January 2009 Archives

ClearWay Minnesota(SM) highlights important health message during the big game

The Super Bowl is known as much for its striking ads as it is for the actual football game. Among this year's offerings will be a new ad from ClearWay Minnesota that somberly reminds Minnesotans that "we all pay the price for tobacco."

The devastating economic, emotional and health consequences of tobacco use are explored though a series of fast-paced, provocative images in a new spot called "Cash Register." The new spot will air during the Super Bowl in Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester, and statewide in the months to follow. Other elements of the campaign will include a website and print, online and bus ads.

"Our hope is that this campaign will spur renewed awareness that the cost of tobacco use, in lives lost, disease and health care costs, continues to be too high for individuals, families and the state," said David Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer of ClearWay Minnesota. "As Minnesota wrestles with historic budget deficits and soaring health care costs, the goal of continuing to reduce tobacco use needs to be a part of the solution."

The spot ends with the new campaign's website, www.weallpaytheprice.com, which provides facts about the comprehensive costs of tobacco, as well as highlighting areas where progress has been made and resources for people who want to quit.

The We All Pay the Price campaign highlights the following facts about tobacco use in Minnesota:

Annually, tobacco use costs more than 5,500 Minnesotans their lives in addition to nearly $2 billion in health care costs, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Seventeen percent of Minnesotans, or 634,000 people, continue to smoke, according to the 2007 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey.
Each pack of cigarettes smoked in Minnesota costs an estimated $8.85 in medical expenses and lost productivity, according to the CDC. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $4.24.

"ClearWay Minnesota has a history of launching new and innovative campaigns during the Super Bowl," said Jerry Fury, Vice President Creative Director at Clarity Coverdale Fury, the Minneapolis advertising agency that created the campaign. "The campaign's power is in the message that 'we all pay the price of tobacco.' That sentiment really hits home for the majority of Minnesotans, who have all been touched in some way by the devastating consequences of tobacco use."

The We All Pay the Price campaign will run through June. To view the television spot, contact Kerri Gordon for a copy on DVD, or visit www.weallpaytheprice.com on Friday, January 30.

All Minnesota adults have access to free professional stop-smoking help through QUITPLAN(R) Services, including free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. During the past eight years, more than 12,700 Minnesotans quit smoking with the help of QUITPLAN Services. Call 1-888-354-PLAN or visit www.quitplan.com for more information.

ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN(R) stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

For more information on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 or visit www.clearwaymn.org.

 
 
SOURCE ClearWay Minnesota

Lorillard Inc., (NYSE: LO), the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States, today announced that it will release fourth quarter and year-end 2008 earnings on Monday, February 9, 2009.

A conference call for analysts and investors will begin at 10:00 am Eastern Time on February 9, 2009 which will be hosted by Martin L. Orlowsky, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David H. Taylor, Executive Vice President, Finance and Planning and Chief Financial Officer. Investors can participate in the conference call by dialing (888) 713-4209 (domestic) or (617) 213-4863 (international). The passcode for this event is: 51377878.

The news release and a live webcast of the conference call will also be available under the Investor Relations part of Lorillard's website at www.lorillard.com.

The conference will be available for replay in its entirety through February 16, 2009. If you wish to listen to the replay of this conference call, please visit Lorillard's website at www.lorillard.com or dial (888) 286-8010 (domestic) or (617) 801-6888 (international) and enter passcode: 19978099.

About Lorillard, Inc.

Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO) is the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Lorillard was founded in 1760, and is the oldest continuously operating tobacco company in the U.S. Newport(R), Lorillard's flagship brand, is a menthol-flavored premium cigarette brand and the top selling menthol and second largest selling cigarette in the U.S. In addition to Newport, the Lorillard product line has five additional brand families marketed under the Kent(R), True(R), Maverick(R), Old Gold(R) and Max(R) brand names. These six brands include 44 different product offerings which vary in price, taste, flavor, length and packaging. Lorillard's manufactures all of its products at its Greensboro, North Carolina facility and maintains its headquarters there. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.lorillard.com.

