Last year, to counter concerns about menthol, a mint extract that can also be made synthetically, Philip Morris scientists published a 26-page paper in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. After examining dozens of studies on menthol, the company’s scientists said they found little evidence that menthol cigarettes were any more harmful or addictive than other types or that they encouraged people to start smoking at younger ages.Its support of the tobacco legislation has put Philip Morris at odds with other discount cigarettes companies, which generally oppose regulation. As the American industry’s biggest player, Philip Morris says it is willing to let the F.D.A. oversee tobacco because as the company tries to develop products that are less harmful, it wants a regulatory agency to evaluate and approve those products. The company also says it would prefer national tobacco regulations rather than a hodgepodge of state and local rules. But the company’s rivals complain that the legislation could help Philip Morris, with its best-selling Marlboro franchise, further entrench itself as the industry’s dominant player by placing new restrictions on cigarette marketing, making it difficult for rivals to use advertising to catch up. Besides banning the marketing of cigarettes on the basis of most flavorings — other than menthol — the new rules would also place additional limits on the types and placement of signs and magazine advertising for tobacco products.

Earlier today, the Second Circuit ruled that, Уgiven the number of questions that would remain for individual adjudicationФ Ч such as whether a given plaintiff smoked light cigarettes for their relative health benefits, or for some other reason, such as taste Ч Rule 23Тs СpredominanceТ requirement was not satisfied in the so-called light cigarette litigation (along with judge Walker on the panel were judges Rosemary Pooler and Ralph Winter). (Here and here for past LB coverage.)In 2006, Weinstein certified the putative class of 50 million plaintiffs (not a typo), which sought $800 billion in damages on a theory that cigarette makers Ч including Altria Group, Lorillard and R.J. Reynolds Ч had allegedly deceived them into believing that light discount marlboro were healthier than regular, full-flavored smokes. The plaintiffsТ damages request was based largely on economic grounds: that the deception caused the plaintiffs to buy cigarettes that werenТt worth their price. 

УThatТs my wife. SheТs probably checking on me to see where IТm at. IТm supposed to meet with her for lunch, and I was supposed to be there about thirty minutes ago. Do you see what happens when a person meets up with a good friend on the street?Ф he says, condescendingly.The street person spots a snipe nearby and picks it up. He places it between his lips and asks George for a light.George says, УI donТt even smoke; so why would I carry a lighter?ФThe street person angrily throws the partial discount cigarettes down and begins to walk away.УWait! Wait! Why donТt you come with me and IТll write a check, but first IТll get you something to eat. YouТll get your drink my friend, I assure you, you will! If I have to take your land off your hands, I think that you should receive more than a, what did you call it, a bottle?ФThe street person stops and walks back to George, but this time he steps onto the sidewalk and proudly brushes some of the street dust from the front of his coat. Smiling, and obviously satisfied, he puts his hand out, expecting George to shake.

How often do you see a smoker throw a burning Davidoff Cigarettes, or cigarettes butt, out a car window? You probably don't think much about it. Try this -- for the next week, keep a mental log of the number of incidents you see. This irresponsible practice is very common.Over the holiday, I happened to be waiting outside a retail shopping area when an older man and his wife came up to a nearby store. Just before entering, the man threw his cigarette to the street. It was nearly full length. As I sat there and observed, the cigarette continued to smolder. After 5-8 minutes, the couple came out of the store. The man noticed his cigarette, still smoking away on the ground. He reached down picked it up -- and the funniest thing happened -- he put it back in his mouth and began sucking down the poisons... One wouldn't want to waste a good smoke!In March 2000, a single cigarette crippled New Mexico and surrounding states (see story below). Investators believe a careless motorist tossed a lit cigarette out a car window. This caused millions of dollars of damage and left millions without power for most of a busy Saturday. To start the new millennium, 2001, we are confronted with a serious fire to the east of San Diego. It is belived a careless smoker caused this blaze as well.

I'm generally thought of with a magnifying glass in one hand, and the bowl of a pipe in the other, but truth be told I've been a cigarette man most of my life, and since discovering Camel cigarettes in the 40s, they are my preferred brand. I was always quite fond of the illustration that adorned the package of the original non-filtered Camel cigarette, and at one time collected the empty packs until a doctor friend of mine told me that my smoking habit was bad enough without adding another addiction to the mix.This fine book, "buy camel Collectibles: The Early Years: 1913-1963" should bring back warm memories for all those who would walk a mile for a Camel if only their failing lungs would let them. I still smoke 'em, enjoy 'em, too, but people lacking my sturdy, nay, indestructible constitution, are advised to heed the advice on the package and quit. Now that you can read about Camel cigarettes, that's almost as good as smoking them.