Subscribe to Cigar Rights of America RSS feeds and get the most up-to-date cigar-related legislative news for Vermont. http://www.cigarrights.org/xml/news/news_VT.xml http://www.cigarrights.org/favicon.ico http://www.cigarrights.org/images/CRA08small.jpg en-us MONTPELIER _ At Champlain Cable Corp., APR 24 - the employee smoking room was closed down last fall, sending smokers outside. Employees were offered help to quit smoking. What the Colchester cable manufacturer did voluntarily could soon be required throughout Vermont at the dwindling number of companies with indoor smoking areas. Legislation that would ban indoor smoking lounges -- shutting down smokers' last refuge in the workplace -- is likely headed for law. Today, the House passed a bill that cleared the Senate earlier this year. Gov. Jim Douglas said of the bill, “I guess I'm amenable to that.” “There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Rep. Patsy French, D-Randolph, told fellow House members. “Passing smoke-free workplace legislation saves lives and prevents serious illness while saving Vermont money.” http://m.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090424/NEWS03/90424019/-1/WAP&template=wapart Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:11 -0800 Vermont RUTLAND (AP), MAY 8 — The Rutland Regional Medical Center has snuffed out its smoking ban on hospital grounds because of complaints about people smoking and littering on city streets. In January, the hospital made its campus smoke-free. http://www.timesargus.com/article/20090508/NEWS02/905080362/1003 8 May 2009 11:32 -0800 Vermont MONTPELIER – Tobacco has historically been a crutch for many people with mental illness, but next month the Vermont State Hospital will ban the use of cigarettes for patients and staff. Starting May 5, tobacco products will no longer be allowed on the premises of the state hospital, the state-run facility that is home to about 50 patients with mental health and substance abuse problems. http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100422/NEWS/4220411/1004/NEWS03 22 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Vermont From Beverly Hills, to Boston, to Burlington, more and more cities nationwide are implementing bans on outdoor smoking. "There's plenty of other places we can smoke. You don't need to smoke in front of kids or other people. This is supposed to be a healthy environment," said Meagan Royer of Essex Junction. A ban soon set to take effect in Burlington bans smoking in all city parks and beaches. Those who break the law are subject to anywhere from a $50 to a $200 fine. While the ordinance has a lot of support, there are a fair share of skeptics. "Honestly it's a big wide open space. I don't think it's infringing on people's personal space too much, people who don't like to smoke. It's a big park," said Nick Gardan, a smoker from Burlington. http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12331949 18 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Vermont Enosburgh Falls is banning smoking in the village's two parks. Students worried about second-hand smoke pushed the issue. Unless the ordinance is challenged it will go into effect on June 12. http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12325466 16 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Vermont Burlington wants to ban smoking in outdoor locations. I am a smoker and I say this is going against my right to smoke. When does a city or anyone else get to control the air? If that were possible then I say those in charge in Burlington should keep the temperature at 70 to 80 degrees. Burlington should ban the cold and snow. This just gives me another reason not to visit the city, as if I needed another reason. Don't like it anyway. How about the workers in Burlington that smoke and have a 15 minute break, but have to walk maybe two blocks to a smoking area. Where are their rights? http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20111228/OPINION03/111228006/Letter-Burlington-has-no-right-control-air-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTP 28 Dec 2011 11:11 -0800 Vermont City Councilor Joan Shannon, D-Ward 5, said Friday she will try to persuade the City Council to override Mayor Bob Kiss’s veto of a downtown smoking ban the council approved Monday. “The next step is to see if we can get a couple more councilors on board to override the veto,” she said. The ban passed 8-6; 10 votes would be required to override Kiss. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20120113/NEWS0301/120113002/Mayor-Kiss-vetoes-Burlington-s-downtown-smoking-ban?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE 13 Jan 2012 11:11 -0800 Vermont