http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/officialdocuments.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.iowasmokefreeair.gov/ http://tobacco.org/news/268210.html The Smokefree Air Act was signed into law by Governor Chet Culver on April 15, 2008. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2008. Smoking will be regulated in public places, places of employment, and certain outdoor areas. The Smokefree Air Act outlines areas where smoking is prohibited, areas where smoking is not regulated, enforcement details, and scheduled penalties for persons and businesses that violate the law. Important Updates * The Iowa State Board of Health has adopted the administrative rules that accompany the SmokefreeAir Act. * The rules, which will have the authority of law when the Act goes into effect July 1, outline how implementation and enforcement of the new law will take place. Iowa Department of Public Health Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org/tobacco/ques5.html http://tobacco.org/news/267378.html Faced with competing initiatives on smoking bans in public places, Nevadans voted on November 7, 2006 to enact the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (Question 5) in order to protect themselves and their families from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Question 5 received over 54 percent of the vote and became law on December 8, 2006. The Act states that smoking tobacco in any form is prohibited within indoor places of employment including: * Public and private school buildings and on public and private school grounds * Child care facilities with five or more children Southern Nevada Health District Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ForPress.NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=98027ed4-802a-23ad-41c2-124273ca9288 http://tobacco.org/news/267157.html U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today requested that the Department of Veterans Affairs report to Congress without delay on the validity of news reports indicating drugs with negative mental health side effects are being tested on U.S. combat veterans. After an initial inquiry to the VA this morning, Sen. Cornyn followed up with a letter to VA Secretary James B. Peake. The full text of the letter is here. "I've requested that VA Secretary Peake look into the allegations and, if needed, take the immediate steps necessary to identify the responsible parties, provide appropriate care to any veterans who have undergone this testing, and ensure that any unethical practices are immediately brought to a halt," Sen. Cornyn said. "Our wounded troops and veterans deserve the very best in care, but unfortunately, recent studies and incidents illustrate that some VA services have failed to live up to the standard of excellence that is expected. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure any negligence in the care of our troops and veterans is identified and properly addressed." Office of Senator John Cornyn Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://cornyn.senate.gov/doc_archive/sec-peake-letter-drug-testing-on-vets.pdf http://tobacco.org/news/267151.html I request your prompt attention to a troubling report released this morning by ABC News and the Washington Times. According to press accounts, Department of Veterans Affairs medical personnel have been subjecting some of our returning warriors to potentially dangerous clinical trials involving the anti-smoking drug Chantix. Specifically, this report alleges that VA doctors learned of possible serious side effects of this drug, including suicide and erratic behavior, but waited more than three months before warning veterans who had been a part of these studies. Office of Senator John Cornyn Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://video1.washingtontimes.com/fishwrap/Obamaletter.pdf http://tobacco.org/news/267150.html The Honorable James B. Peake, M.D. Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary Peake: I was very concerned to read this morning's Washington Times and learn that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has yet again failed to take appropriate steps to safeguard the health and well-being of veterans participating in drug trials. According to a Washington Times/ABC News investigation, the VA took three months to notify patients about severe side effects from the anti-smoking drug Chantix. . . . It is outrageous and unacceptable that our government would irresponsibly endanger veterans who have already sacrificed so much for our country. Our veterans particularly those suffering from mental health injuries - should have the very best health care and support in the world. They should never be needlessly exposed to drugs without proper notification of the dangers involved or effective monitoring of the side effects. It is distressing that our government could once again let down our veterans and their families who have given so much to their country. It is time to demand accountability and to ensure that this kind of breach of trust never takes place again. Accordingly, I call on you to conduct a full and thorough investigation of the process by which VA conducts clinical trials and to take immediate corrective action to address the problems that were first identified by GAO eight years ago. Washington Times Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3580364&Language=e&Mode=1&File=24 http://tobacco.org/news/267090.html 10. (1) No person shall sell cigarettes or cigarillos except in a package that contains at least twenty cigarettes or cigarillos, or at least a prescribed number of cigarettes or cigarillos, which number shall be more than twenty. . . . 10.1 No manufacturer or retailer shall sell an empty wrapper that consists of reconstituted leaf tobacco at retail. . . . 10.2 No manufacturer or retailer shall sell a tobacco product that includes a flavouring agent other than sugar, tobacco, tobacco extracts or reconstituted tobacco. Parliament of Canada Canada Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3580364&Language=e&Mode=1&File=19 http://tobacco.org/news/267089.html This enactment amends the Tobacco Act by adding requirements with respect to the packaging and sale of cigarillos, cigars and pipe tobacco. Parliament of Canada Canada Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/web_bh10.exe http://tobacco.org/news/265795.html AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 12-21-625 SO AS TO IMPOSE A SURTAX ON EACH CIGARETTE IN AN AMOUNT OF TWO AND ONE-HALF CENTS, PROVIDE FOR THE CREDITING OF THE REVENUE FROM THE SURTAX TO THE SMOKING PREVENTION AND CESSATION TRUST FUND, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR MARKETING STATE-GROWN CROPS, THE MEDICAID TRUST FUND, AND THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND, PROVIDE FOR REPORTING, PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE SURTAX, AND DEFINE "CIGARETTE"; . . . 05/21/08 House Returned to Senate with amendments HJ-201 05/22/08 Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-43 05/22/08 Ratified R 288 South Carolina Legislature Online Thu, 22 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2008/04/30/c3214.