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Town cracks down on cigarette butts 

The accumulation of cigarette butts on the streets of Dewey Beach has town officials looking at enhanced enforcement.

Commissioner Diane Hanson suggested an ordinance that would require restaurants to provide cigarette-disposal receptacles outside of their establishments, but the Board of Commissioners instead decided to implement continued strict enforcement of its littering ordinance.

"We need serious enforcement because it's just a mess," Hanson said. "I can walk two blocks and count over 100 cigarette butts. People walk outside of the restaurants and throw them into the street."

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Fire at Harbor Health Care caused by cigarette igniting woman’s clothing 

We now know a fire at Harbor Health Care in Lewes early Saturday morning was caused by a cigarette igniting a woman’s clothing in the Gazebo. It was reported Saturday morning that someone was flown to the Crozer Burn Center.

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Serial Cigarette Bandit Nabbed In Delaware 

Delaware state police say they've arrested a man connected to five robberies related to Newport cigarettes.

The suspect is tied to robberies at five convenience stores and each time Newport cigarettes were the products he allegedly stole.

Mark Mulrooney, 30, was formally charged with five counts of misdemeanor shoplifting. . . .

Police believe Mulrooney was stealing the cigarettes to sell on the street.

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Del. cigarette outlets doubled as illegal gambling parlors 

The owners and some employees at cigarette outlets in Seaford and Laurel are accused of illegal gambling operations at the businesses for which winning customers would receive cash pay-outs, Delaware authorities said Wednesday.

Arrested were Ashkkumar J. Patel, Dipti J. Patel and Ramesbhai C. Patel, each charged April 16 with providing a premise for gambling, possession of a gambling device and conspiracy in the third degree, said Kimberly H. Chandler, media and community relations director at the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The arrests follow a six-month investigation into alleged gambling activities at the Payless Cigarette Outlet on West Stein Highway in Seaford, and the Laurel Cigarette Outlet on Sussex Highway in Laurel

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• HOLMES v. PHILIP MORRIS 

The plaintiff, Connie J. Holmes, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, filed a class action complaint alleging that the defendant, Philip Morris USA Inc., violated the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act (“DCFA”), 6 Del. C. §§ 2511-2527, by using the descriptors “lights” and “lowered tar and nicotine” in the advertising and packaging of Marlboro Lights cigarettes. The defendant has moved for summary judgment. . . .

The defendant claims that the descriptors “light” and “lowered tar and nicotine” are short hand references which were based upon measurements produced by the Cambridge Filter Method (“FTC Method”).2 The defendant contends that the use of the descriptors was developed and encouraged by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). It further contends that the use of the descriptors is a merchandising practice which is exempt from the DCFA pursuant to 6 Del. C. § 2513(b)(2).3 . . .

I conclude that the factual findings recited in U.S. v. Philip Morris USA Inc.29 seem utterly in conflict with any contention that, as a matter of law, the defendant’s merchandising practice complied with a statute administered by the FTC.30 In addition, Good and Aspinall lead to the conclusion that there is at least a question of fact which precludes summary judgment for the defendant. . . .

I do, however, agree with the defendant that Good is not controlling, because it is a preemption case and did not consider the Delaware statute. Despite these distinguishing characteristics, the Supreme Court’s comments on the history of the interactions between the FTC and the cigarette industry, and the inferences drawn from that history, are relevant to the defendant’s motion.

Based on the foregoing, the defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is denied. . . .

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National Report Ranks Alaska 2nd in Protecting Kids from Tobacco 

Alaska currently spends $8.6 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 80 percent of the $10.7 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last year, Alaska ranked No. 1, spending $9.2 million on tobacco prevention.

Other key findings for Alaska include:

* Alaska this year will collect $105 million from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes and will spend just 8.2 percent of it on tobacco prevention programs.

* The tobacco companies spend $24.9 million a year to market their products in Alaska. This is three times what the state spends on tobacco prevention.

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National Report Ranks Delaware 3rd in Protecting Kids from Tobacco 

Delaware currently spends $10.8 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 77.5 percent of the $13.9 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last year, Delaware ranked 2nd, spending $11.3 million on tobacco prevention.

Other key findings for Delaware include:

* Delaware this year will collect $169 million from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 6.4 percent of it on tobacco prevention programs.

* The tobacco companies spend $106.7 million a year to market their products in Delaware. This is 10 times what the state spends on tobacco prevention.

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Sussex Tech student fights for smoking ban in park  

OCEAN VIEW -- Inspired by the sight of adults smoking cigarettes yards away from her 5-year-old brother, Nathaniel, Kelsey Magill has embarked on a campaign to ban smoking in John West Park.

