Tag: smoking ban

Clearwater, Florida Bans Vaping at Beach, Parks

The city of Clearwater in the U.S. state of Florida approved a ban on vaping and smoking on city-owned public parks and beaches.
The city council unanimously approved the new ordinance and it goes into effect immediately.
It includes combustible cigarettes, vapes and e-cigarettes, but does not include unfiltered cigars, according to WFLA.
City council members said the ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental impacts on the community.
The city said the ban would protect beachgoers and marine life.
This comes a year after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that allows cities and counties to decide if they want to enforce a smoking ban.
The city of St. Petersburg has already implemented a similar smoking ban.
June 18, 2023
Generational Vape Ban Violates Basic Rights say Critics

Malaysia’s proposed Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Act breaches basic human rights, according to the nation’s leading tobacco industry group. Tabled for its first reading on July 27, the bill bans individuals born in 2007 or later from smoking, buying or possessing tobacco and related products. Offenders face stiff penalties, including imprisonment.
The Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers (CMTM) says adult Malaysians are protected under Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which allows them to make their own choices without worry of prejudice or repercussions.
“Moreover, these laws give the authorities too much power as it allows them to check your personal details, raid your home, inspect your telephone or luggage and access your personal details,” the group said in a statement dated July 31 and cited by the Malay Mail.
“Then you will have to give them your password, face arrest, be subject to body checks and see your home entered without permission for inspection.
“In the end, instead of creating a smoke-free generation, we are creating a generation of criminals who are being punished for buying a product others can buy.”
The CMTM also argued that prohibition will boost the illegal tobacco trade, which currently supplies 60 percent of the market estimated at MYR5 billion ($1.12 billion). The group said individuals will have to hide their habit and be stigmatized as criminals.
Meanwhile, the Special Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation has urged the government to ease the punishment for teenagers caught smoking cigarettes, according to the New Straits Times.
Instead of threatening jail time, the law should penalize juvenile offenders in practical and positive ways, through community service or mandatory counseling sessions for example, the committee argued.
“We are also concerned over aspects of enforcement power in the bill itself, especially involving juveniles and even children,” said committee chairman Kelvin Yii.
“The power to inspect, possibly conduct body checks and punish a child for possession must be heavily controlled to prevent abuse. This is why the guidelines for enforcement must be very clear and specific on this to ensure the vulnerable, especially the poor, are not victimized by the law.”
August 1, 2022
Born After 2010? Denmark Plans to Ban All Nicotine Sales
Credit: Maxim Grebeshkov
Denmark plans to ban the sale of cigarettes and nicotine products to anyone born after 2010, the country’s Denmark’s Ministry of Health has announced.
Health minister Magnus Heunicke said the policy change would prevent the next generation from smoking any form of tobacco, according to The Independent.
“Our hope is that all people born in 2010 and later will never start smoking or using nicotine-based products,” Heunicke said. “If necessary, we are ready to ban sales to this generation [born in 2010] by gradually raising the purchase age limit.”
Under current laws in Demark, people under the age of 18 are banned from buying tobacco and electronic cigarettes. But around 31 percent of those aged between 15 and 29 are smokers, Heunicke said.
New Zealand announced plans to outlaw buying cigarettes for anyone born after 2008. The ban is expected to come into force this year.
Additionally, the government plans to introduce major tobacco controls such as reducing the amount of nicotine in products and restricting where cigarettes can be sold.
March 18, 2022
County in Wales, UK Wants Public Vape Ban
Lawmakers in Ceredigion county, Wales want vaping and e-cigarettes to be treated the same as combustible cigarettes and be banned in public areas like schools, playgrounds and hospital grounds, according to reports.
Credit: Krystian Graba
New legislation came into force from March 1 banning smoking from school grounds, hospitals and play areas, with Welsh Government leaving the decision on vaping up to local authorities, according to Nation CYMRU. Ceredigion county councilors recommended that the same new rules banning smoking be the same for those using alternatives such as vapes and e-cigarettes but added that the same level of enforcement would not be possible.
Chairman of the healthier communities overview and scrutiny committee said on Monday, March 8 that seeing people vaping in playgrounds, combined with the different flavors available, could be “drawing children in.” He added he was a “little disappointed” the current legislation did not go further in allowing enforcement of vaping restrictions.
Cllr Bryan Davies supported this and said that vaping should be treated the same as smoking. Questions were raised about how the legislation covered council land leased by community councils and how enforcement would be resourced.
The council will be the enforcement body for premises while the police will enforce the ban on smoking in cars with children. The committee approved the report, adding that consideration be given to including vaping on any signage indicating where smoking is banned.
It is recommended that “steps are taken to ensure all Local Authority smoke-free settings comply with the new legal requirements.” It also noted the additional enforcement requirements on public protection services and “further recommends necessary changes to the Constitution to reflect the implementation of the Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020.”
March 9, 2021