what is the latest news on smoking bans?
102565
Colorado is about to pass a bill outlawing smoking in all public places,except the airport smoking lounge and a couple other exceptions.
1050791
Try: http://news.bbc.co.uk
626056
There's a new drug that requires a prescription that the FDA is getting ready to approve probably before the end of this year.  It's called Chantix.  It was proven in tests to help 6 out of 9 smokers stop smoking.  It's hopefully going to be a huge breakthrough.
1031090
i hope so,,, it bothers me as well since my nighbors downstairs smoke.... there is talk into banning smoking in appartments\n\nKetty.... its easy i'm upstairs. smoke travels UP. when they are out on there balcony there smoke travels UP to mine.    simple. plain and simple. \n\nanyways i just finished reading an article, they want to ban smoking compleatly in Santa cruz. they already banned it from the beach and public parks. there is also a  small town somewere in california where its compleatly banned. \n\nthere is also people wanting to ban smoking in casinos in vegas.,,.. now to me thats just CRAZY all the casinos i been to have very good venting.
706721
I grew up in the 60s and 70s in a family that smoked and none of us, not even one of us has died or gone to hospital for smoking related illness.  There needs to be a compromise on this issue, but when the people with money and nothing better to do than try to force everyone to be like they are set an agenda, the rest of us pay.  Where I live, a ban on smoking was recently passed (by a 7% margin, by the way, out of only 30% of registered voters weighing in), because these whiny, holier-than-thou control freaks couldn't be happy that we already had an ordinance requiring restaurants to have separate smoking sections with separate ventilation systems.  Now all the restaurants that invested all  that money in those separate rooms and vent systems are going to have to give them up to these jerks.  Recent talk shows have aired the voices of business owners saying that their business has suffered from the bans, while cities around them report increases, as those of us who still appreciate the concept of a free country drive to less fascistic communities to dine out.  Restaurants are private businesses and if someone can't stand the chance of smelling cigarette smoke, they most certainly do not have to go into them.  This no compromise attitude is very un-American, in my opinion.  Sadly, people these days usually just roll over when new laws go through and they'll just say, "OK, you took that right from me, at least I can still smoke in my car and house."  I just wonder how long that will be true. Hail Oceania!
874842
What good is having had a job when you die of cancer?\n\nWhatever makes you think that smoking bans hurt small business? In Ireland the pub owners griped like mad about the prospective smoking ban -- but once it was in place their business increased!\n\nThat might not happen in bars in America -- I haven't seen statistics or reports; but it seems to be happening in upscale restaurants in France and the USA.\n\nThe tobacco industry does not have anyone's sympathy. As far as I know, it's not lost significant sales domestic or foreign -- or if it has the latter has compensated for the former. And it's among the most highly mechanized industries anywhere. And the smoking ban is a long time coming and has been discounted in the market place and in the employment plans of most kids. I hope.\n\nI knew a tobacco farmer who despised his crop, but depended upon his quota in Georgia. Until he died. Of lung cancer.\n\nThe loss of jobs is due to globalization. The jobs went not to Mexico as Ross Perot predicted, but to China. The effects were compounded in the past 6 years by tax laws favoring the very rich and hurting the middle classes. What people complain about is that they can't raise families on the wages on offer for the jobs left: minimum wage (a minimum unchanged in ten years) jobs that are of interest only to illegal aliens who live an austere lifestyle crowded together in barren apartments so they can support families at home. Their jobs on the farms in Mexico were destroyed by NAFTA and American crop subsidies -- US crops are dumped in Mexico and Africa. (The African cotton farmers head to Europe. Or starve.)\n\nSo: don't take these issues out of context. Smoking has little or nothing to do with your premise about jobs.
923722
This is the only current information I could find for you.\n\nWhile the bill could still be changed right up until the vote, here is what the latest understanding of the bill is, which was released Friday. \n\nThere would be a policy that would not allow any restaurants to allow patrons under age 18 to smoke.\nThere would be no smoking in any place of employment, retail store, mall, bowling alley, sports arena, or outdoor county park.\nSmoking would be allowed in bars.  Also, any restaurant with a bar inside will be exempt from the ban, as long as the bar is physically separated with walls or doors.\n"That would allow places like Hacienda or Friday’s or whatever restaurant that might have a clearly separated bar and restaurant to allow smoking," explains County Councilman Andy Kostielney.\n\nAside from bars, smoking would also be allowed in any business that only allows patrons 18 and over, which includes tobacco shops, bingo and social halls, as well as private clubs.\n\nPunishment for not following the law \nIf the law is passed, and businesses do not obey, the punishments are as follows. \n\nA first offense gets only a verbal warning. \nThen, there will be a written warning for a second violation.\nBusiness owners will be slapped with a $100 fine for a third violation.\nAfter that, each additional violation would cost businesses $500.  \nLastly, the fourth will cost $200. \nMoney collected would go towards the county's enforcement of the ban.
952474
let us know the latest please
975459
ban smoking and life because they both kill you.. now you can't argue with that statement now can you?
605921
All great ideas. If you add lifting the smoking ban to that list you've got my vote.
784205
If it is anything like the law here in Massachusetts, It SUCKS. It is another step in our DICTATORSHIP government in becoming COMMUNIST. Please don't misunderstand me. To ban smoking in a restaurant is one thing. I say this as smoking CAN affect the taste of food and for a NON-smoker to have to sit there and try to enjoy a meal and be forced to breath the smoke from my cigar, well it isn't right. BUT Cigaretts and Cigars, and Pipes go with coffee or drinks. And to tell a person YOU can't SMOKE when you are in this bar is NOT RIGHT. I say put this question on a ballot and let the voters decide. WE the PEOPLE, should be able to say WE want smoking or WE don't want smoking. If WE the people decide what WE want or don't want then I could except the law if it passed. BUT for our DICTATORSHIP government to just make these laws and FORCE them down OUR throats I say again it is WRONG. Oh I don't even want to hear that the BAR-tender is being forced to breath second hand smoke. Thats is a BIG CROCK of chit. I mean if you are bothered by fire, then why would you become a fire-man. If you are bothered by guns, then why would you become a police man. The same applys to bar tending. If you are bothered by second hand smoke WHY become a bar tender? Sorry to have run off so long but this issue goes right up my backside.
875837
Personally I can't wait.  I spent fifty odd years smoking, and can now understand how my kids must have suffered in the back of the car.  I cannot understand how a whole family sitting on the next table too me would all light up as soon as they had finished eating, Bloody ignorant lot, not bothering about us or their youngster in the pushchair.  We have overcome that one now, we always go in after we know they will have gone. Poor child has got it all the time though.           I know ex smokers are the biggest moaners, but I can also see why,  I wouldn't smoke in a restaurant or cafe.      I gave up after getting up to answer the phone, the answerphone cut in before I made it. My mate thought I had been running, but I had only just got off the couch.When I heard the recording, I sounded like an asthmatic elephant. I gave up ( for the 4th time) the end of August '88 and not stopped moaning since.   \nI gave up the bottle around the same time,     I went to pay for some materials and my hand was shaking so much I couldn't sign a cheque. I made the excuse I had almost knocked someone over.  \n\n                 I'm so good, I start church soon!!!!!!!!\n\nDoubt it will stop many smoking, and this government know it.
981624
Well I for one will definitely be purchasing "on line" if this ruling is ratified.\n\nGordon Brown will just have to raise his taxes elsewhere, and that will include the members of this society that do not smoke or drink.\n\nAs smokers we have subsidised the "non smokers" in our society with the extortionate amount of tax we have had to pay (£4.03) per pkt of 20 fags, for far too long.\n\nIt"s about time they had to pay their share, because rest assured the amount of revenue raised on duty, is spent for the benefit of everybody, not just the smokers who paid the tax.\n\nIt might also let those miserable b"stards at Custom & Excise concentrate on catching the real criminals i.e. drug smugglers, and leave the average citizen alone. ( the ones who bring in an extra sleeve of fags)\n\nHe, Gordon Brown that is, must have heard about this, thats why he is telling us the World will end if we don"t pay extra "Green Taxes, got to get the lost revenue from somewhere.\n\nThese Politicians are so bloody devious, you can"t believe a word they say.
453978
I know, I know!  Pick me, pick me!\nWhat needs to happen is that restaurants (and other businesses) must be made to comply with health codes.  That is to say, that the smoking area should be well-ventilated, and separate from the non-smoking areas.  Any restaurant (or business) that doesn't comply must either A) Shut down.  or B) Not allow smoking.  If they decide to go with B, and then violate it, it would be treated the same as any other health code violation, e.g. HUGE fines.\nUnfortunately, the current political climate in our country is all-or-nothing, instead of focusing on compromise.  And instead of eating somewhere that doesn't allow smoking, many non-smokers want NO restaurants or businesses to allow smoking.  Completely unfair.  Everyone is entitled to the pursuit of liberty and happiness, not just the non-smokers.
374007
I hope all countries will recognize that ALL OUTDOORS is public, and ban smoking outdoors.   They could have smoking areas in sealed vaults somewhere,  and I would not object to that as long as they never have the doors open very long.
255093
Just back from Dublin where the ban on drinking in pubs, restaurants etc., has been banned now for over a year.  Now most pubs have a type of lean-to shelter in the rear garden where some smokers congregate.  Others stand outside the front door.  I like it, as I have always preferred smoking my pipe outside.  The off-shoots of the ban, are that a lot of pubs are no longer viable and are being converted into flats.  Also, takings are well down with off-licensed premises having a booming trade.
694086
It's happening, but I think it's a violation of free speech.\n\nFurther, I think it is government intrusion into private enterprise.\n\nIt should be up to private businesses to determine their own smoking policy.\n\nThe States are over-stepping its bounds and using their "general welfare" clause to do it.