On June 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will begin enforcing new requirements on tobacco products, a move that will impact retailers across the country. To help retailers navigate the new rules, NACS will hold its second Webinar focusing on the latest round of requirements on tobacco products implemented by FDA. The Webinar…
Warning Signs For Tobacco Products Challenged
Altria Group, Lorillard Inc., Reynolds American Inc., two retailers and two retail trade associations have filed a lawsuit in U.S. Federal District Court challenging the New York City Board of Health’s ordinance requiring graphic anti-tobacco health warning signs to be posted in retail stores that sell tobacco products. The lawsuit asserts that the federal government warning…
PACT Act Receives Final Rule
On Friday, June 4, the U.S. Postal Service issued the Final Rule to implement the provisions of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act prohibiting the mailing of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco in the continental U.S., the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. Once the Final Rule goes into effect on June 29,…
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…
Finding Profits with Tobacco Accessories
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates, scheduled to go into effect on June 22, prohibit retailers from selling cigarettes and smokeless products in self-service displays except in age-restricted stores that ban customers younger than 18 years of age. While retailers in some states, such as New York and Idaho, have already had to comply with…
NATO Sets Date, Location For Show
In time for its 10th anniversary, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) is launching its inaugural NATO Show at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas next spring. The dates for the first NATO Show are April 12-14, 2011. The NATO show will feature educational seminars for retailers, the NATO Annual Awards Dinner, along with evening…
The Shack Pushes the Bounds of Convenience
As all convenience store chains look for innovative ways to drive sales as tobacco and gas margins decline, they might take note from an unlikely teacher—a small town store in Grandy, Minn., whose unique offerings are going to new lengths to meet consumer demands. Though only 1,100 square feet, “The Shack on 65” packs the…
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…
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…
Convenience Industry Holds Strong
When history looks back on 2009 it will not be generous. The U.S. economy was, and to a certain degree, remains locked in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment is high and the value of the dollar and consumer spending are at near-record lows. While this is bad, it could have been…