And you thought only Nebraska’s new law put the fire hose to workplace smoking. On June 1 — the day the state’s ban on smoking inside workplaces went into effect — the Omaha Public Power District banned the use of cigarettes and chewing tobacco on the job, even outside. In effect, none of the utility’s 2,400 workers — not even the worker high atop a power pole — can take a puff or pinch a snuff on the clock. Now, two of the utility’s major unions have filed a lawsuit that says the ban far exceeded state law and, therefore, violated the unions ... 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 >>

HB 2, signed into law by Gov. Beverly Perdue, will eliminate secondhand smoke from restaurants and bars statewide starting Jan. 2. Rep. Hugh Holliman, the House majority leader, deserves our sincere thanks for his splendid leadership in this major accomplishment. He and Sen. William Purcell ushered this bill through many modifications to a successful conclusion. It was not as broad as when initially introduced, when it would have eliminated secondhand smoke from all public places and workplaces. But recognizing what was doable and compromising when necessary, Holliman and Purcell worked mighti ... Jump to full article >>

Bethel Park’s Joe Sedon Jr. was sitting on a bench at South Park Golf Course, enjoying the last couple puffs on a cigarette before he played. When Sedon heard that there is a movement in some cities to ban smoking at public golf courses, he was quick to respond. “Are you kidding?” the Vietnam War veteran said. “I dodged bullets in a rice pad and got spat at when I got home, but at least I could smoke. Now, some government officials want to ban smoking in the outdoors?” It’s true. In some parts of the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Haw ... Jump to full article >>

TEWKSBURY – The School Committee met on the 27th of May at the Wynn School to discuss a variety of issues, with one of those being violations of the smoking ban in the bathrooms at Tewksbury Memorial High School. According to the Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1993, tobacco products in school, on school grounds, on school buses and school facilities is prohibited. The TMHS current handbook says, “Suspected or actual use of any tobacco product, INCLUDING SMOKELESS TOBACCO, on school property or at school sponsored activities, as determined by the principal or designee will ... Jump to full article >>

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 >>

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 >>

Health experts have raised serious concerns about the growing number of women smoking shisha. They said they are seeing more and more cases of women with respiratory disorders because of the habit and urged smokers – especially those who are pregnant – to give up “hubbly bubbly”, as shisha is commonly known. The call comes as the UAE prepares for “World No Tobacco Day” on May 31, when people are being encouraged to stop smoking for 24 hours. Many smokers think shisha is healthier than cigarettes, but the UAE Ministry of Health said an hour of shisha was equi ... Jump to full article >>

British American Tobacco has revealed it is testing a new “less toxic” tobacco. The cigarette manufacturer, which owns brands such as Lucky Strike, Kent and Pall Mall, has made three prototype products for the £6m analysis. The 22-week trial will be carried out in Germany on 250 volunteers by an independent research organisation. The new cigarettes are made from tobacco that has been processed in different ways to generate fewer “toxicants” as it burns, and they have new filters that absorb harmful chemicals. BAT’s head of public health and scientific affairs ... Jump to full article >>

RALEIGH — It’s looking more like the Legislature wants a broad smoking ban in tobacco-growing North Carolina. The Senate scheduled a second and final vote Monday on a measure that would ban lighting up in all enclosed restaurants and bars. Senators gave an initial OK to the bill last week. Another “yes” vote would return the bill to the House, which passed an earlier version extending the ban to work sites where children under age 18 visit. The House could agree with the Senate or seek a compromise. The measure is backed by those who say secondhand smoke is a preventabl ... Jump to full article >>