Big Tobacco

Truth Initiative Urges Swift Action to Prevent Delay in Removing Menthol and Cigar Flavors, Citing Serious Health Implications

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Smoker, Research, Heated tobacco product, White, Truth Initiative, Risk, Cancer Moonshot, African Americans, FDA, Science, Tobacco industry, Health, Big Tobacco, Menthol, Administration, Public, Smoking, Tobacco

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Truth Initiative is deeply concerned over the Administration's delay in finalizing crucial rules aimed at removing menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and eliminating all characterizing flavors from cigars. The originally anticipated timeline for these rules, set for August 2023, has now been extended to March 2024. This delay not only puts the rules at risk of never being finalized but also represents a significant victory for Big Tobacco's well-documented exploitative practices, all at the expense of our nation's public health.

Key Points: 
  • The originally anticipated timeline for these rules, set for August 2023, has now been extended to March 2024.
  • The unjustifiable delay we are witnessing will inevitably result in more smokers and more lives lost.
  • Prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes can prevent an estimated 92,000 to 238,000 smoking-related deaths among Black Americans, as stated by the FDA.
  • We cannot afford to wait any longer for the menthol and flavored cigar rules to be enacted.

TEAMSTERS DEMAND CPUC COMMISSIONER JOHN REYNOLDS RESIGN AMID ROBOTAXI SAFETY CRISIS

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Big Tech, Robotaxi, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, California Environmental Protection Agency, CPUC, Corruption, Big Tobacco, California Public Utilities Commission, Local, Waymo, Public health, Public utilities commission, State government, Tobacco, Cruise

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to halt the autonomous vehicle company Cruise's robotaxi permit in San Francisco, California Teamsters are calling on CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds to resign.

Key Points: 
  • SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to halt the autonomous vehicle company Cruise's robotaxi permit in San Francisco , California Teamsters are calling on CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds to resign.
  • "Reynolds needs to step down immediately," said Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 856.
  • "Reynolds fully supported Cruise's expansion of autonomous vehicles for unlimited commercial use in San Francisco," said Jason Rabinowitz, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7.
  • John Reynolds never should have been at the CPUC to begin with, and the Teamsters demand he step down immediately."

Majority of Canadians want provincial governments to use the current insolvency process to force Big Tobacco to phase out cigarette sales

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Smoke, Sample, Smoker, Leger, Prevalence, Public, AB, Tobacco industry, Sale, Government, Big Tobacco, Tobacco, Quebec Coalition for Homeopathy, Ageing, Smoking, Physician, Atlantic Ocean

The survey was conducted from August 30 to September 9 among 2,709 Canadians.

Key Points: 
  • The survey was conducted from August 30 to September 9 among 2,709 Canadians.
  • The results also show that when choosing between a phase-out and a cash settlement, many more Canadians (38%) would support a phase-out over a cash settlement (15%).
  • The provincial lawsuits have effectively bankrupted the industry, and governments must now choose between allowing the insolvency proceedings to sustain the commercial tobacco trade or to force manufacturers to phase out tobacco sales."
  • This is a unique opportunity to phase out cigarette sales, protect youth and public health and to secure huge saving in health care costs.

Tobacco litigation: Four and a half years of negotiations and no deal in sight

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Smoke, Heart, Smoker, Nicotine, Disclosure, AB, Tobacco industry, Public policy, CCAA, Tobacco, Lawyer, Negotiation, Government, Big Tobacco, Hearing, Quebec Coalition for Homeopathy, Smoking, Mediation, Health insurance, Physician

In advance of this hearing, material filed with the court indicates that these talks have bogged down and that a conclusion is not in sight.

Key Points: 
  • In advance of this hearing, material filed with the court indicates that these talks have bogged down and that a conclusion is not in sight.
  • However, the tobacco industry is not blamed for these delays, but by inference provincial governments are.
  • "Clearly, the tobacco industry victims have lost faith in the process, and who can blame them?"
  • ...  approximately 700 Quebec Class Members have unfortunately succumbed to their tobacco-related illnesses and died and many more are becoming increasingly frail.

Maine Senate Acts to Protect Kids from Big Tobacco by Voting to End the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Smoker, Senate, Marketing, Tobacco, 124th Maine Senate, Maine House of Representatives, Tobacco industry, Multimedia, African Americans, Sale, Menthol, Big Tobacco, Heated tobacco product, Research, Health, Smoking, Legislation

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maine Senate has taken a major step towards protecting the state's kids from the tobacco industry by voting to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The Senate deserves enormous credit for standing up to Big Tobacco and taking action to end this industry's predatory targeting of kids, Black Americans and other communities with flavored products. This legislation will protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save lives. We urge the Maine House to join the Senate in approving this lifesaving legislation at the earliest opportunity.

Key Points: 
  • The Senate deserves enormous credit for standing up to Big Tobacco and taking action to end this industry's predatory targeting of kids, Black Americans and other communities with flavored products.
  • There is strong public support and momentum across Maine for ending the sale of flavored tobacco products.
  • Polling shows that 63% of Maine voters support ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products.
  • This legislation cracks down on the tobacco industry's most pernicious tactic for luring and addicting kids – the marketing of flavored tobacco products.

