CROSS LANES, W.Va. — After nearly a year, the countywide smoking ban continues to burn revenues at Tri-State Racetrack, says its general manager, Dan Adkins. Smoking inside the Nitro facility has not been allowed since July 1, 2008, when the Kanawha County Health Department expanded its smoking ban to include bars and gambling parlors. Since the ban, Adkins said the track has lost between $200,000 and $300,000 a week on slots revenues. Tri-State also hasn’t hit $5 million in monthly slots revenues since June 2008, a month before the ban went into effect. “More than half of th ... Jump to full article >>

The steady march to rid parks and playgrounds of cigarette butts spread to Zion this summer after a group of students surveyed residents and then pushed the Park District to enact the ban that most supported. The 752 acres of parkland went smoke-free in mid-June, although the ban ends at the fairways of the two golf courses and carries no penalties. Park District officials are betting smokers will heed the signs and police themselves. “We’re just going to take it real slow,” said Rich Walker, Zion’s director of parks and recreation. “We’re certainly not int ... Jump to full article >>

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) — Nearly a year later, many lessons have been learned from Kanawha County’s smoking ban. Now, the health department is taking a look back at its success and downfalls. Health Department officials said they’ve received a lot of positive feedback, but they don’t ever expect to have a 100 percent compliance rate. They’ve taken 12 business owners to court so far, but all of those cases are still pending. Environmental services director Anita Ray said she wishes they would have educated the public more on the dangers of smoking before they ... Jump to full article >>

Ireland will become the first country in the EU to remove all tobacco advertising from retail outlets tomorrow. The changes mean that all tobacco products in shops are stored out of view, within a closed container or dispenser, only accessible by retail staff. A sign must be shown to advise that tobacco products are sold at the premises. Retail staff may use a pictorial list to inform a customer aged over 18 who wishes to buy tobacco products as to the products that are available. Self-service vending machines will be prohibited except in licensed premises and registered clubs. All retailers o ... Jump to full article >>

THE ban was guaranteed to change the smoking industry for better or for worse when it was introduced two years ago. Jo O’Donnell has met with doctors and landlords to see how the rules have affected smoking and drinking habits across the North East TWO years after smoking was banned in bars, pubs in the North East are reporting huge losses in custom and alcohol sales. Across the country pubs and clubs are calling time and closing at a rate of 50 a week. And now the full impact of the change has been felt, landlords say they have been let down over promises non-smokers and families would ... Jump to full article >>

“Thank God for my regulars,” said Dee Moorman, owner of Frick’s, on a recent quiet afternoon as she tended bar. The regulars keep her busy and in business despite defiant words spoken by some of the Davenport bar’s customers more than a year ago about the pending smoking ban. The Smokefree Air Act, which bans smoking in bars, restaurants and other public buildings went into effect a year ago today. “Eighty percent of my customers are regulars who are all pretty good about that,” she said. “I hear people say, ‘I’ll have one, but if I canR ... Jump to full article >>

The smoking ban needs updating to offer shisha bar owners clearer advice, Harrow Council in west London has said. The bars, where herbal tobacco can be smoked through a communal pipe, tend to have an awning open to the street. But the law on outdoor smoking shelters means those with roofs should be at least 50% open, so air can circulate. And when cafes are fitted with low roofs and cushions to create a pleasant atmosphere, they can block ventilation and fall foul of the smoking ban. ‘Authentic experience’ One shisha cafe in Harrow has already been issued with a £200 fine. Anot ... Jump to full article >>