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April 27th, 2015:

Tobacco giants fund e-cigarettes LEAST likely to make you quit

Apr 27th, 2015
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/tobacco-giants-fund-e-cigarettes-least-5591868

Cigalikes are less effective at helping you quit nicotine than the “tank” model of e-cigs

Tobacco giants are funding the types of e-cigarettes that are LEAST likely to make you quit, according to a new study.

The study looked at 587 people using e-cigarettes and compared those who used “cigalikes” versus those who used “tank” models.

Cigalikes resemble tobacco cigarettes and are either disposable or use replaceable cartridges. The tank models, on the other hand, look different and have chambers that are filled with e-liquid.

In the study around 76% of participants used cigalikes while 24% used tank models.

After a year nearly a THIRD of daily tank users (28%) had quit smoking compared with 11% of daily cigalike users. This is roughly the same as those who didn’t use e-cigarettes (13%).

The cigalike model (left) is less effective for quitting nicotine than the tank model

Non-daily cigalike users were even less likely to quit than those not using e-cigarettes – with just 5% quitting smoking.

The researchers – from Kings College London – flagged this as a cause for concern, particularly since the tobacco industry owns many of the most prominent cigalike brands. Plus tobacco industry-owned cigalikes tend to be most prominently positioned in the shops that sell them.

That’s at the same time as tobacco giants are using MASSIVE lobbying power to dilute EU regulation of the industry.

“At this point we don’t know why people who use tank type e-cigarettes daily are more likely to have quit,” said the study’s author Dr Sara Hitchman.

Big tobacco has bought a lot of e-cigarette companies

“Research suggests that tanks might deliver nicotine more effectively and perhaps be more satisfying to users, but there may also be other factors, including price and the ways that tanks allow the user to adapt the product, such as the nicotine content and flavour of the liquid.”

There were a number of problems with the research, which the authors highlight, including a very small sample of volunteers – particularly in the group using the tank model of e-cigarette.

Furthermore, the small group was very different in terms of age and education so it’s hard to prove the causal link between the type of vaping device and quitting smoking.

The tank model of e-cig delivers nicotine more effectively

Finally the study is from 2013; e-cigs have evolved a lot since then.

“If this really does, eventually, turn out to be a true effect, then it argues for the use of these products within a regulated cessation programme, rather than using them as a consumer good,” said Professor Martin McKee from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

“Given other concerns about the toxicity of long term inhalation of nicotine and the flavourings contained in these products, it seems that the precautionary approach adopted by public health authorities in many countries remains justified,” he added.

Tom Pruen from e-cig trade body ECITA says he doesn’t think tobacco companies are producing ineffective products deliberately.

“I think it’s more a reflection that the simple,sealed, cigalike products are better suited to the wholesale distribution channels they use, and the poor understanding of the market they had when buying up e-cig companies,” he said.

State wants tobacco packaging challenge referred to EU court

Apr 27th, 2015
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http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/state-wants-tobacco-packaging-challenge-referred-to-eu-court-1.2190636

JTI Ireland Ltd take case against Government’s plan to bring in plain packaging

Samples of standardised packaging of tobacco products, which has been approved by the Government. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Samples of standardised packaging of tobacco products, which has been approved by the Government. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

The State wants to have a legal challenge brought against its plan to introduce plain packaging on tobacco products referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Commercial Court has heard.

JTI Ireland Ltd has challenged the Government’s plan to bring in plain packaging claiming it cannot unilaterally introduce it on its products as a member of the EU.

In proceedings before the Commercial Court JTI is seeking orders preventing the Minister for Health, Ireland and the Attorney General from commencing the provisions of the recently passed Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015.

JTI Ireland Ltd claims the State’s action is contrary to EU harmonisation objectives and an obstacle to trade between member states.

JTI also claims the standardised packaging law imposes stricter rules than those necessary to transpose a 2014 EU directive (2014/40/EU). The stated objective of the directive is to harmonise labelling and packaging.

The matter came before Mr Justice Brian McGovern today, who following an application by Paul Sreenan SC for JTI, agreed to admit the case to the fast-track Commercial Court division. The application was on consent.

Michael Cush SC for the State parties told the court it is his client’s intention to apply to the Commercial Court to have certain legal questions arising out of JTI’s action referred to the Luxembourg based Court of Justice of the EU.

Counsel made reference to the High Court of England and Wales decision to refer questions concerning the validity of the 2014 EU directive in a case brought by the Philip Morris tobacco company and British American against the UK Health Secretary to the European Courts.

Counsel said similar issues have been raised in that case to those being advanced in JTI’s proceedings, and it was hoped the Irish case could travel together with the British case.

In its action JTI says the Minister and the State do not have the power or competence to derogate from the provisions of the directive.

This is because harmonisation of labelling and packaging is a stated objective of the EU directive, a member state cannot adopt national measures which further restrict the free movement of goods on grounds of a high level of protection for human health.

JTI also claims the new rules, due to be introduced in May, will distort and impair the dynamics of competition in the tobacco market.

In its action JTI claims the law means all tobacco products must come in standard plain paper packaging. JTI supplies 3,100 retailers with brands including Benson and Hedges, Silk Cut, Camel, Hamlet cigars, roll-your-own like Amber Leaf and Old Holborn, and pipe tobacco.

It is part of an international tobacco group with operations in 70 countries and employs 90 people directly in Ireland. It says it paid €666.8million in tax here in 2013.

