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…
Forecast Strong for Cigars
Amid all the chaos of legislation, regulation and taxation, it’s good to have tobacco category managers like Gate Petroleum’s Matt Hieb. Hieb’s approach to his chain’s market-leading cigar performance is calm and measured, driven by data, common sense and manufacturer promotions. In 225 locations throughout six southeastern states, Gate’s cigar offering exceeds the southeast market…
Managing Tobacco’s Four Tier War
A Closer Look at Who’s Trading Down According to Mintel International, 80% of smokers polled said it’s worthwhile to have a quality cigarette, which is contributing to sales of premium cigarettes. Other factors influencing sales include: • 51% of smokers have one preferred brand they always like to buy. • Less than 2% of smokers…
A Rocky Ride for RYO
Proper Handling Quality counts—especially with tobacco, something c-store operators had better keep in mind. Kevin Paige, owner of three Butthead’s Tobacco Emporiums in Danbury, Conn., said he is trying to distance himself from the c-store channel when it comes to tobacco. “Although I operated my own c-stores for over 20 years, I don’t think the…
Mini Wine Flavor Cigarillos
Swisher International Inc. has combined one of its newest and most popular flavors with the convenient shape of mini cigarillos to make the new Swisher Sweets Mini Wine Cigarillos. These new, smaller cigars offer the quick smoke many customers prefer, and come individually wrapped with the company’s unique sealed-fresh wrapper to ensure fresh, flavorful cigars…
FDA Holds Retailer Web Conference
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is developing a retailer education campaign to raise awareness about new regulations regarding the sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. “The retail community plays a direct role in helping us protect our kids from tobacco,” the CTP noted in a press release.…
FDA Holds Retailer Web Conference
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is developing a retailer education campaign to raise awareness about new regulations regarding the sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. “The retail community plays a direct role in helping us protect our kids from tobacco,” the CTP noted in a press release.…
Ontario Fights 8% Tobacco Tax
Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) is warning that if the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is introduced as planned on tobacco products, tobacco prices would grow by 8%, redirecting millions of dollars in taxes to organized crime groups. As it stands now, sales of tobacco products are not subject to Ontario, Canada’s 8% Provincial Sales Tax…
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…
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…