Below is a listing of the latest news on legislative issues and anti-smoking movements affecting your personal freedom and rights to enjoy cigars. Get Involved, Learn about the Issues, and Take Action!
Bloomberg Mulling Over Smoking Ban At NYC Parks, Beaches
 |
| August 22nd, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
VIDEO: NEW YORK (CBS 2) – From the inside-out, there may be a new “no-go” when it comes to smoking.
Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-smoking crusade could be coming to a city park or public beach near you, a plan plenty of people say crosses the line, reports CBS 2′s Dave Carlin.
CBS 2 has learned that Mayor Bloomberg is looking at a possible smoking ban for all city parks and public beaches.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
 |
|
Health groups want movie characters to put out their cigarettes -- or get an R rating
|
| August 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Federal |
|
VIDEO: The sultry Lauren Bacall asking Humphrey Bogart for a light in the iconic "To Have and Have Not" is a scene seared in movie lover's hearts. But if a new report on smoking in movies has any effect on the Motion Picture Association of America, no one will have a match in film anymore unless the film bears an R rating.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report, "Smoking in Top Grossing Movies -- United States, 1991-2009," tracking the times smoking showed up in cinema over 19 years. In 2009, theater audiences were exposed to 17 billion smoking impressions. Though it might sound like a lot, that's actually an improvement, according to the report. That year was also the first since the study began that the majority of films did not show smoking.
|
| Read Cigar News for Federal... |
|
|
|
San Antonio to be Latest Texas City With Smoke-Free Workplaces
|
| August 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Texas |
|
SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- San Antonio will soon become the latest Texas city to implement a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance providing workers, residents and visitors protection from the dangers of secondhand smoke in all indoor workplaces. The City Council approved the ordinance at its Thursday meeting by a vote of seven to four.
"This is a significant milestone for San Antonio workers, citizens and visitors," said Suzanne Lozano, Smoke-Free San Antonio Coalition chair. "Supporters worked hard for San Antonio citizens' right to breathe clean indoor air. The passage of this ordinance shows the rest of Texas that San Antonio values the health of its workers and residents."
|
| Read Cigar News for Texas... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban dries up business
|
| August 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Michigan |
|
But since Michigan's smoking ban went into effect May 1, Natalie Samu, the soon-to-be ex-owner of the bar, has just one or two waitresses serving the dwindling crowd.
"Our business is down over 50%," said Samu, who sold the bar earlier this month but will stay on as manager. "I know things go down in the summer, but it's never been this bad."
|
| Read Cigar News for Michigan... |
|
|
|
Judge Delays Decision On Statewide Smoking Ban In Wichita
|
| August 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Kansas |
|
VIDEO: A judge's action on Wichita's public smoking law has both sides fired up. The judge ultimately decides not to allow the statewide smoking ban to take effect in Wichita... at least for now.
|
| Read Cigar News for Kansas... |
|
|
|
Smokers and restaurants fined for flouting Virginia laws against lighting up
|
| August 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Virginia |
|
After repeated complaints about people smoking in and around a group of Vietnamese restaurants in Falls Church, police have now arrested nine smokers for illegally lighting up and four others for allowing smoking in their establishments.
The 13 arrests for smoking came after months of complaints about the restaurants in Eden Center, which is home to a number of Vietnamese eateries and shops. Virginia officials said they are the first known charges related to the state's recent limitations on smoking in restaurants.
|
| Read Cigar News for Virginia... |
|
|
|
Another Portage tavern asks city for smoking area
|
| August 12th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
Another Portage tavern is planning to create a smoking area outside of its building.
Kevin Malone, the proprietor of the downtown establishment Blarney Stone, approached city officials Wednesday with the desire to add the area behind his tavern's building to the premise description on his alcohol license - making it legal for patrons to drink in the area behind the tavern.
At least three other taverns have added or discussed adding smoking areas.
