National

Senate and House pass children’s health insurance bill, Bush vows to veto
Both the United States Senate and House of Representatives have approved an expansion of the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which would provide health insurance for an additional four million children by increasing the federal tobacco tax. The House of Representatives approved the five-year $35 billion expansion by a vote of 265-159, while the Senate passed similar legislation by a vote of 67-29. However, President Bush has promised to veto the expansion, and the House of Representatives lacks the necessary votes to overturn such a veto. Click here to read more about the House vote or click here to read more about the Senate vote. To read a Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ response written by Executive Director William V. Corr, click here.

Pennsylvania: Health and business groups launch ad campaign about need for comprehensive smoke-free law
An alliance of public health groups and business organizations has launched a radio and newspaper campaign designed to convince Pennsylvanians of the need for a comprehensive statewide smoking ban. The campaign is a collective response to the striking discrepancy between the House of Representative’s version of smokefree legislation and the much weaker version passed by the Senate this summer. Newspaper and radio advertisements will highlight the dangers of secondhand smoke, the rising number of states that have already passed comprehensive legislation, and the fact that such legislation has powerful public support. The campaign is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco (PACT), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, among others. Click here to read more.

Illinois casinos seek smoking ban exemption
The Illinois Casino Gambling Association has asked for a five year exemption to the state smoking ban or for exemption until one of Illinois’ neighboring states passes comprehensive indoor air legislation, whichever comes first. The association claims that it will lose millions of dollars if casino patrons are not allowed to smoke indoors. While the Senate has removed the exemption from its version of the bill, the House of Representatives has yet to review the legislation. Click here to read more.

Utah: Committee approves bill that would ban smoking in cars with young children
A Utah legislative committee has approved a bill that would make smoking in a vehicle with young children a fineable offense. The bill would make smoking in a car with a child five years of age or younger eligible for a $45 fine. That being said, it would be a secondary offense, meaning that the driver would have to be pulled over for a different traffic violation. Also, if smokers who are pulled over can prove to a traffic court they are enrolled in a smoking cessation program, the fine would be lifted. Because the bill received committee approval, it will be considered early in Utah’s 45-day legislative session. To read more about the bill, click here.

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International

South African MPs pass stricter smoking laws
South African lawmakers have approved an amendment that will place further restrictions on the places where smoking is permissible. The bill will prohibit smoking within a specified distance from a window or doorway of a public building, in private residences that are used for commercial childcare or tutoring, and in any vehicle carrying a child under the age of 12. The bill also makes employers financially liable for exposing employees to secondhand smoke and prohibits deceptive labeling of cigarette packages. To read more, click here.

China cigarette packs to get skull health warnings
Chinese cigarette packages will be required to feature graphic warnings by January 2009. The warnings will have to take up at least 30 percent of the package’s surface, and will include images like skulls or blackened teeth and lungs. This legislation also will outlaw tobacco advertising in China by 2011. To read more, click here.

UK: Smokers to face graphic picture warnings
The United Kingdom has announced that it will require all cigarette packages sold in the country to display graphic health warnings by September 30 of next year. Other tobacco products will have until September 30 of 2009 to include the warnings. The public helped to pick the fifteen images, which all depict the gruesome consequences of smoking and tobacco use. The United Kingdom Health Secretary explained that the graphic warnings are necessary because text-only warnings have become less effective over the last several years. Click here to read more.

Indian law allows tobacco firms to decide cigarette pack warnings
India’s parliament recently passed a law that will allow tobacco companies to decide what type of cigarette warnings to include on packages. This law is much weaker than the mandatory use of the skull and crossbones demanded by the country’s health minister. To read more about India’s struggles to reduce tobacco use, click here.

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