Tobacco News

Announcing the ban today on World No Tobacco Day, Health Minister Daniel Andrews also launched new data showing smoking rates among Victorian teenagers had halved since 2002.

“The Brumby Government has a long history of successful tobacco reforms, which are reducing the impact of tobacco-related harm particularly among children,” Mr Andrews said.

“Even though smoking rates among teenagers are falling, we are continuing to take action by banning the sale of fruit flavoured cigarettes in Victoria.”

Mr Andrews said research has found that fruit and confectionary flavoured cigarettes were particularly appealing to young females.

“Research by Cancer Council Victoria shows that 40 per cent of 16-17 year olds females agree that lolly or fruit flavoured cigarettes made them curious to try them, and one third of males indicated the products would tempt them to try cigarettes,” he said.
Ream more »

A new ad campaign will help remind Wisconsin residents that the statewide smoking ban begins this summer.

Marathon County health leaders say less than half of the municipalities in the state have already passed smoking bans in their communities, so the transition will be a big change for Wisconsin smokers and business owners.

The smoking ban begins on July 5th across Wisconsin, which means all enclosed places of employment and public spaces will be required to become smoke free.
Ream more »

A ban on smoking in public places in England led to a swift and significant drop in the number of heart attacks, saving the health service 8.4 million pounds ($13 million) in the first year, scientists said on Wednesday.

The findings of a large British study suggest that anti-smoking legislation has the potential to save millions of lives in both the short and longer term by reducing the amount of smoking and the exposure to second-hand smoke.

“These benefits are just a fraction of the total benefits of the legislation, because we looked only at the effect on heart attacks in the immediate period,” Anna Gilmore, director of the Bath University tobacco control research group, told reporters at a briefing.
Ream more »

The Government will present a second draft of the System for the Prevention and Control of Tobacco Smoking to the Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL) on June 15, president of the committee Chan Chak Mo told reporters.
Yesterday, lawmakers and Government representatives gathered to discuss the bill, since the committee had demanded clarification last week regarding the law’s enforcement. “The Executive has listened to our opinions and will present a new draft of the bill,” Chan said.
According to the committee president, the Government did not give much detail on the changes to be introduced but he assured that the most controversial articles, regarding the places where the smoking ban will and will not be applied, will be changed.
Ream more »

Accra, June 3, GNA – Members of Media Alliance in Tobacco Control (MATCO) in collaboration with the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, has urged government to expedite action on the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill into law.

The bill seeks to ban tobacco advertisement as well as other activities that promote the use of tobacco in the country.

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Thursday, Mr Issah Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Vision for Alternative Development (VALD) and a member of MATCO stated that the country had failed to meet its obligation under the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in the implementation of a comprehensive ban on tobacco promotion in 41 countries including Ghana.
Ream more »

SEOUL — North Korea, facing international censure for its nuclear weapons programme and a deadly attack on a South Korean warship, on Monday staged a special event to warn about the dangers of smoking.
Speakers at a Pyongyang event marking World No-Tobacco Day stressed the increasing social concern over the practice, the official news agency reported.
The agency, in a separate report, noted that a non-smoking campaign has intensified, with smoking banned in theatres, cinemas, schools, hospitals, sidewalks and other public places.
Ream more »

May 31st is World No Tobacco Day, an annual event designated by the World Health Organization to educate people of the health risks associated with nicotine.Korea’s health ministry and 200 other civil participants gathered at the Korea Press Center in Seoul to celebrate the day and to act against smoking.Some of the nation’s favorite celebrities were also invited to persuade the growing number of smoking teenagers to just say no to tobacco. Read more

MANSFIELD — Eight businesses sold tobacco products or alcoholic beverages to underage customers during a compliance check Monday night.The METRICH Enforcement Unit, Mansfield police, Richland County sheriff’s deputies and Community Action for Capable Youth teamed up for the operation on the eve of graduation season. High school students and adults younger than 21 went to 44 businesses in Mansfield and Richland County. Each employee who illegally sold alcohol or tobacco was cited and will have to appear in municipal court. Read more

It only takes a short walk in the narrow streets of Paris to understand that smoking is an essential part of French culture, where it is tradition to light up while sitting outside a cafe. The word “cigarette” is even French in origin. So it was a shock when France eventually decided to do what so many other Western countries had done years before: ban smoking in restaurants and cafes. That happened two years ago and the protests continue. There are multiple websites that purport to help smokers find French cafes where they can light up, for example. But one man has taken his protest to a higher level. Read more

Muslims have been told to quit smoking because “cigarette filters may contain pig extracts and alcohol”, says a leading South African halaal authority.
But the tobacco industry has refuted the claims, with one manufacturer saying the information was “irresponsible and reckless”. Read more