No Secondhand Smoke in San Rafael, Tobacco-Free Policy

In San Rafael, California it now illegal to smoke cigarettes in multi family homes including duplexes and condominiums. Reuters reported that the 57,000 populated town of San Rafael in Northern California has created the ban, voting unanimously and hope to set an example. Mayor Gary Phillips said before they voted to Reuters, "We are happy to blaze a trail. We're most happy to be in the forefront of the issue because we think it will greatly benefit our residents and those visiting San Rafael, and we think it will set the tone for other cities as well." Some, such as Stanford University history of science professor, Robert Proctor believe that the ban will spread to other cities. He said to Reuters, "We're on the downslope of a big curve. Smoking peaked in 1981 with 630 billion cigarettes sold in the United States. Now it's down to 350 billion. And that number will keep on going down until smoking is a distant memory."

Cigarettes Clients Age Limit Increased

Walpole’s Board of Health may consider upping the allowable age to purchase tobacco and cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old after hearing an area doctor’s plea Tuesday night. Dr. Lester Hartman, a physician at Westwood Mansfield Pediatrics, told the board he’s asking more than a dozen area towns to raise the age to curb teen tobacco use. “If we want to prevent addiction in children, this is what we need to do,” Hartman said. In October of 2010, Walpole was one of the first towns to ban the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products in pharmacies. Selectmen, police officers and school leaders are also focusing on youth substance abuse as of late, helping the coalition on drug and alcohol abuse take more initiative in the community. “As a town and board we’ve been very active in that area,” chairman Bill Morris said. Morris already expressed support for upping the age to 21. “I absolutely agree with you, and I don’t know very many adults who just decide to take up smoking,” Morris said. “It’s an intriguing concept.”

Smoke-Free City, Himachal Chewing Tobacco Banned

Gutka, Kheni and other tobacco products vanished from the shops in Himachal Pradesh as the ban on these goods came into force in the state today. A complete ban had been imposed on sale, manufacture, storage and distribution of tobacco products like Gutka, Kheni and Pan Masala in the state from Gandhi Jayanti, an official spokesman said. “A large number of customers are asking for Gutka whose sale has been banned now,” said a shop owner on the Mall Road here. The state government had taken the decision to ban Gutka and other tobacco products on July 13 this year.

Illegal Cigarettes Found in Hull

More than 60,000 illicit cigarettes bound for the UK have been seized by border officials at Port of Hull. Officers from Border Force found the haul concealed in a specially adapted lorry that arrived on a ferry from Rotterdam. The cigarettes were discovered hidden inside hollow metal beams underneath the trailer's load of wet wipe tissues. The lorry, which was travelling to Flint, Wales, was registered in Poland and had a Polish driver. The cigarettes, which totalled 63,680, were seized and will now be destroyed. Following investigation, no further action will be taken against the driver.

Tobacco Tax Raise State Revenue, Yunnan Authorities

The application by Yunnan authorities to sell 400,000 more cartons of cigarettes in order to raise tax revenue to spend on earthquake relief makes me feel very uncomfortable. At present, it's common to see local governments short of money. In the first seven months of this year, the national fiscal revenue increased 11.6 percent year-on-year. However, the growth rate dropped by 18.9 percentage points and the fiscal situation of local governments is not optimistic, with a deficit gap of 1.5807 trillion yuan ($249.6 billion). In cases of sudden disaster, local governments are very likely to be stretched in dispatching relief and financial resources. Therefore, it is reasonable for the Yunnan government to raise relief funds by using every means available after the earthquake. Nevertheless, we can't help suspect the real motives behind applying for an increased quota to sell more cigarettes are quite different.

Cigarettes Tax Hike Passes, Iowa Tobacco Retailers

Tobacco retailers on the Iowa side of the Missouri River could see a big boost in business as Omaha leaders consider a new cigarette tax. The proposal would add 35-cents per pack to the cost of cigarettes sold in Omaha, which Omaha Tobacco Outlet owner Bob Wagner fears will send his store’s profits into the ashtray. “Any tax is horrible,” Wagner says. “My customers are so price-conscious, if they can get a carton from a competitor of mine who is three miles down the road, I’m going to be hard-pressed.” Omaha leaders are considering the cigarette tax hike as a way to help pay for the construction of a new cancer treatment and research center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Maryland Proposes Tax on Tobacco Products

Tobacco, cigarettes are one of the major causes of today’s higher mortality rates, with several hundreds of youngsters falling into the habit of smoking each year. However, in order to tackle the conditions, governments have taken up several steps, be it banning smoking outdoors or in public areas or near schools or playgrounds, or the introduction of plain packaging. This new proposal suggested by Maryland government of imposing taxes on cigarettes, will surely bring about a significant change. Taxing can discourage the use of cigarettes, tobacco. The initiative will be beneficiary in three ways, health benefits, economically and also individual benefits.