Most Americans, and I am sure the chief executive officers of the major tobacco manufacturing plants, knew that smoking was not good for your health more than 50 years ago. I can remember hearing the comment, “Here’s another nail in your coffin,” as someone handed you a cigarette, many years ago. In 1947, 62 years ago, Merle Travis wrote a song that was adopted by Tex Williams. Here are some of the lyrics: “Smoke, smoke, ... Jump to full article >>

One interesting aspect of the state’s public smoking debate is that it’s a classic example of how things work — or don’t — in the Michigan Legislature. Several years ago, the anti-smoking lobby, a grassroots, but well-organized and effective movement, set its sights on a handful of Midwest states with a goal of stomping out smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, among the last public outposts for ... Jump to full article >>

Teenagers in the nation’s capital continue to smoke a significant number of contraband cigarettes, a new study suggests. The study, commissioned by the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, found that 23 per cent of cigarette butts collected from around 11 high schools in Ottawa were illegal cigarettes. “Kids, who shouldn’t be smoking at all, are having no trouble getting their hands on illegal cigarettes that cost pen ... Jump to full article >>

Dr. Thomas Farley’s new three-year plan aims to cut in rates of smoking, drinking of sugary sodas, hospitalizations while urging outer borough residents to exercise more. New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley on Monday outlined a ten-step program and specific health goals the city hopes to reach in the next three years, part of a new public health agenda known as Take Care New York 2012. The city’s top doctor unveiled ... Jump to full article >>

The European Commission is launching the second phase of its “HELP for a life without tobacco” campaign to mark the World No Tobacco Day. On May 31, three new anti-smoking TV spots will be shown on over 100 TV channels across Europe for one month and repeated during September, said the commission. The TV spots, developed with young people, use humor to deliver three serious messages: Don’t start smoking, how to quit smo ... Jump to full article >>