Malone said that he wants to add an outdoor patio and convert an old shed behind his building for use by patrons.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
Denville NJ council to take on smoking ban Tuesday
|
| July 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New Jersey |
|
The proposed ban is drawing attention outside Denville, with the leader of a New York City-based smokers' rights organization offering to cover the fines of anyone ticketed for lighting up.
The Denville proposal lists parking lots, bleachers, playgrounds and adjoining sidewalks among the prohibited locations. It specifies as prohibited items, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, "or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco."
|
| Read Cigar News for New Jersey... |
|
|
|
Tobacco companies sue NYC over signs, delay Mass. effort
|
| July 14th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
Graphic anti-smoking posters of diseased lungs, brains and teeth — required where cigarettes are sold in New York City — have triggered a legal fight. Now, Massachusetts is holding off on a similar mandate.
New York, known for a tough stance on tobacco, in December became the first U.S. city to require stores to post 4-square-foot warnings showing the physical effects of smoking near tobacco displays or smaller ones at each register. Non-compliance could result in fines up to $2,000.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Bloomberg Warms Up to NYC Park, Beaches Smoking Ban
|
| July 12th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that he’s leaning towards banning smoking in the city’s 1,700 parks and other public outdoor recreational spaces, as well as its seven beaches.
"We're talking about banning smoking on beaches and in parks," Bloomberg said last Tuesday at a news conference, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. "Overwhelmingly, when you ask people in parks or on beaches, they say they just don't want smokers there."
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Savannah's smoking rules may tighten
|
| June 28th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Georgia |
|
Smoke-filled bars and the cigar-laden air in private clubs could vanish into cleaner air if a new ordinance endorsed by Mayor Otis Johnson passes.
Johnson is supporting an initiative from Healthy Savannah, the American Lung Association and other organizations that would close loopholes in the 2005 Georgia Clean Air Law.
The Savannah proposal would eliminate smoking in all bars and restaurants, private clubs, retail tobacco stores and long-term care facilities. It also would prohibit smoking within 15 feet of the entrance of any public building.
|
| Read Cigar News for Georgia... |
|
|
|
Cigar Taxes Soar in New York
|
| June 22nd, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
Cigar taxes in New York State will soon be among the highest in the nation. Last night, New York's politicians voted to raise the tax on cigars from 46 percent of the wholesale cost to 75 percent, a 63 percent increase. The new tax goes into effect August 1.
The striking rise in taxes is the result of an emergency vote held in Albany to keep the state government operating. The big target was cigarettes, and taxes on cigarettes will go up $1.20 per pack on July 1. The state also intends to tax cigarettes sold tax-free to tourists on Native American reservations in the state.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Restaurant Owners Urge Lottery Boycott
|
| June 14th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Michigan |
|
LANSING, Mich. -- Some restaurant, bar and private club owners are calling for a one-day boycott of some Michigan Lottery products to protest the state's recently enacted smoking ban.
An event billed on Facebook as the Michigan Lottery Boycott calls for those businesses to not sell certain lottery products from 11 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The boycott could affect sales of Keno, pull tabs and other games.
|
| Read Cigar News for Michigan... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban starts …. Well, not completely
|
| June 13th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
In the final weeks before the statewide smoking ban goes into effect, bar and restaurant owners, building inspectors and the police are finding themselves peering through a haze of unanswered questions regarding the new state law.
The landscape of Oshkosh bars and restaurants is changing as owners prepare to find ways to accommodate their smoking customers. About half already can or soon will be able to offer outdoor smoking areas. As they build these areas, businesses are forging ahead with projects that are based on the best information they have.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
Napoleon bans bar smoking
|
| June 12th, 2010, 02:11 PM | North Dakota |
|
NAPOLEON, N.D. — Residents of Napoleon have decided to ban smoking in the southeast North Dakota town's two bars.
This week's vote was 263 in favor of the ban and 94 against, meaning three-fourths of voters approved the idea.
Bar owners were split on the issue. The Downtowner Bar wanted to go smoke-free but Freddie's did not.
|
| Read Cigar News for North Dakota... |
|
|
|
NY cigar, pipe smokers furious over proposed tobacco tax
|
| June 8th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
VIDEO: COLONIE, N.Y. -- NEWS10 caught a couple of protests on Tuesday over tobacco taxes.
First, the New York Association of Convenience Stores joined forces with several state lawmakers to demand that Governor Paterson finally collect taxes on cigarettes that are sold on Native American reservations.
Merchants who do collect the taxes say the Native Americans have an unfair advantage, claiming that lots of "mom & pop" stores are going out of business.
Paterson promised earlier this year that he would get the sales tax that's owed the state, about $ 1 billion annually, according to lawmakers. But they say, so far, no action.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Taxes send Uptown cigar store south
|
| June 8th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
KINGSTON — For the past 14 years, cigar connoisseurs could go into the Uptown Cigar Company to smoke and socialize with others who shared a passion for the stogie.
That will all change at the end of the month, when owner Michelle Tuchman closes the doors to her Uptown business.
Tuchman said state tobacco taxes are forcing her to abandon her retail store at 32 John St. and move her Internet business to Florida, where she will be able sell her products free from the high excise taxes New York state levies.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Starbucks snuffing out smoking
|
| June 3rd, 2010, 02:11 PM | California |
|
A tall nonfat caramel macchiato with extra foam, please. Just hold the smoke.
Starting Monday, Starbucks customers are welcome to sit outside and sip a while — as long as they don't light up. The international coffee giant is extending its ban on indoor smoking to outdoor patios and dining areas in California.
The change was prompted by an increasing number of communities that have enacted smoking prohibitions in outdoor dining areas. Mid-Valley smokers say they are disappointed by the rule but understand its purpose.
|
| Read Cigar News for California... |
|
|
|
Committee rejects smoking ban bill
|
| May 26th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Louisiana |
|
A House panel rejected a Senate-passed measure Tuesday that would have banned smoking in Louisiana bars and casinos — likely ending the battle in the 2010 legislative session.
The state Health and Welfare Committee voted 8-4 to involuntarily defer the legislation.
In recent years, the committee has been a graveyard for bills that sought to expand Louisiana’s Smoke Free Air Act. Earlier in the session, the same panel rejected a much less-restrictive bill that would have required casinos to have non-smoking areas.
|
| Read Cigar News for Louisiana... |
|
|
|
Smoking restricted in Irvine shopping centers
|
| May 26th, 2010, 02:11 PM | California |
|
IRVINE – A crackdown on smoking has begun within Irvine shopping centers, part of a voluntary city-backed effort to snuff out cigarette use near local businesses.
The Irvine Co. earlier this month set up "smoke free" zones at more than two dozen shopping centers, city officials announced on Tuesday.
The Irvine City Council last year agreed to work with private property owners to restrict smoking within 50 to 100 feet around city shopping centers. The voluntary smoking ban was proposed by Councilman Larry Agran to reduce the danger of secondhand smoke.
|
| Read Cigar News for California... |
|
|
|
Purdue designates 22 smoking areas
|
| May 25th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Indiana |
|
Fewer smoke rings will soon be wafting out of Purdue University.
A campus policy approved last year that limits cigarette, cigar or other types of tobacco puffing to only designated areas goes into effect on July 1. Those smoke havens were announced Monday.
Officials initially had pushed for a complete university smoking ban as a way to improve health and reduce costs associated with tobacco use. But an outcry from the campus' smokers led to a ban with a more limited scope.
|
| Read Cigar News for Indiana... |
|
|
|
NFdL pursues smoking ban
|
| May 25th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
The North Fond du Lac Village Board plans to make a second attempt at passing a local ordinance that regulates smoking in places of employment and in public places.
Last week, the Village Board considered an ordinance that was consistent with the statewide smoking ban set to go in effect July 5. Language relating to outdoor smoking areas, though, was proposed to have "more teeth" than the state rules, said Village Administrator Chuck Hornung.
