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April, 2015:

Undercover investigators highlight illicit tobacco trade in Gateshead

Apr 13th, 2015
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Homes, pubs, shops and businesses targeted by test purchasers in effort to raise awareness among public and law makers

Illegal cigarettes seized as part of a raid on Tyneside could contain human faeces, rat droppings or dead flies.

A team of undercover investigators uncovered “widespread” trade in illicit tobacco on a two-day visit to Gateshead.

Former Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Will O’Reilly led the test purchase operation on Tuesday and Wednesday across the borough.

Since November 2011, Will has been conducting the research on behalf of Philip Morris International (PMI) – the global cigarette and tobacco company, which includes Marlboro among its products – to check on new counterfeits and to raise economic and health issues related to the black market.

His team of former police officers from around Europe, whose identities cannot be revealed, visit pubs, homes and a range of shops and businesses in an effort to make buys, before passing their information on to local Trading Standards teams.

In Gateshead, the team made successful buys at more than 20 locations across the two days, acquiring hundreds of cigarettes and tobacco pouches.

Will said: “Since I started I have carried out visits to 80 or 90 parliamentary constituencies around the country, and since the beginning of the year we have done about 12.

“The North East is no different from any other area in that there is widespread sales of illicit tobacco, but there seems to be a lot more sales advertised on social media sites and buyers going to people’s homes here.”

There are three types of illicit tobacco that the investigators look out for.

The first are ‘diverted products’ sold only in foreign countries at a cheaper price and then smuggled into the UK to be sold, while the second are counterfeit versions of familiar brands.

But it is the last group, known as ‘illicit whites’, which are cigarettes manufactured for the sole purpose of being smuggled into the UK and sold illegally but buyers have no idea what is in them. Tests have revealed traces of arsenic, rat droppings, human faeces, dead flies and more.

Will said: “We are able to buy these from car washes, pet shops, furniture warehouses, houses, pubs, corner shops and more. It is more prevalent is more deprived areas where there are more smokers but less disposable income.

“The HMRC say at least £2.1bn is lost to the treasury each year from the illicit market and the trade helps to fund organised crime and even terrorism. Health risks also include the fact that many of the illicit cigarettes lack fire retardant and have been found to be responsible for house fires.”

Peter Wright, Gateshead Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards Manager, said his officers’ work to tackle illegal tobacco is just part of overall efforts to reduce smoking.

He added: “Gateshead’s Trading Standards team regularly uses intelligence to target illegal tobacco suppliers. However, we don’t believe that counterfeit tobacco is a growing problem, particularly as HMRC has suggested that the smuggling of counterfeit tobacco products has declined in recent years.

“The bottom line is that all tobacco, whether counterfeit or not, will kill around 480 Gateshead residents this year alone and take up 42,000 GP appointments in the town.

“Around half of all long term smokers can expect to die as a result of their habit.”

Philip Morris against all of us

Apr 13th, 2015
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Dear friends,

The tobacco giant Philip Morris is suing Uruguay for having some of the best anti-smoking laws in the world, and there’s a good chance it could win, unless we step in.

It’s a scary reality: a single company, with a product that kills, could overturn laws that protect our health. This court has already come under fire for not listening to the public in similar lawsuits. Let’s ensure they listen now: if we launch a giant call and work with a world class legal team to carry our voices into the courtroom, the judges won’t be able to turn a blind eye.

Let’s tell the court that this doesn’t just affect Uruguay — if Big Tobacco gets their way, it opens the door for challenges everywhere — at least 4 other countries are in the legal crosshairs, and many more have anti-smoking laws at risk.

We have to move fast — the court is already hearing arguments. Click to protect our public health and our democracies from corporate greed — each of our names will be submitted to the court:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uruguay_vs_big_tobacco_loc_2/?buiSbhb&v=56805

Uruguay requires 80% of the cigarette package to be covered with medical warnings and graphic images. Smoking had reached crisis levels, killing around 7 Uruguayans each day, but since this law was put in place smoking has decreased every year! Now tobacco giant Philip Morris is arguing that the warning labels leave no space for its trademarks.

It’s all part of a global Philip Morris strategy to sue and intimidate countries. The company already slapped an expensive lawsuit on Australia — and if it wins against Uruguay, it could run cases against more than a hundred other countries including France, Norway, New Zealand, and Finland who are all considering new life-saving legislation.

Experts say Philip Morris has a good chance of winning because it’s using a closed door international tribunal that ruled for corporations two-thirds of the time last year. And their rulings are binding, even though many of the judges are private citizens with corporate ties instead of impartial legal experts. It’s up to us to force them to consider the devastating effect their ruling could have on health across the world.

Uruguay has its own legal team, but they’re rightly focused on arguing their individual defence. We can submit a unique legal argument about how this ruling would set a precedent for every country with smoking laws and a similar trade agreement. And we can show the court that public opinion is behind them if they rule in favour of Uruguay and health protection everywhere.

The more of us sign, the harder it is for the court to ignore us. Click below to join the call and forward this email to everyone:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uruguay_vs_big_tobacco_loc_2/?buiSbhb&v=56805

When big corporations launch deadly attacks on our public good, our community has jumped into action — from Monsanto to H&M, we’ve made sure that profits don’t come before people. This is our chance to do it again, for all of us.

With hope,

Emma, Maria Paz, Katie, Mais, Alice, Ricken, Risalat and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

Uruguay sued by cigarette makers over anti-smoking laws (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-30708063

Philip Morris Sues Uruguay Over Graphic Cigarette Packaging (NPR)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/09/15/345540221/philip-morris-sues-uruguay-over-graphic-cigarette-packaging

Big Tobacco puts countries on trial as concerns over TTIP deals mount (The Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/big-tobacco-puts-countries-on-trial-as-concerns-over-ttip-deals-mount-9807478.html

The Secret Trade Courts (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/27/opinion/27mon3.html?_r=1&

Recent Trends in IIAs and ISDS (UN Conference on Trade and Development)
http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/webdiaepcb2015d1_en.pdf

The arbitration game (The Economist)
http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21623756-governments-are-souring-treaties-protect-foreign-investors-arbitration

Bill sought hiking legal smoking age

Apr 13th, 2015
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http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/685058/bill-sought-hiking-legal-smoking-age

MANILA, Philippines–The antismoking group New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) on Sunday urged lawmakers to pass a measure raising the legal age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21 to cut the prevalence of smoking among Filipino youth.

It is well known, however, that those younger than 18 can obtain cigarettes despite the current law.

But NVAP president Emer Rojas said that passing a law raising the minimum legal sale age (MLSA) would save lives in the long run since the tobacco industryhttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png has been luring young people to start the smoking habit to take the place of those who had died or gotten sick from tobacco use.

“Raising the age of those given access to cigarettes will certainly be a good measure to further reduce smoking prevalence, especially among the youth,” Rojas said in a statement on Sunday.

Rojas cited a recent study by the US-based Institute of Medicinehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png that showed that banning the sale of tobacco products to those under 21 would eventually slash the smoking rate by roughly 12 percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.

He pointed out that among the countries that had raised the MLSA for cigarettes were Sri Lanka, Honduras, Kuwait, Cook Islands and several US states, including New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Hawaii.

He noted that in the Philippines, the MLSA was limited to the use of the word “minors,” which means those under 18 are prohibited access to cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Based on a Social Weather Stations survey in the first quarter last year, Filipinos aged 18 to 24 account for 18 percent of the smoking population. Over 17 million Filipinos currently smoke tobacco.–Jocelyn R. Uy

Group to propose raising legal age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21

Apr 12th, 2015
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http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/group-to-propose-raising-legal-age-to-buy-cigarettes-from-18-to-21/

SAYING that it would help limit the youth’s access to the deadly cigarette addiction, the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) is mulling over proposing a bill that will raise the minimum age in buying cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old.

“Increasing the age of those given access to purchase cigarettes will certainly be a good measure to further reduce the smoking prevalence especially among the youth,” NVAP President Emer Rojas said, adding that there is a need for lawmakers to consider passing a law raising the minimum legal sale age (MLSA).

Rojas noted a March 2015 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the United States which shows that raising the age limit to buy cigarettes to 21 will have a substantial positive impact on public health and save lives. The IOM study predicts that raising the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 will eventually reduce the smoking rate by about 12 percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.

The study forecasts such a measure would translate to 249,000 fewer premature deaths, 45,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer, and 4.2 million fewer years of life lost in the US alone.

Among the countries that have raised the MLSA for cigarettes to 21 are Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Honduras, Cook Islands, as well as the states of New York, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Hawaii in the US. In the Philippines, the MLSA is limited to the use of the word “minors” which means those below 18 years old are prohibited from buying and smoking cigarettes or using any tobacco product.
In the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey in the first quarter of 2014, 18 percent of smokers come from the 18-to-24-year-old age group. Rojas said protecting the youth is a crucial aspect in the fight versus the smoking epidemic as they are known to be the main target of tobacco manufacturers.

“These kids will be the so-called ‘replacement smokers’ for those who died or are sick from tobacco use. Thus such a measure would protect our youth from becoming the next victims,” Rojas said. The anti-smoking advocacy group also said raising the MLSA will also be a good complement for previous tobacco control policies such as the “sin” tax law and Graphic Health Warning (GHW) Act.

