GAO Report

The Government Accountability Office just published a new report &quot;Illicit Tobacco&quot;.&nbsp; As tobacco prices increase so does crime.&nbsp; Prohibition led to crime and it was repealed eleven years later.&nbsp; Three states are decreasing tobacco taxes because of crime and loss of revenue.<br />

London

Kate Moss returned to the catwalk after a seven year absence at the Claridge Hotel in London.&nbsp; She was modeling the new Louis Vitton collection, as she walked down the catwalk she lit a cigarette to the applause of some in the audience.<br type="_moz" />

South Carolina

A poll taken by Smoke Free Florence Coalition claims that 63% support a smoking ban.&nbsp; Opinion research studies can be easily manipulated just by the way they ask the questions.&nbsp; It would be a more plausible if this type of research was not paid for by an Anti-Smoking group.<br type="_moz" />

Illinois

The Illinois State Legislators are reviewing bills which will permit casinos, bars and restaurants to obtain &quot;smoking licenses.&quot;

Danish

From Danish blogger Klaus K comes an in-depth analysis by Niels Ipsen and Klaus Kjellerup regarding the benefits of smoking; translated from Dutch into English. <br />
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&quot;After 40 years of scientific research on the effects of nicotine, researchers now say that they have sound scientific proof that smoking and nicotine have a significant positive effect on human brain performance.&quot;<br />
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This well referenced and researched article is certain to be of great interest to FORCES devotees, as well as any tobacco user.<br />

Supreme Court Denies Challenge

The Competitive Enterprise Institute launched their lawsuit against the MSA because the Tobacco Companies passed costs to the consumer.&nbsp; The result was a national tax that was never approved by one legislator or any government agency.<br type="_moz" />

North Carolina

The North Carolina legislature is pondering taking money from the Master Tobacco Settlement to pay for its sterilization of thousands of people against their will. Sterilization occurred between 1929 to 1974 on mental patients, primarily women.<br />
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Detroit

AARP polled Michigan residents age 50 and older regarding new taxes.&nbsp; They fully support income tax on households earning more than $250,000,&nbsp; and raising the tax on cigarettes, liquor, beer and wine.<br />
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Los Angeles

Smoking outdoors including restaurant patios, cafes, food courts, food carts and mobile food trucks is banned in LA on March 8th, 2011.<br />