The Wayne County Board of Supervisors last week voted to ban tobacco and e-cigarettes on all county property despite objections from several members. Those who spoke out against the ban publicly worried that the government was overreaching their bounds. The ban though goes above and beyond traditional bans in the past. If you are driving or sitting in your car on county property and you choose to smoke you must do so with the windows […]
On Friday the Governor of Hawaii, David Ige signed a bill into law that makes Hawaii the first state to change the legal smoke age to 21. The state senate passed the bill back in April and accord to Ige, “Raising the minimum age as part of our comprehensive tobacco control efforts will help reduce tobacco use among our youth and increase the likelihood that our [children] will grow up tobacco-free“ Violation of the law will result […]
On Wednesday, the St. Helens City Council voted 5-0 to pass an ordinance that will ban the use of tobacco products in parks. The measure which includes electronic cigarettes, vaporizes, smokeless tobacco, cigarettes and cigars will also extend to city-owned properties and city sponsored events. The new ban which starts on July 17, 2015 replaces the one on the books that prohibits smoking within a 50′ radius of playgrounds, athletic fields, picnic tables, etc. Violators […]
The state Senate in Ohio is voting tonight on a proposed $71.3 billion, two-year budget that will include an increase in tobacco taxes with a silver lining. According to a report in the Toledo Blade, the budget that includes a 5% annual pay raise for elected officials will raise the cigarette tax by 40 cents. There is also a proposed increase on cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco while premium cigars would be capped at 50 […]
Earlier this year a measure to ban smoking in automobiles with those under 18 present failed in the state of Illinois as the state senate felt it imposed on personal rights. However, in the state of New Jersey, a senate panel has passed a similar measure. The NJ panel voted 8-0 to advance legislations that would make it illegal to light up in a vehicle of someone under the age of 16 was present. Violators […]
The City Council in Springfield, Massachusetts is meeting tonight to consider approval of a few items, including the ban of all single cigar sales. The council will vote to go on record urging the Springfield Board of Health to issue regulations that would ban the sale or distribution of “any cigar or cigar package that contains fewer than four (4) cigars.” The vote is non-binding but would reflect the council’s support, under council rules. As of […]
As sessions around the country wind down before summer recess, there are many states that have a proposed tobacco tax increase that would affect cigars. This week one of those states passed a new budget that had originally called for a tobacco tax increase on OTP items. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana that proposal would have raised premium cigar taxes an additional 5% (from 20%) as well as raising pipe tobacco 17%. The Cigar Authority can report […]
Six months ago Providence, Rhode Island passed a measure that banned smoking in City Parks. Now, the city is close to passing an ordinance that will ban smoking in the entire downtown area. According to Frank LaTorre of Riverside, “Does someone have a right to put that kind of carcinogen into the air?” leaving us to wonder, what about the carbon monoxide exhaust of automobiles and buses which is proven to be far more dangerous […]
While the primary topic of the meeting was the creation of an urban tree commission, the Salem Oregon also passed a ban on smoking in city parks. According to published reports, Councilman Daniel Benjamin spoke out against the ban, stating that the culture of smoking has changed where has witnessed those lighting up to move downwind and way from children when choose to light up. Despite this the measure passed, with smoking now illegal in […]
Once again those who aren’t old enough to vote or pay taxes are helping mold the laws of another town in America. The Fort Ann High School Reality Check program spoke before the Town Board in Fort Ann on tobacco. After the hearing, the Town Board voted 4-1 to ban smoking and use of tobacco products at Pilot Knob Beach, outside Town Hall and the Old Stone library. Violations will be subject to a $50 […]