Mr Justice McGovern agreed to adjourn the matter for two weeks, to allow the State bring an application to have the case referred to the European Courts.

Canine teams fight cigarette smuggling at customs Romania

Apr 27th, 2015
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http://www.dailybusiness.ro/stiri-companii/cate-echipe-canine-lupta-impotriva-contrabandei-cu-tigarete-in-vamile-romaniei-106983/

Fiscal policy officials and representatives of law enforcement authorities in ten European and Asian countries met in Bucharest last weekend for two days to determine future strategies to halt the loss of billions of dollars due to illegal trade, counterfeit products and other aspects of the black economy.

“We are talking about a dangerous problem and growing, which is not only a fiscal matter. Apart caused substantial losses in state budgets, illegal restricts economic development, raise barriers and increase costs of international trade, produce significant health risks and presents many challenges for the authorities – from intellectual property infringement, to money laundering and organized crime, “said Daniel Witt, President, International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC). Some experts gathered to addressing the connection between the underground economy, tax evasion and illegal trade, there were experienced officials from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, World Customs Organization, INTERPOL and EUROPOL and private sector specialists and university professors . “One of the main issues related to the underground economy is illicit trade in tobacco products because it is linked to organized crime. In this context, cooperation between companies and authorities can help to achieve better results in combating black market cigarettes. This conference represents a unique opportunity to understand the latest trends in illegal trade and techniques to combat it. Officials attending the event will be better equipped in order to implement the strategies discussed in Bucharest in local context and will use the contacts established at the conference, sharing information in order to more widely in the future, “said Cristina Vasiloiu, CEO Euromonitor Business Consulting Services. “Given that cigarettes are excisable goods, smuggling of tobacco products, by significant losses due to budget represents a very serious problem. As I said, we need a new national strategy to combat illegal trade in cigarettes, nationwide, for the period 2015-2018, aimed at improving the regulatory framework and concrete measures to be implemented in concert by all institutions responsible. General Customs Department continues to implement firm measures to reduce smuggling. At the moment, are active in customs, supported by cigarette manufacturers, 33 canine teams specialized in detecting cigarettes and 11 canine teams with double capability – screening drugs and cigarettes.

Cooperation protocols were signed between NAFA and the major manufacturers of cigarettes, between DGV and the Customs Administration of Moldova and Serbia, in order to combat illegal trafficking. A similar document will be agreed with Ukraine. Also, since analyzes Customs, and Novel study reveals an increase in black market in the northern, western and northeast, as soon as the administrative capacity will allow, will be reintroduced at the border customs offices Sighet, Halmeu and Siret small border traffic monitoring certain products “, said Claudiu Ardeleanu, director general of the General Customs Directorate. “Simplify the legal framework which prevents illegal. It is necessary to develop an integrated strategy to combat illegal trafficking of goods and customs fraud in the EU’s eastern borders. Members of the Working Group which will develop and coordinate this strategy should come from OLAF, WCO, EUROPOL, INTERPOL, FRONTEX, SELECTION, EUBAM, the EU countries in the region and representatives of companies and authorities in member countries of the Eastern Partnership . An additional recommendation is the active involvement of EU member states, in order to create the necessary framework for business development and ensuring good conditions in countries bordering the European Union, “said Dorel Fronea, former head of the National Customs Authority of Romania and Mission was expert in the European Union Advice and Public Policy in Moldova. “International Conference on economy and taxes” was organized by the International Tax and Investment Center (iticnet.org) nonprofit research and education oriented on fiscal reform and public-private initiatives to improve the investment climate, and Euromonitor Business Consulting Services, provider of consulting policies and strategies for business development in Central and Eastern Europe

Cigarette brands with flavour capsules in the filter: trends in use and brand perceptions among smokers in the USA, Mexico and Australia

Apr 27th, 2015
by Editor.
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http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2015/05/05/tobaccocontrol-2014-052064.full?g=w_tc_open_tab

Cigarette brands with flavour capsules in the filter: trends in use and brand perceptions among smokers in the USA, Mexico and Australia, 2012–2014

Abstract

Objective

To describe trends, correlates of use and consumer perceptions related to the product design innovation of flavour capsules in cigarette filters.

Methods

Quarterly surveys from 2012 to 2014 were analysed from an online consumer panel of adult smokers aged 18–64, living in the USA (n=6865 observations; 4154 individuals); Mexico (n=5723 observations; 3366 individuals); and Australia (n=5864 observations; 2710 individuals). Preferred brand varieties were classified by price (ie, premium; discount) and flavour (ie, regular; flavoured without capsule; flavoured with capsule). Participants reported their preferred brand variety’s appeal (ie, satisfaction; stylishness), taste (ie, smoothness, intensity), and harm relative to other brands and varieties. GEE models were used to determine time trends and correlates of flavour capsule use, as well as associations between preferred brand characteristics (ie, price stratum, flavour) and perceptions of relative appeal, taste and harm.

Results

Preference for flavour capsules increased significantly in Mexico (6% to 14%) and Australia (1% to 3%), but not in the USA (4% to 5%). 18–24 year olds were most likely to prefer capsules in the USA (10%) and Australia (4%), but not Mexico. When compared to smokers who preferred regular brands, smokers who preferred brands with capsules viewed their variety of cigarettes as having more positive appeal (all countries), better taste (all countries), and lesser risk (Mexico, USA) than other brand varieties.

Conclusions

Results indicate that use of cigarettes with flavour capsules is growing, is associated with misperceptions of relative harm, and differentiates brands in ways that justify regulatory action.