If women didn’t already have enough reasons to quit smoking before pregnancy, here’s a big one: Smoking during pregnancy may set their child up for blood vessel damage, a new study shows. Dutch scientists enrolled more than 250 children. When the children were 4 weeks old, their body dimensions and lung function were measured. At the same time, their parents completed questionnaires about such factors as smoking during pregnancy. When the children were 5, the researchers used ultrasound to measure the thickness and flexibility of their carotid arteries, large blood vessels in the n ... Jump to full article >>

The state Department of Public Health has started a campaign to hamper the sale of cheap, smokeless, candy-flavored tobacco products targeted at teens and young adults in Massachusetts. Is it just another example of Big Government shoving nanny state policies down the throats of Massachusetts residents? (Long live Four Loko!) Or is banning the sale of addictive products that increase the likelihood of certain cancers — and that are being marketed to young people — just a common-sense measure for the Commonwealth to propose? I have to admit my eyes rolled when I first read the news — whi ... Jump to full article >>

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP — It’s been almost a year since the smoke-free law was put into effect in Michigan. The law was passed May 1, 2010, and was designed to remove smoking from local restaurants, bars and businesses. So, how has Michigan responded to the new law? The results are now in. Researchers with the Michigan Department of Community Health Tobacco Section just completed an analysis of results from a public opinion survey related to the law. The survey was conducted this past August and September, and showed that 73 percent of all participants state-wide were in favor of the ... Jump to full article >>

A survey released Monday shows more than 75 percent of those asked like Michigan’s new smoking ban. The smoking ban began on May 1 at all bars, restaurants and other public places. The State Department of Community Health released numbers Monday that shows along with 75 percent of people liking the smoking ban, 90 percent of those surveyed said they would eat out more often because of the ban. Department of Community Health Spokesman James McCurtis said he wasn’t surprised how many people like the ban. “We’ve heard from constituents and we’ve heard from the resid ... Jump to full article >>

The New York city sidewalk is a battleground. Residents take issue with tourists who walk too slowly. Singletons get annoyed when confronted with double strollers in their way. And non-dog-owners who must swerve to avoid a steaming pile may have the urge to curse Lassie, and her owner, who failed to stoop to scoop. And in this weekend’s Complaint Box in the Metropolitan section, Josh Bell took issue with smokers who leave a “never-ending trail” of cigarette butts that extends block after block, and even in grassy areas and on stoops. “I have a message for them: The world is not your a ... Jump to full article >>

A recent LA Times/USC poll says that nearly half of California voters would favor the legalization of marijuana, and about 41% would oppose it. More specifically, men favor the legalization, but married women aren’t so sure. More than 150 comments have been submitted to the story “California Voters Back Pot Legalization, but Support Is Shaky.” Here are some examples of those comments: willieworks said: What is with these people. Nobody is going to jail for smoking a joint. Get over it. It doesn’t ruin the life of anyone whose life wouldn’t be ruined anyway even w ... Jump to full article >>

Supporters of further limits on smoking in public have relaased anew poll indicating most Oklahomans favor banning smoking in bars and restaurants. The poll commissioned by the Smoke Free Oklahoma coalition found 71 percent of Oklahomans favor eliminating indoor smoking in public places. It also found 94 percent of Oklahoma voters believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard. Legislation to tighten smoking restrictions and eliminate smoking in bars and restaurants has died in the state Legislature this year. Marilyn Davidson of the American Heart Association says the poll shows lawmakers that t ... Jump to full article >>

Anti-smoking activists claimed strong support Tuesday for increasing the state’s tobacco tax by $1 to help fill a gaping hole in the state budget. As evidence, they cited a new poll they released showing nearly three-quarters of Georgians support such a tax. The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies on behalf of a coalition of anti-smoking groups, shows a broad spectrum of voters backing the tax increase, which estimates show would raise more than $350 million a year in revenue. The poll of 500 likely voters was taken Feb. 23-25 and has a margin of error of 4.38 percent with 95 pe ... Jump to full article >>

Ninety-two percent of respondents in a recent survey agreed that part of Hawai’i's tobacco settlement money should be dedicated to programs to reduce smoking among minors and to other quit-smoking programs, the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii said yesterday. “We’ve made great strides by reducing youth smoking from one in four youths to one in 10. However, we need to reach the 1,400 kids who start smoking every year,” Deborah Zysman, the group’s executive director, said in a news release. The coalition said Hawai’i spends less than $8 million per year on ... Jump to full article >>

65% of adults from the state of Kansas think smoking should be banned in public places in the state, according to this latest SurveyUSA poll conducted for KWCH-TV in Wichita. 33% think smoking should be allowed. What should happen to the tax on cigarettes? 56% think the tax should be increased to $1.34 per pack 42% think it should be left at 79 cents per pack. Full results can be found here ... Jump to full article >>

Several months ago we have reported about a hugely successful return of a former American top-selling cigarette brand that had been nearly forgotten, but was revived by RJ Reynolds several years ago. Tobacco industry experts predicted that legendary Pall Mall brand could grab a 6-7 percent market share, after it had went up to nearly 5 percents in the last months of 2009, posing a hidden threat to the cemented leadership position of Marlboro, since consumers switch to Pall Mall from premium brands lie Marlboro. Pall Mall was included to Reynolds American cigarette brand portfolio in 2004 with ... Jump to full article >>