The use of smokeless tobacco products was associated with an increased risk for fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, a meta-analysis found. For fatal MI, the relative risk associated with ever having used these products was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.21), according to Paolo Boffetta, MD, and Kurt Straif, MD, PhD, of the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France. And the overall relative risk for fatal stroke was 1.40 (95% C ... Jump to full article >>

The Outsiders are an ever-expanding beacon of hope for youth baseball players in the Bronx, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of the players, including their health and well-being. So when you attend an Outsiders game and hear the inevitable “Who’s got dip?” chorus, it can be jarring. But the truth is, tobacco use – especially “dipping” with snuff – has been synonymous with the Outsiders ... Jump to full article >>

[This is the first story in a three-part series analyzing the effect this spring's federal-excise-tax hike has had on tobacco retailing thus far. Watch for more in CSP Daily News this week.] “We have seen an increase in pack sales, and this is related to higher pack prices from our competitors.” “Customers have traded down to lesser price points.” “Middle price brands are losing share to lower price more so than hig ... Jump to full article >>

BOSTON — At least 15,000 purchasers of chewing tobacco in Massachusetts could be eligible for a piece of a $10.65 million class action settlement with U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., according to a lawyer for plaintiffs who sued the company. The plaintiffs’ legal team, which had alleged that UST artificially inflated the cost of chewing tobacco through its large market share, has launched a Web site to explain to consumers how they can access th ... Jump to full article >>

SARASOTA – Of all the impediments thrown at smokers over the years, the one that arrives today could have one of the biggest impacts. Florida’s cigarette tax, long among the nation’s lowest, in keeping with its Southern neighbors, is rising by $1 per pack. Combined with a 62-cent-per-pack federal increase that took effect just 12 weeks ago, cigarettes in Florida are now pushing $6 per pack — a price that is proving persu ... Jump to full article >>

Megan posted earlier asking how a libertarian economist might respond to the claim of a market failure for non-smoking bars not cropping up on their own. She theorizes that this must occur because bar owners would not want to alienate the large, profitable customer base that smokes. This explanation, however, does satisfy those who believe efficient markets should have produced smokeless bars through non-smoker demand. I’d have a few sugge ... Jump to full article >>

Derek Jeterteps to the plate again, his jaw churning ferociously on some foreign, sticky substance. It’s just gum, and Jeter will prove that to the world now and then by blowing a giant bubble. But until the silly pink ball emerges, who knows? It might be gum, yet it also could be a pouch of smokeless or dip tobacco – that stubborn, traditional chew of choice for baseball players throughout history. And this is exactly what drives J ... Jump to full article >>

Louise Lennersten wasn’t going to let pregnancy make her kick a snuff habit. The 26-year-old Swede switched to Onico, a nicotine-free brand that uses flavored vegetable fibers to imitate the taste of tobacco. Following the birth of her son Wilmer last month, she intends to return to real snuff, called snus in Sweden. “I was a smoker but switched to snus when my job didn’t allow smoke breaks,” Lennersten said. “This ... Jump to full article >>

Free samples of non-cigarette tobacco products could not be distributed under a bill that has passed the Oregon House. House Bill 2358, which moved to the Senate on a 49-11 vote, was sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Tomei, D-Milwaukie, and Mike Schaufler, D-Happy Valley. The bill does not cover cigarettes, which are regulated by the federal government. Smokeless tobacco that is flavored and presented in colorful packaging is often marketed to young wo ... Jump to full article >>