Gambling group wants anti-smoking petition off Nevada ballot

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A gambling industry lawyer says backers of a petition to outlaw smoking in most public places misled voters by falsely claiming the ban wouldn't extend to all Nevada hotel and motel rooms.

Nevada Resort Association lawyer Todd Bice has filed briefs asking the Supreme Court to remove the anti-smoking petition from the November ballot because signers were told that the smoking ban wouldn't include hotel and motel rooms when the opposite is true.

Bice quoted Michael Hackett, campaign manager for Nevadans for Tobacco-Free Kids, who said in June that it wasn't his organization's intent to include hotel and motel rooms in the smoking ban - but it wouldn't appeal a judge's ruling that says that's what the proposal does.

Nevadans for Tobacco-Free Kids publicly had announced its petition would ban smoking in restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets and most bars and taverns.

Hackett on Monday said his organization didn't mislead anyone. He pointed out it was Carson City District Judge Bill Maddox, who in a June 5 decision said the way the petition was worded meant the smoking ban applied to hotel and motel rooms.

Chief Justice Bob Rose has granted Bice's request to allow the Nevada Resort Association to participate in the case. He also set an Aug. 23 high court hearing on whether the smoking petition should be removed from the ballot.

Rose also said the court wants to hear appeals on all ballot question disputes by Aug. 23 and decide the cases before Sept. 28. That's the day when voting registrars must send absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 election to residents living overseas.

The chief justice added that the deadlines make it incumbent on people appealing ballot questions to have lower court judges quickly hear and rule in their cases.

Danny Thompson, secretary-treasurer of the state AFL-CIO, said his Nevadans for Nevada organization will appeal Secretary of State Dean Heller's decision to place the Tax and Spending Control in Nevada initiative on the ballot.

Also, a group of government leaders including Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury sued to block a ballot question restricting the ability of governments to acquire land through eminent domain proceedings. That will be heard Aug. 14 in Clark County District Court.

Cancer group adopts smoke-free meetings

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- The Washington-based National Cancer Institute is joining other health organizations that will only hold their meetings in places that are "smoke free."

Though largely limited to medical groups, the push for smoke-free meetings has been growing in recent years along with data illustrating the dangers of secondhand smoke, USA Today reports.

The U.S. surgeon general released information last June showing that secondhand smoke is dangerous at any level and only smoking bans can protect non-smokers from its effects.

Secondhand smoke is thought to kill nearly 50,000 Americans each year.

The smoke-free policy adopted by the cancer institute is limited to gatherings of 20 or more.

A spokesperson for the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corp., says smoking policies are increasingly playing a role in the selection of convention cities.'

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060724-111827-8164r

SmokeFreeOhio pushes for no smoking in public
DR. JOSEPH BRODERICK | COMMUNITY PRESS GUEST COLUMNIST

Despite the vast amounts of information about the dangers of second-hand smoke that is being learned and shared every day, few people are aware that second-hand smoke is more deadly to your heart than to your lungs.

More than 10 times as many people die from second-hand smoke-induced heart disease as die from second-hand smoke-induced lung cancer.

In fact, the risk is so great that the Centers for Disease Control recommends that people with heart disease or at risk for heart disease avoid all indoor places that allow smoking.

The American Heart Association has joined more than 400 organizations and businesses in working toward smoke-free public places in the state of Ohio.

SmokeFreeOhio volunteers are currently collecting the about 100,000 signatures needed to put the issue on the ballot in November.

SmokeFreeOhio would make a new state law, not a constitutional amendment, that requires smokers in public places to step outside for a few minutes when they smoke. You can learn more about the campaign by visiting www.smokefreeohio.org.

Unfortunately, the tobacco and alcohol industries are trying to confuse the issue by placing a pro-smoking constitutional amendment on the ballot at the same time.

Their proposal would allow smoking in most public places, putting Cincinnati residents and all Ohioans at greater risk of heart disease, lung disease and cancer.

It would roll back the smoke-free public places laws in 21 Ohio cities, including Fairfield, and make it unconstitutional for communities to protect the health of their citizens.

It would amend the constitution to prevent people with health problems, seniors and children from enjoying a night out without compromising their health.

If you're asked to sign a petition, review it carefully.

If the first page of the petition refers to an amendment, it's the pro-smoking constitutional amendment sponsored by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.

If it says "Smoke Free Workplace Act," it is the SmokeFreeOhio petition supported by the American Heart Association, American Lung Association and American Cancer Society.

The tobacco and alcohol industries have deceptively named their proposal Smoke Less Ohio.

But considering who is leading their charge and the ultimate consequences of their constitutional amendment, Smoke More Ohio would be a more appropriate name.

Daniels favors higher cigarette tax to reduce Hoosier smoking rates
By Mike Smith
of The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels has strongly signaled that he is considering a second push to increase cigarette taxes when lawmakers convene in January.

In an interview with The Herald-Times of Bloomington, Daniels said his top legislative priorities would be to continue enhancing the state’s fiscal stability and pursuing education initiatives, including full-day kindergarten.

He also said improving the health of Hoosiers was a top concern.

“It’s my intention to go at this in a fairly large way,” he said. “The starting point is to bring our cigarette tax to the level of other states. Our cigarette tax is the lowest in the Midwest by far.” Indiana’s tax is now 55.5 cents per pack.

When announcing two weeks ago that state government ended the fiscal year with a surplus, he said it took any need for tax increases off the table. But he amended that after a reporter’s question, saying he would be open to higher cigarette taxes.

He said if he did propose that, it would be solely in hopes of reducing smoking. He made the same claim in proposing increases of 25 cents per pack in January. But that failed to clear a House committee.

A telephone survey of more than 5,600 Hoosiers released in May showed smoking rates had risen from 24.8 percent in 2004 to 27.3 percent last year, second in the nation behind Kentucky.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/15117819.htm

www.capitalnews9.com

Smoking ban showing positive results
Updated: 7/25/2006 3:20:48 AM
By: Jola Szubielski

"At first a lot of people had a problem with it, for the first year," waiter James Curley said.

But now it's second nature, smokers taking it outside, leaving most public places smoke-free inside. The State Department of Health said it's working. It released a report showing adult exposure to second-hand smoke has been cut by half for non-smokers since the ban took affect three years ago.

"Being around second hand smoke is like being around a toxic waste dump that's on fire. Second hand smoke, tobacco smoke is filled with poisons, toxins, carcinogens," said
Ursula Bauer, NYS Department of Health.

For those who work in bars and restaurants, the exposure to these toxins has been reduced by almost 80%. Downtown at Jillian's, employees said they'd rather work in a smoke-free environment.

"It's definitely better, especially for non-smokers, to have to breathe in that second hand smoke. They made the choice not to smoke, why should they have to risk themselves just by going to work every night," said Jillian's employee Mariah Vanvalkenburgh.

"Obviously it's a harmful thing to do, you can see it on the pack of cigarettes, so why should someone have to submit themselves to it, just when they want to hang out and have a drink with friends," said Andrew Mir.

The Department of Health says all evidence still points to the fact that there is no 'safe' level of second hand smoke, but any bit can make a huge difference down the line.

Copyright © 2006 TWEAN d.b.a. Capital News 9

Ban on smoking
Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:14:02 am
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/photo.cms?msid=1812904 If you're trying to quit the nicotine habit, it may be a good idea to head to Assam. The state government is proposing a complete ban on smoking, making it a punishable offence across the state in a move that will come with its fair share of controversies.

"I have said in the House that we are for a total ban, but we are going to seek public opinion and in the next session, we'll introduce the bill. The government wants a total ban", said Himanta Biswa Sarma, Health Minister of Assam.

On the streets however, both smokers and those who don't crave for nicotine are equally skeptical. “It will be a huge revenue loss for the government,” said one citizen. "The intention is very good, but there are more serious issues the government should deal with," added another.