CONTACT: Gordon McCoun or Hannah Sloane, +1-212-850-5600, for Lorillard, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statement:

Certain statements made in this press release are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Reform Act. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "will be", "will continue", "will likely result", and similar expressions. In addition, any statement that may be provided by management concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions by Lorillard, Inc. are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Reform Act.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Lorillard, Inc., that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Information describing factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is available in Lorillard, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available from the SEC over the Internet or in hard copy, and are, in some cases, available from Lorillard, Inc. as well. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the time they are made, and Lorillard, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

 
 
SOURCE Lorillard Inc.

A coalition of Texas public health organizations this week launched a radio advertising campaign about the need for a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free workplace law that protects all Texans from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke.

The new advertising campaign focuses on the serious health risks of secondhand smoke, the growing number of states that have enacted comprehensive smoke-free laws and the strong public support for a comprehensive law in Texas.

"What's Texas waiting for? With a comprehensive statewide smoke-free law, we can protect everyone's right to breathe clean air," the radio ad states.

The ad campaign is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, HCSIA, Lance Armstrong Foundation, March of Dimes, Texas Medical Association and the Texas PTA. It is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To listen to the ad in English go to http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/campaign/texas/2009/numbers_english.mp3. To listen in Spanish go to http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/campaign/texas/2009/numbers_espanol.mp3.

"Secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "With a comprehensive smoke-free law in Texas, we can ensure that no one has to choose between their health and their paycheck."

Melinda Little, co-manager of Smoke-Free Texas, added, "It would be totally unacceptable for Texas to have two classes of citizens - those we protect and those we don't protect from the deadly pollutants in secondhand smoke."

Facts about secondhand smoke:

Secondhand smoke is a serious public health hazard. In issuing a landmark report on secondhand smoke in June 2006, the U.S. Surgeon General stated, "The debate is over. The science is clear: Secondhand smoke is not a mere annoyance, but a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults." Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including at least 69 known to cause cancer. According to the Surgeon General, secondhand smoke is proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease, serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and asthma, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. It is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. The Surgeon General also found that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke; the only way to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke is with comprehensive smoke-free workplaces and public places; and smoke-free laws do not hurt business.
Texans deserve the same protections from secondhand smoke - and the same right to breathe clean air - that more than half of all Americans already have. The ad points out that 24 states and 27 cities within Texas have passed smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars.
Texans strongly support a comprehensive smoke-free law. Two-thirds of Texas voters agreed that all workers should be protected from secondhand smoke.

For more information, visit: www.smokefreetexas.org

 
 
SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Ruyan America, Inc., Minneapolis, announced that it will introduce its newest E-cigarette smoking substitute/cigarette alternative, the Ruyan Jazz, at the 2009 National Association for Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) to be held January 24th to 28th in Nashville, TN, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The Company and its distributor, Nashville-based Nathan & James Group, will be at Booth 822 during the exhibit hours.

The Jazz is Ruyan's latest addition to its line and was developed specifically for the convenience store/travel center market. Like the Company's award-winning Vegas E-cigar, the Jazz is a completely disposable product that does not require that its battery be charged or that its cartridges be changed. The Jazz resembles a slightly larger traditional cigarette, 134 mm in length and 11mm in diameter and has the equivalent mouthfuls of vapor found in four to five packs of conventional cigarettes. It carries a MSRP of $24.99. Like other Ruyan cigarette alternatives, the Jazz does not contain tobacco and is not subject to smoking restrictions or tobacco taxes.

William P. Bartkowski, President of Ruyan America, Inc., stated, "The Jazz certainly raises the bar with respect to the product category in terms of convenience, aesthetics and value. It was designed and manufactured specifically to be sold in those venues where smokers most often purchase traditional tobacco products -- retail environments such as tobacco outlets, convenience stores, truck stops and travel centers and hospitality venues like casinos and hotels."

The Jazz is available in four styles -- the Classic, which contains 16 mg of nicotine; the Classic menthol, also with 16 mg of nicotine and menthol flavoring; the Freestyle, with 0 mg of nicotine, but all the flavor of the Classic; and the Freestyle Menthol, another nicotine free product.

"We have begun taking orders for the product and are extremely pleased by its early acceptance with consumers, retailers and distributors alike. We are excited to debut the product at the NATSO show, given how significant this product is likely to be for truck stop and travel center operators looking to offset the loss of traditional tobacco sales due to high prices, high taxes and smoking bans and restrictions," Bartkowski added.

