Missouri's Tobacco Control Exchange

Maneater Supports Statewide Smoking Ordinance

The Maneater, the newspaper of the University of Missouri, offers up an editorial today in support of a statewide smoking ban. The editorial comes as Missouri lawmakers consider a statewide measure in the Legislature.

Already, those against this measure have commented.

Be sure to check out the editorial and consider leaving your own comments.

Lookout for Third-Hand Smoke

Business Week offers up an interesting story on third-hand smoke and its impact on the environment.

It focuses on studies that track the impact of third-hand smoke, defined perfectly by a doctor quoted in the story:

"We're talking here about compounds that were not originally emitted by cigarettes but that may form indoors as a result of the residue that settles indoors, after smoking, which then mixes with indoor chemistry," explained Hugo Destaillats, a chemist in the indoor environment department of Berkeley National Laboratory in California and a co-author of the study.

Lake Saint Louis Looks at Smoking Ordinance

Today the Lake Saint Louis Board of Alderman will hear public input on a proposed smoking ordinance. 

The hearing begins at 7 p.m. tonight at Lake Saint Louis City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive.

"I want to make sure everyone in Lake Saint Louis hears about this and has an opportunity to give us their input," said Alderman John Pellerito, Ward 3 told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The proposal would ban smoking in businesses and all city venues.

S.C. Considers Cigarette Tax Hike

Like most states, South Carolina needs cash and lawmakers think it could come from a hike in the cigarette tax.

Currently, South Carolina has the lowest tax in the nation.

Check out this editorial at The Post and Courier for details on various plans - and what editors think the state should do.

Rolla Looks to Clear the Air

A new study from the University of Missouri shows that air pollution is 45-times higher in places that allow smoking than those that don't.

That prompted the Rolla City Council to discuss a draft ordinance to ban smoking in public places.

The Rolla Daily News has an article on the council measure, as well as a survey asking the public what it thinks of the proposal.

OTC Plans Two-Day Tobacco-Free Campus Workshop

The 7th Annual Tobacco-Free Workshop is scheduled for May 26 and 27 at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo.

The workshop will be held in Lincoln Hall on the main campus on Chestnut Expressway. It is sponsored by the Center of Excellence for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy.

For more information, contact Ty Patterson at (417)447-8887 or patterst@otc.edu.

Hannibal Makes Armory Smoke-Free

In a tight vote that will hopefully set the stage for a citywide tobacco policy, the Hannibal City Coucil voted this week to make the Admiral Coontz Armory smoke-free.

It was a 4-3 decision, which goes into effect next year. The armory hosts a variety of city events, including those sponsored by the city.

Read more in the Quincy Herald-Whig.

Smoke-Free Show-Me State?

Missouri lawmakers this year will consider a statewide tobacco measure. The Kansas City Star sums is up perfectly on its Prime Buzz political blog:

The bill , sponsored by St. Louis County RepublicanWalt Bivins and supported by a number of Republicans and Democrats, would allow smoking in private residences, tobacco shops and 20 percent of hotel rooms.

Just about everywhere else -- including bars and casinos -- would be smoke-free.

The bill hasn't yet been referred to a committee - which means it sits dormant for now. While that isn't ideal, the fact that lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum seem receptive to the idea is phenomenal. 

You can find out more about HB 1766 at the Missouri House of Representatives Web site. You can also follow the legislation via RSS, or comment on it, at StateSurge.com.

MSU Smoking Policies to Change

In the January Friday Focus, Missouri State University President Dr. Michael T. Nietzel outlines the college's tobacco policy and changes that are ahead. 

The university has taken a thoughtful approach to tobacco issues on campus. While the policy itself will become more strict, university officials plan to start a major education campaign on campus, talking about the policy and smoking dangers.

Indiana Gears Up for Statewide Smoke-Free Battle

In Indiana, lawmakers and the Campaign for Smoke-Free Air hope to pass a bill that keeps smoking out of public places.

While there are always naysayers when it comes to smoke-free laws, some stories from bar and restaurant owners in smoke-free Indiana counties could help bolster support for a statewide initiative.

In St. Joseph County, which is now smoke-free, one bar owner reported a 30-percent increase in profits, according to Fox 28 in South Bend.