In June, Governor Christie vetoed a resolution that would have banned smoking in the Garden State. However, that didn’t sit well with many municipalities and Newark is looking to pass a similar law that would ban the ability to light up in a city park or other recreational facilities. It will also ban smoking inside city-owned and city-operated cars means many law enforcement officials will not be able to light up on the job. The […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Earlier this year the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan banned smoking near building entrances and bus stops. The ban included an option for the City Administrator to designate any city park, or portion of as smoke free. On Tuesday a formal recommendation was received to ban smoking at 77 parks. It is now up to Commissioner Powers to decide if that request should be implemented. The current fine for violation of the existing ordinance is $25 […]
The number of communities in the state of Massachusetts to raise the legal age of purchasing tobacco has grown again. The Belmont Board of Health has voted unanimously to adopt new regulations which raises the smoking age to 21. The town will also ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and have mandated that single cigars cost at least $2.50 There are currently 29 cities and towns in the stat that have increased the age to […]