Elected officials must get it, too
Editor
Apr 24, 2012
Kids say the darndest things — and some of the smartest, too.
When Linda Kelsch’s third grade students at Linton Elementary School in Linton, North Dakota, were asked to express their opinions about a community issue, they chose to write about a proposal before the City Council to require smoke-free public places and work places.
Continue reading The Kids Get It: Secondhand Smoke Kills
posted April 24, 2012
Indianapolis mayor signs smoke-free ordinance, clearing the air on June 1
Editor
Apr 20, 2012
The years-long effort to make Indianapolis smoke-free has finally succeeded. After a long campaign by health advocates, civic leaders and public officials – and multiple votes by the City-County Council – Mayor Greg Ballard has signed a new ordinance that will make all restaurants and bars and most other workplaces smoke-free.
Continue reading Indy Will Be Smoke-Free At Last!
posted April 20, 2012
Smoke-free policies sweep across South Carolina, Kentucky
Editor
Feb 9, 2012
More and more communities in South Carolina and Kentucky — states where tobacco used to be king — are helping reduce smoking and protect everyone from dangerous secondhand smoke by enacting local ordinances requiring workplaces and public places to be smoke-free.
In South Carolina, North Myrtle Beach became the latest Palmetto State municipality to clear the air when the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking in workplaces and public places. There are now 44 smoke-free communities in South Carolina.
Continue reading Tobacco State Communities Clear the Air
posted February 09, 2012
As key vote approaches, public desire for smoke-free law is broad and deep
Editor
Jan 24, 2012
Indiana voters overwhelmingly support a proposed law to make all workplaces smoke-free, with a broad coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents agreeing that employees and customers alike have a right to breathe clean air.
By a stunning margin of 70 to 27 percent, Indiana voters support a law that would prohibit smoking in indoor workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars. Fully 73 percent of Republicans and Independents, as well as 66 percent of Democrats, support the legislation. Sponsored by Rep. Eric Turner, (R-Cicero), the measure is set for a vote in the Indiana House later this week.
Continue reading Smoke-Free Indiana Wins Super Support
posted January 24, 2012
University of California system, Florida campuses join coast-to-coast trend
Editor
Jan 12, 2012
All ten campuses of the University of California will be completely tobacco-free within the next two years, while on the other coast Nova Southeastern University is joining the University of Florida and other Sunshine State campuses in going smoke-free.
University of California President Mark G. Yudof this week directed chancellors to implement tobacco-free policies on their campuses within the next 24 months. Key elements include prohibiting all tobacco use in both indoor and outdoor spaces and stopping the sale and advertising of tobacco products in University-owned and occupied buildings.
Continue reading Smoke-Free Campuses from Sea to Shining Sea
posted January 12, 2012
Momentum for Tobacco Control Builds Across Latin America
Marina Carter, International Press Secretary
Dec 16, 2011
With Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signing a comprehensive tobacco control law this week, Brazil has taken historic action to protect its more than 190 million citizens from the deadly toll of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
The law makes Brazil the most populous country in the world to go smoke-free. It also bans tobacco advertising at point of sale, increases tobacco taxes and requires health warnings on both sides of cigarette packs (current law requires graphic warnings covering the entire back of the pack, but no warning on the front of the pack).
Continue reading Brazil Becomes Largest Country in World to Go Smoke-Free
posted December 16, 2011
36th annual Smokeout kicks off a season of getting motivated and getting help to quit
Editor
Nov 16, 2011
For smokers trying to quit, there's no better time than to start than tomorrow — the Great American Smokeout.
For 36 years, the American Cancer Society has designated the day for smokers to quit, and for those who love them to give help and support.
Continue reading Great American Smokeout is Early Holiday Gift for Health
posted November 16, 2011
Chamber of Commerce urges statewide smoke-free law
Editor
Oct 24, 2011
A quarter century ago, Kentucky lawmakers responded to a proposal for smoke-free indoor air by lighting up cigarettes in a legislative chamber.
Now smoke-free advocates in the tobacco-producing state are getting a stunningly different reaction — a strong endorsement from the state's leading business group.
Continue reading Smoke-Free Kentucky is Good for Business
posted October 24, 2011
Former president puts tobacco control on his global health agenda
Editor
Sep 22, 2011
The Clinton Global Initiative has assembled a coalition of businesses, civic leaders and health advocates — including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids — to lead a global effort for smoke-free workplaces.
