As e-cig sales globally hit $200 million, with over $100 million of business in the U.S., e-cig consumer organizations encourage vapers to celebrate the product around the world. Thousands of smokers and ex-smokers across the world will be celebrating World Vaping Day March 22 to celebrate the success of the electronic cigarette, and to encourage…
New Report Attacks Tobacco Sales, Targets C-Stores
Report by anti-smoking groups condemns c-stores for point-of-sale tobacco marketing. A new report, titled “Deadly Alliance: How Tobacco Companies and Convenience Stores Partner to Market Tobacco Products and Fight Life-Saving Policies” has been released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Counter Tobacco (a project that works to counter tobacco product sales and marketing at the…
Lighting Your Way to Profitability
When sold responsibly, lighters are a dependable source of revenue, even as the number of smokers declines. Lighters are a much-needed tool for the home grill and candles. Another trend helping push lighter sales in c-stores is flavored cigars, which continues to grow at an impressive rate. “Tobacco accessories are alive and well, evolving with…
blu Cigs Arrive in Canada’s Couche-Tard Stores
“We are interested in products that are on the cutting edge,” says Jean-Marie Bourque, Couche-Tard category manager. On the heels of an impressive 2011 retail expansion, blu Cigs has started 2012 by boosting the number of U.S. retail locations carrying blu to nearly 20,000. Now, the e-cigarette company is celebrating another milestone—expansion into the Canadian…
Cigarette Tax Changes Proposed For Rhode Island
State lawmaker looks to reduce cigarette tax to keep smokers shopping inside Rhode Island. Rhode Island Representative Robert Philips is calling on the state to slash its cigarette tax by $1 to encourage smokers to shop local instead of crossing state borders to buy smokes in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut, thus keeping tax dollars in…
Hawaii E-Cigarette Bill Passes Senate Committee
After much debate, an edited e-cigarette bill in Hawaii will not tax e-cigs at the 70% tobacco tax rate, but will restrict sales to minors. E-cigarette bill, SB2233, was passed by the Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee Friday, Feb. 10, after members voted to delete language that would require a 70% tobacco tax on…
Camel SNUS Launches Print Campaign
Smokers have more options today when it comes to tobacco use, and Camel wants customers to know it’s transforming with the times. Camel SNUS is running a number of print ads that are appearing in dozens of alt-weeklies nationwide this month. “At a time when adult tobacco consumers may be considering their options, we want…
TPE 2012: Two Full Days of Buying & Networking
It’s all about business at the Tobacco Plus Expo International in Las Vegas. The most comprehensive tobacco show in the U.S. will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, Feb. 1-2, 2012. The not-to-be-missed event promises to be the year’s best opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers to see new products,…
FDA Seeks Comments on Draft Guidance
FDA has posted a draft guidance to help persons submitting applications for new tobacco products understand the premarket tobacco product application process. The draft guidance addresses questions such as: • Who may submit a new tobacco product application • When to submit a new tobacco product application • What information the FD&C Act requires you…
Targeting Casual Smokers
A new class of products is emerging to satisfy the needs of social tobacco users. So many thoughts that capture my mind are worthy of being written about. Some incite our emotions (like the recent attack on Terry Gallagher of Smoker Friendly who accepted the position as coach of the Boulder High School girls varsity…