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Atlantic City Takes First Step to Smokefree Casinos
Last week, the Atlantic City Council voted unanimously (9-0) to introduce legislation to eliminate tobacco smoke in casinos. Although New Jersey State law requires other workplaces to be smokefree, it exempts casinos. Atlantic City Councilman Bruce Ward, a health care lawyer and a co-sponsor of the proposal, said he "became inspired by the cause" while listening to casino workers at a rally. "People were giving testimony about their lives and how their lives were impacted [by smoke]. Legislation at the state level takes a long time," he said. "Meanwhile, we have a health hazard that continues." Two public hearings are planned for November 29 and December 13. A final vote is planned for December 29. If approved, the proposed law would take effect 30 days later. "Breathing tobacco smoke causes cancer and other diseases," says Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc. "All workers deserve to be protected equally." Smoke Free Movies: WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance, the 26,000 member volunteer arm of the AMA, received a $500,000 grant from the American Legacy FoundationR to launch a nationwide grassroots campaign to reduce youth's exposure to the depiction of smoking in movies. "No parent in America wants to pay for a movie that pushes smoking at kids. The AMA Alliance believes this initiative hits a central interest of the nation's medical families for the health of all parents and their children," said Nita Maddox, President of the AMA Alliance. "Generations will benefit, therefore the AMA Alliance is proud to serve as the program's first point of delivery in communities around the country." Through funding from the American Legacy Foundation, the largest national independent public health foundation dedicated to keep youth from smoking and helping smokers quit, the AMA Alliance will lead a parent-to-parent grassroots initiative to make future movies rated G, PG and PG-13 smoke-free. Clean Indoor Air Wins in a Landslide Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada clear the air, reject opposition initiatives USA, 11/8/06-- Voters in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada saw through the smokescreen and voted overwhelmingly in favor of clean indoor air ballot initiatives. Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada will thus become the 15th, 16th, and 17th states in the U.S. to enact comprehensive smokefree legislation for workers, including restaurant and bar workers. They join California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Washington, New Jersey, Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico, and Washington DC. Ohio: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/electionResults.aspx Ohio State Issue 5 - Yes on State Issue 5 for a Smoke-Free Ohio, No on State Issue 4 Arizona: http://www.azsos.gov/results/2006/general/BM201.htm (Prop 201) http://www.azsos.gov/results/2006/general/BM206.htm (Prop 206) Arizona Prop 201/206 - Yes on Prop 201 for a Smoke-Free Arizona, No on Prop 206 Nevada: http://secretaryofstate.biz/nvelection/nvelection.htm Nevada Question 5 - Yes on Question 5 for a Smoke-Free Nevada, No on Question 4 Overland Park (KS) Votes Unanimously for Clean Indoor Air Parts excerpted from the Kansas City Star, 11/7/06 KANSAS, 11/7/06-- Yesterday, Overland Park (Kansas) became the largest city in Kansas to pass clean indoor air legislation. The legislation, which includes offices, restaurants and bars, will go into effect on January 2, 2008. “To me, this is a health issue,” said City Councilman John Thompson. “There is no acceptable level of secondhand smoke that’s medically approved.” “I certainly think this is the first of many,” said Lisa Benlon, a former state representative who now is governmental relations director for the American Cancer Society. “I really believe it’s going to keep the ball rolling.” Greenville (SC) Votes Unanimously for Clean Indoor Air Last Monday, the Greenville (South Carolina) City Council voted unanimously in favor of legislation to make workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smokefree. The law, which goes into effect on January 1, also eliminates smoking within 10 feet of building entrances. "ALL workers deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree work environment," says Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc. "No worker should have to breathe tobacco smoke pollution to hold a job, because it causes cancer, respiratory illness, and heart disease." Greenville joins a growing list of southern cities going smokefree, including Louisville (KY), Cottonwood (AL), and Gainseville (GA). College kids warned about starting hookah habit By Anne HardingThu Oct 12, 10:33 AM ET Puffing on a water pipe full of flavored tobacco may sound more glamorous than smoking a regular cigarette, but it's probably just as bad for your lungs, if not even more harmful, a Washington, DC researcher warns. Dr. Christopher Loffredo, director of the Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Program at Georgetown University Medical Center, has been studying tobacco use in Egypt since 1997. In the past five years, he told Reuters Health, he's seen an increase in the use of hookahs among young people in both the Middle East and the United States. Arlington (TX) Votes 8-1 for Smokefree Restaurant Law Texas, 10/17/06-- On Tuesday, the Arlington (TX) City Council voted 8-1 to become the sixteenth city in Texas to enact smokefree restaurant legislation, joining Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Corpus Christie, Round Rock, Laredo, Beaumont, and others. Hong Kong to Go Smokefree Parts excerpted from the People's Daily, 10/20/06 The Legislative Council of Hong Kong approved a law that will require virtually all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be smokefree. The law will go into effect on January 1, 2007 for most workplaces. Establishments which prohibit entry to minors will have until July 1, 2009 to comply Hawaii Governor Signs Smokefree Workplace Law HAWAII, 7/10/06-- Today, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation. The law, which takes effect November 16, will provide clean air for virtually all workers, including restaurant and bar workers. The law also requires building entrances to be smokefree. For a list of all smoke free states click here. Surgeon General says, "Avoid Second Hand Smoke"! Tuesday, the Surgeon General release a sweeping report documenting the danges of second hand smoke. Two points are of note: 1) The adverse effects can be quite rapid,occuring within minutes. 2) No non-smoker should expose themselves to smoking. He also comments that there are no adverse economic effects from smoke free laws. A link to the full report, summary report, and additional information is here. |