Not surprisingly, the effort to refer South Dakota’s recently-passed expansion of its smoking ban to a public vote took a big step forward this week when a group opposing the ban turned in petitions carrying an estimated 25,000 signatures. According to the secretary of state, at least 16,776 valid signatures are needed to place the ban on the November 2010 ballot. If enough petitions are certified and the ban is referred, it will mean the new ... Jump to full article >>

One of the real tests of how federal regulation will affect tobacco use could be something you’ll spot at a convenience store counter. A new law signed by President Barack Obama yesterday will, among many changes, move all tobacco products — snuff and cigars as well as cigarettes — behind the counter. How they share space back there could clear the way for more competition in a market now dominated by Henrico County-based Altri ... Jump to full article >>

Residents of South Dakota may have to wait until January 2011 for a statewide smoking ban to actually take effect. According to an Associated Press story, enough signatures have been collected for a petition to allow voters to decide whether they want a smoking ban or not. The petition needs at least 16,776 signatures in order to make it on the ballot for voters on November 2010, and Larry Mann, coordinator of the petition, said even more signat ... Jump to full article >>

In an era of corporate wellness programs and socially screened investment funds, some of the world’s largest life-insurance companies still own billions of dollars in tobacco-industry stocks, Harvard physicians assert in a new report. These latest findings, published this week in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), suggest that several life and disability insurers, both in the U.S. and abroad, have yet to acquiesce to ... Jump to full article >>

LEXINGTON – All 50 states have smoke-free air provisions restricting smoking in certain places. These laws range from simple, limited restrictions, such as designated areas in government buildings, to laws that prohibit smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces. On Monday, Nebraska became the 16th state to adopt a statewide smoking ban prohibiting smoking in all public buildings and workplaces, including bars, restaurants and gambl ... Jump to full article >>

In less than a week, smokers won’t be able to light up in restaurants and bars. The state-wide smoking ban takes effect June 1, 2009. The only option for those establishments is to build a beer garden outside. Those that rely on liquor sales, more so than food, are especially concerned. The owner of Attitude’s in Axtell says the smoking ban could cost her her businesses. Peggy Benson bought Attitude’s 10 years ago. Now it’ ... Jump to full article >>

As smokers were forced to light up outside due to the smoking ban within public establishments, Ohio State University researchers asked if this influenced employment rates within the hospitality service industry. This new study published in Prevention Science (Vol. 10, no. 2) attempts to shed some light on the economic effects of smoking bans by comparing the employment numbers of bars and restaurants in ten Minnesota cities with different types ... Jump to full article >>

Congratulations to state leaders for reaching agreement on an indoor smoking ban affecting all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. It’s been a long time coming. Key negotiators on the legislation, including Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, deserve credit for pulling such divergent groups as the Wisconsin Tavern League and SmokeFree Wisconsin into the deal. The bill announced Thursday does a lot of things right. But one simple tweak ... Jump to full article >>

Wausau-area business and tavern owners aren’t fond of the proposed statewide smoking ban, but say it at least will level the playing field. “If it’s going to happen, it’s got to happen on a statewide level,” said Dean Day, owner of Day’s Bowl-A-Dome in Wausau. “These local bans can and have devastated small owners. Having a statewide ban is the only way to go.” Lawmakers agreed Wednesday to a measu ... Jump to full article >>