Tedeschi Food Stores of Brookline, Mass., made a decision four years ago to slash the space it gave cigarettes to increase its focus on other tobacco products (OTP). Cigarette sales continued to trend downward in the chain’s New England markets—thanks to a combination of higher taxes and aggressive marketing by Native Americans—and Tedeschi wanted to [...]
For all the controversy surrounding cigarettes and increased local and federal taxes, cigarette sales fared well in 2010, according to SymphonyIRI Group. For the 52 weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010, cigarette sales totaled more than $53.5 billion, up 5.21% from the pervious 12 months. Units sold increased 1.52% to slightly more than nine billion. The [...]
ARIVA-BDL and STONEWALL-BDL modified risk tobacco products are currently not subject to Chapter IX in the Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act, CTP director says. Star Scientific Inc. announced that the company has received notices from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its pending ARIVA-BDL and STONEWALL-BDL modified risk tobacco product applications. The notices [...]
Retailers are encouraged to submit Webinar topics that would most benefit them to the FDA Center for Tobacco Products. FDA Center for Tobacco Products is hosting a new series of one-hour Webinars on federal tobacco regulations. Designed to give retailers updated, relevant FDA compliance training information, the series features an interactive format with topics based [...]
Although there is no required deadline or timeline for FDA to act on the issue of menthol in cigarettes, we recognize the strong interest in this issue among all stakeholders and will continue to communicate the steps the FDA is taking as it determines what future regulatory actions, if any, are warranted. FDA intends to provide its first progress report on the review of the TPSAC recommendations in approximately 90 days.
“If menthol cigarettes have the same health effects as non‐menthol cigarettes, how can the federal government justify a ban of menthol cigarettes?” questions AWMA CEO. AWMA President and CEO Scott Ramminger testified before the FDA’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) on March 17, as the Committee decides whether or not to recommend a ban on [...]
Retailers can now find Spanish-language tools and tips on complying with FDA rules. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has released a new Spanish-language Web site (fda.gov/tabaco) to connect Spanish-speaking retailers and consumers to credible, science-based information and resources. The FDA noted that minority communities have the highest prevalence of [...]
Like all Dean’s cigars and pipe tobaccos, Dean’s new Heavy Weights cigars, a product of M & R Holdings, contain only the highest-quality tobacco. Heavy Weights are the same size as the company’s 2003 release—its 100mm Dean’s Large Cigars—containing slow-burning, air-cured burley filler and 100% homogenized tobacco wrapper. Both filter-tipped cigar brands come in nine [...]
Amid the chaos of legislation and taxation, convenience store retailers remain optimistic they can retain OTP customers and even pick up some new ones trading down from cigarettes. By: Joe Bush, Contributing Editor. Not much been predictable about the tobacco category over the past 18 months. Huge taxes increases have renewed questions about just how [...]
The We Card Program offers seven steps c-store retailers need to take right now. By: Doug Anderson, President, The We Card Program. Before FDA regulations took effect, it was enough to prevent an underage tobacco sale. The question, “Is this customer old enough to buy tobacco?” ruled the day. That way of thinking falls short [...]
Kretek International Inc. offers a new line of CIG2O e-cigarette products. The CIG2O rechargeable water vapor cigarette was developed in the U.S. for Kretek by Spark Industries. CIG2O e-cigarettes were successfully launched in smoke shops early in 2010. The strength of adult consumer response led to the current nationwide roll out. The initial product line [...]
Swisher International has introduced a new white grape flavor to its lineup of Swisher Sweets Cigars. The white grape flavor offers customers a mild-sweet taste, smooth flavor and an excellent aroma. These new cigarillos are individually wrapped in the company’s sealed-fresh foil wrapping and come in a variety of packaging—Bonus Box 60s, 25-count impulse units [...]
E-cigarettes are a big trend on the show floor, with several new manufacturers showcasing electronic products. The Tobacco Plus Expo International (TPE) opened in Las Vegas on March 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together a broad array of tobacco, tobacco products and accessories under one roof. On the show floor, the major [...]
“We are taking this action reluctantly after the FDA failed to constitute the committee in accordance with the law and failed to properly address legitimate concerns regarding fairness and impartiality,” says Lorillard’s senior vice president. Lorillard Inc. today filed suit to stop Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from receiving or relying on recommendations from its [...]
The tobacco customer is changing, along with consumers’ product options, which is driving optimism for a strong 2011. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Eric Choncko is a 31-year-old locomotive engineer living in North Texas. He also is a regular snuff user and a core convenience store customer. He chose that tobacco product over cigarettes several [...]