The New South Wales Government is to stub out smoking in most of the state’s public places, from parks to bus stops. Health Minister Jillian Skinner says legislation will be introduced to the Parliament in coming months to prohibit smoking in sports grounds, swimming pools, entrances to buildings and public transport stops. “A series of places where children and families congregate more frequently,” Ms Skinner said. Smoking will also be banned in commercial outdoor dining areas but not until 2015.

Ms Skinner has defended the delay on that aspect of the ban, saying it honours a Coalition election commitment to the clubs industry.

“Nobody is calling the tune on this except the public, who asked for this legislation and it will be happening,” she said.

“We had 16 years of Labor. That wasn’t done then. It’s now not even a year within the O’Farrell Government and, here we are, we’ve moved already.

“We want to honour the commitment we made to clubs through our memorandum of understanding. This is a Government that keeps its promises.”

The Government says smoking-related illnesses account for more than 5,000 deaths in NSW each year, while 44,000 are admitted to hospital.

The NSW Cancer Council has applauded the announcement.

Council chief executive Andrew Penman says the legislation will give people more choice in whether they are exposed to smoke.

“The important principle is that the measures are aimed at protecting people from being exposed in places where they are involuntarily present,” Dr Penman said.

“They have to be at a taxi rank, they have to be at a rail station. They really haven’t got the option to move away.”

He is pragmatic about the outside dining areas delay.

“The important thing is to move forwards. What we do have is a firm cut off in 2015,” he said.

The Casper City Council agreed Monday to draft an ordinance prohibiting smokers from lighting up in public places. Council members will work with City Attorney Bill Luben to craft the details of the proposal and will hold a special debate before any public hearings. Mayor Kenyne Schlager said after the meeting that it may take a while to write the ordinance. No date was set for the debate, and Schlager said people on either side of the issue are not expected to face off until next month at the earliest.

“I’d like to see us start fresh, just so that there’s no stigma from 2000,” she said.
SmokeFree Natrona County volunteer Neil Short discussed the benefit of smoke-free laws during the council’s work session and said the group supports a comprehensive smoking ban that includes all indoor work and public places. The group also asked for smokers to be at least 10 feet from doorways.
“That’s important, so that secondhand smoke doesn’t drift into an establishment when a door’s open,” Short said.
Burlington, Cheyenne, Evanston, Laramie and Mountain View currently prohibit smoking in all public places, including bars and private clubs, according to a Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center fact sheet cited in the presentation. Afton, Green River and Rock Springs have laws that prohibit smoking in workplaces and restaurants.
Smokefree Natrona County also supplied a poll introduced in October 2011, which suggests two-thirds of Natrona County voters favor a law to prohibit smoking inside businesses and in public places. The group commissioned the poll conducted by Keating Research Inc. of Colorado after council members wanted to determine how much support the ordinance would receive.
The firm surveyed 854 registered voters in Natrona County during May and June, and the poll had a 3.4 percent margin of error. Opponents have questioned the size and accuracy of the survey since only registered voters were polled.
“You know there’s strong medical evidence, and you know there’s strong community support,” Short told the council.
Smokefree Natrona County is funded by grants from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights.
The council’s smoke-free ordinance from 2000 exempted bars, retail tobacco businesses, special clubs and restaurants with a capacity of 50 or fewer. It was later overturned by voters.

In Jan. 2011, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, introduced legislation that would amend the Smoke-Free Illinois Act. The legislation would allow municipalities the choice to offer smoking licenses to eligible establishments. According to the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2008, smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces is prohibited, including educational institutions, restaurants and bars. Even if this legislation was to pass, DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said he would not be in favor of offering licenses.

