http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/state/TX.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.uta.edu/president/about/messages/2009/nov20.php http://tobacco.org/news/293108.html Earlier this year, we convened a 15-member committee of students and staff to review UT Arlington's current policy regarding tobacco use on campus and to explore the possibility of advancing a tobacco-free initiative for the University. Jean Hood, vice president for human resources, chaired the Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative Committee. For almost eight months, the committee conducted a thorough assessment of issues and attitudes related to the use of tobacco products on campus. . . . In September, the committee issued its findings to the campus community and forwarded its final recommendations to me. After the final report was issued, the committee welcomed additional input and responses from students, faculty, and staff. We received 205 responses. Having weighed all of the information and input on the matter, I am satisfied that the committee has thoroughly researched and considered this issue. Therefore, I accept and concur with the committee's recommendations to make UT Arlington a tobacco-free campus. We are not telling anyone they can no longer use tobacco. That was never the intent, and it is not the case. Use of tobacco products is a personal choice. With the new policy, we're simply saying that the use of tobacco on campus will not be permissible and that we will become a tobacco-free campus by August 1, 2011. Meanwhile, during the next 21 months leading up to August 1, 2011, we will address issues of enforcement. During this time, we also will be more vigilant in enforcing our current policy, which prohibits smoking within 50 feet of any campus building. The one exception--and this is the only element of the recommendations that I would like to clarify--is that we will allow individuals to use tobacco products in their personal vehicles, provided they do so with the windows closed and properly dispose of waste material. No use of tobacco products will be permitted in University-owned vehicles, regardless of whether they are on campus or off campus. Additionally, I am pleased to report that the University is offering support for anyone who wishes to stop using tobacco. UT Arlington jds@uta.edu Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1778566.html http://tobacco.org/news/293107.html Students and faculty will no longer be allowed to light up on the University of Texas at Arlington's campus, President James Spaniolo said Friday, as the school becomes the first four-year college in the region to ban smoking and tobacco use campus wide. The ban is scheduled to take place in August 2011. "Many of us remember a time when smoking was commonplace in offices, malls, airplanes, public buildings, sports arenas, and even hospitals," Spaniolo said in a written response. "But times have changed, and it is time for UT Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community." Fort Worth Star-Telegram /personas?plckUserId=@Nyx.Key (NATHANIEL JONES) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/112109dnmetuta.2d60fa06e.html http://tobacco.org/news/293106.html The University of Texas at Arlington is banning smoking on campus - indoors and out. The ban, announced today, takes effect in August 2011. It's believed to be the first of its kind at a four-year college in North Texas. "The use of tobacco is a serious issue that affects the health and well-being of our entire campus community," James Spaniolo, UTA's president, said in a written statement. "During the past two decades, we have experienced a sea change in attitudes, culture, policies, and laws related to tobacco use... [T]imes have changed, and it is time for UT Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community." Dallas Morning News btomaso@dallasnews.com (BRUCE TOMASO / The Dallas Morning News) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.theshorthorn.com/content/view/18327/265/ http://tobacco.org/news/293105.html Students, faculty, staff and visitors will not be allowed to smoke or use tobacco products on campus after that date, President James Spaniolo announced Friday. In a letter addressing the issue, President James Spaniolo said during the next two years before the ban, the university will focus on vigilant enforcement of the current smoking policy, which doesn't allow anyone to smoke inside or within 50 feet of all campus buildings. Spaniolo said people will be allowed to use tobacco products in their personal vehicles, but only if the windows are up and products are disposed correctly. "This sentiment respects the belief that an individual vehicle is personal property," university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said. "This is the president respecting personal space." The Shorthorn jim.cotten@yahoo.comNO Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/1779631.html http://tobacco.org/news/293092.html Starting in August 2011, smoking will be banned at the University of Texas at Arlington, President James Spaniolo said Friday. The school is the first four-year college in the region to forbid tobacco use campuswide. "Many of us remember a time when smoking was commonplace in offices, malls, airplanes, public buildings, sports arenas and even hospitals," Spaniolo said. "But times have changed, and it is time for UT-Arlington to take the next step forward in protecting the health of our campus community." In April, Tarrant County College trustees approved a campuswide tobacco ban at the two-year school, allowing smoking only in private vehicles. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth enacted a campus ban in November 2008. Nationally, 172 colleges and universities forbid tobacco use, Fort Worth Star-Telegram /personas?plckUserId=@Nyx.Key (NATHANIEL JONES) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/223091-judge-declines-to-play-shell-game-with-funds-from-provost-umphrey-tobacco-partnership http://tobacco.org/news/292829.html The battle between the Provost Umphrey law firm and former associate Brent Coon over attorney's fees from a multi-billion dollar tobacco settlement has outgrown its current arena and spilled over into another Jefferson County courtroom. On Monday, Nov. 16, a hearing on whether the Provost Umphrey Tobacco Partnership (PUT) should be allowed to intervene and deposit tobacco funds into a case over attorney's fees in an asbestos lawsuit was held in Judge Milton Shuffield's 136th District Court. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Shuffield denied PUT's plea in intervention and said he would wait to rule on whether or not PUT can deposit funds in the court's registry. Over the past two years, the Record has reported on the struggle between Coon and Walter Umphrey, two of Texas' most influential plaintiff's lawyers, and their legal war over millions in attorney's fees stemming from the state's mega-billion dollar tobacco settlement. Southeast Texas Record Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.thedailycougar.com/sga-considers-cracking-down-on-smokers-1.2065507 http://tobacco.org/news/292624.html Faculty, students and staff who smoke on campus face possible restrictions and enforcement -- ranging from the increased prohibition of smoking near building entrances to the possibility of a smoke-free campus -- from two Student Government Association senators. "(Hotel and Restaurant Management Sen. Dennis) Ha is working on a smoke-free campus. I'm trying to get UH police to be stricter on smoking around buildings," Business Sen. Luis Rodriguez said. "I've been wanting to work on (legislation that) would have the UH police department give more citations." Ha said he wants to make UH a smoke-free campus, but this will take some time. "It's not the fact that people smoke, which is bad for their health, its (that) people who don't smoke have a problem," Ha said. "Our main objective will be a smoke-free campus, but you have to take it in small steps … we need to think about all the consequences if we take that away." Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights created a list of the colleges and universities around the country that enforce smoke-free air policies, stating that there are at least 365 campuses -- including 13 in Texas -- that are smoke-free. Daily Cougar news@thedailycougar.com (David Haydon) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=12d15d0d0cadf9d4 http://tobacco.org/news/292618.html Island voters may get a chance to decide during the May election where smoking should be allowed. Dissatisfied with the smoking ordinance they adopted earlier this year, city council members voted unanimously to consider four options for changing it. The ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, bans smoking in restaurants, bars, outdoor seating areas, tobacco stores and private clubs. During their Dec. 3 meeting, council members will talk about amending it to allow smoking in tobacco stores and bars. They also will consider either rescinding it permanently or rescinding it and putting it on the May ballot. Complaints from business owners, including the bar and restaurant owners who initially supported the ban, prompted the council to reconsider the changes. The ordinance as adopted is one of the strictest in the state. But as it was proposed, the ordinance was more consistent with regulations in other cities, allowing smoking in outdoor seating areas and tobacco stores. Galveston Daily News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.khou.com/news/galveston-smoking-ban-reconsidered-69959352.html http://tobacco.org/news/292602.html Island voters may get a chance to decide during the May election where smoking should be allowed. Dissatisfied with the smoking ordinance they adopted earlier this year, city council members voted unanimously to consider four options for changing it. The ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, bans smoking in restaurants, bars, outdoor seating areas, tobacco stores and private clubs. During their Dec. 3 meeting, council members will talk about amending it to allow smoking in tobacco stores and bars. They also will consider either rescinding it permanently or rescinding it and putting it on the May ballot. Complaints from business owners, including the bar and restaurant owners who initially supported the ban, prompted the council to reconsider the changes. . . . The ordinance as adopted is one of the strictest in the state. But as it was proposed, the ordinance was more consistent with regulations in other cities, allowing smoking in outdoor seating areas and tobacco stores. The Galveston Restaurant Association supported the proposed ordinance but said the adopted regulations were too strict. Most restaurant owners wanted to allow smoking in outdoor seating areas. KHOU CBS 11 assignments@khou.com ( Leigh Jones / The Daily News ) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d7174786ffb191d1 http://tobacco.org/news/292558.html GALVESTON -- Smoking advocates will find out today whether their lobbying against the smoking ban adopted by the city council earlier this year worked. The council will consider drafting revisions to the smoking ordinance this week. The changes would be approved at a later meeting. In July, the council adopted one of the strictest ordinances in the state, forbidding people from lighting up in bars, restaurants, outdoor seating areas, tobacco shops and private clubs. The Galveston Restaurant Association supported the ban as proposed, which did not include tobacco shops and would have allowed smoking in outdoor seating areas. But restaurant and bar owners balked at the more stringent restrictions. Galveston Daily News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.khou.com/news/Galveston-officials-to-take-up-smoking-ban-again--69860447.html http://tobacco.org/news/292554.html Smoking advocates will find out today whether their lobbying against the smoking ban adopted by the city council earlier this year worked. The council will consider drafting revisions to the smoking ordinance this week. The changes would be approved at a later meeting. In July, the council adopted one of the strictest ordinances in the state, forbidding people from lighting up in bars, restaurants, outdoor seating areas, tobacco shops and private clubs. The Galveston Restaurant Association supported the ban as proposed, which did not include tobacco shops and would have allowed smoking in outdoor seating areas. But restaurant and bar owners balked at the more stringent restrictions. KHOU CBS 11 assignments@khou.com ( Leigh Jones / The Daily News ) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.kens5.com/news/San-Antonio-could-revisit-a-proposed-smoking-ban-in-public-places-69717862.html http://tobacco.org/news/292444.html Kens 5 has learned that as soon as January, the city of San Antonio could revisit a proposed smoking ban in public places, Tonight, those businesses are clearing the air about if the city should butt out. "I hope it doesn't happen," said Steve Trencher, a smoker. "We should be given an option." San Antonio is one of the few major cities in the country and in Texas that has not made it illegal to light up. Smokers and bar owners say the city will have a fight on it's hands if a ban is in the works. "I would be very disgruntled," said Trencher. KENS Ch. 5 Eyewitness News webmaster@kens5.com (Karen Grace / KENS 5) Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.kauz.com/news/local/69646697.html http://tobacco.org/news/292404.html Many smokers believe they are not hooked and think they can quit whenever they want, but after talking with Wichita Falls health experts, we found that is highly unlikely. "In reality, cigarette smoking is as addictive as heroine," said Registered Therapist Debra Pardue. She said most smokers are shocked when they learn the ingredients in cigarettes. Pardue said, "It's not nicotine that causes the cancer it's the nicotine that keeps you addicted. The other additives are what cause cancers." So some try to wean themselves off heavy cigarettes by turning to lights, dip or chew. They believe they'll never be able to quit completely because they fear their craving will never go away. In realty, Pardue says these alternatives are no better and while each individual reacts differently, the chemical withdrawal is only ten to 14 days. KAUZ-TV NewsChannel 6 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.alvaradopost.com/articles/2009/11/06/community/doc4af458991560c561402325.txt http://tobacco.org/news/292282.html The 34th Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is scheduled to take place Nov. 19. The purpose of the event is to set aside day to help smokers quit smoking, quit using tobacco products, for at least one day, with the hope they will decide to quit completely. The Great American Smokeout began in 1971 when a Massachusetts resident asked people to give up smoking for a day and to donate the money they would have spent on tobacco to a local high school. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to never start smoking at all. . . . Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Cancer Council encourage all smokers to take part in the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19 in a step to eventually quit smoking. For more information, contact Rita M. Hodges, county extension agent for family and consumer sciences, 701 S. Interstate 35E, Suite 3, Waxahachie; call 972-825-5175; or e-mail rmhodges@ag.tamu.edu. Alvarado Post rmhodges@ag.tamu.edu (Rita Hodges Extension service ) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/11/06/east_montgomery/news/46emcsmoking.txt http://tobacco.org/news/292232.html Based on a recent survey of Lone Star College-Kingwood students, faculty and employees and in light of new information about the increasing health risks of second-hand smoke, administrators have approved a new smoking ban policy to be implemented on campus. Effective Jan. 1, 2010, smoking will only be allowed in three designated smoking shelters, located by the parking lots where others will not have to be exposed to second-hand smoke. “When our campus conducted its own smoking survey in September, almost 400 students and employees responded,” said LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Katherine Persson. “Eighty-three percent of the respondents indicated that second-hand smoke was a concern for them with 73 percent of the respondents concerned about long-term health effects. While the respondents’ preferred smoking policy is to ban smoking everywhere on the LSC-Kingwood campus, more indicated that the best policy for us is to allow smoking only in shelters built for that purpose.” Sugar Land Sun observereditor@hcnonline.com (From Community Reports) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT