The sponsor, state Rep. Joseph Brooks, had defended his proposal as an anti-litter measure that would generate an estimated $46 million annually for the state as well as businesses that would handle discarded butts. However, the House voted 107-29 against the bill.

Under Brooks' proposal, smokers would have paid a $1 surcharge on every filtered cigarette pack purchased in Maine. Butts would be redeemed for a nickel each, turning them in at redemption centers in the same way beverage containers are redeemed in Maine and elsewhere.

Ironically, concerns were first raised by Maine's own Bureau of Health director, who noted that discarded cigarettes foster unsanitary microbe growth, and further cautioned that children collecting butts for redemption could absorb high levels of nicotine. Brooks' final bill stated that butt redemption would not be permitted by minors under 18, and that retailers selling cigarettes would not be required to accept butt returns.

In the study, teens who were too young to buy cigarettes but who "flashed" an ID at a clerk were much more likely to be sold cigarettes than teens who asked for cigarettes without displaying an ID, researchers reported in the May 9th issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Clerks often fail to take a close look at IDs that teens show, according to the investigators.

"Clerks frequently ask young customers to produce ID as required by law but then often fail to examine it to calculate age or to compare the photo to the customer's face," Dr. Hope Landrine of San Diego State University and colleagues write.

Clerks sold cigarettes to teens four times more often when the teens flashed an ID than when they simply asked for cigarettes, the findings indicate.

Clerks who do not closely examine IDs may be undermining the intent of federal and state laws that require young people to show ID when trying to buy cigarettes, according to the researchers. They point out that many youths may flash a fake ID or an adult's ID when trying to buy cigarettes.

Judge Robert Pratt ruled in favor of a group of convenience store owners who sued the state, claiming the law infringed on Congress' authority to govern tobacco promotion.

Store owners sued Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and Stephen Gleason, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, in U.S. District Court in Des Moines after the law took effect. Vilsack signed the law, which banned cigarette giveaways and promotions such as 2-for-1 deals, in May 2000.

The store owners claimed the law would especially hurt Iowa retailers near other states, where smokers could cross the state line to take advantage of manufacturer promotions, said Steve Nelson, a Des Moines lawyer who represented the store owners. The retailers challenged only the law's freebie and promotion provision. The law also authorized the creation of a commission to sponsor anti-tobacco advertising.

The new measure spells financial losses for bar owners who invested bi money into ventilation systems in 1997, when the restaurant smoking ban went into effect At the Harbor View Hotel, more than $60,000 was spent to ventilate the Carlos Fuente Cigar Bar.

Owners Bruce and Shannon Baird held the smoker at the Stone House, a popular Boise sports bar. The turnout of 150 cigar crazies, excellent considering the weather, rewarded their ambitious pre-event promotion. The Bairds capitalized on the complementary nature of cigar smoking and sports by advertising on the local sports radio station, in addition to sending invitations to their customers, handing out flyers, and displaying store posters.

"Big Smoke is one of our most loyal and trusted accounts," says Charlie Torano, vice president. "They are in the top five smokeshops in sales of the Reserva Selecta, and have carried the line since we launched it. That's why we selected them for this most successful anniversary event."