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 […]
The Town Council of China Grove, North Carolina passed a ban on smoking by a unanimous vote. The measure which bans smoking in any local government-owned building or park owned, leased, operated or occupied by the Town of China Grove came without a discussion, public comments or the Town Council addressing it. Parks owned by the Town of China Grove inlaid Cannon Park, Little League Fields, Hannah Park Village Grove Park, Westhaven Park and also […]
In Waynesville, North Carolina the town alderman voted late last week to ban smoking on all town property. This included parks, ball fields, greenways, public parking lots, the grounds of town buildings and sidewalks. The latter wasn’t easily passed as it was met with heated debate that led to the banning of smoking on sidewalks which was done under the guise of providing a healthy lifestyle in the town. The new ban which still has […]
Score a rare victory for tobacco users as the Pitt County Board of Commissioners rejected a ban on smoking in public parks with a 5-4 vote on Monday. The deciding vote came from a reformed smoker, Commissioner Tom Coulson who finally echoed words spoken by many. Those words were that the government should take away to right to use a legal product. We applaud Tom Coulson for doing what was right and not putting his […]
The town of Dobson is about to open up its first public park, and visions of taking your dog for a walk while enjoying a cigar is sure to me in the mind of at least a couple of residents. However, you can do neither. The Board of Commissioners passed the parks and recreation ordinance last week. The measures go into effect when the park officially opens in a couple of weeks. Dobson is home […]
Mecklenburg, North Carolina is set to vote on a proposed smoking ban that includes all government grounds, county parks, greenways and golf courses. The county has invited members of the community to speak at a public hearing on September 2nd, before a proposed September 17th vote. The plan is being pushed by Mecklenburg Country Health Director, Marcus Plescia. County commissioners are unsure if they would support such a sweeping ban. Mecklenburg County is home to […]
The leaders of Cumberland Country are looking into expanding the existing smoking ban, and if it passes it could affect more places where the freedom to light up a cigar is permissible. The county which recently passed a policy prohibiting smoking outside anywhere on the grounds of county buildings. The commission is looking to expand that to include bus stops, outdoor restaurant seating and common areas at apartment complexes. According resident Don Kalb, “I think […]