National Alliance for Hispanic Health Calls on the House Appropriations Committee to Stand Up to Big Tobacco

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 12, 2023
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, National Alliance, Nicotine, Nation, Tobacco industry, Doctor of Philosophy, Committee, CDC, United States House Committee on Appropriations, Appropriation, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Representative, Big Tobacco, Agricultural Appropriations Act of 1922, Smoke, Ranking, Agriculture, Health, FDA, Menthol, Smoking, House, White, House Committee, Tobacco

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives begins Appropriations Bill markups, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (Alliance) called on the Committee on Appropriations to remove Sections 768 and 769 from the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations bill.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives begins Appropriations Bill markups, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (Alliance) called on the Committee on Appropriations to remove Sections 768 and 769 from the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations bill.
  • The Alliance pointed to key data showing that Hispanic communities have been disproportionately targeted by tobacco industry menthol advertising and promotion.
  • Additionally, between 2019 and 2020, Hispanic youth reported the largest increase in flavored tobacco product use across all racial/ethnic groups.
  • The Alliance urges the House Committee on Appropriations to save lives and remove these harmful provisions.

India Stamps Out Tobacco Imagery from Video Streaming Services, Furthers Commitment to Driving Down Tobacco Use

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Campaign, Marketing, Public, Multimedia, Tobacco, Minor, Government, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Amazon, Big Tobacco, Health, Smoking, Netflix

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has published new rules to regulate depictions of tobacco use in video streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Hot Star. 

Key Points: 
  • India has long been a global leader and innovator in protecting youth from tobacco use, particularly in curtailing imagery in movies that glamorizes tobacco use.
  • The new rules announced today extend these provisions to online streaming services, thus cutting off a key access point for Big Tobacco to young people.
  • With the growing popularity of streaming services, viewers around the world are increasingly exposed to content glorifying smoking and tobacco use.
  • This new measure will help curb marketing tactics employed by Big Tobacco that entice young people into harmful, lifelong addictions.

New survey shows Canadians want Big Tobacco to pay for tobacco reduction efforts

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 29, 2023
Canadian Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society, Smoker, Japan, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Ipsos, Public, Parent, Tobacco, Policy, Stroke, Respiratory disease, Cancer, British Columbia v Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd, American Cancer Society, Government, Organization, Outline, Big Tobacco, Health, Letter, Smoking, Death, Premier, Disease, Rothmans

The Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Lung Association and Heart & Stroke are calling for significant tobacco reduction measures to be included in a major lawsuit settlement currently under negotiation with Big Tobacco companies.

Key Points: 
  • The Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Lung Association and Heart & Stroke are calling for significant tobacco reduction measures to be included in a major lawsuit settlement currently under negotiation with Big Tobacco companies.
  • "We are deeply concerned that the negotiations are being held behind closed doors and that tobacco companies are at the table but health organizations are not.
  • The defendants are Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc, and JTI-MacDonald Corp, as well as their foreign parents.
  • "A settlement must be about forever changing tobacco industry behaviour," says Terry Dean, President and CEO, Canadian Lung Association.

22nd Century Group (XXII) Highlights Recent TCORS Symposium Findings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Smoke, Smoker, Modified risk tobacco product, Heated tobacco product, Nicotine, Pacific Century Group, Public, Policy, MRTP, CTP, Research, Tobacco, Language, Regulatory science, Government, Menthol, Congress, Big Tobacco, Agricultural Appropriations Act of 1922, Century, Agriculture, XXII, Center for Tobacco Products, Health, FDA, Regulation of tobacco by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Smoking, Food, Disease

BUFFALO, N.Y., May 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a leading biotechnology company dedicated to improving health with reduced nicotine tobacco, hemp/cannabis and hops advanced plant technologies, today provided comments following the recent Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) Symposium and attempts to use funding limitations to inhibit actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to advance its top tobacco harm reduction policies.

Key Points: 
  • Together, these policies are expected to dramatically reduce the rates of smoking in the U.S., saving millions of lives and countless healthcare dollars.
  • Additionally, 22nd Century opposes the tobacco industry’s attempts to influence congress and interfere with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) plans to advance these policies.
  • “As a Company, 22nd Century stands in support of the FDA and members of Congress in the fight to end the harms of highly addictive tobacco products,” said John Miller, president of tobacco products for 22nd Century Group.
  • To inform adult smokers of the product's distinctive purpose, the FDA requires 22nd Century to include the statement "Helps You Smoke Less" on every package of VLN® sold.

Gen-Z Fights Back Against Tobacco Giant Altria

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Tobacco, Marlboro, Philip Morris USA, Heated tobacco product, Philip Morris, Big Tobacco, Smoking, General store, Altria

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 18, over 125 youth and advocates from 15 different states will protest tobacco giant Altria's annual shareholders meeting. These advocates will hold a demonstration outside Altria's Washington, D.C. office, while several youth activists have been made designees by shareholders to directly address Altria's executives and ask questions during the virtual shareholders' meeting.

Key Points: 
  • This year marks the eighth consecutive year that Mobilize Against Tobacco Lies (MATL), a collaborative of youth programs and national partners, will gather to expose and fight back against the tobacco giant.
  • Despite Altria and the tobacco industry's efforts, the United States has made great progress to reduce youth smoking.
  • Over 125 youth and other advocates will protest Altria's shareholder meeting to expose how Altria profits off cigarettes and other tobacco products, addicts kids, and fights real efforts to reduce tobacco use.
  • Mobilize Against Tobacco Lies is a collaborative of tobacco control youth programs and national partners, including seven youth programs and five national partners: