Cig sale ban closer

WORCESTER — The city is one step away from becoming the ninth municipality in the state to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products by local health-care providers, including chain pharmacies and other drugstores.

The ban was one of four amendments to the city’s tobacco control ordinance given initial approval by the City Council last night.

The other amendments will also ban the sale of tobacco products at local institutions of higher education and the citywide sale of so-called “blunt wraps” — a cigarette-like rolling paper that is usually made from tobacco leaves.

Group urges smokeless-tobacco ban for MLB teams

Televisions on Thursday will broadcast the usual iconic images of baseball's opening day: fans cheering from the stands, umpires making close calls at the plate, and players in the thick of the game, spitting tobacco juice.

With smokeless tobacco use spiking among high school boys - a reported 36% increase since 2003 - public health officials are targeting their role models to set a healthy example, and calling for a ban on tobacco at major league ballparks.

Vote expected on tobacco sales measure

Bill would keep pharmacies from selling cigarettes.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - Cigarette sales may soon be banned in Fall River pharmacies.

City councilors are scheduled to vote on a measure Tuesday night that would prohibit pharmacies in the city from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The measure won initial approval two weeks ago, but it goes before the council for a second reading and possible ratification.

Supporters of the measure say pharmacies should not be selling harmful tobacco products alongside helpful medicines.

Menthol cigarette use on the rise among young people

Teen smokers are increasingly choosing menthol cigarettes over ordinary brands - and 80 per cent of black adolescent smokers buy minty versions.

Brands like Lorillard's Newport account for nearly one-third of America's $83billion annual cigarette sales, and more and more of those come from minority youth smokers.

A draft report by the Food and Drug Administration in Washington found more than half of Hispanic teenage smokers use menthols, and there is a 'significant increase' in white youths smoking them, too.

The draft chapter, released today, is a blow to cigarette manufacturers who are fighting FDA proposals to ban or limit the sale and manufacture of menthol cigarettes.

Anti-smoking campaigners argue they are dangerous because the mint flavouring hides the harsh taste of tobacco, making them more appealing to young smokers.

Libs support Labor internet tobacco ad ban

Labor MPs have urged the coalition to stop accepting political donations from tobacco companies as the lower house debates a ban on cigarette advertising on the internet.

The coalition is supporting a government amendment to tobacco advertising laws to restrict ads on the internet in line with other media.

The move will mean it will be an offence to advertise tobacco products on the internet.

Liberal MP Andrew Southcott said the coalition shared a common desire with Labor to achieve a healthier society.

The current laws lacked clarity, Dr Southcott told parliament.

New hope for cig vending machines

Fresh hope has been raised that the cigarette vending machine ban could be stopped by legal action.

Machine provider Sinclair Collis, part of Imperial Tobacco, has been granted leave to appeal the High Court's decision to reject its judicial review of the ban.

A hearing at the Court of Appeal is scheduled for 7 or 8 March and due to last one and a half days.

Imperial Tobacco senior UK corporate and legal affairs manager Colin Wragg said: “We are delighted that we have managed to get the appeal heard promptly and we will communicate further developments as they occur.”