“It’s probably the most irresponsible piece of legislation introduced by a legislator,” Povlsen said.
Instead, state legislators should focus on more important issues, like the state’s financial crisis, Povlsen said.
State’s Attorney Clay Campbell remembers what it was like when he was 21.
Going into bars and not being able to see due to the tobacco smoke was not a fond memory from that time, Campbell said.
“Just as a private citizen, I think a smoke-free environment has become a way of life now,” Campbell said. “The science is overwhelming that second-hand smoke causes damage.”
According to a 2011 report by the U.S. Surgeon General, exposure to tobacco smoke quickly damages blood vessels throughout the body, damages a person’s DNA – which can lead to cancer- and weakens the body’s ability to fight cancer.
State Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley, said he voted in favor of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act and against several pieces of exemption legislation that have come up since.
“I regret having to pass a bill that takes away individuals’ rights, but you have to consider the rights of the nonsmokers and the rights of the smokers,” Pritchard said.
Povlsen agrees and said “anytime there is a life safety issue, the state certainly has the right to step in.”
Rosemary Zingarelli, junior early childhood education major and smoker, said she wrote a paper in high school about the smoking ban’s effect on businesses.
Zingarelli said she understands why people don’t like smoking in public places. However, after working in the restaurant industry, Zingarelli said she saw first-hand the loss in revenue when the ban went into effect.
Zingarelli said she is a “huge advocate” for offering exemptions to businesses who apply for a license or offering separate smoking areas in restaurants or bars.
“It’s just not really that fair to us smokers,” Zingarelli said.
Although people may be used to going outside to smoke, said Chris Bahramis, shift supervisor at Daisy’s Sports Bar & Grill, 901 Lucinda Ave., he thinks installing exhaust fans would accommodate everyone.
When the ban went into effect in 2008, Rob Deshazer, manager at O’Leary’s Irish Pub and Grill, 260 E. Lincoln Highway, said they did see a decline in business – particularly their “regulars.” After about 45 days, most came back, Deshazer said.
“As a non-smoker, I believe people should have the opportunity to smoke as long as it’s in designated areas and not offending anyone,” Deshazer said.
However, having a smoking environment in a closed facility is unhealthy, Pritchard said, and his constituents have continually opposed weakening the smoking ban.

City Council rejected a smoking ban on public beaches Tuesday but did agree to set up a committee to look into the idea for the 2013 season. A 2-2 council vote in November killed an earlier proposal to ban smoking on beaches, public parks and the oceanfront Promenade. Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman on Tuesday proposed just banning smoking on the beaches. This had been his original proposal last year, but other members of council expanded the ban before it came to a vote.

That proposal came under strong attack from the business community amid concerns it would hurt the tourism industry. President John Cooke of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May said it could hurt the Canadian tourist trade.
“My main concern is litter on the beach and smoke on the beach. John Cooke was afraid it may offend the Canadians. I’ve since found out 17 percent of the Canadians smoke compared with 21 percent in the U.S.,” Wichterman said.
A committee is often a place proposals go to die, but in this case there are indications a compromise is possible. Cooke asked to be on the committee and suggested a ban along the water while allowing smoking on the beach within 100 yards of the Promenade.
“We opposed the previous ban because it was all encompassing. The chamber wants to work with you as much as possible,” Cooke said.
There was opposition even to a geared back smoking ban. Daniel Kurkowski, a lawyer who lives on Corgie Street, who said he is a nonsmoker, argued such bans are not constitutional.
“We have constitutional rights. When you ban something that is permitted, you will have lawsuits. You’re going to affect too many people’s right to smoke, which is their right,” Kurkowski said.
He suggested strongly enforcing littering laws to keep cigarette butts off the beaches.
George Costich, a Victorian Towers resident who described himself as a former smoker, said the habit is more deadly indoors where it causes structure fires and deaths. He suggested a ban at hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts.
“If you’re going to have a law, have one that stops smoking indoors. I’ve never heard of a person being killed by a cigarette butt on the beach,” Costich said.
Wichterman argued that other shore towns, including Seaside Park and Seaside Heights, have banned beach smoking and suffered no loss in tourism or enforcement issues.
“It’s pretty much self-enforced. You don’t have to enforce no smoking in restaurants and bars because they understand,” Wichterman said.
He did not get much support from his colleagues for anything other than a committee. Councilwoman Terri Swain said her feedback was entirely against a ban. Councilman William Murray, who voted for the larger ban in November, said most of his feedback was against a ban.
“I can’t say whether I’m for it until I see something more definitive,” Murray said.
“I can’t be more definitive,” Wichterman replied. “Every beach is what I suggest. You enlarged it (last year) to the Promenade and the mayor enlarged it to public parks.”
Councilwoman Deanna Fiocca missed the November vote but said her feedback is about even for and against a ban. She said her concern is moving smokers to a concentrated area people have to pass through. Fiocca suggested putting the issue on the November ballot for voters to decide.
“They didn’t elect me to put it on the ballot. I don’t believe in referendums,” Wichterman said.
Mayor Ed Mahaney suggested Wichterman work with the police, beach badgers, city manager and others in studying the issue this year to see what can be done in 2013 without causing the city negative publicity or creating an enforcement problem. Wichterman agreed to chair the committee.

Councilwoman Lucy Denton will present a smoking ban Tuesday. The ban would limit smoking in public places. She said it’s all in an effort to improve the quality of life for Biloxi citizens everywhere. The ban would obviously bring some major changes, but Denton is willing to compromise. Using input from citizens, she hopes to create a solution everyone is happy with. “I’ve had people in my ward call and ask me why we aren’t doing it. I’ve actually been working on this for over a year, trying to come up with some ideas that we could just start with,” Denton said.

What Denton really wants citizens to understand is that the ban will not effect every public setting in the city.