The matter generated discussion by the board.
"A couple members were not sure they agreed with rules about how businesses should run their (operations)," Hornung said.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
Louisiana House committee rejects smoking ban bill
|
| May 25th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Louisiana |
|
BATON ROUGE, La.
A Senate-backed attempt to ban smoking in Louisiana bars and casinos has been snuffed out.
The House Health and Welfare Committee rejected the bill in an 8-4 vote Tuesday, a step that was expected to kill the measure for another legislative session. The Senate passed a similar bill last year, only to see it die in the House.
|
| Read Cigar News for Louisiana... |
|
|
|
Industry should cooperate with FDA, new tobacco chief says
|
| May 25th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Virginia |
|
WILLIAMSBURG -- After telling a sobering story about a Vietnam veteran who survived battle, AIDS, drug addiction and kidney disease before succumbing to lung cancer from smoking cigarettes, the physician who leads the federal office that regulates tobacco told an industry group he wants to be sure new government oversight is tough but fair.
|
| Read Cigar News for Virginia... |
|
|
|
Campus to go smoke-free
|
| May 23rd, 2010, 02:11 PM | Maryland |
|
SALISBURY -- Smokers at Salisbury University will soon have to venture off school property before lighting up.
The school's president, Janet Dudley-Eshbach, announced SU will become a smoke-free campus beginning Aug. 22. The decision comes after student members of Colleges Against Cancer initiated the discussion by proposing SU go smoke-free. While the Student Government Association and Staff Senate voted to approve the measure, the Faculty Senate did not.
|
| Read Cigar News for Maryland... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban would hurt casinos
|
| May 22nd, 2010, 02:11 PM | Louisiana |
|
I would like to address the speculation raised since the start of debate regarding Senate Bill 348 requiring a total smoking ban in bars and commercial casinos but exempting Indian casinos.
Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois and Pennsylvania have implemented total or partial smoking bans and without exception saw an immediate reduction in revenues.
Since implementation, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have scaled back their non-smoking measures, having experienced losses to tax revenue and jobs. Pennsylvania now allows smoking on 50 percent of its gaming floors and Atlantic City recently extended its moratorium on a total smoking ban for another two years.
|
| Read Cigar News for Louisiana... |
|
|
|
Berkeley Co. to exempt tobacco stores from indoor air rules
|
| May 21st, 2010, 02:11 PM | West Virginia |
|
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Board of Health this week voted 2-0 to adopt changes to the county’s indoor air regulation to exempt retail tobacco stores from the rules.
Board member George Karos was absent for the meeting on Monday and Ruby Foltz recently resigned from the board. Board chair Joy Buck, who only votes to break a tie, was not present for the meeting either, but authorized county health officer Diana Gaviria to preside in her absence, Berkeley County Health Department administrator Bill Kearns confirmed. Gaviria, according to state code, is to act as the board’s secretary and is a nonvoting member.
|
| Read Cigar News for West Virginia... |
|
|
|
Committee returns smoking ordinance to council, ordinance passes second reading
|
| May 20th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Alaska |
|
A proposed smoking ordinance took another step towards becoming a ballot issue on Monday May 17, as the Petersburg City Council unanimously passed the ordinance from its second reading to its third and final reading.
The final reading will take place on June 7, and at that time public testimony will be taken, councilman Mark Jenson said.
For over a month, the ordinance was reviewed and amended by an appointed committee of business owners and community members. The committee changed sections of the ordinance to fit the city of Petersburg.
The two businesses most affected by the ordinance, Kito’s Kave and Harbor Bar had representatives on the committee.
Hillary Whitethorn, a committee member and part owner of Kito’s Kave said the meetings were productive.
|
| Read Cigar News for Alaska... |
|
|
|
Mayor wants smoking ban in parks extended to Little Rock Zoo
|
| May 20th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Arkansas |
|
Little Rock's mayor wants the ban on smoking in city parks extended to the city's zoo and has asked the city manager to see if that's possible.
City Manager Bruce Moore signed off in July on a smoke-free policy for city parks. The policy, which is a request, not a law, took effect Oct. 1.
|
| Read Cigar News for Arkansas... |
|
|
|
Smoking restriction bylaw voted down in Danvers
|
| May 20th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Massachusetts |
|
Danvers — The no-smoking citizens’ petition had been nixed before it even arrived on the Danvers Town Meeting floor Monday night.
Town Meeting member John Zavaglia took to the floor to defend his citizens’ petition, which would ban congregating at public doorways to smoke.
“This does not ban smoking,” he said. It would just make the air easier to pass through for the elderly or infirm or those with breathing conditions when they went into business establishments.
|
| Read Cigar News for Massachusetts... |
|
|
|
New smoking ban in San Luis Obispo getting mixed reactions
|
| May 20th, 2010, 02:11 PM | California |
|
San Luis Obispo's new No Smoking law takes effect today, and not everyone is happy about it.
"If I'm somewhere and there's a bunch of kids I'll leave, but if I'm somehwere and there's no kids I should be able to smoke," said Joanne Horton, who lives in Oceano.
The ne law prohibits smoking in outdoor places where the public may be present, such as sidewalks, parking lots, recreation areas, outdoor dining areas and within 20 feet of any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.
|
| Read Cigar News for California... |
|
|
|
Amherst tightens smoking rules
|
| May 20th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Massachusetts |
|
AMHERST - Beginning June 1, smoking will be banned on all town-owned playgrounds and swimming areas and on town-owned athletic fields during registered events, as more stringent smoking regulations go in to effect.
After nearly two years of review, the Board of Health last month approved the new regulations.
|
| Read Cigar News for Massachusetts... |
|
|
|
Harrison-Clarksburg Board of Health Reinstates Smoking Ban
|
| May 19th, 2010, 02:11 PM | West Virginia |
|
CLARKSBURG -- The debate over Harrison County's controversial 100 percent smoking ban is over.
The Harrison-Clarksburg Board of Health held a regular meeting Wednesday morning.
Board member Bernie Fazzini asked the board to consider another exemption to the ban, allowing owners of free-standing bars and video lottery establishments the right to choose to allow smoking.
|
| Read Cigar News for West Virginia... |
|
|
|
Editorial: Loophole in smoking ban insignificant
|
| May 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
There comes a time when government and public health advocates must trust that members of the public are smart enough to act in their own best interests. It is not possible, nor desirable, to legislate against every contingency that might pose a health risk.
The circumstances surrounding the implementation of the statewide smoking ban is a prime example. The ban on smoking in public places goes into law July 5. One of the major justifications for the smoking ban was to protect the health of employees, primarily in the hospitality industry, from being exposed to second hand smoke at work. The ban was particularly troubling to the tavern industry that understandably worries about the impact a smoking ban would have on business.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
Roswell close to ban on smoking in parks
|
| May 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Georgia |
|
The Roswell City Council changed direction Monday night and approved a total ban on smoking in city parks.
The council voted for the ban after considering different ways to limit park smoking, such as requiring people to light up in parking lots or inside their cars with the windows rolled up. The city's Recreation Commission urged a total ban.
In November, the City Council voted to limit smoking to designated spots in the city’s 18 parks. Supporters of the idea said they didn't want to drive people -- even smokers -- out of the parks.
|
| Read Cigar News for Georgia... |
|
|
|
Town of Tonawanda Bans Smoking in Outdoor Locations
|
| May 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
TOWN OF TONAWANDA, NY (WKBW) -- The Town of Tonawanda passed a policy asked for no smoking in the areas of Town buildings, swimming pools, and ball fields. Dozens of signs will be posted around 12 town parks and some town buildings. Compliance with the new rule is completely voluntary.
The Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition is behind the idea. Tobacco companies spend 11 million dollars a day advertising in New York State, according to Director Anthony Billoni. And when it comes to smoking, the idea of out of sight out of mind works.
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Milwaukee area bar owners prepare to comply with Wisconsin's new smoking ban
|
| May 18th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE - Whether you love the law or hate it, it's just weeks away from going into effect. Wisconsin's smoking ban starts July 5th, and it's a law that's been years in the making. As the deadline draws near, FOX6 discovered there are still a lot of questions unanswered.
July 5th can't come soon enough for Bar Owner Dennis Cox, because his bar is in Shorewood. Shorewood is one of 38 Wisconsin cities that have their own smoking bans already in place.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
Binghamton to snuff out smoking in parks
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | New York |
|
BINGHAMTON -- Start getting ready to put out your cigarettes if you plan to visit a Binghamton park.
No smoking will be the rule in all city parks by the start of summer season under a resolution being considered by the city council.
"We want to encourage health," said Carol Quinlivan, assistant director of recreation, during a council work session Monday. "People tend to bring children to parks. It (the resolution) is sending a message about health and encouraging children not to smoke."
|
| Read Cigar News for New York... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban met with mixed reviews
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Michigan |
|
On May 1st, the Dr. Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law came into effect. It is a law that was established to protect Michigan’s residents and visitors from secondhand smoke in all restaurants, bars and businesses which include hotels and motels. Two weeks into the implementation of the law and people have mixed reactions about it.
“It hasn’t made much of a difference to me,” John Martin, an English literature major at Eastern said. “I don’t mind having to come out for a smoke in general, since the places I visit often already had the no smoking policy in place. It’s definitely inconvenient to have the law apply to bars though, since many people enjoy a smoke with their drink. It’s a hassle to have to go out for a smoke.”
|
| Read Cigar News for Michigan... |
|
|
|
Editorial: Smoking ban tweak unlevels playing field
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Wisconsin |
|
By tweaking the not-yet-in-place workplace-smoking ban, Wisconsin lawmakers and Gov. Jim Doyle have unleveled what should have been a level playing field.
As the legislative session wound down, the Legislature passed a revision in the law that is still nearly two months away from taking effect. It was needed because the initial law had the unforeseen effect of allowing smoking in a room with windows, even if those windows did not actually open to let in fresh air.
|
| Read Cigar News for Wisconsin... |
|
|
|
New law could further limit smoking opportunities in Oklahoma City restaurants
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Oklahoma |
|
It seemed most ranchers, oil barons and other folks smoked when some of Oklahoma City’s historic restaurants opened decades ago.
But now, a new law could snuff out smokes in more eating establishments. And the whole idea is lighting up some restaurant owners even though they don’t happen to smoke.
|
| Read Cigar News for Oklahoma... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban gets in our eyes
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Texas |
|
Only a week ago, Councilman Justin Rodriguez’s proposed expansion of the City’s smoking ordinance — to include pretty much all interior spaces where bonhomie is practiced — seemed a foreordained success: The Mayor endorsed the idea at a press conference designed to put the lead in the remaining council members’ pencils, where the Smoke-Free San Antonio Coalition rolled out a poll that showed not only solid support for a broader smoking ban, but that five out of eight respondents would be more likely to vote for a city council member who supported the proposed ordinance, compared to the mere 21 percent who would be less likely to do so.
|
| Read Cigar News for Texas... |
|
|
|
Council eyes smoking ban
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Texas |
|
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The San Angelo City Council — including its two newest members — will take public comment at its meeting today on the controversial smoke-ban ordinance proposed via petition earlier this year.
Smoke-Free San Angelo submitted a petition in February proposing an ordinance that, if approved by voters, would ban smoking in all public indoor places in the city, including bars and restaurants, as well as certain outdoor spaces and within 15 feet of entrances to smoke-free buildings.
|
| Read Cigar News for Texas... |
|
|
|
New extension of smoking ban in San Luis Obispo goes into effect Thurs.
|
| May 17th, 2010, 02:11 PM | California |
|
The San Luis Obispo City Council reminds local residents that its newest crackdown on smoking goes into effect this Thursday, May 20.
