Reports have recently surfaced that Reynolds American - the second largest tobacco company, manufacturer of Camel, Kool and Winston - is taking part in talks to purchase Niconovum.
Niconovum is a company that produces nicotine gum and nicotine replacement products, helping smokers stay off cigarettes. The company is based in Sweden and was founded by Karl Olov Fagerstrom, who is hailed as "one of the world's leading experts on smoking cessation and nicotine dependence."
Harvard School of Public Health professor Gregory Conolly researches tobacco products and is totally shocked by this report. He says that this type of purchase of the company "runs totally counter to the mission statement of (Reynolds American subsidiary) R.J. Reynolds."
All commentary on the R.J. Reynolds purchase was declined by the company, the spokeswoman said, "We have a longstanding policy of not commenting on stories based on rumors or speculation."
[Via: ABC News]
Recently Michael Jordan was an honorary assistant for the U.S. at the Presidents Cup golf tournament. During a practice round at Harding Park, despite a San Francisco ban on smoking on golf courses, he dared to light up and smoke a cigar.
Photos of Jordan were published in newspapers last Tuesday. The PGA Tour was asked to remind Jordan that what he was doing was against the law and that he was not permitted to smoke even as an assistant at the Presidents Cup.
Phil Ginsburg, Recreation and Park General Manager said, "It was sort of a gentle nudge reminding them that smoking is illegal and that we would appreciate their support."
When it comes to the $100 fine for this illegal act, the information is not clear and Dennis Herrera, spokesman for City Atty says he is still not sure of how that is going to play out, and at this point no one has had the guts to ask him for it. But if laws like this are really going to go into effect, then Michael Jordan could be the poster boy for it.
[Via: LA Times]
Information has come forth that Penelope Cruz might be pregnant, and many are suspecting that she has taken up smoking again to dispel rumors.
In July it was reported that the 35-year-old Spanish actress had quit smoking. Though her reps have not confirmed anything, it was reported that as of last month she is pregnant.
Last week her best friend Salma Hayek was also seen smoking Parliament cigarettes, though this did not stir things up as much, as Hayek's baby is 23 months old.
It seems that no matter how famous or pregnant you are it seems that addiction to nicotine is a tough battle, and whether or not Cruz is pregnant or not there is no need to get on her case, as the media has.
[Via: buzznet.com]
A magician from Westchester ended his 40-year-old smoking habit in a rather unusual way, by eating 200 lit cigarettes.
Richie Magic, 53, from Scarsdale, extinguished a carton of lit cigarettes in his mouth and set a world record. He managed to do all this in only 6 minutes and 3.7 seconds at Rogue Magic and Fun Shop in Elmhurst. Fairly strict rules surrounded this event and he was only allowed to hold five cigarettes in his mouth at one time.
Nearly 100 spectators witnessed this mouth-blistering event. Magic said, "Early on, I started to gag, but then the adrenaline took over - I just had to finish."
For Magic, the most important part of his act was the message he managed to send to his spectators, "Kids told me it was so disgusting that they'd never smoke. I couldn't be happier."
Magic said this was the best time possible for him to drop the habit, he said, "I don't want to be a hypocrite when I tell kids not to smoke."
This is probably not the best way to prevent children from smoking, but it more than likely did the trick for those who were present.
[Via: nydailynews.com]
Travel companies are pushing for better air, or so they say. Smoking bans started on airlines in the 1980's and Northwest Airlines was one of the first to ban smoking on all flights. Recently hotel chains like Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Sheraton and Comfort Suites have banned smoking on all premises.
Rental car companies are joining the ranks — as of next month Avis, Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car will be making their vehicles in Canada and the United States smoke free.
In a press release, Larry De Shon, executive vice president of operations for Avis Budget Group said, "We receive more customer requests for smoke-free vehicles than any other 'special request.' This new policy is designed to ensure that we are enhancing the comfort of our customers, which is a top priority at Avis and Budget."
Smokers will have to be especially careful about lighting up from now on, because even rental car companies and hotels are fining for lighting up, which is stupid to say the least…
[Via: cheapflights.com]
