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ASH Daily News – Saturday 24 – Monday 26 November 2001

HEADLINES

Few US States are spending tobacco settlement money on smoking prevention
Customs “too tough” on cross-Channel shoppers
Imperial Tobacco’s annual results forecast

FULL TEXT

Few US States are spending tobacco settlement money on smoking prevention

A report in The Economist examines the way US states have allocated the money they received from the 1998 Master Settlement agreement with the tobacco companies. Most have not spent it on tobacco education and prevention campaigns as was originally intended. Although the settlement did not stipulate that all the money from the litigation should be spent on smoking education campaigns, the Centres for Disease Control recommended that states use about 20-25% of the money for comprehensive tobacco control programmes. However, last year, only six states spent the minimum recommended by the CDC and this year only five will do so.

Peter Fisher of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids said: “I think we are a little surprised and mostly disappointed. Mr. Fishers points out that comprehensive tobacco programme work, citing the example of California where tobacco consumption has fallen by 38% since 1988.

The Economist, 24/11/01


Customs “too tough” on cross-Channel shoppers

A ferry company is taking court action to stop Customs officers being too tough on cross-Channel shoppers, reports the Mail on Sunday. Hoverspeed also wants damages from the Government for the impact on its trade of the searches for, and seizures of, alcohol and cigarettes. The Dover-based company carries 2.2 million passengers a year to Calais and Ostend, many of them on day-trips to stock up on cheap alcohol and tobacco. It is asking the High Court for a declaration that the seizures are illegal and incompatible with European Union excise duty directives.

Customs and Excise said they would defend their position. A spokesman said that they do not pick out travellers at random but target organised criminal gangs who are causing a serious law and order problem through bootlegging.

The Mail on Sunday, 25/11/01


Imperial Tobacco’s annual results forecast

Market analysts are predicting a rise of around 10% in Imperial Tobacco’s pre-tax profits which will be announced today. There is also speculation that the company may be preparing a bid for the German tobacco company Reemtsma, which has a major share of the German market and has recently expanded into eastern Europe.

Independent on Sunday, The Sunday Times, 25/11/01





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