Apparently bowing to political pressure from public health groups and three U.S. Senators, officials for the Orange Bowl announced yesterday that they have abandoned plans to have Camacho Cigars promote its products at game-day events over a three-year period.
Legislation
New York City Ordinance Banning Sale of Flavored Smokeless Tobacco Upheld
Posted in Legislation, Significant Cases
Last month, a New York federal district judge upheld a New York City local ordinance that prohibits the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco anywhere in the city other than at existing “tobacco bars.”
Washington Bill Would Ban Flavored Tobacco
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
Potentially expanding the Tobacco Control Act’s prohibition on flavored cigarettes, and perhaps signaling the beginning of a nationwide trend, the Washington Senate has introduced a bill that would ban any type of flavored tobacco products.
New York Federal Court Upholds Government’s Imposition of Tobacco Buy-Out Assessments Against Native American Importer
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
Last month, a New York federal court upheld the Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) computation of delinquent tobacco buy-out assessments against Native Wholesale Supply (“NWS”) under the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 (“FERTA”).
New Mexico Legislation Would Require Escrow for Reservation Sales and Impose Unprecedented Retroactive Obligations
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, the New Mexico legislature’s Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee voted this week to endorse legislation that would require nonparticipating manufacturers to make escrow payments for sales on Native American reservations.
U.S. Senators Use World Series to Promote Campaign Against Smokeless Tobacco
Posted in Legislation, State Regulatory
The World Series contest between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers is underway, but the World Series been used as a opportunity for politicians to advocate another contest – smokeless tobacco. Before the start of this week’s first game a number of Democratic senators sent a letter urging the Major League Baseball Players Association to agree to ban tobacco during the World Series.
Stop Act Introduced in Congress
Posted in Legislation
On October 13, 2011, the Smuggled Tobacco Prevention (“STOP”) Act was again introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Designed to enhance law enforcement’s ability to combat illegal tobacco trafficking, the STOP Act has been introduced in various forms since 2004. The bill would make it virtually impossible for unlicensed tobacco product manufacturers to continue operating. Suppliers of unlicensed manufacturers, including machinery and raw materials suppliers, would be subject to criminal penalties. Customers of unlicensed manufacturers would be subject to the same penalties. The bill would also make it more expensive for licensed manufacturers to operate by requiring new packaging – probably a digital stamp – to facilitate tracking and tracing of cigarettes.
Boston Public Health Commission Proposes Restrictions on E-Cigarettes
Posted in Legislation
The Boston Public Health Commission has approved proposed rules that would restrict the sale and use of e-cigarettes.
Department of Transportation Rule Would Prohibit Use of E-Cigarettes on Airlines
Posted in Legislation
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a proposed rule to amend its existing airline smoking rule to explicitly ban the use of electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes”) on all aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate, intrastate and foreign air transportation.
Illinois Law Mandates Medical Insurers to Cover Smoking-Cessation Programs
Posted in Legislation
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a new law requiring insurance companies to offer coverage for services meant to help smokers to kick the habit.