A legislative bill calling for the state to negotiate with Native American tribes to make payments on cigarette sales so Nebraska can continue to receive millions of dollars through a national tobacco settlement got first-round approval Wednesday. Senators voted 38-0 to advance the measure, which faces two more rounds of consideration. Since 2003, the state has received $280 million to $300 million from the four largest tobacco companies as part ... Jump to full article >>

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri House member Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) wants voters to raise the state’s cigarette tax by 81 cents per pack. Currently, Missouri’s 17-cent cigarette tax is the lowest in the country; Kelly’s proposal would increase it to 98 cents per pack. Kelly outlined his plan to a House committee last Thursday, according to the report. Kelly proposed a future statewide vote in which state residents would ... Jump to full article >>

Newfoundland and Labrador became on Tuesday the latest province to sue more than a dozen tobacco companies for money to cover health-care costs related to smoking. The Newfoundland government filed a statement of claim with the provincial Supreme Court in St. John’s after proclaiming legislation that allows the province to pursue legal action against the tobacco industry, according to a statement sent by the province’s Justice Depart ... Jump to full article >>

Jane Jones, Muskogee Against Tobacco program coordinator, says that when discussing the impact of tobacco use, the focus often turns to its tragic health effects and loss of life. However, every business and citizen in Muskogee County also bears a financial burden. Tobacco-Free Oklahoma Week, which runs through Sunday, highlights these burdens. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that the average Oklahoma business loses $3,734 each y ... Jump to full article >>

Several provinces are planning to work together against tobacco companies to recover health-care costs related to smoking, says Quebec’s Health and Social Services Minister Yves Bolduc. Quebec confirmed yesterday it is joining British Columbia, New Brunswick and Ontario in filing a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against tobacco manufacturers, and it’s only a matter of time before the provinces join forces to seek compensation, Mr. Boldu ... Jump to full article >>