New law prohibits consumers to buy their over the border. Smokers in Tennessee have a new law to both fear and jeer, as the state announced that it is enforcing a two-carton limit on cigarettes purchased across state lines. The law, though it has been on the books for a while, is being revitalized. The [...]
Cigar dollar sales experienced strong growth again increasing 14% in 2006, according to ACNielsen. And, Richard Fasanelli, vice president of John Middleton Inc. adds, "We continue to uncover additional growth opportunities with retail customers by applying strategies less common to cigars, but very common in other major tobacco categories." Don’t miss this opportunity to hear [...]
New lawsuit attacks the sale of untaxed, imported cigarettes. Philip Morris USA has filed two lawsuits in federal court against Internet site operators engaged in the sale of illegally imported cigarettes bearing Philip Morris USA’s trademarks, including the Marlboro mark. “Philip Morris USA will protect our brands and the law-abiding businesses that sell them from [...]
Cigarette sales are still one of the biggest draws for convenience stores, but many retailers are gradually shiftingtheir attention to the new king of the back bar: the othertobacco product (OTP) category. It’s no secret that OTP products—moist smokeless tobacco (MST) in particular—have been red hot over the past two years, showingvolume growth as high [...]
Lobbyists hope to turn senate against potential FDA regulation of tobacco. CEOs from five convenience chains recently joined together to meet with Republican Sen. John Cornyn, asking him to reconsider a proposed bill that could allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco, a move retailers feel could lead to the federal [...]
RJ Reynolds says “no changes in our promotional discounts.” Philip Morris USA said yesterday it is raising prices as falling U.S. shipments dampen profit growth. Philip Morris will reduce a promotional discount by 5 cents a pack to 35 cents on its Marlboro, Parliament, Basic and L&M brands, spokesman Bill Phelps said. It also will [...]
Company trying to avoid effects of U.S. reducing consumption. Altria Group is planning to spin off Philip Morris International seeking faster overseas growth and less risk from U.S. smokers’ lawsuits. “Tobacco is growing overseas, while in the U.S. it’s in decline, making a reasonable argument for separating the two entities,” Matthew Kaufler, a fund manager [...]
by John Lofstock, Editor Convenience Store Decisions’ Power 25 recognizes industry pioneers, association executives and lawmakers that shape the way the convenience store industry operates. These influential business leaders are being selected for the lasting contributions they have made to the convenience channel and the impact their influence has on shaping the future of convenience [...]
Marlboro snuff will fully cement its place in the smokeless segment,” analysts said. Philip Morris USA will introduce a moist smokeless tobacco product this fall under the Marlboro brand, selling it first in the Atlanta area. The company will sell the loose, spitting tobacco in original and wintergreen flavors, and in long and fine cut, [...]
Three men arrested for posession of Chinese imitations and $350,000 in cash. Authorities in Queens, N.Y. have seized nearly 600,000 packs of cigarettes with brand names like Marlboros and Newports, half of which are suspected of being counterfeits from China, reported the Associated Press. The cigarettes were found during a raid late last week at [...]
The Senate has fully approved, by a vote of 68-31, plans to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), which provides health coverage to low-income, uninsured American children whose parents do not qualify for Medicaid. To do this, the bill will increase taxes on cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products as a way of [...]
Kit Dietz, Dan Moir and John Kelly to highlight July 26 online roundtable. Convenience Store Decisions’ Online Roundtable series continues Thursday, July 26 at 2 p.m., when it presents “Smokeless Tobacco: Significant Growth Opportunity for Convenience Retailers.” Registration for the Webcast, sponsored by United States Smokeless Tobacco Co. (USST) is free. Click here or visit [...]
Association urges government to weigh the damage such control over the industry could have. Following a July 17 hearing, in which members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee determined that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was ill-equipped to regulate food safety, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) asked lawmakers to keep [...]
R.J. Reynolds sets up Website opposing bill. Today, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hold a vote over the proposed 61-cents-per-pack increase on cigarettes and the possibility of a 156% increase on other tobacco products, such as cigars, pipe tobacco and smokeless products. The new tax, introduced by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), is [...]