ABOUT RUYAN AMERICA

Ruyan America, Inc. is a U.S.-based joint venture partner of Ruyan Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong. Ruyan America's Chairman, Mr. Hon Lik, is the inventor and holder of the international patents behind the E-cigarette and the atomizing technology that is critical to it, the E-cigar and the E-pipe. These products, varieties of replacement cartridges and their accessories are designed, manufactured and sold for the cigarette alternative/smoking substitution market. They allow smokers to satisfy their cravings for tobacco in places and situations where they otherwise cannot smoke by law, regulation or common courtesy. Ruyan is the only manufacturer of E-cigarette pursuant to Mr. Hon's patents and Ruyan America is the only Company providing E-cigarettes, E-cigars, E-pipes, their cartridges and accessories to distributors and retailers in concert with safety test results, product liability insurance, detailed ingredient lists and documentation of proprietary intellectual property.

ADVISORY

Warning: be advised that nicotine is addictive. The Ruyan products have not been evaluated by the US FDA. They are not intended to be drug products that diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease or condition. Do not use these products if you are under the age of 18; if you are a non-smoker, if you have a demonstrated allergy or sensitivity to nicotine or any combination of inhalants; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

     For Additional Information, Please Contact:

     William P. Bartkowski, President  or  Tracy Reiff
     Ruyan America, Inc.                      Chief Executive Officer
     612.605.8616                                Nathan & James Group, Nashville, TN
     billb@ruyanamerica.com                Office: 615.989.1616;
                                                         Cell: 941.447.7638
                                                          tracyreiff@nathanandjamesgroup.com

 
 
SOURCE Ruyan America, Inc.
 

Ruyan America, Inc., Minneapolis, announced that it will introduce its newest E-cigarette smoking substitute/cigarette alternative, the Ruyan Jazz, at the 2009 National Association for Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) to be held January 24th to 28th in Nashville, TN, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The Company and its distributor, Nashville-based Nathan & James Group, will be at Booth 822 during the exhibit hours.

The Jazz is Ruyan's latest addition to its line and was developed specifically for the convenience store/travel center market. Like the Company's award-winning Vegas E-cigar, the Jazz is a completely disposable product that does not require that its battery be charged or that its cartridges be changed. The Jazz resembles a slightly larger traditional cigarette, 134 mm in length and 11mm in diameter and has the equivalent mouthfuls of vapor found in four to five packs of conventional cigarettes. It carries a MSRP of $24.99. Like other Ruyan cigarette alternatives, the Jazz does not contain tobacco and is not subject to smoking restrictions or tobacco taxes.

William P. Bartkowski, President of Ruyan America, Inc., stated, "The Jazz certainly raises the bar with respect to the product category in terms of convenience, aesthetics and value. It was designed and manufactured specifically to be sold in those venues where smokers most often purchase traditional tobacco products -- retail environments such as tobacco outlets, convenience stores, truck stops and travel centers and hospitality venues like casinos and hotels."

The Jazz is available in four styles -- the Classic, which contains 16 mg of nicotine; the Classic menthol, also with 16 mg of nicotine and menthol flavoring; the Freestyle, with 0 mg of nicotine, but all the flavor of the Classic; and the Freestyle Menthol, another nicotine free product.

"We have begun taking orders for the product and are extremely pleased by its early acceptance with consumers, retailers and distributors alike. We are excited to debut the product at the NATSO show, given how significant this product is likely to be for truck stop and travel center operators looking to offset the loss of traditional tobacco sales due to high prices, high taxes and smoking bans and restrictions," Bartkowski added.

ABOUT RUYAN AMERICA

Ruyan America, Inc. is a U.S.-based joint venture partner of Ruyan Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong. Ruyan America's Chairman, Mr. Hon Lik, is the inventor and holder of the international patents behind the E-cigarette and the atomizing technology that is critical to it, the E-cigar and the E-pipe. These products, varieties of replacement cartridges and their accessories are designed, manufactured and sold for the cigarette alternative/smoking substitution market. They allow smokers to satisfy their cravings for tobacco in places and situations where they otherwise cannot smoke by law, regulation or common courtesy. Ruyan is the only manufacturer of E-cigarette pursuant to Mr. Hon's patents and Ruyan America is the only Company providing E-cigarettes, E-cigars, E-pipes, their cartridges and accessories to distributors and retailers in concert with safety test results, product liability insurance, detailed ingredient lists and documentation of proprietary intellectual property.

