The state of Oklahoma allows cities to impose smoking bans, however the way the law is written it prevents a total ban on tobacco (thankfully!). On Tuesday, the city council of Lawton approved an ordinance that prohibits all tobacco and vapor products on city owned properties and vehicles in a 5-3 vote despite the Deputy City Attorney indicating there could be legal troubles down the road. The law if unchallenged by the state it goes […]
In an effort to reduce smoking, the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) has proposed that smoking should be banned at bus stops, outdoor restaurants, entries to public buildings and pavement cafes. The Public Health Agency’s suggestions are being handed over to Sweden’s government for consideration today. Last year, lung cancer groups made headlines in the country when they proposed that Sweden should have a total smoking ban by 2025. Sweden is home to 9.5 […]
In the small town of Gloucester city, along the Delaware river within state of New Jersey you can’t light up a cigar unless you are sitting inside your home. You can thank the local government for taking away your freedom to enjoy a legal product. The new law which went into effect today makes it allege to smoke any form of tobacco in parks, city streets, sidewalks, your front porch, the stoop and the steps. […]
Oh Canada, can’t you just leave tobacco alone. In 2009 the federal government banned tiny flavored cigarillos because they deemed them to be marketed to children, eh. On Friday, Health Canada gave regulatory notice that it plans to put a stop to the way manufacturers have circumvented the ban. The law originally banned flavored tobacco on cigarillos that weighted less than 1.4 grams. Now, they are pushing for the ban to be on cigars heavier […]
In a story that would have hit close to home when my office was down the road in Union, the hamlet of Westfield has passed the first reading of an ordinance that will ban smoking on all municipal park grounds. If the smoking ban is violated, the first fine would be $50 and then increase to $500 for a third offense. The smoking ban will be enforced by the Westfield Police Department. Westfield is home […]
This weekend, a town home community in Omaha, Nebraska will vote to ban smoking. If passed, a smoker will not be able to light up inside his own home. The community of 190 homes in Village will vote this Saturday. If the law is passed the home owner will be fined $25.00, which will increase with each incident. Each unit, will be given one vote.
It might become illegal to smoke down in the Louisiana Bayou, specifically in Terrebonne Parish if a proposed ordinances passes. At its Tuesday meeting, on September 23rd, 2014 the Parish Council will introduce an ordinance to make it illegal to smoke tobacco. According to Parish President, Michel Claudet, “We have been continuing to try to work on areas that we feel can make a substantial difference. One of which is we’re trying to get some […]
The Board of Health in Lawrence, MA has proposed regulations will raise the smoking age from 18 to 21. However, it doesn’t stop there as the town also wants to ban tobacco sales at pharmacies as well as requiring all single cigars to carry a minimum of $2.50. The health board considered bundling other regulations to battle obesity such as limiting the sale of soda or other sugar drinks to children under 18. The new […]
On Monday, October 6, 2014 the Brooke Country Board of Health will be holding a public hearing on a proposal that wouldl ban smoking in all business, bars, restaurants and video lottery parlors. I t will also include outdoor spaces such as parks and festivals. The hearing which will be held at 6pm in the courtroom of the Brooke County Courthouse in Wellburg. After both sides of the aisle get their said a final decision […]
The Allegheny County Housing Authority has stated effective immediately that five of its sites are being made smoke free. The county which included Pittsburgh has designated 330 units as non-smoking. According to executive director Frank Aggazio, “The Housing Authority’s mission is to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for families and individuals in Allegheny County, and to change the traditional face of public housing. Adopting a smoke-free policy in our facilities improves our residents’ health […]