The state Senate voted 38-0 Thurday to approve a bill to apply the provisions of the “New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act” to restrict the use of electronic smoking devices, commonly known as “e-cigarettes.” The bill (S-3053) would expand the definition of “smoking” to include e-cigarettes and extend the ban on smoking by minors to include the use of e-cigarettes.  It would define smoking as the burning or inhaling of tobacco or any other ... Jump to full article >>

A cigar smoked by Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he planned D-Day has been discovered in a small market village – after being hidden for over 50 years. The cigar has now been valued at £800 by an expert during the filming of the Antiques Roadshow. Student Christian Williams, 33, was given the cigar when he was just 12 by his grandad Ronald Williams, a WWII veteran. At over six inches long the cigar has never been touched by its owne ... Jump to full article >>

The smoke still has not cleared between the Michigan House and Senate on whether state residents should be allowed to enjoy cigarettes while dining. It has been six months since the Michigan House passed a statewide smoking ban for public places, such as restaurants and bars, and the Senate still has not picked up the bill, which exempts casinos and cigar bars. Some representatives still are pushing for the Senate to take action on the bill, but ... Jump to full article >>

When it became clear that the state budget was in crisis mode, three industries with much at stake in Harrisburg opened their wallets. Gambling interests, natural-gas drillers, and tobacco companies have since January spent more than $4.5 million combined on lobbying efforts, according to expense reports filed last week with the state. Those industries were among the few winners in a budget ravaged by the recession. Casinos are poised to introdu ... Jump to full article >>

Richard and Donna Ganguet live in the Four Seasons gated development in El Dorado Hills. They say the neighbor’s tobacco smoke settles in their backyard and seeps in through their windows. Conflict with neighbors was the last thing Donna and Richard Ganguet expected to encounter when they moved into a gated community for people age 55 and older. “In a senior community, you think we’ll all be compatible and have the same values ... Jump to full article >>

The struggling state coffers will burden smokers to get more revenue. Little cigars — the ones that come with filters in sweet flavors and look like cigarettes — will more than double in price because of the state budget crisis. Beginning Nov. 1, the cigars will cost an additional $1.60 per pack. The price will jump from 99 cents a pack to $2.59. At the same time, the price of cigarettes will go up an additional 25 cents. “They ... Jump to full article >>

SEABROOK — Smoke got in the eyes of Planning Board members while they considered letting a cigar shop sell liquor to its customers, causing the board to put a hold on granting permission until the owner ensures the smell of cigars stops bothering neighbors. Roy Kirby, owner of Two Guys Smoke Shop, went to Tuesday night’s Planning Board meeting hoping to gain approval to establish a cigar bar at his Lafayette Road retail store. The discus ... Jump to full article >>

OTTAWA — Fewer women are lighting up, but Canada’s smoking rate has flatlined in the last three years — a trend some blame on cheap illegal butts. New figures from Statistics Canada show 18% of Canadians reported smoking either every day or occasionally last year — about the same level as in 2005. “The rate of decline has slowed, and that’s because of the widespread inexpensive contraband cigarettes,” said Rob Cunningham, a policy ... Jump to full article >>

The Chinese Association on Tobacco Control (CATC) Wednesday called for tobacco-free TV and film screens in China, in an attempt to take the glamour out of smoking, especially for impressionable young people. Currently, due to a lack of legislation and low awareness, many scenes in TV series and films – including those produced in China and those imported – contain smoking scenes, which has a negative impact on viewers, particularly o ... Jump to full article >>

If you thought it was only a certain former Indian minister who zealously wanted to put an end to smoking on screen, you’re wrong. For a health group in the UK is trying to one up the ex-minister. Yes, it is planning to certify cartoons that have smoking scenes as 18+! And, people are equally flabbergasted by the move like many across the world. “It’s quite funny to hear this because the cartoon Popeye single-handedly made spinach a craze ... Jump to full article >>