Articles

Canada:
Vancouver’s parks A new law has been adopted unanimously by the city council, which provides for the prohibition of smoking and tobacco use in Vancouver’s parks and recreation centers.

South Korea:
Seoul’ Parks As of 01 December, tobacco smoking is banned in Seoul’s 20 governmentrun parks. Indonesia: Island of Bali The provincial legislature on the Indonesian resort island of Bali has passed a new law which will soon ban smoking in all public places.

Russia:
Smoking Ban The Russian health ministry is to outlaw smoking in public places, starting with a ban on public transport, including airports and train stations, in time for the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

Minnesota:
Smoking bans cut cardiac events 45% The incidence of heart attacks and sudden deaths has fallen nearly in half since smoking bans took effect in southeastern Minnesota, according to new research from the Mayo Clinic. The US based organization said the data bolsters its fight to rid the nation’s workplaces of second-hand smoke. It found a 45% decline in heart attacks and cardiac deaths. Adult smoking rates also dropped 23% during the time period (2002-2007). Other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity remained stable or increased, according to the study.

Australia:
Brand labels Tough anti-smoking laws banning brand labels passed their last major legislative hurdle in Australia today and immediately faced the threat of court action from tobacco companies worried the move could spread and hurt sales elsewhere. The upper house of parliament agreed on new laws that from December next year will force cigarettes to be sold in plain olive packets. They would continue to show graphic images of the harm smoking can cause.