This is the place to find news and notes that matter to those interested in our cause. Spend some time browsing through the updates and you’ll be armed with the latest information regarding the battle against Big Tobacco.

July 28, 2008

Alicia Keys Sets Example for Entertainment Industry By Withdrawing Tobacco Sponsorship of Indonesia Concert

Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Washington, D.C. - U.S. singing star Alicia Keys has set a positive example that should be followed by musicians and entertainers worldwide by demanding the withdrawal of tobacco industry sponsorship of her July 31 concert in Jakarta, Indonesia. We applaud Ms. Keys for taking ...more

July 27, 2008

Alicia Keys Apologises To Fans In Indonesia

The multi-million record selling and 10 times Grammy-Award winning R'n'B star has apologised over cigarette adverts.

By: Ilesha Campbell

The international R'n'B star has apologised after it was revealed by a health charity that her forthcoming concert was helping to market cigarettes to children.

Keys is due to perform on Tuesday the 31st of July in Jakarta, Indonesia an ...more

July 17, 2008

Menthol the bait to trap smokers, researchers say

By Stephen Smith

Hoping to lure a new generation of smokers, tobacco companies routinely manipulate levels of menthol so that their cigarettes prove more appealing and less harsh to novice users, Boston researchers reported yesterday.

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Heal ...more

July 17, 2008

Menthol Dose Manipulated, Study Says

By STEPHANIE SAUL

A new Harvard study claims that the tobacco industry in recent years has manipulated menthol levels in cigarettes to hook youngsters and maintain loyalty among smoking adults. The report could further inflame a controversy over menthol in pending tobacco legislation.

...more

July 15, 2008

Nebraska Teens Protest Targeting by Tobacco Companies at Sites Across Lincoln

Amanda Mortensen, No Limits Project Coordinator, Matt Gersib, Public Relations Manager, Snitily Carr

June 28, 2008

Battle Against Teen Smoking Stalls: CDC

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Efforts to reduce teen smoking have stalled in the past five years as states lose funding for anti-tobacco efforts and as companies use new strategies to recruit customers, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.

While fewer youths are trying c ...more

May 9, 2008

Scotus teens fight against tobacco

Columbus Telegram

COLUMBUS -- Each of the 1,200 flags sticking up from the ground represented one person who will no longer be living after today.

Dubbed Project 1200, the display is set up on the south side of Scotus Central Catholic. It was organized and put up this week by Scotus j ...more

May 7, 2008

Reynolds Rolls Out Goals

The Winston-Salem Journal

By Richard Craver | Journal Reporter

Reynolds American Inc. rolled out its first report on corporate social responsibility at its annual shareholders' meeting yesterday, focusing on seven areas of commitment.

The areas, wh ...more

May 5, 2008

New Camel brand contains crushable capsule

It will release menthol flavor; anti-smoking groups say it targets youth

By Richard Craver | Journal Reporter

A tiny blue capsule is the key element in R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s latest attempt to woo smokers.

The capsule is embedded into the filter of a regular Camel Lights cigarette.

When smokers squeeze and snap t ...more

March 12, 2008

Big Picture: Smoking Ban and Cigarette Tax

www.nebraska.tv

Will a smoking ban save tax money or end up costing us more? If people kick the habit, it could save the state on medical bills. But will the state lose out on cigarette taxes?

A "No Smoking" sign graces the steps of the state capitol. So ...more

March 12, 2008

Tobacco Control Bill Advancing in Congress

By Susan Jones

CNSNews.com Senior Editor

March 12, 2008

(CNSNews.com) - A House subcommittee on Tuesday approved a bill that would grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco products.

Anti-smoking activists ...more

February 29, 2008

News Analysis: Camel Hopes Design Change Will Pack A Lot Of Punch

Mike Beirne

Brandweek

Brand redesigns packaging for the first time in 90 years.

At a time when the cigarette industry is under greater scrutiny than ever, R.J. Reynolds is drawing on its limited arsenal to attempt to boost sales.

Last week ...more

February 27, 2008

Nebraska's New Smoke Ban Tougher Than Most States'

By Leslie Reed

World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN- Nebraska will have some of the strictest smoking restrictions in the nation when its new anti-smoking law takes effect June 1, 2009.

Gov. Dave Heineman signed legislation Tuesday imposing a statewide ban o ...more

February 22, 2008

Lawmakers pass smoking ban

BY JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star

It’s been a long time coming for some state senators and Nebraska residents, but the Legislature on Friday gave its blessing to a statewide smoking ban.

The ban, nearly identical to Lincoln’s three-year-old ban, wi ...more

January 29, 2008

Philip Morris Readies Aggressive Global Push

Division Spinoff Enables Blitz of New Products

By Vanessa O'Connell

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Sitting in his office overlooking Lake Geneva, Philip Morris International Chief Executive André Calantzopoulos takes a long drag from an unusually short cigarette. Called Marlboro Intense, the product has been shrunk d ...more

January 22, 2008

Let The Sun Shine In!

Press release from American Legacy Foundation

In 2008, the truth® youth smoking prevention campaign unleashes music, dancing and animation to reveal the “sunny side” of tobacco use and the tobacco industry. The American Legacy Foundation®’s latest truth® c ...more

PUTTING SMOKING IN CARS TO THE TEST

Smoking Ban to be Debated in Legislature

Lawmakers to push state smoking ban without opt out

Bands sue Rolling Stone, R.J. Reynolds over cigarette ads

Report Ranks Nebraska Low on Programs to Discourage Tobacco Use

California, other states sue Reynolds over Camel advertising

States Sue R.J. Reynolds Over Camel Ads

Officials; Nebraska Needs More Money to Protect Kids From Tobacco

Once a Mainstay of Magazines, Cigarette Makers Drop Print Ads

North Platte Schools Tighten Tobacco Ban

North Platte Schools Tighten Tobacco Ban

Smoking Bans Help People Quit, Research Shows