Entry bubble Banned: Flavored Cigarettes

By: Jess | October 01, 2009 | Category: Health

no smoking signLast week cigarettes with candy and clove flavors were banned in the United States as the first step in the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

The reason for the ban was to get rid of flavored cigarettes, which may attract more kids and teens to begin smoking, leading to a lifelong habit. Companies that continue to ship the products in the country will be subject to punishment from the FDA. A phone number (1-877-CTP-1373) and website have been set up for people to report if they continue to see these products for sale.

I'm not a smoker, so this ban doesn't affect me on a personal level, but I want to know what you all think. Smoking is a personal issue for a lot of people, so please share your opinions on the new ban. (Please make sure to read our comment guidelines before doing so.)

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Entry bubble Tougher Tobacco Laws

By: Colleen | June 10, 2009 | Category: Health

The Senate is voting on a bill that would require larger health warnings on cigarette packs, ban candy flavorings and claims such as "light," "mild," and "low-tar," as well as place furthur restrictions on tobacco advertising.

The hope is that the bill will save millions of lives by deterring people from smoking and protect children by keeping them from ever trying cigarettes.

Others think this will add additional burdens to the FDA and hurt tobacco farmers. The Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act will require tobacco companies to disclose detailed information about their products' ingredients and will allow the FDA to require changes to protect public health.

Critics think this legislation just forces tobacco companies to make a "safer cigarette" rather than focusing on aiding people in quitting, or never smoking in the first place.

What do you think of the new legislation? Will it be helpful in saving lives?

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Entry bubble Smoke-free Establishments

By: Colleen | July 30, 2008 | Category: Health

no smokingDuring a recent trip home, I woke up one morning feeling different. It had nothing to do with the sunshine streaming though my childhood window or the buzz of suburbia's lawnmowers interrupting my slumber. No, I felt different because ... I stunk.

Some friends and I spent the previous evening at the local watering hole, and in the morning I was greeted by the stench of cigarette smoke—trapped in my fabulous recently cut hair and in the clothes I'd thrown in a pile on my floor. How quickly I forgot that even though many major cities (Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles...) have banned smoking in all public establishments, many small towns and cities have yet to follow.

A quick shower and bottle of Febreeze later, my problem was solved. Unfortunately, it's not quite so simple to avoid secondhand smoke on a regular basis. Many business owners fear that prohibiting smoking will result in a loss of clientele and revenue. Although, since some cities' smoking bans have been in place effectively for a few years now, that argument is becoming less credible.

By now, most people are well aware of the dangers of smoking. For those looking to quit, there are many resources available to help you.

Want your town, city, or state to ban smoking? Write to your elected officials, and let them know your opinion.

A Gov Gab shout-out to office buddy, Walt, who is on his way to being smoke-free!

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