http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/state/MS.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/07/3738396/smoking-ban-wouldnt-include-casinos.html http://tobacco.org/news/333473.html Those who want smoking banned in all public places in the city and those who said a smoking ban would be bad for business and personal freedom presented their arguments Tuesday to the Biloxi Council, which took no action. Councilwoman Lucy Denton, who proposed the ordinance, said it combined points from smoking bans in Gulfport and Jackson but would need to be “tweaked” to fit Biloxi. “It’s just a starting point,” she said. Biloxi casinos would be exempt from the smoking ban, she said, including their restaurants and hotels. “We just chose not to include them because that would be instant death to them,” she said. Biloxi Sun Herald meperez@sunherald.com (MARY PEREZ) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/06/3737274/no-vote-taken-on-smoking-ban.html http://tobacco.org/news/333442.html BILOXI - The Biloxi City Council took no action this morning on the proposed ordinance to ban smoking in most of the city’s public places. About 60 people attended the special meeting at City Hall. Biloxi Sun Herald meperez@sunherald.com (MARY PEREZ) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120206/NEWS01/202060315 http://tobacco.org/news/333388.html A bill that would fine adults for smoking in vehicles where children are present could make its way to a vote this year. Sponsored by Sen. Hillman Frazier, the measure, Senate Bill 2016, would create a $50 fine for any adult convicted of violating the legislation. "These are concerns about the health and safety of our young people," said Frazier, D-Jackson. "This to help those who don't have a choice." The proposed bill, currently sitting in a Senate committee, would not ban adults from smoking in vehicles where no children are present, Frazier said. Hattiesburg American Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/03/3730620/councilwoman-wants-to-clear-the.html http://tobacco.org/news/333296.html On Tuesday, Councilwoman Lucy Denton will propose an ordinance that would make smoking illegal in most of the city’s public places. Casino gambling areas and bars would be exempt, but the ordinance would prohibit smoking in bingo halls, private offices, employee lounges, private social clubs, convention facilities, jails, sports venues and outdoor dining decks. The special meeting is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, Biloxi Sun Herald meperez@sunherald.com (MARY PEREZ) Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://starherald.net/local/x948612368/KLE-students-sing-Smoke-Free-Me-with-Ott http://tobacco.org/news/333086.html KOSCIUSKO -- Students from Kosciusko Lower Elementary will soon be hitting the radio airwaves with SmokeFree Mississippi spokesperson and radio/TV personality Paul Ott. They recorded, along with several students from the Jackson-area, at the SmokeFree Mississippi press conference at the State Capitol on Jan. 25 in Jackson. The song, "Smoke Free Me," talks of the pitfalls of second-hand smoke and its effects. . . . According to a press release, SmokeFree Mississippi is an initiative dedicated to getting a comprehensive, statewide law passed in the 2012 legislative session. The purpose is to eliminate smoking in indoor public places. Ott, who has had several family and friends fall ill due to cigarette smoke, said he hopes that in his role as spokesperson he can get the message across. Kosciusko Star-Herald 662-289-2251/news@starherald.net Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.dailyleader.com/news/article_2e354d88-42bf-11e1-bfab-001871e3ce6c.html http://tobacco.org/news/332478.html The city of Monticello has joined other regional communities, including Brookhaven, by instituting smoke-free policies. An ordinance passed in December became active Jan. 17, banning smoking inside buildings used by the public and within 10 feet of the front entrance. Mayor Dave Nichols deemed "a healthy society" one of the motivating factors in establishing the ordinance. Casey Ward, a regional project director with the Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition, worked with the city to move toward smoke-free status. City leaders have considered anti-smoking measures for years, but recent decisions by some businesses prompted the city to finally take action on the idea, according to Ward and Nichols. "All the restaurants are now smoke-free so we were able to go ahead and push forward," Ward said. Brookhaven Daily Leader Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.wdam.com/story/16540294/southern-miss-enforces-new-smoking-policy http://tobacco.org/news/332199.html Faculty, staff and students at the University of Southern Mississippi started a new semester today and with the new semester comes a new code of conduct when it comes to smoking. Smoking receptacles on Southern Miss campus aren't placed just anywhere. Each location indicates a designated smoking area. "Selecting the zones that was probably the hardest part. It was a very thorough process," said Southern Miss Health Educator Jodi Ryder. This is all a part of Southern Miss' new smoking policy according to Ryder. "It's been a collaboration between Student Health Services, Student Government. Then we brought in Faculty Senate and the Staff Council," said Ryder. WDAM-TV kleggett@wdam.com (Karrie Leggett, Reporter) Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.wapt.com/news/30195530/detail.html http://tobacco.org/news/332059.html The University of Southern Mississippi will begin enforcing its new smoking ban on Jan. 17, the first day of the 2012 spring semester. USM officials said signs will be up indicating where smoking is