The onslaught continues. It never ceases to amaze me that why, in these trying economic times, lawmakers insist on introducing legislation that costs retailers sales opportunities. Virtually every chain I’ve covered over the past 15-plus years in this industry has counted on earnings and profits to reinvest in the business. That means buying more real…
Ontario Fights Contraband Cigarettes
“Cigarette butt studies conducted in London, Ontario show the consumption of contraband cigarettes at 20% and at local high schools, as many as 35% of cigarettes smoked by youth were illegal,” says CEO of OCSA. The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) is pleased to recognize the work and support of all members of the London…
Cigarette Tax Changes Proposed For Rhode Island
State lawmaker looks to reduce cigarette tax to keep smokers shopping inside Rhode Island. Rhode Island Representative Robert Philips is calling on the state to slash its cigarette tax by $1 to encourage smokers to shop local instead of crossing state borders to buy smokes in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut, thus keeping tax dollars in…
New York RYO Business Shut Down
Giving customers access to tobacco and RYO machines is akin to selling untaxed cigarettes, lawsuit insists. Two New York-based roll-your-own tobacco stores run by Island Smokes—one in Chinatown and one in Staten Island—have agreed to close their doors by Feb. 1, following a lawsuit settlement, according to city officials, the New York Post reported. Island…
Maintaining Cigarette Sales
Despite taxation and regulation, convenience store retailers remain optimistic about this lucrative category, though a potential ban on menthol products is looming. By John Lofstock, Editor. In an era in which the sports page sounds like the business page, talk of selling cigarettes inevitably sounds like political rhetoric. When c-store operators talk cigarettes these days…
NY Cigarette Taxes To Hit $4.35 A Pack
On Monday night, June 21, 2010, the New York Legislature narrowly agreed to increase the state’s tax on cigarettes. The tax is now set to grow by an additional $1.60-to a national-high $4.35 a pack, the New York Daily News reported. When adding in city and federal taxes, the tax charged on one pack…
Managing Tobacco’s Four Tier War
A Closer Look at Who’s Trading Down According to Mintel International, 80% of smokers polled said it’s worthwhile to have a quality cigarette, which is contributing to sales of premium cigarettes. Other factors influencing sales include: • 51% of smokers have one preferred brand they always like to buy. • Less than 2% of smokers…
Kansas Debates Higher Sin Taxes
The Kansas Senate Assessment and Taxation committee had a hearing Wednesday to hear all sides before ruling on the legislature’s proposed tax increases on cigarettes, liquor and fuel that would cover an estimated $400 million budget shortfall, the Kansas Reporter reported. Tom Palace, executive director of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas,…
Cigarette Excise Tax, Ohio Cigarette Tax Changes Bring Higher Prices
An Ohio coalition refutes the findings of a recent report claiming that increasing Ohio’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack would bring the state $299.7 million per year. The report released yesterday, entitled, Tobacco Taxes: A Win-Win-Win for Cash-Strapped States is based on national and state surveys of registered voters. “Any economist will tell you…
New Sin Taxes For New York City?
New sin taxes are being proposed for New York City, and would be aimed at soft drinks and cigarettes under a spending plan for 2010-11 unveiled by Gov. Paterson this morning that would also cut $1 billion in education funding and raise health care taxes, the New York Post reported. “There are no more easy…