Tobacco Retailer articles from February 2004

Tobacco Retailer archives from February 2004

What's old is new.(Editor's Note)(roll-your-own cigarettes regaining popularity)
February 1, 2004... We've all seen it before. On television or in the movies, we've looked on as characters from the crustiest cowboy to the suave playboy to the hard-boiled detective have reached into a pouch of tobacco, laid the leaf on a rectangular sheet of...

N.Y. jury awards $20 million in case.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Cigarette maker Brown and Williamson must pay $8 million to the widow of a man who smoked for 43 years, a New York jury said on Jan. 9, as reported by Reuters. In December, a different jury found Brown & Williamson was 50 percent...

Philip Morris kicks off new merchandising program.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... New York-based Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA subsidiary, headquartered in Richmond, Va., has lifted the lid off its new Wholesale Leaders program. The program calls for Philip Morris to give all wholesalers a 2 percent discount....

Pennsylvania first to hike cigarette tax in 2004.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... And the winner is: Pennsylvania. On Jan. 7, the state became the first in 2004 to hike its cigarette tax when the price for a pack increased 35 cents. The new state tax for a pack of cigarettes is now $1.35. The cigarette-tax increase...

Altadis U.S.A. earns award in counterfeiting case.(Industry News)(Tabacalera Cubana Corp)(Tabacalera Popular Cubana, Inc)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In November, Altadis U.S.A., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was awarded a $900,000 federal judgment against a Miami cigar manufacturer, Tabacalera Cubana Corp., and a Miami retailer, Tabacalera Popular Cubana, Inc., who were caught selling "Cuban...

Republic Group acquires piece of HTH Tabak B.V.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In January, Republic Tobacco L.P., Nortbrook, Ill., announced that its affiliate, D.T. Tech (Spain S.L.), had purchased a 49-percent share of the Netherlands-based tobacco manufacturer H.T.H Tabak B.V.. Hans Heupink, the majority owner of the...

Perdomo participates in "Best of the Best".(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... To ring in the New Year, the very finest in cigars and spirits created by both Miami-based Tabacalera Perdomo and HARDY Cognac France were paired at an exclusive reception held in the Monet Room of the Bellagio Las Vegas Resort. Attended by...

Ontario seeks to raise tobacco taxes.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In November, Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty announced he is seeking to raise tobacco taxes in his province by up to $15 a carton, and has asked Quebec to do the same to prevent smuggling across the provincial border. Published reports...

Brown & Williamson tests smokeless product.(Industry News)(testing of new smokeless tobacco product called Interval)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In December, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. began testing a new smokeless tobacco product called Interval. Interval is a mint-flavored hard tobacco that contains one milligram of nicotine and dissolves in the mouth, reported the Macon...

Kentucky's Best joins Master Settlement Agreement.(Industry News)(Farmer's Tobacco Company of Cynthiana Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Farmer's Tobacco Company of Cynthiana, Inc., Cynthiana, Ky., has been granted membership in the Master Settlement Agreement as a subsequent participating manufacturer. As an MSA-SPM, Kentucky's Best will soon be available across the...

Joker celebrating Lundi Gras.(Industry News)(kicking off the Mardi Gras Celebration)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Robert Burton Associates, Ltd., Fairfield, N.J., is kicking off the Mardi Gras Celebration in New Orleans at a block-style party. Stuff magazine is sponsoring the event. The party will take place outside the Howling Wolf music club on...

New York "fire-safe" cigarette law to debut.(Industry News)(self-extinguishing cigarettes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control ushered out 2003 with good news and bad news for New York tobacco wholesalers and retailers. As expected, in late December the OFPC adopted the long-awaited final regulation for...

Judge rules Indian smokeshop raid legal.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In December, Judge William Smith of the Federal District Court ruled that Rhode Island's raid of a Narragansett Indian smokeshop was legal and that the state was within its rights to claim taxes on cigarettes sold on tribal land. ...

Phillips & King, Quintin International join forces.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Since the acquisition of Quintin International by Phillips & King International, Inc., during March, 2003, plans have been underway to bring these distributors together in a manner that benefits the retailer. In December, those plans became...

Peter Stokkebye adds to sales, marketing staffs.(Industry News)(Carsten Jul Christensen and Andy Siegrist has moved from Orlik Tobacco Company)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Peter Stokkebye International, Ltd., Charlotte, N.C., has announced two personnel changes. Carsten Jul Christensen has moved to the home office in Charlotte from parent company Orlik Tobacco Company of Denmark. As marketing manager, Christensen...

Report: tribes selling vast amounts of untaxed cigarettes.(Industry News)(Department of Taxation and Finance)
February 1, 2004... New York state could have collected up to $388 million in excise taxes and an estimated $48 million in sales taxes on cigarette sales by Indian vendors in 2002, the Syracuse Post-Standard reported. According to the Associated Press, using...

Farmers sue Kentucky Tobacco co-op.(Industry News)(Lexington)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Eight farmers have filed suit to force a Lexington, Ky.-based tobacco cooperative to pay its members "tens of millions of dollars." The plaintiffs allege that the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative has withheld money from its members since...

Usstc expands test marketing of Revel.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, Greenwich, Conn., has announced an expanded test market in Dallas-Ft. Worth for Revel Tobacco Packs, its alternative tobacco product that allows smokers to enjoy real satisfaction without lighting up. Beginning...

"Marks Brothers" honored by Perdomo.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... The day after Mark Clayton and Mark Duper became the 13th and 14th inductees into the Miami Dolphins' "Honor Roll" during halftime of ABC's Monday Night Football on Dec. 15, the Miami Touchdown Club held an award luncheon at "Shula's 2"...

West Virginia considers cigarette-tax hike.(Industry News)
February 1, 2004... A budget shortfall and low marks from the American Lung Association for antismoking efforts has West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise considering asking lawmakers to raise the cigarette tax--again. Last year, Wise convinced legislators to increase...

Robert Burton refocusing on El Rey brand.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... IIn December, Robert Burton Associates, Ltd., Fairfield, N.J., announced that it is refocusing its advertising efforts on the El Rey brand of cigarette tubes and tobacco accessories. As part of its 2004 advertising campaign, El Rey ads will...

Torano signs Canadian distribution deal.(Industry News)(contracts)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Miami-based Torano Cigars has signed an exclusive Canadian importation and distribution agreement with Nuestra Familia Cigar Company, Ltd. Nuestra Familia was recently formed by several successful Vancouver businessmen and cigar fanatics. ...

Arango now distributing "mass market" cigars.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Arango Cigar Co., Northbrook, Ill., has agreed to distribute popular-priced cigars into the broad "mass market" category. Some of these brands include Phillies, White Owl and King Edward. Arango is purchasing these cigars from such...

Tobacco buyout legislation stalls despite end-of-year wrangling.(Washington Report)
February 1, 2004... An unlikely coalition of tobacco control advocates, the nation's biggest tobacco company, the Chamber of Commerce and anti-tax advocates successfully lobbied in late November to dissuade Congress from providing a last-minute buyout for tobacco...

Popularity of RYO/MYO grows as smokers continue the search for cost-effective alternatives.(The Right Fit)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... The Master Settlement Agreement changed the land-scape of the cigarette industry. It also made tobacco users take a fresh look at where their cigarettes came from. Increasingly, the question is not pack or box, but whether to roll their own...

The evolution of inventory: CTS retailers report better business with new and improved inventory technology.(Operations)
February 1, 2004... Tight inventory control is key to the success of any business. But inventory management is particularly crucial to the CTS industry, where an inaccurate inventory can result in lost time and money searching for stock. Items promised and not...

Sweet taste of success: retailers benefit as flavored cigarettes supply discerning smokers with myriad options.(Product Profile)
February 1, 2004... Walk into Starbucks and the choices aren't limited to regular and decaffeinated. Stroll down the freezer section of the grocery store and the ice cream flavors aren't restricted to vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Twice as nice: second NATO Expo ready to build on success of inaugural edition.(Show Preview)(National Association of Tobacco Outlets')
February 1, 2004... One year after the first edition of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets' NATO Expo entered the trade-show world to rave reviews from retailers and manufacturers alike, plans for a bigger and better second NATO Expo are well underway....

NATO Expo on deck.(Nato News)(National Association of Tobacco Outlets)
February 1, 2004... There is still time to register and attend the second annual NATO Conference and Expo to be held at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from March 23-25. All NATO retailers are strongly encouraged to attend this true tobacco-buying show where...

Interview effectiveness.(The Personnel Touch)
February 1, 2004... Without question, the success of any company depends upon choosing the right people for your team. A Harvard Business School study determined that more than 75 percent of turnover could be traced back to poor hiring practices. The leading...