permitted. The new policy was initiated in the fall but implementation was delayed so students, faculty and staff could get used to the idea. Associated Press Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111221/NEWS01/112210329/Barbour-s-budget-proposes-education-consolidation http://tobacco.org/news/332051.html The Joint Legislative Budget Committee released its own recommendations this past week, with an overall state spending reduction of 2.3 percent. Barbour recommends an average 2.9 percent cut for most state agencies. Barbour suggests using the balance of the health care trust fund as a way to avoid some spending cuts. Legislators also propose spending the $97.4 million. Legislators created the trust fund in 1999 as a way to set aside winnings from Mississippi's 1997 settlement of a massive lawsuit against tobacco companies - a suit that was filed by then-Attorney General Mike Moore, a Democrat, when Barbour was a Washington lobbyist whose clients included tobacco companies. Mississippi receives tens of millions of dollars a year from the companies, and the idea was to sock away the money in a trust fund that eventually would grow to billions of dollars. Lawmakers originally said they'd spend only the annual earnings from the fund and leave the principal untouched. Barbour said he likes the original concept of the trust fund. "But the fact of the matter is, before I was governor, the Legislature started spending it," he said Tuesday. "After a while it became clear to me that it was not ever going to be treated as a trust fund." Associated Press Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Death-certificates-and-smokers/vKxv5qAIkEyY08rCrmMbbw.cspx http://tobacco.org/news/331465.html New this year to Mississippi's coroners and physicians. As of January first, they are required to check a box on death certificates if smoking contributed to the person's death. Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley says the Mississippi State Department of Health now requires this information. "As coroners and death investigators, we go out and investigate a death. We will have to find out if the person smoked or not and whether the smoking actually was a contributing cause to their death. So, it's a little something different-a little more information we'll have to ask for when we go out on a call," Gurley said. WTVA Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunherald.com/2011/12/31/3658295/northeast-cc-bans-tobacco-use.html http://tobacco.org/news/331382.html Northeast Mississippi Community College starts 2012 with implementation of a complete ban on the use of tobacco products on its property. The ban will apply to all locations including the Booneville main campus and the centers in Corinth and New Albany. Biloxi Sun Herald Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/fe4168d29ae945269ad9726b8fe1f7ea/MS--Untaxed-Cigarettes/ http://tobacco.org/news/330758.html OXFORD, Miss. -- Two Kentucky men will be sentenced Feb. 15 in federal court in Mississippi for evading taxes through the sale and distribution of contraband cigarettes. Robert Ammerman of Falmount, Ky., and Mike Ammerman of Cynthiana, Ky., pleaded guilty in June. The Ammermans operated Farmer's Tobacco Warehouse in Cynthiana. Columbus Republic Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.rankinledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111213/NEWS/112130308/Push-is-on-for-ban-of-smoking http://tobacco.org/news/330413.html A push for a statewide smoking ban has been under way for some time, garnering support from the state Department of Health and multiple smoke-free organizations across the state. Rankin County residents also are doing their part to ensure the possibility of a ban makes it through the state Legislature in the upcoming session next year. The Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Rankin, Scott & Simpson Counties operates out of its office on Airport Road. And coalition members are passionate about their mission. "If you look at other growing cities like those located within Rankin county, you will see that a smoke free ordinance can have a positive impact on businesses," said Amy Ellis, a coalition member. "I am a resident of Brandon and also frequent establishments in Flowood and Pearl, and they appear to be busy just like they were before their smoke free ordinances went into effect." Rankin Ledger dbarnes2@jackson.gannett.com (Dustin Barnes) Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/New-Albany-smoking-ban-is-now-in-effect/nayMFSOgOEWty8cqS16KHA.cspx http://tobacco.org/news/329903.html new public smoking ban is now in effect in New Albany, and some people are not thrilled with the law that took effect Friday. "We aren't second class citizens," says Union County resident Susan Hayes. "We are taxpayers, and we are the ones who pay the officials who have done this to us." The general manager at the Huddle House in New Albany says the first day of the new ban has brought some frustrations to both customers and employees. "I had some coffee drinkers fussing early this morning in the early hours that come," says Huddle House manager Vivian Norton. "We had two light up in here, and we had to ask them to please put them out." Will the ban affect business in Union County restaurants? Some seem to think it absolutely will. WTVA Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011111202003 http://tobacco.org/news/329826.html Mississippi is one of nine states that health officials plan to look at to study the economic impact of smoke-free policies in restaurants and bars. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is using a grant from Pfizer to complete the study announced this week. Associated Press Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT