http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/editorial.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.independentmail.com/news/2012/feb/07/bans-rarely-answer/?partner=yahoo_feeds http://tobacco.org/news/333617.html Add more ammunition to the arsenal of anti-smoking efforts with the latest report on secondhand smoke from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to researchers, more than 1 in 5 high school and middle school student are passengers in cars while others are smoking. (One caveat: In the case of the high school students, the study did not determine if they were in cars with their parents or their peers.) . . . But turning smokers into criminals isn’t the answer. Raising cigarette prices has been somewhat effective, although that has created a black-market trade that will only get worse. Attempts at prohibition didn’t work with alcohol. And let’s be honest: It hasn’t worked with drugs. Why would we expect it to work with tobacco? Education would be a more worthy effort, if we spent as much time — and funding — on discussion as we spend trying to dictate individual behavior. Anderson Independent-Mail Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/02/editorial_nj_should_restore_fu.html http://tobacco.org/news/333577.html Here's a suggestion for the state Legislature's #8220;to do" list: Restore the state's commitment to anti-smoking programs that have the potential to save lives and healthcare costs. The recent report "Up in Smoke" from the American Cancer Society found the state has raised about $5 billion in tobacco revenues over the last five years, yet has spent just 0.08 percent of that on programs to help smokers quit. The vast sum stems from New Jersey's taxes on tobacco products, including a $2.70 levy on each pack of cigarettes, as well as revenue from a 1998 settlement with big tobacco companies that lied for decades about the dangers of smoking. The money distributed annually to 46 states was intended for investment in tobacco-control efforts . . . If taxes the state already collects on tobacco products are not enough to pay for the comprehensive programs and outreach, the Legislature must consider increasing those taxes. Increasing the cost may convince smokers who are on the fence that it's time to stop; the extra revenue certainly will aid those who have made up their minds and just need some help to quit. NJ.com Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-02-08/murphy-smoking-ban-not-matter-choice http://tobacco.org/news/333504.html I once had a favorite patient who lived a scrupulously healthy life. . . . "Lung cancer? He never smoked," his family members said. But his wife did. In August 2010, the Savannah City Council passed the Savannah Smokefree Air Ordinance of 2010, which eliminated smoking in all workplaces, closing loopholes in the 2005 Georgia Clean Air Act. The law was expanded to prohibit smoking in all public places and workplaces in the City of Savannah as of January 2011. The city ordinance did not extend to the unincorporated areas of Chatham County. A recent vote by the Chatham County Commission stripped the smoking ban from private clubs and from bars allowing only patrons 21 and older in the unincorporated areas, as well as outdoor serving areas and retail tobacco stores. Surprisingly, Commissioner Harris Odell -- perhaps our most health-savvy political figure, with a master's degree in Public Health from Tulane -- supported the watered-down proposal, saying, "I believe in individual choice." . . . Smokers have a right to smoke. They do not, however, have a right to expose nonsmoking citizens to the consequences of their unhealthy habit. The final draft of the Chatham County smoking ordinance will be submitted to the commission for adoption at a future meeting. Here's hoping that wisdom will prevail and that the county will adopt a measure that mirrors the City of Savannah's. This is not about "individual choice." It's about providing for the health of the majority of Chatham County's citizens. That's plain old common sense -- something we could afford to see a bit more of in local government. Savannah Morning News Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/08/2060077/more-cities-set-smoke-free-examples.html http://tobacco.org/news/333503.html Manchester and Somerset got 2012 off to a great start by going smoke free. Corbin approved a smoke-free law late last year. As a result, 34 percent of Kentuckians now live in places that protect them from secondhand smoke, according to the Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy at the University of Kentucky. This is a remarkable milestone in a state whose history has been so closely intertwined with tobacco. While most people enjoy going out to eat without risking a lung-full of secondhand smoke, the real benefits will accrue to workers and businesses. . . . No wonder the Kentucky Chamber of Commere has endorsed House Bill 289, Rep. Susan Westrom's legislation to clear the air statewide by ending smoking in enclosed public places. We keep hearing that the bill won't go anywhere again this session because Kentucky is not ready for a statewide smoke-free law. But judging from the strong advance of clean-air laws at the local level, it just might be that Kentucky is ahead of the legislature on this one. Lexington Herald-Leader cobrandedsites@cars.com Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.kansas.com/2012/02/08/2206733/ban-smoking-in-casinos.html http://tobacco.org/news/333501.html Don't treat the health of some Kansans as more worthy of protection than that of others. It was bad enough that the Legislature exempted state-owned casinos from the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act in the