National

Where there’s smoke, there’s research
While studies have shown that consumer demand for cigarettes decreases following the implementation of public smoking bans, a new study has looked at the effect of smoking bans on alcohol consumption.  When beer, wine, and liquor consumption were studied, overall alcohol consumption decreased after public smoking bans.  Furthermore, the study found that the social stigma of smoking as a result of the smoking bans caused the laws to be “self-enforcing.”  To learn more about the study, click here.  The article, “The impact of smoking bans on alcohol demand” is published in the December 2007 issue of The Social Science Journal. 

Tobacco licensing fee declared success in bid to curtail sales to minors
In Riverside County, California, tobacco licensing of retailers has proven successful in reducing tobacco sales to those under 18 in the past two years.  In tobacco control stings prior to tobacco licensing, minors were able to buy cigarettes 44% of the time; more recently, the rate has decreased to 15%.  If a Riverside County retailer sells tobacco to a minor, the store’s tobacco license may be revoked.  The $300,000 per year cost of enforcing the program is covered entirely by licensing fees paid by retailers.  Click here for more information. 

Legislation and regulation:  Reduced cigarette ignition propensity
Because there are currently no federal regulations on cigarette flammability, 22 states have enacted laws requiring statewide guidelines for cigarette ignition propensity (as measured by laboratory tests).  According to a press release from Philip Morris, while many cigarette companies are already using safer cigarette paper, the state guidelines  help establish an industry standard of fire safety.  Click here to learn more.  Related:  Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes list of adoptions This list shows, state by state, how much of the population is protected by “fire-safer” cigarette legislation, as well as specific details on the implementation of each state’s legislation.  Click here to see the state-specific data. 

Kaine to try again to pass smoking ban
Virginia governor Tim Kaine recently announced his support for a statewide smoking ban in restaurants.  Although Virginia is considered a tobacco state, momentum is growing behind smoke-free legislation in recent years because of health concerns.  A similar bill Kaine introduced last year was rejected because of confusion over whether outdoor smoking was permitted, but the bill has been reworked to specifically address indoor smoking.  Click here to read more about the governor’s new anti-smoking proposal for Virginia. 

Accounting sought on tobacco money
State congressional delegates sent a letter to Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell questioning why Connecticut’s tobacco settlement money has still not been allocated for tobacco prevention.  After the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids ranked Connecticut last in state spending on tobacco programs, the letter raises concerns about how the state’s tobacco settlement money is being spent.  The $140 million the state received in settlement money last year was placed in the state’s general fund, and according to the letter sent to the governor, less than $10 million was spent on tobacco control efforts.  Read more here.

D.C. yet to issue fines for smoking
Although smoking has been banned from Washington, D.C. bars and restaurants since January 2007, no citations have been issued for violations of the ban.  The D.C. Department of Health has issued 150 warnings in response to complaints of violations, but a system has not yet been devised to penalize the offending establishments.  According to a public information officer at the Department of Health, the system will likely be in place by early summer.  Click here to read more. 

Calabasas gives final okay to apartment smoking ban
The city council in Calabasas, California recently voted unanimously to make 80% of the city’s apartment rentals smoke-free.  Twenty percent of the town’s rental properties will be designated as smoking apartments.  The new ordinance will be effective as of February 16.  In 2006, Calabasas had the honor of becoming the first city to enact laws on smoking in malls, parks, restaurants, bars, and apartment common areas.  Click here to learn more about the new legislation. 

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International

Working men's clubs hit by smoking ban
Many bars in the UK that cater to blue collar workers are suffering as a result of the nation’s workplace smoking ban, according to a survey of 2,708 pub owners.  Pubs that relied more heavily on beverage sales were hit harder than establishments that focused on food sales.  Furthermore, 89% of survey respondents supported a subsidy for bar owners who had lost profits as a result of the ban.  For more information on the effects of the smoking ban, click here. 

Tokyo taxi passengers breathe freely as smoking ban goes into effect
As of this month, the capital city of Japan’s two largest taxi associations have gone smoke-free in response to a 2003 Health Promotion Law.  These two companies are responsible for 95% of Tokyo’s taxis, and the rest of the city’s cabs are expected to follow suit.  Japan has one of the highest smoking rates among industrialized countries, but its national smoking rate has declined in recent years in response to smoking restrictions.  Click here for the full story. 

Turkish parliament passes smoking ban bill
A smoking ban in restaurants and bars has been passed by the Turkish parliament, and will be sent to the president for approval.  The legislation, which also includes government buildings, workplaces, and schools, will be implemented over 18 months in hopes of reducing the country’s alarmingly high smoking rate. With 60% of males (and 20% of females) being smokers, Turkey has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe.  Read more here.  Also, click here to read a press release from The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, entitled “New laws in Turkey, France and Germany show smoke-free movement is spreading globally.”  The press release includes information on the smoking bans in these three countries, lists other countries with new anti-tobacco laws, and calls the tobacco community to action to make more progress in 2008. 

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