Altria 1Q net rises on higher prices, cost cuts

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc.'s first-quarter net income increased 15 percent in on lower costs and higher prices, even though it sold fewer cigarettes.

The owner of the nation's biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, said Wednesday that it earned $937 million, or 45 cents per share, for the period ended March 31. That's up from $813 million, or 39 cents per share, last year.

Excluding one-time items, earnings were 44 cents per share, matching analyst estimates.

RED SUN Cigarettes: We Put the Fun Back Into Smoking!

Goodrich Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of 22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCBB: XXII.ob), introduced RED SUN brand cigarettes to the tobacco trade at the NATO (National Association of Tobacco Outlets) trade show in Las Vegas. RED SUN is a super-premium specialty cigarette that challenges the anti-smoking establishment.

In response to consumer sentiment against the endless assault on tobacco usage, Goodrich Tobacco Company proclaims on RedSunCigarettes.com: “We put the Fun back into smoking!” RED SUN contains a rich, proprietary tobacco blend with relatively high natural nicotine content, and RED SUN utilizes the finest cigarette paper and filter creating an extraordinary tasting cigarette that smokers describe as “The Best Cigarette Ever Made.”

State bill would ban smoking at tobacco shops

State Senator Mark DeSaulnier wants California to enact even tougher smoking laws. In 1994 California became the first state to ban smoking in most indoor places but DeSaulnier says 25 other states have since adopted stronger laws to protect people from second-hand smoke. He's proposing a bill which would expand the statewide smoking ban to include employee break rooms, private residences that house day care, warehouses and tobacco shops.

The Sanctuary Tobacco shop has been in San Luis Obispo since 1973. As the city has enacted groundbreaking legislation over the years to ban smoking in public places, The Sanctuary has always gotten an exemption and patrons have been able to smoke at the shop. The proposed state law may put the smoke out.

Farmers file class-action suit against tobacco company

Several Kentucky farmers have filed a class-action lawsuit against a leading tobacco merchant they say failed to honor contracts to purchase burley tobacco from them at the end of the 2010 crop year.

Now some of the farmers say they would rather leave the business than gamble on tobacco.

The lawsuit, which was filed against Universal Leaf North America last week in Harrison Circuit Court, says hundreds of farmers have lost what amounts to millions.

Among the plaintiffs are Jerry Feagan of Berry, Steve Lang of Cynthiana and Thomas Leach and Larry O'Neill, both of Dry Ridge, who say agents of Universal Leaf North America refused to accept tobacco, the lawsuit says. They are seeking monetary damages to be determined at trial.