A proposal by Republican Representative Jim Nash in the state of Minnesota would significantly reduce taxes on premium cigars. The state held a hearing yesterday not he proposal, which will continue into today. Currently the tax in Minnesota on premium cigars is 95 percent of the wholesale cost, up to a total of $3.50. Meanwhile, across the state line in Wisconsin the tobacco tax is 50 cents. The proposed tax cut would move Minnesota premium […]
An Illinois Senate Public Health Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would make it illegal to smoke inside a vehicle if a person under the age of 18 is present. Bill SB0728 introduced by Democrat Senator Ira Silverstein changes the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow police offices to stop drivers as well as detain them if they are suspected of smoking with passengers under the age of 18. Violators would be subject to a […]
A bill that will raise the legal smoking age from Representative Teresa Tanzi, a Democrat from Rhode Island is under consideration by a house committee. The bill was expected to be heard today that will raise the age for smoking from 18 to 21. While communities have raised the age, it has yet to happen on a state level in any state. The bill if passed would go into effect immediate and expected have the […]
According to a published report in the Patriot Ledger, the Quincy Housing Authority is considering a smoking ban in its nearly 1600 residential units. The Housing Authority manages 938 state funded and 650 federally funded residential units in the city of Quincy which is south of Boston. The report states that residents were sent out a survey where in which they sought the best way to implement a smoke free housing policy. Some of the […]
As we reported last week, the town of Madison, Connecticut held a hearing on a proposal to ban smoking at beaches and parks. The original proposal called for no designated areas for smokers, and after the selectmen listened to the concerns of residents they have agreed to designate areas for smokers. The Beach and Recreation Commission will now assign designates smoking areas, areas which have not yet been defined. The selectmen of Madison, CT unanimously approved […]
On Thursday the Seattle Democrat Mayor Ed Murray’s administration announced that it is asking the Board of Park commissioners to approve a law that would ban smoking in all public parks. The Emerald City currently has a ban which prohibits any tobacco use within 25 feet of other park patrons as well as in play areas, beaches and playgrounds. The new rule would result in a warning at first but multiple offenses could include exclusion […]
Ocean City, Maryland has finalized a beach smoking ban that will prohibit you from lighting up on the majority of the beach or boardwalk. The new restrictions now require you to stand at the back of the beach near the dunes, or keep within 15 feet of a Boardwalk ashtray. The new law comes with a $500 fine for violators although the rule is expected to be self-policed. The measure was passed into law on […]
On Monday, the Sherman City Council heard a request to ban smoking in restaurants and bars within city limits. With other ordinances in place throughout the northern part of the state, resident Joshua Loe approached the City Council stating that the Sherman was falling behind and needs to be a progressive community. According to Mayor Cary Wacker, most people are in favor of the smoking ban. The next step is for the City Council to […]
The town of Madison, Connecticut could be the next community to ban smoking at parks and beaches. The measure which was proposed by the Beach and Recreation Commission is being back by the First Selectman, Fillmore McPherson despite published reports that the Townspeople are divided. A public hearing will be held on March 23 at the Madison Town Campus before the Board of Selectmen put it to a vote. Madison, CT is home to 17,500 […]
A tobacco tax could be looming in the state of Louisiana months before the scheduled IPCPR trade show hits New Orleans. With a new smoking ban in place, the state will not look to increase revenue by raising tobacco despite studies that show increased taxes often mean reduced revenue. While the cigarette tax has a number attached to it ($0.36 to $1.08 per pack), there has been no set number attached to other tobacco products […]