"I'm worried about him being around second-hand smoke," said the 14-year-old Sussex Technical High School freshman.

When Magill read that the Town Council had voted against a similar measure in October, she decided to address council members directly.

In preparation for her presentation, she spoke to the park's groundskeeper about the butts he collects each week and researched the effects of smoke on children and adults.

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Delaware teens take on big tobacco for 10 years  

In 1999, 13 high school students from throughout the State of Delaware had enough of the tobacco industry’s tactics and decided to do something about it. So they formed an organization called the “Kick Butts Generation,” better known as the “KBG.”

Today, a decade later, they are 12,000 members strong and have made an impact on the health of Delawareans. In the past 10 years, they have advocated for stronger clean indoor air laws; cleaned Delaware beaches of cigarette butts; pushed for ID checks on tobacco purchases; and educated thousands of their peers about the dangers of tobacco use and smoking.

The KBG’s accomplishments also include:

• Advocated for tobacco-free beaches in Delaware

• Supported excise tax on tobacco products to deter youth from smoking

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Ocean View officials consider smoking ban in town's park 

OCEAN VIEW -- Officials are still considering a move to eliminate smoking in the town's only park.

At a recent meeting, the Town Council discussed the ban in John West Park, which was prompted by a letter from a mother concerned about the danger of secondhand smoke.

If the town approved such a ban, it would follow Bethany Beach and Lewes as the third resort municipality to bar smoking in its public spaces. Dagsboro, Fenwick Island, Millsboro and Rehoboth Beach do not have any such ordinances and aren't considering the issue at this time, town officials said.

While the ban is still on the table, some officials are questing how it would be enforced.

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Lewes council approves outdoor smoking ordinance 

Lewes Mayor and Council have approved an ordinance to ban smoking in city parks and playgrounds, but the panel is continuing to work on regulations that would restrict smoking on city beaches.

City officials hope the ordinance will reduce cigarette butt litter and create a smoke-free and healthier environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The panel approved the ordinance in a 3-1 vote at its Sept. 14 meeting.

Mayor Jim Ford, Councilman Ted Becker and Councilwoman Barbara Vaughan voted in favor of the measure. Councilwoman Stephanie Tsantes voted against it.

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• Lewes bans smoking in parks, playground 

For some, the fun has been extinguished in the city's main gathering places.

Following a 3-to-1 vote, the City Council has banned smoking in the city's nine parks and playgrounds. Smoking has not yet been banned on the beach, but officials said they believe that could be the case in the future.

Officials said the measure was sparked by health concerns and ongoing discussions over the number of discarded cigarette butts found littering city streets and the newly dedicated Canalfront Park.

"The whole community put their efforts into that park," said Councilwoman Barbara Vaughan. "It shouldn't be desecrated with cigarette butts.

Lewes is the latest in a string of municipalities to ban smoking in the great outdoors. In 2008, Bethany Beach banned smoking in parks, playgrounds and the beach. Now, Ocean View officials are thinking about snuffing out smoking in John West Park.

Nationally, the idea is gaining momentum and is being considered in areas like New York City

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Lewes smoking ban in parks approved 

The Lewes City Council has approved a smoking ban in the city's nine parks and playgrounds.

Last year, Bethany Beach banned smoking in parks year-round and on the beach and boardwalk during the summer. Ocean View is also considering a smoking ban for its parks.

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LEWES: Town considers smoking ban at parks, beaches 

Town officials are considering a proposal to ban smoking at city parks and beaches.

City Manager Paul Eckrich says the proposal comes in response to complaints over cigarette butt litter around town.

Eckrich says the city attorney is still working on a draft ordinance but it could come up for a vote at the August council meeting.

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Vehicle Graphics Project of the Day: Ashes to Ash-Free 

In an effort to reach a younger audience that's especially susceptible to be persuaded to light up, anti-smoking have made an effort to increase their cause's "hip" factor. The American Lung Assoc. of Delaware understood that vehicle graphics could fulfill that need. The organization hired Signs Now's Wilmington, DE-based franchise to produce 199 sq. ft. of graphics for a 1998 Pontiac Firebird. The campaign's slogan, The Anti-Ash Brigade, required methodical installation.

The Wilmington, DE Signs Now franchise created this wrap for the Delaware chapter of the American Lung Assn.

"The wrap integrated graphics from five different board games, which took some effort to successfully piece together," Mark Carlson, the shop's owner, said. "The side graphics comprise single, front-to-back panels. The hood graphic is also a single piece. The rear spoiler needed extra care to wrap its underside, but it provided a nice parking line to hid the panel joint."

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