first place, worse when it let another session go by without righting the wrong. The hypocrisy should stop this year. . . . State Sen. Roger Reitz, R-Manhattan, a physician who led the fight for the smoking law, expressed uneasiness last week with breaking the state’s “promise” to casino operators. But there is no honor in upholding a promise that never should have been made because it compromised public health. If imposing a smoking ban on private businesses was a hard call for a Legislature that prizes property rights, extending the ban to state-owned casinos should not be – the key words being “state-owned.” Wichita Eagle Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120206/GJOPINION_01/120209729/-1/FOSOPINION http://tobacco.org/news/333389.html While Foster's is not particularly interested in taking a position on dog poop left on Cheney properties, we are interested stopping the disgusting habit of discarded cigarettes. Why is it that, despite decades of anti-liter campaigns, all too many smokers continue to believe their discarded butts somehow evaporate in thin air before they can liter the ground. Of course, we are not about to involve the DNA butt police, as been done in the case of DNA and dog poop. But, we will use this opportunity to ask smokers who still liter the back doors of businesses, the sidewalks of our cities and our beautiful beaches to clean up their act. Foster's Democrat Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/editorial/2012/January/editorial_January57.xml&section=editorial&col= http://tobacco.org/news/333339.html It is a moot point if raising the price of tobacco products will stop smokers from risking their health. For addicts the past rise in the price has never been a deterrent even though one would accept that logic calls for a rethink seeing as how a person is paying that much more to damage his or her health. The 200 per cent heft in the tax across the GCC that has now on the verge of being implemented may well have the required impact and even if it does sober up a 10th of the smoking population to stubbing out their habit it will have been worth it. Despite the desire to stop thousands succumb to the pleasure of the cigarette and then feel guilty about it. A tangible price hike like this goes well beyond the cosmetic and can hit the average budget thereby calling for a change in lifestyle. . . . In the end it is the individual who has to decide whether the expense is worth the flirtation with danger. By the token it is also necessary to clarify the myths that surround smoking. All smoking is bad. No smoking device is safer than the other. There is no such thing as not inhaling. And only one in a thousand smokers can control their intake at two or three sticks a day. For the rest giving up is a temporary thing beaten only by the tiny span of cutting down. Kahlee Times Uae Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/feb/05/smoking-ban-debate-might-benefit-from-a/?partner=yahoo_feeds http://tobacco.org/news/333331.html The Evansville City Council has before it a long-sought amendment to its public smoking ban; it would add a prohibition against smoking at bars, restaurants and Casino Aztar inside the city. . . . If there is a compromise to be had, it might be to allow smoking on the casino's gambling floors only. Shaw has said Aztar took smoking off a gambling floor, but that it underperformed by 50 percent. Look, if a council majority is opposed to any toughening of the ordinance, this issue will die for another year, and that would be unfortunate. But if a compromise might sway some members, then that approach might be worth the gamble. Evansville Courier & Press Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120204/OPINION/202040313/Our-View-smoke-clears-Alexandria-positive-result?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp http://tobacco.org/news/333307.html ALEXANDRIA'S BAN on smoking and the use of other tobacco products has had a pronounced effect on the air quality in a dozen bars and gaming establishments, a new study shows. The study found that air samples taken inside the facilities were 36 times cleaner and had a reduction of 97 percent of particulate matter, compared with samples taken before the ban was enacted on Jan. 1. The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, which worked with the city on its ordinance, released the results, as analyzed by the LSU Health Sciences Center's School of Public Health. WE THINK: Clean air speaks for itself, and Dr. David Holcombe, medical director for Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Region 6, added the exclamation point. "From a public health standpoint, this" -- he said, pointing to the pre-ban toxin levels displayed on a chart -- "causes cancer, and this" -- pointing to the levels new study -- "doesn't." Alexandria Town Talk Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://posttrib.suntimes.com/opinions/10321201-474/our-view-smoke-ban-offers-bars-opportunity.html http://tobacco.org/news/333265.html The statewide smoking ban has been a long time coming for state Rep. Charlie Brown and its other supporters, and their recently achieved but not-quite-complete ban is perhaps the Waterloo of their opponents. But the partial ban requires continued vigilance. Two of the exemptions in the new law — exempting casinos and various private social groups — are understandable, but still unfortunate. The 18-month transition phase for bars, though, seems unnecessarily long. Brown was being magnanimous when he said that “realistically, bars are not going to be able to do this overnight.” But it isn’t clear why not. There’s nothing special that needs to be done — no special renovations, facility upgrades, technology to