Last week Philadelphia became the largest city to ban smoking in public housing. That reign could be short-lived as Assistant Assembly Speaker, Felix Ortiz a Democrat from Brooklyn, NY is pushing for a similar ban. The bill would ban smoking in and on the grounds of any public housing in New York state. According to the bill, 50 percent of public house would immediately prohibit smoking with additional units going smoke free as they become […]
According to a report from the Associated Press, the capital of Rhode Island is considering a ban on smoking in the downtown area. The smoking ban that Providence is proposing would be the most wide-reaching ban to date in the United States. The proposed ban would apply to non-enclosed sidewalks and other pedestrian areas including alleys accessible to the public anywhere in downtown Providence. Smoking would only be allowed in private residences and vehicles. According to […]
As we reported yesterday, the Philadelphia Housing Authority held a hearing and voted unanimously yesterday to ban smoking in all PHA units. The measure which was unanimously passed without a debate prohibits the 80,000 low-income tenants from lighting up inside their apartments, or on public-housing property except in designated outdoor areas. Those who violate the order will be asked to attend counseling for the first three violations before the risk of losing their lease if the […]
The Democrats are at it again in the state of California who have reintroduced a slew of tobacco regulations for a special session on health care financing in August. This move comes despite the measures stalling just weeks ago. Among the six bills is a measure to raise the legal smoking age to 21. Other measures include allowing local governments to add a tobacco tax, and expand smoke-free work place laws. The measures are being […]
This afternoon the Philadelphia Housing Authority will host a hearing to consider a ban on at least some of its proprieties. If the measure is passed it would make it the largest public housing agency in the United States to implement such a policy. The PHA has approximately 80,000 low-income residents that would be effected by the ban and they would join approximately 500 housing authorities across the nation that have such a ban in […]
The government of Austria has passed a law that will ban smoking in restaurants as well as other food providers. The measure won’t go into effect until May 1st, 2018 however, if you switch over voluntarily before July 1st, 2016 the government is offering an incentive. Restaurants who switch over before July 1st 2016 will be eligible for a 30 percent fiscal premium for conversion investments. Violators will be fined 2000 Euros for restaurant owners […]
The City Council of Montpelier, Vermont has voted to keep tobacco out of city parks. The measure which passed 4-2 will outlaw the use of tobacco in City Parks, fields and recreational spaces. Enforcement of the ordinance will be handled by the Montpelier Police Department. The City Council next year plans to address putting a ban of tobacco on the downtown areas.
On Monday, Pennsylvania Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Philadelphia introduced legislation that would raise the current smoking age in the state from 18 to 21. If passed, the commonwealth would become the second state in the nation to raise the tobacco age with the first being Hawaii. According to Ms. Brown, “Simply put, raising the minimum age of legal access to 21 years of age would likely prevent or significantly delay initiation of tobacco use by adolescents and […]
On Wednesday, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox a Democrat announced that he passed an executive order banning tobacco on city property. Tobacco products will be banned at all facilities, grounds, and parking areas that are owned or leased by the city and the measure will go into effect on January 1, 2016.
A victory for smokers in the state of California? Yes it is possible and it was proven yesterday when it was determined the bill to raise the tobacco age to 21, did not have enough support to pass. Back in June the Senate passed the measure, however yesterday with the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee set to vote on S.B. 151, the bill’s sponsor Senator Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina pulled the bill from the committees […]