E-cigs on Twitter: negative sentiment versus enthusiastic bots

E-cigarette activity on Twitter has grown less positive over time and is heavily dominated by automated content, according to new academic research. The study, from scholars at the University of Vermont led by Eric M. Clark, used statistical models and machine-learning programs to analyse around 850,000 e-cigarette-related tweets posted between January 2012 and December 2014.

2016-07-22
ecigintelligence.com

Is anyone more taxed, more mistreated than cigarette smokers? [...]

I smoke. I've smoked for 50-plus years. [...] I don't mind paying tax on my cigarettes. But why should I, and other smokers, provide nearly two-fifths of the new revenue that will balance the state's new budget? I'll tell you why: because smokers suffer discrimination. We've been chased from public places, including bars, restaurants and even parks. When they kicked us out, we rolled over and said, "OK."

2016-07-22
pennlive.com

Plains packaging

The tobacco industry’s desperation to recruit African smokers has only intensified since. In most countries the percentage of the population that smokes cigarettes has shrunk since 2000. [...] “Tobacco companies are very good at finding market opportunities where there are not only potential smokers, but also weak regulations. Africa is in that sweet spot,” says Michael Eriksen, of Georgia State University.

2016-07-22
economist.com

Big Tobacco uses store ads, displays to target kids

When you’re traveling around Montana this summer, pay attention when you stop for snacks. Inside most convenience stores, you’ll see the usual items: chips, candy, pop, gum – and tobacco. In Montana, 13 percent of Montana high school students currently smoke and more than 50 percent have tried e-cigarettes. The Montana Youth Behavioral Survey shows that 30 percent of high schoolers currently use e-cigarettes.

2016-07-22
missoulian.com

FDA rules could snuff out Central Florida cigar makers

Costly new federal rules for cigars, electronic cigarettes and other smoking products that had been relatively unregulated could snuff out small cigar makers such as Córdoba & Morales, a Casselberry operation owned by Mustafa and her Cuban-born husband, Azarias Mustafa Córdoba. If the rules go into effect, "it would put us out of business," she said of their company, launched five years ago.

2016-07-22
orlandosentinel.com

Movie Industry in First Amendment Clash With Anti-Smoking Activists

A consumer-fraud complaint targeting the Hollywood film industry is pitting anti-smoking activist fears against free speech concerns. The defendants in the case are the Motion Picture Association of America, its studio members and theater owners who in court papers say they’re defending against a dangerous assault on the First Amendment.

2016-07-22
blogs.wsj.com