be purchased. It is, literally, something that can be done overnight. Merrillville Post-Tribune Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32983:avoid-last-seasons-chaos-at-tobacco-auction-floors&catid=47:agriculture&Itemid=139 http://tobacco.org/news/333190.html The 2012 tobacco selling season starts on February 15 with indications that a bigger crop volume will be auctioned at the sales floors this season. The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, which is the regulatory authority, forecasts that over 150 million kg of flue-cured tobacco will be sold against 131 million kg sold last season. Indeed, an increase by over 20 million kg calls for celebration given that production had tumbled to less than 100 million kg a few years ago, largely because farmers were still settling at their new farms following the land reform. While we are excited about the growth in production, we remain cautious about the ability of the auction floors to handle the volume. The chaos that marked last season's selling period is still fresh in the memories of many people. . . . Farmer organisations should also play a role in educating farmers on preparing for the auction floors, in terms of grading, baling, quality and pricing so that farmers do not always believe buyers are only there to rip them off. Let us do everything possible that encourages tobacco production. Farmers and contractors do their part to grow the crop and likewise we would expect the buyers, TIMB and the auction floors to do everything possible to encourage the continued production of tobacco. Zimbabwe Herald Zimbabwe Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/what-bill-of-rights-138630639.html http://tobacco.org/news/333184.html The Obama administration was back in court Wednesday, trying to convince a judge that tobacco companies should be required to put large, gruesome, graphic photos on cigarette packs to show that the habit kills smokers and their babies. . . . Mr. Obama once taught constitutional law. But apparently the government he leads can't be bothered by the faded words of dead 18th-century males like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who sought to protect Americans from the incursions of a tyrannical state. Las Vegas Review-Journal webmaster@reviewjournal.com Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Fine-smokes-hospital/story-15107318-detail/story.html http://tobacco.org/news/333152.html In the aftermath of a fire caused by a patient at Glenfield Hospital, we believe that anyone caught attempting to light a cigarette inside the premises should face an immediate fine or a criminal prosecution. The person behind the blaze faces no charges as there was 'no intent' to cause a fire, say police. However, this patient did decide to smoke in a building which has a strict no-smoking policy. We believe we will not be alone in the view that some sort of action must be taken in future. The smoker showed no regard for the hospital's rules, caused damage which will cost the NHS money and showed no respect for the staff and fellow patients on the ward - people who suffer from respiratory problems. . . . We believe this incident creates an opportunity to set down a marker and, in future, if someone smokes in a hospital they should, at the very least, face a very hefty fine. Leicester Mercury UK Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20120202/OPINION01/202020339/OUR-VIEW-Statewide-smoking-ban-likely-little-local-impact?odyssey=nav%7Chead http://tobacco.org/news/333145.html Smoking bans have to balance carefully their accompanying health and economic consequences. Vorhees noted in her ruling the commissioners have done that. Bans on smoking in public places protect employees and patrons from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. For smokers addicted to tobacco -- about a quarter of the population -- the places where they are able to light up are dwindling. The addiction to a legal product is powerful and not easily overcome, despite lawmakers trying to legislate good health. We hope the same governments that ban smoking will also offer more programs and opportunities to help those who are addicted and want to quit. That's necessary and fair, too. Muncie Star-Press Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202010309 http://tobacco.org/news/333112.html After years of stalling, the Indiana General Assembly and the Indianapolis City-County Council both took important steps forward this week on enacting comprehensive workplace smoking bans. But there's always a hang-up it seems between taking incremental steps forward and actually accomplishing the goal of clearing the air in all restaurants, nearly all bars and most other workplaces. In Indianapolis, that hang-up is Mayor Greg Ballard, who has long made clear his opposition to including American Legion halls and other veterans clubs in the ban. Democrats who control the council ignored the mayor's objections Monday night when they pushed through an ordinance that would force private clubs to choose between admitting children and allowing members to smoke inside the club. Ballard is likely to veto . . . The key point for all sides to remember is that when it comes to private clubs we're talking about relatively small numbers in a state of 6.6 million people. Is it important to protect workers, including those who work in service clubs, from smoking? Yes. Should children be shielded from secondhand smoke? Of course. But lawmaking is the art of the possible, and the possible in this instance may require anti-smoking forces to accept the less than perfect for the sake of protecting the health of most Hoosiers. Indianapolis Star Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT