The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids has a new factsheet available on their website, The Rise of Cigars and Cigar-Smoking Harms:
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0333.pdf
The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids encourages you to use this factsheet to educate people about the growing popularity of cigars and the loopholes that allow them to bypass the regulations that would help curb their use. Cigars are just as harmful as cigarettes, and cigar sales have been rising. With cigars and small cigars available in kid-friendly flavors like grape, vanilla, and strawberry, legislators and advocates cannot overlook this tobacco product, especially when considering tobacco tax increases. Large and small cigars are often taxed at much lower rates than cigarettes, making them much more accessible by youth -- and the candy and fruit flavors provide even more incentive to try…and become addicted to tobacco. Particularly, little cigars, some of which look almost exactly like cigarettes (but contain a bit of tobacco pulp in the paper, which qualifies them to be categorized with traditional-looking cigars) and are often sold in 20-packs like cigarettes, can be sold in a variety of flavors and enjoys a huge tax break compared to cigarettes.
If you have any questions about the factsheet or this issue, please contact Ann Boonn at the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids at 202.296.5469 or at aboonn@tobaccofreekids.org.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
World No Tobacco Day - May 31, 2008
This year's World No Tobacco Day theme is TOBACCO-FREE YOUTH. World No Tobacco Day is sponsored by the World Health Organization. This year's aim is to raise awareness of the grip of tobacco marketing. They call for a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products to reduce consumption.
Check out details on the campaign at the link below!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Snus is on its way to a convenience store near you!
Reprinted from the Winston-Salem Journal
RJR adds test cities
Smokeless snus 'gaining traction'
By Richard Craver
Winston-Salem Journal
Saturday, April 12, 2008
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_Basi
cArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355262272
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is taking its Camel Snus marketing tour to the country’s biggest consumer markets in May.
The company said yesterday that it is expanding the test markets for the smokeless product from eight to 17 metropolitan areas.
The new markets are Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, Oakland/San Francisco and Seattle. Camel Snus is the first snus product by a U.S. tobacco manufacturer introduced into those markets.
Camel Snus comes in a small pouch that is placed between the lip and gum.
The tobacco is pasteurized - not fermented - and it contains less moisture and salt than moist snuff. It also does not require the consumer to spit, Reynolds said.
"We’re continuing to learn about the potential of Camel Snus as a viable product among adult tobacco users," said David Howard, a company spokesman."We know snus is gaining traction."
Reynolds has been the most aggressive U.S. tobacco manufacturer with snus, having begun its first trial two years ago. It has not set a timetable for distributing and marketing Camel Snus nationally.
The other test markets are in Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Orlando, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; and Raleigh. The product is available at Sheetz convenience stores in Winston-Salem and at convenience stores in Greensboro and High Point.
Although Reynolds does not dictate the price of Camel Snus at retail, the price is comparable to a premium pack of cigarettes, which typically sell for $4 to $4.50, Howard said.
The competition for snus products has gotten tighter in recent months.
Liggett Group LLC said on Feb. 26 that it would begin testing in May its Grand Prix snus in seven of Reynolds’ current markets. Philip Morris USA is selling Marlboro Snus in Dallas and Indianapolis.
The makers are putting more emphasis on smokeless products, such as snuff and snus, to gain market share and sales as the smoking rate among adults continues to decline.
Smokeless products are drawing support from some anti-smoking groups as a less hazardous way to consume tobacco.
Those groups, as well as Reynolds, want any proposed Federal Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products to allow for the marketing of smokeless products as reduced risk compared with cigarettes.
"Reynolds’ expansion of its test market for snus will provide millions of smokers with less-hazardous alternatives to cigarettes, which is welcoming news," said Bill Godshall, the executive director of SmokeFree Pennsylvania. "It makes sense for Reynolds to gradually expand its test market for snus, as it’s a new and entirely different product than cigarettes."
But other anti-smoking activists oppose marketing smokeless tobacco under cigarettes’ brand names.
"Every new city RJR picked has a clean-air law," said Matthew Myers, the president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "This is about RJR doing everything they can to keep people from quitting."
Godshall said that persuading smokers to try a new smokeless-tobacco product isn’t easy.
"Although smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes, and should not be used by those who are not addicted to nicotine, cigarettes are about 100 times deadlier than smokeless-tobacco products," he said.
