SAN DIEGO, (Coal Geology)– The American Lung Association in California released its annual State of Tobacco Control report that issues grades to cities and counties in California on key tobacco control policies, including those for smokefree outdoor environments, smokefree housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products. This year for the first time, the American Lung Association in California graded all 480 incorporated cities and towns, and all 58 counties in the state. In addition to local grades, the State of Tobacco Control 2010 issues grades for the federal government, all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

On the whole, the Bulgarians are skeptic about the efficiency of the recently introduced public cmoking ban in the country. According to the results of the weekly online survey of standartnews.com, 59.1% of the participants share the opinion that the government’s efforts to cut down the number of smokers in the country are in vain, given that cheap contraband cigarettes still sell under the counter. 31.89% of those who took the survey say that the number of smokers in Bulgaria is bound to decrease, quoting the European experience with public smoking bans. About ten percent of the participants in the online survey hope that the Bulgarians will follow the example of PM Boyko Borissov who has cut out the habit of smoking cigars recently.

A FAMILY of three died after a ferocious blaze ripped through their home. Neighbours tried in vain to rescue the family before firefighters arrived. They were named locally as James Robertson, 70, his wife Mary, 73, and their son Paul, who was in his 40s. But despite receiving first aid at the scene they all later died from the effects of severe smoke inhalation.

Smoking damages the body in minutes rather than years. The long term impact of smoking, from heart disease to a range of cancers, is well known. But a new study suggests the damage begins just moments after the first cigarette is smoked.

Idaho House Revenue and Taxation Committee Chairman Dennis Lake says a bill to hike the cigarette tax likely won’t be introduced until late February.Lake, a Republican from Blackfoot, told The Associated Press that strategic reasons are behind the delay. Here’s why: A health coalition is promoting the bill as a way to curb smoking by raising the cost of tobacco products. But Lake said the group is also watching the state’s dwindling tax revenue, which in December missed forecasts by $10 million.

Lawmakers in New York have proposed a statewide ban on electronic cigarettes, the Associated Press reported Jan. 25. The bill was introduced by a former smoker, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), after she saw e-cigarettes on sale at malls and encountered ads for them online. “So I did some research,” she said. “I found what is in the e-cigarettes is a mystery.”

Cigarette packages clearly state that smoking can be hazardous to your health. So, is North Dakota doing enough to discourage smoking? The American Lung Association`s report on key tobacco control policies at the state and federal levels shows that agencies in our state continue to work toward keeping North Dakotans safe by helping them quit.

ALBANY – A random sampling of electronic cigarettes has found traces of antifreeze, toxic chemicals and known carcinogens. That is information that doesn’t bother John Ceccherelli, who drove three hours from Owego to try to tell lawmakers that banning e-cigarettes was a bad idea. “I am an e-cigarette user,” Ceccherelli told reporters covering an Assembly Health Committee meeting. “I’m completely tobacco-free. It’s been a godsend. It’s been a miracle for me and she (Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal) is going to kill people with this legislation. It’s a death sentence for a lot of us.”