National

Bush vetoes children’s health bill
President Bush has vetoed the SCHIP bill for the second time.  He states that the bill has not changed from its first incarnation and that it is too costly, covering adults and taking the focus off of the poorest of children.  If congress sustains the President’s veto, a bipartisan effort to continue SCHIP coverage at its current status is expected.  To read the full story, click here. Read the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids response here.

FDA tobacco legislation is on hold for now
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which would put tobacco under FDA control has been shelved, but will most likely be discussed again in the Senate early next year.  Supporters of the bill believe FDA control would be more advantageous for public health efforts, while others, including the Bush administration, feel that the change would trick smokers into the false belief that regulated tobacco is safe..  To read more, click here.  To read the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids special report, click here, and to view the Tobacco Free Kids cost analysis of the FDA tobacco legislation, click here.

Lottery juggling whether to ban smoking at ticket outlets
After a 77-year-old man suffered an asthma attack from entering a smoke-filled convenience store to buy lottery tickets, momentum is growing to ban smoking in stores that sell lottery tickets.  According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, those with respiratory illnesses could have restricted access to lottery ticket sales in stores that allow smoking, and the situation could generate lawsuits against the store or the state.  While no lawsuits have yet been filed against the lottery, the ban could be implemented in the interest of public health.  To read more, click here.

Will shelters violate spirit of smoke ban?
To get through the cold Illinois winter, the state’s smokers are looking to outdoor smoking shelters as a refuge from the winter weather outside of restaurants and bars affected by the ban.  State Senator Terry Link and others feel that these shelters violate the spirit of the smoking ban, which is to get smokers to quit.  Some argue that the shelters are a reasonable accommodation for smokers, especially because the state’s new indoor smoking law only pertains to indoor smoking. For more information on the smoking shelter debate, click here.

Special report:  Smoke Free Laws
This report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids summarizes the progress states have made on tobacco legislation, as well as the benefits the United States is beginning to reap from going smoke-free.  The report includes a summary of the 2006 Surgeon General’s report on secondhand smoke, and other evidence of the financial savings on healthcare and employment costs. Click here for the full report.

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International

£130m drive to cut cancer deaths
Cancer is the number one cause of death in the UK, and the cancer survival rate in the UK is lower than in the United States, Canada, and western Europe.  The Health Secretary has come out with a public health strategy to target risky lifestyle factors, such as smoking, which is the main preventable cause of cancer.  Click here for a summary of the plan.  Click here for the Department of Health’s Cancer Reform Strategy.

New shock-photo warning rule on cigarette packs sparks industry opposition, officials say
The Indian government’s decision to utilize pictorial warnings by the first week of December is in jeopardy because of lobbying by tobacco industry groups.  The country’s health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, reported that four state government leaders and 150 parliament members have approached him in opposition of the pictorial warnings, and mentioned the tobacco industry’s persuasive power.  There are hopes that the pictorial warnings on cigarette packages will help raise awareness of the effects of tobacco among those who cannot read.  Click here to read more.

EU to insist on fire-safe cigarettes
Twenty seven European Union nations have signed on to a proposal that will require the use of fire-retardant paper in all cigarettes, citing American research that has shown cigarettes to be the primary cause of fire-related home fatalities.  The “fire-safer” cigarette legislation will come into effect over the next two to three years, and follows similar fire safety regulations for cigarettes passed in the United States, Canada, and Australia. To read more, click here

MPP leads drive to protect kids
A Canadian legislator is leading a movement to work toward banning smoking in cars with children under 16 as passengers throughout Canada.  While the idea of spreading the ban nationwide has been considered for some time, with the support of various public health and anti-smoking groups, the legislation is gaining support in the Canadian parliament.  Read more about the drive for the legislation here, and click here for a summary of the spread through Canada of legislation on smoking in cars containing children.

Tobacco faces display ban in New Zealand
Soon, retailers may no longer be able to display cigarettes in New Zealand.  While there are some restrictions on cigarette displays already, lawmakers are considering a complete ban.  Supporters of the ban state that removing displays from stores would both make quitting easier by lessening temptation, and would reduce the amount that children are exposed to tobacco products. Get more information here.

Smoking ban violation attracts Dh1,000 fine
Steep fines will accompany Dubai’s new indoor smoking regulations on apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, and resorts, which will be implemented on January 15, 2008.  In 2007, Dubai began regulating smoking in shopping malls and restaurants, and this is the third wave of the city’s anti-smoking policy. The city will impose a fine of 1000 dirham (approximately $270) for first-time offenders, with fines for individuals ranging up to Dh 8000.  Businesses and other regulated establishments may be held responsible for fines up to Dh 80,000 (nearly $22,000).  Click here to read more.

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