Years ago, Kansas City banned smoking in public buildings, including bars and restaurants. Now city officials are turning their attention to outdoor public spaces — namely parks.
There’s no move yet to ban smoking in parks. But the city will post signs in the next few weeks in specific parks and near playgrounds to discourage people from smoking.
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In an op-ed for Reuters, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, boasts about the success of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The news would be quite welcome — if only it were true.
The bill, signed into law by President Obama three years ago, was supposed to reduce the devastating toll of cigarette smoking. Ream more »
MPs advocating for the Tobacco Control Bill have asked Tobacco companies to accept the proposed bill on Tobacco control to regulate the activities and practices of tobacco companies to protect the public from Tobacco related diseases and hazards.
During a tobacco control bill public hearing at Serena hotel in Kampala the mover of the Tobacco control bill, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said that they need the law regulating tobacco industry in Uganda by the end of this year. Ream more »
A year-long multi-agency investigation into the illegal trafficking of untaxed cigarettes concluded with the arrest of five defendants and the seizure of more than 100 cases of cigarettes and more than $958,000 in cash.
Prosecutors said that beginning in July 2011, a confidential informant began working with the DA’s Office, the New York Police Department, and the Queens DA’s Office, on a joint investigation into the illegal sale of untaxed cigarettes. Ream more »
Funding to stop teen smoking is getting snuffed out in North Carolina.
Lawmakers eliminated most of the money for anti-tobacco programs statewide, and that means huge cuts to Mecklenburg County.
Caroline Debello is a rising Myers Park senior. This fall, Debello’s passion to stop smoking was supposed to be a part-time job. She planned to travel the state to share her message for an organization called TRU, Tobacco Reality Unfiltered. Ream more »
In a defeat for anti-smoking advocates, a U.S. appeals court has ruled that cities cannot force tobacco retailers to post graphic warnings next to cigarette displays.
The decision blocks a 2009 rule adopted by the New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene that required retailers to display one of three signs near cigarette racks. Ream more »
The shisha smoke is thick, almost motionless, like a dawn mist rising slowly over a swamp. This serene smoke-scape is a fragile thing, and the illusion of permanence is shattered by the energetic table staff delivering food, drinks and charcoal. The smoke swirls and dances in their wake, a visible reminder of the invisible world surrounding us. Ream more »
Tobacco giant Phillip Morris is stepping up its campaign against anti-smoking measures.
At noon today, the company launched a new website, which highlights four key issues facing smokers. Issues highlighted on the site include increased tobacco taxes, which have been hiked by over 30 per cent since last April and new retail display rules for tobacco products.
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A recent news release said SmokeFree Wisconsin is urging more action and funding to prevent tobacco use, particularly during pregnancy. It cited a UW-Milwaukee study that says since 2003, progress has stalled in lowering smoking rates among pregnant women. In 2010, about one in eight Wisconsin women reported smoking during pregnancy. That rate of 13 percent is significantly higher than the national average of 9 percent.
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Look at this unpleasant and unsanitary mess we found at Forsyth Park.
The play site is covered with cigarette butts.
It’s one reason why these moms moved their exercise routine to another location in the park.
“I don’t want someone else’s cigarette butt that they’ve had their mouth on with rat poison or whatevers in nicotine to go in my child. It’s not what I would want and it’s a public place, says Blair Murray Ream more »