Stephen Pope, the chief global-market strategist for Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, said that Reynolds’ cautious approach to Camel Snus has created a greater opportunity for the product.
"It will be noted by Reynolds that when the Norwegian government placed a strict indoor smoking ban in public places in June 2004, the sale of snus really accelerated," Pope said.
RJR adds test cities
Smokeless snus 'gaining traction'
By Richard Craver
Winston-Salem Journal
Saturday, April 12, 2008
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_Basi
cArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355262272
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is taking its Camel Snus marketing tour to the country’s biggest consumer markets in May.
The company said yesterday that it is expanding the test markets for the smokeless product from eight to 17 metropolitan areas.
The new markets are Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, Oakland/San Francisco and Seattle. Camel Snus is the first snus product by a U.S. tobacco manufacturer introduced into those markets.
Camel Snus comes in a small pouch that is placed between the lip and gum.
The tobacco is pasteurized - not fermented - and it contains less moisture and salt than moist snuff. It also does not require the consumer to spit, Reynolds said.
"We’re continuing to learn about the potential of Camel Snus as a viable product among adult tobacco users," said David Howard, a company spokesman."We know snus is gaining traction."
Reynolds has been the most aggressive U.S. tobacco manufacturer with snus, having begun its first trial two years ago. It has not set a timetable for distributing and marketing Camel Snus nationally.
The other test markets are in Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Orlando, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; and Raleigh. The product is available at Sheetz convenience stores in Winston-Salem and at convenience stores in Greensboro and High Point.
Although Reynolds does not dictate the price of Camel Snus at retail, the price is comparable to a premium pack of cigarettes, which typically sell for $4 to $4.50, Howard said.
The competition for snus products has gotten tighter in recent months.
Liggett Group LLC said on Feb. 26 that it would begin testing in May its Grand Prix snus in seven of Reynolds’ current markets. Philip Morris USA is selling Marlboro Snus in Dallas and Indianapolis.
The makers are putting more emphasis on smokeless products, such as snuff and snus, to gain market share and sales as the smoking rate among adults continues to decline.
Smokeless products are drawing support from some anti-smoking groups as a less hazardous way to consume tobacco.
Those groups, as well as Reynolds, want any proposed Federal Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products to allow for the marketing of smokeless products as reduced risk compared with cigarettes.
"Reynolds’ expansion of its test market for snus will provide millions of smokers with less-hazardous alternatives to cigarettes, which is welcoming news," said Bill Godshall, the executive director of SmokeFree Pennsylvania. "It makes sense for Reynolds to gradually expand its test market for snus, as it’s a new and entirely different product than cigarettes."
But other anti-smoking activists oppose marketing smokeless tobacco under cigarettes’ brand names.
"Every new city RJR picked has a clean-air law," said Matthew Myers, the president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "This is about RJR doing everything they can to keep people from quitting."
Godshall said that persuading smokers to try a new smokeless-tobacco product isn’t easy.
"Although smokeless tobacco is just as addictive as cigarettes, and should not be used by those who are not addicted to nicotine, cigarettes are about 100 times deadlier than smokeless-tobacco products," he said.
Stephen Pope, the chief global-market strategist for Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, said that Reynolds’ cautious approach to Camel Snus has created a greater opportunity for the product.
"It will be noted by Reynolds that when the Norwegian government placed a strict indoor smoking ban in public places in June 2004, the sale of snus really accelerated," Pope said.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
American Legacy Foundation Grants
American Legacy Foundation is currently accepting Letters of Intent (LOI) for the Small Innovative Grants Program. Through this program, Legacy supports projects that advance creative, promising solutions based on sound principles of tobacco control to remedy the harm caused by tobacco use in America. Grants under this program seed new projects or enable an organization to pilot a new idea or approach. Legacy issues renewable grants for up to $100,000 for the first year of funding. Upon invitation, grantees may apply for a second year of funding for up to 50% of the amount awarded in the first year.
All applicants must submit a Letter of Intent. Twice a year, Legacy will invite a limited number of grants under this program. The next deadline for letters of intent is Friday, May 23, 2008, at 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Please visit the Grants section of the Legacy website, http://www.americanlegacy.org/1710.aspx , for guidelines and on-line application instructions.
