Commercial RYO machine operators must comply with the new rules effective immediately. On Friday, July 6, President Barack Obama signed the transportation bill, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, into law. The bill included a provision that defines commercial RYO machine operators as tobacco manufacturers under federal law. This means…
RYO Regulation Passed
House members voted 373 to 52 in favor of the bill and Senate members voted 74 to 19 to pass the legislation. On Friday, June 29, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate voted to pass a transportation bill that included commercial RYO regulation, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. The…
Sugar Reform Denied
Coalition hopes close vote signals momentum for reform this year. In response to the Senate’s narrow defeat of an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill, which would have modestly reformed the costly U.S. sugar program, the Coalition for Sugar Reform released the following statement. “While we are disappointed the Senate voted to maintain the status…
Obama Administration Grants Final Approval For Sale Of E15
“The public has a right to choose between imported oil and home-grown energy and today’s action by the EPA advances that goal,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Obama administration has given final approval for the sale of E15 ethanol blends under the waiver conditions set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Southwest Farm Press reported. …
Healthy Options Driving Foodservice Demand
Many convenience store retailers are cognizant of the trend toward healthier foods and are adding better-for-you items to their menus. By John Lofstock, Editor. More salads, fruits and vegetables are finding their way onto convenience store shelves—often for purchase in the morning, or as a late afternoon snack—much to the delight of an increasing number…
The Impact of Alternative Fuels
The political momentum to bring renewable energy products to the pumps is strong and growing. But with all the added costs to rebuild the nation’s petroleum infrastructure, is it worth it? By John Lofstock, Editor. Preparing for the future is a complex issue retailers should always be pondering. But in the fuel business this question…
FDA Comments on the International Tobacco Regulators’ Conference
“It is only natural that like-minded leaders band together to combat this global threat in unison,” says the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. This week, 65 representatives of health and regulatory agencies from 22 countries attended the International Tobacco Regulators’ Conference, hosted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization…
Demand Expands Use of Clean Diesel Power
As President Obama outlines construction and infrastructure projects ahead, the Diesel Technology Forum explains how clean diesel power can help. The expansion of new construction programs for U.S. schools, roads, bridges and buildings in the “American Jobs Act” outlined by President Obama in his speech on Sept. 8, will require the efficient power provided by…
Legislative Wrap Up for 2009
With the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the White House, this year has seen major federal tax and regulatory legislation signed into law that will dramatically impact the tobacco industry. On April 1, the largest tax increase on a single product in the history of the U.S. became law with the federal cigarette…
The Tax Train Keeps Rolling
January could not end soon enough. The industry hasn’t seen such a tumultuous month since November 1998 when Congress first turned to tobacco as its financial panacea. Big Brother was at it again last month with the U.S. Senate passing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)—including all of the cigarette and tobacco tax rate…