The sin tax law aims to make cigarette products less accessible to the youth by increasing its prices in the market. The GHW is looking to use picture warnings in a bid to alert the youth of the ill-effects of smoking.

TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE INCREASE APPEARS TO HAVE GO-AHEAD IN AMHERST, MASS.

Apr 12th, 2015
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http://halfwheel.com/tobacco-purchase-age-increase-appears-to-have-go-ahead-in-amherst-mass/82914

After falling off the priority list last year, a proposal to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old in Amherst, Mass. came back for consideration this spring. While it’s now a priority for the town’s board of health, opposing the proposal doesn’t appear to be a priority for any of the town’s residents as no one showed up to speak against it at a community meeting on Thursday.

The meeting did draw three people to speak in support of the increase, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, while the lone voice of opposition came via a letter from an Arizona law firm that represents the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

The board is likely to vote on the matter at its May 14 meeting, when it will also likely consider several other tobacco-related regulations, including allowing board to regulate any non-regulated nicotine delivery as it does with tobacco, setting a minimum price of $5 for packages of two or more cigars, prohibiting the sale of tobacco by stores within 500 feet of a school and banning the sale of flavored tobacco products and e-juice by package and convenience stores.

Amherst is home to approximately 35,000 residents and is located about 90 miles west of Boston.

Raise smoking age to 21 to save lives

Apr 11th, 2015
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http://snovalleystar.com/2015/04/11/raise-smoking-age-to-21-to-save-lives

Tobacco addiction is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Washington, causing about 8,300 residents to die each year. Annual health costs now surpass $2.8 billion.

The best way to combat this crisis is to raise the legal smoking age to 21, as the Washington State Legislature is considering with SHB 1458. Attorney General Bob Ferguson requested the bill, and science supports his efforts.

A new Institute of Medicine of the National Academies study found that 90 percent of smokers report using cigarettes before the age of 19.

Even though the most recent King County Healthy Youth Survey showed teen cigarette and alcohol use is on the decline, e-cigarette use is on the rise. Unfortunately, e-cigarettes often contain nicotine, too.

Since 2012 sophomores report a 12.2 percent increase in vaping or e-cigarette use. For seniors, the increase is 18.7 percent.

Even though the use of regular cigarettes has dropped since 2008 by 7.3 percent for sophomores and 8.3 percent for seniors, we need to help them choose not to use tobacco products of any kind.

Preventing cigarette use at least until the age of 21 is most effective in stopping young adults from developing a long-term, damaging habit.

Several schools and local jurisdictions, including New York City, that have raised the legal age to 21 have been able to cut youth smoking rates by as much as 50 percent.

This change would help greatly reduce the risk of countless people needlessly suffering from heart disease, cancer and strokes, among other problems.

The adolescent brain is especially vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. Teens will always find a way to rebel and experiment with these vices, but that does not alleviate the need for state officials to solve a major public-health crisis.

Washington already bans alcohol and marijuana use until the age of 21. Extend that rule to tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

SHB 1458 recently passed the state House Health Care and Wellness Committee by a vote of 12-3. It’s now in the House Finance Committee.

This Legislature should approve this measure to save lives.

By Seattle Times editorial board, with additions from Issaquah Press and SnoValley Star staffs.

Thai govt urged to implement new tobacco product control

Apr 10th, 2015
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http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thai-govt-urged-to-implement-new-tobacco-product-control-2/48756/

BANGKOK, 10 April 2015 (NNT)- A youth group to prevent new drinkers has expanded its mandate and urged the government to pass tobacco legislation to stop new smokers.

The youth group as well as a group of university students have met with Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong to show support for the government’s efforts to prevent youth smoking.

However, they said that the two-decade-old Tobacco Products Control Act is outdated and cannot adapt to new product developments that sidestep its regulations.

The network has been observing product evolution in the tobacco industry and its impact on consumers. The Deputy Prime Minister said the government has placed great importance on the welfare of children as the future of Thailand.

He added that the law must first be deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly. He insisted that the government will do its best to enforce the law soon.

LETTER: Raise the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21

Apr 9th, 2015
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http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/article/20150409/NEWS/150407019

A recent study by the Institute of Medicine looks at the public health implications of raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products. Thanks to this report, we can add another evidence-based strategy to the toolbox of strategies cities and towns in Massachusetts can use to prevent youth from becoming addicted to nicotine.

A recent study by the Institute of Medicine looks at the public health implications of raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products. Thanks to this report, we can add another evidence-based strategy to the toolbox of strategies cities and towns in Massachusetts can use to prevent youth from becoming addicted to nicotine.

