Canadian cigarette maker paying up in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly announced a settlement on Monday with a Canadian-based cigarette manufacturer for allegedly failing to make escrow payments as required by the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Act.

Grand River Enterprises Six Nations Ltd., based in Ohsweken, Ontario, will pay more than $72,000 in civil penalties and $10,000 for costs related to the case. Grand River, which sells under the brand name Seneca in the United States, agreed to make the escrow payments required by the TSAA on a quarterly basis from now on.

The TSAA requires tobacco manufacturers to make payments into an escrow account for cigarette sales within the state. According to the agreement, Grand River allegedly failed to escrow more than $88,000 for the sale of more than five million cigarettes between 2001 and 2004.

Grand River has completed the certification process to become an approved manufacturer and will now be listed in the state's Tobacco Product Directory.

The settlement was negotiated by Deputy Attorney General Sharon Rogers from Kelly's Tobacco Enforcement Section.

Grand River reached a settlement in the state of Ohio earlier this month resolving a similar allegation of failing to establish an escrow account for the sale of its cigarettes as required by law. The company paid penalties and post-judgment interest of $1,052,000 to the state's General Revenue Fund and paid attorneys fees and costs of $82,000 to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office as part of the settlement.

Unstamped cigarettes land New York man in prison

A New York man caught on a Lebanon County interstate highway with thousands of cigarette packs without tax stamps was sentenced to state prison last week.
Judge Charles T. Jones Jr. sentenced Clyde Banks Jr., 41, Bronx., N.Y., to state prison for 14 months to five years and ordered him to pay a $100 fine and restitution of $13,440 for lost tax revenue.

State police stopped the van that Banks was driving on April 14 on I-78 at mile marker 7.5 in Bethel Township. Police said they found 840 cartons of cigarettes without tax stamps, according to court records.

Bust yields 6 tons of marijuana, $93,000 in cash

Federal authorities say a drug bust in West Michigan netted more than 6 tons of marijuana along with about $93,000 in cash.

The Grand Rapids Press reports the marijuana was found Friday at a warehouse in Grand Rapids-area community of Wyoming following a tip. Court documents shows that the money includes about $85,000 from the home of one of six people charged in the case.

Each is charged with marijuana conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute the drug. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of the cash.

Authorities say the marijuana was found in nearly 500 bales.

World Tour Event at Neptune Cigar Superstore

On Thursday November 3rd, 2011 from 5-9 PM, Neptune Cigar Superstore will be hosting one of the last stops of the Studio Tobac 2011 World Tour, and the only event of this kind in Miami, Florida. The tour, which began February 2011 across the nation, will end in November 2011 with the giveaway of a one of a kind Cain Daytona Corvette valued at $70,000!
Studio Tobac is an enterprise of Miami’s Oliva Cigar Company reuniting their most innovative minds to conceive new cigar concepts such as the very successful NUB, a cigar which introduced a complete new format in premium handmade cigars to the industry, and CAIN, the only STRAIGHT LIGERO cigar in the world. Studio Ambassador Bryan Scholle will bring to Neptune Cigar’s Superstore the Special Edition 2011 Touring Corvette Convertible. Scholle will also be bringing the Studio’s latest projects with him.
The STUDIO TOBAC Limited Edition Sampler will be available for Free to any customer who purchases a box of STUDIO TOBAC products (Nub, Cain...) at the event. This unique and rare sampler of unreleased cigars will not be available for sale online, and will not be sold separately.
Each sampler will contain one of each of the following cigars.
1. Cain F Lancero – Cain F blend in a Lancero format, presented in an aluminum tube.
2. Cain FF Torpedo – 6x54 Torpedo; a stronger blend of the Cain F.
3. Cain Daytona Short Robusto – Daytona blend in a sampler exclusive 4.5x50 short Robusto size.
4. Nub Habano Perfecto – the first Nub Perfecto ever created. 4.5x60.
5. Nub San Andreas Maduro – 4x64. A new size and a wrapper never before used on Nubs.
6. "ST/DS-100," an unnamed, full bodied, all Maduro prototype cigar.
There will also be a drawing at the event for a custom made scrimshaw Studio Tobac cutter among other things. These are very unique cutters that will not be for sale anywhere. Bryan Scholle will roll cigars at the event and talk about the new Cain Daytona cigar.

Boise smoking ban proposal proving to be a heated issue

It was standing room only Tuesday night inside Boise City Hall where dozens of residents gathered to sound off on the City of Trees proposed smoke-free air ordinances.

Boise City Council is considering two smoke-free ordinaces. The first would ban smoking in all Boise bars, private clubs and within 20 feet of city-owned buildings. The second proposal would ban smoking in public parks including within 20 feet of the Boise Greenbelt. There would be designated smoking areas at both Julia Davis and Ann Morrison parks.

City Council heard more than three hours of public testimony, Tuesday night. Many residents believe a smoking ban would promote a healthier city by minimizing secondhand smoke. "Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air, period," Adrian Casper said.

Other Boiseians argue a smoking ban would cause storefronts to close and the local economy to suffer. "I don't think the City should have the right to put people out of business and that's what they're doing," Mona Lindeen said.

City leaders say if the ordinaces pass, there will be a waiting period before the legislation goes into effect to ensure bar owners the necessary time to educate their customers. If City Council approves the smoke-free proposals, the legislation will be enforced beginning in January 2012.

Smoking out villains of Wall Street

As I begin this column, on Oct. 10, the “Occupy Wall Street” movement has spread to dozens of American cities. By the time this sees print, on Oct. 20, the wave of discontent may have dissipated. Or it could grow into something much larger.

It’s good to see citizens take part in a peaceful uproar. It means that apathy and despair have not yet won the day. It’s also rewarding to see slogans and placards lofted by the protesters rather than smoke from gunfire and explosions. Violence can bring change, but usually the chief victims are the poor and powerless.

Right now the OWS people have few, if any, leaders. I haven’t seen evidence of precise goals. This augurs poorly for the assemblage. Whether it’s cleaning out the garage or forging a different government, knowing exactly what you’re aiming for is important. Otherwise things tend to fall apart, with little achieved.

And that’s what happens to most street protests: with time, they fade away. The Establishment – whether it’s Wall Street, Congress, the Pentagon or the White House – knows this. Patience tends to prevail over passion.

I hope this won’t happen with OWS. The peaceful protesters who have gathered in the downtowns of American cities are merely harbingers – indicators that (along with other problems) something is radically wrong with how our country’s financial institutions operate. If all the protesters were asked, “Exactly what are you angry about?” I’d bet that 60 percent would reply, “I’m mad because the crooks on Wall Street are still at large. They should be identified, tried and punished.”

Cape May Council Votes to Ban Smoking

Cape May continues to move forward with plans to ban smoking on its beaches, oceanfront Promenade and public parks.

On Tuesday, an ordinance banning smoking in these areas was introduced with a 5-0 vote. The AC Press reports that all five members of the Cape May City council are nonsmokers.

While Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman first proposed the idea earlier this year, his plan only included banning smoking from beaches. The ordinance now includes the Promenade, Rotary Park, Sunset Pavilion, Kiwanis Park, Wise-Anderson Park, Harborview Park and the city’s dog park, according to the AC Press.

The ordinance sets a minimum fine of $100 for violations. The Press reports that the maximum fine, which could follow repeat offenses, is as much as $1250 along with community service or prison terms not exceeding 90 days.

The proposed ordinance says that a nonsmoker’s right to breath smoke-free air is a priority over a person’s desire to smoke. It also cites studies that say second-hand smoke outdoors poses hazards.

A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 14.