Continue reading Clinton Global Initiative Challenges Employers to Provide Smoke-Free Workplaces Around the World
posted September 22, 2011
Students return to smoke-free campuses
Editor
Sep 7, 2011
Though lots of pizza and late nights still make college life a health challenge, exposure to secondhand smoke is becoming less of a threat: More than 500 campuses around the country are now completely smoke-free.
Prohibitions on smoking in residence halls, classrooms and other indoor spaces have long been common, but increasingly, students and faculty have advocated for — and won — smoke-free policies that apply anywhere on campus, including outdoor spaces such as athletic stadiums and parking lots. Among the smoke-free venues are all 33 campuses in the Arkansas state university system, and the 23 campuses of the City University of New York.
Continue reading College Campuses Clear the Air
posted September 07, 2011
But prevention cuts put progress at risk
Editor
Aug 10, 2011
Over the past decade, Indiana has reduced the smoking rate among adults by nearly a quarter, reaching an historic low for the state of 21.2 percent in 2010.
Indiana was in the forefront of tobacco control efforts following the 1998 settlement of state lawsuits against the tobacco industry. It established an independent agency—Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation—and initially provided robust funding for programs to prevent kids from starting to smoke and help smokers quit.
But political will has waned, and funding has dropped steadily, threatening continued progress.
Continue reading Indiana Smoking Rate Drops to Historic Low
posted August 10, 2011
Laws have been good for health and good for business
Editor
Jul 6, 2011
Several states are celebrating anniversaries of their smoke-free laws this week, and they’re demonstrating once again that these laws protect health, don’t hurt business and are very popular with the public.
Colorado is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its smoke-free law that includes all restaurants and bars. According to The Gazette of Colorado Springs, "Business at Colorado restaurants is up considerably. The only statewide downward trends are in numbers of smokers, heart attacks and lung problems."
Continue reading Celebrating Smoke-Free Anniversaries in Colorado and Wisconsin
posted July 06, 2011
Cruise lines build on travel industry’s smoke-free trend
Editor
Jun 29, 2011
If you're going on vacation, you've got more options than ever to get there smoke-free, and stay that way throughout your trip.
Three big cruise lines — Carnival, Princess and Holland America — have just announced that they're making all cabins smoke-free and tightening smoking restrictions in public spaces, beginning Dec. 1, 2011 for Carnival and Jan. 15, 2012 for Princess and Holland America. Princess will also ban smoking on cabin balconies, joining a growing number of cruise lines that do so.
Continue reading See the World Smoke-Free
posted June 29, 2011
Comprehensive new law will protect 40 million
Editor
Jun 14, 2011
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has signed a tough new tobacco-control law that includes restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotions, as well as a requirement that all indoor workplaces and public places are smoke-free.
Continue reading Argentina Joins Growing Movement Against Tobacco in Latin America
posted June 14, 2011
Cities and counties across Palmetto State are enacting smoke-free policies
Editor
May 12, 2011
Better health is winning against Big Tobacco — even in tobacco-growing South Carolina.
In the past two weeks, three more South Carolina cities — Atlantic Beach, Florence and Spartanburg — have approved smoke-free workplace ordinances that include restaurants and bars. That brings to 41 the number of smoke-free cities and counties statewide, protecting 34 percent of the state's population.
Continue reading South Carolina Shakes Off Tobacco Ties
posted May 12, 2011
Nepal enacts comprehensive tobacco-control law
Editor
May 10, 2011
Home to the world's tallest mountain, Nepal also has big ambitions for improving health: It has just enacted a tough, comprehensive tobacco-control law that requires smoke-free public places and workplaces, mandates pictorial health warnings covering 75 percent of tobacco packages, and bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships.
Continue reading Standing Tall for Health
posted May 10, 2011
Historic Step to Reduce Tobacco’s Huge Toll on Native Americans
Editor
Apr 29, 2011
Native Americans have the highest rates of smoking and other tobacco use of any population group in the United States.
So it was an historic step this week when Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed an executive order stating, "It is the policy of the Navajo Nation Executive Branch to establish a commercial tobacco free environment in all workplaces and public places within the Navajo Nation."
