Vanessa Desloires November 13, 2014 The Age Health experts are concerned lolly-flavoured e-cigarettes that contain no nicotine could be sold to school children. Lolly-flavoured e-cigarettes that contain no nicotine and could be sold to anyone, including school children, are available in Victoria. Tobacco companies are exploiting the ambiguity of Victoria’s e-cigarette laws to pitch these “vaping” toys to a junior market, according to health experts. Quit Victoria tobacco control policy manager Kylie Lindorff said that while nicotine-laced e-cigarettes were banned in Australia, the sale of non-nicotine versions – often colourful and lolly-flavoured – was completely unregulated in Victoria, meaning even children could buy them over the counter. “We’re incredibly concerned about that. We’d like to see the sale of these products banned outright,” Ms Lindorff said. But nightclub owner Alexander McDonell, managing director of The Joystick Company, which produces a brand of flavoured e-cigarettes, said the ingredients found in the…

November 11, 2014 NACS Online ​PHILADELPHIA – In an article this week, Philly.com profiled local business owners who have been hit hard by the city’s new tax on cigarettes. According to some retailers, cigarette sales are down 80% since October 1 when a $2-per-pack tax went into effect, with funds designated to help the city’s public schools. “Right now we’re not making [any] money at the corner stores,” retailer Ray Martinez, who owns Ray’s Food Market in West Philly, told the news source. Merchants in his part of the city have been hit particularly hard, as his location is only a few minutes from the city line, so customers can easily drive to neighboring Delaware County to save money. A pack of Newports that cost $6.35 prior to the tax is now $9.05. A carton is now almost $88, up from about $64, said the merchant. The decrease in tobacco…

Tom McIlroy November 11, 2014 The Age People under the age of 18 could be banned from buying e-cigarettes, as the ACT Government considers ways to regulate their use and reduce consumer appeal. The proposal is included in a new discussion paper on reducing the harms of personal vaporiser devices, set to be released by Chief Minister Katy Gallagher on Wednesday. ACT Health will join other Australian jurisdictions in considering new restrictions on advertising of the products, banning them from use in smoke-free public areas and around children. A community education campaign could also be launched. As states including Queensland look to introduce laws limiting the use of e-cigarettes in public, smoke-free areas and in cars with children, Ms Gallagher has called for feedback on their use in Canberra. The sale of vaporisers containing nicotine is illegal in the ACT but devices without nicotine that make no claim about therapeutic…

NOVEMBER 14, 2014 AAP Procter & Gamble Co is selling the Duracell battery business to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Source: AAP WARREN Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is buying the Duracell battery business from Procter & Gamble Co. in a deal valued at approximately $US3 billion ($A3.25 billion). P&G will receive shares of its own stock that is currently held by Berkshire Hathaway. Those shares are currently valued at about $US4.7 billion. P&G will contribute about $US1.7 billion to Duracell as part of the deal. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2015.

Sarah Halzack November 13, 2014 Washington Post Wal-Mart said Wednesday that sales at its U.S. stores increased for the first time in seven quarters, but executives say they are only cautiously optimistic as the retailer gears up for the crucial holiday season. The company said it likely got a lift in the third quarter from lower gas prices, which helped free up disposable income for consumers who might otherwise be cash-strapped. Wal-Mart also said seasonal events such as back-to-school and Halloween helped sales. But while low gas prices are expected to remain a tailwind for Wal-Mart and other retailers through the holiday season, Wal-Mart said it expects to face other key challenges. Once again, promotional pricing will make for a fiercely competitive environment, and executives said a lack of must-have electronics items this year could create drag during a quarter when the entertainment category typically makes up a large share…