MIAMI – Lauro Perez, 66, of Miami, was convicted today on charges of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit cigars and seven counts of trafficking in counterfeit cigars, in violation of Title 18, U. S. Code, Sections 371 and 2320(a). (Media-Newswire.com) – MIAMI – Lauro Perez, 66, of Miami, was convicted today on charges of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit cigars and seven counts of trafficking in counterfeit cigars, in viola ... Jump to full article >>

THE two largest tobacco companies in the United States voluntarily stopped advertising cigarettes in magazines, with Philip Morris, whose brands include Marlboro cigarettes, ceasing in 2005 and R. J. Reynolds, whose brands include Camel, at the beginning of 2008. Now the Camel logo is back prominently in major glossies, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated and Maxim — but not to advertise cigarettes. R. J. Reynolds is advertising Camel ... Jump to full article >>

Inhaling secondhand smoke greatly increases risk of heart attack, even among young and nonsmokers Public smoking bans appear to significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, particularly among younger individuals and nonsmokers, according to a new study published in the September 29, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers find that smoking bans can reduce the number of heart attacks by as much as 26 perce ... Jump to full article >>

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Smoking bans in public places can significantly reduce the number of heart attacks, two U.S. research teams reported on Monday. One team found smoking bans in the United States, Canada and Europe had an immediate effect that increased over time, cutting heart attacks by 17 percent after the first year and as much as 36 percent after three years, they reported in the journal Circulation. A second team found such bans reduce ... Jump to full article >>

One interesting aspect of the state’s public smoking debate is that it’s a classic example of how things work — or don’t — in the Michigan Legislature. Several years ago, the anti-smoking lobby, a grassroots, but well-organized and effective movement, set its sights on a handful of Midwest states with a goal of stomping out smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, among the last public outposts for ... Jump to full article >>

I am writing to compliment the Iowa legislature on approving the smoking ban. It has been over a year and a half since the ban went into effect and I couldn’t be happier. I love the freedom of going into a restaurant and not leaving with the lingering scent of smoke. Owners as well as customers are reaping the benefits. I’ve spoken to a few owners, and they have agreed that restaurants now have a more family friendly atmosphere, and ... Jump to full article >>

WHITE PLAINS - A Yonkers man is among 21 cigarette-smuggling suspects charged with evading the state tobacco tax in a sting operation that also netted a cache of homemade bombs and weapons inside Cortlandt man’s home. The cigarette bust, which cost the state $21 million in lost taxes, was the largest of its kind in the United States, a state official said at a news conference this afternoon at the Westchester County District Attorney&# ... Jump to full article >>

For 48 years, Don Brandt was known as the “Voice of the SCC Blackhawks” and the “Voice of the Burlington Grayhounds” on KBUR. But he also was a dedicated member of the Burlington School Board, having served several stints over the course of four decades. Brandt, 72, of Burlington, died Saturday afternoon at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He is survived by his wife, Ferrel, and two sons, Blake and J ... Jump to full article >>

SEABROOK — Smoke got in the eyes of Planning Board members while they considered letting a cigar shop sell liquor to its customers, causing the board to put a hold on granting permission until the owner ensures the smell of cigars stops bothering neighbors. Roy Kirby, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop, went to Tuesday night’s Planning Board meeting hoping to gain approval to establish a cigar bar at his Lafayette Road retail store. The discus ... Jump to full article >>

“Cigarettes and alcohol will take 10 years off your life,” announces The Independent. The newspaper reported that for the first time doctors have quantified the effects of smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, described as “the three major killers of middle-aged men”. Failing to give up smoking or to control blood pressure and cholesterol were reported to reduce life expectancy by 10 to 15 years. The Whitehall study that pr ... Jump to full article >>