State Rep. Jennifer Weiss and Sen. William Purcell have introduced legislation that would address one of the nation’s largest public health issues: tobacco use. Tobacco-related illness remains the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 440,000 American lives a year. The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association in North Carolina applaud these legislators and ... Jump to full article >>

A Chinese political advisor has called for a national tobacco control law that bans smoking in all public places across the country. Only 45.7 percent of Chinese cities have introduced local bans on smoking, and many bans usually exclude workplaces, restaurants and bars, said Jin Dapeng, vice chairman of the China Health Law Society. The punishments for violating the regulations were also too gentle, said Jin, who is also a member of the Nationa ... Jump to full article >>

The Carroll County Health Department is busy preparing to become a tobacco-free campus April 20. Director of Health Education Kim Spangler said the policy will ban smoke and smokeless tobacco use on health department property, including in personal vehicles. “It was very much past due that the Health Department go tobacco-free,” she said. Spangler is chairwoman of the committee that was charged with discussing the creation of a tobac ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates’ version of legislation to increase state tobacco taxes advanced in the Health and Human Resources Committee on a 13-10 vote Tuesday — after committee members rebuffed an attempt to insert mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients into the bill. Legislation to require random drug testing of recipients of food stamps or money from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program ... Jump to full article >>

Over break, I was sitting in a coffee shop with my friend Emily when halfway through our conversation she took out a cigarette and simply started smoking. The act wasn’t surprising: Emily is a seasoned smoker who has been hooked on cigarettes for seven years. But the fact that she was doing it inside caught me off guard. Before I could stop her, I noticed there wasn’t a lighter in sight and the tip glowed with a strange orange light ... Jump to full article >>

Utah public health officials anticipate more childhood poisonings if flavored tobacco products that look like mints and candy are sold in Utah. They aren’t in Utah yet — tobacco companies are testing them in other markets — and they may never be on the market here. Lawmakers will consider a ban of “flavored tobacco products” other than cigarettes and cigars. HB170 hasn’t been assigned to a committee. In a news conference Thu ... Jump to full article >>

Smoking is a hard habit to break! As a former smoker, I know this first-hand. So, has relief finally come? This technology may kill the already under fire tobacco industry. So, sadly, my formerly beloved Marlboro Reds may no longer be around for future generations to enjoy. It is said that the e-cigarette simulates smoking so well that even lifelong smokers cannot tell the difference. To make this even more crazy, they claim that they will not ... Jump to full article >>

Like any other high school kid, Stephen Strasburg wanted to emulate the major league baseball players he watched on television. He mimicked their actions down to the last detail. He rolled his pants up to reveal high socks, wore wristbands at the plate and, during downtime, opened tins of chewing tobacco and pinched some in his lower lip. Years later, having developed a powerful addiction, Strasburg regrets ever trying smokeless tobacco. Last fa ... Jump to full article >>

Jane Jones, Muskogee Against Tobacco program coordinator, says that when discussing the impact of tobacco use, the focus often turns to its tragic health effects and loss of life. However, every business and citizen in Muskogee County also bears a financial burden. Tobacco-Free Oklahoma Week, which runs through Sunday, highlights these burdens. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports that the average Oklahoma business loses $3,734 each y ... Jump to full article >>

It’s not very often that we ask the government to raise taxes, but that’s what we’re doing today, and we’re not alone. Mr. Premier, would you and your caucus consider an increase in tobacco tax? The New Brunswick Lung Association wants you to do it, and we agree. New Brunswick has the second lowest rate of tax on tobacco in the country. But we don’t want you to think about getting your hands on the money that would ... Jump to full article >>