Tobacco Retailer articles from February 2005

Tobacco Retailer archives from February 2005

Money well spent.(EDITOR'S NOTE)(relief efforts from the tobacco industry)
February 1, 2005... Unfortunately, all too often the only time people from diverse cultures and backgrounds are brought together is when they are rallying around a common cause. Even more often, that cause is often preceded by a disaster, either natural or...

States shirking program spending.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(smoking-prevention programs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In December, a report issued by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids stated that only Delaware, Maine and Mississippi are spending the minimum amount...

Philip Morris, RJR bump cigarette prices.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... In December, Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA, Richmond, Va., initiated a long-awaited increase in cigarette prices, providing what some analysts consider the first sign of life in the United States cigarette market since 2002. Philip...

Ohio Court bans matchbook ads.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Matchbooks given out at bars and stores cannot bear advertising for cigarettes or other tobacco products under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in late December. The promotional matchbooks fit the...

North Carolina court enforces Grower Settlement Trust amendment.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A North Carolina court ruled in December that, as a result of passage of the quota buyout legislation in October, the cigarette manufacturers participating in the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust are not required to make trust payments...

Retailer of the Year winners announced.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Star Liquor )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., Santa Fe, N.M., has announced the winners of the Natural American Spirit Retailer of the Year 2004 Display Contest. Entrants, who competed for over $25,000 in cash prizes, were required to create a Natural American...

General Tobacco makes first MSA payment.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Master Settlement Agreement)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, Miami-based General Tobacco made its first payment of more than $30 million into the tobacco industry's Master Settlement Agreement. General Tobacco's payment is the first in an agreed upon total amount which could reach $1.7...

Michigan MSA attorney passes away.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Obituary)
February 1, 2005... Stewart "Stew" Freeman, a long-time state attorney who went after fraudulent businesses and led the case that captured billions of dollars for Michigan from tobacco companies, recently died at the age of 63, reported The Associated Press,...

FKI Security Group acquires McGunn Safe Company.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... FKI Security Group, New Albany, Ind., has acquired the McGunn Safe Company of Des Plaines; Ill. "McGunn Safe's manufacturing capabilities, distribution channels and marketing efforts will be greatly enhanced by this deal," said Alan...

Global anti-smoking pact to take effect.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... On Feb. 28, a global anti-smoking treaty--covering everything from guidelines for cigarette-pack health warnings to increased tobacco taxes to tougher measures against cigarette smuggling--will take effect. On Nov. 30, Peru became the 40th...

Study: Marlboro Lights smokers unaware of tar levels.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... How many light or ultra-light cigarettes would someone have to smoke to get the same amount of tar as from one regular cigarette? The correct answer is one, but only a handful of those who smoked Marlboro Lights, the leading cigarette sold...

Swisher announces sales organization promotions.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Effective Jan. 1, Bill Dunn and Donnie Shadburn were promoted to the positions of vice president-sales and Mark Turner and Bill Schoep were promoted to director-national accounts for Jacksonville, Fla.-based Swisher International. Dunn...

Ioos joins Republic Tobacco as new president.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Donald R. Levin, chairman of Glenview, Ill.-based Republic Tobacco LP, has announced his appointment of Carl Ioos as president of the company, which Levin founded in 1969. The move will allow Levin to focus on the growing global business...

San Diego band wins Zippo contest.(ZIPPO HOT TOUR)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In the 2004 Zippo Hot Tour contest, which wrapped up December 31, fans chose San Diego's 3against 1 as the top band. The band won a full equipment package from tour partners Tama Drums, Washburn Guitar and Randall Amps, and a chance to land a...

Two Torano offerings earn 2004 honors.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Miami-based Torano Cigars recently received top honors in two leading cigar publications. The November issue of Robb Report named the Torano Tribute Maduro as one of the top five new cigars. Cigar Aficionado's November issue named the Carlos...

