Tobacco Retailer articles from October 2003

Tobacco Retailer archives from October 2003

Carnival atmosphere.(Editor's Note)(Column)
October 1, 2003... All kids love carnivals. The rides. The games. The cotton candy. I was one of those kids, gleefully tooling around the grounds, trying my hand at the games of chance, suppressing my fear of clowns in order to get a balloon animal in the shape...

PM, RJR abandon wholesale offers.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... In late August, there were indications that New York-based Philip Morris USA will be terminating its Wholesale Leaders '03 Program effective Dec. 27th. More importantly, the company will no longer be giving pay-for-performance cents off in the...

Master pipe carvers come to Nashville.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Pipe smokers and collectors got a chance to meet their favorite artists in Nashville, Tenn., when some of the most gifted and renowned pipe carvers in the world arrived for the 2003 Nashville Pipe Show. The event was free to the public and...

Tax-free cigarette buyers may be new target.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The New York Tax Department may try a different tactic to crack down on the sale of untaxed tobacco products: it is set to go after the buyers. The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported in July that tax officials are collaborating with federal and...

USSTC enters deep-discount smokeless category.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Management with Greenwich, Conn.-based U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. stated in a conference call on July 18 that it will be introducing a new brand that will compete against Grizzly, the "deep-discount" brand that is manufactured by Memphis,...

Toledo drops proposed cigarette tax.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A proposal to increase Toledo, Ohio's, tax on cigarettes and alcohol was dropped from consideration in August. The city's proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol was expected to be on the Nov. 4 ballot. It was proposed in...

Lobby day targets FDA regulation.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... In an attempt to put the brakes on legislation that could lead to Food & Drug Administration regulation of the sale of tobacco products, the National Association of Convenience Stores, Society for Independent Gasoline Marketers of America and...

FDA rules Ariva a tobacco product.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... On Aug. 29, Chester, Va.-based Star Scientific, Inc., announced that the Food & Drug Administration had issued an opinion letter denying multiple citizen petitions seeking to have that agency regulate the company's compressed smokeless tobacco...

Zippo produces 400 millionth lighter.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, Pa., produced the 400 millionth lighter in its 71-year history at 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 3, at the company's manufacturing plant in Bradford. The milestone lighter, which was a deep-carved, high-polish Armor...

Milestone lighter.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... George Duke, third-generation owner of Zippo Manufacturing Company holds two milestone lighters in the company's 71-year history: the original 1933 Zippo Windproof Pocket Lighter, left, and lighter number 400 million, a deep-carved, high-polish...

Massachusetts eyes cigarette-tax evaders.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The party may be over for smokers who have been evading Massachusetts' $1.51 per-pack tax by purchasing cigarettes from remote sellers. The state is actively seeking to collect taxes from people who buy smokes from the Internet or...

N.Y.'s pre-paid sales tax increases.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] September brought another cash-flow hit for New York CTS and convenience-store operators in the form of a three-cents-per-pack increase in the prepaid state sales tax on cigarettes. Retailers and wholesalers had...

Attorneys general target silver-screen smoking.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... If attorneys general from 24 states have their way, actors will be lighting up less often in movies. The attorneys general sent a letter to Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, calling for a reduction in...

Georgia Man wins Sweepstakes.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... Timber Wolf and Red Man recently completed their national "Outfitted For Life Sweepstakes," awarding shopping sprees from Cabela's, labeled the "World's Foremost Outfitter for Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Gear." "We're pleased to be able...

Big winner.(Industry News)(Georgia man wins "Outfitted For Life Sweepstakes" contest)
October 1, 2003... Paul Huff of Covington, Ga., the winner of the "Outfitted For Life Sweepstakes" sponsored by Timber Wolf and Red Man smokeless tobacco, poses with some of the merchandise he purposed with the Grand Prize, a $10,000 shopping spree at Cabela's...

Delaware latest to hike cigarette tax.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... On Aug. 1, the state excise tax for cigarettes in Delaware more than doubled as it rose from 24 cents to 55 cents per pack. With the hike, Delaware became the 16th state to increase its cigarette taxes in 2003; in 2002, 21 states passed or...

New cigarette has lower cancer-causing chemicals.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... A team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University has found sharply reduced levels of the cancer-causing chemicals, nitrosamines, during its independent testing of the Advance cigarette, suggesting some progress by the tobacco industry...

N.Y amends regulations on fire-retardant cigarettes.(Industry News)(New York Department of State regulations)
October 1, 2003... On Aug. 22, the New York Department of State revised its regulations pertaining to the 2000 law on fire-retardant cigarettes. The state will now require bands to be attached to cigarette paper to retard the burning down of cigarettes in order...

MCM adds Larsen pipes to distribution lineup.(Industry News)(Music City Marketing of United States becomes the distributor of W.O. Larsen pipes of Denmark)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... In August, Music City Marketing, Nashville, Tenn., announced that it had been named the exclusive United States distributor of W.O. Larsen pipes of Denmark. Founded in 1854, W.O. Larsen pipes are recognized as one of Denmark's most highly...

Report: "freebase" nicotine controls addiction.(Industry News)
October 1, 2003... Researchers from the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore., recently reported that the amount of "freebase" nicotine in a cigarette determines how addictive it is. The scientists studied 11 cigarette brands sold in the...

Internet legislation winds through Congress.(Washington Report)
October 1, 2003... On July 24, Reps. Mark Green, R-Wis., and Marty Meehan, D-Mass., introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives to strengthen federal regulations on tobacco sales over the Internet. Reps. Green and Meehan have called...

Divide and conquer: selling smokeless means stocking snuff and loose leaf, premium and deep-discount brands.(Cover Story)
October 1, 2003... For tobacco retailers and tobacco companies, the smokeless-tobacco industry can offer plenty of opportunity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chester, Va.-based Star Scientific, a technology-oriented tobacco company, sees opportunity in the...

Digital world: as cigarette theft goes up, the price of digital security is going down. Is it time to upgrade?(Operations)(Related Article: Custom security )
October 1, 2003... If there was ever a time to reevaluate your security setup, that time is now. Increasing cigarette taxes and rising prices have increased the number of thefts cigarette/tobacco stores (CTSs) are enduring and, as long as prices remain high,...

A low-tech solution.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... It's three in the morning on a Saturday. Thieves have broken your store window and are grabbing as much product as they can. Your alarm goes off, but by the time the police arrive at your store, the criminals are gone--along with hundreds of...

Discovering discount: CTS retailers find success with cigarettes for the cost-conscious.(Product Profile)
October 1, 2003... CTS retailers today are likely paying more attention to their cigarette sales, with new taxes, price hikes and surcharges on cigarettes all taking their toll on retailer profits. Many of these retailers are taking note of savvy customers now...

What employees really want.(The Personnel Touch)
October 1, 2003... What do your employees want from you, the boss, and more specifically, from their job? Have you ever sat down and really thought hard about that question. Better yet, have you asked your employees? It's surprising the disconnect between...

FDA tobacco vote delayed.(Nato News)
October 1, 2003... A vote by the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions regarding legislation granting the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution and sale of tobacco products was...

www.triononline.com.(Web Directory)
October 1, 2003... Trion Industries, Inc., recently unveiled a new Web site devoted to the company's point-of-purchase fixtures. The site features information on Trion's entire line, including display and scanning hooks, shelf-edge and storewide label systems,...

www.zigzag.com.(Web Directory)
October 1, 2003... With machine-made cigarette prices continuing to sky-rocket, the roll-your-own/make-your-own realm is one that many disgruntled smokers are investigating. But just how much can you save? The Internet home of the North Atlantic Trading Company,...

www.silentwitness.com.(Web Directory)
October 1, 2003... With loss prevention the No. 1 concern of retailers in today's market, Silent Witness Enterprises has stepped to the fore by offering a complete line of video-surveillance equipment. All of that equipment is copiously reviewed on the company's...

www.kmm-inc.com.(Web Directory)
October 1, 2003... Just short of celebrating 10 years in business, King Maker Marketing is one of the most successful fourth-tier/discount cigarette distributors in the country, while also being an aggressive contributor to, and supporter of, the MSA. In fact,...

A new way to make-your-own.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... On Nov. 1, Zig-Zag will introduce the Precision-Pro filter cigarette-making machine. This machine makes King Size and 100s cigarettes at the press of a button. The large, easy-to-grip design with smooth-action performance is user friendly. For...

Keep cars smelling fresh and clean.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Aries Manufacturing is introducing a new way to keep the inside of your car clean and clear of odors such as those caused by smoking. Called Drive Fresh, it is an adjustable car-freshening system that uses replaceable gel cartridges and plugs...

Puros Indios goes rustic with new cigar.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... The latest cigar from Puros Indios combines a four-year-old Habana 2000 wrapper and a unique presentation. The Cienfuegos is available in toro, presidente, robusto, and piramides No. 3 (40 x 5) and No. 4 (45 x 5-1/2) sizes. The Habana 2000...

