2008 News Archive

Boston considers ban of all tobacco and hookah bars (12/7/08)

The Boston Public Health Commission will soon vote on expanded smoking restrictions that would be among the nation's toughest. The proposal would ban cigar bars and hookah bars, as well as eliminate sales of tobacco in pharmacies and on college campuses. The commission will cast their final vote on this bill on Thursday, December 11. If the law passes, Boston will be the largest city, by far, to outlaw smoking bars.

Reynolds American plans to sell new dissolvable tobacco products (11/17/08)

Three new products - dissolvable strips, orbs and sticks, which are made from finely milled tobacco, will be sold early next year, starting in Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; and Portland, Oregon.  Orbs are pellets that last about 15 minutes; strips last five minutes or less; and sticks, which are shaped like a toothpick but slightly bigger, last about 15 to 20 minutes. They are likely to cost less than cigarettes, and they are being marketed as an alternative way to use tobacco in places where people are not allowed to smoke.

Virginia Slims Superslims Lights come in 'purse pack' designed for young girls (11/24/08)

Philip Morris recently introduced a new pink, sleek, rectangular packaging for its Virginia Slims product line. With 58% of the Ultra Light market share, Philip Morris hopes to attract female smokers by offering a light-variety cigarette in a packaging tailored for space saving. Read more here.

Teens have fewer aids for kicking the habit

A recent CNN article discusses the lack of cessation resources for teenagers. Read more here.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

We had the amazing opportunity to hear Victoria Almquist of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids speak at our first STOPS meeting of the year on November 7, 2008 at Harford County Commity College.  To access the more information about tobacco products and policies promoted by the campaign. Read more here.

October 2008 Legacy e-News

The American Legacy Foundation promotes a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit.  They are the creators of the Truth Campaign.  Their October 2008 newsletter can be found online here.  This issue discusses tobacco's early role in Hollywood movies and a statement from David B. Abrams, Ph.D.

More College Campuses go Smoke-Free! (10/13/08)

According to USA Today, over 140 campuses now are completely smoke-free. Also, at least 500 campuses have smoke-free policies in residential housing. Most recently, Pennsylvania mandated all state colleges smoke-free. That new law affects 14 universities, which are attended by more than 110,000 students. However, Penn State is not included in this new law, as it is not owned by the state. Read more here.

Updated List of Smoke Free Colleges and Universities (10/08)

Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights has updated the list of smoke-free colleges and universities from across the country.  Click here to download this document.  Is your campus on the list?

American Lung Association Report: Big Tobacco on Campus, Ending the Addiction

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of tobacco use and policies on college and university campuses. The American Lung Association analyzed published research, surveys and tobacco industry documents to provide a wide-ranging look at the impact tobacco has in today's college life. Download the report: Big Tobacco on Campus, Ending the Addiction.

Montgomery College goes Tobacco-Free (8/1/08)

"Montgomery College campuses went tobacco-free beginning on August 1, 2008.  All tobacco products, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, will be prohibited from Montgomery College property, including its three campuses at Germantown, Rockville and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, and its central administration building in Rockville. This new policy affects all buildings, athletic fields, pedestrian walkways, entryways, outdoor terraces, campus bus stops and parking lots."  Click here to read more from the Montgomery College's news release.

Most Americans consider smoking very harmful, according to recent poll (7/28/08)

As of 2008, 82% of Americans polled consider smoking very harmful.  Read more here.

Alicia Keys withdraws tobacco company sponsorship for Indonesian concert (7/28/08)

The R&B singer’s concert in Indoneisa was originally sponsored by Phillip Morris. Billboards displaying a cigarette logo advertised the event.  After receiving a letter from the anti-smoking organization Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, all funding from the tobacco company was withdrawn.  Ms. Keys issued a formal apology to her fans in Indonesia.  She apologized for misleading advertising and stated that she advocates the health and well-being of children all over the world.  Matthew L. Myers, President of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued a statement applauding Ms. Keys for setting an example for the entertainment industry with her actions.

Tobacco Industry targets college smokers and adolescents with menthol cigarettes (7/16/08)

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health concluded that tobacco companies manipulate cigarettes in ways that promotes dependence to nicotine.  They state that the companies promote cigarettes with lower menthol content to new smokers, while supplying cigarettes with higher menthol content to smokers who are already hooked on nicotine.  Also, despite a drop in cigarette sales from 2000 to 2005, menthol cigarette sales have remained stable.

Social Networks Impact Smoking (5/23/08)

 
The New England Journal of Medicine has published findings by Harvard Medical School with Framingham Heart Study data indicating that smoking behavior among clusters of individuals has an impact on smoking behavior.  The chances of a person smoking were significantly decreased when spouse, sibling, friend, or co-worker had quit smoking.  These findings suggest that social support and perceptions of smoking by those around us may influence the course of smoking and cessation.  Read more on this at MSNBC and Newsweek. (Christakis & Fowler, 2008).

Is Hookah smoking harmful? (5/23/08)

Recent reports find that hookah is a common method of smoking tobacco among college students, as 20% of students surveyed at Virginia Commonwealth University said they had smoked hookah in the past month, and 43% in the past year.  A major concern among health advocates is the misconception that hookah smoking is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.  Find more information on Hookah use HERE.

Stay up-to-date on the ban

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has released free materials for the Clean Indoor Air Act, including finalized regulations for the statewide ban that will go into effect Feb 1st, 2008.  Visit http://www.mdcleanair.org/ today!  There is also a helpline for questions about the CIAA (1.866.703.3266).  The Legal Resource Center for Tobacco Regulation, Litigation & Advocacy at the University of Maryland is also available to answer questions about this law (tobacco@law.umaryland.edu).  

This is a simulation of the new Logo for Maryland's Clean Indoor Air Act (not for personal use).  
 

New State Quitline Ad Campaign (1/17/08)

The FREE State Quitline for tobacco cessation (1-800 QUIT NOW) is launching a new ad campaign on radio and tv.  These ads include real stories of residents who have quit smoking, even after a 36-year addiction, with the help of the Quitline.  And they are always looking for more real success stories, especially from college-age residents.  If you, or someone you know, can share a true story of quitting with the help of 1-800-QUIT NOW, please contact dmoncrief@dhmh.state.md.us.

Maryland Cigarette Tax Increase (1/1/08)

Among the tax increases starting on Jan 1st in Maryland is the $1 raise in taxes on cigarettes, making the statewide tax $2 per pack.  This change is an important component for comprehensive tobacco control efforts across the state, including the Clean Indoor Air Act and free cessation services like the state Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW).  Research shows that young adult quit rates increase as taxes and indoor restrictions on smoking increase (Taurus, 2004).  Read more about the tax changes in Maryland, including the cigarette tax, on WJZ.