Suffolk County adopts controversial "Tobacco 19" law.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(legal purchase age for tobacco users)
February 1, 2005... Effective Jan. 1, tobacco retailers in Suffolk County, N.Y., became required to display two virtually identical signs side by side: one saying the legal purchase age for tobacco is 18, the other saying it's 19. Ignoring the objections of...

R.J. Reynolds Foundation donates to tsunami victims.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, the R.J. Reynolds Foundation, Winston-Salem, N.C., donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross International Disaster Relief Fund to aid victims of the December tsunami in Southeast Asia. "Because of the magnitude of this...

Heavenly, Puros Indios participate in Florida fundraisers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Heavenly Cigar Company, Naples, Fla., recently sponsored charity events, hosted separately by magnate Donald Trump and The Tonight Show's Jay Leno. The company donated funds, Heaven premium flavored cigars and the presence of Heaven's Angels at...

New York raises minimum wage.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(New York Association of Convenience Stores)
February 1, 2005... In the eyes of many, the New York State Legislature socked retailers with a one-two punch in December, approving a phased-in, $2-per-hour minimum wage increase, while allowing Gov. George Pataki's veto of tax fairness legislation to stand. ...

Wellstone acquires Silverton brand from Seneca Cayuga.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... On Jan. 3, Wellstone Filters, Timberlake, N.C., announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire and distribute Silverton brand cigarettes from Seneca Cayuga Tobacco Co., Grove, Okla. Wellstone plans to introduce its new Wellstone brand...

RJR says Star Scientific hard-tobacco tests failed.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Star Scientific Inc., Chester, Va., was taken aback in December when the news broke that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Winston-Salem, N.C., said market tests of Star Scientific's hard smokeless tobacco were a failure. The company said R.J....

Alec Bradley updates company logo.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In response to major company growth over the past five years, Alec Bradley Cigar Company, Plantation, Fla., has introduced a new company logo. "Alec Bradley Cigar Company has undergone major growth changes in our five years as a premium...

Tobacco veterans form discount brokerage firm.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(brokerage firms)(Discount Tobacco Services )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, tobacco-industry veterans Ed Murry and Jeff Doehring partnered to form a brokerage firm for discount cigarettes and related products. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Discount Tobacco Services will act as a go-between for manufacturers,...

Michigan calls for end of flavored cigarettes.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, Michigan's two top health officials asked U.S. tobacco companies to stop making flavored cigarettes, arguing that names such as "Winter Mocha Mint" and "Warm Winter Toffee" are aimed at children and adults who aren't smokers. ...

Iowa Governor wants cigarette tax increase.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said the state's Legislature should consider an increase in the state's cigarette tax to help fund a shortfall in the Medicaid program, which has a shortfall of about $70 million. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Flight attendant wins case against cigarette companies.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... In December, the Associated Press reported that a Florida state appeals court had upheld a $500,000 award to a flight attendant who blamed secondhand smoke on airliners for her bronchitis and sinus disease. The decision could clear the way for...

Study: children's test scores linked to secondhand smoke.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... In January, USA Today reported that children exposed to secondhand smoke have lower test scores in reading, math and problem-solving, according to research published in the January issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. [ILLUSTRATION...

Altria donates $1 million to tsunami relief.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In January, Altria Group pledged to donate at least $1 million to the relief efforts following the December tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. "To help with immediate needs, we contributed $150,000 to Americares for their first emergency...

Guidance available on Health Savings Accounts.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2005... The U.S. Treasury Department and IRS have issued new guidance on the maximum contribution levels for Health Savings Accounts and out-of-pocket spending limits for High Deductible Health Plans that must be used in conjunction with HSAs. ...

Survey: many smokers are misinformed about cigarettes' ingredients, dangers.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2005... Results from a national survey of adult smokers released in December found that most smokers are misinformed about the ingredients in cigarettes, they don't realize that there are no health benefits associated with filtered and low-tar...

A fresh approach: from candles to sprays to absorption products, odor neutralizers can be big business for retailers.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... Odor is a big industry. Just ask any specialty retailer and they'll tell you that candles, air fresheners and odor-absorption products are on fire. And the tobacco industry is no exception. In fact, tobacco consumers are buying "odor-eating"...

