Residents weigh effects as smoking ban looms one year before state’s Shorewood — To hear Elias Chedid and Sam Triscari talk about them, smoking bans are about love and war. Chedid, the non-smoking part-owner of Harry’s Bar & Grill, initially opposed a smoking ban in Shorewood when it was proposed several years ago. But as the percentage of smoking customers continued to decline, he enacted a ban of his own at Harry’s about a year ago. The smoking regulars still come “and I’ve had a lot of hugs and kisses from everybody else,” Chedid said. Some f ... Jump to full article >>

Tobacco stocks haven’t responded along the lines that imminent passage of legislation governing the industry would have suggested. Stocks seen best-insulated from the impact of the changes the bill would implement have weakened in the session, while the names with the most exposure have strengthened. Shares of Altria (MO) have eased nearly 2% in the session, trading down to the $16.50-a-share price, representing the low since early last month. Meanwhile, Lorillad (LO) advanced 2%, and Reynolds American (RAI) gained 1%. The action in the stocks represented an inverse reaction to the effe ... Jump to full article >>

Some attorneys are warning that California businesses may want to brace for the effects of a recent state Supreme Court decision that could “open the floodgates” to frivolous and nuisance class-action lawsuits. Proposition 64 was a 2004 ballot measure aimed at reining in such lawsuits. But, according to some, the 4-3 California Supreme Court decision against tobacco companies in the latest round of class-actions against them appears to have negated some of that proposition’s intent. After years in which California had what corporate defense attorneys characterized as the most ... Jump to full article >>

WASHINGTON — Sweeping changes in how the government controls tobacco content and marketing are likely to be approved in the U.S. Senate next week despite a strong last-ditch effort by tobacco interests and skepticism from some experts that smokers won’t kick their habit. The bill, passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House in April and due for a Senate vote as early as Tuesday, would give the Food and Drug Administration broad new authority over tobacco. “It’s a massive move in public policy,” said Andrew Taylor, professor of political science at N.C. State Universit ... Jump to full article >>

The statewide smoking ban is expected to pass the legislature this week. But Rich Kremer reports that some provisions in the ban are being seen as discriminatory to at least one culture. Hookah Bars are a relatively new thing in Wisconsin. Amir Rasouli has owned the Shi Chai Hookah Lounge in Milwaukee for three years. But his business and a handful of other Hookah bars across the state will be in trouble if the smoking ban passes. As it stands now, the smoking ban bill will allow exemptions for existing cigar bars and tobacco shops but will not exempt hookah bars. Iranian-born Rasouli says it� ... Jump to full article >>