Tobacco News

In recent years, the urge to get fit and healthy has peaked once again among United States citizens. With obesity rates growing and health risks on the rise, government institutions are doing what they can to keep Americans on track. This expanding initiative to ‘get healthy’ is sparking a number of policy changes, but not just regarding diet and exercise. An increasing number of universities in the United States are banning tobacco use on campus in an effort to promote a healthier environment for students.
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After much anticipation, the California Supreme Court agreed this week to review how cities and counties regulate medical marijuana.

The High Court issued an order indicating its intent to review two controversial medical marijuana cases, Pack v. City of Long Beach and City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Center., Inc. As a result of this week’s decision, both cases have been vacated in anticipation of the High Court’s ruling. Ream more »

Electronic cigarettes, which many people use to kick their smoking habit, are growing in popularity in New Brunswick and there’s some debate on whether or not they’re safe.

Electronic — or e-cigarettes — produces a vapour that is scent-free and tobacco-free. Some are even nicotine-free.

Health Canada told stores to pull the ones with nicotine off their shelves in 2009, and still hasn’t given approval for anyone to sell them.
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Maryland health advocates are lauding Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to increase the state’s cigar tax, but critics say such an increase would create another financial burden for consumers and business owners.

Mr. O’Malley, a Democrat, proposed a state budget Wednesday that would raise the 15-percent excise tax on cigars, smokeless tobacco and other noncigarette tobacco items — a group collectively known as other tobacco products (OTP) — to 70 percent. Ream more »

A New Carlisle man could face charges after sheriff’s deputies said they found a small marijuana-growing operation in his home. Clark County deputies went to the home in the 1100 block of Cambridge Court on Wednesday to serve a felony warrant to the man’s grandson.

A woman answered the door and told deputies she was the only one home. But while speaking with her, they observed a man come down the stairs, said Lt. Eric Holmes. Ream more »

If you are a healthy person and puff on an e-cigarette for just five minutes, your lungs will undergo acute physiological changes. Now, imagine if you have COPD and use them regularly to help you quit smoking cigarettes?

As reported recently in Reuters Health, a new study finds that the electronic cigarette, which is marketed as a safer alternative to smoking tobacco, produces immediate changes in a person’s airways. Ream more »

While the music may sound relaxing, Zaffaroni is angry at a proposal in Governor Martin O’Malley’s budget, that would increase the tax on cigars and other tobacco products to match the higher tax rate that the stats imposes on cigarettes.

“Tobacco is already paying a much higher rate,” Zaffaroni told WBAL News.

“I’m already paying an additional 15% plus 10% to the federal government. Now you want to raise it to 66%. Last year you wanted to make it 95%. Are you insane governor?”
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A joint committee comprising members from both the National Assembly and the National Council sat together yesterday to settle their differences on the tobacco control amendment bill.

The consensus they reach will be up for deliberation at the joint sitting today at the Parliament.

While that’s that, a few within the civil service like those among assembly members said they smelt a rat in the way the council members removed some of the most crucial provisions of the tobacco control law.
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Following a CTV News hidden camera investigation, the owner of a local business is defending his tobacco sale policy – and says it works.

“We I.D. every customer who looks under 18,” Store owner Inder Minhas said. His is the type of policy Action on Smoking and Health is pushing to become legislation. The tobacco control organization has been collecting data through compliance tests carried out in five major cities in Alberta – and found two-thirds of retailers were willing to sell tobacco products to a minor, even after checking for I.D.
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There’s so much to agree with about the Smoke-Free Mesquite effort.
Cigarette smoke is a killer. There’s strong evidence that second-hand cigarette smoke also is dangerous, causing cancer, heart attacks and stroke. People should be able to breath clean air when they go out in public or where they work. Making Mesquite a smoke-free tourist destination would benefit the economy

The MLN applauds Fred Toval, the Mesquite representative of the American Lung Association who spearheaded the drive, for his diligence and effort.
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