Monthly Archives: September 2011
A brief history of tobacco branding
- In the 20th century, the imagery of big tobacco permeated the public consciousness. Lucky Strike white packets, first sold in 1942, were designed by Raymond Loewy, the man behind the Coca-Cola logo, and are still remembered as milestone in modern design. – Advertisers focused their efforts on the glamour of the cigarette, with celebrity endorsements and slogans that said, … Continue reading
Tobacco giants tell Whitehall to hand over its secret minutes
The tobacco industry is targeting the Department of Health to extract information about meetings between government officials and researchers who are investigating the public-health implications of new smoking policies. One leading tobacco company has asked for – and been given access to – the minutes of a confidential meeting between health department officials, cancer experts and foreign government officials – … Continue reading
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco cutting more NC jobs
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is offering buyouts as the Winston-Salem company trims its work force as it is selling fewer cigarettes. The company is seeking volunteers among its 1,400 manufacturing employees, offering two weeks of pay for every year worked. Spokesman David Howard says about half of the cigarette-maker‘s manufacturing employees have at least 30 years with the company. Many … Continue reading
British American Tobacco Seeks Australia Government Advice through Courts
British American Tobacco PLC (BTI) said Monday it will again pursue the Australian government through the courts in an effort to obtain the legal advice given to the government in its decision to push ahead with measures to implement plain packaging on cigarette packets. From January next year, the Australian government wants to remove all branding and advertising from cigarette … Continue reading
Vogue editor regrets cigarette shots
French Vogue’s former editor Carine Roitfeld regrets using cigarettes in so many of her fashion shoots. After several years as the magazine’s editor, Roitfeld left her post in January. Since then she’s embarked on new projects, including penning a tome called Irreverent. It contains her favourite images she’s been involved with, and Vogue.com has published a sneak peek. Roitfeld says … Continue reading
The World's Toughest Cigarette Ad Law
Cigarette advertising – in nearly any form or media – will be completely banned, if the Health Ministry has its way. The Ministry on Wednesday published a “memorandum of law” (tazkir chok) – a document distributed to the public by a government office in advance of a formal law proposal – which would “generally prohibit the advertisement of tobacco products … Continue reading
Hurricane Irene damages tobacco crop
efore Hurricane Irene smacked his tender tobacco plants sideways, David Parker was headed for a terrific crop, maybe his best in 32 years of farming. “I’ve never had a year I didn’t make money farming, but I think this will be the one that gets us there,” he said Wednesday, driving up a dirt road between a beaten-down cotton field … Continue reading
Was Lady Gaga Smoking a SmokeStik at the VMAs?
If you were watching the MTV Video Music Awards you probably saw Lady Gaga open the show as her alter ego Joe Calderone. If you saw that, then you probably were wondering, “what was Lady Gaga smoking?” Is it possible that she was smoking a SmokeStik? We think so and here is why. In Los Angeles it is illegal to … Continue reading
Are Hookah Bars Illegal?
However, you might be surprised to know that many hookah bars are, in fact, operating illegally under state, county, and/or city laws. With smoking laws varying between jurisdictions and local governments strapped for cash, the “legality” of hookah bars is a complicated question that ultimately depends on enforcement. To begin, as a tobacco-based smoke, hookah is regulated by laws that … Continue reading
Philip Morris Could Get Smoked if Aussies Pass Ban on Branded Packaging
With Australia proceeding with its Plain Packaging Bill for tobacco products, Philip Morris International has much to worry about if it becomes a law as this likely hurt its market share in Australia as well as set a dangerous precedent for its other major markets considering similar laws. Philip Morris International is the world’s leading international tobacco company outside of … Continue reading
