Tobacco News and Interesting Information

The state's legal definition of a "cigarette" and "beverage" is more than semantics for retail grocers – it could affect their sales. Both were debated Wednesday in the State House.

Lawmakers voted to define a cigarette to include so-called "mini cigars," which means they could be taxed as cigarettes. Supporters of the expanded definition said that sales of mini cigars have gone up some 20 to 40 percent. They argue that mini cigars – especially those on the high end – look and act like a cigarette: They are rolled in paper and come in cartons that look like cigarette cartons. Allowing this "loophole" to continue prevents the state from collecting taxes, and makes tobacco more affordable for young people.

Opponents said that this is one time when a cigar is just a cigar: It is hard to inhale a mini cigar, which means they are more like cigars than cigarettes, especially when it comes to effects on health, and if you are going to tax some cigars, you should be honest and tax all of them. Besides this would hurt local merchants.

The "beverage" bill would allow convenience stores and other retailers to sell beverages like hard lemonade, "Tilt" and "Spark," with alcohol levels of 8 percent. Currently they are only allowed to sell such beverages with an alcohol level of 6 percent and under.

Supporters of the bill said it doesn't make sense to prohibit such beverages from convenience stores, while allowing those stores to sell beer and wine coolers with as much as three times the alcohol content. Besides, these drinks are boosting beer distributors' sales when sales of beer and wine coolers are flat.

Opponents said that such sweet-tasting drinks are aimed at young people, particular teenage girls, who are abusing them at an alarming rate. Increasing the alcohol content just to conform to national manufacturers' desires would only make things worse. The House killed the bill on a voice vote.

In other business affecting business, lawmakers passed bills that would:

Allow businesses to file their annual reports on the first business day after a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday.

Allow liquor manufacturers, vendors or their representatives to have a business interest in bars.

Tighten rules allowing securities professionals to use designations when dealing with senior citizens

Require that solid waste haulers register with the state and report on quantities at pick-up and points of disposal.

Require the Department of Environmental Services to establish general permits for maintaining and operating a motor vehicle salvage facility and operating a motor vehicle crusher.

Allow licensed pharmacists to administer influenza shots at a drug store.

Establish a committee to allow walk-in health clinics in retail stores.

The House defeated:

Two bills that would have repealed legislation passed last year to expand family coverage to divorced spouses and to unmarried children who are under 26. Supporters of the recent change said that it was an inexpensive way to increase coverage to populations with a large percentage of uninsured. Opponents said that it will increase the price of family coverage for all, making it less likely that employees choose it and employers contribute to it. They also argued there are tax consequences that will make it even more difficult and expensive for employees to administer.

A bill that would ban the sale of the standard light bulbs, because it is already being tackled on the federal level.

A bill that would require employers to participate in a state identification system to prevent the hiring of illegal immigrants and identify theft. Opponents said it creates a burden on employers and threatens them with jail for aiding someone only guilty of a civil offense.