Tobacco Use, State Government Concern

Health Minister, Hon Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the government is "profoundly concerned" about the devastating impact of smoking and the fact that more teenagers are abusing tobacco. “It is with alarm that I have observed that the 13 to 15 age cohort is the group being seduced into the practice of tobacco use and the products are becoming more and more innovative,” he stated. The Health Minister, who was addressing a recent press briefing at his downtown Kingston offices, said the government deems it a priority to protect and safeguard public health by reducing exposure to the harmful effects of tobacco use through a comprehensive Tobacco Control Act.

Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies, South Australia News

South Australia is spearheading a push to recoup billions of dollars spent on caring for sick smokers. Health Minister John Hill put the proposal to a Ministerial Council meeting in Canberra on Friday and said he had received a positive response. Mr Hill said Australia was well placed to force tobacco companies to compensate governments for the health costs associated with smoking over many decades.

Laws Would Stop Flavored Tobacco Gap

Thunder Bay-based health groups that have long fought against flavored-tobacco products aimed at teenagers are applauding a private members bill expected to put the kibosh on those sales. “When you see these (flavored) products for the first time, you find it hard to believe that they’re even on the market at all,” Dan DePeuter, a youth development specialist with Thunder Bay District Health Unit, said Thursday. DePeuter was reacting to a bill introduced this week by Sudbury NDP MPP France Gelinas which intends to outlaw the sale of products like candy-flavored cigarillos that have managed to avoid current laws through size changes. Gelinas’ bill would also ban candy-flavored chewing tobacco.

Regulate Dogs and Not Smokers, Smoke-Free Parks

Two different proposals are before the Sammamish City Council that deal with parks rules, and each calls for a different response. There are already regulations that mandate dogs be on a leash. Finding a way to enforce this policy is worth the city’s time. Pet owners love their dogs, but that doesn’t mean others do. Sure, you know Fido wouldn’t hurt a fly, but people may have had bad experiences, and pet owners should be sensitive to them. Small children are especially vulnerable to unleashed dogs. There are also environmental reasons to stop dogs from crashing through bushes and accessing streams and lakes. The city spends money on maintaining an off-leash area, and most people in Sammamish have yards. There are ample opportunities for dogs to roam free without letting them off leash in city parks.

Smoking in Zoo Banned, Mysore Zoo News

Smokers, beware. The authorities at Mysore zoo will slap a visitor up to Rs 200 fine if (S)he is caught smoking tobacco inside the premises. There is general notification to ban smoking in public offices and facilities, but the zoo, of late, has taken it seriously. Executive director of the zoo is strict on this, and recently, the staff attached to the facility were fined for violating the regulation. They were caught red-handed by the head, a staff said. Mysore zoo authorities have decided to strictly say 'no' to smoking inside the premises. Irritating smoke and carelessly thrown cigarette butts will no longer bother either the visitors or the animals.

Stores Prohibited Tobacco Displays

Tobacco has been banned from displays in shops as the latest anti-smoking law comes into effect in England. The new rules mean all cigarettes and tobacco products will be kept hidden behind screens or under the counter in large shops and supermarkets. Small shops will follow suit in 2015, allowing them more time to refit shelves and cabinets. Smoking causes 80,000 preventable deaths each year and costs the NHS £5bn annually. Anti-smoking campaigners argue displays had become increasingly colourful and appealing as other forms of tobacco advertising were closed down. The changes are the latest in a long line of legislative measures aimed at reducing smoking rates. The Government hopes the move will discourage young people from taking up the habit and encourage established smokers to quit. Health Minister Anne Milton said: "We cannot ignore the fact that young people are recruited into smoking by colourful, eye-catching, cigarette displays.