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See what the Antismoking Extremists are doing:
New State Updates
Many states are focused on state legislative issues right now.?
Take a look and see what’s happening in your state today. Alaska
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC?
Delaware
Florida
Georgia?
Hawaii
Idaho?
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts?? ?
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont??
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
| For latest news and updates: http://www.protectlocalcontrol.org/index.php Click on your state. |
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| February 03, 2006
Preemption Watch Weekly Summary of New U.S. State Bills In the continued fight to prevent preemptive legislation before it can be passed and to overturn preemption in states where it is already in place, ANR tracks pending legislation relating to states’ smokefree air policies.
It is important to remember that while not all state bills relating to smokefree air are preemptive, a bill can become preemptive at any point in the legislative process. It is therefore important to track even the best bills throughout the entire legislative session and keep a watchful eye out for all attempts to remove local control. Below is a listing of state bills that have been introduced in state legislatures. In addition to bills that are new for 2006, a number of bills have carried over from the 2005 session.? The new and pending legislative bills are classified below into five categories to more clearly delineate which bills will protect public health and should be supported from those that are should be opposed because they do not effectively protect public health, weaken a strong law, or intend to preempt local control. Bills that were introduced or changed status this past week are in bold.
Strong: Bill includes 100% smokefree workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars. ? The following states have strong bills that include 100% smokefree workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars; OR repeals preemption: Alabama: SB351 (restaurants & bars);? SB352 (restaurants & bars) ? The following states have weak bills that include ventilation, smoking rooms, or other key exemptions: District of Columbia: B16-0294 (ventilation & incentives); B16-293 (hardship waiver)-Passed without Mayor’s signature, sent to Congress ? The following states have bills that create exemptions?that weaken a current strong law: Delaware: HB275 (smoking rooms) ? The following states have preemptive bills: Oklahoma: HB2746 (preemption potential) ? The following states have other provisions and should be watched: Florida: SB600/HB317 (rules) |
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The BBC News Website traces the recent wave of smoking bans around the world as governments try to stub out the habit.?
05 January 2006?
Centuries of tradition were overturned in March 2004 when smoking in bars and all other workplaces was banned. The measure was pushed through by a crusading health minister in the teeth of opposition from the politically powerful hospitality industry.
A smoking ban encompassing all enclosed public places – including pubs, restaurants and hotels – is due to come into effect in April 2007. Smoking is already banned in government offices and other institutions. Making the announcement last October, Northern Ireland Office minister Shaun Woodward said: “No one has a right to subject colleagues and
workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke and passive smoking.” He, of course, represents an English constituency – where the proposed ban is much less complete.
Of the four countries of the UK, England is the only one going for a partial ban, due to be introduced in April 2007. This will permit smoking in pubs that don’t serve food. It has provoked widespread protests that it will be unworkable. The Government has promised a set of guidelines – but they are unlikely to be simple.
A complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Scotland comes into effect at 6am on Sunday 26 March following a unanimous decision by the Scottish Executive last November. It will be an offence – with a
minimum penalty of ?50 – to light up, or allow others to do so, in ” no-smoking premises”, defned as enclosed locations which are used by the public.
All restaurants, bars and cafes are now smoke-free. Ventilated smoking rooms where food and drink is not served can be set up.
Under current legislation, smoking is only banned in schools and government buildings open to the public. Transport and council services must have individual smoke-free policies.
Buses, underground trains, cinemas and theatres have been no-go areas for smokers in Germany for more than 30 years. However a powerful tobacco industry and the fact that the Nazis offcially frowned on smoking, have led post-war German legislators to avoid the imposition of more Draconian measures. Mainline trains still have smoking carriages,
for example.
Smoking is completely banned in healthcare, educational and government facilities, indoor workplaces and offices, theatres, cinemas and public transports although separate areas for smoking may be provided.
The Tobacco Act of 2001, amended in 2004, imposes a complete ban on smoking in healthcare, education and government facilities, indoor offices and workplaces, as well as theatres and cinemas although in all
these areas special smoking areas are permitted.
From July the current smoking ban, which includes public buildings and workplaces, will be extended to cafes, bars and restaurants. Designated smoking areas will be provided. Smokers who step outside for a cigarette will be subject to a ban on lighting up within 10 metres of a public building.
Designated rooms are provided in all workplaces, as well as in all health, educational and government facilities. A complete ban on smoking on public transport is enforced, but long-distance trains and planes have smoking areas.
Smoking ban in force in workplaces and public buildings. No plans to extend this at present.
Employers must provide adequate protection for non-smokers. Designated smoking areas may be provided. A 1997 Child Protection Act also states that children have the right to be protected from environmental hazards and substances harmful to health.
2006 ushered in a complete smoking ban in all workplaces. From January 2007, a ban on smoking in restaurants will be enforced.
No current legislation, but there are moves to introduce a complete ban on smoking in the workplace.
A 2004 bill cut down on smoking in public places and the government aims to reduce tobacco consumption by 80 per cent by 2008. This year smoking rooms will be set up in eating establishments, with the aim of phasing out smoking in public.
Smoking in hospitals and schools is prohibited.
A 1997 law requires employers to impose bans on smoking in workplaces frequented by non-smokers.
Smoking is banned on public transport and in workplaces where non-smokers could be exposed to tobacco smoke. It is also forbidden to smoke in restaurants during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Three days after Spain introduced a law banning smoking at work and in closed public spaces, there is a growing movement to assert what many consider their inalienable right to smoke. Meanwhile, since 1 January, 25,000 people a day have sought medical advice on how to stop.
generating a worse fug than before.
Total ban on smoking in public buildings, as well as on public transport when journeys last less than an hour. Partial restrictions on smoking on aircraft are enforced.
The law on smoking in public places in France, dating from 1991, is vaguely worded and unevenly applied. The anti-smoking lobby is pressing for much tougher rules, comparable to those in Ireland and, now, Spain.
Austrian law, updated in 2003, prohibits smoking in public buildings and transport, but not workplaces.
Public smoking is banned in many places but special smoking areas are allowed. Cafes, bars and restaurants must allocate space for non-smokers.
Total ban in place since 2005. Bars, restaurants and cafes that wish to allow smoking must provide enclosed areas. The government has the power to impose fines of up to EUR250 for contravention.
An offcial ban on smoking in all enclosed public places including bars, restaurants and offices came into effect in Italy on 10 January, 2005. Since then the ban has led to an 8 per cent drop in cigarette consumption.
Smoking is currently banned in all public places including entertainmnt venues, government buildings and on public transport. It is also banned in private cars carrying passengers under 16, but remains regulated in workplaces.
