The tobacco customer is changing, along with consumers’ product options, which is driving optimism for a strong 2011. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Eric Choncko is a 31-year-old locomotive engineer living in North Texas. He also is a regular snuff user and a core convenience store customer. He chose that tobacco product over cigarettes several…
Rotten Robbie Co-brands With Smoker Friendly
Smoker Friendly International has signed Rotten Robbie convenience chain based in Santa Clara, Calif., as an authorized dealer. Rotten Robbie is co-branding with Smoker Friendly in its tobacco category and is set to be the exclusive retailer for SF/Smoker Friendly private label tobacco products in its 34-store chain, in that region of northern California. Rotten…
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Convenience store operators must take the time to observe how their competitors are marketing tobacco. In most of the presentations I have given over the past few years, I challenge my participants to take the time to understand how their business is doing, but to also make sure to check on the competition. After all,…
The Future of Cigarette Retailing
With graphic new warning labels destined for individual packages and higher tobacco prices, retailers are facing a harsh new reality. On November 10, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled 36 graphic warning label images, one of which will be selected to go on every cigarette package no later than Sept. 22, 2012.…
California Rolls Out Improved Cigarette Tax Stamp
Improved high-tech tax stamps with a new design will soon be available and affixed to packs of cigarettes sold in California. The Board of Equalization (BOE) has approved the use of the updated stamp to further reduce the trafficking of counterfeit cigarettes and related excise tax evasion in California. The BOE is responsible for the…
FDA Petitions Court on E-Cigarettes
On Dec. 20, the FDA filed a petition requesting that the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia schedule a hearing and review the FDA’s appeal of the initial federal district court ruling on its ability to regulate e-cigarettes as a drug or medical device, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO)…
NATO Show Secures Key Tobacco Companies
The National Association of Tobacco Outlets Inc. (NATO) has announced that all of the leading cigarette manufacturers in the country are committed to participate in NATO’s 10th Anniversary and Trade Show. Altria Sales and Distribution, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard Tobacco and Commonwealth Brands are all confirmed exhibitors at the show to be held April…
FDA Proposes Rules on Cigarette Warnings Labels
On Nov. 10, 2010, the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products issued a 140 page document titled “Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisement Proposed Rule,” which modifies the current cigarette package warning labels and also requires color graphic warnings to accompany the new text warnings, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. The FDA…
Tax On Reservation Cigarettes On Hold
A federal judge has sided with New York in the latest ruling over the state’s plans to tax most Indian reservation smokeshop sales, but collection of the tax is on hold for now, the New York Post reported. U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara in Buffalo, N.Y. denied a request to block the state from collecting…
RYO Machine Rule Stands
A judge has struck down a request for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Treasury’s Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) ruling that regulates the commercial size cigarette-making machines being used in retail stores, the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) reported. The TTB previously ruled that a retailer who provides a commercial…