ADVISORY

Warning: be advised that nicotine is addictive. The Ruyan products have not been evaluated by the US FDA. They are not intended to be drug products that diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease or condition. Do not use these products if you are under the age of 18; if you are a non-smoker, if you have a demonstrated allergy or sensitivity to nicotine or any combination of inhalants; or if you are pregnant or nursing.

     For Additional Information, Please Contact:

     William P. Bartkowski, President  or  Tracy Reiff
     Ruyan America, Inc.                   Chief Executive Officer
     612.605.8616                          Nathan & James Group, Nashville, TN
     billb@ruyanamerica.com                Office: 615.989.1616;
                                           Cell: 941.447.7638
                                           tracyreiff@nathanandjamesgroup.com

 
 
SOURCE Ruyan America, Inc.

Swedish Match North America and Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today that Longhorn, the fastest growing moist snuff in the country*, will be the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) champion Ron Hornaday. The Longhorn colors will be featured on No. 33 for 10 of the 25 race events in 2009.

"This is an exciting partnership for us," said Charlie Kivett, Brand Manager for Longhorn. "NASCAR events are some of the highest attended sporting events in the U.S. NASCAR fans are also very responsive to NASCAR sponsors and we see this as a wonderful opportunity to acquaint them with the Longhorn brand."

Not only will Longhorn sponsor KHI's three-time Truck Series champion, they will also adorn the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado with KHI co-owner and two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. Longhorn will serve as primary sponsor for Harvick at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) November 13. Harvick, who won his first and most recent Truck Series race at PIR, is excited about the new partnership opportunity.

"We are looking forward to forging a new partnership with Swedish Match and Longhorn," said Kevin Harvick, KHI co-owner. "We see Longhorn, KHI and the Truck Series as a good combination. We think this is a good fit for everyone and we are excited about the possibilities in 2009."

The NCWTS season kicks off February 13, 2009 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

              Ron Hornaday No. 33
            Longhorn Racing Chevrolet
                  Silverado

    February 13                Daytona
    March 28                   Martinsville
    May 15                     Charlotte
    June 5                     Texas
    June 27                    Memphis
    July 18                    Kentucky
    August 1                   Nashville
    September 5                Iowa
    September 12               Gateway
    November 20                Homestead

ABOUT SWEDISH MATCH:

Swedish Match is a global Group of companies with a broad assortment of market leading brands in smokeless tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco, matches and lighters. Some of our well known brands include Red Man, Timber Wolf, Longhorn, Macanudo, Partagas, Cohiba and Borkum Riff. Swedish Match North America is headquartered in Richmond, VA, with manufacturing facilities in Owensboro, KY, Dothan, ALA, and the Dominican Republic. For more information visit the website at www.SwedishMatch.com

*Longhorn had a category growth of 33% over the past two years vs. 20% and 21% for its competitors. (Nielsen data, 2007-2008).

ABOUT KEVIN HARVICK INC.

Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001, is a 70,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. KHI houses two full-time Truck Series teams, including the 2007 series champions, the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado driven by three-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and the No. 4 KHI All-Stars Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ricky Carmichael and a variety of NASCAR Sprint Cup stars. KHI is also home to the No. 33 Chevrolet Impala competing full-time in the Nationwide Series, with drivers Kevin Harvick (a two-time Nationwide Series champion), Hornaday and Cale Gale. The 2009 season marks KHI's sixth year of full-time competition in NASCAR's elite divisions. Visit www.kevinharvickinc.com for more information.

 
 
SOURCE Swedish Match

A diverse coalition of clergy and lay members from faith organizations throughout North Carolina held a press conference today to call on Senator Richard Burr to end his opposition to legislation that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products. The legislation would protect kids from tobacco and save lives. Senator Burr has publicly threatened to filibuster the legislation if it was brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Congress is expected to consider the legislation in the coming months.

