Hospitals in China to Ban Smoking by 2011

In China, hospitals have been urged to implement a smoking ban by 2011, according to state media. More than half of Chinese doctors smoke, so this will mean quite a change in the healthcare system. Authorities have been anxious to address the ticking time bomb, since this nation has more than 350 million smokers and could have great repercussions in the healthcare system. Xinhua news agency says that the health ministry has...

Do Smoking Bans Really Cause Job Losses?

According to one new study, job losses are not a consequence of smoking bans in bars and restaurants. Employment trends were studied in eight Minnesota cities by Liz Klein, a professor at Ohio State University. Each city had different kinds of policies on clean air and two of the cities had no bans on smoking. Some Ohio bar owners claimed they had to go out of business or have seen their business decline because of newly...

Washington Implements Smoking Ban

A smoking ban is soon to be implemented in Washington by Gov. Beverly Perdue, and opinions are divided on the issue. Some bar and restaurant owners are furious about the decision, while others are taking it in stride. Jeff Hunnings, owner of the Mecca Grill says, "I was trying to accommodate my customers the best way I can, but now the government has actually taken that issue out of my hands. I feel like the government...

Texas Cracking Down on Smoking

A state-wide smoking ban is being endorsed by Senate panel in Texas. It has been agreed that cigar bars, patios of restaurants and bars, and nursing homes will be exempt. Senator Rodney Ellis says that this is a matter of life and death, and that some compromises were necessary to bring this ban forward at a faster pace. He said of this bill: "It goes a long way toward reducing the incidence of cancer in...

Capitol City Getting Rid of Smoking Lounges

In Washington, the General Services Administration will no longer be allowing smoking in lounges as of June 19th. This applies to 1,500 federal buildings managed by this organization. One location is escaping from this law, a Federal Communications Commission facility does not belong to the GSA, so the law does not apply. Those working for the FCC will still have a tiny room available to have a drag or two. But the FCC hopes...

Smoking Ban Sees Change in Holland

Last July a law was introduced in Holland, which banned tobacco in all public places including coffee shops. However, it was decided in a Dutch appeals court on Tuesday that small bars, which only have a staff of only the owner are exempt from this ban. Two cafe owners were recently charged for contravening the ban and have been found not guilty at the appeals court of Den Bosch. According to one court statement, "The...