Tobacco News

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 governing body approved a smoking ban at municipal recreation facilities last week despite a plea from an advocate for electronic cigarettes.

Smokers of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, electronic cigarettes and other similar devices will no longer be able to light up on municipal sites such as the ball fields, bleachers or any place labeled with “smoke-free zone” signs without the possibility of a $50 fine.
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 »

A Greene County court has upheld the city of Springfield’s smoking ban, but the court challenge is likely not over. Jean Doublin, owner of Ruthie’s Bar on Commercial Street, filed the lawsuit seeking to stop the ban in June.
The lawsuit claimed the Springfield ordinance violates state law and therefore is invalid.
The suit cites Missouri law which allows taverns to make nonsmoking areas unavailable indoors as long as signage is posted outside the bar that says “Nonsmoking Areas are Unavailable.”
Ream more »

Proponents for a statewide smoking ban in bars and casinos can use the city of Alexandria’s decision Tuesday to ban smoking in bars throughout the city as a way to build momentum for a statewide ban, Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said Wednesday.

“I imagine other cities will pass a similar law and eventually build momentum to a statewide ban,” the mayor said at his weekly press briefing. Roy credited the work of the Alexandria City Council, particularly President Roosevelt Johnson and District 4 Councilman Harry Silver, the city’s legal team and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living for crafting an ordinance that protects “innocent third parties” from second-hand smoke at bars. Ream more »

A smoking ban around recreational fields split the council at the Sept. 21 meeting. Councilwoman Elaine Vuoncino said the proposed ordinance was too restrictive on the rights of residents.
“I’m a non-smoker,” Vuoncino said. “I hate smoke. I just feel it’s a huge infringement on the rights of people.”

Under the proposed ordinance, the borough will prohibit the smoking of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, electronic cigarettes and other similar devices on various municipal sites with “smoke-free zone” signs with a likely penalty not to exceed $50 per the judge’s discretion. Ream more »

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 »

Recently, there has been much debate over a possible smoking ban on campus. The implementation of such a ban has the potential to raise USC’s prestige as a progressive university committed not only to debate and discussion, but also to action and implementation.

As a private university, USC has greater jurisdiction over such matters than a public school would, and therefore it can potentially be seen as a role model for reforms and improvements throughout California’s higher education system. Ream more »

Just when you thought the smoking ban battle was over, it strikes up again.

Charleston city leaders are now talking about banning smoking at Haddad Riverfront Park.
“I think maybe the city manager’s received a number of complaints,” says city council member Bobby Reishman (R). When rules were changed again a few years ago, the canopy wasn’t in place.
Ream more »

More than 100 bar owners, employees and vendors vented their frustrations to two state legislators Monday about how Michigan’s smoking ban has negatively affected their businesses.

They’ve seen drastic cuts in sales, were forced to lay off workers and are struggling to pay their bills. Those themes were repeated by those who attended the meeting at the All Around Bar in Taylor, where Rep. Douglas Geiss and Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, both Taylor Democrats who voted for the ban, spoke and listened to their concerns.
Ream more »