Just week after their neighbors to the north, Hancock County decided to go 100-percent smoke free, Brooke County, West Virginia might just follow suit. According to Brooke County Health Department Administrator, Karen Mclain the board of hearth will be adopting clean air regulation that will ban smoking in all enclosed public places as well as outdoor events such as fairs and festivals. She states, “As a board of health, what we can address is the […]
On Friday August 29th the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that allowing smoking in cigar bars and tobacco shops is an unconstitutional special legislation. The court which was divided stated in their ruling, “here is no substantial difference in circumstances between cigar bars and other public places or places of employment that justifies treating cigars bars differently. The judges added, “The purpose of the 2008 Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act is to protect the public health […]
Original Story: Aug 13th. Kokomo, no not the locale made famous by the Beach Boys. Kokomo, IN. The Kokomo Common Council unveiled a draft of a smoke-free ordinance that would ban smoking in all enclosed public places. The draft was presented to the council Monday and removes the current exemption for tobacco outlets, bars, taverns and fraternal organizations. It also includes a ban for E-cigarettes. The committee will meet again on Monday to discuss amendments to […]
The city of Foster City, CA has drafted an amendment to an ordinance dealing with second-hand smoke. The amendment would ban smoking in all rental apartment complexes and requite those who own their own condominiums or townhouses to only smoke indoors with the windows closed. A clause was added to revisit the rule after six months of implementation. According to The Daily Journal, 64% of the residents of Foster City, California live in multifamily housing. […]
On Wednesday the park district board of Chicago is set to vote on a proposal that will ban smoking in any of Chicago’s parks or harbors. There is already a ban at beaches, park district buildings and playgrounds. If approved the violation would carry a $500 fine. The Chicago Park District is the oldest and largest park district in the U.S.A, with a $385 million annual budget.
Close to the one year anniversary of Councilman Michael Harris’ failed bid for a smoking ban in the downtown smoking district, the Councilman is set to bring the proposal back to the table. Harris and fellow Councilman Ken Carlson have asked their colleagues to draft an ordinance that would ban smoking downtown. The council is scheduled to meet and discuss the proposal at 7:30pm tonight (Sep. 8th) at City Hall. Councilman Carlson is a smoker, […]
On Thursday, Democrat Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear signed an executive order that expands on a 2006 ban on smoking inside state buildings. The new expanded version of the law includes surrounding property such as sidewalks and parking lots. It also applies to all state vehicles. “No longer will you have to walk through a cloud of smoke to enter one of these buildings,” Beshear said. “Today’s policy is about improving our health.” The order […]
On Wednesday the city commission of Owensboro, KY unanimously passed legislation that prohibits smoking in city parks and outdoor dining areas. There is however an exemption for existing bars to allow their patrons to smoke. New bars will not be allowed to have smoking in their establishment. Each existing bar now has the option of being smoke free or allowing their customer base the right to light up. The new law goes into effect on […]
Mississippi doctors are pushing for state legislators to put a statewide smoking ban on the ballot. There are currently 86 cities that have smoke-free ordinance which covers 25% of the state’s population. However, Steve Demetropolous of the State Medical Association says this is not enough. So far the medical association has failed to have lawmakers pass a state smoking ban, and are not look to get enough signatures to convince the legislators to take the […]
In Houston, TX the city has begun enforcing a smoking ban on all properties belonging to the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Houston Public Library. Violating the new ban, could make a serious dent on your pocket and give you a criminal record. Violators of the new ordinance will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $2000.00. According to the director of Houston Parks & Recreation Department, “A smoke free park […]