Monthly Archives: September 2011
Heavy drinking + smoking = fire risk
Heavy drinkers may die needlessly in house fires that would otherwise have been escapable, researchers in Australia suggest. Lead researcher Dorothy Bruck of Victoria University in Melbourne examined coroners’ records for 95 fire victims and found that 58 percent had positive results on blood-alcohol tests – often with very high alcohol levels. The intoxicated victims were less likely than sober … Continue reading
Chewing Tobacco ‘s Brad Pitt Moment
Moneyball is easily the greatest movie ever made about the use of statistical analysis to gain a competitive business advantage. The adaptation of Michael Lewis’s best-selling book, released this month after years of delay, stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics who upset the game’s establishment by turning to Ivy League number crunchers for … Continue reading
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Cigarette Habit Takes Toll on Health, Beauty
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who recently premiered in her new film “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” is known for her trim figure. But despite being a workout fanatic, she still smokes cigarettes, putting her health at risk. Young people take up smoking for a lot of reasons, but by the time they are in their mid-20s, many come … Continue reading
Philip Morris International Inc. Increases Quarterly Dividend 20.3% to $0.77 Per Share
The Board of Directors of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE / Euronext Paris: PM) today increased the company’s regular quarterly dividend by 20.3%, to an annualized rate of $3.08 per common share. The new quarterly dividend of $0.77 per common share, up from $0.64 per common share, is payable on October 11, 2011, to stockholders of record as of September … Continue reading
You can win big money for quitting
Indiana health officials have joined forces with MDWise Hoosier Alliance and ADVANTAGE Health Solutions to offer up to $2,500 in rewards for those who stay tobacco free, whether smoking or chewing tobacco. “Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to improve your health,” Indiana State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D. said in a prepared statement. “We know there are … Continue reading
Smokers don't make better lovers
Men who successfully stopped smoking improved on lab measurements of sexual health more than those who relapsed after a quit-smoking program. The findings show that smoking may be affecting the sexual health of men who consider themselves perfectly alright in the bedroom — and not just those with impotence, researchers say. “With younger men, the risks of smoking in that … Continue reading
Graphic cigarette labels needlessly harm businesses
After taking multiple graphic design courses, I have always been very intrigued by the way the labels and logos are designed. Having multiple friends who smoke I’ve began to notice the different designs that cigarette manufacturers use on their packages. Personally, I think the designs give cigarettes their own identity, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems to want … Continue reading
US ban proposed on electronic cigarettes on planes
The Obama administration on Wednesday proposed banning the use of electronic cigarettes on airline flights, saying there is concern the smokeless cigarettes may be harmful. “Airline passengers have rights, and this new rule would enhance passenger comfort and reduce any confusion surrounding the use of electronic cigarettes in flight,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. The ban would … Continue reading
Big tobacco brings in top silk
British American Tobacco Australia (BATA) will wheel out one of the nation’s most expensive lawyers tomorrow to front a Senate inquiry examining Labor’s legislation. Allan Myers QC will join BATA chief executive David Crow in giving evidence regarding a bill that will amend the Trade Marks Act. The Gillard government hopes the change will protect plain packaging from a legal … Continue reading
Bulgaria Signs Contract to Sell Bulgartabak to Russia’s VTB
Bulgaria signed a contract with a unit of Russia’s second-largest bank OAO VTB to sell a majority stake in Bulgartabak Holding (57B), ending a fourth effort in 12 years to sell the biggest state-owned tobacco manufacturer. The buyer of the 80 percent stake for 100.1 million euros ($136.6 million), Austrian-registered BT Invest GmbH, must continue producing tobacco and cigarettes and … Continue reading
