Tobacco

Why Johnny Can't Eat Just One

by Anne Landman — April 28, 2009 - 2:27pm

U.S. law requires nutritional labels on retail groceries, but not on restaurant meals, so when former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David A.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, April 27, 2009

"Big Booze"? Alcohol Industry Fears "Big Tobacco"-Like Treatment

by Anne Landman — April 21, 2009 - 2:54pm

Since international tobacco companies have also owned alcoholic beverage companies, tobacco documents yield information about the inner workings of the liquor industry. Researchers studying tobacco documents have found that liquor companies are terrified of going down the same route as the tobacco industry.

Main Source: 
Perth Now (Australia), April 21, 2009

"Product Safety Standards" for Cigarettes?

by Anne Landman — April 2, 2009 - 2:16pm

The proposed legislation to have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate tobacco is "window-dressing masquerading as legislation," according to Alan Blum, M.D., director of the University of Alabama Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society.

Main Source: 
Huffington Post, April 2, 2009

Smoking in the Movies: Under-the-Radar Cigarette Advertising?

by Anne Landman — April 1, 2009 - 4:41pm

A meta-study published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics concludes that viewing movie smoking scenes is a significant factor in smoking among older teens and young adults. In 1999, researchers interviewed thousands of 10- to 14-year-olds, assessing their smoking status and exposure to images of smoking, via movies.

Main Source: 
Pediatrics, March 30, 2009

The Secret Affair of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Philip Morris

by Anne Landman — March 27, 2009 - 2:40pm
  • Topics: Politics, Tobacco, U.S. Government

    • The best-kept secret in the halls of Congress -- until today -- may have been the extent to which New York's new senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, helped cigarette maker Philip Morris during her former employment as an attorney with the global law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell. Information about her relationship with the cigarette maker wasn't included in her official biography or her campaign materials, but on Friday, March 27, 2009, the New York Times published an article describing in detail how Gillibrand, under her maiden name Kirsten Rutnik, was involved at high levels in the legal affairs of Philip Morris.

    In 1998, as an attorney at Davis Polk, Gillibrand served on Philip Morris' Privilege and Crime Fraud Committee, an elite group of attorneys from both inside and outside Philip Morris. Some of Gillibrand's colleagues on the Committee were full partners in their respective law firms, which reveals the respect she earned in her service to the company.

    If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

    by Anne Landman — March 23, 2009 - 4:24pm

    Cigarette makers are taking advantage of the upcoming 62-cent increase in the U.S. federal excise tax on cigarettes to raise prices.

    Main Source: 
    MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Massachusetts), March 23, 2009

    Beware Secondhand Rhetoric on Cigarette Taxes

    by Anne Landman — March 17, 2009 - 2:27pm
  • Topics: Front Groups, Health, Tobacco

    • Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. tobacco industry enjoyed tremendous success in beating back tobacco tax increases at all levels of government. But as the industry becomes ever more reviled and the economy goes further in the tank, raising cigarette taxes has become a much easier political proposition. Twelve states raised their cigarette tax in 2007 and 2008, with proposed legislation to do the same in 17 more states, as of February 2009. The federal government recently approved a tobacco tax increase of almost 62 cents per pack. When it goes into effect on April 1, it will bring the total federal tax on a pack of cigarettes to $1.00, to help fund the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

    Close, But No Cigarette

    by Anne Landman — March 10, 2009 - 2:31pm

    A Florida company called "Smoking Everywhere" has been aggressively marketing a cigarette-like smoking device of the same name in shopping mall kiosks nationwide, and has

    Main Source: 
    San Jose (California) Mercury News, March 9, 2009
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