Tobacco Retailer articles from June 2005

Tobacco Retailer archives from June 2005

It's a Web site!(editor's note)(decorating the site)(Editorial)
June 1, 2005... Like expectant fathers pacing a hospital waiting room, we here at Tobacco Retailer had been on pins and needles the final weeks of May. We had been anxiously awaiting an arrival and now that the due date was drawing closer, we could hardly...

States targeting online smokers.(taxation includes for online tobacco purchasing)
June 1, 2005... Smokers who buy cigarettes on the Internet as a means to avoid taxes may have to pay up. NACS Daily reported earlier this year that state tax departments in Michigan and New York were asking residents who avoid paying taxes on cigarette sales...

Altadis wins $3.5 million in counterfeiting case.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2005... On March 25, the U.S. District Court in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., awarded Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Altadis U.S.A. and their subsidiaries judgments totaling $3.5 million in their counterfeiting and trademark infringement lawsuit against two now...

Oklahoma commission cracks down on Internet sales.(impact of online marketing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In April, Oklahoma Tax Commission visited 1,250 licensed tobacco retailers in the northern part of Oklahoma in an effort to collect unpaid taxes on cigarettes, reported the Associated Press. Paula Ross, a spokes-woman for the tax commission,...

PMUSA Web site available in Spanish.(enhancing the service)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris USA's Web site, which features the company's position on smoking and health, youth smoking prevention information, resources for people who have decided to quit smoking and countless other resources, is now...

Vermont senate approves fire-safe cigarettes.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2005... In April, Vermont state senators unanimously approved legislation that would require all cigarettes sold in the state to self-extinguish. Should the legislation become law, all cigarettes sold in Vermont would be deemed "fire-safe" by May 2006....

Carolina Tobacco Company applies to MSA.(Master Settlement Agreement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... In April, Carolina Tobacco Company, Portland, Ore., submitted its application to become a future signatory to the Master Settlement Agreement. CTC's application has been submitted to the National Association of Attorneys General, which...

General Tobacco selects new headquarters location.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2005... In May, Miami-based General Tobacco announced that it had completed negotiations on the construction of a new 300,000-square-foot facility that will serve as the company's new headquarters. The facility will allow General Tobacco to consolidate...

Entries sought for NAS Retailer of the Year.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. is kicking off its 2005 National American Spirit Retailer of the Year Contest with $40,000 in cash prizes, including a $5,000 Grand Prize, up for grabs to participating retailers. Every retailer that enters the...

NYACS demands enforcement of non-trust Indian stores.(New York Association of Convenience Stores)
June 1, 2005... The New York Association of Convenience Stores has called upon New York state agencies to immediately enforce tax, health and environmental laws on Native American-operated stores that are located neither on a reservation nor on land placed in...

N.Y. proposes increasing smoking age.(New York legislation increased the age)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Legislation introduced by New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. which would attempt to curb teen smoking by raising the state's legal smoking age to 19, has caused mixed emotions among supporters and critics. According to Blair Homer...

N.C. retailers curb underage sales.(North Carolina and its association arranged a compaign for youth)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... North Carolina retailers are doing their part to ensure cigarettes stay out of the hands of teenagers. Dubbed the 'Red Flag' campaign, three state agencies and various retailers announced in April a new and voluntary initiative that...

Study: smokeless tobacco an effective stop-smoking strategy.(smoke with limited nicotine)
June 1, 2005... A clinical study of a novel tobacco harm-reduction strategy shows that smokeless tobacco can help inveterate smokers quit smoking indefinitely. The study, which appeared in the March issue of the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, reported on...

USSTC enhances Online Poker Championship.(introduced Online Poker Championship)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, Greenwich, Conn., has launched the 2005 Copenhagen $100,000 Online Poker Championship, which will provide adults with the chance to win the cash grand prize and a seat at the World Series of Poker. Adults...

ATF reviewing classification of "little cigars".(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has issued a bulletin announcing that the definition of "little cigars" is being reviewed for possible classification as cigarettes. According to the ATF, over the past several...

Torano Cigars names new president.(Charlie Torano as president)
June 1, 2005... Miami-based Torano Cigars has announced the appointment of Charlie Torano as the company's new president, succeeding his father, Carlos Torano. Carlos Torano, who has held the post since 1981, will continue as chairman of the board of the...

Empty lighters allowed in checked luggage.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Effective May 16, new, empty lighters again were permitted in checked luggage as they are not considered hazardous material. The Transportation Security Administration prohibited-items list was updated and it now makes it clear that these...

Altadis promotion to benefit Relief Organization.(planning to expand)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Altadis U.S.A., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has announced a promotion to take place at select retail tobacconists during the month of July. The promotion's goal is to raise more than $1 million for the charitable World of Montecristo Relief...

Coalition of business organizations applaud credit-card fee conference.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
June 1, 2005... A coalition of business organizations has applauded the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City for holding a conference in May on credit and debit card interchange fees, saying the rapidly escalating fees amount to a hidden tax on U.S. consumers....

'Less is more: new flavors, discounting and pouches continue to drive smokeless tobacco's growth.(COVER STORY)
June 1, 2005... Without a doubt, the smokeless tobacco category continues to be a hot, innovative one. "The Smoke Scene, U.S. Tobacco Trade Survey, First Quarter 2005," a report prepared by Smith Barney Citigroup, confirms this description. Data supplied for...

A good impression: retailers face product display challenges head on by focusing on presentation.(OPERATIONS)
June 1, 2005... In an age of pervasive branding, product image and display are more important than ever. Undeniably, product displays often make the difference in store sales and repeat business. Tobacco retailers bring a unique set of challenges to product...

