http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/outdoors.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/smokers-light-up-on-gulfport-beach-to-protest-local-smoking-ban/1214407 http://tobacco.org/news/333636.html A small group of cigar aficionados met recently on Gulfport Beach and lit up their favorite smokes. Enjoying cigars was not the point. They were trying to get cited. Under a recently passed Gulfport ordinance, smoking on Gulfport Beach is banned. They were there to test the right of local government to enact smoking bans in public places, citing a state law they say takes precedence. Because of legal technicalities, no one was ticketed that day, Jan. 14. . . . The controversy stems from the mid 1980s, when Florida became the first state to eliminate local control of smoking regulation. It happened with the passage of the Florida Indoor Clean Air Act, which contained a clause saying state laws superseded local laws. Since then, other states have passed pre-emption statutes and some have subsequently dropped them. But the Florida law remains intact and is one of the broadest. It survived a 2003 constitutional amendment that made all enclosed workplaces smoke free. St. Petersburg Times Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.huntersvilleherald.com/news/2012/02/09/cornelius-bans-tobacco-in-parks/ http://tobacco.org/news/333587.html Beginning next month, using any tobacco products in town parks will be prohibited. Commissioners voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 6, to ban smoking and other tobacco products in the town’s parks, in an effort to reduce litter, reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and promote a healthier town. Huntersville Herald Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3465595 http://tobacco.org/news/333571.html A Grey County committee has been instructed to look at a proposal by public health that would prohibit people from smoking at outdoor areas where children and youth tend to gather, such as parks, pools, beaches and sports fields. Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health, said the goal of an outdoor smoking ban is to reduce even further the number of times a child or youth sees someone puffing on a cigarette. “Smoke Free Ontario basically protects people from second-hand smoke. It didn’t have a lot to do with the rest of it. Now we want to make smoking an abnormal function in our society,” she said in an interview following a presentation to Grey County council Tuesday. Council voted to refer consideration of a Smoke Free Outdoor Spaces bylaw to the county’s corporate services committee. Owen Sound Sun Times Canada Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=139474 http://tobacco.org/news/333543.html Cigarettes may turn out to be even more expensive than they are for the unwary: having a smoke in a garden or playground where there is children's play equipment would cost the offender a ?232.90 fine, according to legal notice 493 of last year. The prohibition is restricted to the zone where play equipment is installed and local councils have been asked to identify these areas. Malta Independent tmid@independent.com.mt Malta Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_5174252?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-secure.www.contracostatimes.com http://tobacco.org/news/333528.html The board of supervisors unanimously banned smoking Tuesday from all county-operated parks, trails and beaches. "It seems so obvious that you wouldn't be allowed, or shouldn't be allowed, to smoke in our county parks," said Supervisor Jerry Hill, who sponsored the ordinance with Supervisor Rich Gordon. "I remember a number of times sitting in a picnic area, having a nice picnic, and there just happens to be - because it's so nice and open - people feel that they can sit at another table nearby and smoke a nice, big cigar," Hill said. "That just kind of spoiled it all for me." Smoking will be banned from the county's 17 parks and 12 trails and their parking areas, possibly as soon as March 15. Contra Costa Times Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.orland-press-register.com/news/councilman-8705-outdoor-smoking.html http://tobacco.org/news/333521.html There was applause and jubilation Monday night after the Orland City Council finally passed an outdoor smoking ban in public places. The 3-2 vote ends months of discussion and changes to the ordinance that prohibits smoking within 20 feet of primary business entryways and bans it near playgrounds, picnic areas and outdoor cafes. Vice Mayor Charles Gee and Councilman Dennis Hoffman voted against the ordinance, reiterating concerns about its enforcement and impacts on individual rights. But Councilman Jim Paschall went with Mayor Wade Elliott and Councilman Bruce Roundy in voting for it. He still believes the ban will be difficult to enforce, but said it is an issue cities and counties throughout the state are dealing with everywhere. Orland Press-Register Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://record-eagle.com/local/x991869711/Parks-smoking-ban-on-hold-in-TC http://tobacco.org/news/333512.html TRAVERSE CITY -- City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks. Commissioners were scheduled Monday to consider a parks and recreation recommendation to ban tobacco products at all city parks. But Carruthers requested the item be pulled from this week's agenda to allow time to revise the proposed ban, which he supports. Approval for a total ban appeared uncertain. Several commissioners expressed concern that eliminating all tobacco at all parks is too restrictive. "It just seemed like not everybody understood it," Carruthers said. "Maybe we could develop a proposal that is something that everybody could stomach." Traverse City Record-Eagle vmccray@record-eagle.com (Vanessa McCray) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_19917824 http://tobacco.org/news/333505.html One political lesson learned by students in Orland is that perseverance and patience can pay off. The Orland City Council voted Monday night to pass new rules limiting smoking in public places. The vote was 3-2, after eight discussions and multiple rewrites of suggestions made by students in October. The ordinance will prohibit smoking within 20 feet of the main entrance of a business, as well