New name for MacBaren Scottish Mixture Mild.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... In compliance with new legislation in the European Union prohibiting the use of the term "Mild" in the naming of tobacco products, MacBaren Pipe Tobacco has effected a worldwide change in the name of some products. Scottish Mixture Mild is now...

New spray helps neutralize odors.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Intromark, Inc., has introduced Smoke-B-Gone, a non-aerosol neutralizer that helps eliminate unpleasant cigarette and cigar smoke odors. The patented formula also sterilizes airborne bacteria caused by smoke. Smoke-B-Gone is environmentally...

Sante Fe changes packaging on premium rolling tobacco.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Sante Fe Natural Tobacco Co. has changed the color of the packaging on its line of Original Blend Premium Rolling Tobacco from yellow to the company's blue flagship color. The tobacco is available in 40-gram pouches of regular cut and in a...

Lignum-2 introduces Candle-scented cigars.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Lignum-2 has unveiled a new line of small, flavored cigars. Called Candlelight Gentle Aroma Senoritas, they provide a mild, aromatic and satisfying experience for flavored-cigars smokers. They are sealed in an aluminum packaging system that...

Kretek adds several Indian-style cigarettes.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Kretek International has announced the availability of several new Indian-style cigarettes today. Darshan cigarettes are packaged in display cartons of 10 packs of 10 cigarettes. They are available in Chocolate, Strawberry, Mango, Vanilla, Wild...

Heavenly Cherub line adds three new flavors.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... The Heavenly Cigar Company has released three new flavors in its Cherub line of small cigars. These premium, handmade, Dominican "babies" are the newest addition to the Heavenly Flavor Collection. Previously available in the Heavenly Vanilla...

Torano debuts three new premium-cigar brands.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Torano Cigars has introduced three entirely new brands. The first offering is the Carlos Torano 1916, which features a Cameroon wrapper around a unique filler blend. It is available in 5-1/2 x 42, 5-1/2 x 52, 7 x 48 and 6-1/2 x 56 torpedo sizes...

Perdomo extends Reserve line.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Tabacalera Perdomo S.A. has extended its La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve line. The new brand extension will symbolize the popular and diverse convergence of genuine African Cameroon wrappers with all-Cuban seed Nicaraguan tobaccos. The La...

U.S. Cigar sales updates Helix, Vega Talanga lines.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... U.S. Cigar has changed the packaging of its Helix cigar line, while introducing the Corojo Series to its line of Vega Talanga cigars. Helix cigars will now be available in aluminum tubes. In addition, two Helix shapes, the Cylinder (6-1/2 x 44)...

Indianhead enters pipe market.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Indianhead has introduced two new lines of value-priced pipes. The European-made pipes include classic straight, bent and half-bent shapes. They are all made from aged briar and have vulcanite stems. The board pipes come 12 to a carton in seven...

Heavenly commissions two new flavors.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Heavenly Cigar Company has added two new selections to its lineup of premium flavored cigars, Orange Dreamsicle and Grape Goddess. These 100 percent long-filler cigars are available in Petite (5 x 30) and Corona...

For the hobbit in all of us.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The silver screen comes to life with the unveiling of the limited edition Lord pipe from Music City Marketing and Stanwell of Denmark. Inspired by the popular movie and series of books, The Lord of the Rings, The...

Tatiana premium cigars in new counter-top display.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Miami Cigar & Company created its new Evolution countertop display for the company's line of Tatiana flavored premium cigars. Miami Cigar sells Tatiana Miniatures individually and in European-style, hinged-lid tins of 10 cigars. To effectively...

New Arango pipes combine flair, quality and pricing.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Arango Cigar Co. is now the exclusive United States importer for two Italian pipe makers. Torino pipes are made by a third-generation family of artisans in the northern region of Italy known for its fine briar pipes. Their briar is aged at...

Ovation adds to Bradley Trilogy line.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Alec Bradley Cigar Co. has unveiled the 100 percent long-filler, handmade Trilogy Ovation, the second release in the Trilogy series. Unlike the original three-sided Trilogy, the Ovation is round in cross-section and comes in two sizes, 54 x...

Beach Cigar introduces Regent premium line.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... After five years in the making, Beach Cigar Group has announced the introduction of its latest premium cigar line, the Regent. The 100 percent long-leaf filler cigar is handmade in Honduras. The Regent is a box-pressed cigar, with Havana 2000...

Kretek debuts first Liquor-flavored cigarettes.(Product News)
October 1, 2003... Like many alternative-flavored products, LUSH Hard cigarettes are the very first Liquor flavored cigarettes. LUSH hard cigarettes are available in several flavors with the promise of more to come. Currently they are available in Cherry...