The pity puff is the last toke of a joint. It is presented to the next person in the circle as a consolation offer. Usually it is the least tasteful part of the joint and also the hottest part to smoke. It is therefore offered as a "pity" toke, or "puff".
A newspaper article or mention in a television or radio show praising a product/service/individual, usually sponsored or written by the manufacturer or seller of the product/service. Always downplays failures and competitors and exaggerates and hypes up the plus points.
That article was clearly a puff-piece! We shouldn't give it much weight in our decision.