"We are shocked and deeply disappointed by Senator Burr's public statements that he plans to filibuster this measure," said Reverend Mark Creech, Executive Director, Christian Action League. "Senator Burr's threatened filibuster is one of the last remaining obstacles to saving so many lives from tobacco addiction through enactment of the FDA legislation. North Carolina faith leaders hope and pray that Senator Burr will drop his threat to block the bill. Both Senator Burr and Senator Kay Hagen should support the bill and help us save lives in our state and across the nation."

Despite all the death and disease they cause, tobacco products are virtually unregulated to protect consumers' health. This continuing lack of regulation allows the tobacco companies to market their deadly products to children, deceive consumers about the harm their products cause and resist even the most minimal steps to make their products less harmful.

The House of Representatives on July 30, 2008, approved the legislation by an overwhelming vote of 326 to 102. Six members of the North Carolina House delegation voted for the bill. It had 60 sponsors in the Senate, including 13 Republicans, but the Senate ran out of time to act due to the economic crisis. The legislation is also supported by more than 800 public health, faith and other organizations across the country, including every major national public health organization. FDA regulation of tobacco was also endorsed last year by major reports of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the President's Cancer Panel. A poll conducted in June found that 70 percent of American voters support Congress passing the legislation.

The bipartisan legislation pending before Congress would give the FDA authority to:

Restrict tobacco advertising and promotions, especially to children.
Ban candy-flavored cigarettes.
Require tobacco companies to disclose the contents of tobacco products, changes to their products and research about the health effects of their products.
Require changes in tobacco products, such as the removal or reduction of harmful ingredients.
Prohibit health claims about so-called "reduced risk" products that are not scientifically proven or that would discourage current tobacco users from quitting or encourage new users to start.
Require larger, more effective health warnings on tobacco products.
Prohibit terms such as "low-tar," "light" and "mild" that have mislead consumers into believing that certain cigarettes are safer than others.

"It is mind-boggling that tobacco products are the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, yet they are virtually unregulated to protect public health," said Dr. Douglas Schocken, Duke Heart Center, Duke University Medical Center. "Until Congress grants the FDA authority over tobacco products, America's kids and consumers will continue to be lured into addiction by the tobacco industry."

In North Carolina, tobacco use causes $2.46 billion in health care bills each year and kills 11,900 residents; 19 percent of North Carolina high school students currently smoke.

 
 
SOURCE Faith United Against Tobacco
 

The following statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, was released today:

The U.S. House of Representatives today delivered a tremendous victory for children's health by voting to increase federal tobacco taxes, including a 61-cent increase in the cigarette tax, to fund reauthorization and expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). By both reducing tobacco use -- the number one cause of preventable death in our country -- and expanding health care coverage, this legislation will create a healthier future for literally millions of children. We look forward to Senate approval of this legislation and its signature into law by President Obama.

Increasing tobacco taxes is a proven strategy to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among children. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by seven percent and overall cigarette consumption by about four percent. A 61-cent increase in the federal cigarette tax will prevent nearly two million kids from starting to smoke, help more than one million adult smokers quit, prevent nearly 900,000 smoking-caused deaths and produce $44 billion in long-term health care savings by reducing tobacco-caused health care costs. To maximize the health and revenue benefits and health care cost savings, we urge the Congress to increase federal taxes on all other tobacco products to parallel cigarette tax rates.

Higher tobacco taxes are a win-win-win solution for the country -- a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise revenue to help fund the SCHIP program and reduce tobacco-caused health care costs, and a political win that is popular with voters. Polling conducted for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that more than two-thirds of all voters support a significant increase in the federal cigarette tax to provide health care coverage to uninsured children. This support is evident among virtually every political and demographic subgroup of voters across the country, with large majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, men and women, and urban and rural voters supporting the cigarette tax to fund children's health care.

Tobacco use kills more than 400,000 people in the United States and costs the nation more than $96 billion in health care bills each year. Currently, 20 percent of high school students smoke and more than 1,000 kids become new regular smokers every day.

We urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay. It will expand health care coverage for America's children while helping to reduce tobacco use and save lives.

More information:

Fact sheet: Benefits from a 61-cent federal cigarette tax increase: www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0314.pdf

Other fact sheets on federal tobacco taxes:

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/index.php?CategoryID=11

 
 
SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
 

-
 

The following is a statement from Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein have acted to protect the city's children and health by issuing final regulations today that ban the sale of individual, cheap cigars. Under the regulation, cheap cigars would have to be sold in packs of five in the city of Baltimore. We also applaud Mayor Dixon for pursuing legislation in the City Council to strengthen enforcement and penalties to prevent the illegal sale of cheap cigars to minors.

