Smoking

Statewide ban will prohibit smoking in most bars and restaurants

February 05, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine and key leaders in the General Assembly today announced a landmark agreement to pass a statewide smoking ban in Virginia's bars and restaurants. The legislation will ban smoking in nearly all restaurants across the Commonwealth, allowing narrow exceptions for private clubs and restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas.    » read more »

President Obama Signs Children’s Health Insurance and Federal Tobacco Tax Increase Into Law

2/4/09 -- Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO:

Earlier this year, the American Lung Association expressed hope that the Obama Administration would prioritize tobacco control and public health. Today, we finally are celebrating a long fought public health victory—a victory that will improve health, increase children’s health care coverage and reduce smoking.    » read more »

Legislation designed to strengthen the Smoke Free Illinois Act

February 4, 2009 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed his first bill into law since being sworn-in as the 41st governor of Illinois last week. A signing ceremony was held in Governor Quinn’s office, following a meeting with all four of the state’s legislative leaders.

Senate Bill 2757 clarifies exemption and enforcement components of the Smoke Free Illinois Act. The measure was sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Senator Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff), and by Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Broadview) in the House.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. ( January 26, 2009)— Earlier this month, the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control report awarded the federal government an F for its low federal cigarette tax. Despite this dismal grade, the Lung Association noted that the new leadership in Washington presented great hope to the public health community. This week, the U.S. Senate will have its first opportunity to move our nation towards a healthier future by voting to increase the federal cigarette tax as a means to fund the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).    » read more »

American Lung Association Calls Upon Lawmakers to Reinvigorate their Commitment to Tobacco Control by Joining the Smokefree 2010 Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C., August, 12, 2008— Despite 46 states and the District of Columbia receiving an estimated $1 billion in additional funds this April from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, a new report from the American Lung Association finds fewer states are implementing policy initiatives to reduce tobacco use than in recent years.

The 2008 mid-term update to the American Lung Association’s State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues or SLATI report, uncovered a pattern of decreased and flat funding for state tobacco control programs.    » read more »

New CDC Study Shows Dangers of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

August 13, 2008 -- Burlington, VT – During August and September, the Vermont Department of Health wants to help Vermonters create smoke-free zones to protect both children and adults from being exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke.    » read more »

Public Health Releases New Risk Factor Data

August 13, 2008 -- Many Kentuckians report they are in poor health, have been diagnosed with chronic diseases, and don’t have access to health care, according to 2007 data released today by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH).

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems, a survey, conducted by the Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement in DPH, looks at several health indicators, such as diet and physical activity, to determine the health and lifestyle habits of Kentuckians.    » read more »

Las Vegas, NV – The International Association of Fire Fighters has announced the launch of a new initiative to help fire fighters, family members and friends to quit smoking cigarettes.

“Our goal is to help make the IAFF the first smoke-free union,” IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said in his address to delegates at the IAFF 49th Convention.

Cigarette butts: Photo by The Other

The IAFF is collaborating with pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. to promote smoking cessation. Schaitberger and Pfizer CEO Jeff Kindler first announced the joint initiative at the IAFF Health and Safety Conference in Chicago, Illinois, in October 2007.    » read more »

August, 2008 -- Home fire deaths are higher in states that have a greater percentage of smokers, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study published this month in the journal Injury Prevention. If smoking at home is reduced or stopped, fewer residential fire deaths may result, the study said.    » read more »

Durham, NC -- 16 June 2008 -- In the past decade, many Americans and Europeans have become more aware of the dangers of smoking. Large tobacco companies have seen their cigarette sales in these countries plummet as legislators have passed laws forbidding smoking in restaurants, bars and many other public places. But other tobacco sales are increasing.

New research from the Harvard School of Public Health has found that in the U.S. the drop in sales of cigarettes has been accompanied by increased sales of tobacco in other forms. This increase appears to offset at least a third of the drop in cigarette sales.

Sales of small cigars has increased in the United States, as cigarette sales declined
Sales of small cigars have increased in the United States, as cigarette sales declined    » read more »

Relevant Areas to be Smoke-Free in 90 Days

June 13, 2008 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law the Clean Indoor Air Act, which will protect Pennsylvanians from the deadly health effects of secondhand smoke by prohibiting smoking in most public places, including restaurants, workplaces and a portion of casino floors.

Cigarette: Photo by Bruce (CC)    » read more »

June 6, 2008 -- A new report reveals how the Smoke-Free Arizona Act led to healthier environments for employees and patrons of Arizona restaurants and bars and to indoor workplaces free from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke.

Since the law took effect May 1, 2007, complaints about indoor smoking have dropped dramatically to less than 200 a month from about 1,400 in the first month, according to the first annual report on the Smoke-Free Arizona Act.

"We are proud to state that one year after the Law went into effect, a high level of compliance has been achieved statewide. Most employers responded well in creating smoke-free workplaces while the number of complaints declined significantly, this resulting in cleaner air for Arizona residents," the report concludes.    » read more »

May 26, 2008 -- ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have found that carrying a common genetic disorder doubles the risk of developing lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers.

The study is published in the May 26 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal published by the American Medical Association.

Cigarette butts: Photo by Matt Fetterley    » read more »

April 24, 2008 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will testify before a congressional committee later today in Washington D. C. supporting a measure to prohibit mail shipments of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If passed, the bill would effectively end sales of cigarettes and tobacco products over the Internet.

Cigarette butts: Photo by The Other

The nation's private delivery services -- including United Parcel Service, Federal Express and others -- already have a voluntary ban on shipment of cigarettes and other tobacco products.    » read more »

04/16/2008 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and State Treasurer Scott Meacham said Oklahoma has received more than $85.1 million from the tobacco industry, 75 percent of which went directly into the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund.

Cigarette: Photo by ritcharnd moskow (CC)    » read more »