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 >>

The Chinese regime launched a public ‘no smoking’ policy on Monday—that’s five years after it signed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Under the new ban, people cannot smoke inside public spaces. Business must display “No Smoking” signs and outdoor smoking areas must not adversely affect non-smokers. [Li Fei, Beijing Resident]: “Actually, I am a smoker but I support the ban on smoking in public places, especially in restaurants. Usually the air in restaurants is not that good and they are quite crowded. If there are people smoking t ... Jump to full article >>

Bismarck’s smoking ban is expected to take effect next week. Residents in the Capitol City voted Tuesday to ban smoking at truck stops, tobacco stores and in bars. Voters also rejected the idea of smoking huts. Commissioners will meet Tuesday to certify the election. City administrator Bill Woken says the ban could go into effect as early as Wednesday, April 27th. Nearly 9,000 people voted in the special election. Woken says he’s blown away by the turnout. (Bill Woken/Bismarck City Administrator) “Voting is the cornerstone of democracy and to see that many people say hey we ... 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 >>

Five years ago, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a state law that bans smoking in workplaces, including bars, restaurants, and clubs. Since then, Ohioans’ support for, and compliance with, the law has continued to grow. Even so, the ban has been challenged — and defied — by a handful of disgruntled business owners who dress up concerns for their own wallets with spurious arguments about the law’s constitutionality. The Ohio Supreme Court finally has an opportunity to affirm the ban. It should do so, and Gov. John Kasich’s administration should budget the money needed t ... Jump to full article >>

The Albatross is the only hookah lounge and specialty shop in Springfield, and it will be unable to operate under the city’s new smoking ban.   SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— The fight isn’t over; that’s the sentiment those against Springfield’s smoking ban are touting. And one local business is convinced it has the best argument for exemption. “My family lives in The Albatross.” Amidst the haze of Springfield’s only hookah lounge and specialty tobacco shop, one thing’s clear. “I can go an hour without smoking anything, just because weR ... 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 >>

Boyd Cottrell says his Warren bar, complete with lottery machines, is no different from the Detroit casinos. But his patrons at Sporty O’Toole’s can’t smoke while they gamble, he says, unlike casino patrons, because of Michigan’s smoking ban that took effect May 1. Gaming floors at Detroit casinos are exempt from the ban. Cottrell, a retired Detroit police sergeant who dumped his savings into the bar on Mound Road, is challenging the ban in Macomb County Circuit Court. He says the law is unconstitutional, and he wants his fines for violating the ban tossed. “IR ... Jump to full article >>

A local bar owner is going to court on Monday to fight Michigan’s smoking ban saying it has destroyed his business and is unconstitutional. Boyd Cottrell bought Sporty O’Tooles bar in 2009 after 23 years as a Detroit Police Officer. He says he thought is would be a good investment for his retirement and at first business was great. But last May when the state’s smoking ban took effect, business dropped dramatically. Cottrell admits he did allow customers to light up now and then but then he was fined. That’s when he decided to take some legal action. He says if casin ... 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 >>

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 >>