In 2015 as reported by The Cigar Authority the state of West Virginia had two proposals to raise the OTP tax which affects how cigars are taxed. The initial proposal suggested a raise from 7% to 10.5%. However, in late February bi-partisan bill H.B. 2953 was introduced that suggested taxing OTP products at the rate of 39 percent. The 2015 yearly session closed with the tobacco tax not seeing a vote and now a published report by […]
Last week we reported that the city of Casper, Wyoming saw a smoking exemption removed because a petition garnered enough signatures to overturn it. Yesterday, the Casper City Council voted to repeal the original smoking ban, “Smoking Ban Fully Loaded” that was put in place in 2012 by a 7-2 margin. The Council also voted 6-3 to repeal the 2013 ordinance “Smoking Ban Light”. According to a member of the City Council there were two choices; […]
Yet another city in the United States of America will be saying you can die for our country, but you can’t light up a cigar. The Borough Council is expected to pass the ordinance next month that would raise the smoking age from 19 (New Jersey Law) to 21. In July the ordinance was officially introduced with a unanimous vote, but was tabled to be rewritten to include electronic smoking devices. The council will next […]
The city of Pocatello has made a stand against special interest group, Smoke Free Idaho which wants to ban indoor smoking at all public places and businesses. According to the Idaho State Journal, Smoke Free Idaho coordinator Brenda Pollard met with the City Council last week and argued that a healthy environment was needed by folks stuck there for 40 hours a week. Thankfully the City Council wasn’t convinced. The Cigar Authority would like to […]
In the state of California the regular session for 2015 has come to a close, which means that the myriad of tobacco bills pending won’t be heard this year unless a special session is scheduled, though that is very unlikely. The bills which were reported by The Cigar Authority in August could changes taxes, distribution fees, and raise the smoking at to 21. Normally if a bill does not make it within the calendar session; the bill […]
In 2013, the city of Casper, Wyoming allowed bars, taverns, clubs and other venues to allow smoking in areas that were segregated from the general public. Today, that exemption will cease to exist as the city clerk verified the amount of signatures collected by Keep Casper Smoke Free that demanded a referendum of the 2013 ordinance. While smoking will cease in the areas that were exempt the city has a choice over the next couple of weeks. […]
The city of Glenwood Springs, Colorado which is located halfway between Utah and Denver is considering an ordinance that would restrict outdoor smoking. The measure which is being considered by the City Council would prevent people from lighting up in the downtown area. Current proposals would allow smoking in the late-night hours or setting up a designated area. According to the officials the measure is an attempt to clean up the downtown image for tourists. […]
This week the City Council in Davis, California which is located just outside of Sacramento voted to ban smoking in parks as well as the main plaza downtown. The measure that was unanimously approved also requires smokers to stay at least 20 feet from eating areas, public entryways as well as other areas. Violators of the new law will be cited and fined up to $50 for the first offense. We expect Davis to be […]
The Board of Aldermen in Holly Springs, Mississippi in a 3-2 vote passed an ordinance that bans smoking in buildings that are open to the public. The measure which passed despite opposition from local businesses includes restaurants retail stores and other commercial spaces. The law is set to go into effect in October, 2015.
A new bill introduced by Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-New City) would add hotel and motel room to a list of indoor smoking would be banned in the state of New York. The proposal introduced by Zebrowski is based on personal experience. According to Zebrowksi on WGRZ-2, “I’ll be honest, I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms, one of the things I’ve noticed is if you are above, below or next to a smoking room […]