Tobacco Retailer articles from October 2004

Tobacco Retailer archives from October 2004

Judgment day approaches.(EDITOR'S NOTE)
October 1, 2004... As September closed, the wrangling in Congress over whether or not the Food and Drug Administration would gain control over the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products in this country--a move that many trade associations and cigarette...

RJR, B&W merger officially completed.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.)(R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc.)
October 1, 2004... On July 30, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C., and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Louisville, Ky., completed the transaction that formed a new publicly traded company, called Reynolds American Inc., and combined...

Tobacco industry execs urge rejection of buyout tax hike.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
October 1, 2004... In August, members of Congress heard from the top executives of 34 domestic tobacco manufacturers, in the form of a letter, about the effects a Senate amendment that includes the largest federal tax increase since 1992 would have on the...

Glass half full for small Tobacco manufacturers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
October 1, 2004... On Sept. 15, a federal judge said that small tobacco manufacturers are unlikely to succeed in their antitrust challenge to the national tobacco settlement, but he did give them a partial victory over the payments the agreement requires them to...

Altesse opens Austrian factory.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... June 26 marked the official opening of Altesse's new state-of-the-art filter-tube factory in Furstenfeld, Austria. The 50,000-square-foot facility was built on a four-acre site and is projected to increase Altesse's production capacity from 2.5...

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Altesse managing director Eike Haug said, All of us are thrilled to have this big and modern facility.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: In his speech at the opening ceremony, Altesse managing director Eike Haug said, "All of us are thrilled to have this big and modern facility. We can now meet the growing market demand as well as reinforce...

Washington, Yakima Nation reach tax agreement.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... In July, Washington state signed a cigarette-taxation agreement with the Yakama Nation. The agreement calls for the Yakama Nation to charge a tax equal to the combined state cigarette and sales tax on purchases made by non-Indians....

Search targets Oregon Internet retailer.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Tobacco Compliance Task Fo)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... On July 30, the Oregon Tobacco Compliance Task Force searched the offices of online retailer inexpensivesmokes.com. The TCTF executed the search warrant to collect evidence that the company was illegally selling and distributing cigarettes...

Feds stop smokeshop owner's "reign of terror".(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Smokeshop owner Rodney Morrison was arrested by federal agents in August, ending what officials called his "reign of terror" over other reservation cigarette vendors. Morrison, who owns the Peace Pipe Smoke Shop on the Poospatuck...

HBI Tobacco acquires Chills tobacco division.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Phoenix-based HBI Tobacco continued to add to its portfolio of RYO/MYO products with the acquisition of the tobacco division of the Sarasota, Fla.-based Chills brand. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now included in HBI's catalogue of products...

Massachusetts wins judgment against online vendor.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(eSmokes Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... In August, an online cigarette vendor was fined and prohibited from selling cigarettes via its Web site to customers in Massachusetts. The Boston Herald reported that Attorney General Tom Reilly won a $125,000 judgment against the Dirt...

Virginia increases cigarette tax.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... On Sept. 1, for the first time in 44 years, Virginia increased its cigarette tax. The state excise tax on cigarettes in Virginia increased from 2.5 cents per pack to 20 cents per pack. With the increase, Kentucky now has the nation's lowest...

Arizona smokes out mail-order customers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Arizona smokers who buy cigarettes from Internet or mail-order vendors could pay a hefty fine as the state seeks to recover lost tax revenue and prevent underage access to tobacco products. Consumers who break the law and attempt to...

Vibo joins MSA; vector sues ags.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Master Settlement Agreement )
October 1, 2004... In August, Miami-based Vibo Corp., agreed to pay approximately $1.7 billion over 10 years as part of the tobacco companies' settlement with the states. Vibo sells the generic cigarettes GT One, Bronco and Silver under the General Tobacco...

Health Canada wants simplified cigarette warnings.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Health Canada wants to tailor the warnings on cigarette packs to better reach certain segments of the population. Although federal officials said the health warnings that have been used since 2000 are "working well," they may not be...

Suing smokers recertified as a class.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... On Aug. 13, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts said a group of smokers who bought Marlboro Lights cigarettes in the state could sue as a class, as reported by Reuters. Last year, a justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court...

Swedish Match launches new snus.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Swedish Match North America, Richmond, Va., has announced that as a result of solid market performance in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has introduced reduced-harm tobacco products for cigarette smokers in both Chicago and Minneapolis....

Fawley new Reynolds American treasurer.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Daniel A. Fawley has been promoted to senior vice president and treasurer for Reynolds American Inc., succeeding Lynn L. Lane, who retired on Aug. 31. Fawley was previously vice president and assistant treasurer for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco...

Philip Morris fined for deleting e-mails.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
October 1, 2004... In July, a federal judge fined Philip Morris USA and its parent company, New York-based Altria Group Inc., $2.7 million for deleting e-mails that may be relevant in the government's lawsuit against the cigarette industry, reported the...

Perdomo cigars featured at MTV party.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Miami-based Tabacalera Perdomo, S.A., was selected as a sponsor of the 21st Annual 2004 MTV Video Music Awards't post-show celebrity party held at the National Hotel in South Beach on Aug. 29. The MTV Video Music Awards honor the best and...

Timber Wolf provides "Ultimate Racing Experience".(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Timber Wolf premium tobacco)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Timber Wolf premium tobacco recently completed its national "Ultimate Racing Experience" Sweepstakes, awarding racing trips and prizes to more than 90 winners. "Timber Wolf consumers are big fans of NASCAR and we're pleased to be able to...

Torano secures Humidipak for its cigar shipments.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Miami-based Torano Cigars will now benefit from two-way humidity control during shipping. Torano has started shipping its cigar brands with Humidipak, the world's first two-way humidity-control product. Sean Knutsen, CEO of Humidipak, and...

Way Out Wax partners with Miami Cigar & Co.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Way Out Wax, Morrisville, Vt., and Miami Cigar & Company have announced a new relationship that will co-market and distribute Way Out Wax's Vermont Naturals Clean Air product line that includes Candle Tins, Room Sprays, Pillar Candles,...

House votes to overturn overtime rules.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The United States House of Representatives voted on Sept. 9 to block the new overtime rules. Lawmakers voted 223-193 against the Department of Labor's efforts to modernize the outdated overtime regulations. All 200 voting Democrats, along with...

Health costs adding up for employers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Employer-sponsored health-insurance premiums increased an average of 11.2 percent in 2004. Although this figures is less than 2003's 13.9 percent increase, it is still the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to the 2004...

B&W debuts advance lights reduced-toxin cigarettes.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... This summer, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., Louisville, Ky., introduced Advance Lights, a premium cigarette that has the taste of leading light cigarettes but with less toxins, in the Phoenix metro area. Advance is a part of a new...

Over 60 trade organizations decry FDA regulation of tobacco products.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Food and Drug Administration)
October 1, 2004... The National Association of Convenience Stores and more than 60 national and state retail and wholesale organizations have urged members of Congress to seek changes to the Senate-passed Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco...

Brighter days ahead: innovative designs signal new future for lighter segment.
October 1, 2004... The disposable lighter segment has experienced a long and steady ride on the coattails of other segments of the CTS market, cigarettes and cigars alike. But lighters are shining on their own these days with disposable lighters showing...

Hanging loose with a nod to history, loose-leaf chewing tobacco sales remain strong and steady.(PRODUCT PROFILE)
October 1, 2004... Loose-leaf tobacco has played a significant role in history. Since the beginning of colonial America, long before the United States was established, loose-leaf tobacco played a key role in the new society. While Native Americans chewed the...

Building loyalty: by Digging Deeper, retailers can use customer loyalty to their advantage.(RETAILING)
October 1, 2004... Tobacco manufacturers have always offered premiums to entice buyers to try a brand and consider its continued use. While coupons and volume-purchase discounts have always been popular, perhaps the best tobacco premium ever offered was the Honus...

Moving forward: POS/computer system suppliers assess their niche in the CTS industry.(OPERATIONS)(questionnaires)
October 1, 2004... Recently, Tobacco Retailer asked POS/computer system suppliers to assess the state of their segment of the CTS industry. They were also asked how their company has met the challenges of 2004 and how they plan to confront the challenges of 2005....

Onward and upward: RTDA looks to the future as long-time director Bill Fader retires.(SHOW REVIEW)(Retail Tobacco Dealers of America)
October 1, 2004... The Retail Tobacco Dealers of America's 72nd Annual Convention and International Trade Show, which was held from July 25-29 at Las Vegas' Venetian Hotel and Sands Expo Center, had a tinge of the bittersweet. The show opened with the...

Walking the talk.(THE PERSONNEL TOUCH)(leadership)(Column)
October 1, 2004... No doubt you've all heard the phrase, "walking the talk." But what exactly does that phrase mean? When I ask this question of clients and audiences, they all respond correctly with something along the lines of doing what you say you're going to...

Taking aim at FDA.(NATO NEWS)(Food and Drug Administration)(National Association of Tobacco Outlets )
October 1, 2004... As of late September, Senate and House leaders had yet to agree on how and when a conference committee should begin negotiating the differences in their respective versions of the corporate tax reform legislation. The Senate version of the...

Estate planning.(TAX TIPS)
October 1, 2004... Let's face it, estate planning is death planning, not a fun task. Most of the calls I get from new clients are, "Irv, will you do my estate plan" calls. Some callers are as young as 35. About 90 percent are between 55 and 81. About three...

Liggett select's new look.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Liggett Vector Brands, Inc., has introduced a new look for its flagship brand, Liggett Select. The new look features rich, high-quality packaging and reflects the great taste adult smokers have enjoyed for years. Liggett Select is available...

XIKAR debuts X13 Tech cutter.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... After three years and three factories, XIKAR Inc., has released the long-awaited Xi3 Tech cutter. The bead-blast, stainless body of the Xi3 Tech cutter, with rubberized plastic handles, creates a more high-tech, utilitarian product. The...

Natural candles eliminate odors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... To help the noses of cigar smokers and non-smokers alike, Way Out Wax has announced a new line, the Vermont Naturals Smoke & Odor Remover Candle Tins and Neutralizing Sprays that feature a trademarked Clean Air Technology. The Clean Air formula...

Cusano delivers new Cusano 18, Corojo cigars.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Making use of the increased production capacity in its new warehouse/office complex, Cusano Cigars/DomRey Cigar Ltd. has been able to release its Cusano 18 and 1997 vintage Corojo cigars ahead of schedule. These cigars are now available for...

Djarum adds to clove cigarette line.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Kretek International and Djarum have introduced the latest styles of their popular line of clove cigarettes. Djarum Special Lights is a milder blend of the Djarum Special Box. Djarum Super is now made using a technically advanced slicing...

Dreams worth waiting for.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Kretek International has added a Natural style to its Dreams line of flavored cigarettes. The newest style features a bold, striking package that adds to the value of the product. Dreams Natural is an all-natural tobacco blend available in...

Choco-holics will like new Samuel Gawith flavor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Samuel Gawith has announce the arrival of its newest blend, Chocolate Flake. Chocolate Flake is a rich and hearty "ready-rub" and is offered in dedication to Samuel Gawith, as this was one of his favorite blends. A combination of Virginias and...

Perdomo launches Compay cigar brand.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Tabacalera Perdomo has released a new premium cigar brand called Compay. Compay is a special blend of medium-bodied, vintage Nicaraguan tobaccos and is available in four classic sizes: "Buena" (4.5 X 52 Robusto); "Vista" (6 X 50 Toro); "Social"...

Skoal adds mint to line of Pouches.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company has announced the launch of Skoal Mint Pouches, the third flavor in the Skoal Pouches line. Skoal Wintergreen Pouches were first introduced in 2002 and were followed by the launch of Skoal Berry Blend Pouches last...

What's old is new with Trailblazers.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... HBI International has added a modern flare to the old-style, loose-hand-rolled natural leaf cigar with the introduction of Trailblazers. They are 100 percent natural and have unmatched flavor. Also, each package is resealable to maintain...

Zero Smoke snuffs out tobacco odors.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Eliminating the odor of tobacco smoke from clothes, hair and car interiors takes just a few sprays of the new Zero Smoke. Designed to fit into a pocket or purse, Zero Smoke sprays an ultra-fine unscented mist that works instantly and is...

Perdomo unveils Champagne addition.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Tabacalera Perdomo, S.A., has released a fourth edition of the La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve collection called "Champagne." Champagne is a limited seasonal release featuring a blend of Nicaraguan Cuban-seed tobaccos accentuated with a...

New size debuts for Edicion de Silvio.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Tabacalera Perdomo, S.A., has added a new, limited size to its Edicion de Silvio premium cigar line. The Edicion de Silvio Salomon en Cedro vitola (7.5 X 49 X 60) cigar is packaged in a 120-year old Spanish cedar ribbon and placed in its own...

Swedish Match launches Timber Wolf Peach flavor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Following a successful consumer use test, Swedish Match North America has initiated a rollout of Timber Wolf Peach. Timber Wolf Peach represents not only a new flavor for Timber Wolf, but a new flavor for the entire-moist-snuff category. The...

RE-Fresh Odor Eliminators in updated counter display.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Jay Manufacturing has introduced a new assorted counter display for its Re-Fresh Smoke Odor Eliminators. Re-Fresh Smoke Odor Eliminators have been shown to eliminate up to 98 percent of tobacco smoke odors from the air. Just one or two sprays...

Nothing square about new Mac Baren tobacco.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Mac Baren has announced the availability of the Mac Baren Cube, available from Kretek International. This complex, aromatic full-bodied blend of over 35 pipe tobaccos and natural flavoring achieves the highest levels of pipe-smoking pleasure....

USSTC launches new Copenhagen Pinch Packs.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company has launched Copenhagen Pinch Packs into select markets. About one-third the size of Copenhagen Pouches, Pinch Packs are packed with rich, premium-quality tobacco. Pinch Packs are available in a specially priced,...

Z-plus eliminates need to refill butane lighters.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... Blazer Products, Inc., has introduced the Z-plus Torch Flame Lighter Insert designed to retrofit the most popular lighter-fluid filled metal flip-top cases. This transforms the original lighter into a modern butane refillable, electric-quartz...

Fresh air in a pump dispenser.(PRODUCT NEWS)
October 1, 2004... The O2 Fresh air freshener and odor neutralizer from Kretek International is perfect for eliminating stale smoke and other offensive odors. It works in seconds and keeps the room smelling fresh for hours. The product is packaged in a pump...