News

Legalizing Pot In Virginia

Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria) introduced a bill to explore the tax revenue possibilities of marijuana. Englin merely wants Virginia to study how much tax revenue our state could pull in when it&rsquo;s cutting budgets everywhere and our roads are in a shambles.&nbsp; The estimate of this bill is that it would generate $500 million dollars in revenue.&nbsp; <br />
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He has also introduced a bill to ban smoking in public parks.&nbsp; Where is the logic in this?&nbsp; Can’t smoke tobacco outdoors, if he had his way, but you could smoke marijuana outdoors?<br />

By webmaster, ago

Huffington Post

Audrey Silk, the founder of New York Citizens Against Smoker Harassment, has been given regular column space in the Huffington Post. &nbsp;A retired career police officer from Brooklyn, Ms. Silk has been an outspoken supporter of Free Choice and Smokers’ Rights since the late 1990s. &nbsp;Her column will not always be about smoking issues, but will likely feature them frequently.&nbsp; She’s an articulate and forceful writer on our side!&nbsp; <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/audrey-silk/cuomo-budget-tobacco_b_1220363.html">Click here to read her column.</a>

By webmaster, ago

Clearing The Air Blog

Nearly 500 Minnesota bars and restaurants have closed since smoking bans were enacted in the land of 10,000 lakes.<br />
This State of Minnesota official report found that one year after the statewide smoking ban, revenue was down on average 31.9% in bars and taverns.<br />
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Bans are bad for business, this is one more example!<br />
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By webmaster, ago

Virginia

House Bill 160 to increase the tax on cigarettes is dead for this legislation session. <img src="/cms/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/teeth_smile.gif" alt="" /><br />

By webmaster, ago

A Sane Approach

In many cities across the United States and Canada smoking is prohibited in nursing homes.&nbsp; They forces seniors outdoors to smoke and in several instances some have died in the cold.&nbsp; This op-Ed piece suggests indoor accommodations.<br />
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A more than reasonable solution.<br />
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By webmaster, ago

Chris Snowden Talks About Campus Smoking Bans

<p>&quot;There is a growing trend towards &lsquo;smokefree&rsquo; campuses, of which there are more than 600 in the Land of the Free. And by smokefree they mean no smoking anywhere inside or outside: not in the grounds, not on the pavement, not in the fields, not even in your own car&quot;.<br />
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He goes on to describe the lunacy of these smoking bans.</p>

By webmaster, ago

Burlington, Vermont

We had previously reported on a outdoor smoking ban of downtown Burlington. The ban smoking was between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m but excluded outdoor patios of restaurants and private alleyways.&nbsp; The Mayor vetoed the bill because it was confusing and impossible to enforce.<br />
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We agree. There is no reason to ban smoking outdoors anywhere.<br />
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By webmaster, ago

Good News In Illinois

Illinois lawmakers are once again trying to snuff out portions of the state’s new public smoking ban.&nbsp; <br />
<p>State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago, is pushing legislation that would allow casinos and bars to apply for smoking licenses that would exempt them from the current ban, which has prohibited smoking in all indoor public places since 2008</p>
<p>&quot;It’s about letting the businesses decide,&quot; DeLuca said.</p>
About time!<br />
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By webmaster, ago

Birmingham, Alabama

<p>A Birmingham City Council committee is considering a proposal that would ban smoking in all enclosed public places, a major expansion of current rules.</p>
<p>The Public Safety Committee today set a Feb. 15 public hearing on the proposal.<br />
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People can make a difference, contact your legislator or show up on February 15.</p>

By webmaster, ago

Kentucky

A bill introduced Thursday in the Kentucky General Assembly for a statewide ban on smoking indoors in public places has once again touched off debate among smokers, non-smokers and business owners.<br />
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State Rep Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, introduced the bill that would ban tobacco smoking in work places, businesses and government buildings statewide. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not asking people not to smoke,&rdquo; Westrom said. &ldquo;Smoking is perfectly legal. I&rsquo;m asking them to step outside.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
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If you live in Kentucky call your legislators!<br type="_moz" />

By webmaster, ago