Tobacco News

In the United States, there is a big debate among nonprofits about whether some sources of charitable donations are offensive. Some groups have developed “gift acceptance” guidelines identifying categories of generally corporate donors whose grants are to be avoided as antithetical to the recipient’s values. Typical categories are corporations that manufacture handguns or liquor—or tobacco. But there are plenty of people who would argue that a nonprofit would be foolish to turn down money regardless of the source, Ream more »

Smokers may soon find even fewer places to light up in Mountain View as a ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas is set to come before the City Council early next year.

A meeting is set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, for residents to discuss the proposal inside the plaza conference room at City Hall.

The proposed ban would mean no smoking allowed at most outdoor dining areas within city limits, including those of restaurants and picnic areas in public parks. Ream more »

After a unanimous call by City Council to begin drafting new policy, Austin residents may soon be banned from smoking in public parks in addition to the 2005 ban placed on smoking in most indoor public places throughout Austin.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said City Council’s support, and ultimately the call for a new ordinance, originated from the burn ban that is currently in place in city parks. The smoking prohibition, as written within the proposed resolution, addresses more of the danger smoking poses to igniting wildfires than the danger it poses as a health risk. Ream more »

In a boost to UK tobacco control policy, a Canadian study has shown that smokers and non-smokers alike strongly support the banning of tobacco adverts and displays.

The researchers asked 4,580 smokers across 10 Canadian provinces about their thoughts before and after the country phased in a ban between 2004 and 2010.

Similar legislation will be phased in across England and Wales between 2012 and 2015.
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Sparked by Texas wildfires and crowding at area festivals, Austin City Council passed a proposal Thursday to ban smoking in all public parks.

Council members passed the proposal by consent during the council’s regular meeting at City Hall yesterday. The plan, co-sponsored by Kathie Tovo, Mike Martinez and Laura Morrison, intends for a citywide ban on smoking at Parks and Recreation sites to be implemented within the next year. Ream more »

A BAN on the sale of cigarettes from vending machines will come into force on February 1 in Wales. A similar ban was introduced in England this month.

The Welsh Government last night said the ban would cut off a source of tobacco teenagers.

One in 10 regular smokers aged 11 to 15, say they buy their cigarettes from vending machines.
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Banning tobacco won unanimous support from Montana State University leaders last week, but on Monday opinion was still split among students, professors and employees.
A noon public forum saw a lively debate over individuals’ right to be free of government dictates versus individuals’ right to a clean and healthy environment.
About two dozen people attended the forum, sponsored by the MSU Leadership Institute, MSU political science department, Montana PBS and Associated Students of MSU. Ream more »

Faced with a proposal to ban tobacco from all school district property, the School Board opted to butt out.

The comprehensive tobacco-free policy, advocated by the state Department of Health, would forbid smoking and other forms of tobacco use on all district property, including athletic fields and parking lots.

That would have meant snuffing out all tobacco use not just on school campuses but also on other property where students rarely or never go, such as the maintenance office and the district administration headquarters in Brooksville. Ream more »

The Hermosa Beach City Council has decided to move forward with drafting an ordinance that would ban smoking in most public spaces, including Pier Plaza, public parking lots, the Strand, Greenbelt and other city parks.

The council in a meeting Tuesday night voted 4-1 to direct city staffers to draft the law, which will be presented at a council meeting on Oct. 25.
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The Bullitt County Board of Health is not giving up its struggle to enact a county-wide smoking ban and has decided to appeal a court decision restricting its power to create and enforce new regulations.
Bullitt County Circuit Court Judge Rodney Burress ruled earlier this month that the health department could not choose where people smoke and wrote in his decision any regulations must be introduced by the Cabinet for Family and Health Services. Ream more »