Smoking declines as taxes increase -- August 10, 2007
An analysis conducted by USA TODAY found that higher state taxes on smokers have produced declines in consumption.  Higher taxes produce greater declines.  Click here for full article.

FDA bill to regulate tobacco approved by Senate committee -- August 1, 2007
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has approved a bill that will allow the FDA to regulate tobacco advertising, warning labels, and hazardous ingredients.  This controversial bill is supported by Phillip Morris, Inc., and includes an amendment to ban clove cigarettes.  At present, it is likely to pass in the Senate.  Click here for the full story. 

New Research on Young Adults and Tobacco -- July 9, 2007
Helping Young Smokers Quit: Identifying Best Practices for Tobacco Cessation (www.hysq.org) is releasing research from their multi-phase project next month.  Data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey reveals that young adult smokers are under-utilizing proven cessation treament methods.  This research is part of a special theme issue of the American Journal of Public Health focusing on young adults and tobacco cessation, sponsored by the Youth Tobacco Cessation Collaborative.  This issue will be available on their website in August: www.youthtobaccocessation.org.  Click here to download HYSQ's recent press release.  

Smokefree Before the Ban -- July 7, 2007
Some restaurant and bar owners across Maryland are banning smoking in their establishments many months before the statewide ban will require them to do so.  Click here for the full story.

Upcoming Events

Public Hearings for Ban Implementation -- July 17, 2007
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will hold two public hearings to gather input on methods for implementing the Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) of 2007.  The first is scheduled for Tuesday, July 24 at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center in Cambridge, and the second is scheduled for Tuesday, August 21 at the Potomac Center Gymnasium in Hagerstown.  Both hearings will take place from 1pm to 3pm.  MDQuit encourages all interested providers of tobacco prevention and cessation services to attend these hearings.  Click here for the recent press release by DHMH.  For more information on the CIAA, including a downloadable public presentation on ban implementation, click here.