A tasty trend: flavored cigars tap niche by appealing to a smoker's palate.(PRODUCT PROFILE)
June 1, 2005... In this global marketplace every industry has to adapt, change and evolve to meet the frequently changing likes and dislikes of the consumer. And the cigar segment of the tobacco industry is no exception. With the resurgence of interest in...

Southern comfort: RTDA Convention & Trade Show heads to the Big Easy, New Orleans.(SHOW PREVIEW)(Calendar)
June 1, 2005... With its arrival in New Orleans, the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America has adopted a theme of "Big & Easy" for this year's RTDA Convention & International Trade Show, the association's 73rd. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Namely, with over...

Bigger and better: relocated NATO Expo sets new attendance records.(SHOW REVIEW)(National Association of Tobacco Outlets )
June 1, 2005... Proving that bigger can indeed be better, the newly relocated NATO Conference & Exposition took to its new surroundings at the Las Vegas Convention Center like a duck to water. After two successful years at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino,...

Why employees quit.(labor relations in the industry)
June 1, 2005... Employee turnover is one of the most frustrating business issues facing retailers, since it negatively impacts the business in three ways: 1. Expense 2. Customer service 3. Teamwork and morale If you haven't already...

Turning the tables.(North Atlantic Treaty Organization)(new bills for tobacco)
June 1, 2005... NATO and its members have been working very hard on more than 100 tobacco-related bills throughout the country and the outcome of many state legislative sessions has been very positive for tobacco stores. * Smoking bans banished. As of...

Mya Cigar Stand offers versatility.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... The new Mya Cigar Stand from Consort Display Group offers multiple styles and options for the cigar enthusiast, and it's perfect for the den and patio. This personal-sized ash stand, designed for tapping within an arm's reach, has three...

Camel completes line with Turkish Silver.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... In May, Camel introduced a new member to its Turkish family of brand styles: Turkish Silver. Building on the momentum of the Turkish family's reintroduction during the first quarter of 2005, Turkish Silver, a lights style, rounds out the...

Alec Bradley Medalist targets advanced smokers.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Alec Bradley Cigar Company has introduced Alec Bradley Medalist, its first full-bodied premium cigar. This large ring-gauge cigar is available in several shapes. It combines Costa Rican wrapper, Connecticut binder and filler from three...

Heavenly goes "tubing" with new presentation.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Heavenly Cigar Company has introduced a "Stairway to Heaven" tubed presentation for five of its premium flavored cigars. Heavenly also is offering a Stairway to Heaven sampler assortment package of the same five flavors. The tubed presentation...

Scripto introduces C-thru 3-D lighters.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Scripto Tokai Corp.'s new line of "Stars & Stripes" C-thru lighters feature a clear-wrap design that gives the image a 3-D effect. The designs display images of American icons with the American Flag as the backdrop. This line is offered with a...

Troya line latest from Lignum-2.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Troya cigars from Lignum-2, Inc. are handmade in the Dominican Republic using the finest aged Piloto Cubano and Olor tobaccos. They are rolled in authentic Connecticut seed or African Cameroon wrappers. The Troya X-tra line is handmade in...

Easy-Stak system fits many footprints.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... The KD cigarette merchandising system from California Quality Plastics features widths from one foot to four feet and heights from two feet to more than eight feet. Slanted shelves for cartons, pack pushers for packs and flat shelves for cigars...

Altadis U.S.A. offers Montecristo Golf Sets.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Altadis U.S.A. is offering the perfect item for cigar-loving golfers: Montecristo Golf Sets. Packaged in wooden gift boxes that can double as humidors, and bearing the Montecristo emblem, each set contains 27 Montecristo cigars in a variety of...

Smokin Joes adds Little Cigar flavors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Smokin Joes has introduced the newest members of its Little Cigar family, Grape and Peach. Both flavors are available in Kings and 100s and are packaged in 20-count packs with 10 packs per carton. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Smokin Joes ...

Davidoff of Geneva offering Bundled cigars.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Davidoff of Geneva has created two new presentations for its line of Hendrik Kelner cigars. The 4 X 4 Bundled offering is available in six sizes (Churchill, Corona, Figurado, Lonsdale, Petit Corona and Robusto) with 16 individually cellophaned...

Swedish match North America launches Timber Wolf Apple.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Timber Wolf set the standard as the first high-quality alternative to premium-priced moist snuff brands. Now the most innovative brand in the price-value segment is bringing you another exciting flavor: Timber Wolf Long Cut Apple. It's a rich,...

DigiVU technology can ease ID process.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Sherwood Technology Ltd. has launched DigiVU, its newest color change solution designed to provide high-level features for the protection of documents, products and brands. Its DigiVU MICROREAD option has been created to increase document...

XPL gum eliminates nicotine from system.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... XPL Innovations, Inc. has created XPL, the only gum product available in the United States that is scientifically proven to help the body break down and expel nicotine. XPL uses an all-natural, proprietary blend of ingredients called Nico-N....

XIKAR introduces pocket cigar case.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... XIKAR has created a new line of products designed to prevent cigars from drying out or being damaged by the elements. The new line includes a pocket cigar case that incorporates black armada leather, white contrast stitching and stainless...

Arango gets in sync with Credo Synchro.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Arango Cigar Co. is now offering the Credo Synchro cigar cutter. The Credo Synchro line features two synchronized blades made of Japanese stainless steel. The Credo Synchro can accommodate cigars up to a ring gauge of 54. The Credo Synchro line...

Doran introduces new scale platform line.(PRODUCT NEWS)
June 1, 2005... Doran Scales has introduced its Model DMS Series Scale Base. The series is available in maximum capacities from 100 to 1,000 pounds and base sizes of 18" X 18", 18" X 24" and 24" X 24". A two-part polyurethane finish provides wear and abrasion...