Similar to statutory warnings on cigarette packs, a prohibition on smoking, many feel, would have little effect. The government however, believes that it is the only way to rid the people of this bad habit.

(Devajit Sharma)

http://www.timesnow.tv/articleshow/1812388.cms

Smoking opinions vented
BAN: Assembly members heard heated testimony over puffing in a variety of places.

By KATIE PESZNECKER
Anchorage Daily News

(Published: July 26, 2006)

Anchorage residents stepped up Tuesday to air another full night of sometimes-passionate testimony before the Anchorage Assembly for and against a proposed smoking ban in bars, private clubs, bingo parlors, and other public places.

By the time the Assembly adjourned as midnight neared, 60 people had added their comments to the growing list that has been presented to the panel in two nights of public hearings on the proposed ordinance. About two-thirds of the speakers Tuesday testified against the ban.

The Assembly will start its own deliberations on the ban and possibly act on the issue at its Aug. 15 meeting.

Some speakers Tuesday brought props such as charts and handouts. One man gave all Assembly members a copy of George Orwell's book "Animal Farm," an attack on totalitarianism. But mostly the ongoing debate covered familiar ground, with different people reiterating the same arguments floated since the proposed ban first popped onto the public radar in May.

Several also testified that the proposed ordinance feels incomplete or uneven: Why are hotels exempt from the ban? Should private clubs really be included? Can't bars have a grace period to prepare for the ban and expand outdoor areas for smokers?

"People passionately testify in favor of the ban and passionately testify against the ban, and if this ordinance gets an up-or-down vote, half the city is going to be pretty mad," said David Dunsmore. "I think this ordinance needs more work."

As the meeting began, people gathered outside the Loussac Library near ashtrays, with cigarettes and tobacco pipes in hand. Smokers swapped musings like, "What's next, a ban on ATVs?" and "If secondhand smoke is really a job hazard, why doesn't someone just call OSHA?"

Inside, the lobby scene played out like a split screen. On one side: adults in T-shirts that announced their right to breathe smoke-free air. They passed out stickers and candy and bottled water. On the other: "Citizens for Personal and Business Freedom of Choice," handing out American-flag stickers and bubble gum and mingling with people staffing the Libertarian Party table.

That display foreshadowed the meeting, a night of split emotions and opinions, of contradicting testimony. Take Kate Herring, a young brunette who told the Assembly how great it was to return to Scotland and find that a smoking ban there hasn't dampened the lively pubs. "Bring Anchorage into the 21st century," she said.

Then came Trina Johnson, who owns two restaurants here. She is now selling a nightclub she owns in Denver because she's lost half her business since a smoking ban went into effect a month ago, she said.

"I would hate to see that happen with the local bars here," Johnson said. "I know it will. It's happening to me now."

Chamber of Commerce board member George Vakalis said his organization only backs the ban if bars and clubs get a year to prepare.

But Mike Layne, a grant writer and administrator, said no one needs that much time. "How long does it take to clear the ashtrays out?" Layne said.

Private club owners like Chuck Edwards asked for exemptions. At his establishment, the Petroleum Club, a board should have the right to make the rules "without the government (intruding)into our business and deciding for us," he said.

But another person testified that at one private Anchorage establishment, she was drafted to do a presentation for a local group of Boy Scouts while secondhand smoke gushed in from the bar.

The only way to keep secondhand smoke out of a room is to not have it in the building at all, several people told the Assembly.

Betty Moats disagreed and charmed the crowd doing so. The petite 83-year-old said her dad had smoked all her life and her second husband smoked a bit too. It never agreed with her, she said. But she has no problem going to the bingo hall and sitting in the nonsmoking section while the smokers get their own area.

"I can't see why we can't have the places like bingo where you can do what you want to when you want to," Moats said. "I think that's the only fair way."

Daily News reporter Katie Pesznecker can be reached at kpesznecker@adn.com or 257-4589.

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