National

American Lung Associations summary of state tobacco laws
The 2007 edition of State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI) was released on April 22, 2008.  SLATI is the American Lung Association’s comprehensive summary of state tobacco control laws, and the 2007 edition covers tobacco control laws effective as of January 1, 2008.   The online version of SLATI is also updated regularly to reflect changes in tobacco control laws as they take effect throughout the year. Download a copy of the report and learn more by clicking here. Click here to the ALA website.

Bill to force FDA tobacco regulation moves through energy and commerce
The Energy and Commerce Committee of the House approved bill HR1008, which if passed, will bring cigarettes under FDA regulation.  The legislation has gained strong bipartisan support, and most insiders agree that it is likely to pass this year. Several small tobacco companies and the National Association of Convenience Stores have even dropped their opposition to the bill.  The new law will give the FDA the power to restrict nicotine content in tobacco products, review tobacco companies’ advertising and marketing claims, and dictate the use of warning labels. The bill will be debated in the Senate in the upcoming weeks. Read more here.

Smoking ban has apparently cut into revenue from charitable gambling (MN)
The Minnesota State Gambling Control Board, which regulates the state’s gambling industry, reports that since a statewide smoking ban went into effect in October 2007, gambling receipts have dropped.  From October to December 2007, gross receipts from charitable gambling decreased 12.8%, the largest decline since lawful gambling first became regulated in 1985.  While some argue that it is too early to translate the downward trend into long-term losses, the report predicts that because of the downturn in gambling, Minnesota’s 1,400 licensed charitable organizations may lose out on $95 to $105 million in annual funds. For more information, click here.

U researcher: Study shows smoking ban reduces risk (MN)
A University of Minnesota researcher has evidence that the state’s smoking ban has had a positive impact on the health of bars and restaurant employees.  Hospitality workers were tested for nicotine and a carcinogen before and after the state’s public smoking ban went into effect.  After the smoking ban, levels of these substances decreased by 80%.  These findings may sway members of the hospitality industry who have been resistant to the ban to consider the health benefits more seriously than their fears of economic losses. Read more here about the health effects of Minnesota’s smoking ban.

Law prohibiting smoking in cars gets Baldacci OK (ME)
By banning smoking in cars containing children under 16, the state of Maine has joined in one of the newest growing trends in smoking legislation.  The push toward this smoking ban increased after Governor John Baldacci’s hometown of Bangor, Maine passed a similar law.  Because children do not have the choice to leave a smoky environment, and due to the intense smoke exposure that occurs in cars, this new law is expected to make a significant difference in children’s secondhand smoke exposure.  When the law takes effect this summer, drivers can be pulled over and cited for smoking as a primary offense, and after one year, offenders will be fined $50. Click here for the full story.

Iowa Governor signs indoor smoking ban (IA)
The Governor of Iowa recently signed the state’s new smoking ban into effect.  As he signed, Governor Culver stated, “The bottom line is that this bill will save lives, plain and simple.”  The new law will ban smoking in most public places, including Iowa’s restaurants and bars, as of July 1. The gambling floors of state-licensed casinos and the Iowa Veterans Home will be exempted from the ban.  Iowa is now the 28th state to pass an indoor smoking ban. Click here to read more.

A.C. bans smoking on floor of casinos (NJ)
Amidst a crowd of supportive casino workers and union members, the Atlantic City, NJ city council unanimously voted to pass a smoking ban that will make all of the city’s casino floors smoke-free by the end of this year.  An attempt at a full smoking ban wavered last year, and the ban was diluted with amendments allowing smoking on 25% of casino floors.  The new law will make all casinos completely smoke-free by October 15.  The new smoke-free policy in Atlantic City could have an impact on Pennsylvania law as legislators debate whether to include casinos in their smoke-free law. For more information, click here.

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International

Beijing drops restaurants in smoking ban (China)
Bejing’s impending public smoking ban has just become a little less powerful. Fearing a decline in sales and citing cultural norms of smoking during meals, the government has taken restaurants and bars off the list of smoke-free zones.  The ban, which will be part of a broader public smoking ban that will be implemented May 1, will only require bars and restaurants to maintain separate smoking and nonsmoking areas.  The city has promised a smoke-free Olympics, and has proposed a smoking ban that covers schools, government offices, sports venues, hospitals and museums. Read more here.

Duma ratifies anti-smoking treaty (Russia)
After signing on to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a United Nations anti-smoking treaty, Russia is poised to become less smoker-friendly.  Countries joining the treaty are required to make plans to ban tobacco advertising, implement health warnings on cigarette packaging, and protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke.  Health experts have suggested that new anti-smoking laws could remedy Russia’s low life expectancy and high smoking rate. Currently, 60% of men and 30% of women in Russia are smokers. For more information, click here.

Smoke screens go up:  Stores prepare for cigarette display ban effective May 31 (Canada)
Ontario convenience stores are preparing for the implementation next month of a ban on cigarette displays.  The law is expected to decrease the temptation for smokers to buy cigarettes—and to reduce the exposure of youths to cigarette advertisements.  Stores are revamping their checkout counters to install doors to hide eye-catching “power walls” with cigarettes on display.  Laws against cigarette displays are gaining popularity in Canada; Saskatchewan banned power walls in 2002, and Alberta will follow suit in July. Click here for the full story.

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