Smoke Free Law needs no Revisions, Michigan News

In December 2009, the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4377. This bill declared Michigan a smoke-free state, prohibiting smoking discount Cosmos cigarettes in all public and private workplaces and all food establishments, including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. On May 1, 2010, we celebrated the fact that Michigan had become the 38th state to go smoke free. Many individuals throughout the state advocated, volunteered and supported the passage of this law. As the third leading “preventable” cause of death In the United States, secondhand smoke poses increased health risks to non-smokers. Legislators gave Michigan workers, as well as the public, a great gift — to be able to breathe smoke free air. It is now disheartening to hear that some legislators want to weaken this law by making exemptions that will reduce the health protection provided to Michigan workers and residents. The Michigan Smoke Free Law needs no revisions!

Tobacco Cultivations Jamaica

The Jamaican Government seems set to face censure at a high-level international meeting which starts tomorrow in New York over its perceived failure to stand by its international obligations to stem tobacco cultivation in the country. A Rural Agriculture Development Authority 2011 study has found that Jamaica is in breach of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to moderate cultivation, as hundreds of tobacco farms have sprung up all over the country. Health Minister Rudyard Spencer is strenuously seeking to fend off accusations ahead of the United Nations meeting, which he is set to attend, that the Government lacks the political will to abide by the treaty. Jamaica has been a signatory to the FCTC treaty since 2005.

Adult Smoking Rate Down

Fewer U.S. adults are smoking and those who do light up are smoking fewer cigarettes each day, but the trend is weaker than the government had hoped. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday, 19.3 percent of adults said they smoked last year, down from about 21 percent in 2005. The rate for smoking 30 or more Lady cigarettes daily dropped to about 8 percent from almost 13 percent during the same time period. The report only compared last year with 2005 and says the decline means 3 million fewer adults were smoking. The CDC earlier reported that the 2009 rate was 20.6 percent and rates fluctuated during the five-year period. The five-year decline was much slower than a drop seen over the previous 40 years, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Atlanta-based agency. He said any decline is a good step, but also said tobacco use remains a significant health burden.

Hospital Appeal Over Smoking

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has appealed to the public to keep buildings and entrances at Craigavon Area Hospital smoke free. Dr Gillian Rankin, Director of Acute Services for the Trust explained: “Smoking at the front of the hospital exposes people entering the building to tobacco smoke and causes smoke to enter the Hospital building, impacting on patient care. “Whilst visitors accept and follow regulations that no smoking is allowed within hospital buildings, there are problems arising from people smoking Monte Carlo cigarettes close to hospital entrances and windows.” Dr Rankin added: “We appeal to everyone coming to our hospitals to help us protect patients, visitors and staff from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. If you smoke please use the smoking shelter provided which is located directly outside the Hospital.

Colin Farrell's cigarette break-up

Colin Farrell wrote a "break-up" letter to tobacco when he gave up smoking Bond cigarettes. The 'Fright Night' actor stopped smoking when he turned 34 last year and admits he did nothing but consume cigarettes the day before he quit the deadly habit. He said: "I gave up the Sunday before I turned 34. I spent the whole day with a packet of cigarettes. I didn't really see anyone and with every cigarette I smoked. I smoked with as much awareness as I could. And then I wrote a little letter to tobacco. "It said the usual, 'I remember the first time we met and all that we've been through together. That time you helped me through such-and-such a situation...' and yada-yadda.