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html http://tobacco.org/news/264930.html The Ontario government introduced legislation today that, if passed, would ban smoking in motor vehicles with children present. Second-hand smoke in motor vehicles can be up to 27 times more concentrated than in a smoker's home. Children who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer health problems such as sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, and cancer and cardiac disease later in life. Second-hand smoke can also influence a child's ability to reason and understand, and can negatively impact behaviour and attention span. Government of Ontario, Canada ogmaster@newswire.ca Canada Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fio/tobacco_strategy_2008_e.htm http://tobacco.org/news/264929.html Dear Reader, The contraband tobacco market is complex and continually evolving. The development of an RCMP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy is the first step in what will be a strategically driven process to tackle the growing illicit contraband tobacco market in Canada. The RCMP's key concern is the for the increased involvement of organized crime implicated in illegal tobacco activities for monetary gain. The public needs to be aware that profits from illegal tobacco products are also funding other criminal activities, such as drug and gun trafficking. Furthermore, some of these organized crime groups are known to use violence to ensure profit. Be aware that you are funding criminal activity if you are purchasing products that are not sold legitimately. We all have a role to play in combating the contraband tobacco market. Another disconcerting trend related to the illicit tobacco market is the increasing involvement of youth in contraband tobacco activities for organized crime groups. The lure of easy money and minimal risk is a situation that some can't resist. It is important that we not only address the supply of, but also, the demand for contraband tobacco. Combating the illegal tobacco market includes targeting those who purchase the illegal products. As such, the overall goal of the Strategy is to nationally reduce the availability of and decrease the demand for contraband tobacco, in turn supporting government health objectives. Given the broad interest in tobacco-related enforcement, we have spoken with a variety of federal, provincial and Aboriginal partners, non-governmental organizations, academia, industry and key police services. I would like to thank those that participated in the consultation process. While it is always difficult to draw the line at the number of individuals and groups to speak with, the RCMP feels that it has developed its first Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy from a sampling of diverse views across the country. In closing, the solutions to achieving our goal will not come easily or quickly, but the RCMP is dedicated to ensuring that Canadians continue to enjoy safe and secure communities. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canada Wed, 07 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080507-eng.aspx http://tobacco.org/news/264928.html The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today joined RCMP Assistant Commissioner Raf Souccar to announce that the Government of Canada is taking action to stop the trade of illicit tobacco in Canada by criminal organizations, by launching the RCMP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy, as well, a new government task force . The new strategy will help law enforcement to reduce the availability and demand for contraband tobacco by: * Dismantling manufacturing facilities; * Disrupting distribution supply lines; and * Seizing illicit tobacco and the related proceeds generated by organized crime. In addition, the government will continue to work closely with those Canadians who have been deeply affected by this illicit trade of tobacco, including tobacco growers and their communities. Public Safety Canada Canada Wed, 07 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.amarillo.com/stories/050408/opi_10242126.shtml http://tobacco.org/news/264621.html An Ordinance of the City Commission of the City of Amarillo, Texas, repealing and replacing Title 8, Chapter 8-5, Article V of the Amarillo Municipal Code pertaining to smoking regulations by protecting the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment, protecting the right of the public to breathe smoke-free air, providing for fines as penalties, providing a severability clause and provding an effective date. Share your thoughts, and see what others are thinking! WHEREAS, the City of Amarillo, Texas is a Home Rule municipality, duly organized under the laws of the State of Texas; WHEREAS, the City of Amarillo, Texas possesses all of the rights, powers, and authorities possessed by a home rule municipality, including the authority to protect the health and welfare of the public; Amarillo Globe-Times newsroomfb@amarillo.com Sun, 04 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080429.wfinleystatement0429/BNStory/National http://tobacco.org/news/264291.html To all tobacco producers: I would like to apologize for not being able to address you in person this evening. I know how desperate things are and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you. I am doing everything in my power to try to get help for you folks. I would like to let you know a couple of things about what is going on and the work that continues to go on to help tobacco farmers. . . . You are a priority for me. As your Member of Parliament, even though we're not there yet, you still remain my number one priority. I and area MPs are doing everything in our power try to help you. I grew up in this area and I am proud to live here. I worked in those tobacco fields and I slugged away during harvest like many people around these parts. It has been a part of our life and identity. I know how important tobacco and tobacco producers have been and are to this region. I will continue to do my best and fight for you guys. So, these are the facts. I am not giving up. Globe and Mail Canada Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2008/mr20080427.cfm http://tobacco.org/news/264129.html A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use all fell between 2004 and 2007, but some results are still concerning, especially for teenagers and young people. The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results report shows that the proportion of the population aged 14 years or older who smoked daily declined from 17.4% to 16.6% between 2004 and 2007. 'This is one of the lowest daily smoking rates in the world,' said AIHW spokesperson Mark Cooper-Stanbury. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Australia Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://federalworkforce.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1890 http://tobacco.org/news/264121.html The House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing entitled "Eliminating Smoke and Mirrors in the Mail." The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will examine Postal Cooperative Mail and Postal "nonmailable tobacco." WITNESS LIST PANEL 1: Postal Cooperative Mail John E. Potter Postmaster General & CEO, U.S. Postal Service The Honorable Dan Blair Chairman, Postal Rate Commission Robert S. Tigner General Counsel, The Association of Direct Response Fundraising Counsel Anthony W. Conway Executive Director, Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers PANEL 2: Postal Tobacco Mary Anne Gibbons General Counsel, U.S. Postal Service William V. Corr Executive Director, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Eric Proshansky Deputy Chief, Division of Affirmative Litigation, New York City Law Department Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT