http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/state/ID.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/05/e-cigarette-bill-opponent-saw-smoke-and-mirrors/ http://tobacco.org/news/333315.html A St. Maries legislator raised fears about a “nanny state” when the Idaho House considered legislation this week to ban the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to children, but the measure ended up passing unanimously. State Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, cast the only “no” vote on HB 405, but then, at the last minute, changed his vote to “yes.” Harwood told the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, that he suspected the statistics Nonini cited in his opening debate for the bill were slanted and came from groups that really don’t want anyone to smoke. “I can’t speak for the New England Journal of Medicine,” Nonini responded, “but yes, they would encourage nobody to smoke cigarettes. … Panhandle Health, yes, I think they would support no smoking at all.” Nonini himself is a smoker. . . . State Rep. Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake, told the House, “Most of you know in this body that I am a statistic. … I had the opportunity to quit smoking this last year, and I started smoking in my mid-20s. It’s not the kind of thing I like to stand up and announce to the whole world, but that’s what I did. … The statistics are, and it has been proven … that minors that start smoking, they have a lot more difficult time quitting than I did. And trust me, it’s not an easy addiction to overcome, and I probably will struggle with it for a long, long time.” The Spokesman-Review Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/02/03/1979984/idaho-rep-is-capitols-last-open.html http://tobacco.org/news/333224.html BOISE, Idaho -- Standing outside the Capitol on a brisk January afternoon, Rep. Bob Nonini cups his hand deftly to shelter a cigarette - not from the wind, but from a camera. The Coeur d'Alene Republican and House Education Committee chairman has the distinction of being the lone legislator who still regularly, if bashfully, steps outside for a smoke. "This is private," Nonini says, declining further comment this week. His solo status in Idaho's Statehouse underscores a decadeslong transformation in American culture. But despite a near absence of smokers in the Republican-dominated Legislature, don't hold your breath in anticipation of new anti-cigarette laws, even with about a quarter of lawmakers belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which forbids tobacco use. Most Idaho conservatives have a stronger aversion to government overreach and tax hikes than they have to cigarette smoke, even ex-smokers such as Challis Republican Rep. Lenore Barrett. Associated Press onlinenews@idahostatesman.com (JOHN MILLER - Associated Press ) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.khq.com/story/16660710/idaho-panel-sets-priorities-for-tobacco-money http://tobacco.org/news/333186.html State lawmakers want to use $5.7 million from a nationwide tobacco settlement for smoking cessation programs and substance abuse treatment. Idaho currently gets money annually from the 1998 settlement with the nation's five largest tobacco companies. The money goes into an account called the "Millennium Fund," and lawmakers allocate 5% each year to spend on smoking prevention and related health programs. Associated Press Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2012/feb/02/house-backs-ban-e-cigs-minors-despite-charges-nanny-state/ http://tobacco.org/news/333104.html The House has voted unanimously, 68-0, in favor of HB 405, to ban the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to minors, but only after much debate and strong opposition from Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries. Harwood cast the only “no” vote, but then, at the last minute, changed his vote to “yes.” Harwood told the bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, that he suspected the statistics Nonini cited in his opening debate for the bill were slanted, and came from groups that really don't want anyone to smoke. “I can't speak for the New England Journal of Medicine,” Nonini responded, “but yes, they would encourage nobody to smoke cigarettes. … Panhandle Health, yes, I think they would support no smoking at all.” Nonini himself is a smoker. The Spokesman-Review Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f9a88a0053984d7289e0ca1be5212e40/ID-XGR--Millennium-Fund/ http://tobacco.org/news/333080.html State lawmakers want to use $5.7 million from a nationwide tobacco settlement for smoking cessation programs and substance abuse treatment. Idaho currently gets money annually from the 1998 settlement with the nation's five largest tobacco companies. The money goes into an account called the "Millennium Fund," and lawmakers allocate 5 percent each year to spend on smoking prevention and related health programs. The committee that shepherds the fund voted 8-2 on Wednesday to recommend spending on a dozen programs, with the largest payment at $2 million going to the state Department of Health and Welfare. Associated Press Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/coeur-dalene-rep-worries-about-e-cigarette-sales-to-minors/Content?oid=2593573 http://tobacco.org/news/332999.html Coeur d'Alene Republican Rep. Bob Nonini says he wants to do something about unethical retailers who market electronic cigarettes to Idaho minors. He's upset enough to introduce legislation to ban sales of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18--a component currently missing in Food and Drug Administration guidelines. "They come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes," said Lora Whalen, director of the Panhandle Health District as she passed out pink and purple e-cigarettes to the committee. "They can fit into all manner of pockets or in a child's locker." Boise Weekly subscriptions@boiseweekly.com (Andrew Crisp Unda' the Rotunda | Boise Weekly) Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/30/idaho-bill-would-ban-e-cigarettes-kids/ http://tobacco.org/news/332976.html Current Idaho law bans tobacco products from being sold to children, but doesn't cover a new product called “e-cigarettes,” electronic cigarettes that contain no tobacco, but instead allow users to inhale a nicotine-infused mist without creating smoke. Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, is sponsoring legislation to change that, and his bill was endorsed unanimously on Monday by the Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee, which sent it to the full House with a recommendation that it pass. Health districts around the state, including the Panhandle Health District in North Idaho, support the move and asked Nonini and co-sponsor Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, to pitch the legislation. The cities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Hayden already ban e-cigarette sales to minors, as do Spokane County and the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley. Nonini said the products contain “large amounts or what could be considered deadly amounts of nicotine.” The Spokesman-Review moondawg66@hotmail.com ( Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review) Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2012/01/30/idahopolitics/dont_raise_cigarette_tax_national_group_tells_idaho_legislators http://tobacco.org/news/332972.html The D.C. conservative outfit Citizens Against Government Waste is wading into Idaho’s cigarette tax debate, telling the Legislature it should reject a proposal to raise the tax by $1.25. Citizens Against Government Waste is best known for crusading against Congressional political pork, but its lobbying arm has taken on tobacco issues nationwide while at the same time collecting at least $245,000 from tobacco companies, according to a St. Petersburg Times report. The lobbying arm, called the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, announced today that it’s sent a letter to the Idaho Legislature on the issue. “Raising cigarette taxes, especially during a weak economy, will slow business and negatively impact state retailers … The Congressional Budget Office has reported that cigarette excise taxes are the most regressive type of excise tax and disproportionately impact the poor and those living on fixed incomes,” the letter says. The Idaho Statesman onlinenews@idahostatesman.com Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/Some-bar-owners-claim-big-revenue-loss-from-smoking-ban-138243974.html http://tobacco.org/news/332795.html On January 2nd, a new Boise city ordinance went into effect. It bans smoking in places like bars, bus stops, and the Boise Greenbelt. Some of the bartenders and bar owners that used to allow smoking and had a considerable amount of customers who smoke say the ban is costing them money. "We thought it would impact us a little bit, but we had no idea," Cathy Mascroft, Buddies bartender, said. "All of these bar owners are getting ready to shut their doors in an already horrible economy." "[The ban is] way worse than what I thought it would be," Gary Sullivan, Quinn's Restaurant and Lounge owner, said. . . . KTVB brought these bar owners' financial concerns to the city for comment. Spokesperson Adam Park issued this statement on behalf of the city. "With the ordinance in effect for less than a month, it is too early to accurately gauge what impact the ban may have on local businesses over the long term. Other local bars that banned smoking prior to the smoke-free ordinance, such as the Crescent "No Lawyers" Bar & Grill and China Blue, have reported that their business has improved since making the switch. KTVB-Channel 7 jgrey@ktvb.com (Jamie Grey) Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.idahoreporter.com/2012/lung-association-group-backs-tobacco-tax-for-idaho/ http://tobacco.org/news/332490.html According to an annual report by the American Lung Association, Idaho made some improvements in 2011 to help prevent disease and underage smoking, but it says the state fell short in a few areas. A press release sent out Thursday suggests Idaho can do a better job with legislation, including raising the cigarette tax by $1.25 per pack. The release also charges that tobacco has caused trouble for Idahoans, reading "Tobacco causes an estimated 1,509 deaths in Idaho annually and costs the state's economy $685,273,000 in health care costs and lost productivity." Idaho Reporter.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://magicvalley.com/news/state-and-regional/idaho-seeks-ban-on-e-cigarette-sales-to-kids/article_3334450c-451a-11e1-a208-001871e3ce6c.html http://tobacco.org/news/332475.html Lawmakers in the Idaho House introduced legislation to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. The so-called e-cigarettes allow the user to heat nicotine, herbs or other substances and ingest the active ingredients without actually burning the substance. But Republican Rep. Bob Nonini, of Coeur d'Alene, says state health officials are increasingly concerned about sales of the devices to children. Associated Press Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2012/jan/20/bill-would-ban-sale-e-cigarettes-minors-current-law-only-covers-tobacco/ http://tobacco.org/news/332414.html The House Health & Welfare Committee has voted to introduce legislation from Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes containing nicotine to children. "The health districts around the state got together and talked about this issue, it's become quite a concern," Nonini said. The districts asked him and Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, to introduce legislation. "Idaho laws relating to tobacco products currently specifically address tobacco, and these electronic cigarettes are nicotine without tobacco," The Spokesman-Review Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://lmtribune.com/northwest/article_649b65b6-daa2-58fe-a7af-c67ad4d5b52c.html http://tobacco.org/news/332412.html Lewiston Tribune Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/01/17/1955634/smoking-ban-maysnuff-hookah-bars.html http://tobacco.org/news/332177.html Ali Alsudani has been in the hookah bar business in Boise for six years, and he believes the lounges were targeted by the city’s new smoking ban. “I came to the U.S. for freedom because in Iraq we have a dictator who tells you, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that,” he said. The new Boise regulations are limiting his freedom, he said, and he plans at the end of January to relocate his Ali Baba Hookah Bar, currently on Broadway Avenue. Two anti-smoking ordinances took effect Jan. 2, prohibiting smoking in parks, bars and varied other public spaces. The smoking ban exempts “exclusive retail tobacconists” — businesses with sales that are 95 percent tobacco and tobacco products, with no more than four seats for customers. Hookah bars could fall under that definition, city spokesman Adam Park said, “though perhaps on a more limited scale than they currently operate.” The Idaho Statesman BARNEY - dbarney@idahostatesman.com (DARA BARNEY) Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/01/11/1948975/prison-officials-ask-for-tougher.html http://tobacco.org/news/332176.html A key state Senate committee voted unanimously Wednesday to introduce legislation that would make it a felony to smuggle cellphones and cigarettes into Idaho prisons after authorities said such contraband demands huge prices on the black market. Idaho Department of Correction officials requested the action at a hearing of the Judiciary and Rules Committee, saying cellphones are the most sought-after contraband behind bars. The Idaho Statesman onlinenews@idahostatesman.com (REBECCA BOONE - Associated Press) Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT