Cigarettes blog news.

In a mission to persuade Native American worksites in Minnesota’s Twin Cities to ban commercial cigarette smoking, the youth participants in a local program called Mashkiki Ogichidaag, meaning “Medicine Warriors,” have developed media campaigns to educate the local Indian community about the adverse health effects and dangers of commercial tobacco use. Medicine Warriors asked community members questions regarding commercial tobacco abuse, traditional uses of tobacco(http://www.tobacco-news.net/), and personal opinions on passing commercial tobacco-free policies at American Indian worksites in the video "What Our Community Has to Say...."

It has been a hands-on experience for the 10 program participants who wrote the scripts, edited the videos and made presentations to the community. Through the process, the youth discovered new passions in health advocacy and film production, and learned more about their cultural values and traditional strengths, states a program press release. They also successfully convinced five Minneapolis worksites to adopt new anti-commercial tobacco policies. They include All Nations Indian Church, Native American Community Clinic, Migizi Communications, Indigenous People’s Task Force, and the Division of Indian Work, which sponsors the Medicine Warriors.

The Mashkiki Ogichidaag program teaches youth, like 13-year old Brian Arthur, an Ojibwe from the White Earth reservation, about the difference between traditional tobacco use—for prayers, gift-giving, blessings and medicinal purposes—and commercial tobacco misuse. “They don’t teach you this in school, and the Medicine Warrior program educates me,” Brian said. A youth participant in the Mashkiki Ogichidaag program films an anti-commercial tobacco video. (Courtesy of Mashkiki Ogichidaag) Through Mashkiki Ogichidaag, Brian participated in the intergenerational tobacco discussions as part of the Inter-Tribal Elder Services’ Circle of Tobacco Wisdom.

Along with 20 other Native youth, Brian followed Native elders in March to Big Lake, Minnesota, where they harvested Red Willow tree bark, an essential component of traditional tobacco use. Then the youth learned how to make “kinnikinnick” from the Red Willow bark. Kinnikinnick—the Algonquin for “that which is mixed”—is widely used in pipe ceremonies and strictly for spiritual, cultural and ritual purposes­. “In our group, we made a simple blend of kinnikinnick using the four sacred medicines: Cedar, Sage, Sweetgrass and the Red Willow bark, which is considered tobacco,” explained Medicine Warrior Youth Worker Julia Littlewolf.

“We’ll use this kinnikinnick as an offering in our presentations, as gifts and to share as we continue educating the community about traditional tobacco.” The program advises Native youth on how to become advocates for policy change as well as protectors of Native medicines for future generations. The Medicine Warriors produced four videos, which they use in their community presentations. All videos are posted on YouTube and can be viewed below.

Gabriel Trujillo, 23, of the 1700 block of Granville in Chicago, was charged with possession of cannabis on April 4. Trujillo was stopped in the 7500 block of Lincoln Avenue for having expired license plates. It was soon uncovered that the driver allegedly had a cored out apple that she was using to smoke marijuana, the report said. Her court date is May 12. Theft from auto A car parked at the Double Tree Hotel was reported burglarized on April 27.

According to the report, a spare tire was stolen from the vehicle. Driving with Mary Jane Aleksandr Amelin, 22, of the 3000 bock of Toulon Drive in Northbrook, was charged with possession of cannabis on April 28. Amelin was stopped near the intersection of Foster and Lavergne avenues for a traffic violation. Officer would later find about two grams of marijuana and a glass-smoking pipe inside his vehicle, according to the report. Theft from auto A car parked in the 9500 block of Skokie Boulevard was reported burglarized on April 28. While the inside was rummaged through, no items were reported missing. Stolen purse A woman dinning at Dukin Doughnuts, 8800 Gross Point Road, reported her purse missing on April 30.

According to the report, the woman had several credit cards, $200 and a Michael Kors watch inside the purse. Unwanted bills A woman reported that several utility bills from a different state and that she never applied for were opened under her name on April 26. One of the charges was for almost $1,000, the report said. Keyed car A car parked in the 5300 block of Touhy Avenue was reported vandalized on April 30. According to the report, an unknown person scratched the side of the vehicle.

Condo association battery Police responded to a battery complaint at a condo building in the 8400 block of Lotus Avenue on April 30. According to the report, a condo association member told the janitor that they were cutting his hours. The janitor then allegedly shoved the person and fled the scene, the report said. Retail theft at TJ Maxx Margaret Pijanowski, 58, of the 1100 Wildwood Lane in Glenview, was charged with retail theft on April 30. According to the report, Pijanowski allegedly selected about $600 worth of facial cream from a TJ Maxx store and attempted to leave without paying. Her court date is May 7.

ZIMBABWE'S tobacco industry is experiencing an unprecedented increase in sales volumes and consistency in favourable prices on offer, following the general shortage of the golden leaf on the market. Brazil, which is one of the world's leading tobacco producing nations, with an annual average production rate of 867 million kg, was earlier this year affected by floods, thereby putting a slump in world market supply.

Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (Timb) show that by Wednesday last week, a total of 77 285 861kg worth US$292 million had been auctioned at an average price of US$3,78. This represents a 16% increase in sales volumes from last year's 66 215 954 kg sold during the same period. The figures show that by day 52 of the season, Tobacco Sales Floor offered a higher average price of US$3,71 per kg as compared to the other three leading auction floors. The statistics also indicate a 29% decrease in rejected bales in terms of seasonal performance from 7,23% recorded last year.

Timb chief executive officer, Andrew Matibiri, told Standardbusiness the quality of tobacco being delivered at all the floors was high and more of the golden leaf would continue to be delivered as farmers complete the curing process. "The favourable prices obtaining at the moment are the result of a shortage of tobacco on the market and the fact that tobacco that originates from Zimbabwe is reputed for its good quality," said Matibiri. He said the Chinese market was buying 40% of the crop, West European market 35%, while the rest of the world was buying the remainder. "This year, we set 150 million kg as an estimate, not a target as is generally perceived.

We use this estimate for planning purposes," he said, adding that whether or not the figure was achieved, would be immaterial. A total of 57 000 growers registered to sell their crop during the current marketing season from a preliminary 15 000 when the season began this year. A total of 131 million kg of tobacco went under the hammer last year, generating US$360 million. Zimbabwe exports tobacco to a number of African countries including Mozambique, Kenya, Angola, Tanzania and Lesotho, among others.