This November, California voters will vote on a ballot measure that is designed to legalize marijuana. But “legalization” is not being emphasized because of all the baggage and implications that it carries. Instead, the measure is comfortably couched in the politically correct idea of fiscal responsibility for state and local governments; a way for them to balance their budgets. Read more
A recent conversation in my hookah smoking hut once again turned to the topic of whether smoking the water pipe (Hookah) is as bad as cigarettes.
There’s no real answer to that question – even scientists have (as yet) been unable to make a meaningful and definitive comparison – but that’s not what this article’s about. Read more
Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers have published the findings of a pilot study that shows hookah smoking is on the rise among white Americans of non-Arab descent.The team believes the hookah trend could hold dangerous health implications, including serving as a gateway to cigarette smoking and other drug use. Read more
Aboard the submarine USS Florida, there’s no e-mail or phone, no breaks for sunshine or fresh air. For many Navy sailors serving 90-day tours in cramped quarters underwater, one of the few creature comforts has been smoke breaks below decks in the machine room. By New Year’s Eve, sailors will have to kick the habit. Read more
Talk about murky.
The economic impact, the potential social and legal landscape, even the split between the pro and con sides in the squabble over the initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot to legalize marijuana for recreational use in California – they’re all about as clear as smoke from a bong. Read more
Opposition leader Tony Abbott and executives from Big Tobacco appear to be alone in their opposition to the Federal Government’s draconian measures to cut smoking.
Last week Prime Minister Kevin Rudd imposed an immediate 25 per cent tax increase on tobacco products and signalled his intention to require plain paper packaging by 2012. Read more
HOBART smokers are under siege from all sides.
With a Hobart City Council push to clamp down on outdoor smoking looming, the Federal Government is jacking up tobacco taxes and forces a shift to generic packaging. Read more
The world’s third largest tobacco company by sales volume, Japan Tobacco Inc, has invested $65 million (Rs 293 crore) in its Indian unit without increasing its shareholding, just days ahead of a government decision to ban foreign direct investment in cigarette manufacturing. Read more
Tobacco in some form has been around for eons. Read more
The Tobacco-Free Lee Coalition is partnering with the Fort Myers Miracle to distribute 10,000 free baseball tickets for a game against the Saint Lucie Mets. Read more