A new Vital Signs report published by the CDC found that about 4.9 million middle and high school students were current users of some type of tobacco product in 2018, up from 3.6 million in 2017. This increase—driven by a surge in e-cigarette use—erased past progress in reducing youth tobacco product use. With the exception of e-cigarettes, […]
Tag: tobacco
Posted inGrocery News, Home Page Latest News, Nonfood Items, Southeast, Store News, Suppliers
Altria Makes $12.8 Billion Minority Investment in Juul
Richmond, Virginia-based Altria Group Inc. has signed and closed a $12.8 billion investment in JUUL Labs Inc., the U.S. leader in e-vapor. The service agreements will accelerate JUUL’s mission to switch adult smokers to e-vapor products. Altria’s investment represents a 35 percent economic interest in JUUL, valuing the company at $38 billion. JUUL will remain […]
Posted inNortheast, Center Store, Grocery News
Mass. Governor Signs Bill To Raise Tobacco-Buying Age To 21
With the backing of the state’s House and Senate, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a bill raising the legal age to buy tobacco products statewide from 18 to 21 years old. The bill also broadens existing prohibitions on public smoking to include e-cigarettes, and prohibits the use of tobacco products on the grounds of any […]
Posted inNortheast, Home Page Latest News
Nine States’ Attorneys General Ask FDA To Ban Flavored Tobacco
Attorneys General of New York, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island recently sent a joint letter to the FDA to ask the agency to ban flavored tobacco products, saying the use of flavors and menthol in tobacco impedes them from reaching public health goals related to smoking. “Based on the substantial […]
Posted inNortheast, Home Page Latest News
Massachusetts Poised To Raise Tobacco Age To 21
With the passage of final legislation by the Massachusetts Legislature last week, the Bay State is poised to become the sixth state in the nation to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 years old. Gov. Charlie Baker has indicated his support for raising the tobacco age, and the bill awaits his signature. In […]
Posted inNortheast
FDA Cracks Down On Youth Tobacco Sale Violations
The FDA last week cited 40 retailers for violations related to youth sales of Juul e-cigarettes. The agency also announced a new blitz of retail establishments targeting youth sale violations, part of new action the FDA is taking to examine the youth appeal of e-cigarettes. The agency also is taking steps to foreclose online sales of […]
Posted inNational, Industry News, Store News, Suppliers
FDA Begins Hearing Process Aimed At Lowering Nicotine In Tobacco
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) to lower nicotine levels in tobacco. While this is just the first step in a long-term regulatory process, the notice suggests the FDA is taking a serious look at developing a tobacco product standard and reducing nicotine levels in […]
Posted inNortheast
New Jersey, New York Implementing More Tobacco Restrictions
Starting Nov. 1, New Jersey smokers under the age of 21 years old cannot legally purchase tobacco products or electronic cigarettes. Gov. Chris Christie signed the new law in July to raise the legal purchasing age for tobacco and e-cigarettes from 19 to 21 and gave the state four months to prepare for the change. […]
Posted inNonfood Items, C-Store News, Home Page Latest News, National
Vape Company Space Jam Expanding Into National C-Store Chains
Space Jam Juice LLC, a vape company, is expanding into national convenience store chains, growing from its current 4,000 stores to 10,000 by the end of 2017, and 25,000 stores by the end of 2018. This year’s authorizations include: Circle K Arizona, 580 locations; Circle K West (California, Oregon, Washington), 236 locations; 7-11, 400 locations; Giant (New Mexico), 260 […]
Posted inWest, Home Page Latest News, Nonfood Items
Oregon Becomes Fifth State To Raise Smoking Age To 21
Oregon on Aug. 9 became the fifth state to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under age 21 as Gov. Kate Brown signed the measure into law. The legislature approved the bill in July. Tobacco 21 laws also have been enacted by California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine and at least 255 cities and […]
Posted inNortheast
Maine Legislators Override Governor To Up Smoking Age To 21
Next July, Maine will become the fourth state to increase its smoking age to 21. Maine legislators voted to overturn Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the measure. LePage had objected to the bill, labeling it as trying to “engineer our lives.” He also said it wasn’t fair to ask 18-year-olds to join the military and […]
Posted inNortheast
FDA To Pursue Lower Nicotine Levels In Tobacco Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new tobacco and nicotine regulations with a goal of “better protecting children and significantly reducing tobacco-related disease and death.” The approach places levels of nicotine, and the issue of addiction, at the center of the agency’s tobacco regulation efforts. The goal is to ensure that the FDA has the […]
Posted inNortheast, Home Page Latest News
New Jersey Raises Smoking Age To 21
With Gov. Chris Christie signing the bill into law Friday, New Jersey joined the growing list of states and communities prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to anyone under age 21. Tobacco 21 laws also have been enacted by California, Hawaii and at least 255 cities and counties, including New York City, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, […]
Posted inNortheast
Mass. Legislature Considers Soft Drink Tax, Upping Tobacco Purchasing Age
Massachusetts legislation that would increase the Commonwealth’s tobacco buying age to 21 years old has been gaining momentum in the state. The bill also would forbid healthcare companies from selling tobacco products and prohibit electronic cigarettes in workplaces. Already, more than 140 Massachusetts localities have approved a higher tobacco buying age. Gov. Charlie Baker has […]
Posted inNortheast
Philadelphia Tobacco Regs May Curb C-Store Expansion
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the Philadelphia Health Department wants to limit the amount of permits it allows for retailers to sell tobacco products. The department reportedly wants to reduce the number of merchants in areas it considers to have too many stores and ban sales within 500 feet of any school. […]
Posted inCenter Store, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Snacks Brands, Supply Chain News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
McLane Co. Becomes Walmart’s Primary Candy, Tobacco Products Provider
Walmart has renewed its service agreement with McLane Co., a provider of grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions. As part of the extended agreement, McLane will continue to deliver to Walmart stores across the U.S., in addition to becoming the sole provider of candy and tobacco products to the majority of Walmart’s retail locations. In […]
Posted inNortheast
Two Deals Shake Up Tobacco Industry
In two major developments this week, British American Tobacco (BAT) and Reynolds American Inc. agreed to merge, while the Altria Group agreed to purchase Nat Sherman. BAT will acquire the remaining 57.8 percent of Reynolds it does not already own. “Our combination with Reynolds will benefit from utilizing the best talent from both organizations. It will […]
Posted in, Northeast
FDA Asks Four Manufacturers To Halt Sales Of Flavored Cigarettes Sold As Cigars
The FDA has sent letters to four tobacco makers warning them to pull flavored cigarettes labeled as “little cigars” or “cigars” from store shelves. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, Cheyenne International, Prime Time International Distributing, Southern Cross Tobacco Co. and Swisher International have been selling flavored tobacco products under the names Cheyenne, […]
Posted in, Northeast
Health Groups File Suit Over Cigarette Warning Labels
Eight public health groups recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to force the government to require graphic warning labels on packs of cigarettes. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers
Tobacco Giant Becomes Significant Shareholder In AB InBev After $100B SABMiller Merger
In connection with this week’s official $100 billion merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller, Altria Group Inc. received 185,115,417 restricted shares of the combined company, AB InBev, representing a 9.6 percent economic and voting interest in AB InBev, and approximately $5.3 billion in pre-tax cash. In addition, Marty Barrington, Altria’s chairman, CEO and president, and […]