Four years ago, a lopsided majority of Washington voters approved a ban on smoking in public places. While citizens may have the right to smoke, voters felt that right should not extend to subjecting others to their secondhand smoke. Many in the food and beverage industry, fearing the smoking ban would hurt business, mounted an unsuccessful attempt to defeat the 2005 initiative. A number of tavern and restaurant owners in this and other states wi ... Jump to full article >>

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The state’s high court said yesterday that cigarette maker Philip Morris USA may have to pay for diagnostic chest exams so smokers can get early warning they have developed lung cancer, possibly opening a new front in tobacco liability lawsuits. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court said Massachusetts law has an antiquated definition of negligence. Historically, plaintiffs had to show explicit injury, such as a broken leg, before th ... Jump to full article >>

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CHICAGO (Reuters) – Hooked on cocaine or cigarettes? The U.S. government wants drug companies to make a vaccine for that. Convinced of the need for new and better treatments for addiction, the government is focusing its efforts on vaccine development as a new way to treat and possibly prevent addiction to a range of addictive substances. “It’s a perspective that is very different from what we’ve operated on in the past,&# ... Jump to full article >>

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Marion, Ill. – Local tavern owners have asked Mayor Robert Butler and his police department to enforce state smoking bans. Butler told the Marion City Council Monday that he had been approached about certain taverns which are allowing smoking. “They are concerned about our enforcement of the no smoking ban,” Butler said. He said one tavern in particular is apparently posting smoking hours at the business. Public safety commissioner Jay ... Jump to full article >>

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ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has asked the U.S. Justice Department for a “threat assessment” if he were to begin trying to collect taxes on cigarette sales by Indian tribes, including the Seneca Nation. In a letter to top federal prosecutors, the governor also suggests he might need help from Washington in putting down any possible unrest by Indian tribes if the tax collection starts. The unusual request, dated September 23 t ... Jump to full article >>

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STRICTLY Come Dancing star Craig Kelly has resorted to acupuncture to help him keep off the cigarettes. The Coronation Street actor stopped smoking four years ago but the pressure of appearing on Strictly drove him back to the deadly habit. However all the puffing sent his heart racing and left him fighting for breath – so he turned to the Chinese needle treatment to help kick the habit and steady his nerves. Craig, 38, saw a specialist before ... Jump to full article >>

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