University of Oklahoma Restricted Smoking

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents has voted to restrict smoking to two designated areas on the Norman campus. The board on Tuesday approved a policy that designates parking lots near Dale Hall and Lloyd Noble Center as smoking areas and bans cigarette smoking at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the Lloyd Noble Center. President David Boren told board members university officials feel morally obligated to set an example, particularly since hundreds of other colleges and universities across the country have adopted similar policies. The smoking policy stems from a recommendation made by a tobacco advisory committee. The rules go into effect on July 1. Anyone who repeatedly violates the policy can be subject to fines of up to $50.

University of California Plans to Ban Tobacco Use

The University of California system announced last week that it will completely ban tobacco products, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, on all 10 of its campuses. More than 500 colleges and universities around the country ban smoking in some fashion. But the degree of these bans vary, and few have gone as far as the University of California system. Marquette’s smoking policy states that people on university property cannot smoke best quality Capital cigarettes indoors or within 25 feet of university buildings. There are no listed consequences for violating the rule. University of California President Mark Yudof sent out a letter to campus chancellors last week, making the news public. “As a national leader in healthcare and environmental practices, the University of California is ready to demonstrate leadership in reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke,” Yudof wrote. “Offering a smoke-free environment will contribute positively to health and well-being of all U.C. students, faculty, stuff, and our patients and visitors.”

Smoke-Free Canada Called for Shisha Tobacco Ban

Tobacco control laws should be extended to cover shisha tobacco and other products that don't fall under existing Canadian legislation, a group of doctors said Tuesday. Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada called on the federal government to do more to reduce the appeal of smoking, especially among young people. In 2009, the government amended the Tobacco Act to ban the sale of mini-cigars, called cigarillos, in packages of fewer than 20, the sale of flavoured cigarillos, blunt wraps and cigarettes, and to ban print advertising of tobacco products.

Dublin Council Discussed Smoking Law

After years of going after cigarette smoke, Dublin is setting its sights on the source. Tuesday, the City Council will begin discussing laws that could make Dublin one of the toughest cities in the Bay Area on smoking tax free Sobranie cigarettes and tobacco products. Council members are scheduled to begin the process to establish a minimum distance future tobacco retailers can be from places where children are present and a licensing fee for all tobacco retailers. It could be months before the council votes on an ordinance. "We are trying to do what we can to limit tobacco exposure to kids," said Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti, who will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday at a mayors' conference. "These (types) of ordinances will help with that."

New Smoking Ban for Beaches

Deputy Mayor Jack Wichterman plans to reintroduce the idea of a smoking ban on beaches here within the next month. “I sure am. I am ready right now,” said Wichterman, who was re-elected deputy mayor by his council colleagues at the Jan. 1 reorganization meeting. “I want to see the ban go forward strictly on the beaches, excluding the promenade and public parks.” City council deadlocked on a proposed ordinance to ban smoking at all public beaches, parks and recreation areas at its second regular council meeting in November. The 2-2 vote meant that the measure failed. Mayor Ed Mahaney and Councilwoman Terri Swain voted against the ban. Wichterman and Councilman William Murray voted in favor of it.

Tobacco Industry Manufacture Less Toxic Cigarette

Though emphasizing that quitting is the best remedy to combat health problems for smokers, Cornell researchers have found a way to make tax free Style cigarettes less toxic. Researchers from the lab of Jack H. Freed, the Frank and Robert Laughlin Professor of Physical Chemistry, have demonstrated that lycopene and grape seed extract literally stuffed into a conventional cigarette filter drastically lowers the amount of cancer-causing agents passing through. Their research is published in the Jan. 2 issue of the Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). "The implications of this technique can help reduce the hazardous effects of tobacco smoke," said Boris Dzikovski, research associate and paper co-author. The Cornell scientists altered filters of normal cigarettes by placing a mixture of grape seed and lycopene treated with activated carbon in the middle. Their experiments focused on gas-phase free radicals, as opposed to other hazardous ingredients such as the solid particles, or tar, contained in cigarettes.

Youngsters in Sussex Buy Cigarettes

One in eight young people in Sussex are being hoodwinked by cigarette packaging. Just over 12% of 16-25 year-olds surveyed for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) believed one branded cigarette pack was less harmful than another based on the packet design alone. However all cigarettes contain harmful toxins, tar, and carbon monoxide. The report is published ahead of a government consultation on whether Britain should adopt plain packaging for tobacco products. One in six said they'd consider the pack design when deciding which cigarettes to buy while one in nine said they'd choose a brand because it was considered cool. Most of those surveyed, 88%, thought plain packs were less attractive than branded packs - showing how plain packaging could make a significant difference in deterring young smokers. A ban on selling cigarettes from vending machines came into force in October.