The Danville Town Council has voted to ban marijuana dispensaries and to prohibit tobacco smoking at all recreation areas. The council unanimously approved both bans at Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Karen Stepper said. Both will return to the council Sept. 20 for a second reading, part of the regular approval process. The smoking ordinance bans smoking at all recreation areas owned or maintained by the town such as sports fields, parks and trails. Smoking is already largely banned. Smoking inside facilities currently is banned. State law also bans the use of tobacco products on school campuses, which account for 12 recreational sites — including parks — in Danville. It also is not allowed at outdoor areas including near tot lots and near building doors … Read entire article »

OPERATORS of tobacco company Carreras said the company could now focus on strategic realignment to grow its business having been spared a fourth consecutive increase in tax on its products by the Government.This follows the announcement of the 2011/2012 budget, which revealed that the company would not have to deal with another increase in excise and other duties on tobacco products, for which Carreras controls 99 per cent of the local legitimate market. “After three consecutive tax increases that have really disrupted our business, we are actually delighted to have the breathing space,” Richard Pandohie, managing director of Carreras, told the Observer following the launch of the Carreras 2011 scholarships at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston yesterday. “We believe that it’s a demonstration that the Government has recognised the part … Read entire article »

Southwestern Oklahoma State University officials say its campuses will go tobacco-free this summer. A ban on tobacco use will go into effect July 1 at the university’s campuses in Weatherford and Sayre. Officials say it was initially announced in 2010 and prompted by a Student Government Association recommendation. Dr. Cindy Foust, vice president for student affairs and associate provost, said the new policy bars the use of all tobacco products on all school-owned property. Foust said this is an important step in creating healthier, cleaner and more attractive campuses. Southwestern Oklahoma is working with the Western Oklahoma Tobacco Control Coalition on implementing the tobacco-free campuses. … Read entire article »

CANDY-FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS “I have to admit my eyes rolled when I first read the news — which seems to be my general reaction whenever I hear about government proposals to police the things people do with and to their own bodies. But on second thought, those disposable tobacco pellets sure do look like Tic Tacs! And that berry-flavored cigar certainly looks cute wrapped in that pink, sparkly packaging! I’m not sure there’s any way to justify things like that.’’ — ROB ANDERSON THE AUTISM-VACCINE LINK MYTH “[Parents have] been fooled by anti-vaccination hucksters like Andrew Wakefield, who reportedly received a standing ovation at Brandeis. Wakefield’s claim that vaccines cause autism has been thoroughly disproved, and his original paper has been withdrawn as a fraud by the journal that published it. He … Read entire article »

Altria Group Inc. , producer of Marlboro cigarettes and Virginia cigarettes said Wednesday that its first-quarter net profit rose 15% to $937 million, or 45 cents a share, from $813 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter slipped 2% to $5.64 billion as cigarette volumes fell, but the fall in revenue was more than offset by lower costs and excise taxes. Altria said adjusted earnings for the quarter were 44 cents a share. Analysts polled by FactSet Research had been expecting earnings of 44 cents a share. Altria also reaffirmed its guidance for adjusted earnings of between $2.01 and $2.07 a share in 2011. Analysts had, on average, been looking for 2011 earnings of $2.05 a share. … Read entire article »