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SGA considers cracking down on smokers 

Faculty, students and staff who smoke on campus face possible restrictions and enforcement -- ranging from the increased prohibition of smoking near building entrances to the possibility of a smoke-free campus -- from two Student Government Association senators.

"(Hotel and Restaurant Management Sen. Dennis) Ha is working on a smoke-free campus. I'm trying to get UH police to be stricter on smoking around buildings," Business Sen. Luis Rodriguez said. "I've been wanting to work on (legislation that) would have the UH police department give more citations."

Ha said he wants to make UH a smoke-free campus, but this will take some time.

"It's not the fact that people smoke, which is bad for their health, its (that) people who don't smoke have a problem," Ha said. "Our main objective will be a smoke-free campus, but you have to take it in small steps … we need to think about all the consequences if we take that away."

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights created a list of the colleges and universities around the country that enforce smoke-free air policies, stating that there are at least 365 campuses -- including 13 in Texas -- that are smoke-free.

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Davao City smoking ban gains world recognition 

The city government's stiff campaign against smoking here has gained global recognition for its commitment to promote smoke-free policies.

This, as the Global Smoke-free Partnership (GSP) recently announced its winners for this year, with the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force winning in the governmental body category.

In a statement sent to Manila Bulletin on Thursday through fax, GSP said the city's anti-smoking task force came out on top for its "exceptional leadership and commitment to further smoke-free policies by a governmental agency."

GSP is an international organization formed to promote effective smoke-free air policies worldwide. The partnership is a fusion of American Cancer Society and the Framework Convention Alliance to bring the World Hearth Federation and International Union Against Cancer and other organizations to advocate for and reinforce anti-tobacco policies.

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Towson college bans smoking  

Towson University has implemented a campuswide smoking ban, becoming the first four-year college or university in Maryland to prohibit smoking.

The university announced the policy Wednesday. It will go into effect Aug. 1.

University spokeswoman Marina Cooper said the policy states that anyone who violates the regulations will be "subject to fines and sanctions." The policy also states that visitors refusing to comply may be denied access to the school's campuses and possibly even arrested for "criminal trespass."

Smoking, which is already banned inside university buildings, will be prohibited outdoors on the 328-acre campus. The policy bans people from smoking anywhere on campus grounds, including parking lots, garages, and sidewalks. Towson University has about 21,000 students. . . .

Banning smoking on college campuses is a trend. According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, 365 U.S. campuses that have enacted smoke-free campus policies.

"We're seeing a social norm change," said Annie Tegen, senior program manager for the foundation. "There's a new generation of students unwilling to be exposed to secondhand smoke."

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No Smoking in Balconies and Patios 

A group of residents that successfully lobbied the City Council to ban smoking in common areas of apartments and condominiums wants the prohibition expanded to balconies and patios.

Santa Monicans for Non-Smoking Renters Rights also wants the creation of non-smoking sections for multi-family residential buildings, including units. And the group says landlords and condo owners should be forced to disclose smoking and non-smoking units to potential tenants and buyers.

"When someone smokes on a balcony or patio, the smoke is pulled into neighboring units because of the difference in air pressure," said group member Myra Morris, who called this "an intrusion."

A press release issued by the group claims that once secondhand smoke has drifted into a unit, it attaches to walls, floors, furniture and rugs and outgases back into the room, even if no one is smoking. The group looks to an article from January of this year in the journal Pediatrics as proof of the existence of what is called "third-hand smoke."

"If smoke is coming into your unit on a regular basis, you are at risk for illness," group member Barbara Bronie said "Cities have a responsibility to protect the public's health."

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Circuit Judge in Pierre Says Smoking Ban Will Go to Public Vote in 2010 

A circuit judge in Pierre says a proposed state-wide smoking ban will go to a public vote in November of 2010.

The decision came down after the judge heard closing arguments from the American Cancer Society and a group of bar and casino owners who gathered signatures.

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• Voters Will Decide On Smoking Ban 

A judge has ruled that a law which would ban smoking in South Dakota bars and casinos will go to a public vote in November 2010.

Circuit Judge Kathleen Trandahl made her ruling shortly after closing arguments wrapped up Friday afternoon.

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Smoking ban could be changed or put to voters  

Island voters may get a chance to decide during the May election where smoking should be allowed.

Dissatisfied with the smoking ordinance they adopted earlier this year, city council members voted unanimously to consider four options for changing it.

The ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, bans smoking in restaurants, bars, outdoor seating areas, tobacco stores and private clubs.

During their Dec. 3 meeting, council members will talk about amending it to allow smoking in tobacco stores and bars. They also will consider either rescinding it permanently or rescinding it and putting it on the May ballot.

Complaints from business owners, including the bar and restaurant owners who initially supported the ban, prompted the council to reconsider the changes.

The ordinance as adopted is one of the strictest in the state. But as it was proposed, the ordinance was more consistent with regulations in other cities, allowing smoking in outdoor seating areas and tobacco stores.

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Smokeout: What would you do with 8 more years? 

In eight years, you could travel around the world, spoil your grandkids and - unless you're a Cubs fan - maybe even see your team win a World Series.

And to think those are years you could miss if you don't quit smoking before your hair turns gray.

About 21 percent of adults and nearly 19 percent of youths in Illinois are smokers, but those who quit by age 35 add an average of eight years to their life expectancy, according to the American Cancer Society.

Interested enough in living longer to give quitting a try?

