Smoking Pot and Mental Health Problems

A recently published study has tried to emphasize on the consequences faced by those, who have been in the habit of smoking marijuana, since a long time. Such smokers are found to be left with an adverse impact on their IQ levels; there is a noteworthy decline in these levels. The study included real incidents of people, who have been smoking cannabis, since they were adolescents. Stephen was just 12-years-old, when he smoked cannabis for the first time. With time, this 26-year-old from Ballymun, started enjoying and gradually it became his habit. He belonged to a family that was big, he wanted something, which could take him away from this world, his family and cannabis was his way out.

Rural Youngsters Smoke More Cigs

Tobacco addiction and exposure to secondhand smoke in rural America is highlighted in The American Lung Association’s latest health disparity report, “Cutting Tobacco’s Rural Roots: Tobacco Use in Rural Communities.” Tobacco use is higher among rural communities than in suburban and urban areas, and smokeless tobacco use is twice as common. According to the American Lung Association, rural youth are more likely to use tobacco and to start earlier than urban youth, perpetuating the cycle of tobacco addiction, death and disease.

Cigarette Plain Packaging Privilege, British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco Australia was refused leave on Friday to appeal to the court over its long-running bid to access privileged 1995 Commonwealth documents about plain packaging, under Freedom of Information laws. It comes after Wednesday's High Court ruling against tobacco companies' claim that the legislation, which is now cleared to take effect from December, is unconstitutional.

Tobacco Ordinance Needs Protection

Glendale has received statewide recognition and been lauded for its comprehensive policies that protect residents and visitors from breathing secondhand tobacco smoke in outdoor dining and shopping venues. Glendale also has a moratorium on the number of smoking dens also known as hookah lounges operating in the city. On Tuesday, Aug. 21, the Glendale City Council will be reviewing all of the current tobacco control ordinances and opening them up for possible updating.

Decrease in Cigarette Consumption, Adult Smokers

Sharp increases in total adult consumption of pipe tobacco (used for roll-your-own cigarettes) and cigarette-like cigars since 2008 have offset declines in total cigarette consumption, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although total cigarette consumption continued an 11-year downward trend with a 2.5 percent decline from 2010 to 2011, dramatic increases in use of non-cigarette smoked tobacco products have slowed the long decline in overall consumption of smoked tobacco products.

Smoking Ban Affects Small Tobacco Businesses

A law slated to go before the Russian State Duma this fall will be the most stringent anti-tobacco bill ever adopted in the country. If it is approved, starting in 2013, smoking will be banned in all public areas and it will be forbidden to sell cigarettes in kiosks, which line the streets, particularly outside metro stations. Kiosk owners, who make up to 70 percent of their revenue from sales of cigarettes and beer, will be hardest hit. Officials and industry analysts warn that the lack of sales could result in the unemployment of 300,000-500,000 people.

Tobacco Businesses, Youth Smokers

Though some retailers abide by the rules when it comes to selling tobacco products to underage residents, there are unfortunately some who still try to get by not follow state law. While many clerks already have other materials available to them, it was reported many are still unsure about WV State Code 16-9A-2 prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minor youth and still, at times, get confused when checking birth dates on IDs. Due to high personnel turnover, many retailers have to train employees on a regular basis. This was also the reason for the development and distibution of the See Red? Retailer Education materials.