The proliferation of cheap, individually sold cigars threatens to undermine efforts to prevent kids from smoking. Individual cigars, including so-called "little cigars," are more affordable to price-sensitive kids than regular cigarettes because they are sold individually for as little as 50 cents each, have lower excise tax rates and are exempt from state laws setting minimum pack sizes for cigarettes. Most insidiously, they often come in candy and fruit flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, cherry and cinnamon. They are often colorfully packaged and placed next to candy displays in retail outlets. The tobacco companies have a long history of using sweet flavors to attract new users, almost all of whom are children. Individually sold cigars also lack health warnings.

Like cigarettes, cigars are addictive and deadly, causing lung cancer, other cancers, heart disease and other serious illnesses. While cigarette consumption in the U.S. declined by 13 percent between 2000 and 2006, cigar consumption increased by more than 37 percent, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Since 1998, small cigars have been the fastest growing segment of the expanding cigar market. Between 1998 and 2006, consumption of large cigars increased by 45 percent, while small cigar consumption increased by 154 percent. After cigarette smoking, cigar smoking is the second most common form of tobacco use among youth. The most recent data show that in 2007, 13.6 percent of high school students were current cigar smokers.

We applaud the leadership shown by Mayor Dixon and Health Commissioner Sharfstein and urge them to quickly implement the proposed regulation.

For more information, please see our fact sheet on cigars and the health harms they cause at www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0333.pdf.

 
 
SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announces the appointment of Ronald B. Turk as the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the agency's New York Field Division.

Mr. Turk brings a new and fresh vision to fight violent crime in our neighborhoods to make our communities safer. "ATF is the federal government's main agency tasked with combating violent crime and one of our primary goals is to keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals", said Mr. Turk. "We will also continue to concentrate our resources in other areas where ATF has jurisdiction such as explosives, gangs, arson and the illegal smuggling of contraband and untaxed alcohol and tobacco products."

The ATF New York Field Division is responsible for more than 1,800 federal firearms dealers and 360 explosives licensees. The division is focused on combating armed violent criminal gangs and sharing information and intelligence with its investigative partners. It has more than 120 special agents and industry operations investigators assigned to these tasks. Other resources include an explosives detecting canine team, explosives enforcement officers, certified fire investigators, certified explosives specialists, and members of the Special and National Response Teams. The field division's intelligence group, located in Brooklyn, identifies criminal trends by analyzing recovered crime gun data and targeting illegal gun runners.

Prior to this new appointment, Mr. Turk was the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville, Tennessee Field Division, where he oversaw the day to day operations of nine field office throughout the state. He began his law enforcement career with ATF in 1989 as a Special Agent in Trenton, NJ. After a detail in ATF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he was promoted to a supervisory position in Bowling Green, Ky.

Mr. Turk is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the New Jersey Air National Guard, where he has over 23 years in the Security Forces career field, most recently serving in a command position in Iraq. He received his Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and his Masters in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. He is also a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, has attended several governmental executive development programs, and completed the US Air Force War College. Mr. Turk is a native Texan.

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at http://www.atf.gov/.

    Contact: Special Agent Joseph Green
             (718) 650-4000

 
 
SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
 

Free Nicotine Replacement Therapies Can Save Floridians $1,500 a Year

The Florida Department of Health's Tobacco Free Florida campaign is lending a helping hand to the 28,000 Floridians who smoke to quit -- for good. Free cessation aids are available from the Florida Quitline (1-877-U-CAN-NOW) in the form of counseling and nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) such as patches, gum and lozenges. An ad campaign blanketing the state is promoting these resources in an attempt to positively influence tobacco users to permanently alter their behavior.

The new "Be Free" campaign message is about empowering tobacco users to break the cycle of addiction. Statewide ads targeting adult and pregnant smokers will reach millions on television, radio and in movie theatres and provide resources for support and words of encouragement like "be healthier," "be wealthier" (pack-a-day smokers can save approximately $1,500 a year by quitting) and "be strong."