“Any place that children could walk into, would be smoke free, but then there are a whole list of exceptions. Such as certain percentages of hotel rooms, private clubs are an exception, private residences, any outdoor area, casino gaming, bars who don’t let anyone in over 18 are accepted. I know some people say ‘well, I don’t want to tell anyone what to do,’ but again it comes back to a quality of life and health issues because it has been proven that second hand smoke harms us,” Denton added.

A recent study by the University of Minnesota shows that between 70 and 90 percent of non smokers in the American population are exposed to cigarette smoke on a regular basis. If that non smoker spends up to two hours in a room where someone is smoking, they can inhale the equivalent of up to four cigarettes.

“We’re surrounded by two cities that are already smoke free. I think for Biloxi to serve its citizens, to provide a safe place to live and raise their children, this is a natural step forward,” Denton said.

The meeting will have representatives on hand from the Lung Association and the American Cancer Association. As usual, the meeting is completely open to the public.

In Burnett County, Wisconsin, there’s a battle of the butts going on–cigarette butts, that is. It seems some locals say the state smoking ban isn’t being fairly enforced. Two distinct battlegrounds have taken shape–and the county sheriff is caught in the middle. Acting on a tip, 5 Eyewitness News checked out a bar called Midtown Tavern in the tiny town of Siren, Wisconsin. At noon on a weekday, outside cars were lining up; inside, the patrons were lighting up.

The owner tells newcomers: “I hope you guys don’t mind smoking. I do allow smoking in the bar.”
KSTP’s undercover cameras watched the bar fill with more customers, more cigarettes, and more smoke for more than half an hour before a reporter asked those in the bar if they were at all concerned about breaking the law.
The owner of the bar said that since the smoking ban took effect in July 2010 law enforcers have fined him twice — both times because someone complained. He paid hundreds of dollars, but he continues to allow the smoking, he says, because enforcing the ban hurt his business by as much as 20 percent.
According to customer Rick Dahlstrom, “He (the owner) loses customers. It’s just a fact. People will go to a bar where they can smoke because most drinkers are smokers.”
Midtown regular Gary Haaf was insistent the smoking will not stop at Midtown. “We done it all our life and that’s the way it’s gonna be,” he said.
Down the road at another tavern, Kris’ Pheasant Inn, manager Tony Schultz said, “The law is the law.” His bar is one that does adhere to the ban. “I don’t see why some get away with it and some don’t.” He says law enforcers in Burnett County are failing to do their job. “I think they need to make the random checks. Why have a law if you can’t enforce it?”
According to Sheriff Dean Roland, he’s issued 10 fines in the last year and a half for smoking ban violations. He says his 11 deputies are often too busy with more pressing concerns, serving 17-thousand residents across 820 square miles, to consistently monitor cigarette smoke.
“We will deal with it when it comes to our attention but I’m not going to go and look for it–we don’t have the manpower to do that,” he said.
Nearly everyone involved in the great Siren smoking debate believes the fines simply aren’t a big enough deterrent. They say if bars were at risk of losing their liquor licenses for violating the ban, Burnett County might see a brand new level of compliance.

So that means despite the complaints, and the fines, and the brazen lawlessness (when it comes to the ban, that is) at bars like Midtown Tavern, the haze of smoke will most likely linger. As Gary Haaf explained, he’ll stop smoking “hen they bury me.”

A statewide smoking ban passed out of the Indiana House this week, but still has a long way to go, judging local history on the public health issue. Republican lawmakers still have big problems imposing laws on business and industry, even a smoking ban that would protect public health and ensure clean air. That’s why eastern Indiana’s Republican House members Jack Lutz of Anderson, Kevin Mahon of Hartford City, Bill Davis of Portland and Tom Saunders of Lewisville, all voted against the statewide smoking ban. Rep. Mike White, D-Muncie, was the only yes vote, although look for him to oppose the bill in the Senate.

And that’s where smoking ban have died as the Republican majority in the Senate had nothing to do with the bill in recent years.

Lutz, who smokes, says the issue is more about telling a business what to do, something that Republicans generally don’t do unless it is something about union labor like Right to Work. Saunders said he would not want to be told to what to do if he owned a bar or tavern. But then lawmakers regulate and tax bars and restaurants just like any other business.

Delaware County already imposed a smoking ban which was challenged by the local Licensed Beverage Owners Association. Circuit Court 1 Judge Marianne Vorhees rejected the lawsuit, kicking ithe issue to a state appeals court. Lewis Coulter, president of the local group, owns the Red Dog and End Zone, and has repeatedly said the smoking ban was killing the tavern industry that has been a haven for smokers and drinkers.

