Republicans in the North Carolina House of Representatives are taking aim at three trust funds set up to disperse half of North Carolina’s share of the national tobacco settlement, all in the name of balancing the state budget. The money flowing into the state from this settlement is part of the agreement the major tobacco companies made with states suing those firms, under which those companies promise to pay hundreds upon hundreds of million ... Jump to full article >>

Cigarette maker Lorillard says its net income increased 7 percent in the first quarter as it sold more Newport and Maverick cigarettes at higher prices. Lorillard says it earned $248 million, or $1.71 per share, for the period ended March 31. That’s up from $232 million, or $1.50 per share, a year ago. The per-share figure was boosted by a lower number of shares outstanding. The nation’s third-biggest tobacco company says revenue exc ... Jump to full article >>

An estimated 4,000 people each year in California die from secondhand smoke, according to Santa Clara County Department of Public Health officials, who kicked off an ad campaign Tuesday to warn people about the dangers of secondhand smoke. The campaign was announced at a news conference April 26 with county Supervisor Ken Yeager and Campbell Mayor Jason Baker, who said that as a father of two kids, he is especially concerned about the impact of ... Jump to full article >>

A FRANKSTON trader is urging other angry shop owners to join him in a legal class action against Frankston Council over its smoking ban – which has become permanent in the trial zone and may be greatly extended. Glen Cooper, of Cooper’s Patisserie in Shannon Street Mall, told the Weekly that he and neighbouring coffee shop and juice bar proprietors have suffered substantial loss of trade since the council introduced its smoke-free ou ... Jump to full article >>

U.S. tobacco companies’ first quarter earnings are getting a boost from recent price increases but the year’s outlook remains mixed as domestic sales volumes shrink due to state laws banning indoor smoking and the graying of core customers. On Thursday, Philip Morris International Inc., the world’s largest tobacco company by revenue, posted a 13% profit increase on higher prices and gains in Asian markets. Reynolds American In ... Jump to full article >>

Altria Group Inc. (MO – Analyst Report), the manufacturer and seller of cigarettes, wine and other tobacco products, reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Virginia-based Altria posted adjusted earnings of 44 cents a share in the quarter, which was up 4.8% compared with the prior-year quarter and was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The quarter benefited from strong income across its tobacco businesses, lower ass ... Jump to full article >>

On April 15th, the very day many Vermonters’ are trying to pay their end of year tax obligations, the Vermont Senate Finance Committee voted to increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack, making Vermont more than $20.00 carton higher than New Hampshire. Here’s why we oppose this tax increase: The Importance of Buying Local Stemming the Loss of Retail Business Across Vermont’s Borders There has been significant focus across Vermont in rec ... Jump to full article >>

Call it a duel between tobacco tax studies. During a floor debate in the Legislature last month on lowering the New Hampshire tobacco tax, Rep. Patrick Abrami, R-Stratham, said the move was necessary to help small businesses rebound and strengthen a competitive advantage in lower cigarette taxes with neighbor states. “We have reached the tipping point,” Abrami said about the sizeable increase in tobacco taxes that had taken place sin ... Jump to full article >>

Two Georgia-based associations of premium tobacco retailers have warned the Macon City Council that the ordinance it is considering to restrict smoking in most indoor public places would be putting local jobs and small businesses at risk for no reason. Two Georgia-based associations of premium tobacco retailers have warned the Macon City Council that the ordinance it is considering to restrict smoking in most indoor public places would be putt ... Jump to full article >>

COLUMBUS — The question of whether smokers can light up in bars, restaurants, and other public places has worked its way up to Ohio’s highest court. The Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear an appeal of November’s 10th District Court of Appeals ruling that upheld enforcement of the voter-approved ban on indoor public smoking against a challenge brought by a Columbus bar that had racked up $30,000 in fines for repeat violation ... Jump to full article >>