On the Radio: Ron Melendi Saving New York Small Business

May 6, 2012
WXRK

Ron Melendi of the New York Tobacconist Association talks to WXRK’s Bob Salter about saving New York small business.

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Video: Town of Hempstead Bans Smoking in Parks

December 16, 2010
Town of Hempstead

The Town of Hempstead voted to ban smoking in the town’s 100 parks and beaches. Gotham’s Ian Magerkurth weighed in on behalf of New York’s small business wholesalers and retailers.

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Video: Public Hearing – Impact of New York State’s Clean Indoor Air Act

September 28, 2010
New York State Senate

Gotham’s David Schwartz and Ron Melendi of De La Concha cigars appear before the New York Senate Committee on Health. The purpose of this hearing is to learn how the changes to the Clean Indoor Air Act enacted in 2003 along with local action to further regulate smoking and tobacco products have impacted the health [...]

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Video: Debate over Smoking Ban in New York City Parks

September 17, 2010
NY1

David Schwartz and Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich debate Manhattan City Councilwoman Gale Brewer and the city’s Health Commissioner Doctor Thomas Farley over a proposed smoking ban in New York City parks.

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New York Tobacconist Association Leads Opposition to Mayor Bloomberg’s Smoking Ban

September 16, 2010
Mayor Bloomberg

Gotham Government Relations, New York’s fastest-growing lobbying firm, is speaking out in opposition to the Mayor’s smoking ban. The mayor is calling for smoking to be banned on public park benches and beaches, all the while ignoring the local tobacconists whose businesses will be thrust one step closer to closure. The mayor’s proposed smoking ban is ridiculous in that this will only further hurt the already faltering economy of New York by driving more and more smokers to buy their products on the Internet and other out of state sources.

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Smoking Ban on New York Beaches? Watch the Debate

August 13, 2010
NY1

David Schwartz, a lobbyist for the New York Tobacconists’ Association, debates Michael Seilback from the American Lung Association on whether the city should be allowed to ban smoking in public beaches and parks on Thursday’s edition of “Inside City Hall.”

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Smoked Out: State, Federal Legislation Target New York Tobacco Consumers

June 28, 2010
Federal State Cig Laws

Dramatic changes are on the horizon for New York tobacco consumers. Federal legislation has not only increased the federal tax on cigarettes, but has limited cigarette distribution. Proposed New York State legislation increases the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products to an unprecedented level. Governor David Paterson’s emergency legislation proposes to reinstate New York’s regulatory scheme to tax cigarettes sold to non-Indians by Indian retailers on reservation land. A recent New York Court of Appeals decision provides guidance to New York legislators and regulators who may be tasked with crafting these delicate yet powerful regulations.

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UPDATE: Cigarette packs up $1.60

June 23, 2010
Expensive Cigs Thumb

Packs of cigarettes increase by $1.60 and taxes on other tobacco products will increase to 75 percent of their wholesale costs. David Schwartz talks to Albany’s Fox23 News.

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New York Tobacconists Speak Out Against Increased OTP Tax

June 19, 2010
Small Business Fights Back

New York Tobacconists Association gathered to speak out against an increased state OTP tax that would put them out of business and would lose money for the state. Shot at De La Concha in Manhattan by the European Cigar Journal.

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Danger Lies In Tobacco Tax

June 16, 2010
Terrorist

Politicians expand tobacco taxes to discourage smoking and to feed their own nicotine-like addiction to public spending. Like so many others, this government action smolders with unintended consequences. Tobacco taxes create a perfect arbitrage opportunity that radical Muslims exploit to collect money for terrorist groups

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New York Governor Eyes Emergency Cigarette Tax

June 16, 2010
Governor David Paterson

The New York Post reports this morning that Governor Paterson may include a $1-a-pack tax hike on cigarettes in his next round of emergency spending legislation.

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