Cigarette Makers Fight, Phillip Morris

Philip Morris says today's High Court decision supporting the plain packaging of cigarettes would not affect other legal challenges to the Australian government's plan. Following the court decision, challenges to Australia's packaging rules remain from three countries - the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ukraine - through the World Trade Organisation. Marlboro-maker Phillip Morris is also suing Australia for alleged breaches of Australia's Bilateral Investment Treaty with Hong Kong. “We believe that Philip Morris Asia's investment treaty case and the WTO challenges are strong,” said PML spokesperson Chris Argent. “As such, there is still a long way to go before all the legal questions about plain packaging are fully explored and answered.”

Ogdensburg Council Prevents Tobacco Use

City Council members agree they would like to prevent tobacco use around municipal playgrounds and picnic areas, but clashed on how it should be done. At a Monday committee of the whole meeting, the council decided a policy banning tobacco use in parks would be unenforceable and unpopular. “I see it as a start to things I absolutely don’t like — people telling me how to live my life,” Councilor R. Storm Cilley said. “We can’t totally ban a legal activity, and I am not in favor of passing laws and policies that would put penalties in place.” Instead, the council decided to erect signs asking people not to smoke in park areas used by children. “I think that is what people are asking for — a voluntary cessation,” City Manager Philip A. Cosmo said. “That policy can be ‘we currently ask; we hope people will voluntarily comply.’”

Increasing Cigarette Prices, Quit Smoking

The recent increase in the Illinois cigarette tax is an example of how making smoking more expensive can convince some people it's time to quit. For example, being a smoker in Chicago can easily cost $300 a month, which is more than twice as expensive as a monthly prescription of medications to help a person quit smoking. But even when the cost of smoking convinces a person to quit, it can be hard to kick the habit, said Dr. Phillip McAndrew, an internal medicine physician and occupational health expert at Loyola University Health System.

Philip Morris Profit Higher

Cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc. said Thursday its second-quarter net income fell 4 percent, despite higher prices, as the company sold fewer cigarettes. The seller of Marlboro and other cigarette brands overseas said changes in currency values hurt profit in the April-June quarter, and cut its earnings guidance for the year because of the stronger dollar.

Victorian Smoking Rates

Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper says tough tobacco reforms and advertising campaigns are responsible for the record low smoking rates highlighted in its latest research. The figures show the state's overall smoking rate has dropped below 15 per cent for the first time, and 70 per cent of Victorians aged 18-29 have never smoked.