Clear The Air News Tobacco Blog Rotating Header Image

June 19th, 2015:

New smoking laws in outdoor dining areas to turn customers into snitches

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/new-smoking-laws-in-outdoor-dining-areas-to-turn-customers-into-snitches/story-fngr8h9d-1227410563433?nk=4a17044c8404afede5aa34fab4c90734-1435020248

Customers will be able to dob in a cafe or restaurant that allows smoking in outdoor areas. Source: News Corp Australia

Patrons will be able to dob in pubs or restaurants who don’t crack down on people smoking in outdoor dining areas.

Under the new laws that come into force on July 6 smoking will be banned in all seated outdoor dining areas while food is being served.

The legislation will apply to all ignited smoking products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and ­waterpipes.

Authorised inspectors from the Northern Sydney Local Health District and the health department will conduct random inspections of premises and also in ­response to complaints.

From July 6 smoking will be banned in outdoor dining areas in NSW Photo: Adam Yip Source: News Corp Australia

The public will also be able to report if venues aren’t complying with the new laws online or by calling a hotline. Inspectors will be able to issue on the spot fines of $300 for individuals, and penalties of up to $5500 for occupiers who ­ignore the ban.

“It is the responsibility of establishments to ensure, to the best of their ability, that patrons comply,” a Northern Sydney Local Health District spokeswoman said.

However, establishments will be notified if inspectors are going to be checking their premises and there may be a grace period.

“Patrons and venues are expected to comply with the legislation from July 6,” the spokeswoman said.

“However, NSW Health will take a fair and even handed approach to enforcement of the new smoking bans … with the aim of promoting good public health outcomes.”

Northern Sydney Local Health District’s environmental health manager Geoffrey Prendergast said the new laws were an extension of existing bans on smoking at public transport stops, children’s playgrounds and sporting fields.

“NSW Health is working closely with local businesses to help them get ready for smoke-free outdoor dining,” Mr Prendergast said.

Under the laws smoking will also be banned within four metres of a seated dining area on licensed premises, restaurant or cafe, and within 10 metres of a food fair stall.

Customers can dob in a venue at health.nsw.gov.au/smokefree or by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.

Comments on other issues: 70% of smokers are teenagers: Expert

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/26/comments-other-issues-70-smokers-are-teenagersexpert.html

Seventy percent of Indonesian smokers are teenagers, an expert said on Friday.

“The majority of Indonesian smokers are between the ages of 16 and 25,” said Hasbullah Thabrani, an expert in tobacco consumption, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Your comments:

In Malaysia, there is a ban on cigarette sales to those under 18. There is also a fatwa on the ban for Muslims, but most smokers pay no attention to the edict. Loh Taun

Indonesia has some of the coolest and hippest anti-smoking ads in the world. They are so cool that they can be interpreted as cigarette advertising themselves (although cigarette ads are already rampant).

Observe how their warning sign carries a picture of a “cool, muscular dude” puffing away and in the background there is a picture of a really “cool” skull (which to them is supposed to represent death but kids will probably see it as the guy smoking away to ward off this ghostly skull). Abu

It is time to execute a few tobacco executives or maybe a few smokers. That should act as a deterrent! Coling

I feel reluctant to agree with the presented data. In order to make it bite, the government should increase the excise tax every three months to follow in the footsteps of Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. According to a survey taken in 2014, hand-rolled clove cigarettes are much cheaper than machine-made ones as lower tax is imposed on them. Revising and increasing the excise tax would surely hurt the pockets of die-hard smokers and warn youngsters that it is an expensive habit to pick up. Luwanto

How much have retailers been affected by plain packaging legislation?

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

Download (PDF, 675KB)

What is happening to the prevalence of smoking in Australia?

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

Download (PDF, 904KB)

What has happened to use of illicit tobacco since the introduction of legislation to standardise the packaging of tobacco products in Australia?

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

Download (PDF, 1.01MB)

With Governor’s Signature, Hawaii Becomes First State to Raise Tobacco Sale Age to 21

Jun 19th, 2015
by Editor.
No comments yet

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is a statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

Hawaii made history and set an example for the nation today when Governor David Ige signed landmark legislation that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. Hawaii is the first state to raise the tobacco sale age to 21. This bold step will reduce smoking among young people, save lives and help make the next generation tobacco-free.

Today’s action continues the growing momentum in support of raising the age of sale for tobacco to 21. The California Senate recently approved similar legislation, which is now before that state’s General Assembly. Hawaii has provided a tremendous boost for these efforts, and we are eager to see more states and communities moving in this wise direction.

Governor Ige and Hawaii lawmakers have listened to the state’s voters and youth, and their action will improve the state’s health for generations to come. The Hawaii law takes effect on January 1, 2016. Hawaii joins at least 68 cities and counties in eight states that have raised the tobacco age of sale to 21.

Increasing the sale age to 21 will reduce tobacco use among youth and young adults – age groups when nearly all smoking begins and that are heavily targeted by the tobacco industry. We know that 95 percent of adult smokers began smoking before they turned 21, and tobacco companies spend more than $27 million annually in Hawaii alone to market their deadly and addictive products.

The increase in the tobacco age will help counter the industry’s efforts to target young people at a critical time when many move from experimenting with tobacco to regular smoking. It will also help keep tobacco out of high schools, where younger teens often obtain tobacco products from older students.

A March report by the prestigious Institute of Medicine concluded that increasing the tobacco sale age would yield substantial public health benefits. The report found that increasing the sale age to 21 would significantly reduce the number of adolescents and young adults who start smoking; reduce smoking-caused deaths; and immediately improve the health of adolescents, young adults and young mothers who would be deterred from smoking, as well as their children.

In Hawaii, tobacco use claims 1,400 lives and costs $526 million in health care bills each year. Currently, 10.4 percent of high school students in Hawaii smoke. Today’s action is a great next step toward reducing tobacco’s awful toll.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/with-governors-signature-hawaii-becomes-first-state-to-raise-tobacco-sale-age-to-21-300102277.html