Legislating public health does have business consequences and it will be interesting what choice the Indiana General Assembly with 10 days left in the session. The house vote was 62-34 and bipartisan at that.

A bill introduced this week in the Ohio Senate that would ban smoking in a vehicle when children ages 6 and younger are on board has people in the Miami Valley debating whether the legislation promotes health or represents government intrusion on personal freedom. Miami Valley resident Daniel Bryan, who smokes, is for the proposed ban. “I’m trying to quit myself. I don’t want my son having asthma problems when he grows up,” he told News Center 7 reporter Yuna Lee. Belinda Huffman, pulmonary health and diagnostics coordinator at The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, said it doesn’t matter if you smoke and drive with the window down.

“The condition of the car, whether the windows are down, open, or air conditioning, because of the confined space, it makes it very toxic,” said Hoffman. Smoking makes asthma episodes worse, cause cold upper respiratory infections to be worse to the point the child has to be hospitalized, she said.
Some, like Julie Johnson, is against a ban.
Johnson said is afraid the government is taking this too far and says she doesn’t smoke while driving with her children. Johnson feels the government is infringing on her person freedom.
“I mean, that is getting ridiculous on what they do say,” she said about the proposal. “I think that the parents should do it on your own. I don’t think the government should have a say on what you do in your vehicle.”
Wednesday in Columbus, at the first hearing on the legislation, Sen. Charleta Tavares told a Senate committee, “An infant or minor who is a passenger in a car is not making the decision to smoke. However, they can potentially suffer significant consequences.”
The bill sponsored by the Columbus Democrat calls for fines starting at $500 for violators caught lighting up in a vehicle with young children present, The Associated Press reported.
Ohio bans smoking in most indoor public places through a law that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2006 and took effect the following year. Smoking in vehicles while children are passengers has been outlawed in Canada and Australia, and in other states including Louisiana, Maine and California. Under California’s ban, the children may be as old as 17.
Sen. Tom Patton, chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee, signaled support for the concept during that first hearing on the bill. But he questioned the 6-year-old cutoff.

A state-wide smoking ban proposed by the Indiana House has a local bar owner fuming about added restrictions and exceptions. A bill to ban smoking in the state of Indiana still lingers in the Indiana House Monday night. Lawmakers want to expand the 2005 smoking ban to include no smoking in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment, like corporate offices, in certain state vehicles, and within 12 ft. of a public entrance or enclosed area of a place of employment. But, among the added restrictions are a few exceptions that Pat Anderson, owner of Rack and Helen’s Bar & Grill in New Haven, fuming.

The new Indiana House bill on smoking virtually wants to ban smoking in all public places, and it would give bar owners 18 months to comply. But, the issue Anderson has, is the bill won’t ban smoking in places where children are allowed, but in places specifically established for adults. Rack and Helen’s is a 21 and over smoking establishment. He says the smoking ban in Fort Wayne has contributed to his business in New Haven, and a state-wide ban could change all that.
Anderson says the ordinance in New Haven calls for no smoking in any publically funded place, such as grocery stores and schools. He says the only places one can smoke are in 21 and over establishments or businesses that post they allow smoking.
The proposed smoking ban will make exceptions for places like casinos, private clubs, and non-profit fraternal, social, and veterans clubs. Anderson says that could be a serious problem because babies and children are allowed inside those places. He says it could affect children the most, because in most cases, they cannot choose where to go.
“You can carry an infant in a car seat into a club. That infant has no choice, he’s gone with mom and dad into a place where they smoke,” he said. “I would be embarrassed, as a tax-paying citizen of the state of Indiana, if they pass a bill where a child doesn’t have a choice, but at a 21 and over you can’t smoke.”
Anderson says with current local smoking ordinances, people can choose if they want to go to a smoking establishment or not. Anderson says the proposed bill would take away people’s right to choose.
“It’s not so much that they want to take smoking away, it’s the choice,” Anderson said. “It’s just one more thing. We’ve got the Legislature telling us how to live our life. They need to concentrate on the main issues, getting our kids educated, safety, roads. Lay off of the small businesses. We need no more regulations.”
If lawmakers want to make exceptions, Anderson believes 21 and over establishments should be included. Anderson says either that, or have no exceptions at all. Tobacco stores, and cigar and hookah bars are also exceptions. He thinks local governments and bar/tavern owners should handle this matter, like they have been, and not the state.
“At least invite the tavern owners in for a discussion and get our views. The problem is, I don’t think they care,” he said. “But, we made the investment, let us make the decision.”
As of Monday night, House Representatives did not pass the proposed smoking ban. Representatives say they want to make the best compromises before making a final decision. They say they anticipate approval of the bill Thursday. From there it will move onto the Senate for approval. However, smoking bills have a history of “dying” in the Indiana Senate in the past.