Experts at the Institute of Medicine conducted a rigorous review and concluded that increasing the minimum legal access age from 18 to 21 will have a positive impact on reducing youth initiation of tobacco use, particularly in adolescents aged 15 to 17. The report brief states, “Raising the MLA to 21 will mean that those who can legally obtain tobacco are less likely to be in the same social networks as high school students.”

According to the report, if the minimum legal age was raised to 21 now, by the time today’s teenagers are adults, we would see a 12 percent decrease in smoking rates. Many municipalities in Plymouth County have worked tirelessly to adopt a variety of policies – like eliminating the sale of single cheap cigars, limiting the number of new tobacco sellers and removing flavored tobacco from stores that minors frequent – that, when taken together, can have real impact on youth tobacco use.

It’s encouraging to have another evidence-based strategy to employ.Most of the policies cities and towns use to prevent youth tobacco use are aimed at reducing the tobacco industry’s influence. Without local regulation, the tobacco companies target young people with products that are cheap, sweet and easy to get. While raising the minimum sales age to 21 helps reduce youth access, it alone does not eliminate the sales to minors or impact other access channels. For this reason, the strategy of raising the minimum sale age to 21 is just one of several key strategies to be used by municipalities to reduce youth smoking.

The goal of Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program is to de-normalize youth tobacco use. Using a variety of approaches to reduce youth access to tobacco, we can reduce the influence of the tobacco industry in places frequented by young people. With a comprehensive approach, over time, smoking-related disease and mortality could become so low that tobacco would no longer be a public health challenge.

We know how to achieve a tobacco-free generation and, with coordinated actions and investments, we can get there.

– Kathleen Wilbur, program director, Southeast Tobacco Free Community Partnership

Prohibition on Showing Tobacco in Little Shops in Scotland Emerges Into Power

Apr 9th, 2015
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http://www.esbtrib.com/2015/04/09/9356/prohibition-on-showing-tobacco-in-little-shops-in-scotland-emerges-into-power/

A boycott on tobacco and cigarette showed in little shops in Scotland has come into power.

The latest Scottish Government enactment, which was originally set up for expansive general stores, has now likewise been forced on little stores.

The boycott is aimed for diminishing youngsters’ introduction to cigarettes and tobacco items in shops all over the country.

A legitimate offer to have the boycott upturned by tobacco multinational firm,” Imperial Tobacco”, was brought in the eyes of the Preeminent Court.

The organization contended that the boycott was out with the locale of the Scottish Parliament item security and deals which are held matters. But unfortunately, the lawful case was rejected by judges.

Martine Stead, representative executive at the Establishment for Social Advertising based at the College of Stirling, said: “It’s well established that exposure to tobacco advertising encourages people to take up, and to continue, smoking. “At the point when promoting was banned in the UK in 2003, one of the couple of manifestations of advertising left to the tobacco business was the mass of appealing packs behind the counter in the corner shop.

“The decently supplied, brilliantly lit tobacco gantry has, essentially, been a substantial publicizing hoarding. Behind the counter, at client eye level, clients have seen it each time they purchased a daily paper or a parcel of desserts, strengthening the thought that cigarettes are an ordinary regular buy.”

Hazel Cheeseman, chief of approach at Cinder, said: “The display ban will work hand in hand with standardized packs, which will be introduced in May 2016, to further protect children from glitzy tobacco packaging.”

A representative for the Tobacco Retailers’ Collusion, said: “The presentation of the showcase boycott into bigger shops hasn’t even been assessed, so how would we know it will function in littler shops? Obviously retailers will need to agree to the law yet this is a further superfluous measure that will hit little organizations. “There will be genuine troubles around its application, including longer exchange times, and the expenses of usage, for example, the establishment of new gantries. Going ahead top of plain bundling, it is a pointless weight on shops officially battling with formality.

“There are other more viable methods for preventing youngsters from taking up smoking.”

Garfield, N.J. Expected to Increase Tobacco Purchase Age to 21

Apr 9th, 2015
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http://halfwheel.com/garfield-n-j-expected-to-increase-tobacco-purchase-age-to-21/82704

It appears that the city of Garfield, N.J. will be raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 19 to 21 at its April 14 meeting.

The proposal was introduced on March 24 when a group called the Global Advisors on Smoke-Free Policy gave a presentation to the city council on the matter. A report on NorthJersey.com called described adoption of the change to be expected.

Smoking in city parks and facilities has been in place since 2013, while an ordinance was passed in 2014 that limits all tobacco retailers to a zone on Route 46 and prohibited them from being located within 1,000 feet of a church or school.

Several cities in New Jersey have already raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, including Bogota, Englewood, Sayreville and Teaneck. Princeton is also close to approving a similar age increase.

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