This summer, many states see increases in tobacco taxes, while a few enact small decreases. Starting July 1, several state cigarette and tobacco tax rates changed due to action by state legislatures, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. Following are updates from NATO on cigarette and tobacco taxes as of July 1. …
Smokeless Sales Show Promise
While managing new products and planograms is vital, retailers will need to keep an eye out for federal tax increases and FDA intervention over the next 12 months. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Smokeless tobacco has outperformed expectations for three straight years—which, while good, leaves many in the industry fearing it’s only a matter of…
Serving Today’s Smokers
Led by the Gallagher family, Smoker Friendly continues the fight to sell tobacco legally and responsibly. By John Lofstock, Editor. While the federal government seems intent on eliminating tobacco products altogether, tobacco remains a legal product in the U.S. enjoyed by legal-aged adults exercising their right to smoke, dip or chew. The right to enjoy…
Tobacco Sales Rolling Along
As consumers embrace roll your own (RYO) tobacco, retailers are seeing a boost in sales of accessories such as rolling papers, cigarette tubes and rolling machines. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Smokers seeking a safe harbor from cigarette tax increases have made port in the roll your own (RYO) segment. Many have been pleasantly surprised…
FDA’s CTP Website Features New Content
FDA seeks to educate retailers with new quizzes and updated information on tobacco regulations, including in Spanish. The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products’ (CTP) has added new features to the retailer section of its Website. FDA hopes these new updates and quizzes will help educate retailers about relevant tobacco regulations and increase voluntary compliance with…
FDA Cracks Down On The Illegal Marketing of Tobacco Products
“It is illegal for tobacco companies or retailers, including Internet sellers, to make unsubstantiated claims or statements that imply tobacco products reduce health risks,” says the director of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued 11 warning letters last week to online retailers for illegally marketing tobacco products with…
Commonwealth Brands, Altadis USA Announce Integration
Commonwealth Brands and Altadis USA have announced the integration of their sales and marketing units into a unified team. The unified team is expected to provide greater sales coverage and more comprehensive service to its customer. “This will put us in a stronger position to drive growth across our USA mass market portfolio that comprises…
Complying with Cigarette Sales Restrictions
As the noose tightens on menthol products, convenience store retailers are learning to accept the latest limitations placed on tobacco products. By: John Lofstock, Editor. Cigarettes will soon carry new warning labels as the question for retailers becomes how to market a product whose package basically urges consumers not to buy it. Federal legislation handed…
FDA Posts Draft Guidance To Website
Industry members are encouraged to read and comment on the guidance. Draft guidance, Establishing that a Tobacco Product was Commercially Marketed in the U.S. as of Feb. 15, 2007, has been posted to the Federal Register and on the FDA’s Center For Tobacco Products (CTP) Website today, to encourage feedback from those in the industry.…
Dealing With Tobacco’s Cloudy Future
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…