Sitting on opposite ends of the bar Thursday evening inside Canton’s Rusty Nail Lounge on Ford Road, patrons Ryan Roberts and Randi Tinglan couldn’t be further divided over a workplace smoking ban that could include bars and restaurants. The state House has approved a ban that still faces a decision by Michigan senators. “I’m against it. I don’t feel they should take that liberty away from us,” Roberts, a 22-year-old Ypsilanti resident and smoker, said just a few hours before Thursday’s Red Wings hockey game. “A bar has always been a place to smo ... Jump to full article >>

One of the main arguments against e-cigarette products is that there is no scientific proof to support claims made by e-cigarette manufacturers and distributors that state the product is safe for its intended use and safe for bystanders. New research out of New Zealand would make that argument invalid. The company, Health New Zealand, released its study (found here: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/coynews.htm) this past April at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) conference. Their website states: “Given that continued smoking of cigarettes carries a cumulative 1 in 2 death ... Jump to full article >>

For almost half a century after the U.S. surgeon general warned of the dangers of smoking, the federal government steadfastly refused to exercise regulatory authority over cigarettes and other tobacco products. That’s expected to change over the next few days, when the Senate votes on House-approved legislation giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration broad authority to regulate the tobacco industry. Public health officials and anti-smoking advocates view the legislation as history making. Matthew Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, told Los Angeles Times writer Noam ... Jump to full article >>

Michigan’s House of Representatives took another step toward making the state smoke-free by approving legislation to ban smoking in most public spaces. “Rep. Paul Scott, a leading proponent to make Michigan smoke-free, voted in favor of House Bill 4377. The measure bans smoking in public places, but exempts casino gaming floors, cigar bars and specialty tobacco stores. “Thirty-seven states currently have some form of smoking ban. “Although a smoking ban without exemptions is ideal, this measure is a vast improvement on current law and will make great strides to keep Mic ... Jump to full article >>

Whenever the term “e cigarette” comes into play in a conversation, the word “controversy” comes to mind due to the negative press put out about this new invention, but what are the underlying facts of this controversy? The American Cancer Society; the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association have all had experts state that there is no proof that the e-cigarette is safe and that they may attract the youth of this nation and entice them to start smoking. The facts are that they are not the “public health officials” they are reported to be. ... Jump to full article >>

Up in Washington, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is staging a slowdown on behalf of smoking, stalling a widely supported bill that would let the Food and Drug Administration regulate the tobacco industry. Burr isn’t given much chance of blocking what amounts to a sensible response to the ever-more-apparent reality that nicotine is an addictive drug and that smoking kills. But when the last of his charts has been carted off the Senate floor, the full 218-page bill read into the record and the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body is thoroughly talked out — maybe 60 hours’ worth of ... Jump to full article >>

It’s official. Nebraskans can breathe easy thanks to the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act that took effect Monday. To mark the occasion, Dave Holmquist, director of government relations with the American Cancer Society in Nebraska, kicked off a press conference Monday morning at Romeo’s restaurant in Bellevue. “It’s a great day for the state of Nebraska,” he said. “We’ve been waiting about 15 months to be able to say that Nebraska is smoke free.” Nebraska joins 15 other states in implementing a comprehensive smoking ban. “The Nebraska smok ... Jump to full article >>

By LINA MERHEB Right now, the New Hampshire House and Senate are putting together the state budget for the next two years. Sadly, the Legislature is not debating whether to add the fifth cigarette tax hike in five years. Instead, they are deliberating how big this new tax increase should be. If these “leaders” were truly concerned about the small businesses and working families that they claim to represent, there wouldn’t be cigarette tax increase. Since 2005, there already have been four cigarette tax hikes; three at the state level and one from the federal government. Just ... Jump to full article >>

PANAJI: On the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the Voluntary Health Association of Goa (VHAG), involved in creating awareness about tobacco control laws, research and documentation of tobacco use in Goa, said that implementation of the law is sorely lacking in the state. The association has started working on an intense Tobacco/Smoke Free Goa Campaign’ in association with Voluntary Health Association of India from May. As part of this campaign, VHAG plans to work on advocacy and awareness in various Panaji schools and colleges on tobacco control by using different types of media. VHAG ha ... Jump to full article >>

Some worry e-cigarettes that offer nicotine without the smoke pose unknown dangers. From a distance, it looks like Tal Broustin is lighting up a cigarette, right in the middle of Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Md., a clear no-no. And he is trying to get others to take drags, too, luring passersby to his kiosk by asking if they are trying to quit smoking. Up close, it is clear that Broustin is taking puffs not from an actual cigarette, but from a battery-powered gadget designed to look like the real thing. Called an “e-cigarette,” or electronic cigarette, it contains no tobacco, giv ... Jump to full article >>

The war against smoking has been further intensified with a ban on tobacco companies and retailers from giving gifts when selling cigarettes and other tobacco products. The measure takes effect immediately with the amendment of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations by the Health Ministry. There is also a proposal to expand non-smoking zones to cover hotel lobbies and air-conditioned workplaces. Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said retailers were not allowed to sell tobacco products with any other items or sell items and give away tobacco products for free. The regulations were also ame ... Jump to full article >>