as in parks and outdoor eateries. The fine is $25. Designated areas will be determined and later set aside for smoking at parks. Members of Students Working Against Tobacco, which has groups in three Glenn County high schools, made the pitch to the council with the help of public health leaders. The students had collected signatures and gathered cigarette butts from around town. Chico Enterprise-Record hhacking@chicoer.com (HEATHER HACKING-Staff Writer) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/feb/08/tdmain08-capitol-briefs-for-feb-8-ar-1672029/ http://tobacco.org/news/333483.html Smoking would be prohibited on public school grounds and in government-owned and -leased buildings under two bills approved Tuesday by the Senate Local Government Committee. Senate Bill 467, sponsored by Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk, would expand the prohibition on smoking in school buildings to include the grounds of the schools and the inside of any public school administration building. It passed the committee -- the only committee in the Senate with a majority of Democrats -- on a 12-3 vote. Richmond Times-Dispatch Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/lower_capemay/cape-may-rejects-smoking-ban-on-public-beaches-after-opposition/article_4ddcaefc-51eb-11e1-a328-0019bb2963f4.html http://tobacco.org/news/333472.html City Council rejected a smoking ban on public beaches Tuesday but did agree to set up a committee to look into the idea for the 2013 season. A 2-2 council vote in November killed an earlier proposal to ban smoking on beaches, public parks and the oceanfront Promenade. Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman on Tuesday proposed just banning smoking on the beaches. This had been his original proposal last year, but other members of council expanded the ban before it came to a vote. That proposal came under strong attack from the business community amid concerns it would hurt the tourism industry. President John Cooke of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May said it could hurt the Canadian tourist trade. “My main concern is litter on the beach and smoke on the beach. John Cooke was afraid it may offend the Canadians. I’ve since found out 17 percent of the Canadians smoke compared with 21 percent in the U.S.,” Wichterman said. The Press of Atlantic City RDegener@pressofac.com (RICHARD DEGENER Staff Writer) Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.9and10news.com/story/16690011/tc-looking-at-smoking-ban-for-all-city-parks http://tobacco.org/news/333433.html You can't legally light up a cigarette in most Traverse City parks, but some people want to see smoking banned in all parks. A group of concerned community members brought the issue to the city. The issue was on Monday night's agenda, but they decided to hold off on their decision. They want to send the idea back to the parks and recreation commission to look at it further. WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10 News 40/49 jenniferprofitt@9and10news.com (Jennifer Profitt, Reporter) Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/02/06/health-board-puts-the-squeeze-on-smokers http://tobacco.org/news/333423.html Ottawa's patios, parks, and beaches are one step closer to being smoke-free. The board of health gave the greenlight to a three-year clean air strategy during a meeting at City Hall Monday night. The strategy aims to protect children and non-smokers from second hand smoke and help smokers quit. The report includes a recommendation to ban smoking at all city properties, including City Hall. Almost 20 public delegates signed up to speak at the meeting, and all but one were in favour of the move. Ottawa Sun Canada Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/02/07/ottawa-smoking-bylaw-board-of-health.html http://tobacco.org/news/333415.html The Ottawa Board of Health has given the thumbs up to a new, harsher smoking bylaw, which has hurdled one more roadblock before coming to fruition. The new regulations, first proposed Jan. 30, would ban smoking at bar and restaurant patios and at city-run beaches and parks. Smoking would also be prohibited on any festival run on city property. Bylaw officers plan to use the spring to issue warnings to smokers and help people get used to the new rules. The fines, which are expected to be about $300, would start in the summer. But at a meeting Monday night, many anti-smoking advocates and Ottawa residents spoke in favour of a harsher bylaw. Many thought the next step should be banning all smoking on sidewalks. Others, such as one cancer survivor who underwent chemotherapy 10 years ago, want smoking banned on hospital campuses. CBC News Canada Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://portchester.patch.com/articles/should-port-chester-ban-smoking-in-open-air-spaces http://tobacco.org/news/333380.html According to the Port Chester Community Cares Coalition Youth Committee, the answer is yes. Citing data from a school survey, five Port Chester High School students said they believe the parks are "underutilized because of people smoking in them." Prohibiting smoking in parks would eliminate the possibility of second-hand smoke for people using the parks, and parks staff wouldn't have the extra burden of cleaning up discarded cigarettes, senior Kyle Thomas told trustees. The group cited existing laws in cities like White Plains, where smokers can be fined for puffing in public spots Patch.org nik@patch.com (Nik Bonopartis) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/Support creation smoke free spaces/6106380/story.html http://tobacco.org/news/333344.html I write to support Ottawa Public Health for introducing a bylaw that will eliminate smoking in outdoor spaces in Ottawa. The importance of limiting exposure to second-hand smoke has been recognized for many years. Ottawa has provided distinct leadership in addressing this important public health challenge in the past; the adoption of the proposed bylaw will continue that tradition of public health leadership. It is important to ensure that current and future generations of Ottawans are provided with the opportunity to enjoy smoke-free public spaces and facilities. Our children deserve no less. Evidence continues to accumulate Ottawa Citizen Canada Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT