Tobacco.org

LETTER: Lose the cigarettes, gain more customers  

I find it offensive to enter or exit any building that stinks from smoke. Actually, I won't go into a shop or restaurant if I have to endure the odor. Several years ago Beverly Hills had to make the same decision. Business owners were worried that business would be lost to neighboring cities. There was no negative effect on businesses and it is a pleasure to dine smoke free, both inside and out.

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LETTER: Using hookah as dangerous as smoking cigs 

Contrary to popular belief, hookah smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. . . .

The concern of many experts is that hookah smoking is just a gateway to cigarette smoking much as cigarette smoking is a gateway to other drugs. . . .

A dream come true for Big Tobacco. And since the majority of hookah bars are popping up near college campuses, the tobacco industry indirectly scores the young users they have so tirelessly preyed upon for so many years.

The frontal lobe of the brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s. This part of the brain is responsible for judgment, impulse control, initiation and spontaneity. When one considers that some of the most frequent visitors of hookah bars don't yet have a fully formed frontal lobe, you have a recipe for poor choices and addiction.

A peer-reviewed study published in Pediatrics, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, points to another concern with hookah use: the spread of infectious diseases

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LETTER: 'Lets quit together'  

Here's what needs to be done here in the United States: President Obama made a statement that on Nov. 19 -- The Great American Smoke-out date -- he is going to quit smoking, and he said, "America, please join me in quitting one of the most disgusting addictions the world has ever known. Let's all quit together and spend our money and time helping ourselves to become better citizens of the world. With addiction, we lose our ability to freely make choices. I long for my former freedom and I'm sure you do too. Nov. 19th is the date. Let's regain our original freedom from tobacco. Please join me in quitting smoking. Sincerely, President Obama."

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LETTER: Let's be like the Irish, ban indoor smoking  

It is disheartening that the leaders of Indianapolis are hesitating to pass the smoking ban in public establishments. . . . who will pick up the tab of those sick from smoke exposure who are uninsured and either choose to smoke or opt to expose others to their smoking? The answer is, every taxpayer.

On a recent visit to Ireland, a country at the top of the list with the number of bars per square mile, I discovered this country had banned smoking in taverns. The taverns were crowded and people didn't mind stepping outside for a smoke. People were enjoying the music, beer and hospitality. Indiana, step up to the plate and be progressive for once.

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LETTER: Local VFW post should obey no-smoking laws  

Here's an onion to the Warren VFW Post 1090 members who think they are above the law.

An organization such as this one should be setting an example of obeying state laws such as the no-smoking ban. To rack up $1,600 in fines has to amount to a lot of violations.

And to seek exemption from the fine by using the excuse that it will hurt their charitable efforts is appalling. If you can't pay the fine, don't do the crime. They should obey the law.

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Smoking Ban May Now Include Your Apartment  

Some city landlords have begun prohibiting tenants from smoking inside their apartments, because of the dangers of second-hand smoke. A study recently found that secondhand smoke causes at least 35,000 deaths from heart disease and 3,000 deaths from lung cancer in nonsmokers nationwide each year--and New Yorkers are even more at risk because their dense urban environment. As one tobacco expert put it: "Smoke doesn't know to stop at a doorway. It fills the full capacity of every indoor location in which the cigarette is smoked." So at least one major real estate company is now stepping in to stop the smoke before it starts. . . .

Should renters be allowed to smoke in their apartments?(polling)

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READERS' COMMENTS For Some Smokers, Even Home Is Off Limits  

Letter _Web version__ Stop Internet sales of tobacco products  

Illegal sales of tobacco products are costing our nation and states billions in lost revenue. Increases in federal and state government excise taxes have created an explosion of illegal tobacco product sales over the Internet, and such purchases are evading federal, state and local taxes.

How is this happening? Remote sellers typically sell untaxed or low-taxed cigarettes over the Internet or by mail or telephone to consumers without paying the taxes owed to the states. Indiana is losing significant tax revenue because of this illegal practice, and consumers are often unaware that they are personally liable for any applicable unpaid taxes.

Fortunately, there is a potential solution in the Senate known as the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009. This legislation closes a number of gaps in federal law regulating "remote" or "delivery" sales of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products and prevents anyone underage from obtaining tobacco products remotely.

In 2000 there were only about 40 domestic Internet sellers of cigarettes, but by 2006 there were more than 770 Web sites selling cigarettes to U.S. smokers, and nearly half of these sites were based outside the United States. . . .'

I encourage our U.S. senators, Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh, to support and co-sponsor the Pact Act of 2009 because it is an important opportunity to further protect the legitimate channels of distribution for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in Indiana.

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LETTER: Charity funds to go toward smoking fines  

From the greatest generation to our current conflicts, the men and women who've served our country gather in private at our local VFW where those who gave continue giving. Last year alone, we donated more than $40,000 of our own money back into the charities of Warren.

Though our doors are closed to the privacy of war veterans and supporters, we have been singled out and adjudicated by the city as a public entity under the state smoking ban. Mayor O'Brien and the Warren Health Department have fined us anonymously and spuriously in the thousands of dollars.

