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Election 2006: Beating Big Tobacco at the Ballot Box
This November, voters in seven states will have the opportunity to approve statewide ballot measures to require smoke-free workplaces, increase state tobacco taxes or fund tobacco prevention programs. Click here to view summaries created by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids on the ballot initiatives in Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, and South Dakota.

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Arizona:

Debate, confusion over Propositions 201 and 206
Arizona voters will face competing smoke free propositions this November – 201 and 206. Backed by the American Lung, Heart, and Cancer Associations, Proposition 201 calls for a ban of smoking in virtually all public places. The alternative, Proposition 206 would not require bars and alcohol-dependent businesses, such as pool halls and bowling alleys, to be smoke-free. Proposition 206 – promoted as the Non-Smoker Protection Campaign - is being heavily supported by the tobacco industry. R.J. Reynolds has pledged $40 million on campaigns in Arizona, Missouri, California, and Ohio. To read more about the confusion, click here. To find out more about the tobacco companies’ contributions, click here.

California:

Cigarette tax plan would insure kids, reimburse ER care
A highly debated measure, Proposition 86, will appear on the California ballot this November. Proposition 86 would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 87 cents to $2.60, generating approximately $2.1 billion annually. The bulk of the revenue would go to reimburse hospital emergency rooms for the costs associated with treating the uninsured and would expand existing programs to give every Californian child health insurance. Opponents to the proposition, which only allots 10 percent of revenue to prevention and cessation programs, charge that the measure is simply a way for hospitals to reap millions of dollars in tax money. Tobacco companies have contributed significantly to fighting the bill. Click here to read more.

The National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention spurs the Latino Congresso to adopt Proposition 86 resolution
The National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention released a statement about its participation in the 2006 Latino Cogresso in Los Angeles. The organization is proud to have sent 20 activists, helping to accomplish such feats as the unanimous adoption of their resolution supporting Proposition 86 in California. To view the conference’s resolution to support Proposition 86, click here. To learn more about the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention, click here.

District of Columbia:

Mayor Seeks Millions for Health Needs
District of Columbia mayor Anthony Williams proposed that the city dedicate $245 million from tobacco settlement funds to a multitude of health issues including cancer prevention programs, new clinics in underserved east district communities, and smoking cessation programs. If approved, the proposal would take DC from being one of the worst states to address cancer prevention to one of the best. The proposal has been met with mixed reactions. To read the more, click here.

Florida:

At polls, you’ll decide on 6 amendments
In Florida, the only measure that was not put on the November ballot by the legislature involves the spending of the tobacco settlement money. The measure, Amendment 4, would mandate that 15 percent of the money from the tobacco settlement ($57 million in 2007) be allocated to anti-smoking programs, primarily aimed at young people. The measure in backed by Floridians for Youth Tobacco Education whose members are frustrated at the Legislature’s continued decrease in tobacco education funding. Click here to read more about Amendment 4, as well as the other proposed amendments in Florida.

Missouri:

Missouri to vote on tax increase
After much controversy, Amendment 3 has been put back on the Missouri November ballot. The Amendment would raise the state’s cigarette tax from 17 cents a pack to 97 cents a pack. The expected revenue, $351 to $499 million annually, would go toward Medicaid, health-care programs for the poor, and anti-smoking programs. Controversy arose when the number of signatures on the petition was questioned; however, Circuit Judge Tom Brown ruled that there was an adequate number of signatures on the proposed amendment. The issue was appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled that the signatures were collected correctly and that the tax increase would remain on the ballot. The appealing group, Missourians Against Tax Abuse, was financially supported by R.J. Reynolds. To read more, click here.

Nevada:

Smoking initiatives cloud ballot: Health, biz in opposition
Two initiatives will be on Nevada’s November ballot; if both pass, the one with the most votes would become state law. The Clean Indoor Air Act is more restrictive and is supported by groups including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Nevada State Medical Association. The competing initiative, Responsibly Protect Nevadans from Secondhand Smoke, was created in response to the Clean Indoor Air Act, which is viewed as harmful to tourism. It is primarily financed by gambling and resort interests. Click here to learn more. To access polling data from Nevada voters on the two initiatives, click here.

Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act would focus on compromise of divisive issue
The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that Proposition 205, the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act, will remain on the November ballot. The proposition, supported by the American Heart and Lung Associations, would ban smoking in public places where children are present. This would not include bans in bars or casinos serving patrons ages 21 years and older. A competing measure called “Responsibly Protect Nevadans from Second Hand Smoke” is supported by those who sought to remove Proposition 205, including the Nevada Tavern Owners Association and many gaming groups. This measure would not make many changes to current tobacco policy and would take away aspects of local control over tobacco issues. Click here to read the press release.

New York:

No cigs at 18?
A New York City Council committee is preparing a bill that would raise the age for buying cigarettes to either 19 or 21; the issue is under debate in the Council. Mayor Bloomberg, who led the city’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, is opposed to the bill and has vowed to veto the legislature, if passed by the Council. Instead, he favors efforts to curb underage smoking and expand smoking cessation programs. Click here for the press release.

Ohio:

Smoking-ban battle takes shape in Ohio
Ohio’s November ballot will outline two different smoke-free policies for voters. The first, Issue 5, called “Smoke Free Ohio,” would prohibit smoking in all indoor public establishments with few exceptions. This measure is supported by the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, and others. The alternative, Issue 4, called “Smoke Less Ohio,” would exempt bars, restaurants, and some other establishments from becoming smoke-free. Issue 4 is supported by the tobacco and hospital industries, with R.J. Reynolds having already provided $1.5 million to gather signatures to place it on the ballot. For the press release, click here. To read the American Lung Association’s stance, click here.

Texas:

Proposal would forbid smoking in most public places
Smoking would be banned in most public places, including restaurants, bars, bingo halls and bowling alleys, under a recommendation approved by a committee appointed by the Fort Worth City Council. Fort Worth now allows smoking in restaurants that have designated smoking areas and in bars, pool halls, bingo parlors and bowling alleys. Restaurants with fewer than 50 seats can allow smoking throughout the building if warning signs are posted. To learn more, click here.

Wisconsin:

Council OKs Third Vote on Appleton Smoking Ban
Appleton bar owners petitioned for a referendum that will appear on the November 7th ballot, asking for an exemption from the workplace smoking ban for free-standing bars. This past April, Appleton voters struck down an amendment to the ban that would have exempted all bars, including those in restaurants and bowling alleys. For more information, click here.

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Canada:

Nova Scotia to restrict in-store tobacco advertising as it prepares for smoking ban
The Nova Scotia government is preparing to completely ban smoking in public places beginning December 1st. The ban includes bars, casinos, and legions. In the mean time, legislation is being drafted by Health Promotion Minister Barry Barnet to ban point-of-sale advertising, including displays of cigarettes behind store counters. Barnet believes that such displays entice young people to smoke, making a visit to a convenience store a risk. For more information, click here.

Iran:

Iran bans smoking in public places
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ordered the implementation of a law that makes it illegal to smoke in public places and advertise tobacco products. This includes the elimination of traditional water pipes form restaurants and tea-houses. The law was first passed by parliament two years ago. To read more, click here.

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