Each week we share some of the news that comes across our desk about upcoming legislation.. This week we have stories from California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Australia.
California – Hermosa Beach’s City Council tentatively approved an expanded smoking ban in the city’s outdoor areas at its Tuesday night meeting. The ban would apply to all public outdoor areas, and private outdoor areas where the public is invited. via Easy Reader News https://www.easyreadernews.com/131816/hermosa-beach-coucil-gives-ok-smoking-ban-rolling-outages-resolution/
Massachusetts – Starting in 2017 it will be illegal for anyone to light up inside a nursing home, including the retired residents who earned the right to enjoy their golden years as they see fit via Telegram https://www.telegram.com/article/20160711/NEWS/160719755
In the city of Pittsfield you will need to be 21 to purchase tobacco beginning November 1. The city also agreed to cap the number of tobacco permits to the current number of 52 via The Berkshire Eagle https://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_30125819/pittsfield-board-health-raises-tobacco-age-21
On the cape in the city of Bourne it will be illegal to light up on the beach or in a rec area as soon as signs are in place. The fine is $300 via Wicked Local https://capecod.wickedlocal.com/news/20160714/bourne-to-ban-smoking-at-town-beaches-rec-areas
In Plymouth a rarity in the state happened as Plymouth voted not to raise the tobacco age to 21. The victory for smokers might be short-lived as one member who was going to vote yes, did not show up to the vote and it was deadlocked 2-2 resulting in a failure to pass via WATD https://959watd.com/blog/2016/07/plymouth-board-of-health-votes-down-all-proposed-tobacco-sales-restrictions/
North Carolina – In the town of Calabash smoking can soon be regulated in the community parks via WECT https://www.wect.com/story/32425814/calabash-commissioners-consider-regulating-smoking-at-town-park
Ohio – The Perrysburg City Council voted 4-2 to pass a resolution to ban smoking at athletic fields, shelters, picnic areas and scenic plazas of city parks via Sentinel Tribune https://www.sent-trib.com/news/perrysburg-council-oks-ban-on-smoking-in-city-park-areas/article_01def144-48fa-11e6-af45-271998552d51.html
Oregon – There are currently several counties and cities in the state of Oregon that prohibit smoking in public parks. The city of Roseburg is about to take it one step further as sidewalks could be included in a ban if they touch park area via KEZI https://www.kezi.com/news/Roseburg_Could_Add_Sidewalks_Parking_Lots_to_Smoking_Ban.html
Pennsylvania – A proposed tax of 40% on cigars was avoided when the language was stripped from the original bill via https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1198&pn=3731
Rhode Island – The City Council of Providence sent back a proposal to ban smoking at Kennedy Plaza to the ordinance committee. The City Council wants designated smoking areas to be added via Providence Journal https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160709/providence-city-council-pauses-to-reconsider-smoking-ban
West Virginia – The Fairmont City Council officially passed a ban on smoking in city parks and recreational areas in a unanimous vote via WDTV https://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=view§ion=5-News&item=Fairmont-City-Council-Talks-Trash-Rates-Parking-Fees–Tobacco-Ban-31877
Wisconsin – In Pewaukee there aren’t a lot of places you can legally light up a cigar in public, and now it is set to become even less as local officials have begun looking into a park smoking ban via CBS58 https://www.cbs58.com/story/32440127/smoking-ban-being-discussed-in-pewaukee
Australia – in the city of Melbourne major streets could become smoke free in a new proposal before the City Council via Herald Sun https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/melbourne-city-council-to-consider-smoking-ban-on-major-streets/news-story/b498e967487a638b65c738e7b4590318