Smart safeguarding: effective use of age-verification technology can eliminate many retailer concerns.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2005... Tobacco retailers today are facing mounting pressure to accurately verify the age of customers, with underage sales of tobacco carrying a range of threats, from fines to loss of license. CTS retailers are being targeted more and more by Bureau...

Forging ahead: premium-cigarette makers face another year of pricing, smoking ban and litigation landmines.(PRODUCT PROFILE)
February 1, 2005... While the supply side of the tobacco equation gets more attention--and more money--in 2005, the tobacco retailer will face increased pressures of price, taxes, industry consolidation and, of course, litigation. The optimism in the...

A step up: NATO Expo relocates to the expansive comforts of the Las Vegas Convention Center.(SHOW PREVIEW)(National Association of Tobacco Outlet)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... Exhibiting the precociousness of a child prodigy, the NATO Expo, in just its third year of existence, has taken the leap to the big time. After spending its first two years in the cozy environs of Las Vegas' Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino...

Communicating for success.(THE PERSONNEL TOUCH)(New Year's resolutions are trying our best to turn these resolutions into realities)
February 1, 2005... Now that the new year is upon us, those of us who make New Year's resolutions are trying our best to turn these resolutions into realities. The same is true for your business, although you probably don't refer to it as resolutions, more like...

Attend the NATO Expo.(NATO NEWS)(National Association of Tobacco Outlets)(The focus of the 2005 National Association of Tobacco Outlets Conference and Expo is "Strategies for Sales Growth")
February 1, 2005... The focus of the 2005 NATO Conference and Expo is "Strategies for Sales Growth" and all NATO members are highly encouraged to attend this annual trade show. To help tobacco stores increase sales, the NATO Expo includes seminars on selling...

Boston Cigar Cutters return to market.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Boston Cigar Cutter Company has returned to full operation after a four-year hiatus. With that, the company has resumed production of its original cat's-eye cutters, the Classic Boston Cigar Cutter and the "Little Guy" pocket cutter. The...

Perdormo Reserve is "made in the shade".(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. has introduced "shaded" cigar cellophane to its La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve cigar line. Called CelloSHADE, the "shaded" cigar cellophane is a proprietary development to help protect cigars from undesirable ultraviolet...

Edicion de Silvio Humidor launched.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. has announced that shipment of its Edicion de Silvio Museum Humidor retail display unit has begun. The Edicion de Silvio Museum Humidor, believed to be the only free-standing humidor/display case ever designed for a...

Arango Pipe Spray refreshes all pipes.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Arango Cigar Co. is once again offering Arango Pipe Spray. Arango Pipe Spray refreshes and sweetens all pipes, even those with heavy deposits of sour-tasting buildup in their stems and bowls. It dries almost instantly and pipes can be smoked...

"Excellence" is latest Felipe Gregorio offering.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Felipe Gregorio, Inc. has released "Excellence." The medium-bodied Excellence is made in 6 X 42 size only. It is distinguished by a twisted-flag, or "curly" head. The filler and binder are grown near Villa Gonzalez, Dominican Republic, and are...

Nicovite vitamin made for smokers.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Kera Industries has developed a daily multivitamin specifically formulated for smokers called Nicovite. Nicovite does not contain beta carotene, a common ingredient in standard multivitamins and one that has been shown in clinical studies to be...

Add flavor to smoking with Juicy Jay's Rolls.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... New for 2005, HBI International has introduced Juicy Jay's Rolls. Juicy Jay's Rolls are five meters of flavored fun in every box. Now the consumer gets to decide the length of their tastiest smoking experience. The rolls are made with the same...

Killer Rippers will make customers scream for more.(PRODUCT NEWS)
February 1, 2005... Halloween is here and gone, but heads will roll all year long with Killer Rippers, introduced by HBI International. Inspired by early 1980s slasher films, Killer Rippers will make customers scream. These hemp papers are perfect for horror fans...