All applicants must submit a Letter of Intent. Twice a year, Legacy will invite a limited number of grants under this program. The next deadline for letters of intent is Friday, May 23, 2008, at 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Please visit the Grants section of the Legacy website, http://www.americanlegacy.org/1710.aspx , for guidelines and on-line application instructions.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
VTSF Trainings Announced
The VTSF Training calendar has been posted on our web site. These low-cost professional development training sessions are open to anyone in the prevention field (you do NOT have to be a VTSF grantee to attend).
To register, click on the following link: http://www.vtsf.org/registration/upcoming-programs.asp) or from the VTSF website home page at www.vtsf.org, simply click on the PROGRAMS link at the top left side of the page; on the next page, click on the TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES link on the left side of the page. The Training Opportunities page will be displayed listing all available workshops with dates and locations.
To review the course descriptions and register, either click on the course title or the MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION link. Simply fill in the requested information and click on the submit button. You can confirm your registration after submitting by going back to the Training Opportunities Main page (by clicking on the link on the left side of the screen or clicking on this direct link: http://www.vtsf.org/registration/upcoming-programs.asp) and click on either the Confirmed by workshop/location or Confirmed by name links.
The registration fee is $25 per workshop. You may NOT use VTSF grant funds to pay for the workshops. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided at no additional cost during all workshops. Please be sure to print a copy of your online registration and forward it with your payment (check, purchasing order (PO), or interagency transfer invoice (IAT) to VTSF (Attn: Charlie McLaughlin), 701 E. Franklin St. Ste 501, Richmond Va 23219.
Pass this information along to anyone you think might be interested!
To register, click on the following link: http://www.vtsf.org/registration/upcoming-programs.asp) or from the VTSF website home page at www.vtsf.org, simply click on the PROGRAMS link at the top left side of the page; on the next page, click on the TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES link on the left side of the page. The Training Opportunities page will be displayed listing all available workshops with dates and locations.
To review the course descriptions and register, either click on the course title or the MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION link. Simply fill in the requested information and click on the submit button. You can confirm your registration after submitting by going back to the Training Opportunities Main page (by clicking on the link on the left side of the screen or clicking on this direct link: http://www.vtsf.org/registration/upcoming-programs.asp) and click on either the Confirmed by workshop/location or Confirmed by name links.
The registration fee is $25 per workshop. You may NOT use VTSF grant funds to pay for the workshops. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided at no additional cost during all workshops. Please be sure to print a copy of your online registration and forward it with your payment (check, purchasing order (PO), or interagency transfer invoice (IAT) to VTSF (Attn: Charlie McLaughlin), 701 E. Franklin St. Ste 501, Richmond Va 23219.
Pass this information along to anyone you think might be interested!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Nationwide Smoke-Cessation Campaign Launched April 2nd
The American Legacy Foundation, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and a coalition of state and national health organizations have launched "EX," a national public-health campaign aimed at helping smokers quit, the Winston-Salem Journal reported April 1.
The campaign includes a website, www.becomeanex.org and other resources, including a forum where people who want to quit can get advice from former smokers. "Most smokers who want to quit do not understand what it takes to conquer their nicotine addiction, or they underestimate how powerful that addiction can be," said Cheryl Healton, president of the American Legacy Foundation. "The approach provided by EX changes that equation by showing them how they can quit -- namely by combining coaching, pharmacotherapy and social support -- so that smokers have the support that they need at the times when they're most likely to crave a cigarette and smoke."
State health officials said that EX will compliment quitlines and other resources already established to help smokers. "There are tobacco users who will be more likely to use a telephone quit line, some who will be more likely to use an online service, and some who will use both," said Sally Malek, head of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch at the North Carolina health department. "If North Carolina smokers want to set up their own support group online, they have that opportunity."
The campaign includes a website, www.becomeanex.org and other resources, including a forum where people who want to quit can get advice from former smokers. "Most smokers who want to quit do not understand what it takes to conquer their nicotine addiction, or they underestimate how powerful that addiction can be," said Cheryl Healton, president of the American Legacy Foundation. "The approach provided by EX changes that equation by showing them how they can quit -- namely by combining coaching, pharmacotherapy and social support -- so that smokers have the support that they need at the times when they're most likely to crave a cigarette and smoke."
State health officials said that EX will compliment quitlines and other resources already established to help smokers. "There are tobacco users who will be more likely to use a telephone quit line, some who will be more likely to use an online service, and some who will use both," said Sally Malek, head of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch at the North Carolina health department. "If North Carolina smokers want to set up their own support group online, they have that opportunity."
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