The U.S. Federal District Court denied a request by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Manufacturing Company and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands for a preliminary injunction against a recently enacted New York City ordinance that bans the sale of virtually all flavored tobacco products except in “tobacco bars,” the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. The USST…
All in the Family
In these difficult economic times it’s rewarding to meet successful businesses that are doing things the right way. It’s even more gratifying when these businesses are family owned and operated. Such is the case with High’s of Baltimore. There aren’t too many 82-year-old companies in this industry that I’m not familiar with, but I admit…
NATO Trade Show Gains Support
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported that key manufacturers have formally committed to its 2011 trade show and conference in Las Vegas. Supporters currently include Altadis USA, Swisher International, Swedish Match, Republic Tobacco, National Tobacco Co., King Maker Marketing, Smoker Friendly International and Zippo Lighter Co. During NATO’s annual awards dinner last month,…
Major Companies Commit To NATO Trade Show
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported that key manufacturers have already committed to its recently announced 2011 spring trade show in Las Vegas, including Altadis USA, Swisher International, Swedish Match, Republic Tobacco and National Tobacco Co. Additionally, NATO reported that Arango Cigar Company, Carolina Tobacco, Dom Rey Cigar, Inc./Cusano Cigars, Drew Estate, Harold…
House Passes PACT Act
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the PACT Act (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act) on a vote of 387-25. “A significant amount of work has gone into getting this bill passed by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House, and I extend a special thank you to all NATO members for their assistance…
7-Eleven Joins NATO
NATO, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, announced that 7-Eleven Inc. has joined NATO as a retail member. Based in Dallas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and licenses more than 6,970 stores in the U.S. and Canada. As one of the leading national retail trade associations that focuses exclusively on state and federal tobacco legislative issues, NATO’s…
NATO Urges Retailers To Fight For PACT Act Passage
As the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act moves to the House after passage in the Senate, for a final vote, NATO is urging retailers to take action. Because the Senate version of the bill is slightly different than the House version, the U.S. House of Representatives must vote on the bill again before it…
Renewed Optimism for Smokeless tobacco and tobacco chewing products
The simple truth is that no one is certain what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will come up with next now that it has been given de facto control of the tobacco industry. But between bureaucratic control freaks, national, state and local taxes, and even the whispered fear of retailer liability concerns ahead, many…
Smokeless Stays Strong
With many states passing smoking bans, more customers are turning to smokeless tobacco, and the sales figures from 2009 bear that out. According to Information Resources Inc., for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 27, 2009 total dollar sales for other tobacco products was $6.07 billion, up 14.6% from last year. Unit sales totaled 2.40 billion,…
NATO Fights New York On Proposed Ban of Flavored Tobacco
This week, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) sent a letter to all 213 members of the New York state legislature urging them to defer legislative action on Bill Number A.9482, which aims to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state except for products with a tobacco, menthol, mint or…