a wine tasting and you couldn't taste the wine? asked Al Shinogle, 53, of Denver, who was smoking a hand-carved... Moldova http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2010911/posts#comment Sun, 4 May 2008 03:15:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008544/posts Cigarette smuggling is generating millions of dollars every year that can be reaching terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda, according to law enforcement sources. In a single case, $100,000 was sent to Hezbollah. A 15-page report congressional report includes intelligence from law enforcement as well as New York State’s Department of Taxation and Finance. Cigarette smuggling is generating millions of dollars every year that can be reaching terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and Al Qaeda, according to law enforcement sources. In a single case, $100,000 was sent to Hezbollah. One of the key issues... is a potential flaw... Fox news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2008544/posts#comment Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:11:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1996332/posts NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court tossed out an $800 billion class-action lawsuit against tobacco companies on Thursday brought by smokers who said they were deceived into believing "light" cigarettes were healthier. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said the smokers could not sue collectively. The decision means each individual smoker must prove that she or he had selected the product for perceived health benefits. The smokers had sued the tobacco companies under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, contending they were misled by the industry's marketing and branding efforts into believing "light" cigarettes... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1996332/posts#comment Thu, 3 Apr 2008 22:16:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992261/posts Ten years ago, Senator John McCain took on the tobacco industry, saying he would never back down from legislation to regulate the industry. He also supported a $1.10-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund programs to cut underage smoking. "I still regret we did not succeed," he said as recently as last October. Now, McCain's longtime effort to crack down on tobacco is being put to a new test. Within weeks, the Senate is expected to vote on legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco. McCain agreed months ago to cosponsor the current bill with Senator Edward... Boston.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1992261/posts#comment Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:01:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987630/posts A plan by Gov. Jim Doyle to get cash upfront to help fix the state's broken budget will cost the state $94 million in payments from tobacco companies over the long haul, an independent analysis has found. The Democratic governor is also asking lawmakers to use more of the money generated by the plan to pay for maintaining state health programs for the poor. Doyle has long criticized a decision by his predecessor, Scott McCallum, and a past Legislature to borrow against future payments by tobacco companies to help solve budget crises in 2001 and 2002. The analysis released by... Wisconsin State Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987630/posts#comment Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:45:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987413/posts New 'snus' taking on smoking ban Monday, March 17, 2008 3:07 AM By James Nash THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH It might have a funny-sounding name, but snus is no laughing matter to activists who led the 2006 campaign to ban smoking from public places across Ohio. Snus, a nugget of tobacco wrapped in a porous tissue, will be under the lips of thousands of people in central Ohio this year if product launches by three tobacco companies are successful. The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. started selling Camel Snus in central Ohio in July. Lorillard Tobacco Co. introduced its lower-cost Triumph brand... The Columbus Dispatch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1987413/posts#comment Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:21:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1974362/posts If it is indeed true, as George Bernard Shaw commented, that democracy ensures we get the government we deserve, then I have little sympathy for my neighbors who whine about the smoking ban as they puff their Camel filters in the parking lot outside the bowling alley in the freezing February rain. Besides -- I like to point out -- we voted for the shysters and party hacks who passed the ban. Or -- more likely -- we failed to vote at all. I then call attention to the fact that right next door in Missouri, where the Republican Party... The American Spectator http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1974362/posts#comment Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:55:07 GMT