January 13, 2014 NACS Online Researchers, health advocates and the beverage industry are closely watching what happens in Mexico, which recently implemented a new tax on soda and high-calorie foods. ​WASHINGTON – Mexico’s new tax on soda and other high calorie foods could start the clock on calls for similar action in the United States, reports Politico. William Dietz, former director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, believes that it’s only a matter of time before similar policies make their way to the United States. “I’m convinced that this is going to happen, it’s just a matter of when,” Dietz said in an interview with Politico. The news source also notes that more than 30 states and cities have attempted to enact soda taxes through ballot initiatives or legislation over the past several years — and every one of them…

Press Release: Imperial Tobacco Wednesday, 15 January 2014 Imperial Tobacco is refuting claims that plain packaging in Australia is changing people’s smoking behaviour. Spokesperson, Brendan Walker, says the company has not seen any decline in volumes in tobacco products manufactured for and sold in Australia. Imperial Tobacco New Zealand manufactures cigarettes and tobacco products for sale in New Zealand and Australia. Mr Walker also noted reports from the Australian Association for Convenience Stores which recently announced the volume of tobacco sold in their members’ outlets has not been impacted. “We’ve said all along that plain packaging will not achieve its objectives,” Mr Walker said. However, plain packaging is playing into the hands of criminals. A recent report by KPMG reveals that illicit trade in tobacco products in Australia has increased from 11.8% of total consumption in 2012 to 13.3%. This represents over AUD 1 billion in lost revenue for the…

Patrick Avenell 5th January, 2014 It’s been 14 months since the Federal Government implemented plain packaging for tobacco products and the black market for these products has surged to its highest ever point, 13.3 per cent, leading to the various states governments investigating ways to combat this activity. The Victorian Government today announced that the penalty for selling illicit tobacco products, such as packs carrying branding, will be increased four-fold to $34,600 for an individual and $173,200 for a business. This news was immediately welcomed by legitimate retailers. “We support any measure that cracks down on the black market trade of tobacco, a market that has increased exponentially since the introduction of plain packaging and continues to flourish as a result of the relentless excise increases on legal tobacco products,” said Jeff Rogut, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores. “The illicit trade of tobacco significantly impacts the retailers…

January 13, 2014 NACS Online The stickers would tell consumers that gas use is a leading source of greenhouse gases in California. ​SAN FRANCISCO – A group of Bay Area environmentalists is pushing for warning labels on gasoline pumps that “warn” drivers that the fuel they’re putting in their vehicles is harmful to the planet. “Human beings are not really wired for seeing the cause and effect of climate change,” Jamie Brooks of the Bay Area chapter of 350.org told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The cause is burning fossil fuels, but we’re not going to feel the effects until well into the future. There’s no immediate signal to a consumer of gasoline to show their effects on climate.” Brooks says that the labels would “tell drivers that the state of California has determined global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, to be a major threat,” notes the newspaper, adding that…

Georgia Wilkins January 14, 2014 The Age Woolworths and Wesfarmers have maintained their position in the top-20 highest grossing retailers in the world, with a combined revenue of more than $US100 billion ($111 billion) A survey conducted by Deloitte ranks the two retailers at 15th and 19th respectively, behind world leaders Wal-Mart, Tesco and Costco. The ranking takes Woolworths up two places and Wesfarmers down by one. The survey is contained in a report into the global retail sector by the accounting company, and is based on 2012 revenue figures. The report warns that Australian retailers could lose market share to foreign ones if they continue to establish a local presence. Woolworth’s revenue for 2012 was $US58.6 billion, making it the biggest Australian retailer in the world, Deloitte says. This places it behind French multinational hypermarket chain Groupe Auchan and Japanese retailer Aeon Co. Wesfarmers, owner of Coles, followed close…