http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/state/GA.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/11/20/News/Sga-Utilizes.Blog.To.Get.Input.On.Possible.Uga.Smoking.Ban-3838169.shtml http://tobacco.org/news/293076.html The University's Student Government Association wants to know what students think about lighting up on campus. With an increasing number of colleges and universities implementing campus-wide smoking bans, members of SGA said they want to gauge student interest at the University with a poll on the SGA blog. "The smoking policy on campus is not something that is widely known," said Suzanne Meller, SGA General Assembly secretary. "We're exploring this because it's an issue." The smoking policy on campus adopted in 2006 prohibits smoking in dormitories, all University facilities, Sanford Stadium and areas adjacent to buildings. An administrator told The Red & Black in an interview in September they would be open to changing the policy if students and faculty supported and proposed a different plan. Red and Black Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a914966130 http://tobacco.org/news/293034.html Nonsmokers outside restaurants and bars in Athens, Georgia, have significantly elevated salivary cotinine levels indicative of secondhand smoke exposure. InformaWorld.com Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2009/11/19/the-science-behind-moving-smoking-bans-outside/ http://tobacco.org/news/293004.html Reflecting on the existing scientific research on second hand smoke exposure outdoors, William Saletan of Slate.com sifts through the most relevant points from two major studies on the subject (the 2006 California Air Resources Board study, and a 2007 study from Stanford). Among the findings: outdoors, second hand smoke levels vary widely and quickly, depend on the individual's distance from a smoker (farther than 6.5 feet or 2 meters, generally reduces exposure to "background" levels), are influenced by how confined the outdoor space is (if there are walls or fences), and the concentration of smokers in a given area. The data, Saletan concludes, point to the need for a measured approach for crafting policy to reduce second hand smoke exposure outdoors. He writes: "If you want to argue for parkwide smoking bans based on asthma or on an analogy to noise pollution, go ahead and make that case. But let's not cloud that debate by invoking the general harm of secondhand smoke. Studies of secondhand smoke have indeed moved outdoors. Their findings support restrictions on lighting up within a few feet of other people. But they don't warrant more than that." A new study published in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene may contribute to the debate. Researchers from the University of Georgia measured second hand smoke exposure among people sitting in the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants where indoor smoking was banned in the city of Athens, Georgia. . . . generally speaking, hanging out in an outdoor smoking area exposes you to less second hand smoke than being in an indoor, confined space with smokers, and the more space you have between yourself and smokers, the lower levels of exposure you will have. So, this particular study doesn't ring the death knell for outdoor smoking. But, the researchers point out, wielding the official trump card of the public health argument: Although the increment in cotinine concentrations and, thus, the [second hand smoke] exposure levels were relatively low at the sites of interest, the current view is that there is no level of personal exposure to [second hand smoke] that can be regarded as safe. This study demonstrates the ongoing exposure of nonsmokers to [second hand smoke] outside restaurants and bars, and the limitations of indoor smoking bans alone in protecting the public from exposure to [second hand smoke] outside these establishments. In other words, the movement to ban smoking in outdoor spaces is here to stay. Time Magazine Blogs Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2009-11-19-180739.114126-sub_Parks_smoking_ban_passes_sort_of.html http://tobacco.org/news/292972.html The Roswell City Council wrestled once more Nov. 9 with the final reading of an ordinance to limit or ban tobacco use in public parks, but the final results are still a little smoky as the council members could not agree to an acceptable compromise. The latest incarnation of the ordinance returned with a recommendation from the Roswell Recreation Commission to ban all smoking. That solved the problem of where to allow some limited smoking by park patrons, which had been a sticking point when the council deferred the ordinance two weeks ago. But that solutions soon disappeared in a puff of smoke. Ex-nicotine fiend and Councilwoman Lori Henry noted smoking is legal after all, and if patrons wanted to smoke in the open air they should be allowed to within reason. Northfulton.com hatcher@northfulton.com (Hatcher Hurd) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/nov/19/progress-slow-in-choking-off-smoking-rates/ http://tobacco.org/news/292969.html About one in every five residents of Tennessee and Georgia still uses tobacco, studies show, and that's just too many, health advocate say. Although there has been progress, smoking rates have gone up and down over the past few years in Tennessee, ranging from 27.7 percent in 2002 to 23.1 percent last year, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys that states submit to federal health officials. The Tennessee smoking rate "is not where it needs to be, and it's certainly not a downward trend, so that's what's sort of disappointing," said Dr. Vince Viscomi, a Chattanooga pulmonologist and president of the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society. In Georgia, rates are slowing ticking downward . . . Culturally, Tennesseans have made "incredible progress" in attitudes toward smoking, said Shelley Courington, executive director of the Campaign for a Healthy and Responsible Tennessee. "Smoke-free has become the norm here, and who would have thought years ago that that would be possible in Tennessee, in a state where tobacco for years was the No. 1 cash crop?" she said. Still, low funding has hindered progress, Ms. Courington said. . . . TENNESSEE QUIT LINE * 1-800-784-8669 GEORGIA QUIT LINE * 1-877-270-STOP Chattanooga Times & Free Press Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://savannahnow.com/news/2009-11-19/deal-says-he-would-sign-cigarette-tax-increase-bill-if-elected-governor http://tobacco.org/news/292948.html U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal says he'd sign a bill raising the state cigarette tax $1 a pack if he's elected governor next year. Campaigning this week in Savannah, Deal said the bill deserves consideration, but added he probably wouldn't push for its passage. The Gainesville lawmaker's comments are the closest any GOP candidate for governor has come to backing the proposal. The proposal by state Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, has been opposed by the GOP majorities in the House and Senate. But some experts say it may get another look when the legislature reconvenes Jan. 11 and tries to grapple with a worsening budget crisis. Savannah Morning News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118154619.htm http://tobacco.org/news/292942.html Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard. The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. "Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke," said study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College of Public Health. "We know from our previous study that there are measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments, and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure. "Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure," he added. "So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health issue." Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study. ScienceDaily Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.physorg.com/news177782677.html http://tobacco.org/news/292927.html Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard. The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. "Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke," said study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College of Public Health. "We know from our previous study that there are measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments, and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure. "Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure," he added. "So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health issue." Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study. physorg.com Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://wdef.com/news/healthy_states_rankings_put_tennessee_georgia_alabama_near_the_bottom/11/2009 http://tobacco.org/news/292839.html During the debate about overhauling health care, we've heard very little talk about some of the main reasons we end up in the doctors office. Today, the United Health Foundation releases its 20th annual report ranking America's health, and Tennessee, Georgia, & Alabama appear near the bottom. Tennessee ranks 44th due to obesity and smoking.� Georgia ranks 43rd due to the number of residents with infectious diseases.� While Alabama made the list at 48th because of obesity and air pollution. News 12 Chattanooga, TN tbuccelli@wdef.com Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=11515315 http://tobacco.org/news/292738.html Prisoners and workers at the Department of Corrections are about to deal with a big change. The Department is banning tobacco use at its 37 facilities. In 1995, they banned the use inside buildings and that led to a riot by state prisoners in Lee County. This time they hope phasing it out gradually will ease inmates into the transition. The state prison system is following the lead of facilities like the Dougherty County Jail that has been tobacco free for 15 years and Lee County Jail that went tobacco free nine months ago. Prison leaders say it's counter productive for inmates to give up smoking in jail only to start lighting up again in a state facility. By the end of 2010 Georgia's state prisons will be tobacco free. The Georgia Department of Corrections says it's a move that will improve the health of inmates and save tax money by cutting health care costs. WALB Channel 10 jennifer.emert@walb.com (Jennifer Emert) Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/state-bans-smoking-in-190415.html http://tobacco.org/news/292334.html The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned that the state plans to ban smoking in the seven state mental hospitals on Jan. 5, a steep challenge considering the high percentage of smokers among those with mental illness. But Tom Wilson, spokesman for the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, said the measure will make the patients and facilities healthier. He also said the ban could advance patients' treatment, helping them to give up an often addictive habit. Wilson acknowledged the challenges, pointing to national statistics that show 75 percent of people with mental illness or addictions smoke, and that nearly half of the cigarettes consumed in the country are smoked by people with mental illness. Atlanta Journal-Constitution cschneider@ajc.com (Craig Schneider The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://mdjonline.com/bookmark/4348027 http://tobacco.org/news/292228.html Powder Springs The city conducted the first public hearing for a proposed ordinance to ban smoking at city-sponsored events on the town square, specifically the Fourth of July and Christmas celebrations. Mayor Pat Vaughn said Hillgrove High School senior William Wizner proposed the ordinance as part of a school project. Marietta Daily Journal letters@mdjonline.com (Katy Ruth Camp) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2009-10-28-180262.114126-sub_Smoking_ban_back_to_drawing_board.html http://tobacco.org/news/291772.html Smokers got a reprieve to continue smoking in Roswell's city parks. The Roswell City Council voted unanimously a couple of weeks ago to ban smoking in the city parks, but now they can't agree whether to let folks smoke in their cars, in the parking lot or just a total ban. One difficulty arose over what is the definition of a vehicle - could that include a motorcycle or a bicycle? Councilwoman Becky Wynn wanted "to nail that down." Mayor Jere Wood repeated his concern that without a designated place for smokers - either in their cars or in the parking lots - the city would be driving folks away. Northfulton.com hatcher@northfulton.com (Hatcher Hurd) Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/local_story_290220827.html?keyword=topstory http://tobacco.org/news/291302.html The outlook for Georgia tobacco farmers was clouded this week with the announcement that the largest cigarette manufacturer will not offer contracts and will close its Alma buying station. Philip Morris USA told tobacco growers at a Wednesday meeting in Alma that it will no longer issue one-year contracts to growers. The company said it will honor three- and five-year contracts that are in effect as long as growers are in good standing. "The folks that left that meeting Wednesday were pretty much in a state of confusion," said J. Michael Moore, a University of Georgia extension agronomist. "There's a lot of uncertainty." The closing of the Alma buying station reflects the tobacco giant's decision to shift production to North Carolina and Virginia, Moore said. It is too early to determine how big the blow will be to Georgia tobacco growers. Moultrie Observer Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_702566.shtml http://tobacco.org/news/291276.html An Augusta man said he had chewing tobacco thrown in his face after he blew his horn at a driver on Wrightsboro Road Thursday night. The 51-year-old victim said he honked at a woman who was blocking the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and Marks Church Road so that she would move and turn, a Richmond County Sheriff's report said. Augusta Chronicle houle@msc.cornell.edu Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT