Organizers of the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition say they expect more than 2,000 people at the event Thursday and Friday at the John B. Hynes Convention Center in Boston. It's the first time this particular exposition has come to town. The organizers also held events this year in New York and Los Angeles. "We are planting our flag here," said Dan Humiston, an organizer of the show. "We anticipate the New England area is going to be the next big market for the industry. All the tea leaves say this part of the country will take off." [continues 470 words]
BOSTON -- Sales of tobacco products are crucial to the convenience stores that can be found in every corner of the state, business groups said yesterday as they argued against new rules on tobacco sales. Attorney General Scott Harshbarger wants to set regulations under the state's consumer protection laws to keep youths from getting cigarettes and to require warnings on cigars. Harshbarger said there was mounting evidence that tobacco products had been "seductively marketed" to youths for decades. "I believe Massachusetts can act on its own to help prevent our children from becoming Big Tobacco's newest customers," he said, noting that nothing has emerged yet from Congress to crack down on the industry. [continues 289 words]
BOSTON -- Young men in Massachusetts, apparently swayed by glamorous images of cigar-smoking supermodels and movie tough guys, are lighting up cigars in increasing numbers, state public health officials said yesterday. The Department of Public Health reported that cigar smoking among men 18 to 24 has increased nearly tenfold during the past four years. Cigar smoking among men 25 to 44 has doubled during that same time. The statistics were released as health officials announced plans to require warning labels on cigars that detail each cigar's level of nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. [continues 443 words]