These same monies, which I used to give to local charities such as the Salvation Army, Warren Family Mission, Hospice, Meals on Wheels and many others, now goes as fines through the health department.

As Veterans Day approaches, on behalf of the men and women of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1090 of Warren, I feel personally obligated as charities chairman to apologize to my fellow citizens. Our loss of revenue has caused me to protect our own interests, redirecting an open policy of charity to lesser amounts in a time when the funds are needed most.

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LETTER: Smoking ban protects health of all residents  

Some members of the Decatur City Council still fail to understand the reason behind the smoking ban: Reducing second-hand smoke in public places allows the citizens of Decatur to live longer. Period.

The idea that a business owner “has a right to choose” completely misses the point that a smoking ban protects not just customers, but also employees. While businesses have tried for years (usually unsuccessfully) to segregate smokers and non-smokers, no businesses try to protect their nonsmoking employees from smoking customers. . . .

I am proud to be a citizen of Decatur and proud that we have an anti-smoking policy that is both progressive and enlightened. The current smoking ban shows the world that our city takes seriously the concept of encouraging a healthy lifestyle for all its citizens. Why would we feel the need to imitate the smoking policies from Huntsville or Florence, when those policies are flawed?

Our city leaders should avoid the political expediency of reverting to policies that will endanger the health and well-being of our community.

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LETTER: Some stretch meaning of state’s no-smoking law 

The majority has imposed its will on the minority. Smoking is now illegal inside buildings open to the public.

It seems that some, however, feel it necessary to mislead us and expand the law beyond what it says and does. For example: a local mall has posted signs saying that "Smoking is prohibited here and around all entrances to comply with Montana's Clean Air Act." Montana does not have a Clean Air Act - it's limited to indoors (except on school property). The act does not prohibit smoking around entrances. This lie is perpetuated even by state agencies that promote ads praising The Montana Clean Air Act.

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LETTER: Smoking: Cessation programs can work 

I'm writing in response to the editorial, "Secondhand smoke: New study, same message."

The Florida Academy of Family Physicians represents 4,000 family physicians, residents in training and medical students.

Family physicians are the first line of defense in helping their patients quit smoking.

We've known for years that smoking is harmful, not only to the smokers' health, but it also negatively affects the health of the public. Family members, coworkers, friends or anyone else who comes in contact with the tobacco smoke can be adversely affected.

Florida implemented a statewide smoking ban on indoor workplaces seven years ago.

It is an important step to protect the public's health, but it's not enough. We also need to do more to help smokers quit.

According to the Florida Adult Tobacco Survey, almost half of Florida smokers report they've tried to quit smoking in the past year, and nearly 60 percent say they plan to quit within the next six months. However, without smoking cessation counseling and treatment, only 5 percent will succeed at overcoming their addiction. . . .

Smokers should know that there is help available and that they don't have to quit on their own. The implications of not helping smokers quit not only affects smokers, but nonsmokers, too.

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LETTER: Protect anti-smoking funds  

The New York State Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program is a highly successful, world-class tobacco prevention effort that saves lives and prevents kids from smoking. As a result, youth smoking rates in the state were the lowest on record at 14.7 percent.

The Tobacco Control budget has been cut by 20 percent within the past year. Research and experience demonstrates that reducing funding to state tobacco-control programs can quickly slow or reverse gains. According to research, the 20 percent budget cut will result in a 1.3 percent increase in youth smoking rates, which means an estimated 16,000 more New York youth will grow up to become addicted adult smokers. Maintaining funding for tobacco control is a wise and effective instrument in the health of New York. Let's work to keep our next generation smoke-free.

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LETTER: Do your homework  

Regarding "Activists target smoking loopholes" (news story, Oct. 30): Oklahoma bar and restaurant owners act as if our state would be the first and only one to go smoke-free in public venues. Far from it. If Jim Hopper, president of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, wants to eliminate his members' concerns about losing business if a smoking ban is enacted, he should contact any other restaurant association president in a state with a similar ban. He'd learn that profits at a majority of restaurants have actually increased.

The New York Times archives include articles printed before New York City's ban was enacted. Get the names of all the interviewed restaurant owners who were worried about their restaurant's potential profit losses. Call those same owners today and ask them how their profits are doing since the ban. Do your homework. And when your post-ban profits increase, remember to thank the groups that pushed for the ban.

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LETTER: Smoke out Gear  

Virginia voters were outraged that the legislature took four years to enact the widely popular ban on smoking in restaurants. I hope Peninsula residents have a long memory in the case of Del. Tom Gear.

Gear chaired the six-member subcommittee which peremptorily killed this measure for three straight years and kept it from a floor vote. When a compromise finally enabled the legislature to bypass Gear's subcommittee, he continued to oppose it vocally and even blasted House Speaker William Howell for relenting and allowing a fair vote on it.

When legislators openly and arrogantly defy the clear wishes of their constituents, it is time to show them the door. I urge all voters who value health above the interests of Big Tobacco to defeat Del. Gear.

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