A New Type Of Cigarette Venture - RYO Jamaica Pursues Operators For Multi-Store Network

Jamaicans for decades have bought cigarettes by the stick and by the carton at corners shops, from streetside sellers, and a multiplicity of businesses that make money off a habit that is hard to kick.

What has been absent up to now is a dedicated retail channel focused solely on smokers, and selling cigarettes alone. That changed in July when the first U-Roll'em shop was opened in Kingston by a Jamaican couple resident in Florida.

It gets better. Customers get to hand-roll their own sticks - customise their own products - in an extension of the 'grabba' market, which offers the same options but in a more informal way. It's not unusual for some smokers, for example, to season their grabba packets with marijuana.

The two Jamaicans behind the cigarette retail shop venture, Damian and Susan McKenzie, have a more sophisticated operation than the grabba trade, however. The husband and wife team owns 51 per cent and 49 per cent of the business, respectively.

The McKenzies are principals in the Palm Beach, Florida-based Tobacco Central LLC, which has set a target of 29 Caribbean countries to roll out their network of RYO - roll your own - retail outlets stocked with tobacco filling-station machines under a distributorship arrangement with owners of the RYO technology, Ohio-based RYO Filling Station Machine LLC. The American company also supplies the tobacco through a network of international sources.

The McKenzies, who migrated from Jamaica two decades ago, say that they have been pursuing different ventures for 20 years - putting them in a group dubbed 'serial entrepreneurs' - and are also owners of Total Sign Solutions and CNC Inc in Palm Beach.

They set up their first U-Roll'em Jamaica store on July 2 at The Domes Plaza on Hagley Park Road in Kingston, operated by their local subsidiary RYO Jamaica Limited. The tobacco is supplied by RYO from international sources.

Big Tobacco's Dollars Douse Push for Fire-Safe Cigarettes

Many people know that http://www.cigarettespub.net/marlboro/gold is considered the nation's leading preventable cause of death. But it is less widely known that cigarettes also are the leading cause of fatal fires, responsible for about a quarter of all U.S. fire deaths. Often, the 1,000 victims each year are not just smokers who drifted off to sleep, but children and other innocent bystanders.Yet many scientists and fire officials say these deaths could often be avoided because small design changes in cigarettes would make them less prone to start fires.
And indeed, during the last quarter-century, many bills have been introduced in state legislatures and Congress to require cigarettes to meet a fire-resistance standard.
But tobacco companies, claiming fire-safe cigarettes would not be commercially feasible, have repeatedly overpowered or outflanked such efforts. And the way they have done it, secret documents and interviews show, is a textbook example of a powerful industry using its wealth and ingenuity to stave off regulation.
They have done it through a sophisticated, two-pronged strategy that has included bankrolling in-house scientists and outside consultants to debunk the technical feasibility of safer cigarettes.
At the same time, they have attracted the strangest of bedfellows by doling out millions of dollars worth of grants, contracts and services to cement an ingenious alliance with fire-safety organizations. In the process they have won the favor, and in some cases the silence, of credible groups whose whole purpose is saving lives.
And they have shifted the fire-resistance burden to manufacturers of everything from mattresses and furniture to pajamas.
"Their answer [is] to fire-proof the world against our torches," said Rep. John Joseph Moakley (D-Mass.), who began pushing fire-safe-cigarette legislation in 1979 after a family of seven perished in a cigarette-caused fire in his district.
But some fire groups, grateful for tobacco's financial support, appear to have accepted the industry's argument that fire-safe cigarettes remain a pipe dream.
"I can't overemphasize the good that this money has done," said Fred Allinson, president of the National Volunteer Fire Council, which has received heavy support not only from cigarette manufacturers but from smokeless tobacco giant United States Tobacco.

Firms Deny Any Cynical Motives

Sen. Lautenberg wants to snuff out electronic cigarettes

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) wants to ban a smoking device that several House Republicans have trumpeted for helping them quit smoking.
The battery-operated device, known as an electronic cigarette, looks like a normal cigarette, but contains no tobacco and instead of smoke emits a nicotine vapor when the user inhales. Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) have all been spotted using the device on Capitol Hill.
But the device, which is sold over the Internet and at select mall kiosks, needs to be tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before it is deemed safe for general use, Lautenberg wrote in a letter to the FDA on Monday.
“Manufacturers and retailers of these products claim that e-cigarettes are safe, and even that these products can help smokers quit traditional cigarettes,” he wrote.
“However, there have been no clinical studies to prove these products are effective at helping smokers quit, nor have any studies verified the safety of these products or their long-term health effects.”
Stearns shot back at Lautenberg on Monday, saying that there is no evidence that the device is harmful.
“Before the FDA takes any immediate action, it should put forward scientific evidence that these products are harmful or unsafe,” he said in a statement.
“These e-cigarettes are smokeless and do not produce carcinogens. The nicotine in e-cigarettes is controlled in a capsule that can help in smoking cessation by allowing the user to reduce gradually the nicotine level, hopefully to zero.”
Stearns has sent electronic cigarettes to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and President Obama to help them quit smoking. He’s been seen using the device in the Speaker’s Lobby, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) banned smoking two years ago. Her office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
A longtime opponent of smoking, Lautenberg authored the law that banned smoking on airplanes and a law that banned smoking in federal facilities that serve children.

