In the coming year, Singapore's smoking ban will expand. The announcement was made Monday by the Senior Minister of State, Grace Fu. The decision to expand on the ban currently in place is to assist in providing a healthy air environment for all persons. The ban will cover common corridors, void decks, staircases, residential buildings, sheltered walkways, overhead walkways, and outside hospital facilities.

The measure comes following a survey completed in November which showed support to expand the ban to places where non-smokers "cannot reasonably avoid in their daily lives." The long-term goal is to eliminate smoking in all public places outside of designated smoking areas. The process to reach this goal will be made incrementally by the country in conjunction with the community and building owners. Continue Reading

Biloxi, Mississippi City Council has been in the middle of a great debate lately. Councilwoman Lucy Denton proposed a complete, widespread ban in all public places in the city. This proposal, of course, has been met with some heated debate. While we have seen a variety of bans being put into place, this is one of those rare, widespread bans that comes up and inspires heated opinions from both sides of the aisle to be shared.

Councilwoman Denton explained that the ordinance would effectively combine other bans in cities such as Gulfport and Jackson, but that it had been edited a bit in order to best fit the city of Biloxi. How so? Casinos remain exempt from the smoking ban, which also includes any restaurants or hotels attached to the casinos.

Backing Councilwoman Denton were representatives of the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. All three organizations cited the various and severe dangers of secondhand smoke while supporting Councilwoman Denton. But not everyone has been thrilled with the ordinance, with many opponents calling it a violation of personal freedoms, while others claimed it would be bad for local businesses. Continue Reading

A bill in Ohio, Senate Bill 27, is positioned to impose a ban on smoking in a vehicle if the vehicle is carrying a child or children age 6 or younger. Senator Charleta Tavares, the Democratic Senator sponsoring the bill, also sponsored the bill that made smoking illegal in public spaces. This latest bill banning smoking in a vehicle is being proposed with the idea of protecting the health of children.

Smoking inside a vehicle, of course, increases exposure to secondhand smoke for the passengers. Often, only one window will be open to allow for smoke to escape, which essentially forces the other passengers into breathing in the secondhand smoke. The risks associated with secondhand smoke are grave, and even more so when children are involved. Continue Reading

In the past, we've discussed California's proactive regulations as well as a disagreement stemming from smokers residing in multifamily units including townhouses and apartments. This new law, effective January 1, 2012, should come as no surprise.

California Senate Bill 332 was signed into law on September 6, 2011 by Governor Jerry Brown. The law now requires landlords to state in lease agreements where smoking is permitted on property. Some upscale units have imposed smoking restrictions in-unit for the greater part of a decade with few legal issues arising. This bill will further allow landlords to take affirmative action in deciding if and where tenants can smoke.

With multifamily housing accounting for more than 30 percent of California's residences, Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat - Los Angeles, believes this provides landlords "on solid legal ground if they choose to have those restrictions." Padilla went on further to state, "While more than 86 percent of Californians do not Continue Reading

Pitt County Health Department is appealing a district judge's decision to reverse smoking fines against four local bars that allow smoking indoors.

A comprehensive smoking ban went into effect on January 2, 2010 that included banning smoking in restaurants and bars with the exception of private clubs operating as nonprofits.

The latest case is an appeal of a decision by Pitt County District Court Judge G. Galen Braddy. In November 2010, Braddy ruled in favor of four Pitt County bars, which had asked the court to review the health board’s decision to uphold the smoking fines levied by Dr. John Morrow, director of the health department. In his decision, Braddy wrote that it was unfair to allow smoking at nonprofit operations, including country clubs, while denying that right to for-profit private bars. He made clear that his decision to allow indoor smoking was limited to those four bars: Club 519, Live, 5th Street Distillery and Mac Billiards.

The Pitt County case is the second in North Carolina. In the first appeal, the Court of Appeals upheld a Guilford County court's decision. In that case, Gate City Billards owner in Greensboro challenged the equal protection clause that allowed private, non-profit clubs the right for smoking to still occur on premises. The court found Continue Reading

The Brazilian Congress has heightened a ban currently in place to include enclosed areas in airports and bars, where smoking rooms have previously been exempt from the regulations. Additionally, Brazil will increase taxes on tobacco products and implement a minimum price rate for all tobacco products sold within the country. The cost to consumers will increase by 55 percent over a four-year period.

The restriction increases to the country's smoking ban, as reported by the Associated Press (AP), is directed to eliminate cigarettes entering the country illegally through Paraguay that are sold for a fraction of the price of Brazilian-made cigarettes.

For all persons who smoke tobacco, the health risks are imminent. Continue Reading

Wal-Mart employees among those paying more for insurance if they smoke tobacco.

Many employers are requesting that workers who smoke tobacco, are overweight, or have high cholesterol levels pay a larger premium for insurance benefits. This comes as a shift from previously rewarding those with healthy lifestyle habits.

Of 248 major American employers, approximately 20 percent are now imposing penalties for lifestyle choices of employees versus just under 10 percent previously. It is anticipated that employees with more than 1,000 insurance participants will begin implementing the same policies, leading to another doubling.

A survey released Wednesday noted that companies with more than 500 employees are offering financial incentives coaxing employees into wellness programs; including employees who smoke tobacco. Reduced insurance costs are among the incentives. Continue Reading

Most people are non-smokers. As a vaper it is important to educate those around you who might not fully understand the electronic cigarette. For those who are smoking traditional cigarettes, it is neighborly to respect those who do not smoke. In celebration of Good Neighbor Day, here are some suggestions to build friendship bridges in your community.

Electronic Cigarette Education

Electronic cigarettes resemble cigarettes in appearance and behavior. Explaining the parts of your e-cig to your neighbor and how they function provides you the Continue Reading

Predominately found in the medical field, smoking is not allowed by employees. Doctor's offices and hospitals across the country are openly stating they will not hire anyone who smokes. It is easy to understand their stance on the subject given they work with thousands of people every day who have allergic reactions to cigarette smoke, weakened lungs, and a host of other sensitivities to the toxins and carcinogens found in cigarettes. Unfortunately, discrimination against smokers isn't limited to just the medical field.

People across all professions are facing increasing resistance to tobacco use. Heather S., a hiring manager for a national staffing agency stated, "We have clients across all sectors that specifically request that we hire non-smokers. It is not our policy to Continue Reading

California Considers Law to Prohibit Smoking in Multi-family housing

One California landlord, Ted Sherman, has been working hard to mediate a situation between two long-standing tenants in an apartment complex. California's new law is providing Mr. Sherman with a solution.

In a multilevel unit, Mr. Sherman has one tenant in the lower level who smokes. In the unit directly above resides a non-smoker with a child.

Smoke permeates through the walls in apartments, leaving neighbors unhappy with the smell and toxins. The one tenant steps outside on his patio to smoke, reducing the number of toxins inside, though he is still aggravating his neighbor above.

Mr. Sherman notes that in the past, there has been no law stating a landlord could prohibit smoking, but there has been no law stating otherwise. The legal grey area is under review.

California legislature has passed a law allowing landlords Continue Reading