OLYMPIA— When it comes to consumer complaints, collection agencies are at the top of the list for people who called the state attorney general’s office last year.

That’s up from No. 3 in 2008, the AG’s office reports. Collection agencies beat out telecommunications problems, last year’s numero uno, and retail sales complaints, which dropped from 2 to 3.

Making the biggest jump in the top 10 were Cable Networks and Program Distribution, up to 4 from 8.

For the complete list, plus historical data,  click here.

OLYMPIA — Smokers who like Bronco, Champion, GT, Silver or 32degrees brand may want to stock up by the middle of February.

As of Feb. 19, they have to be pulled from the shelves in Washington stores. Attorney General Rob McKenna is ordering them out of stores because their manufacturer, General Tobacco, has not made required payments to a settlement between the states and the tobacco firms.

A press release from McKenna’s office says the company owes about $284 million to the national fund, and Washington’s share of that is more than $7 million.

Stores that have General Tobacco cigarettes with current stamps can sell them through Feb. 19, but after that those brands must come off the shelf.