According to Kim Berfield, Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Health, the campaign is recognizing that tobacco dependency is an addiction and providing tobacco users with tools for empowerment, which are necessary for long-term success. She also emphasizes the importance of appealing to smokers on an emotional level.

"Quitting is not easy and requires courage and difficult action; it is a daily struggle which requires compassion from a smoker's family, friends and community. People do not view themselves as statistics, therefore it is important for the campaign's message to have an emotional appeal and to provide tools and resources that provide self-empowerment," Berfield said.

Another way the campaign is reaching smokers is through its newly launched website www.floridaquitline.com which features a Quitline introduction video showing callers what they will experience during the quitting process. The site also allows users to schedule a Quitline call and recommend the cessation service to their friends or family. The main campaign site, www.tobaccofreeflorida.com, will be updated to include video journals that follow a diverse group of tobacco users throughout their quest to stop using tobacco, a smoking cost calculator, which determines the amount a tobacco user can save if they quit and provide positive alternatives to spend money on (i.e., gym membership), and Myth Mashers, a tool that dispels common misconceptions which may lessen a tobacco users desire to quit.

ABOUT TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA

Tobacco Free Florida, the statewide youth prevention and adult cessation campaign launched in February 2008, has reached millions of Floridians through its advertising, online social media, grassroots initiatives, educational outreach and public relations efforts. Funded by the State's tobacco settlement fund, the campaign engages culturally and economically diverse audiences with its high impact messaging.

For more information on Tobacco Free Florida, please visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.

 
 
SOURCE Tobacco Free Florida
 

Have the gum, patch, and other contraptions failed to rid your vice? The reason is because it is a problem of the mind and not the brain. Stop barking up the wrong tree and get to the root of your addiction.

For over 30 years, psychiatrist, anesthesiologist and addiction therapist Dr. Balasa Prasad has helped thousands of people including many celebrities to free themselves from addictions and phobias through his innovative and highly effective treatment program. His program combines a cutting edge philosophy known as Universal Sense along with his trademark Turning Point Treatments to help individuals vanquish their vices.

In order to accomplish this step, his program integrates Eastern philosophy and ultra short acting anesthetic agents to help a person to disengage from his addictions and phobias to enjoy a natural high forever.

If this is your first time trying to kick the habit, his book "Stop Smoking For Good" introduces you to new ways to address the underlying psychological triggers that enslave you to smoking. His radical approach offers an inspirational and practical 6-step plan for first-time quitters and those who have failed with other methods. The reader will find out what is their addictive profile with the help of insightful questionnaires, which in turn helps them to understand the depth of their addiction and the obstacles they will face when trying to quit. He puts the reader on the path to becoming a comfortable nonsmoker by avoiding the temptations that lure many back to the habit and eliminate the mentality of addiction so that they find closure and leave smoking behind permanently.

Praise for the book "Stop Smoking For Good."

"This book is for smokers who are serious about kicking the habit forever. Dr. Prasad meticulously dissects the smoking habit and, most important, shows how to beat it. He did it for me and it changed my life and the lives of those around me."

-Judge Judy Sheindlin, author of "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining," and star of the "Judge Judy" TV show.

If you have failed with every other method then the only way out is to use the combination of Universal Sense and the Turning Point Treatments. For more information on Universal Sense and to download your complimentary copy, visit http://www.universalsense.com. To contact Dr. Prasad about the Turning Point Treatments visit http://www.addictionandphobia.com

About the Author: Balasa L. Prasad, M.D., is a psychiatrist and anesthesiologist who for over 30 years has helped thousands of patients overcome their addictions at his behavior management clinic in Mount Vernon, New York. He has also written "Stop Overeating For Good" and "Stop Gambling For Good. He has been featured in the New York Times, New York Post, The Journal News, "O" magazine, Elle Magazine and "W." He lives with his family in Westchester County, NY.

To arrange an interview, contact Vasantha at 914.664.1144 or bvlprasad@universalsense.com

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

 
 
SOURCE Balasa L. Prasad, M.D.
 

This is a reissue of a previously killed release from December 30th 2008. The source client has given permission to use the contents of this release.

Leading Child Trust Fund provider, The Children's Mutual (http://www.thechildrensmutual.co.uk) is encouraging all parents who decide to give up smoking as their New Year's resolution to consider putting the money that they will save towards their children's futures.

