Pall Mall Cigarettes Brand History

The world’s first-ever king-sized (85 mm) non-filtered cigarette was introduced in 1939 by the American Tobacco Company, a brand extension to the regular-sized Pall Mall which was introduced forty years earlier by Brand Pall Mall (Butler & Butler / A.T.C.) Today, Pall Mall "Famous Cigarettes" remain synonymous with quality. Filtered Pall Mall cigarettes have a smooth strong taste and are packed very tightly with tobacco making them burn slower and last longer than most other major brands. The consumer is paying less than premium price, but gets a longer smoke with a soft, pleasant taste and that is the key to the Pall Mall brand's success. BAT also producers Lucky strike cigarettes and Vogue cigarettes.
Pall Mall Non-Filter is still made today. Filtered versions of Pall Mall have come and gone, beginning in 1966 with the introduction of Pall Mall Gold (the world’s first 100 mm cigarette). Filtered Pall Mall was relaunched in the United States in the early 2000s, and are still available.

McDonald's recall clouded by lack of standards

McDonald's decision to recall 12 million "Shrek" beverage glasses that contain cadmium in their colored designs bears the hallmarks of a classic product-safety scare.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen, and the Illinois-based fast-food giant was selling the glassware in a large-scale promotion tied to the popular children's film franchise.

But as more information emerged Friday, events surrounding the recall became less clear. Federal regulators indicated the "Shrek" glasses do not pose a hazard. Yet that statement is difficult to quantify because there is a dearth of federal standards regarding acceptable levels of cadmium, an element found in everything from leafy green vegetables to cigarettes.

Peter Nichols: Switchblades and brass knuckles help sell cigarettes

Peter Nichols-Sixteen-year-old kid walks into a convenience store, grabs a 12-ounce can of Dr Pepper, a bag of Doritos and walks up to the counter. "Pack of Marlboros." The clerk scans the soda, bag of chips and the cigarettes. "That's seven twenty-eight." Kid hands the clerk four bills, collects his change and exits the store.

A similar but more eye-popping story unfolds in the city of Watsonville. A store owner willingly sells switchblade knives and brass knuckles at his chain of discount cigarette stores, in a city plagued by gang violence. Parents shudder at the thought of kids cruising their neighborhood strip malls buying soda pop, candy and Michael Jackson posters over the same counter gang members buy implements of mayhem.

Without the gang hardware, the scenes aren't really different. They play out time and again in this and many other communities.And what is it that should alarm parents? The switchblades? Brass knuckles? Imitation assault rifles? Well ... yes and no.

Stores like these have no business in any community, mainly because youth will inevitably have access to tobacco. A cigarette smoker is far more likely to die from smoking than from being stabbed or bludgeoned to death by brass knuckles. In fact, smoking kills more people in the United States every year than AIDS, illegal drugs, alcohol, car crashes, suicides and murders combined Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a 2008 survey by the Tobacco Education Coalition, a county group dedicated to reducing tobacco sales to minors, underage youth can expect to be successful buying cigarettes in one out of every six local stores. Any 16-year-old kid who is carded and turned away by a responsible retailer won't have far to go to find an irresponsible one sympathetic to his wants.

From the point of view of that retailer, the kid's going to get his cigarettes one way or another, and someone's going to get that $5. And there's little downside. Law enforcement everywhere is understaffed and overburdened with higher-profile crimes. At this time there are no resources available to support enforcement of laws against selling tobacco to minors. It's not a priority, unless switchblades are involved.

Tobacco companies know youth are the future of their profits. Creating opportunities to introduce young people to the glamour, excitement -- or whatever -- of smoking is an ongoing strategy. The more governments act to control tobacco sales, the more creative are the marketing schemes to sell it. So the Watsonville store owner tried to create an environment youth could relate to. One with pop culture posters, imitation guns, candy, soda pop, forbidden toys ... and forbidden cigarettes. Youth are drawn to the sweet and forbidden.

To address the concern of sales to youth, the coalition proposes an ordinance, proven successful in over 60 California counties and cities. It requires sellers to be licensed. The Tobacco Retail License fees would provide resources for sting operations to ensure retailers operate within the law. Violators would face fines and suspension or revocation of their licenses.The county Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission unanimously passed a resolution in 2009 and unanimously reaffirmed it this month, urging the Board of Supervisors to adopt such an ordinance.

It's time the county of Santa Cruz took action to protect youth from clever tobacco marketers, and irresponsible retailers. And in the city of Watsonville, it's time to put one of them out of business.

Peter Nichols is the chairman of the Santa Cruz County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

Great Tips to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop and keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up. Even though your Camel brand has been next to you for so many years. You may wish to read a separate leaflet in this series called 'Smoking - The Facts'. This gives the reasons why smoking is so harmful and lists the benefits of stopping.

Set a date for stopping, and stop completely. (Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke less cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.)

Tell everyone that you are giving up smoking. Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try to get other household members who smoke, or friends who smoke, to stop smoking at the same time. A 'team' effort may be easier than going it alone. Even though there are cigarette stores online where you can easier, be on the same position.

Get rid of ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes.

Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms. When you stop smoking, you are likely to get symptoms which may include: nausea (feeling sick), headaches, anxiety, irritability, craving, and just feeling awful. These symptoms are caused by the lack of nicotine that your body has been used to. They tend to peak after 12-24 hours, and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.

Anticipate a cough. It is normal for a 'smokers cough' to get worse when you stop smoking (as the airways 'come back to life'). Many people say that this makes them feel worse for a while after stopping smoking and makes them tempted to restart smoking. Resist this temptation! The cough usually gradually eases.

Be aware of situations in which you are most likely to want to smoke. In particular, drinking alcohol is often associated with failing in an attempt to stop smoking. You should consider not drinking much alcohol in the first few weeks after stopping smoking. Try changing your routine for the first few weeks. For example, don't go to the pub for a while if that is a tempting place to smoke and drink alcohol. Also, if drinking tea and coffee are difficult times, try drinking mainly fruit juice and plenty of water instead.

Take one day at a time. Mark off each successful day on a calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself that you don't want to start all over again.

Be positive. You can tell people that you don't smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more, and cough less. You will have more money. Perhaps put away the money you would have spent on cigarettes for treats.

Food. Some people worry about gaining weight when they give up smoking as the appetite may improve. Anticipate an increase in appetite, and try not to increase fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Try sugar-free gum and fruit instead.

Don't despair if you fail. Examine the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time. It will make you stronger next time. On average, people who eventually stop smoking have made 3 or 4 previous attempts.

Important benefits from giving up smoking that come immediatelly

When a smoker gives up smoking means that he is getting his powers and energy back. His life is becoming better and the risk of having different diseases caused by smoking cigarettes is very low.

Reduced blood pressure-After 20 minutes, your blood pressure drops to a level close to that of when you had your last cigarette.

Reduced carbon monoxide levels-Within hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases. After 8 hours this level will be back to normal.

Increased oxygen levels-Within hours, the oxygen level in your blood increases. After just 8 hours, it will be back to a normal level. So that is why is very recommended that you at least try to give up smoking and see how great this is.

Improved smell and taste-After just 48 hours, your ability to smell and taste will be greatly enhanced. All of these are happening because when a person is smoking cigarettes all the time he is used with the smell of tobacco and tobacco doesnt allow you to feel the other smells so good.

Breathe easy-Within days, breathing and exercise becomes easier.

Reduced chance of heart attack-After 24 hours, your chance of heart attack decreases.

Increased energy levels-After 3 days, your bronchial tubes begin to relax and your energy levels will be increasing.

So follow my good advice and make the right choice.