Continue reading Navajo Nation President Signs Smoke-Free Policy
posted April 29, 2011
Another reminder that public wants the right to breathe clean air
Editor
Apr 20, 2011
By a 60-40 percent margin, voters in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Tuesday approved a ballot measure extending the city's smoke-free law to bars, truck stops and tobacco stores. Voters rejected a separate measure that would have allowed "smoking huts" outside bars. The new law will take effect in about a week.
The Bismarck vote underscores once again the strong public support for smoke-free laws that apply to all workplaces and public places. As demonstrated by ballot initiatives and polls across the country, the public strongly supports everyone's right to breathe clean air, free from the toxic chemicals in secondhand smoke. That support is strong across party lines and in every region of the country.
Continue reading Bismarck, N.D., Voters Approve Smoke-free Ballot Measure
posted April 20, 2011
Tots on a train underscore need for enforcement of China’s new smoke-free rules
Editor
Apr 15, 2011
The world was shocked last summer to see videos of an Indonesian toddler chain-smoking as part of his daily routine.
Now China has doubled the trouble: A video of two toddlers in a train car, puffing on cigarettes and blowing smoke in each other's faces, has surfaced on the Internet.
Adults nearby watch, comment and even chuckle at the kids' disturbing use of deadly tobacco.
See for yourself ...
Continue reading More Smoking Babies!
posted April 15, 2011
Let CBS News show you how unhealthy the smokiest cities look
Editor
Mar 28, 2011
CBS News, with the help of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, has found some of the smokiest cities in America and shows exactly why: They're places where elected officials have refused to take strong action to protect everyone’s right to breathe clean air.
Continue reading How Important is it to be 100% Smoke Free?
posted March 28, 2011
Big step in country with over one million tobacco deaths each year
Editor
Mar 24, 2011
Nowhere is the devastating toll of tobacco more evident than in China. Smoking kills more than one million Chinese people each year — one-fifth of the world total.
This week, China's Ministry of Health announced its strongest action to date to reduce this terrible toll: A new smoke-free policy that will prohibit smoking in indoor public places starting May 1.
Continue reading China Sets May 1 Start for Smoke-Free Public Places
posted March 24, 2011
Ireland’s national smoke-free law started global trend for better health
Editor
Mar 17, 2011
If you’re having a pint for St. Patrick's Day — and sipping in a smoke-free bar — be sure to tip your hat to Ireland, too.
In March 2004, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to implement a comprehensive, nationwide smoke-free law for all workplaces, including restaurants and pubs. At first, there was widespread disbelief that it could happen in a nation where smoking and drinking were so much a part of local culture. Television crews from around the world turned up in Dublin to record what was heralded as a stunning — if uncertain — change.
Continue reading Leprechauns Love Smoke-Free Pubs
posted March 17, 2011
A baker’s dozen of lobbyists work to thwart health gains
Editor
Mar 14, 2011
In the spirit of Nick Naylor, the fictitious tobacco-industry lobbyist lampooned in the 2005 film Thank You for Smoking, lobbyists seeking to keep Oklahoma cities and towns from setting their own smoke-free policies are enjoying a business boom.
The Oklahoman reports that big tobacco companies have hired at least 13 lobbyists to try to defeat legislation that would let cities regulate smoking in public places.
Continue reading Smoke-Free Battle in Oklahoma Shows How Far Big Tobacco Will Go to Protect Profits
posted March 14, 2011
Supporters of tea party want clean air, too
Editor
Mar 1, 2011
It turns out that we can all get along.
State lawmakers immersed in contentious legislative sessions can find welcome relief from partisan combat on an issue where voter support transcends party lines and ideological leanings: Backing for comprehensive smoke-free air laws.
Continue reading Secondhand Smoke Isn’t Red or Blue
posted March 01, 2011
Why not join the growing ranks of smoke-free hotels?
Editor
Feb 18, 2011
Facing a public outcry, the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas has rescinded its new $20 per day fee for customers to “guarantee” a non-smoking room. It's the right thing to do. As we said in a public statement earlier this week, no one should have to pay extra to avoid exposure to a toxic substance that causes lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
Continue reading MGM Grand Rescinds Fee to Guarantee Non-Smoking Room
posted February 18, 2011
Our Blog Posts
