MDQuit News Archives - February, 2007

Hearing on FDA tobacco control gets heated -- February 28, 2007
A bill sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) that would put all tobacco products under regulation by the Food & Drug Administration has sparked debate in Washington.  Some opponents of the bill are concerned about placing additional responsibility on the FDA, while proponents would like the FDA to address tobacco as a public health issue.  Kennedy hopes to hold a full committee vote on the bill this spring.  Click here for full story.     

Governor O'Malley for statewide smoking ban -- February 28, 2007
After the Baltimore City Council approved a smoking ban on Monday, the governor has committed to supporting a statewide indoor smoking ban if such a bill passes through the General Assembly this year.   Maryland would join 16 other states with smoking bans that include approximately half of Americans.  Click here for full story.

Smoking Ban Wins Approval -- February 27, 2007
Approval has been given by the Baltimore City Council for a smoking ban which will go into effect January 1.  Nine members on the council supported the smoking ban.  The ban will prohibit smoking in nearly all public places.  Click here for full story. 

High Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Detected in Baltimore Bars -- February 23, 2007
According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, both workers and patrons of bars in Baltimore are being exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke.   Click here for full story.