The man with the plan.(Tax Tips)
February 1, 2004... Since becoming an adult, Joe always has had two distinguishing traits, one good and one bad. As a successful business owner he is a man of action, quick to identify a problem, work on a solution and then do what is necessary to solve the...

Folgers unveils Custom Cafe system.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Folgers has introduced Folgers Custom Cafe, a coffee-brewing system for foodservice that freshly brews each cup of coffee at the strength the consumer chooses. In addition to providing custom-strength regular and decaf coffee, Folgers Custom...

Cougar Mountain releases version 8.0 product line.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Cougar Mountain Software has released its version 8.0 product line. Cougar Mountain's v8.0 delivers all the depth, power, flexibility and reliability of the previous versions of Cougar Mountain accounting and POS software solutions, but...

Felipe Gregorio exclusive Japanese pipe distributor.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Felipe Gregorio Tobacco World, Inc., has been appointed the exclusive United States distributor for Tsuge Briar Pipe Company products. The Tsuge business is owned by a family that stretches back to Japan's warring period, which ended in the...

Anderson Tobacco enters market with Savannah.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Anderson Tobacco Co., LLC, is a new American cigarette company that has entered the value-priced arena with its flagship Savannah brand. Savannah cigarettes are made from the finest pure tobacco available in the United States. No additives or...

ADT unveils latest tools to help retailers.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... ADT Security Services, Inc., has introduced the UltraLink Traffic Flow system and InterACT video-monitoring. The UltraLink Traffic Flow system helps detect and count shoppers entering and leaving the store, timestamps each count and delivers...

Robert Burton extends E-Z Wider paper line.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Robert Burton Associates, Ltd., has announced the extension of the E-Z Wider brand with the addition of E-Z Wider Pure Hemp 1-1/4. Made from natural hemp fibers, this paper is smoother, stronger, softer and produces less ash residue. Pure hemp...

Go deep with DjEEP.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... New for 2004, DjEEP Disposable Lighters is introducing its Aquarium line of disposable lighters. The new lighters, which are distributed by Swedish Match North America, come in the distinctive DjEEP shape with five tropical photo designs. The...

TarGard introduces Mini Filter line.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... In October, Venturi, Inc., released the new, low-profile Mini Filter version of its TarGard Cigarette Filters. The Mini Filter has a more streamlined profile for smokers who want more discretion with a cleaner smoking experience. It is the...

Cigarettes made with Vitamin E.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... New E Cigarettes from Tobaccoville USA, Inc., contain premium tobacco enhanced with natural Vitamin E that is released when smoked. This produces a better-tasting, smoother cigarette that gives smokers the potential benefits of Vitamin E not...

End the urge to smoke when you can't smoke.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Endit Smokeless Inhalers from Franzus Co., LLC, help smokers stop their urge to smoke for long periods of time. The inhalers have real tobacco taste, but contain no tobacco or nicotine, and produce no smoke. Endit Smokeless Inhalers can be used...

New Apple of the cigar-smoker's eye.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... John Middleton, Inc., has expanded its popular line of pipe-tobacco cigars with the launch of new Black & Mild Apple. The introduction of Black & Mild Apple builds on John Middleton's Black & Mild line that also includes the original Black &...

Get a grip on your new Scripto lighter.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Scripto has introduced a line of "Cool Drinks" lighter wraps featuring light beer, dark beer, ale and cola designs. "Cool Drinks Textured Grip Lighters" feature a unique feel that resembles the texture of condensation and foam running down the...

Republic Tobacco adds Flavors to its Golden Wraps line.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Republic Tobacco L.P. has introduced Golden Wrap Flavored Tobacco Wraps, available in Strawberry, Chocolate and Coconut flavors. Like the Original and Cognac-flavored Golden Wraps, the new booklets each carry 20 leaves made with the finest...

Felipe Gregorio introduces Ozona Cherry snuff to market.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Felipe Gregorio Tobacco World, Inc., has added Ozona Cherry to its line of flavored nasal snuff. The Ozona flavors are called "fresh and fruity," and the ripe-fruit flavors are in delicate balance with the chilling sensation of menthol. Ozona...

New Dunhill Lighters arrive in time for spring.(Product News)
February 1, 2004... Just in time for the spring buying season, the new Dunhill Rollagas Lighter designs have arrived in the United States. Music City Marketing, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Dunhill, is offering five brand-new designs of the popular Rollagas...