MAASIN CITY, Philippines—City officials are butting out opposition from a multinational tobacco company to an ordinance that prohibits smoking in all public places and workplaces. Philip Morris has claimed that Ordinance No. 2009-042 was inconsistent with Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which, it says, established a “balanced policy” in the use, sale and advertisements of tobacco products. In a press conference on Monday, Mayor Malone Samaco vowed that the city would continue to implement the city’s no-smoking drive, saying it had gained ground and would ma ... Jump to full article >>

But for other guests who stepped in to broker peace, a heated argument between two groups of youth at a bar in a Lagos suburb was on the verge of degenerating into a brawl. “The smokes from their cigarettes were coming in our direction and we told them politely that since we came here before them, they should change their seating position,” said one of the youth who identified himself as Fred. “Instead, one of them replied that we should be happy to be inhaling their smokes. And that was an insult,” he added. Cigarette smoking has remained a common sight in most public places in the c ... Jump to full article >>

Local bar and nightclub owners are split over the issue of banning smoking in their establishments. Last week, an Indiana Senate committee voted 8-1 to strike down legislation that would have banned smoking in public places, with exceptions for bars, casinos, fraternal clubs, smoke shops and nursing homes. “I was a little surprised that it had failed,” said Sandi Boyles-Gillen, owner of Sonka Irish Pub, 1366 Wabash Ave. “I thought it would pass.” Boyles-Gillen said she favored a smoking ban, but added that it should be all-inclusive and enacted statewide, not by indivi ... Jump to full article >>

An anti-tobacco group urged Olive Branch elected officials Tuesday night to adopt one of two types of bans against smoking in public places. The local chapter of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition asked for an all-out ban or a partial one that would restrict smoking at certain types of businesses during certain hours. The Board of Aldermen did not take any action, but an ordinance may be before them later. The aldermen also heard from residents who are upset about noise from a residential dirt track. The anti-tobacco presentation was the first item on the board’s agenda after approva ... Jump to full article >>

The Illinois House’s vote last week to exempt casinos from the 2008 Smoke Free Illinois Act could lead to a first in the nation’s history – the first time a state has weakened a statewide smoking ban. Thirty-five states prohibit indoor smoking in public places, Illinois among them. Some of those have exemptions for some establishments, including bars or casinos. Although some states have strengthened their smoke-free laws since their passing, none have gone back to repeal sections of such a law or to carve out exemptions, according to Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, ... Jump to full article >>

A bill to allow smoking in cigar lounges and tobacco shops in Washington has been moving forward in the state Legislature, but it has been controversial every step of the way. Senate Bill 5542, which had a hearing Wednesday in the Senate Ways and Means Committee, would set up special smoking endorsements people could buy and contribute the money to the state’s Basic Health Program. Supporters say the proposal would be safe, but opponents argue it would be bad health policy for Washington. Sen. Jerome Delvin, a Richland Republican and the bill’s sponsor, said it was a good opportunity for t ... Jump to full article >>

With the fifth anniversary of the most radical public health legislation since devolution, our reporter gauges how Scots have reacted and tries to discover what the next step might be. FOR MANY, it seems like a distant memory, a bygone age when smokers and non-smokers sat side-by-side enjoying a drink in a Scottish pub. Now, smokers are left out in the cold – some would say in more ways than one. The ban on smoking in public places in Scotland, now approaching its fifth anniversary, was hailed as a major step forward in the battle to improve public health. Those exposed to second-hand smoke ... Jump to full article >>

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A district judge has shot down Teton County’s ban on smoking in public places, saying the county’s health board lacked the authority to enact 2009 rule. District Judge Timothy Day said in his ruling Wednesday he could “only imagine that the individuals on the board who create the Smokefree Air Rule were motivated by legitimate public health concerns.” But it’s clear the state Legislature never gave the Teton County District Board of Health authority to promulgate the rule, which had proposed criminal penalties for violators, Day wrote. The b ... Jump to full article >>

Spain’s smoke-filled bars, corner cafés and restaurants are on the verge of extinction after lawmakers on Tuesday approved a tough new antismoking law that will rid the country of its reputation as one of Western Europe’s easiest places to light up. The bill, proposed by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his governing Socialist Party, passed in a 189-154 vote that also rejected a Senate amendment to allow casinos to have smoking areas. Starting on Jan 2, the interiors of all bars and restaurants will be transformed into no-smoking zones, bringing Spain in line with the Euro ... Jump to full article >>

There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. The haze of smoke that greets visitors to many Kyiv restaurants could soon clear a bit as authorities plan next year to introduce a new recommendation to encourage restaurants, cafes and bars to restrict smoking to closed-off rooms. The move to clean up Kyiv’s restaurants – most of which currently allow smoking – has been championed by public health advocates and non-smokers. But experts say that the measure falls short. Health officials say that only a complete ban on indoor smoking in public places can prevent the damage ... Jump to full article >>

I am responding to a letter that was recently published in New Vision titled “Revenue from smoking is incompatible to public health”. In the letter, the writer implored our legislators to enact laws against smoking in public places. However, I would like to remind the public that Uganda already has such a law. It is called the National Environment (Control of Smoking in Public Places) Regulations 2004. In Uganda, smoking in public places was banned in February 2004. This followed the December 2002 declaration by the High Court that smoking in public places was a violation of non-smokers’ ... Jump to full article >>