MDQuit News Archives - March, 2007
Tobacco-free Zone? Pope Urged to Stomp Out Butts in Vatican City - 3/28/08
Physicians and Nurses Against Tobacco is petitioning Pope Benedict XVI to
declare the Vatican City as the world's first tobacco-free state. Read more here.
Atlantic City Stumbles on Smoking Ban - 3/27/08
An ordinance to ban smoking in Atlantic City casinos was originally going to be introduced to the City Council on Wednesday; however, it was removed from the agenda by the Council President William Marsh. Read more here.
Berkeley Steps Closer to Banning Smoking on Some City Streets - 3/27/08
The Berkeley City Council (CA) has approved an extension on a previously existing smoking ordinance to include 16 designated streets and commercial areas where smoking will be banned. Read more here.
Big Tobacco Funding for Cancer Research Decried - 3/27/08
A researcher at Cornell University received funding from Liggett Group Inc., a tobacco making company, for a study on preventing lung cancer deaths in both current and former smokers. The funding was not disclosed in her report, which has caused a major firestorm from other researchers. Read more here.
Bill to Exempt Some Sites from Smoking Ban Fails - 03/27/08
The House committee failed to pass an exemption to the Clean Indoor Air Act allowing smoking on enclosed decks and patios, as well as in tents and similar outdoor structures with removable walls, in Baltimore County. Read more here.
Maryland Kids ‘Kick Butts' on April 2 - 3/27/08
This year is the 13th annual Kick Butts Day where kids across the state
will raise awareness about tobacco companies advertising and tobacco
sales to kids. Read more here.
Doctors Hospital Goes Smoke-Free - 03/27/08
Doctors Community Hospital, located in Lanham, joins the growing list of smoke-free hospitals in Maryland, meaning smokers will have to go off campus grounds to smoke. Read more here.
Washington County Offers Free Drugs to Stop Smoking - 03/25/08
The Washington County Health Department will be offering a free tobacco cessation program in May that combines education, support groups, and vouchers for the prescription drug Chantix. Read more here.
Up in Smoke - 03/21/08
Although many businesses have seen no major changes in revenue, or even increases as new patrons enjoy the clean air, one Carroll County business talks about his difficulties since the Clean Indoor Air Act was implemented and considers applying for a waiver from the local health department. Read more here.
Private clubs no longer safe havens for smokers - 03/19/08
Following the Clean Indoor Air Act implementation, private clubs are now smoke-free, thus leading some members to consider quitting smoking and local health departments are there to help. Read more here.
Baltimore Officials Withdraw Fire-Safe Cigarette Mandate Plan - 03/14/08
Fire-safe cigarettes will be required by July in Baltimore, but three of the major cigarette manufacturers have volunteered to distribute them as early as April. Read more here.
Maryland Voters Overwhelmingly Favor Funding for Tobacco Prevention - 03/06/08
Testimony on Senator Nathaniel McFadden's Senate Bill 513, which calls for increasing tobacco prevention and cessation money to $63 million in Maryland, was heard before the State Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee. Read more here.
Three Businesses Cited for Selling Tobacco to Minors - 03/03/08
Frederick County Health Department and the Frederick County Sheriff's Office have partnered up to conduct compliance checks at area businesses, making sure no businesses are selling tobacco products to minors. During the recent check, three out of 17 merchants were cited and will be fined. Read more here.
Hydrogen Peroxide Named as Cancer Agent in Cigarette Smoke - 03/03/08
Researchers found evidence that the hydrogen peroxide found in cigarette smoke is a cause of cancer in lung cells. Read more here.
