http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/outdoors.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/green/chi-golf-stogies-16-may16,0,1196052.story http://tobacco.org/news/265378.html As suburban officials enact village smoking bans to include parks, patios and other outdoor venues, golf courses have become one of the last places to light up--a small blessing to duffers who swear there's nothing like a good cigar to steady one's nerves while trying to sink a crucial putt. "Smoking a cigar is very calming," said Bruce Marsden, 53, an avid golfer who regularly puffs on a stogie before teeing off on courses across the northern suburbs. . . . Should the ban ever be extended to the golf course--as some clubs in California have done--duffers like Dan Kublank, 42, a Waukegan firefighter, said he might think twice about forking over the $46 weekend green fee for non-residents playing 18 at the Lake Bluff course. While he doesn't claim smoking helps his golf game, Kublank said it does help him maintain a positive attitude. "Smoking a good cigar gives you something to think about other than your golf game." Chicago Tribune skuczka@tribune.com (Susan Kuczka * Tribune reporter ) Fri, 16 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/may/15/limits-to-outdoor-smoking/ http://tobacco.org/news/265374.html The University of Colorado, in its move to limit smoking to designated outdoor areas, is taking the right approach. The Boulder Faculty Assembly this month overwhelmingly passed a resolution signaling support for outdoor smoking limits, which have been proposed by Regent Michael Carrigan, D-Denver. . . . Incidentally, there's some evidence that having fewer places to smoke is influencing some people from picking up the habit. A recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that teens in towns with complete smoking bans in restaurants were 40 percent less likely to become smokers compared with teens in towns without the bans. What the study's authors found was that kids were less likely to start smoking when they had less exposure to places where smoking is socially acceptable. But indoor smoking bans were designed, and enacted, as workplace safety measures. So as unintended consequences go, that's a good side effect. Unlike any single one attributed to second-hand smoke. Boulder Daily Camera newsroom@dailycamera.com (Erika Stutzman) Fri, 16 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/NEWS01/805160366/1026/news12 http://tobacco.org/news/265364.html Two weeks after Palm Desert took steps to tighten its secondhand smoke laws, officials in neighboring Indian Wells agreed to explore changes to their city's smoking policy. The Indian Wells City Council agreed Thursday to have staff look into options to restrict smokers more than is required by state law, then report back at a future meeting. Mayor Mary Roche had asked that the smoking issue come before the council, according to a staff report. "We owe it to our residents to provide a smoke-free environment," she said. Palm Springs Desert Sun Fri, 16 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local/story/437045.html http://tobacco.org/news/265318.html The Beaufort City Council preliminarily approved a ban on smoking in nearly all public places Tuesday. The council must vote on the ordinance, which was approved 4-0, once more before it goes into effect. Beaufort County, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island already have smoking bans. Councilman George O'Kelley drew up the Beaufort ordinance, which is based on a smoking ban enacted by the city of Greenville. Bar and restaurant owners sued the city of Greenville over its smoking ban, but the state Supreme Court upheld the ordinance in March. If approved at the council's meeting May 27, the ordinance would prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places, as well as outdoor dining areas, amphitheaters, ballparks, zoos, Beaufort Gazette bhonig@beaufortgazette.com (BRANDON HONIG) Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://yorkdispatch.inyork.com/yd/local/ci_9255738?source=rss http://tobacco.org/news/265315.html Some members of the York City Council said they would rather see voluntary restrictions on smoking in York City parks than a law banning tobacco use. Under a bill backed by the city administration, the city would post signs warning park users that smoking and smokeless tobacco are not allowed, and violators would be fined $25. The council is scheduled to vote on the ban Tuesday. Councilman Cameron Texter said he abhors smoking but will seek to strike the ban, which he worries will not survive a court challenge. York Dispatch dklimanis@yorkdispatch.com (DAINA KLIMANIS The York Dispatch) Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/051408dnmetdalsmokingban.f84b15ae.html http://tobacco.org/news/265261.html Dallas County commissioners voted this morning to ban smoking in the county's new landscaped outdoor plaza. Founders Plaza is now officially added to the list of designated non-smoking areas in hopes of making the area more friendly to visitors and eliminating the eyesore of discarded cigarette butts. Outdoor smoking bans have created controversy in other American cities because there is no scientific evidence that walking by someone who's smoking outside creates a health hazard. The motive in some other cities was to discourage loitering. In Dallas County, it's for different aesthetic reasons: employees are littering the plaza with cigarette butts. Dallas Morning News kkrause@dallasnews.com (KEVIN KRAUSE / The Dallas Morning News) Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/south/epaper/2008/05/12/0512bocasmoke.