Other Policy
Reports
New tobacco prevention policy tool from American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence has launched an interactive online tool that describes policy strategies that support the prevention of youth tobacco initiation, reduction in secondhand smoke exposure and cessation support. This tool is designed for physicians and other health care professionals who are interested in focusing advocacy efforts on secondhand smoke and tobacco control in their states and communities. Click here to see the interactive tool.
American Lung Association releases 2010 edition of State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI) report
The American Lung Association has released the 2010 edition of State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI), the ALA's annual summary of state tobacco control laws. Click here to read a summary of the findings from the 2010 report. Copies of the full SLATI 2010 report can be downloaded from the SLATI website (see the first bullet under The Latest section), and state-specific information is available from this page. The 2010 SLATI report covers state tobacco control laws that passed on or before January 1, 2011. The SLATI website is updated continuously as new tobacco control laws are enacted, and SLATI is the only comprehensive and up-to-date summary of tobacco control laws in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
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State Policy
Updated state tobacco control resource pages
The National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) has updated its interactive state-specific tobacco control resource page. A U.S. map on the page allows users to click on each state to learn about smoking prevention funding, excise taxes, and resources within the state. Click here to see the resource map.
North Carolina legislature eliminates state health and wellness trust fund (NC)
North Carolina’s House and Senate have abolished the Health and Wellness Trust Fund, the only state-funded long-term source of financial support for youth tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts. For years, a quarter of the annual tobacco settlement funds received from tobacco companies were dedicated to the trust fund. It is believed that the lack of funds will have an adverse impact on health outcomes in the state. Read the North Carolina Alliance for Health press release here, or click here to learn more about the Health and Wellness Trust Fund.
Sale of hookahs, shisha and other smoking paraphernalia to minors prohibited (NY)
New York Governor Cuomo has signed a new law that prohibits the sale of smoking paraphernalia to minors. The governor’s goal is to protect the health of young people and to decrease the use of tobacco products. The law will go into effect in January of 2011. Read more here.
Ore. House passes disputed hookah lounge bill (OR)
The Oregon Senate has passed a bill that puts limits on the seating capacity and location of hookah bars. Under the bill, hookah bars must either be housed in separate stand-alone buildings or have an independent ventilation system if they share a wall with another business. The bill also bans new lounges from opening, but new hookah lounge applications will be accepted until the governor signs the bill. Some public health advocates oppose the bill, stating that the regulations are not restrictive enough to reduce the use of hookah. The bill will now go to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, who is expected to sign the bill. Read more here and follow House Bill 2726 here.
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International
Australia launches world-first plain cigarette pack laws (Australia)
A law has been introduced in the Australian parliament that would require all cigarettes to be sold in plain packages that look similar for all brands. Australia is the first country to mandate plain packaging, but other countries such as Canada and Britain are considering similar approaches. Currently, 19% of Australian citizens are smokers, and Health Minister Nicola Roxon hopes to decrease the smoking prevalence to 10%. Read more here. Related: Big tobacco ignites legal war Tobacco giant Philip Morris is fighting proposed legislation in Australia that would remove commercial branding from cigarettes. Philip maintains that removal of commercial branding will devalue the cigarette company’s intellectual property, thus reducing the profitability and value of the company and constituting a breach of an international investment treaty. A three month negotiation period will now occur, and if there is no resolution, the matter will continue on to arbitration. Read more here.
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