Cigarette Consumption Control, the University of Indonesia

Without a concerted effort to control cigarette consumption, Indonesia will likely fail to achieve the so-called “demographic dividend” which is expected to materialize between 2020 and 2030, an analyst said. Abdillah Ahsan, a researcher from the University of Indonesia (UI) School of Economics Demographic Institute, said that increased cigarette consumption could tamper with the Indonesian population’s quality of life.

Children Suffer Health Damage, Parents Smoking

Children whose parents smoke could suffer irreversible damage to their health well into adulthood, a new study has found. Researchers say those exposed to their parents' smoking have less elasticity in their arteries, an early indicator of poor cardiovascular health. The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania is involved in the international study, the first to look at the long-term effects of parental smoking on children's blood vessel health. "It seems to have a direct effect," research fellow Dr Seana Gall told reporters on Wednesday. "The chemicals in cigarette smoke interact with the lining of the blood vessels and that seems to be causing an inability of them to expand and contract properly.

Smoking Trend Among Pregnant Women

A new report shows that more than one in five pregnant white women smoke cigarettes. That's significantly higher than use among other races. Hispanic women were less likely than their peers to use alcohol or smoke while pregnant. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducted the 10-year study on the habits of pregnant women. The government agency says the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs while pregnant is especially risky to unborn children. The agency is using the data to promote awareness.

Smoke-Free Places - Post Offices and Banks

After public places, government offices, the post offices and banks too have been declared tobacco free in the Kashmir Valley, where several hundred persons, including employees and doctors, were fined for violating the ban during the past few months. Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Amir Ali in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, said Chief Post Master General (CPMG) Jammu and Kashmir, John Samuel has declared all the Post Offices and Administrative Offices in the state as 'Tobacco-free'.

Stricter Laws on Cigarette Machines and Ads

Smoking is set to be banned at the Western Wall and other communal spots in Israel after the country's legislators approved new rules on lighting up in public. The legislation, which includes stricter rules on cigarette machines and advertising, as well as a ban on smoking at bus and train stations, was backed by the Knesset health committee. The new rules mean that after a 30 - day window Israelis will be unable to smoke in public places including concert venues, swimming pools and near hospital entrances, while smokers will be designated no more than 25 per cent of the room in bars and restaurants.