The City’s War on Cheap Cigarettes

There's a magical place in Chinatown — for now — called Island Smokes, where the price of a pack of cigarettes hovers around $5. The trick is that you have to make them yourself — the shop sells "all natural" tobacco and papers, and has machines where customers can assemble the raw supplies. The city is suing the store: "By selling illegally low-priced cigarettes, defendants not only interfere with the collection of city cigarette taxes, they also impair the city’s smoking cessation programs and impair individual efforts at smoking reduction, thereby imposing higher health care costs on the city and injuring public health," says a lawsuit filed last week. The company's lawyer contends, "We are selling the contents that produce the cigarette and it’s up to the user to make them," comparing it to "making your own beer." "Just leave people alone,” one customer told the New York Times. "In this economy, no one can barely afford food, let alone a pack of $15 cigarettes."

Tobacco Companies Challenge Efforts in US, Australia

Tobacco companies are fighting efforts in the United States and Australia to make their products less appealing. In Washington, a federal judge last week blocked the Food and Drug Administration from requiring new warning labels on cigarette packs. Judge Richard Leon ruled in a case brought by five tobacco companies. The judge temporarily stopped a new federal rule to require large new warnings starting next September. These include color images such as a dead body or diseased lungs. Simple text warnings now appear. Congress called for color images showing the dangers of smoking, similar to what Canada does. But the tobacco companies say the new requirements violate their free speech rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Judge Leon said the FDA could not require the new labels before a lawsuit against the government is decided. Some experts say the process could take years. The judge said he believes the Marlboro cigarette makers are highly likely to win their case.

Tobacco-Flavoured Lies

'Safety" might not be the first word to describe a tobacco product that threatens to turn children as young as 11 into nicotine fiends. But as The National reported last week, Chaini Khaini smokeless tobacco pouches are no ordinary product. Logon to chainikhaini.com and the claims begin: "It is a medically proven fact that [Chaini Khaini] is much less harmful than smoking," the makers boast. "Safety, from the harm of smoking and chewing tobacco." Claims such as these are purely deceptive, as the company proceeds to admit that any use of tobacco is "injurious to health". A more truthful depiction is seen in recent requirements forcing tobacco companies' advertising in the UAE and elsewhere to show rotting teeth, diseased lungs and other gruesome photos. Chaini Khaini flavoured tobacco is an example of the underage tobacco use that is an obvious problem in society. Police say children are sucking down the tobacco "like sweets". And it is far too common to see teenagers smoking cigarettes as well.

Want a healthy smile? Quit Smoking

One major thing that has been associated with discolored teeth is cigarette smoking. While many people know that lighting up could lead to their pearly whites turning yellow, they may not realize all of the other serious dental problems that using tobacco may cause. The American Dental Association reports that people who use Glamour cigarettes online are at risk of developing periodontitis, a condition that is characterized by red, swollen gums, constant bad breath and pus between teeth and gums. "Talk with your dentist about products that are available to help wean you off nicotine. Adults can buy over-the-counter nicotine replacement products, including skin patches, lozenges and chewing gum," recommends the ADA. WebMD reports that smokers are twice as likely to lose teeth than people who don't have the habit. The website adds that this population also has an increased risk of developing gum disease and other serious dental health concerns, such as oral cancer. This risk is the same for people who use smokeless tobacco as those who smoke cigarettes.

Smoke-Free Jackson County

Kellie Lamb would like to see smokers in Jackson County put their cigarettes out. She'd also like to see smokeless tobacco users throw away the can or pouch. Lamb, the health promotions coordinator for the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition for Jackson County, says her mission of educating the public about the health risks of using tobacco is more than a job. "Thirteen Mississippians die a day from smoking," said Lamb. "I went into this field and especially tobacco education because I have a passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle. "I also take pleasure in working with children as well as interacting with the general public, so while I do that I can spread a healthy message." Funded by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Health, Lamb recently met with 28 children at the Mary B. Ruddiman Unit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County. The hands-on presentation is part of Red Ribbon Week, the national drug prevention initiative.

Philip Morris Trial over Light Cigarettes

On Tuesday, a Missouri judge declared a mistrial in a lawsuit against Philip Morris concerning the perceived safety of light cigarettes. The case pitted smokers against tobacco giant Philip Morris. Damages would have amounted to $700 million, and anyone in Missouri who smoked Marlboro Lights cigarettes would have been eligible for thousands of dollars. It took 11 years for the case to get a jury. The trial was held to determine if Philip Morris should pay up for deceiving smokers. The smokers who filed the suit say the company intentionally manipulated the design and content of Marlboro Lights to maximize nicotine delivery while falsely claiming lowered tar and nicotine.

Smoking Damaged Monroe Home

Investigators say careless smoking tobacco is to blame for an early morning house fire Friday that caused extensive damage to a home outside of Monroe. The fire was reported shortly before 2 a.m. in the 18000 block of 117th Street SE, Snohomish. Flames were crawling over the two-story wood home by the time firefighters arrived, Snohomish County Fire District 3 battalion chief Leroy Schwartz said. A father was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need to go to the hospital, said Bruce Pulver, a Snohomish County deputy fire marshal. The family was put in contact with the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross for help.