Missouri's Tobacco Control Exchange

Editorial: Raise Missouri Cigarette Tax

In a recent editorial, The Kansas City Star Editorial Board says that Missouri should consider upping the cigarette tax to make up for serious revenue shortfalls. The same goes for Kansas.

Read the editorial

Are Electronic Cigarettes OK to Smoke Where Banned?

Business owners in Springfield wonder how to grapple with customers who want to smoke electronic cigarettes in their restaurants or other public businesses where it is banned.

Springfield's smoking ordinance is tied to liquor sales. However, many businesses that fall under the ban are now finding customers who want to smoke e-cigarettes. The customers say it isn't a health hazard, but many health officials disagree.

Find out more in this article at KSMU.org.

Sedalia Council Approved Smoke-Free Law

Tobacco can no longer be used on Sedalia city property, or in city vehicles.

The Sedalia City Council approved the measure this week. It beings April 1.

MSU Institutes New Campus Smoking Rules

Beginning this fall, Missouri State University in Springfield will toughen up its campus tobacco policy.

Officials plan to have restricted designated smoking areas, or DSAs, on the campus, which will be smoke-free in two years.

Read more at KSPR.com.

Senators Hold Hearing on Statewide Smoking Proposal

On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard from supporters of SB 904, the Missouri Smoke-Free Air Act. 

No opposition was present during the hearing, which apparently happened when an unexpected opening came in the committee's schedule. According to a post at MoGasp's blog, the opposition believes it was not told about the hearing on purpose. Some plan to request another one to be heard.

Currently, 34 states have some form of smoking restrictions. So far, the debate in Missouri seems to include similar arguments from previous ones: Business rights versus health of workers and non-smoking consumers.

New Hookah Lounge Opens in Columbia

Columbia, Mo., instituted public smoking rules three years ago.

This month, a hookah lounge opened in the college town, but it is exempt from the city's ban.

The Columbia Missourian has a terrific article about the new lounge and why it is exempt. It also asks readers if the lounge really should be exempt from the rule.

Carthage HS Looks to Adopt Smokebusters Program

Carthage High School officials want to adopt the Smokebusters Program, which teaches students about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke.

The Carthage Press highlights talk of the program in a recent story.

Smoke Free Carthage is also on Facebook. At the time of this post, the group had 255 followers, while the opposition netted 45. 

Is Your County Healthy?

Platte County is the healthiest in Missouri, while Pemiscot is last in ratings.

That's according to a new survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

The survey is designed to provide a snapshot of healthcare across every county in every state in the nation. Factors weighed include sexual activity, tobacco use, morbidity and mortality, and quality and access to healthcare.

Find out how your county ranked at http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/missouri or read the full report (PDF).

Security to Olsen: Put Out That Smoke!

 

Famous twin Mary Kate Olsen is known for her role in Full House, the extensive clothing line for kids - and for puffing cigarettes non-stop.

The Hollywood darling - considered a role model for young girls along with her sister, Ashley - was told to put out her smokes at a party in New York City, which now has a smoking law. While other bars in the area apparently ignore the rule, this bar did not.

Must have been a bit embarrassing for Olsen, as it was during the  Fashion Week 

Get the scoop at the New York Daily News.

Study after study has show that Hollywood has an impact on kids who see stars smoke. What have you noticed during your outreach? Are young adults still influenced by Hollywood smoking habits? What about musicians? How do you tell them that what seems cool, really isn't?

Got Mono? Then Maybe Skip the Hookah

When this came up in my Google alerts, I had to laugh at the absurdity of the question. Then, I checked out the post - and some of the advice from hookah users on how to smoke using the device while battling mono. Amazing. 

Read it for yourself. 

Are hookahs big in your area? How do you outreach to hookah smokers? What are some dos and don'ts?