Cabell County bars and video lottery parlors could become smoke-free in the near future. The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is drafting a proposal that would ban smoking from bars and gambling parlors, said Dr. Harry Tweel, the health department’s executive director. It likely will conduct a public hearing on it within the next month, he said. “Our board of health has been looking at this issue for some time and monitoring what’s happ ... Jump to full article >>

Legislation proposed to prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and include e-cigarettes in the state’s Smoke Free Air Act, which prohibits smoking in indoor public places and workplaces, was unanimously approved Monday by an Assembly panel. Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen), a co-sponsor, said she’s concerned e-cigarettes are being marketed to children because they offer flavors like chocolate, banana and strawber ... Jump to full article >>

This afternoon, city officials want to hear what business owners, residents and other stakeholders think about a proposed indoor smoking ban for restaurants, bars and offices. Crestview Hills economic development and zoning committee will hold at public forum on the issue at 4 p.m. at the city building, 50 Town Center Boulevard. No decision will be made today. Council Member Dave Kramer, who chairs the economic development and zoning committee, ... Jump to full article >>

A smoking ban in Marion County could become reality on Monday. That’s when the full City-County Council votes on the plan. Meantime, the proposal got a big boost Sunday. It’s called Proposal 371 and it would make workplaces including bars, clubs and even bowling alleys off limits to smokers. “Whether you work in an office or a factory or a restaurant or a bar or a bowling alley, you should have the same law applying to you so ... Jump to full article >>

Indianapolis – Researchers at Indiana University say secondhand smoke costs every Marion County resident $54 a year. They say it’s a health risk too costly to ignore. The debate over expanding Marion County’s smoking ban to all workplaces – including bars and smoking establishments that currently allow smoking – boils down to individual rights vs. public health. When Jarron Carter smokes, those around him at the cit ... Jump to full article >>

PHOENIX – A pair of studies released this week show indoor smoking bans in public buildings lead to a 17-percent decrease in heart attack rates during the first year. After three years, one study showed smoking bans reduced heart attacks by up to 36 percent. Arizona’s own voter-approved smoking ban has been in effect just over two years. Harmony Duport, acting program manager for Smoke-Free Arizona, says compliance today is excellent ... Jump to full article >>

What is the definition of a theatrical production? That’s the question Tom Marinaro, owner of Tank’s Bar in Babbitt, wanted the Minnesota Court of Appeals to answer. While it is clear to anyone that if a bar holds a “theater night” with patrons wearing badges that say “actor” would seem a violation of the state ban on smoking in workplaces, how does the law delineate what is a real theater production and what isn’t? It is a speech ... Jump to full article >>

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 >>