The Gulfport City Council voted 5-0 to ban smoking at the city beach and other outdoor public areas. But there were questions, concerns and ideas expressed before the final vote.
For nearly an hour, people of all ages addressed the council about the proposed smoking ban.
Gulfport Teen Council President Nolan Sloan was first to speak during public session. Sloan spoke on behalf of the Teen Council.
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COSTA MESA Smoking in Costa Mesa parks may be extinguished under an ordinance introduced by the City Council.
The Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday night to move forward with a ban on smoking cigarettes in public parks, which would apply to the city’s three athletic fields, two community gardens and within 50 feet of all 29 public parks.
The ban will not extend to chewing tobacco, as requested by Councilman Steve Mensinger. Councilwoman Wendy Leece opposed the ordinance. Ream more »
Texas State is the largest public university with a tobacco-free campus in the state. Or perhaps we are just fooling ourselves. It has been a total of 89 days since university President Denise Trauth initiated the campus-wide smoking ban.
Smokers are still active on campus because the smoking ban is not being enforced strictly or even at all. This leads to cigarette butts being thrown on the campus grounds because all the ashtrays were removed. Ream more »
Despite warnings to the contrary, restaurants did nicely in Clayton in the first year of the city’s smoking ban.
“The Clayton scene is alive and well and, most importantly, more healthy, than it has ever been,” said Mayor Linda Goldstein, who advocated the ban to protect public health. Sales tax revenue from restaurants is up slightly, and the number of restaurants is increasing, Goldstein said.
The ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places went into effect July 1, 2010. Ream more »
Hermosa Beach is the latest Southern California city to ban smoking in outdoor areas, a decision that makes it illegal to light up in outdoor dining areas, parks and the city pier.
With the ban, which takes effect in March, Hermosa Beach will join Los Angeles, which began instituting a similar but less restrictive ban earlier this year. Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Calabasas and other cities have similar smoking restrictions. Ream more »
The St. Edward’s University Student Government Association is continuing to research student opinion about St. Edward’s becoming a smoke-free campus. A smoking committee of six senators has been established to form ideas about how to best gather an accurate representation of student opinion on this issue.
“We are working with the student committee and passing out surveys to actually figure out what is the overall idea of the current policy in place and how people feel about the situation, just to see if people interested in the issue aren’t aware about the issue, and where we’re at,” Senator Octavio Sanchez said. Ream more »
Let’s clear the air about what Delaware County’s smoking ban will and will not accomplish. It will not save lives. It will kill several neighborhood bars unless we obtain relief, in or out of court.
Before I explain, let me tell you how our association, the Delaware County Licensed Beverage Association, has given back to this community. In my years as a bar owner, our group has contributed more than $300,000 to various local service groups and charities. Ream more »
Smoking might soon be prohibited permanently in Austin’s city parks, making it the first Central Texas city to enact such a ban. City Council Members Laura Morrison , Mike Martinez and Kathie Tovo are proposing the idea, saying cigarettes pose wildfire and health risks, and often end up as litter.
Since April, the city has imposed a temporary burn ban on city parkland – including golf courses, swimming pools and hiking trails – that prevents visitors from smoking and using wood or charcoal for barbecue pits and grilling. The new proposal would permanently ban smoking in those areas. Ream more »
Health advocates sparred with bar owners, smokers and Libertarians at a public hearing Monday about a proposed smoke-free ordinance for all public places in Augusta. The law could get approval as early as today.Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Bowles, who attended the hearing, said they thought the proposed ordinance was on the Augusta Commission agenda today, though it did not show up on the version posted on the city’s Web site. Read more
Smoking ban: Kay Lazar has more on efforts announced yesterday to curb smoking in rental units in Boston, including a ban in public housing set to take effect in September 2012.
Doctor shortage: Tanya Albert Henry of American Medical News takes a look at the effects of expected shortages in physicians, including primary care doctors, outlined in a report released last month by the Massachusetts Medical Society.
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