http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/state/ID.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.2news.tv/news/local/70435182.html http://tobacco.org/news/292970.html Working with Smoke Free Idaho the American Cancer Society is trying again - advocating for city wide smoking bans and this time they're hoping Boise takes the lead. "We want to make sure that every worker in the state of Idaho has the right to breath smoke free air," said Cathy Callaway, Senior Representative for state and local campaigns with the American Cancer Society. Idaho law allows smoking inside bars and businesses with fewer than five employees. Over the summer advocates tried to change that in Eagle but the ban went down in flames after the city council decided this is an issue for state lawmakers. "The best practices all across the country are to start at the local level," Callaway said. KBCI-TV Channel 2 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.nrn.com/offthewire.aspx?menu_id=1370&id=374322 http://tobacco.org/news/291154.html Smokefree Idaho commissioned a study of bars and restaurants in the Treasure Valley. Included were 14 bars where smoking was permitted. Conducted by staffers from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute of Buffalo, N.Y., the review analyzed air samples and found the following: -- Air quality in smoke-filled bars wasn't merely unhealthy but deemed to be hazardous. . . . For 24 states, including Washington and the tobacco-growing state of North Carolina, extending smoking bans to bars and taverns is just one more way of protecting the public health. So far, none has seen the new policy undermine bar and restaurant traffic. In fact, New York offered a waiver to any bar that could demonstrate no smoking meant less trade. Now Smokefree Idaho is pushing to extend the smoking bans to bars in 10 to 12 Idaho cities. All of which should tell Moscow's bar owners one thing: Their community may have been the first in Idaho to protect the health of bar and tavern workers. But it won't be last. Nation's Restaurant News Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/hbo/2009/oct/06/hbo-poll-smoking-idaho-bars/ http://tobacco.org/news/291023.html Fine-particulate air pollution in Boise bars that permit smoking is 36 times worse than outdoor pollution levels in the valley, according to a new study by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute released today by the Coalition for a Healthy Idaho, and four times the EPA's standard for annual exposure. . . . Yes 41% (43 votes) No 59% (63 votes) Dunno 0% (0 votes) Total Votes: 106 The Spokesman-Review Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/oct/11/cancer-institutes-study-finds-unhealthy-air-in/ http://tobacco.org/news/291017.html Air quality in smoky Idaho bars is worse than smog, according to a study by a prestigious Buffalo, N.Y., cancer institute. The Roswell Park Cancer Institute, working with the Coalition for a Healthy Idaho, found that fine-particulate air pollution in Boise bars that permit smoking is 36 times worse than outdoor pollution levels in the valley, and workers in the bars are exposed to four times the EPA's standard for annual exposure. Testers actually went into 19 bars and restaurants in Boise, Meridian and Garden City in May and June, operated air quality monitors, and recorded how many . . . The Spokesman-Review tangoblack@addynot.test.com (Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review ) Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.fox12idaho.com/Global/story.asp?S=11262982 http://tobacco.org/news/290782.html Smoke Free Idaho is lobbying to get smoking banned from local bars, and they say they've got new data to back up the need. We all know the affects of smoking and second hand smoke, but now new numbers are showing that the air quality in local bars and restaurants may be worse than expected. "Everybody knows that second hand smoke is bad, but you can't ignore data," said Adrean Casper with Smoke Free Idaho. Over the summer, Smoke Free Idaho measured the air quality in 19 different bars in the Treasure Valley -- five of those were non smoking. What they found was pretty shocking. "People that work at bars are exposed to 36 times the levels of particulates in the air that cause cancer and heart disease than somebody just walking outside," said Casper. KTRV Fox 12 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.idahostatesman.com/yourhealth/story/926100.html http://tobacco.org/news/290781.html A new study on pollution in Boise, Meridian and Garden City bars is the latest chapter in Smokefree Idaho's 18-month-long campaign to protect workers and patrons. So far, the campaign has not succeeded in getting any Treasure Valley cities to ban smoking. Eagle came close, but ultimately backed off. But the campaign leaders say they will not stop trying. "As long as there are workers that are not protected, we are continuing on," said Heidi Low, Idaho director of government relations for the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network. Air in bars on average is 15 times more polluted than air in restaurants, where smoking is prohibited by state law, the coalition said in a news release. The project is the first scientifically based study of its type to measure the impact of smoking on the indoor air quality in Treasure Valley workplaces, according to a news release from the group. Volunteers conducted the study under the supervision of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., known for its studies of indoor air quality. The Idaho Statesman /personas?plckUserId=@Nyx.Key (Colleen LaMay) Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.2news.tv/news/local/62260142.html http://tobacco.org/news/290340.html BOISE - Fire investigators said Sunday that an unattended cigarette is to blame for a second alarm fire at a local nursing home. Investigators believe the cigarette belonged to a person visiting the home. KBCI-TV Channel 2 news@kbcitv.com (KBCI Web Staff) Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2009/08/27/business/bus01.txt http://tobacco.org/news/289068.html Steve Reiter and May are both regulars at Sargents Restaurant and Lounge. Reiter quit the habit years ago, but May still puffs two to three packs a day at age 65. Several years ago the state imposed a ban on smoking in restaurants, so Sargents owner Terry Eastman did an extensive remodel on the building to bring it into what he believed was compliance. The bar was separated from the restaurant by a wall with a set of double doors connecting them and a new ventilation designed to ensure diners would be smoke-free. Then somebody sent a letter, Eastman is not sure to whom, either the health district or the Idaho State Police, with a complaint. "The spotlight got turned on," he said. "It was dim, but it got brighter. We realized we were maybe not in compliance totally." Soon, it was confirmed. The doors were not enough of a separation. Coeur d' Alene Press Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.standard.net/live/news/180760 http://tobacco.org/news/288680.html Boise State University is now a smoke-free campus. University officials announced the policy switch last fall, but are implementing the prohibition on cigarettes across campus before students arrive later this month. KTVB-TV reports that ash trays across campus have been removed and yellow signs affixed to light posts remind students and faculty of the smoking ban. The prohibition also includes Bronco Stadium. AP Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/aug/04/moscow-smoking-ban-goes-effec/ http://tobacco.org/news/288109.html MOSCOW – Amid smoldering contention over Moscow’s new smoking ban that goes into effect today, a few wisps of humor lingered Monday. “Never smoked a day in my life,” declared 50-year-old Corner Club patron Ted English as he nursed a can of Rainier Beer in Moscow’s oldest watering hole. “Now I’m going to have to go elsewhere to get my secondhand smoke.” Nearby, 22-year-old University of Idaho student Sam Larrondo sipped on a 32-ounce “Tub” and said he hoped to use the citywide ban as a personal catalyst. “I ran out of cigs last night,” Larrondo said, explaining he’d quit cold turkey for about 12 hours and planned to stay that way. “It will be nice not having my clothes smell like smoke anymore,” said 21-year-old Ryan Sundberg, Larrondo’s non-smoking drinking buddy. But down the street at Mingles Bar and Grill, 53-year-old Sharon Shafor took a drag on her cigarette, exhaled and said she didn’t see anything humorous The Spokesman-Review Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.krem.com/news/local/stories/krem2-080409-moscowbanstartstoday.aa3e8d2f.html?npc http://tobacco.org/news/288106.html The second city in Idaho to ban smoking in bars begins enforcing the law Tuesday. Last month, the Moscow City Council passed the law, prohibiting smoking within bars and private clubs, and within 20 feet of any entrance to an establishment that bans smoking. Fines range between $10 and $50, depending on the level of offense. Some business owners reacted negatively toward the ban, saying they would lose sales. Others say they will lose customers at first, but expect them to eventually return. KREM Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/story/850008.html http://tobacco.org/news/287928.html Everyone has a right to breathe clean indoor air in public places. Eagle was poised to be the first Idaho municipality to protect people from suffering the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, but the City Council voted to table the clean air ordinance. In the meantime, Idaho's city of Moscow unanimously passed a smoking ban similar to what was being considered by Eagle. In a July 6 Reader's View ("Ordinance would have done little, except hurt businesses"), Eagle City Council member Jeanne Jackson-Heim stated that she felt this particular ordinance "might negatively affect our local businesses during tough economic times." All legitimate economic impact studies on business show either no economic effect or a positive one after a smoke-free law is enacted. Following the growth in smoke-free laws nationwide, a parallel increase has occurred in the false allegations from the tobacco companies and their allies that smoke-free laws will hurt local economies and business. In fact, numerous careful scientific and economic analyses show that smoke-free laws do not hurt restaurant and bar patronage, employment, sales or profits. At worst, the laws have no effect at all, and they sometimes even produce slightly positive trends. More information on this subject is available at http://www.no-smoke.org. Local policy should be driven by sound scientific evidence. . . . Community leaders should take the time to review the evidence and create policies that advance the health of their communities. Going smoke-free is good for health, good for business and good for Idaho. Eagle City Council is encouraged to reconsider its recent vote and pass a clean air ordinance. With the council's help, we will all breathe a little easier. The Central District Health Department is working within the community to decrease the impact of tobacco use and stands eager and willing to assist on the smoke-free issue. The Idaho Statesman /personas?plckUserId=@Nyx.Key (STEVEN F. SCANLIN AND RUSSELL A. DUKE - Idaho Statesman ) Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=10787954 http://tobacco.org/news/287695.html COEUR D'ALENE - Authorities say a propane tank and a lit cigarette are to blame for an explosion that sent a man to Kootenai Medical Center with serious burns. Around 2:30 Coeur d'Alene police and fire crews got called out to the Cedar Motel and RV Park on Lake Drive. Once they got on the scene they found a man with serious burns and a silver 1992 Chevrolet Lumina on fire. Police say 41-year-old Michael Brandt was sitting in the driver's seat of his Chevy when he lit a cigarette. Unfortunately for Brandt, he had a propane tank sitting in the front passenger seat. KXLY News 4 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.kivitv.com/global/story.asp?s=10763202 http://tobacco.org/news/287505.html The Moscow City Council has banned smoking in bars and private clubs, relegating smokers to designated areas at least 20 feet away from entrances and prohibiting any indoor smoking rooms. That's got some bar owners concerned. Mark Deleve, owner of the Third Street Market, says the ordinance dramatically alters the structure in which bar owners operate. AP Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/51258757.html http://tobacco.org/news/287491.html So what's the big deal about smoking in public places? At least one local respiratory therapist says it is easy to answer that question. "There's no known amount of second-hand smoke that's considered safe," says Valley Medical Center Respiratory Therapist Elizabeth Keys. According to a study from the Surgeon General, non-smokers who live with smokers are 20 to 30 percent more likely to develop lung cancer. Keys said the amount of smoke an establishment like a bar is going to have the same result. . . . The best way to prevent health issues from secondhand smoke is to steer clear of smokers all-together. "I would just avoid it and try and convince your friends that it's a really unhealthy habit to have," said Keys. KLEW-TV Channel 3 klewnews@klewtv.com (Anne Harding) Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT