Policy

State

Guide helps hospitals achieve smoke-free campus
The American Hospital Association (AHA) and its Association for Community Health Improvement are promoting a free guide to help hospitals and health systems achieve a smoke-free campus. The "Destination Tobacco-Free" resource contains step-by-step directions, examples and other tools developed by the Washington Health Foundation with guidance from an advisory committee co-chaired by AHA Trustee Raymond Grady, former president of Evanston (IL) Hospital. Click here to access this new resource on smoke-free hospitals. The project was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, which will host a free webinar on the tool on September 10. Click here to register for the webinar.

The adoption of smoke-free hospital campuses in the United States
National media coverage suggests that more hospitals are going smoke-free, and that this publicity has influenced other hospital administrators to consider smokefree policies. A survey of Joint-Commission-accredited hospitals was conducted to assess current smoking policies and future plans for adopting a smokefree policy. As of February 2008, 45% of the hospitals had adopted a smoke-free campus policy that covered both indoor and outdoor areas, and another 15% were actively pursuing the adoption of such a policy. Hospitals with smoke-free campuses were more likely to provide smoking cessation counseling to patients who smoke. Click here to read more about the study, or click here to read the abstract of the study in Tobacco Control.

California lawmaker seeks adults-only restriction on smokeless ‘cigarettes’ (CA)
Although there is a law in California preventing minors from purchasing and using cigarettes, no law exists to prohibit minors from purchasing and using e-cigarettes. A California lawmaker is introducing a new bill that only allows adults to purchase e-cigarettes. The state Senate is also urging the federal government to ban all e-cigarette sales until the Food and Drug Administration deems e-cigarettes to be safe. However, the FDA warns that e-cigarettes could be a gateway that eventually leads teens to initially try tobacco products. Click here to read more about the new bill being introduced.

Model ordinance restricting smoking in outdoor areas (CA)
The Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC) has developed a new model ordinance to assist California cities and counties in their efforts to limit outdoor tobacco use. TALC’s model ordinance includes a variety of restrictions to consider, robust enforcement mechanisms, and extensive findings documenting the health risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition to the model ordinance, TALC has developed a checklist which highlights key policy options and outlines steps involved in getting a local ordinance adopted. To read more about the model ordinance, click here. Click here to view the checklist. For additional resources from the TALC, click here.

Nebraskans weigh in on cigar bar rules (NE)
Cigar bars are exempted from Nebraska’s statewide smokefree law as of August 31. In September, the state liquor commission will vote on a set of proposed rules for smoking in cigar bars. During a public hearing held in August, health advocates expressed concerns over bar owners’ ability to protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. They argued that a clause in the policy requiring “an adequate ventilation system” is flawed, since ventilation systems do little to control smoke, and the requirement could mislead cigar bar patrons into a false sense of safety regarding air quality. On the other hand, Bill Peters, a representative from the cigar association wants the ventilation requirement removed because he believes that, “smoke abatement is a business decision.” Click here to learn more, and to read a draft of the rules.

State finding fewer smoking violations (OH)
Since the city of Marion, Ohio turned over enforcement of the smoking ban to the state, there have been fewer reports of local violations. The city had to turn over enforcement to the state due to shortfalls in funding and resources to investigate complaints. The number of complaints in Marion County has decreased to 56 since February 17, compared to 412 prior to February 17. This change indicates that the ban has been effective, and that businesses are voluntarily complying. Read more here.

Not all restaurants wait to be told to go smoke free (SD)
In the coming months, a court will rule on the statewide ban on smoking in all restaurants, bars and casinos in South Dakota; however, not all restaurants are waiting for the results. Restaurants in the state are deciding to implement a smoking ban in their businesses, and some have already implemented the ban beginning in July. Many restaurant owners feel the ban is inevitable, and some feel the ban will protect the health of their employees and customers. Click here to read more.

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National

FDA: Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) established, nominations for voting members now being accepted
The FDA has taken its next step in implementing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act by establishing the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). The TPSAC is tasked with providing advice, information, and recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs on issues relating to tobacco products. Of the nine voting members on the committee of twelve, seven will be health care professionals. One member will be an officer or employee of a state or local government or the federal government, and the final member will be a representative of the general public. The FDA is accepting nominations for voting members of the committee through October 13. Click here for more information on the TPSAC, or click here for details about the nomination process.

FDA: Frequently asked questions on the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a list of frequently asked questions relating to various aspects of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which was passed in June. The FDA addresses questions about implementation, key regulations, types of products that will be affected, the approval process for new products, measures to restrict youth access to tobacco, labeling and advertising restrictions, and the role of state and local governments. Click here to review the FDA’s list of frequently asked questions.

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International

Shanghai may become China’s first city to ban smoking in public places (China)
City lawmakers and officials are drafting plans that may make Shanghai one of the first cities in China to adopt a smoke-free policy. The ban prohibits smoking both indoors and outdoors in kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and public transportation waiting areas. Other areas such as restaurants, gyms, and work places would be required to set up a designated area for smoking. Officials are still deciding on the most appropriate options for the ban. Click here to read more about the city’s plans to ban smoking in public places. Related: Support for smoke free policies among smokers and non-smokers in six cities in China Click here to read the results of a recent study that suggests that the majority of individuals in six Chinese cities support a comprehensive smokefree law. Additional education on the dangers of secondhand smoke may further increase support for smokefree policies. The study was published in the journal Tobacco Control.

Smokers barred from adopting or fostering children; Ban reportedly first to apply to children regardless of age (U.K.)
A new policy in Wales bars smokers from adopting or serving as foster parents for children of all ages because of the health hazards posed by secondhand tobacco smoke. The new policy is simple and clear and does not allow any exceptions. Even a smoker who only smokes outdoors would not be allowed to adopt. Smokers must quit smoking for a minimum of six months and provide medical documentation of their smoke-free status. Click here to read more about the new policy.

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