Tobacco.org

DAILEY: Smoking ban has campuses fired up 

It's an expensive, unhealthy, and often annoying practice, but in their zeal to eradicate it, Pennsylvania's powers-that-be have gone way too far. . . .

But smoking persists. Perhaps the lower number of smokers tempts officials to think there will be less protest -- and less public sympathy for the protestors -- if their tactics get ridiculously harsh. But prohibiting a legal activity in places where it poses no threat to other people's health or comfort is an admission that they're not doing this for the good of society, they're doing it for the smokers' own good -- against their will.

It is Prohibition by other means. And as much as I dislike cigarette smoke and regret its costs in human lives and misspent resources, a de facto prohibition isn't right. It isn't American. I thought we were smarter than this.

Jump to full article »

Law stops smoking 

Nearly a year ago this week, the Belmont City Council began taking steps to approve one of the country's toughest smoking bans and now it's counting down the three and a half months until it goes into effect.

On Nov. 8, 2007, the council officially passed the law prohibiting smoking in condominiums and apartments and their patio or yard areas. The wide-reaching law gave apartment owners and condominium complexes 14 months to come into compliance. The day to put the butts out in Belmont is Jan. 1, 2009.

The city is hosting a public meeting next month to help residents as well as property and business owners understand the new law and how to come under compliance.

Jump to full article »

Smoke free law takes effect Friday 

A new smoke-free ordinance will take effect Friday in the city of Portland. The law prohibits smoking before 10 p.m. within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars that serve food.

Mayor Ed Suslovic will be joined by members of the Health and Recreation Committee and local health organizations in a 3 p.m. kickoff ceremony at the Porthole Restaurant on Custom House Wharf.

Earlier this year, the City Council enacted an ordinance prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of city-owned beaches, playgrounds, or athletic facilities.

Jump to full article »

Maine city tightens smoking ban  

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A new law taking effect Friday in Maine's largest city will prohibit smoking within the outdoor areas of restaurants and bars where beverage or dining service is available, but smokers will be allowed to light up after 10 p.m.

Portland City Council enacted the ordinance to decrease the public's exposure to second hand smoke. Maximum fines for violators are $100.

"Second hand smoke is a dangerous toxin, and employees and patrons of restaurants and bars should be able to work or enjoy a meal without exposure to such a serious health hazard," said Mayor Ed Suslovic.

Jump to full article »

PETA LETTER TO THE CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY (PDF) 

We are writing to you to follow the step of the Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare and ban smoking in zoos. We are sure you will agree that “passive smoking” is injurious to the animal’s health too.

Further, PETA investigations over the years have revealed visitors at some zoos deliberately exhaling smoke on the face of animals who are incarcerated in the zoos, or handing lit cigarettes to monkeys to ‘smoke’, or even trying to touch the burning tip of lit cigarettes to the animals just because they think that is ‘fun’.

We request you to kindly ensure that all zoos across the country ban smoking in their premises.

Jump to full article »

PETA asks central zoo authority to ban smoking in zoos 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has sent an urgent letter to the Central Zoo Authority, asking them to follow the progressive steps of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare and ban smoking in Zoos.

During visits to the zoo PETA Investigators have found that at times visitors to the zoo exhale smoke on the face of the animal deliberately. PETA in its letter says that “passive smoking” is injurious to the animal’s health too.

Jump to full article »

• National Ban smoking in zoos, says Peta 

Noting that health of captive animals is affected due to smoking by visitors to the zoos, a prominent animal rights group on Wednesday sought a ban on smoking in such areas as well.

The demand has come in the wake of the health ministry's notification imposing ban on smoking in the public places.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has written to the CZA, an autonomous government body, to implement the notification in the zoos as well, as "passive smoking is injurious to the animal's health too."

Jump to full article »

Supreme Court lights up debate 

CENTRAL Coast clubs were stunned by the Supreme Court decision last week on partially-covered outdoor smoking areas.

The court found Dubbo RSL was in breach of the NSW Health Department guidelines for the partial roof covering at its outdoor smoking area.

