Reminders

I hope you are all enjoying summer! Just a few reminders...

- Keep those VTSF Conference Registrations coming! Here is the link to the registration information http://www.healthyyouthva.org/training/. I think the conference will be our best yet! We worked hard to have a variety of timely breakout sessions!

- Your first Invoice/Reimbursement Request form is due to me by August 30, 2009. Please download the Invoice form here http://www.healthyyouthva.org/vtsf/grantees/forms.asp if you have not already done so.

As always, please contact me with any questions!

Lisa

Roll-Your-Own Tobacco Market Gets New Player

Philip Morris USA has begun testing the waters in the roll-your-own tobacco market by selling pouches and canisters of its L&M tobacco in Maine and Michigan, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported July 31.

The roll-your-own tobacco market is relatively small in comparison to traditional cigarettes: consumers bought enough loose tobacco to make about 5 percent of the total number of cigarettes sold in 2008. Still, the market has been growing steadily the past couple of years. In 2008, roll–your-own tobacco sales increased by 17 percent, according to the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Sales have increased by 60 percent over the last five years, although they have declined since a new federal tobacco tax went into effect.

As federal and state taxes continue to increase, however, more smokers may turn to roll-your-own tobacco products to save money. Philip Morris is selling pouches with enough roll-your own tobacco to make more than 20 cigarettes for $4 in Maine and Michigan. A pack of cigarettes costs around $6 in these two states.

From: Join Together Online

FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products

On June 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This historic legislation grants authority to regulate tobacco products to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

If you are interesting in following the FDA's plans for regulating tobacco products you can visit the newly-created web site http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/default.htm.