S&P Ratings says the newly signed regulatory bill will change the tobacco industry’s competitive landscape and raise future costs On June 22, President Barack Obama signed into law a tobacco regulatory bill giving the U.S. Food & Drug Administration oversight of the industry, including the tobacco companies’ manufacturing and marketing practices. The changing regulatory environment has raised questions about the credit impli ... Jump to full article >>

In my June 28 rant about President Barack Obama’s addiction to nicotine, I wish I had mentioned an excellent bill that was passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature and signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Senate Bill 734 requires insurers in Oregon to include reimbursement of at least $500 for enrolled members who enter physician-recommended tobacco cessation programs that follow U.S. Public Health Service guidelines. A lot of private insurance co ... Jump to full article >>

Tiger Woods is hosting his own PGA Tour event in Washington DC this week and has made an interesting choice of partner for the pro-am Those searching for clues about Tiger Woods’ thoughts on the world beyond the golf course will be interested to note that as the host of the AT&T National event he has chosen the Republican minority leader of the House John Boehner as one of his partners in today’s pro-am at Congressional Country ... Jump to full article >>

This afternoon, President Barack Obama will sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, which among many good things noted after the jump, will allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate cigarettes. It’s a particularly important day for the bill’s chief sponsor, Representative Henry Waxman, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which, however logically, has jurisdiction over health issue ... Jump to full article >>