FDA Releases List of More Dangerous Chemicals
For those who smoke, it is common knowledge that cigarettes contain tar, nicotine and other carcinogens that can cause cancer. If you look around, you’ll find lots of long lists– compiled by virtually every health care industry in the world that sites the myriad of toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. Now, the FDA is unleashing a new list of chemicals. These chemicals, are in addition to those already included in the lengthy tabulations of toxic compounds known to be in tobacco products. These products are being called ” harmful or potentially harmful” and the list contains nearly 100 chemicals that are found either in the tobacco products themselves or in their smoke.
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“Inn” Your Face Smoking Fines
For the majority of those who have had a smoking ban initiated in their area–and that is pretty much everyone in the country–we all follow the rules. No smoking here…you’re too close there…everyone does as requested and we all get along fine. Well, not the Suburban Inn located in Middleburgh Heights Ohio. Now, don’t all you smokers fire up the Winebago and make tracks for Ohio just yet…the Inn, has decided to give a big “in your face” to Ohio smoking bans and allow the practice to continue on the premises. The inn has accrued (since 2007) a whopping and hilarious 49,000 in fines that they refuse to pay.
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Chinese Tobacco Targets Women and Children
With all the glitz glamour, bright colors and beautiful pictures you can find any cigarette vendor on any street corner in the Chinese market and pick up a pack. Despite attempts from many angles and by Chinese government to regulate sales of products– such as cigarettes to minors– use is on the increase in those who are underage. With one out of every three cigarettes in the world being smoked by someone in China, residents of this region have held a monopoly on the product with a staggering 53% of all men smoking, but only 3% of Chinese women lighting up regularly. With the majority of the male market easily conquered, tobacco retailers are now turning their attention to women and children.
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Austrailia Battles Over Plain Cigarette Packaging
In this blog, I tend to talk mostly about things going on in the United States and issues surrounding tobacco and electronic cigarettes as a whole. Now, needless to say, that I have not forgotten that there is an entire world outside of here and all sorts of issues that are being debated, and fought over around the world when it comes to smoking.
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New Law Stops Cigarettes to Troops Overseas
The Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper is reporting more and more problems with the government’s newest act to restrict cigarette sales by mail. In an attempt to keep underage Americans from purchasing tobacco products by mail, and to keep others from purchasing without paying taxes, Pres. Obama passed The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act also known as PACT–in March of this year. New regulations based on this act were initiated in June. The United States has always faced many challenges from the mail order industry when it came to tobacco sales–many Americans use the system as a way to avoid high taxes, or to purchase without age restricitions. But there is a more patriotic problem at hand…
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Hoosiers Could Re-Visit Further Smoking Bans
A recent survey of Hoosiers living in the Indianapolis area may cause governing bodies to revisit potential smoking bans across the board for the city. According to a recent survey 84% considered secondhand smoke to be a health hazard and 54% consider it to be a significant health hazard. 500 potential voters were also surveyed and it resulted that 70% support a smoking ban in work places and bars.
Indianapolis has a smoking ban already in place that effects only select venues. An amendment was thrown out last year that attempted to stop smoking in bars, bowling alleys and private clubs.
Through all of the changes and ups and downs of the smoking world, just remember that you don’t have to face these challenges without an alternative. The Safe Cig and electronic cigarettes like it are still allowed, despite smoking bans. So no matter what your local or state government may throw your way you can be ready to face it head on—and do it without the tar, smell, or toxins of traditional tobacco products. If you haven’t already made the switch consider giving it a try or having one on backup for evenings out where you can’t smoke.
Phillip Morris Addresses Child Labor Issues
Tobacco giant Phillip Morris is answering to inquiries regarding the use of children to work in tobacco fields around the world. Specifically cited in the country of Khazakstan, multiple incidences were found with children as young as 10 years old being forced to work long hours without pay. As a child of a tobacco farmer, I spent years in the tobacco fields working without pay–it is hard work. Certainly not easy, but I can guess that I was still working under much better conditions than other children. Phillip Morris works with tobacco distributors in around 150 countries around the world including the US and small countries like Kazakhastan. According to estimates Phillip Morris bought over 1,000 tons of tobacco from Kazakhastan in 2009.
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The Debate Over Menthol Heats Up
Phillip Morris and other tobacco giants are answering hard questions from the FDA about menthol flavored tobacco products. The most recent scrutiny from an FDA committee is trying to decide if menthol flavoring increases the appeal of the product for youth and young adults—and if it makes it more difficult to quit.
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Kansas Welcomes Electronic Cigarettes in Light of Smoking Ban
On July 6th nearly the entire state of Kansas kicked off a smoking ban that has had many smokers running for cover. What to do? How to function without being allowed to smoke? Thankfully, the electronic cigarette has come to the rescue. With sales surging on electronic cigarettes, smokers across the country are flocking to this smoke-free more health conscious alternative despite opposition from the Food and Drug Adminstration and other health regulating bodies. Concerns over long term safety and health concerns are of no mind to those who need their nicotine hit and will do anything necessary to find a way around new rules.
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New York City Proposes Smoking Ban
Well, more bans are in the works. No matter where you live smoking bans are becoming a daily announcement. While this doesn’t mean much for the non-smokers who are happy to be breathing cleaner air, the noose around the neck of smokers is getting tighter by the day. More and more restrictions are making it a continual challenge to find a place to smoke. Some towns and businesses have even banned smoking in your own car. So what’s a smoker to do? Obviously personal rights are of no matter, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City is following suit by proposing a smoking ban for New York’s parks and beaches.
According to the New York Times, Bloomberg announced his support of a smoking ban on beaches and in the city’s parks for several reasons.”We’re talking about banning smoking on beaches and in parks, and it’s partially because you can breathe the air. It’s in the open air, but the air wafts in your direction. But it is also because people take their cigarette butts and the packages and just throw them away.” Bloomberg said about the ban. He went on to say that, “When you ask people in our parks and beaches,” he added, “they say they just don’t want smokers there.”
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