HEADLINES

• Australia: Big Tobacco ignites legal war over plain packaging
• Record number of smokers quit in Stoke-on-Trent
• Ireland: Russia gangs 'help cigarette scams'
• USA: Tobacco giants engage in 'predatory' marketing

• Australia: Big Tobacco ignites legal war over plain packaging

  Philip Morris will launch legal action which is aimed at forcing the Australian government to back down on its plain packaging legislation or face a compensation bill of "billions of dollars".

  Philip Morris wants to prevent the government from setting a precedent that could be adopted by governments around the world.

  Philip Morris argues that the government is breaching a Bi-lateral trade agreement between the Australian Government and Hong Kong.

  The company will argue that, because the Australian operation is owned by Philip Morris Asia Limited (PMA), which is based in Hong Kong, the plain-packaging legislation will adversely impact upon an investment protected by the treaty.

  Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has pledged to introduce and pass the legislation this year and have it operational on January 1 2012. It will ban all commercial branding from cigarettes, mandating olive-green packaging with prominent health warnings. Packs will be distinguishable only by printed brand names in a standard font and size on the top, front and bottom of the packets.

  The notice of claim to be served today will trigger a three-month period of negotiation. If there is no resolution the matter will proceed to arbitration. "PMA will be seeking the loss in value of its investments in Australia that will result from plain packaging”.

  Links to further coverage
  The Herald Sun: http://bit.ly/lrR3tP
  

  The Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/mJJHXj
  

  The Sydney Morning Herald: http://bit.ly/iNu3h9
  

  Bloomberg Businessweek:http://buswk.co/jNXN2B
  

  BBC News: http://bbc.in/kGBu8O
  

  Source: The Australian, 27 June 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/mnUDTI

• Record number of smokers quit in Stoke-on-Trent

  A record number of smokers in Stoke-on-Trent have quit smoking over the past year.

  Dr Zafar Iqbal, NHS Stoke-on-Trent's acting director of public health, said: "To have a record-breaking year is absolutely fantastic news as the Stop Smoking Service does a tremendous amount of work to support those people who do want to quit smoking".

  A major drive to cut smoking rates across Stoke-on-Trent was launched after figures showed that more people smoke in the Potteries than in other parts of the country.

  About 500 people living in Stoke-on-Trent die from smoking-related illnesses every year. Smoking is responsible for 25 to 27 per cent of female deaths and 40 to 42 per cent of male deaths in the city.

  Councillor Olwen Hamer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for health, said: "To have this level of response is outstanding and shows the message of healthy living is getting out. However, we cannot get complacent and need to ensure this downward trend continues as we strive to make Stoke-on-Trent a smokefree city."

  Source: This is Staffordshire, 27 June 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/mN0yZC

• Ireland: Russia gangs 'help cigarette scams'

  It has been claimed that organised crime gangs in Ireland have joined forces with Russian criminals to flood the country with counterfeit cigarettes.

  Illegal cigarettes smuggled from China, the Middle East and countries bordering the EU account for about a fifth of tobacco smoked in the country.

  The head of an EU task force on tobacco smuggling revealed it was a significant problem in Ireland, with criminals importing small amounts frequently.

  But Austin Rowan, of the European Commission's Anti-Fraud Office, said there was no proof Ireland was a gateway for smuggling cigarettes from China to mainland Europe. He revealed several eastern European led gangs, particularly from Russia, are working in co-operation with gangs in Ireland.

  Tom Talbot, principal officer, said up to 40 million cigarettes a year are seized from air passengers travelling from Eastern Europe and the Canary Islands, where people can buy low and sell high. Every form of smuggling is being used; it ranges from individuals in the airports all the way up to serious organised crime, and everything in between."

  Source: Belfast Telegraph, 22 June 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/kgAo4L

• USA: Tobacco giants engage in 'predatory' marketing

  According to a new study,  teens, minorities and low-income populations are more likely to purchase menthol cigarettes.
  
  The study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research by the Stanford School of Medicine, revealed increased tobacco company advertisements and lowered prices of menthol cigarettes in areas highly populated with young African American students.
  
  Senior Research Scientist Lisa Henriksen said, “We wanted to answer the question: how are community characteristics related to the quantity of advertising for cigarettes, the availability of promotions and the price? By observing arbitrary convenience stores within walking-distance from California high schools, researchers noted a proportional increase in menthol advertising and African American students present in close vicinity."
  
  Scientists identify this practice as “predatory” marketing -- advertising targeted at a specific race or ethnicity.
  
  “Previously secret tobacco industry documents reveal a variety of strategies that tobacco companies have used to target African Americans with cigarettes generally, and menthol cigarette advertising specifically,” Henriksen said. “This study is consistent with the evidence revealed in those documents.”
   

  Source: patch.com, 25 June 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/mHiBrm