Cigarettes less likely to burn.

The latest salvo from Canada's four-year-old Federal Tobacco Control Strategy calls for all cigarettes manufactured or sold in Canada to be of a reduced ignition propensity. Bill C-260, an act to amend the Hazardous Products Act, says that as of October 1, 2005, all cigarettes--imported or otherwise, must conform to the Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes adopted in 2002 (ASTM E2187-02b). Are the manufacturers ready?

The standard says manufactured cigarettes--which make up 85% of all tobacco products sold in Canada--can burn their full length no more than 25% of the time during 40 replicate tests on 10 layers of filter paper. The test uses standard filter paper as a heat sink, allowing a cigarette to self-extinguish once its coal has cooled. Health Canada chose the 25% standard because it is the strictest standard demonstrated to be achievable over 20 years of research, since a US Congress-mandated study determined that a low-ignition-propensity (LIP) cigarette was commercially feasible.

Under the authority of Canada's Tobacco Act, anyone manufacturing a tobacco product that does not conform to the new standards faces fines of up to $300,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. Compliance would be monitored through sampling and analysis, and targets all cigarettes manufactured or imported in the country.

This method of testing, say critics like John Wildgust, head of corporate affairs at JTI-Macdonald Corp, is misleading. The use of filter paper instead of furniture mock-ups, no crevice testing and no artificial airflow means, "the testing required under the current regulation does not correspond to real-world situations--involving, for example, flammable fabrics or other conditions under which cigarettes may be normally used. We are concerned that consumers may mistakenly believe that these products are 'fire-safe' and...

Altria stubs out Marlboro Ultra Smoothx

NEW YORK - Altria Group Inc's Philip Morris USA has cancelled its Marlboro Ultra Smooth cigarettes, highlighting challenges it faces in trying to grow its tobacco business despite a decline in U.S. cigarette sales, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Altria gets nearly all its revenue from Philip Morris USA after spinning off its Philip Morris International operations, the Journal reported.
Philip Morris's sales volume fell 4.6 percent last year, worse than the 4 percent decline in the overall U.S. cigarette market, the Journal reported. Underlying sales volume fell 3.6 percent, the Journal added.
The company expects overall cigarette sales to fall at an annual rate of 2.5 percent to 3 percent in coming years, the Journal reported.
Philip Morris has turned to developing tobacco products that are not as risky to their user's health, the Journal said. Ultra Smooth cigarettes include an activated carbon filter that delivers nicotine but with potentially less exposure to the carcinogens of conventional cigarettes, the Journal reported.
A Philip Morris spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Camel Cigarettes without a camel.

The company Japan Tobacco International displays to market a limited series of its brand Front with radically modified design. This "limited edition" is already practising one of the JTI competitors - the company Philip Morris. Experts note that such actions are designed to attract additional attention to the brand is already available to consumers, have become increasingly widespread. These techniques are particularly relevant to products whose advertising activity is limited by law.

In September, the 25 largest cities in selling limited Camel Cigarettes party with a new design. Instead of the classic camel on the package shows an entire track: camel goes on trees along the winding road, and the usual stack of yellow background patterns decorated with cigarettes. In doing so, taste, shape and price of cigarettes remained unchanged. This is the largest sale in issuing limited series.

Such a limited series of its brands already produced several times in Russia company Philip Morris. Thus, in March this year to sell Marlboro cigarettes came in the pockets of silver, opened the side. And one of the parties in Parliament was painted metallic blue color.