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=75 http://tobacco.org/news/265166.html BOCA RATON -- City officials mentioned today they might expand the city's seven-year-old smoking ban to include beaches. Palm Beach Post gretel_sarmiento@pbpost.com (GRETEL SARMIENTO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer) Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.granitefallsnews.com/articles/2008/05/11/news/news03.txt http://tobacco.org/news/265135.html Sharon Barnaal, owner of Dallas II, appeared before city council to request that the city pay for construction of an outdoor seating area to accommodate customers who smoke. The building that Dallas II occupies is owned by the city. As landlords the council agreed that the cost associated with the outdoor smoking area should be covered by the city. Barnaal had submitted two different designs to city manager Bill Lavin last week. When she appeared before the council on Monday night she brought in a third design for a gazebo. . . . Council waived calling for bids and approved the purchase of the gazebo with costs not to exceed $3,000. Additional action was taken to amend the liquor license for Dallas II to allow for the gazebo outdoor area. Granite Falls Advocate Tribune Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.startribune.com/local/east/18833344.html http://tobacco.org/news/265089.html In an effort to rid its playgrounds and beaches of cigarette butts and secondhand smoke, Ramsey County is considering making many of its recreation areas tobacco-free zones. The County Board on Tuesday is expected to vote on a policy to prohibit tobacco use within 50 feet of county beaches, playgrounds, ice arenas, Tamarack Nature Center and Battle Creek Waterworks. If a policy is approved, Ramsey County will join Anoka, Dakota and Washington counties -- as well as the Three Rivers Park District -- in restricting the use of tobacco outdoors. More than 100 Minnesota cities limit tobacco use outside, according to Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation, a nonprofit program that educates youth groups and individuals who want to lobby for such policies. The factors driving the County Board are to reduce litter and secondhand smoke and give children the message that tobacco use isn't acceptable. Minneapolis Star Tribune Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/letters/story.html?id=2d405a3c-807b-4594-8673-b2da53a1ef35 http://tobacco.org/news/265068.html Really, the anti-smoking brigade has gone from having a valid point, namely that smoking is bad for one's health, to being a bunch of whining, effete, moral crusaders. First, studies demonstrating health risks for those exposed to second-hand smoke, never rock-solid science to begin with, were based on people working eight hours in closed, poorly ventilated spaces where heavy smoking went on continuously. . . . Yes, by all means, let's give the Quebec government one more excuse for tightening its stranglehold on society. In this regard, anti-smokers represent more of a threat to society than smokers do. Montreal Gazette mailto:rteague@thegazette.canwest.com (John Purdy) Canada Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-0511_gy_sherpa_k_dmay11,0,84280.story http://tobacco.org/news/265058.html Last month, I was driving on Chicago Avenue and passed "Climax," a late-night hot spot. Immediately my attention was drawn to an outside area where several eye-catching women wearing short skirts and dresses were congregated in the cold, puffing on cigarettes. As a single male, I was first confused to see so many attractive women together with only a couple of men. The confusion turned to clarity when I noticed a roped-off area, and was reminded of the smoking ban. Aside from the smoking part, these were all desirable women with several minutes of free time on their hands and no one to talk to. Can you say opportunity? . . . Now, I'm not advocating smoking, but where else could starting a conversation be so seamless, so risk-free? When else could the timing be better than when a woman is alone--relieving some level of stress--for you to be there to chat? Could you possibly appear, at a moment like this, as anything other than a friend sharing something in common? What else can one say so perfectly, so simple, yet effectively? Gotta smoke? Chicago Tribune Sun, 11 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.myfoxmaine.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6502525&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1 http://tobacco.org/news/265034.html Portland's Health and Recreational Committee gives the public a chance to sound off on an effort to ban smoking on outside patios of bars. WPFO FOX23 Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19671080&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=571464&rfi=6 http://tobacco.org/news/265007.html Councilman Bill Barrett wants smoking prohibited at city playgrounds, a ban that other local communities have passed or plan to implement. Barrett invited Melissa Rehrig, youth and school health coordinator for Steps to a Healthier Pa. Luzerne County, to a council meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss prohibiting smoking at playgrounds to prevent children's exposure to secondhand smoke. Barrett learned of the organization after a co-worker at Luzerne County Community College complained about someone smoking in the playground area at Kirby Park and throwing butts in the mulch. He wants Pennsylvania to have a state law like California, which prohibits smoking in all playgrounds. Wilkes Barre Citizen's Voice dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com (DENISE ALLABAUGH STAFF WRITER) Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=186575&ac=PHnws http://tobacco.org/news/265001.html A proposal to ban smoking in outdoor seating areas at Portland restaurants triggered a debate Thursday on the competing rights of individuals. On one side were representatives of health organizations who argued that diners and workers should not be subjected to secondhand smoke in public restaurants. On the other were people, including some business owners, who said the ordinance would go too far in limiting the choices made by businesses and individuals. The City Council's Health and Recreation Committee is considering a proposal to expand the city's 10-year-old smoking ban for restaurants and bars. The restrictions have since become state law. The latest proposal would prohibit smoking in outdoor seating areas where food is served, though to what extent has not been decided. One proposed amendment would apply the restriction only when the outdoor areas are being used for dining. Portland Press-Herald Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/05/09/maines_largest_city_considers_bans_on_outdoor_smoking/ http://tobacco.org/news/264998.html PORTLAND, Maine--Maine's largest city is trying to decide whether to ban smoking at outdoor cafes. Residents gave an earful Thursday night to the city's Health and Recreation Committee, which is considering a proposal to ban smoking in outdoor seating areas where food is served. AP Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT