Information on the Tobacco industry

Recent sources confirmed an estimated 500,000 master cases every month arriving in Brazil from Paraguay.
This increased from 400,000 and is more than likely caused by the recent closure by Receita Federal of several Brazilian cigarette producers.
Ironically, the closure has not benefitted the local suppliers but has migrated rapidly to Paraguay.
While Brazil insists on a disproportionately high tax burden for cigarettes [...]

Earlier postings on Tobacco Today - some months ago predicted PM USA would acquire either Swedish Match or USST to gain a significant entry into the smokelsss market. Evidently they’ve made their move - and we think its a smart move for PM USA.
They gain immediate participation in large portions of the smokeless category with big [...]

Representatives of the Seneca Nation on August 14th urged the administration of New York Gov. David Paterson to veto a bill that would require tax collections on cigarettes currently sold tax-free by tribal retailers.  On August 8th, the New York Senate passed a bill aimed at ending tax-free cigarette sales on Indian reservations as a [...]

PMI already owned over 40% of RBH anyway but this is an interesting move for PMI - what’s next?
More acquisitions in Canada?
Does this signal an interest in Virginia markets?

Should menthol be banned as a flavor under proposed FDA regulations?
How does this affect consumers?
Is it really just another flavor like strawberry or peach?
Does this start kids smoking or is this a myth?

This week, The house passed by a large bipartisan majority, the Bill regulating tobacco under the control of the FDA.
What are your thoughts - will it pass, and if so when?
If you don’t think it will pass - do you think this is good?

A Tobacco-Free County: Could It Ever Happen?
By Lou Maiellano
July 08 Convenience Store Decisions
 
Regulation of the industry’s most popular in-store program will affect the convenience store channel in a profoundly negative way.

I remember it clearly. It was an overcast day in June 2002 in Lancaster County, Pa., when I attended a meeting that has always left [...]

The Brazilian tax authorities shuttered Phoenix - an independent cigarette producer in Sao Paulo - last Wednesday, July 16.
This makes five independent plant closings in 14 months - American Virginia’s Rio plant, Sudamax near Sao Paulo earlier this year, Cibahia in Sao Paulo a few months ago and Cibrasa in Rio around the same time, representing [...]