Secondhand Smoke
Research
Smoking ban policies and their influence on smoking behaviors among current California smokers: A population-based study – Preventive Medicine. A study that looked at a representative sample of previously identified California adult smokers (n = 1718) found that living in a home with a total smoking ban or in a city/town with an outdoor ban was significantly associated with smoking reduction and making a quit attempt. Researchers conclude that such policies not only protect nonsmokers but help smokers as well.
Trends in tobacco smoke exposure and blood lead levels among youths and adults in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2008 – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This analysis found a positive linear association between blood lead levels and secondhand smoke exposure, and the blood lead levels observed in youths were high enough to lead to adverse cognitive outcomes. The findings suggest that secondhand smoke continues to be a substantial source of lead exposure in the United States, especially in vulnerable populations including youths and those living below the poverty threshold.
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Reports
Smoke-free lists, maps, and data updated – Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR). ANR has announced its quarterly update to tobacco control ordinance lists, maps, and other resources. The comprehensive information on state and local laws was updated as of January 2, 2014.
"Regulating smoking in multi-unit housing" factsheet updated – Tobacco Control Legal Consortium. This factsheet discusses benefits, considerations, and examples of smoke-free multi-unit housing legislation. The Consortium also updated a related factsheet that answers questions about public housing and Section 8 housing. Click here to view that document.
Report: Smoking ban fears unfounded four years later (NC) – ABC11 / WTVD. An evaluation of North Carolina’s smoke-free restaurants and bars law implemented in 2010 found that air quality in such establishments improved by 89% since implementation, with declines in secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace and emergency room visits for heart attack. The law enjoys widespread public support, and has had no impact on the economic productivity of restaurants and bars. Click here to read the full reportfrom the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
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State Policy
Chicago bans indoor electronic cigarette smoking (IL) – Chicago Tribune. Chicago aldermen overwhelmingly passed a measure backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to restrict where electronic cigarettes can be used and how they can be sold. The ordinance will prohibit people from using e-cigarettes in restaurants, bars and most other indoor public places in the city. The measure also will require retailers to sell e-cigarettes from behind the counter to make it harder for minors to purchase them. To read a press release from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, click here.
Beshear to push plan to cut smoking rates in Kentucky (KY) – Associated Press. Governor Steve Beshear says he'll propose a major health initiative that includes the goal of cutting Kentucky's smoking rate by 10% by 2018. The governor told lawmakers in his annual State of the Commonwealth address that tobacco is the single biggest factor hurting the state's health. He says he'll again support a statewide smoke-free policy. Beshear is also pushing legislation to ban sales of e-cigarettes to minors.
E-cigarettes to be banned under Oklahoma governor's executive order (OK) – The Oklahoman. The use of electronic cigarettes will be prohibited on state-owned and state-leased properties under an executive order signed by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. This executive order extends a similar order against tobacco products that she signed two years ago. Lawmakers made the tobacco-free policy permanent earlier this year.
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International
Can China really stop 350 million people from smoking? (China) – NBC News. The National Health and Family Planning Commission announced that China – the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco and home to nearly a third of the world’s smokers – plans to ban smoking in public places nationwide by the end of 2014, though little is known about the timeline for the proposed ban and how it would be implemented. Past attempts to regulate public smoking in China have been largely unsuccessful, with studies often citing the need to change the culture of smoking. Related: China bans officials from smoking in public The government also mandated that party officials set an example by not smoking in public places, including government offices, schools, hospitals and public transportation.
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