Secondhand Smoke

Research

California anti-smoking laws save thousands of lives, new study finds
A new study by the PIRE Public Services Research Institute estimates that California’s statewide tobacco control policies will have saved more than 50,000 lives by the year 2010. Smoking rates in California have dropped by 25 percent as a result of higher cigarette prices, increased media campaigns, clean air laws, and reduced youth access to cigarettes. The research is based on SimSmoke, a computer simulation of tobacco control policy effects that controls for other trends. Click here to read more.

New report says secondhand smoke costs Minnesota $215.7 million annually
According to a recently released report Minnesota spends $215.7 million annually to treat the health conditions caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. This estimate is conservative in that it does not include costs for long-term care or lost productivity. Additionally, the study documents at least 581 deaths last year in Minnesota caused by secondhand smoke exposure. Click here to read the press release.

South African restaurants report “no loss” as result of smoking ban
According to research findings published in the South African Medical Journal, 59% of the 736 restaurants surveyed reported no change in revenue as a result of the smoking ban, while 22% of restaurants reported an increase in revenue. South African’s smoke-free legislation, the Tobacco Control Amendment Act, came into effect six years ago was heavily criticized by the hospitality industry, who claimed that the law would decrease their turnover by a third. Click here to read more.

15,000 Scottish smokers quit after smoking ban
New data reveal that over 15,000 Scots quit their nicotine habit during the first year of the smoking ban. Over 46,000 contacts were made by smokers to smoking cessation services and the smoking rate dropped from 26.2% in 2005 to 24.6% for the first three quarters of 2006. Scotland’s Health Minister is using the anniversary of the ban to call for an increase in the age at which teenagers can buy tobacco. Click here to read more.

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Baltimore smoking ban passed; focus shifts to state legislation
The Baltimore City Council has approved a controversial ban on smoking in bars. Mayor Sheila Dixon announced the decision to ban smoking in bars along with the city’s decision to allocate $100,000 to help current smokers quit.  The bill prohibits smoking in any enclosed area to or in which the public is invited or permitted or in any enclosed area that is part of a place of employment. The passing of the ban has spurred the state to move forward with state-wide anti-smoking legislation. Click here to read more.

Colorado Senate OKs casino smoking ban
The Colorado Senate has voted to ban smoking in casinos, but not for another year. The measure will now go back to the House, which had voted to extend the state’s nine-month-old smoking ban to casinos beginning in July. Some feel that a year is too long to wait, delaying the rights of the state’s 8,000 casino employees to work in a healthy environment.  Backers of the amendment argue that a year gives casinos more time to build outdoor patios and other accommodations for smokers. Click here to read more.

New Mexico 17th state to pass smoking ban
New Mexico Governor Richardson signed a measure to ban smoking statewide in most workplaces and business. It prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants, stores, offices, and other indoor workplaces, but permits smoking in designated outside smoking areas near buildings, private homes, retail tobacco stores, cigar bars, casinos, bingo parlors, and private clubs. The ban is scheduled to go into effect June 15th. Click here for the press release.

North Carolina bill would extinguish indoor smoking statewide
A North Carolina House committee has passed a far-reaching indoor smoking ban that would prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants. In its preliminary stages, the bill is sure to face an uphill battle in both the House and Senate. Additionally, Reynolds American has come out against the proposed bill, claiming that it should exempt bars, taverns, and private clubs. Click here to read more.

Minnesota Senate says yes to statewide smoking ban
The Minnesota Senate passed a statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants. The measure had been to six Senate committees and changed a little at each stop. The Minnesota House is working on a similar measure, and Governor Tim Pawlenty has said that he will sign a ban if it reaches his desk. Click here to read more.

Maryland Legislature OKs statewide smoking ban
A statewide smoking ban that would force all bars and restaurants to go smoke-free has been passed by the Maryland Legislature and is close to the governor’s desk. Governor Martin O’Malley is in support of the ban and has already pledged his signature once the bill reaches his desk. Lawmakers in the Maryland House and Senate still have to work out whether the ban should apply to private clubs. Click here to read more.

All 433 domestic Comfort Suites branded hotels will be 100% smoke-free
Choice Hotels International announced that its Comfort Suits brand will become 100 percent smoke-free on May 1, 2007. This moved extends Choice Hotels’ legacy as an industry pioneer in non-smoking accommodations. In 1984, Choice became the first hotel company to include non-smoking rooms in every one of its properties. In recognition of this milestone, Choice Hotels is donating $10,000 to the American Cancer Society. Click here for the press release.

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British Columbia bans indoor smoking in public places
Tough new anti-smoking legislation was enacted in British Columbia, banning smoking at some outdoor locations including hospitals and schools grounds and all indoor locations, including bars, restaurants, and malls. Additionally, the law will also ban the display of tobacco and related products in stores, but will still allow pharmacies to sell cigarettes. Most of the provisions will take effect next year, but smoking will be banned on school grounds by September. Click here to read more.

No smoking, no swearing during Olympics
Beijing will launch a campaign to clear out smoking and foul language in public areas during the 2008 Olympic Games, senior Chinese officials reported. As part of its promise to offer a green Olympics, Beijing will require smokers to put out their cigarettes in stadiums as well as public places including restaurants and hotels. Given the prevalence of smoking in the city, the government is considering setting up nonsmoking stadiums and fields and adding smoking areas around them. For the press release, click here.

Sydney suburb bans all public smoking
The Sydney suburb of Mosman is set to become the first officially smoke-free municipality in Australia, if not the world, banning smoking in every council-controlled public space. The blanket prohibition bans smoking at beaches, outdoor dining areas, children’s playgrounds, public events, playing fields, all parks, public squares, bus shelters, and council car parks. The only public outdoor place smokers may light up will be on some footpaths and roads. The council only stopped short of a total ban due to the practical impossibility of installing enough signs, legally required to make smoking an offense. Click here for more information.

German states agree to smoking ban with exemptions
Germany’s 16 state leaders have agreed to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, but will allow exceptions for small bars and premises with designated smoking rooms. The ban will also prohibit smoking in nightclubs, schools, retirement homes, and other public buildings. If the upper and lower houses of the German parliament adopt the government-proposed law, it would take effect on September 1. Click here to read more.

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