The department has warned that other clubs also did not comply.

Jump to full article »

Lincoln outdoor smoking areas likely safe from ban  

Lincoln restaurant and bar owners will not likely be required to reconfigure their outdoor areas to pass muster under the statewide smoking ban.

The state rules may appear to be different than Lincoln's guidelines, but they are likely broad enough to encompass the way Lincoln businesses have designed their outdoor areas, according to a state employee involved in the rule making process. . . .

Just two people appeared Thursday in person at the public hearing at the State Office Building. Two other groups have sent written comments to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department raised the different design rules for outdoor smoking areas in a written letter.

Jump to full article »

Smoking ban will affect business: Shack owners 

Even as the government is gearing up to prohibit smoking in public places from October 2, owners of pubs and shacks claim that this move 'would affect their business and reduce their clientele'.

"More than 90% tourists, especially foreigners, who come to the shacks come to drink, smoke, make merry and enjoy the beauty of the sea. If we ask them not to smoke, then it will reduce our clientele and affect tourism," said All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Association president, Cruz Cardozo.

He said that they would be making a representation to the government to relax the ban for the tourists who visit the shacks, as 90% of the guests smoke. "

Jump to full article »

Tobacco-free signs donated to cities  

In an effort to discourage tobacco use in city parks, a state tobacco awareness organization has donated "tobacco-free" signs to three Madison County cities.

The Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition of Madison and Yazoo Counties has given signs to Ridgeland, Canton and Madison. The signs read "This Park is a Tobacco-Free Zone" and are meant to discourage not only cigarette smoking but also dip, snuff and other forms of tobacco.

In addition to the signs, the coalition donated tobacco-free bumper stickers to Ridgeland.

Jump to full article »

Park signs go up for smoking areas 

SAN MARCOS – Smokers who visit parks and trails in the city will now see signs directing them to specific places where they can smoke.

Most parks will have one designated smoking area. Smoking will not be permitted in nondesignated areas.

Jump to full article »

Consistent smoking ban in Palo Alto parks likely 

Although its not a burning issue, the Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission agreed Tuesday to examine whether to ban smoking in some or all of Palo Alto's parks.

The city's current mishmash of policies is confusing, Commissioner Alex Panelli said.

For example, smoking is not allowed on trails in Foothills Park, but isn't regulated at the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, a flammable grassland, or at Byxbee Park, which sits atop trash-generated methane, Interim Community Serivces Director Greg Betts said.

Jump to full article »

Miami Beach commissioner pushes smoking ban at beach  

Miami Beach City Commissioner Jerry Libbin is floating a proposal to ban smoking on the beach. It is part of his larger effort to make sure Miami Beach enforces its litter laws and keeps its streets -- especially its sand and surf -- clean. He broached the idea to his colleagues at the Sept. 10 city commission meeting.

''When people smoke on the beach, there is no ashtray,'' Libbin said. ``I don't want to be rummaging through the sand and picking up someone's cigarette butts.''

But for smokers like Palumbo, 50, the proposed ban doesn't make sense.

Jump to full article »

Smoking ban faces criticism 

Last May, Tulane's campus-wide smoking policy was altered significantly and extended to reflect the passage of the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act. The policy is now tougher on the enforcement of smoking violations and makes progress toward a tobacco-free Uptown campus. Under the new policy, smoking is only permitted in designated areas around campus. Students caught smoking in other areas can be ticketed by Tulane police officers. The designated smoking areas, which were selected by the Office of the University Architect and Campus Planning and by representatives of the Student Health Center and Health Promotion, will mostly be situated on the perimeter of campus, with many near parking areas. The areas will be well-lit, so that they can be utilized safely at night, said James Farrow, director of student health services. Farrow said that the areas were placed closer to residential areas and further from areas where people work each day. . . .

Under the new policy, enforcement of these violations has been intensified. In residence halls, Housing and Residence Life staff members will patrol for smoking violations and warn offending smokers. After this warning, senior HRL staff and Tulane police officers can issue tickets or citations to anyone smoking in non-designated areas.

Jump to full article »