The City Council approved a new "No Smoking" ordinance back in April. It extends the current rules on smoking in the city. Now, smoking is banned in all outdoor places where the public may be present. That includes sidewalks, parking lots, recreation areas, outdoor dining areas and within 20 feet of any enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.
|
| Read Cigar News for California... |
|
|
|
Smoking: your brain will look like this
|
| May 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Massachusetts |
|
Stores that sell cigarettes in Massachusetts should also have to show the harm that tobacco does to the human body. And the more vividly, the better — rotted teeth, tar-pit lungs, and so on.
While scientists may debate the cancer-causing effects of many plastics and pesticides, there is no debate over the role of smoking in cancer, heart disease, strokes, emphysema, and other illnesses. For that reason, state public health officials want to require the display of graphic posters showing the havoc that cigarette smoke wreaks on blood vessels, lungs, and other organs. The state’s Public Health Council should approve the initiative, which mirrors a similar effort in New York City.
|
| Read Cigar News for Massachusetts... |
|
|
|
Wheat Ridge could go smoke-free
|
| May 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Colorado |
|
WHEAT RIDGE - Being outside may not be a free pass any more if you want to light up. The city of Wheat Ridge is considering a number of proposals to ban or limit smoking in some outside, public areas.
What Ridge City Council took nine recommendations from community and medical groups as well as the Jefferson County Department of Public Health. The recommendations include banning smoking in bus shelters, and restaurant patios, eliminating smoking within 25 feet of a business' front door (it's 15 feet now), banning smoking at public parks and golf courses, and limiting kids' access to tobacco.
|
| Read Cigar News for Colorado... |
|
|
|
Groups propose smoking ban in Idaho Falls bars
|
| May 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Idaho |
|
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Representatives of the American Cancer Society and a group called Smokefree Idaho are proposing an ordinance to strengthen the Clean Air Act in Idaho Falls.
Currently, bars and businesses with fewer than five employees are exempt from the act.
Idaho Falls resident Linda Carter-Beck, a cancer survivor, and Heidi Lowe of the American Cancer Society presented a draft smoking ban ordinance during a special session of the Idaho Falls City Council on Tuesday morning, the Post Register reported.
|
| Read Cigar News for Idaho... |
|
|
|
Is a wider smoking ban possible in Delaware County?
|
| May 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Indiana |
|
MUNCIE -- Will local government beef up Muncie and Delaware County's smoking ban?
Officials with the Delaware County Health Department have been discussing the possibility of extending the ban on cigarette smoking in most public workplaces enacted in 2006. But extending the ban to bars -- currently exempted from the ban -- could be met with skepticism by the Delaware County commissioners, who must ultimately approve any countywide ban.
|
| Read Cigar News for Indiana... |
|
|
|
Smoking ban may be tried in court
|
| May 16th, 2010, 02:11 PM | North Carolina |
|
GREENSBORO — Gate City Billiards Country Club has pool tables but no pool, no golf course and no ladies in white gloves nibbling on finger sandwiches. In fact, owner Don Liebes says he aims to have only one thing in common with the country club set: smoking.
“I opened my business a year and a half ago,” Liebes said. “Smoking was a large part of my plan when we opened.”
|
| Read Cigar News for North Carolina... |
|
|
|
Albertville council talks smoking ban
|
| May 15th, 2010, 02:11 PM | Alabama |
|
Breathing easier and looking better were on the minds of Albertville leaders Monday night at the city council’s work session.
City leaders discussed a citywide smoking ban and tightening an ordinance allowing businesses to sell products outside of their establishments.
Mayor Lindsey Lyons is pushing to tighten an ordinance dealing with the selling of merchandise in front of businesses.
Lyons wants to allow the city to have more control over what business owners can sell and display in front of their stores.
“We have absolutely no control right now over what anybody can display,” Lyons said. “We have absolutely no control and that’s just unacceptable.”
|
| Read Cigar News for Alabama... |
|
|