Altria Loses Bid Over $24.5 Million in Tax Deductions

Altria Loses Bid Over $24.5 Million in Tax Deductions
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Author: David Glovin
Posted by: Cigs by Mail.com

Intro: Altria Group Inc., the largest U.S. tobacco company, said it lost a legal bid to retain $24.5 million in tax deductions.

Altria, based in Richmond, Virginia, sued the U.S. government in 2006 to stop it from seeking back taxes over the deductions taken in 1996 and 1997. A federal jury in Manhattan began hearing the case in June and returned a verdict today, Altria said.

“We believe that Altria and its subsidiary, Philip Morris Capital Corp., fully complied with the law,” Murray Garnick, Altria Client Services senior vice president, said in a statement. “We will seek further review of the jury’s verdict in the trial court and, if necessary, in the appellate court.”

NJOY Leads Global Expansion of Electronic Cigarettes

NJOY Leads Global Expansion of Electronic Cigarettes
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Tuesday July 7, 2009, 4:19 pm EDT
Posted by: Cigs by Mail.com

Intro: NJOY is quickly becoming the most recognized and leading brand of electronic cigarettes, not only in the U.S., but globally, as it now has distribution agreements in place for its smoking alternative in more than 50 countries.

“The U.S. represents just four percent of the 1.1 billion tobacco smokers in the world,” said Jack Leadbeater, CEO of Sottera, Inc., which owns and operates the NJOY brand. “We’ve learned that whether you are in the U.S. or on the other side of the planet, most people who smoke tobacco know the risks of doing so, and they are naturally interested in a better alternative.”

Garden City, Kansas: Smoking Ban Will Continue

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7/09 4:09 pm
Posted By: Cigs By Mail.com

Intro:
Garden City officials have decided to keep the city’s smoking ordinance as is. Since January 2007, the city has had a ban on smoking in establishments where food or drink is served and in public buildings.

Commissioners had been looking at whether to exclude Class A establishments, including war veterans clubs because members felt they should have the right to smoke in their own private facilities. Tuesday, that idea was dismissed as commissioners voted 3-2 to keep the ordinance the same.

"It's just not right to be dictating our personal lives and not just the past veterans but to the people of this community,” said Roy Dixon, American Legion 1^st Vice Commander.

"I don't think anybody has the right to smoke,” said Mayor Nancy Harness. “It's an opportunity, it's a privilege, it is a legal activity if you're of age. But you don't have the right to smoke and you sure don't have the right to compromise my heath by doing it."

Tobacco farmers troubled by taxes on their cash crop

Tobacco farmers troubled by taxes on their cash crop
Jump to full article: AP, 2009-04-05
Author: Emery P. Dalesio Associated Press
Posted By: Cigs By Mail.com

Intro:
But last week, the federal tax on a pack of smokes more than doubled. Pender Sharp says cigarette makers had already cut back orders in anticipation, leaving him to wonder if Sharp Farms and thousands of fellow growers across the South will be forced to hire fewer seasonal workers or lay off full-time employees.

Pennsylvania Department of Health Helps Smokers Trying to Quit...

Pennsylvania Department of Health Helps Smokers Trying to Quit in Wake of Federal Cigarette Tax Hike

Jump to full article: PR Newswire, 2009-04-03
Author: SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health
Posted By: Cigs By Mail.com

Intro:
To support the growing number of Pennsylvanians who are trying to quit smoking as a result of the recent increase in federal cigarette taxes, the Department of Health today reminded smokers to call Pennsylvania's toll-free Quitline or visit www.determinedtoquit.com.

Cigarette smokers see cash going up in smoke

Jump to full article: Thibodaux (LA) Daily Comet, 2009-03-09
Posted By: Cigs By Mail .com – The Discount Cigarette Store

Intro:
THIBODAUX--Brandi Estay, 24, of LaRose has been smoking Camels since she was 13 years old. She used to buy cartons at a time but with cigarette prices going up, now she can hardly afford a pack without using coupons.
"It's breaking us up bad," Estay said. "I'm trying to smoke less, but I don't want to."

President Obama signed legislation on February 4th, increasing federal taxes on tobacco to its highest prices yet.
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EDITORIAL: From the Daily: Burning smokers

Jump to full article: Michigan Daily [U. of Michigan], 2009-03-09Author: The Michigan DailyPosted By: Cigs By Mail .com – The Discount Cigarette Store

Intro:
Since the federal tax increase on tobacco was already approved, the federal government should now concentrate on providing better assistance to low-income smokers whose options for quitting are few. At the state level, Michigan legislators should consider alternate methods of funding S-CHIP that distribute the financial responsibility more equitably.

Funding S-CHIP to ensure the health of underprivileged children is a good use of resources, but sticking smokers with the bill isn’t the best method of paying for it. Low-income smokers need to be provided with better access to treatments that can help them quit smoking before their addiction can be taxed so heavily.
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