Warning over mild or light cigarettes

Smokers are being warned that all tobacco is deadly no matter how it is packaged.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation executive director Jane Patterson says smoking tobacco described as 'light' and 'mild' is not better for health and is not safer to smoke compared with smoking regular tobacco.
In 2005, 44% of the manufactured cigarette brands listed for sale contained at least one description, such as light or mild.
Patterson says the tobacco industry has promoted light and mild cigarettes as 'safer' or as an alternative to quitting, when all along it has known that these products are not better for health, or safer to smoke, than regular tobacco.
Recent New Zealand research shows that the tar and nicotine content of light cigarettes is comparable to regular cigarettes, and that light   cigarettesmight deliver more carbon monoxide than regular cigarettes.
Smokers are also likely to compensate for smoking 'light' cigarettes, by inhaling more deeply, holding smoke in the lungs for longer, covering manufactured cigarette ventilation holes with the fingers or mouth, or smoking more frequently.
Smokefree coalition director Mark Peck says a survey of 2709 smokers reported 36% smoked light or mild cigarettes.
This included 27% of Maori and 40% of females surveyed.
Those who reported smoking light and mild were asked why they smoked these types - 23% gave some health-related reason for their choice, and a further 5% thought that light or mild cigarettes were 'less addictive' and/or 'made it easier to quit'.
The NZ Commerce Commission recently warned the tobacco industry to remove the light and mild descriptions from tobacco products, because they mislead customers about the health risks of smoking.

Police fear new drinking and smoking laws have fuelled rise in crime

Sussex, England: Relaxed licensing laws and the smoking ban have led to a rise in violence on the streets.Police say drink-fuelled crime is on the rise because pub-goers are being forced outside to smoke. Extra patrols are already being sent to areas such as New Road, Brighton, where al fresco smoking has led to problems.Fears about the impact of the smoking ban comes on top of rising public place violent crime sparked by new 24-hour drinking legislation.Since the legislation came into force two years ago, there has been an extra 100 venues where customers can buy alcohol.
Sussex, England: Relaxed licensing laws and the smoking ban have led to a rise in violence on the streets.Police say drink-fuelled crime is on the rise because pub-goers are being forced outside to smoke.Extra patrols are already being sent to areas such as New Road, Brighton, where al fresco smoking has led to problems.Fears about the impact of the smoking ban comes on top of rising public place violent crime sparked by new 24-hour drinking legislation.Since the legislation came into force two years ago, there has been an extra 100 venues where customers can buy alcohol. Police warn that with growing pressure on the budget, overtime spending must be reduced and other means of controlling alcohol-related violence found. The information has emerged in a Sussex Police report arguing for the introduction of tougher measures to restrict new pubs and clubs opening in Brighton and Hove. Police are pushing for the introduction of one of the country's largest "cumulative impact zones" to stop new premises opening in areas already considered to be saturated with bars. Developments within the proposed area include the recently opened Oceana nightclub in West Street, with a capacity of 2,500, and the Hippodrome, Middle Street, which will also have a capacity of approximately 2,500 when completed. Violent crime in the city centre increased by five per cent in 2006, the first full year of the new licensing laws, compared with 2005. The trend for public place violent crime has been upward since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 in November 2005 and is expected to continue its upward trend, with a contributory factor being the introduction of the smokingban in July 2007. Police have said the increase is partly explained by the growing number of £80 fines handed out to binge drinkers early in the evening which often prevent more serious crimes being committed in the early hours. With the arrival of warmer weather, police are concerned the smoking ban will also spark violent crime.

Nine interesting facts about electronic cigarettes

An electronic cigarette doesn’t contain tobacco. Instead, it’s a plastic device which is activated by the user inhaling. The device then injects tiny drops of nicotine into the flowing air, causing them to vaporise. The device also adds propylene glycol, a moisturizer that’s often found in toothpastes and mouthwashes. This helps create a simulation of the smoke from a traditional cigarette, making it feel much more like real smoking.

Electronic cigarettes are not proven to help people give up smoking and aren’t marketed for this purpose. However, manufacturers can produce a range of electronic cigarettes with varying levels of nicotine. This means people trying to cut down on a nicotine addiction can gradually reduce the levels they consume without being held back by the habit of ‘lighting up’ a certain number of times each day.

A single electronic cigarette can last practically forever as the nicotine solution comes in a disposable cartridge (which usually last for several hundred drags). The mechanism is powered by a rechargeable battery, which also powers an orange LED at the tip to simulate a real burning cigarette.

An electronic cigarette doesn’t produce any smell, and the ‘smoke’ it produces is harmless vapour (besides the nicotine the smoker inhales) and doesn’t irritate the eyes. This means a smoker using the device can take part in normal social activities without engendering or irritating other people. There’s also no unpleasant waste from cigarette butts.

Electronic cigarettes are available in traditional tobacco flavour, but also in menthol and apple versions.

Smokers in the United Kingdom have used the device to get round bans on smoking in enclosed public places. The famous Chinawhite nightclub in Soho allowed its guests to use an electronic cigarette rather than go out on to the street for a traditional smoke.

The Daily Mail tested the device in 2007 on bar-goers in Notting Hill. One woman said “I miss not being able to drink and smoke on a night out. This is a good solution. It's elegant and easy to hold and it doesn't make your hands smell like a cigarette does.” And her male companion added “I think it could become popular. Smokers would do anything to have a cigarette at a table rather than go outside.” The pair later shot to ‘fame’ as Big Brother contestants Rex Newmark & Nicole Cammack!