Then circle Nov. 19 on your calendar, the date of the next Great American Smokeout. Participants are asked to try to get through at least that one day without smoking, then see how they feel and consider quitting for good. . . .

Get a free quit-smoking kit Nov. 19 while kits last at the following locations:

Champaign County:

American Cancer Society, 2509 S. Neil St., C.

Champaign Public Library, 202 W. Green St., C.

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VIDEO: Bars Make Switch To Non-Smoking 

Some Rapid City businesses didn't wait for the judge's ruling to snuff out smoking.

The smoking ban debate is underway in Pierre, but in Rapid City, many bars have already made the switch to non-smoking.

We'll take you to one later tonight on KELOLAND News.

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No more smoking on the sidelines? 

The Town of Windsor is considering a bylaw to ward away secondhand smoke.

With a vote of 3-2, Council approved first reading of the Protection from Secondhand Smoke Bylaw. The matter will go to second reading at the November 24 council meeting. If passed, no one will be permitted to smoke on any property owned or leased by the Town. This includes all town parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities, trails and building lands.

Windsor’s chief administrative officer Louis Coutinho says the bylaw is not about trying to fine people, but about educating people in a healthier community. “Secondhand smoke is a health hazard.”

Still, those caught violating this bylaw could be subject to a fine of up to $200.

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• State outpuffs most of nation  

Watch your back, West Virginia. Indiana is now No. 2 -- and gaining -- when it comes to smoking.

More than 26 percent of all Hoosier adults smoked in 2008, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Indiana was sixth the previous year, but it has puffed past the national median of 20.6 percent -- not exactly something to celebrate.

"It saddens me tremendously," said state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, who sponsored legislation last spring for a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law. "I knew we were up there, but I didn't know we had inched our way up to No. 2. We need to turn that around."

Indiana has ranked in the top 10 in recent years for smoking prevalence. The difference between sixth and second is not statistically significant, and the top 10 clump closely together, said Karla Sneegas, executive director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation. . . .

Experts recommend three measures to address a high rate of smokers: Passing a statewide, comprehensive smoke-free law, increasing state taxes and increasing the amount of money for tobacco prevention efforts.

"It's a trifecta," said Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "When you put those three things together, that's when you have the biggest impact."

Many of the states that have the lowest smoking rates -- California, Arizona and New Jersey -- are those that have been the most aggressive about indoor smoking laws and about state taxes that drive up the cost of cigarettes, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the CDC's director.

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RC Business: Smoking Ban Has Been 'Positive' 

While some establishments across KELOLAND are waiting for the smoking ban to go to a public vote before they snuff out smoking in their restaurants, many popular bars in South Dakota's second largest city have already made the switch.

You'll find a busy waitstaff, tables filled with food and plenty of hungry customers over the noon hour at Sports Rock in Rapid City, but you won't find a single ashtray. The bar went non-smoking this summer when the ban was first discussed in Pierre.

"A lot of customers wanted to come in and eat and have an environment where it wasn't full of smoke, and we just felt that we should accommodate them because there's a huge number of people who did request that," General Manager Debbi Davids said.

Months later, they've had the option to switch back and allow smoking, but Davids says her customers seem to like the change.

"It's been very positive. We haven't had too many complaints. The very few who have complained go right outside and smoke, they don't seem to be too upset about it," Davids said.

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Newberry's Backyard Bar-B-Q's staff reacts to new smoking ban 

Customers who go to Newberry's Backyard Bar-B-Q are sure to get a whiff of smoked barbeque when they sit down to eat.

Pretty soon, the one thing they won't smell is cigarette smoke.

Spurred by a recent article about the banning of smoking at Shands HealthCare, owner Rocky Voglio decided to inform his employees that he was following suit and banning smoking on his property effective Nov. 15.

"I thought that it was a good idea," Voglio said. "So I got on the bandwagon."

Once the bandwagon gets rolling, Voglio said he is going to keep an eye on his employees and strictly enforce the smoking ban on the property.

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Crestview Hills will ask for smoking ban 

Crestview Hills City Council will be asking Kenton, Campbell and Boone fiscal courts to pass a smoking ban in indoor public places.

The council passed a resolution urging the fiscal courts to enact the ban at the regular meeting Thursday Nov. 12. The resolution passed 4-3 with a tie break vote cast by Mayor Paul Meier.

The city plans to send the resolution to all three fiscal courts.

"It's the right thing to do for the public," Meier said. "Drinking is legal; drinking and driving is not legal. Yes, you have a right to smoke, but you don't have a right to smoke if it's going to harm someone else."

Council member Thomas Moser cast one of the three dissenting votes on council.

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City to consider smoking ordinance  

The Columbus City Council Tuesday is scheduled to consider a city-wide smoking ordinance which includes options for non-smokers and smokers.

The proposed ordinance, which largely is modeled after a Tennessee state law, bans smoking in "all enclosed public places," including restaurants.

But it allows smoking in "age-restricted venues," or bars, restaurants and other establishments, which only allow people age 21 or over to enter, and "private clubs," which restrict access to the general public.

"I just think it's the right thing to do," Ward 3 Councilman Charlie Box said of the ordinance, which he proposed. "Secondhand smoke is one of the most dangerous things in the world. There's just study, after study, after study on that. . . .

Proposed ordinance

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, ENACTING AN ORDINANCE

BANNING AND/OR RESTRICTING SMOKING

KNOWN AS THE COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI NON-SMOKER PROTECTION ACT

WHEREAS, scientific studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution; and

WHEREAS, such scientific studies, including st

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