According to figures from the NHS, smokers dropping a five a day habit will save on average GBP40 a month. If this amount were in turn invested each month into a child's Child Trust Fund it could grow to GBP15,500 when the fund matures on the child's 18th birthday. The monthly saving raises to GBP158 for those quitting a 20 a day habit. This could fully fund a CTF with some left over each month.

While the NHS records numerous health benefits associated with giving up smoking, the potential to improve a child's future financial health can also be added to the list of reasons to quit.

Marketing Director of The Children's Mutual, Tony Anderson, comments; 'People often view the New Year as a time to take stock and we know that many use it as an opportunity to make promises to themselves and others - but these are not always easy to keep. What better incentive could there be for sticking to a resolution than the knowledge that, as well as improving your own long-term wellbeing, the commitment could further benefit your children as they enter adulthood in the years to come.'

    About The Children's Mutual - Home of The Child Trust Fund

    - The Children's Mutual's mission is to help parents,
      grandparents, family and friends fulfil their hopes for today's
      children.

    - The Children's Mutual is the only UK company that specialises
      exclusively in savings for children.

    - The Children's Mutual is the choice of over 1 in 5 parents
      for their child's Child Trust Fund.

    - The Children's Mutual has won the The Moneyfacts Award for
      Best Child Trust Fund Provider every year since its 2006 launch.

    - The Children's Mutual, as experts in savings for children,
      made a significant contribution to the Government's Child Trust Fund
      consultation process.

Media Enquiries

For further information please contact Stephanie Quantick or Wendy Roberts at The Children's Mutual, Tel +44(0)1892-775-348 or email stephanie.quantick[at]thechildrensmutual.co.uk or +44(0)1892-775337 email wendy.roberts[at]thechildrensmutual.co.uk.

 
 
SOURCE The Children's Mutual
 

Free, anonymous tool helps you quit via online and text messaging support
 This time of year, everyone is vowing to make changes changes for a healthier, more rewarding life. For those resolving to become tobacco-free, FixNixer is a new quitting tool that helps people to overcome their tobacco addiction anonymously, with effective methods and motivational support.

At FixNixer.com, people who are ready to quit smoking or chewing tobacco can sign up for free support with a customized 21-day program that sends timely, motivational messages via e-mail and text messaging.

Five reasons to become tobacco-free with FixNixer:

    1. It's customized. Users fill out a personal profile and identify the
    times when they're most likely to use tobacco. Users also describe
    their motivation for quitting. After they've identified trigger-
    times  such as after meals, with coffee or in the car  users are
    notified with a customized e-mail or text message precisely when
    they need the most support to help them through their cravings.

    2. It helps users set realistic, achievable goals. Every year,
    thousands of tobacco users vow to quit as their New Year's
    resolution. But, they often don't prepare themselves for the
    quitting process or do not know what to expect, which can lead to
    unforeseen obstacles such as dealing with stress and fighting
    cravings. FixNixer encourages users to set a realistic personal quit
    date and then offers motivational support for the first 21 days.

    3. It's convenient. Users can sign up, seek advice and learn from the
    quitting experiences of others. And, they can choose to receive
    their motivational messages via e-mail or text message so they can
    be reached anywhere, anytime  when they need the support most.

    4. It's anonymous. Many tobacco users, especially young people, don't
    want anyone to know they are trying to quit. With FixNixer, people
    can anonymously seek quitting support, or, if they would like
    additional support, FixNixer can notify friends and family of their
    quit attempt.

    5. It's Free. Plus, quitting can save the average Colorado smoker about
    $1,800 per year.

FixNixer is sponsored by the Colorado State Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership (STEPP) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. FixNixer is free to all Colorado residents. For people who would prefer more personal interaction, the Colorado QuitLine offers free telephone coaching and a free supply of the nicotine patch. Operated by National Jewish Health under contract to STEPP, QuitLine provides free telephone and online services to Colorado residents at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.coquitline.org.

 
SOURCE Colorado State Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership
 

We are advised by The Children's Mutual that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release "Urging New Year Quitters to Invest in Their Family's Futures", issued earlier today over PR Newswire, as we are advised by the company that the release cannot be used until January 30.

 
 
SOURCE The Children's Mutual