Using an electronic cigarette can be considerably cheaper than smoking the real thing. A single cartridge gives roughly the same amount of ‘smoking’ as a standard packet of cigarettes but can be as much as six times less expensive. That’s partly because you don’t have to pay for all the tar, tobacco and paper which you normally buy and then literally send up in smoke!

While containing fewer harmful substances, the nicotine content of electronic cigarettes means they are not sold to children. It’s also recommended that pregnant women do not use the device, and that anyone with health concerns checks with a doctor first.

Electronic Cigarette

Electronic cigarettes offer smokers a good alternative to traditional smoking for many reasons. First of all, there is no tar and no second hand smoke, only a vapor. New users of these devices may have some questions regarding the use, and there are a couple things that can lead to confusion. Most of these devices use what is called an atomizer to heat the solution to create the fog like effect. It is important that users take good care of their atomizer in order to maintain good use.

Using cartridges, or refill juice on their electronic cigarette, users should always make sure that the atomizer has fluid on it before use. This prevents the atomizer from overheating and possibly burning out.A good technique is called "dripping". To drip, simply take the cartridge out and drop two to three drops of nicotine solution directly on the atomizer bridge, reinsert the cartridge, and take a few small puffs to prime the device. When taking your primer puffs, make them quick and light so the battery doesn't activate the heating element.

After your primer puffs, you will be ready to use your electronic cigarette and it should produce a good amount of vapor.

The atomizer may get clogged up from time to time, you will recognize this when it becomes harder to draw on your e-cigarette. Users have found a few simple tricks that may help. First of all, you can try blowing it out by unscrewing it and placing it to your lips. If this doesn't have the desired effect, you can try boiling it for ten minutes or so. Be careful if your atomizer has plastic parts on the outside, as you would not want to melt it. After boiling, place the atomizer on a paper towel, standing up, and let it dry for a couple hours. Usually this removes any particulates that would have been causing problems. In the worst case, just replace it. You can buy them for less than fifteen dollars.

Always be sure to leave a battery on at night to ensure that you will have it fully charged the next day. It is recommended that most people carry at least two batteries with them throughout the day so they never get stuck without a charge.

Cheap Cigarettes from Europe - online shops

Cigarette smoking is an addiction many people have, despite it being a life threatening addiction. Girls and boys, women and men all alike smoke all types of cigarettes be it discount cigarettes, menthol cigarettes or cheap cigarettes from Europe. Though there are so many types of cigarettes in the market today, they are all basically the same composition with a few changes in taste here and there.

All cigarettes are made of the same ingredients which include filter materials, tobacco, paper, additives and paper gum. It is only the rate and the place of manufacture of these cigarettes that change. The cheap cigarettes in Europe are available at reduced rates because the expenses that go in manufacturing these cigarettes is considerably lower than the expenses incurred in manufacturing the same cigarettes in America. This is why it is possible to get cheap Winston cigarettes, cheap camel and cheap Salem cigarettes from Salem.

In addition to this, the cigarettes manufactured in Europe are basically manufactured and shipped from the duty free zones exist in Eastern Europe. It is because these cigarettes are tax free that they are available for free, even while adding shipping costs. However it is because of the import duty of the different countries that people tend to smuggle in cheap cigarettes from Europe in a bid to save some bucks.

Though the composition of cheap Marlboro cigarettes and Marlboro cigarettes are relatively the same, there is a change in the tastes of these two types of cigarettes. These changes are attributed to the additives and preservatives that are added to the cigarettes, and the shelf time of cheap European cigarettes. European cigarettes are usually sent by registered mail to their destination, and it takes about two to three weeks for the cigarettes to reach its destination. This brings about a change in the taste and feel of the cigarettes. It is only the chronic smoker who can make out the difference between these two types of cigarettes.

With the internet, there is no need of you going to stores to buy your cigarettes. There are many online tobacco stores you can do your cheap cigarette shopping at discount price with the comforts of your home or office. This is one of the major advantages of shopping online through online tobacco stores. All that has to be done is to surf a few sites while sitting in the comfort of your home, choose your cigarettes, make your payments and pretty soon, you will have your cigarettes at your doorstop.

Another advantage of buying your cheap European cigarettes from online tobacco stores is that they are available at a much cheaper rate than in the offline tobacco stores. It is possible to buy three to four cartons of cigarettes in online tobacco stores for the rate of a single carton of cigarette in an offline store. So although the shipping time may be a bit long when you buy online, if you buy on a wholesale basis, you can afford to wait and save money in the long run.