Lorillard Received FDA Approval for New Products

This week Lorillard Inc. declared that is has received from FDA a notification about two of its tobacco products (non-menthol cigarettes) that were found “substantially equivalent” to tobacco products previously permitted to be sold on the USA market. The finding made by FDA allows Lorillard to start marketing of the new products, which do correspond

New Law Bans Smoking on Hospital Grounds In New York

Last week a new law passed through the Legislature. It would ban smoking cigarettes on and around hospital grounds and nursing homes in the entire New York state. The law has the name of A.1115-a/S.1987-a and was proposed by D-Rockland, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffe and Sen. Jack Martins, R-Mineola. The law is going to prohibit smoking

Plain Cigarette Packaging in European Countries

Last month, Ireland became the first European country to agree a ban on all branding on cigarette packs in favor of plain packaging and uniform labeling, following the example of Australia.

While the EU proposals stop short of a full ban on branding, ministers agreed that countries such as Ireland should be free to impose plain packaging if they choose.

The proposals must also get the approval of the European Parliament before becoming law, and the lawmaker leading the debate in the assembly has called for a total ban on branding.

Friday's agreement means the rules could be finalized before the start of European Parliament elections next May, allowing them to enter force in 2016.

The draft rules have been in development for more than two years and were the focus of intense lobbying by the tobacco industry.

They played a part in the October resignation of former EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, after one of his associates was accused of seeking bribes from Swedish Match, a producer of moist oral-snuff known as "snus", in return for lifting a sales ban on the product outside Sweden.

Under the agreement, the sale of snus would remain illegal across the EU except in Sweden. But a proposal that would have forced snus producers to reformulate their products to remove distinctive flavorings was dropped.

As concerns grow over the unregulated use of increasingly popular electronic cigarettes, ministers tightened proposed controls by agreeing that those containing 1 milligram (mg) of nicotine or more would be classified as medicinal products requiring prior EU marketing approval.

That also applied to e-cigarettes containing 2 mg or more per milliliter for those that mix nicotine with water.

Small increase in JT’s domestic volume

Japan Tobacco Inc’s domestic cigarette sales volume during May, at 10.2 billion, was increased by 0.4 per cent on its May 2012 volume, also rounded to 10.2 billion, according to preliminary figures issued by the company today.
Volume during April-May, at 19.8 billion, was increased by 1.8 per cent on that of April-May 2012, 19.5 billion.
The market share of Japan Tobacco, the maker of Winston cigarettes, stood at 60.6 per cent in May, at 60.4 per cent during April-May, and at 59.6 per cent for the full year to the end of March.
JT’s domestic cigarette revenue during May, at ¥55.8 billion, was down by 0.6 per cent on its May 2012 revenue, ¥56.1 billion.
Revenue during April-May, at ¥108.8 billion, was increased by 1.4 per cent on that of April-May 2012, ¥107.3 billion.

Camel maker plans big e-cigarette push

Reynolds American Inc., the maker of Camel cigarettes, is launching a revamped version of its Vuse-brand electronic cigarette in Colorado, with its sights set on expanding nationally.
The move being announced today at an event in New York City is the latest in an industrywide push to diversify beyond the traditional cigarette business.
Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution, creating vapor that users inhale.
The nation's second-biggest tobacco company says that while many smokers know about e-cigarettes and are trying them, few switch entirely.
Reynolds says its rechargeable Vuse e-cigarette has technology that monitors and adjusts heat and power to deliver the "perfect puff."
The Winston-Salem, N.C., company did not disclose the exact size of the Colorado retail distribution or a timeline for a national rollout.

Pack of cigarettes in Russia to bite smokers by 2020

Cigarettes can turn into even more expensive product in Russia and it will be more difficult to buy tobacco products, the Russian Ministry of Health alerts. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests Russia to increase the excise tax on tobacco products more than 5 times, precisely seven times. As outlined by the WHO demands, the