City in California Proposes Second-hand Smoking Measure

Public Affairs

United States
City in California Proposes Second-hand Smoking Measure
Novato—There is legislation under consideration in the California city of Novato that would regard second hand smoke as a public nuisance.

This proposal goes further than anything presently on the books in Novato, officially calling cigarette smoke a public nuisance, and changing the required percentage of non-smoking hotel rooms from 50% to 80%, as well as banning smoking in parks, at public events, and in apartment common areas. Officially, smoking is prohibited “Anywhere food or drink is offered for sale, except unenclosed areas of a stand-alone bar; within 20 feet of any entrance, opening or exit of an enclosed area, except while passing; within 20 feet from public service areas; in courtyards and other areas where air circulation may be impeded by coverings; within 20 feet of building and construction crews; in all recreational areas, including city parks; [and] at public events, including sports events, entertainment pageants, parades and fairs; in multi-unit common areas.”

Violators of this new ordinance could face fines of up to $500.

Costly Tobacco Display Ban

Public Affairs

United Kingdom
Costly Tobacco Display Ban
London—Retailers will face "considerable operational and equipment costs" if the government goes ahead with plans that will ban the display of tobacco products, says the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The ACS says the government should take into account the costs involved.

This comes in response to the Department of Health intimating that cigarette displays do not do enough, or are counter-intuitive to stopping children from smoking.

Customs Smash Tobacco Factory

Public Affairs

United Kingdom
Customs Smash Tobacco Factory
Ipswich—Revenue and Customs investigators jailed three men who participated in the illegal production of hand rolling tobacco.

Raymond Blackburn, 42 was jailed for three years, Michael James, 50, sentenced to two, and Barry Chuter, 48, has been jailed for 12 months. Two other men have also been convicted, and have yet to be sentenced.

These men worked in a illicit enterprise which manufactured hand-rolling tobacco that was to be sold on the black market, and were using equipment capable of processing approximately two tons of raw tobacco per hour. The total evaded tax comes to approximately GBP 452,000.

Sichuan Province to Concentrate on Building a High Quality Leaf Tobacco Base

Leaf News

China
Sichuan Province to Concentrate on Building a High Quality Leaf Tobacco Base
Sichuan — During a meeting between the Provincial Committee Secretary of Sichuan, Liu Qibao, and Jiang Chengkang, the director of STMA, Liu said the Sichuan government has been making efforts to improve its leaf tobacco industry.

Sichuan will move more purposefully towards modernizing the agricultural methods used for tobacco, increase the quality of its leaf tobacco and build a national strategy for its tobacco production. The Jiaozi brand is to be built into a high quality brand, and Sichuan itself will aim to strengthen the flavor of its tobacco leafs in the coming years.

Jiang confirms these plans and said that STMA will support Sichuan in these endeavors.

Sichuan has become the leaf tobacco production base for the Chunghwa, Furongwang, Huanghelou, and Hongtashan brands.

Ban on Tobacco Ads Applies to Grand Prix

Public Affairs

Singapore
Ban on Tobacco Ads Applies to Grand Prix
Singapore city — The stern laws of Singapore that ban tobacco advertising will apply to the Formula One Grand Prix to be held this coming September.

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, any acknowledgment or publication of tobacco sponsorship is prohibited. In addition, Formula One teams continue to be subject to the laws of the countries they race in.

Since July of 2006, smokers in Singapore have been banned from lighting up in outdoor cafes and restaurants, and can only smoke at designated corners at a given premises, and smokers are not allowed to light up in air-conditioned establishments. Last year, the ban was amended to cover clubs, lounges, and pubs.

Illegal Tobacco Ring Busted in Victoria

Public Affairs

Australia
Illegal Tobacco Ring Busted in Victoria
Victoria — Police investigations continue regarding an illegal tobacco operation in north-east Victoria. Approximately $2 mn worth of tobacco was found during raids on both a property and on a transport vehicle.

Lagos Re-Files Tobacco Lawsuit

Digest

Nigeria
Lagos Re-Files Tobacco Lawsuit
Lagos — The Nigerian state of Lagos has re-filed it’s lawsuit against British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited, International Tobacco Limited, British American Tobacco Plc, British American Tobacco (Investment) Limited, Philip Morris International, and the Tobacco Institute for 2.7 tn naira ($22.9 bn).

The new suit has the state government as the only plaintiff, and has been filed through the “Fast Track Courts,” meaning any actions filed should be wrapped up within 8 months.

In addition, the suit asks the court to ban the sale of tobacco products with in a 1000-meter radius of hospitals, theatres, schools, shopping centers, childcare facilities, or public places where persons under the age of 18 congregate.