Boston Mayor Aims to Raise Smoking Age to 21

Boston could become the latest in a string of large U.S. cities to ban smoking and tobacco use by people under the age of 21 under a measure proposed on Wednesday by Mayor Marty Walsh.

The move to raise the minimum smoking age from 18 follows similar steps taken by some 90 U.S. cities and counties including New York. Hawaii in June became the first state to ban tobacco use by people under the age of 21.

"We know the consequences of tobacco use are real and can be devastating," Walsh said in a statement. "These proposed changes send a strong message that Boston takes the issue of preventing tobacco addiction seriously, and I hope that message is heard throughout Boston and across the entire country."

The proposal is subject to the approval of the city's Board of Health. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Smoking has been on the decline among Boston teens, with just 7.9 percent reporting cigarette use in 2013, down from 15.3 percent in 2005, Walsh said. But use of e-cigarettes and inexpensive cigars has risen among teens over the past few years. The proposed ban would apply to e-cigarettes, cigars, snuff and all other tobacco products.

Walsh, a recovered alcoholic, earlier this year banned the use of chewing tobacco in public spaces in Boston, including the historic Fenway Park ballpark. The ban also applies to professional ballplayers, both the Red Sox and visiting teams.

Walsh has also been one of the most outspoken Democratic opponents of proposed statewide ballot initiatives that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts. Proponents of those measures aim to put them to a vote in November 2016.

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Bellingham Bans Smoking in City Parks

New smoking ban in Bellingham to be adopted and smokers will no longer be allowed to use their tobacco or electronic cigarettes in any city park. The ban includes also cigars. The Council took the decision on November 9 with six votes for and one against. However, it needs a final voting before the rule

Councillor Disappointed after Smoking Ban Trial Fails to Gain Support

 The man proposing a 12 month trial smoking ban in Wagga Wagga's CBD says the business lobby is wrong to think the ban would cost trade.

On Monday, Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) rejected the proposed trial, instead voting to implement the state's July 2015 policy on managing outdoor smoking.

The meeting received a petition opposing the trial.

Councillor Greg Conkey says there was strong support for the ban, but he doubts there will be a change in the vote when it comes back to council in a fortnight.

"I don't think so unfortunately," he said.

"I think the business lobby got to a number of the councillors and a number of business groups approached certain councillors, and I think they were swayed by their arguments, and their argument was they believe they would lose business which I dismiss.

"I don't believe that's a strong argument whatsoever."

Councillor Conkey does not believe the new policy managing outdoor smoking, will stop offenders.

"People cannot smoke within, I think it's four metres of an entrance to a shopping mall," he said.

"People are no longer allowed to smoke in alfresco dining areas associated with hotels, already there's a ban in place about smoking within 10 metres of alfresco dining areas within the main street of Wagga.

"Problem is that people are smoking cheapest Camel Full Flavour http://www.cigarettestime.com/camel/full-flavour, and they walk straight past these areas, certainly within 10 metres, certainly within one or two metres.

"That's an issue which would have been resolved with this motion."

Councillor Conkey says Wagga Wagga City Council's missed an opportunity to take a lead on the issue in New South Wales.

He says the smoking ban proposal was to make the city safer, especially in Wagga, which he dubs the asthma capital of Australia.

Councillor Conkey says it is likely Wagga will eventually be forced by the state to enact a ban on smoking, when it could have been first.

"Wagga led the charge some years ago, in 2007 when Wagga City Council banned smoking within 10 metres of children's playgrounds," he said.

"The state government subsequently picked that up.

"The City Council also banned smoking within council controlled alfresco dining areas, and again the state government picked that up."

Teen Users Start Smoking with Flavoured Tobacco

A newest survey reveals that teenage smokers younger than the legal smoking age.  are attracted by flavoured tobacco products. These include especially cigarettes with menthol flavour and hookah with sweet fruit flavours. The author of the study is Bridget K. Ambrose of the Center for Tobacco Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in

Three Massachusetts Towns Increase Tobacco Purchase Age to 21

 The trio of Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge, Mass. have agreed to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to 21-years-old, as the Tri Town Boards of Health approved the proposal at its meeting on Monday night.

While each of the three towns maintains its own health department, they have had a collective organization since 1929 to oversee health-related issues within those communities. The TTBoH had considered two options for the increase, one that would gradually raise the age over three years and a second that would increase it in one fell swoop on Jan. 2, 2016.

After hearing testimony from several community members as well as Dr. Lester Hartman, noted pediatrician and advocate of raising the tobacco purchase age to 21, the board approved the latter option, according to the Berkshire Eagle.

In addition to the age increase, the TTBoH set new pricing minimums for cigars: $2.50 for a single cigar and $5 for any package containing multiple cigars. It also approved a cap on the number of tobacco retailer licenses in each town, with no new licenses to be issued other than what currently exists.

Lee has a population of nearly 6,000 people, while Lenox has a population of just over 5,000 people and Stockbridge is home to nearly 2,000 residents. All three towns are located in Berkshire County, approximately 130 miles west of Boston.

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Virginia Department of Health launches 31-day countdown to help tobacco users quit

The Virginia Department of Health is helping tobacco users get ready to quit by sharing tips and resources during Countdown to Quit Day. The countdown kicks off Oct. 20 and offers a different tip on VDH’s Facebook and Twitter platforms each day through Nov. 19.

Virginia Quit Day coincides with The Great American Smoke Out, Nov. 19, and celebrates the benefits of living tobacco free. “Quitting tobacco is difficult, but one of the best health decisions a person can make,” said State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP. “The benefits of quitting begin almost immediately after a person quits and continue throughout life, not just for the tobacco user, but also for their family and friends.”

Tips cover topics such as preparing a quit plan, building social support, and understanding withdrawal symptoms. The Countdown is not just for people wanting to quit tobacco, but for their loved ones as well. The tips provided will help them support their loved ones when they decide to quit, making it more likely they will remain tobacco free.

One of the resources available year-round to tobacco users is the Virginia Quitline. This evidence-based model offers support for quitting, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan and free educational materials. Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669). Deaf and hearing-impaired TTY is 800-332-8615.

“Last year during the Countdown, calls to the Quitline increased 70 percent over call volume the previous year,” said Jayne Flowers, Tobacco Use Control Program director. “Based on people’s feedback from last year’s Countdown we updated our tips and resources to encourage even more tobacco users to take this life-changing step this November.”

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New Anti-Smoking Legislation Proposed in Queensland

In Queensland, Australia, there were proposed new anti-smoking laws which will make it more difficult for smokers to light up. Cameron Dick,  Health Minister, told that there was proposed to prohibit smoking on city’s bas stations, children’s sporting events, in and around childcare centres and other public zones. The city already banned smoking in restaurants,