More and More Companies Refuse to Employ Smokers

As more and more companies are refusing to hire smokers - both to save over $10,000/yr per employee, and because employing smokers sends the wrong message - the major argument in opposition doesn’t really attack the practice itself, but bemoans that it will inevitably spread to the obese.

But public interest law professor John Banzhaf, who helped start and encourage the movement, and helped defend it in court, suggests that there are many reasons why smoking Virginia is very different from obesity.

First, obesity’s official classification by the government as a “disease” (for tax and Medicare purposes), and as a “health status” (for health insurance purposes), might make it legally difficult, whereas smoking, classified only as a “behavior,” enjoys no such legal protection.

The Electronic Cigarettes Popularity

As temperatures drop, John Lindaas expects sales of electronic cigarettes to rise.

Since Wisconsin's indoor smoking ban went into effect in July, tavern and restaurant customers have been stepping outdoors to smoke Doina.

Cold weather might encourage them to stay indoors, where e-cigarettes are allowed.

Lindaas of the Cigarette Depot said e-cigarette have caught on locally since Wisconsin went smoke-free.

Smoke-Free Legislations Raises Questions

The Virgin Islands Smoke-Free Act went into effect Wednesday, but many people are not sure exactly what the new law spells out for businesses and smokers in the territory.

The law was passed by the V.I. Legislature in April and signed by Gov. John deJongh Jr. on May 10.

Smokers at Risk of Developing Lung Cancer

Here’s some good news for people at risk of developing lung cancer. An annual CT scan reduces the risk of heavy smokers dying of lung cancer by 20 percent and has the potential to save thousands of lives, according to the results of a large, government-funded study announced today.


Smoking Kiss and exposure to asbestos are risk factors that increase the likelihood of a person developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Loose asbestos fibers or asbestos dust breathed into the lungs also can cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, chest or abdomen, and asbestosis, a scarring of the lung.

Stricter Smoking Ban at Menlo Park

Menlo Park crept a step closer to expanding its smoking ordinance. After debating a few tweaks to the language and grilling the city attorney on how the ordinance would be enforced, the City Council voted 5-0 to introduce the new regulations at its Sept. 14 meeting.

Dry Spell Could Hurt the Quality of Tobacco Leaf

Within a span of weeks, the outlook for some Kentucky burley tobacco has soured amid worries that a dry spell could hurt the quality of leaf hanging in barns to cure before going to market.

In Henry County, where farming is the economic backbone and burley remains an important cash crop, some leaf is turning a yellowish color brought on by the drought that has stretched into curing season, said Steve Moore, the county's agricultural extension agent. The fear is tobacco companies won't have as much appetite for off-color tobacco.

The result could be lower prices at market, he said, unless timely rains salvage curing season.

Smoking Ban in Louisiana

Approximately 15 patrons, outfitted with a personal air quality monitor often concealed in a purse, casually ordered at restaurants and bars across Louisiana.

While the customers ate and socialized, the devices discreetly sucked air through a pump and past a laser, which measured the mass concentration of particles in the air.