Other States, Federal, and International

GASP keeps you on top of tobacco control news and issues by posting smokefree news stories. GASP was mentioned in or was interviewed for the 2024 stories marked with an asterisk (*) below.

• 12-14-16:

  PHA smokers beware! Ban is coming (Ron Leir, The Observer Online)

• 12-08-16: *

  U.S. Surgeon General’s Report concerned about youth e-cig use (Susan Livio, NJ Star-Ledger)

• 03-23-16:

  Mets and Yankees baseball players’ take on banning smokeless tobacco use (NY Times, Tim Rohan and David Goodman)

• 03-17-16:

  Florida Supreme Court rules Ok to sue the tobacco industry for punitive damages (News Service of Florida, Jim Saunders)

• 03-16-16:

  Chicago City Council raises the age to 21 to be sold tobacco and e-cigarettes (MSNBC, Mary Ann Ahern)

• 03-16-16:

  NY Senator Rivera proposes 100 ft smokefree zone by libraries (Riverdale Press, Will Speros)

• 03-15-16:

  Erie County NY proposes to ban tobacco sales at pharmacies (Buffalo News, American Cancer Society letter)

• 03-11-16:

  Tobacco industry threatens if California Governor signs Tobacco 21 law (Sacramento Bee, Jeremy White) 

• 03-05-16:

  NY Times Editorial Board Supports Tobacco Age 21 for California (Editorial Board, The New York Times)

• 03-02-16:

  U.S. Dept of Transportation issues final rule banning use of e-cigarettes on planes (press release USDOT)

• 02-29-16:

  Hong Kong study shows e-cigarette ingredient has cancer causing agent (South China Morning Post, Elizabeth Cheung)

• 02-25-16:

  NYC May Crack Down On Non-Tobacco Smoking Too (gothamist, Miranda Katz).

• 02-25-16:

  Hookah Bars May Soon Be a Lot Tougher to Find (New York Magazine, Samuel Lieberman)

• 02-04-16: *

  Governor Christie vetoes age 21 bill, Wayne continues its spot checks (Wayne Today, reporter Debra Winters)

• 01-27-16:

  Berkley Raises Smoking Age to 21 (PR Newswire, Henry Philofsky)

• 01-19-16:

  Study shows a NJ smoker spends $1.2 million over lifetime related to their smoking (NJ 101.5 reporter Louis Hochman, Wallet Hub reporter Richie Bernardo)

• 01-11-16:

  The federal U.S. Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act awaits Pres. Obama’s signing

• 01-04-16:

  Norwegian Medical Association wants to ban tobacco sales to citizens born after year 2000. (The Independent UK, Jeff Staufenberg)

• 01-03-16:

  Malaysian State of Terengganu bans sale of electronic smoking devices and liquids (The Times)

• 01-01-16:

  Ireland bans smoking in cars with children under age 18 inside (Ireland TV)

• 01-01-16:

  2016 starts new tobacco laws in Canada (CBC News New Brunswick; City News)

• 12-25-15:

  U.S. FTC to study marketing/sales techniques of e-cig marketers (The Gothamist, Nathan Tempey)

• 12-11-15:

  U.S. Senate unanimously passes Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act 

• 12-08-15:

  The Truth Initiative publishes its report on achieving health equity in tobacco control.

• 11-28-15:

  North Carolina’s child-resistant nicotine packaging law takes effect Dec. 1 (Winston-Salem Journal, Richard Craver)

• 11-23-15:

  Proposed federal budget to cut tobacco control spending (NY Times Editorial Board)

• 11-19-15:

  Lawsuit Exposes Cancer-Causing Chemicals from E-cigarettes (Center for Environmental Health, Press release)

• 11-05-15:

  Pakistan moves towards restricting smoking in Sheesha Cafes (The Express Tribune with the International NY Times, Hasnaat Malik)

• 10-29-15:

  State Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco Cessation Treatments and Barriers to Coverage (CDC)

• 10-29-15:

  Increase in death rates due to smoking in China (South China Morning Post, Alberto Lucas Lopez)

• 10-28-15:

  Link between hookah smoking and oral health problems (American Dental Association) 

• 10-26-15:

  U.S. Department of Transportation bans electronic smoking devices in checked airline bags (USDOT)

• 10-14-15:

  Federal lawmakers want to raise smoking age to 21 (NJToday.net, Staff Reporter)

• 10-11-15:

  World Health Organization urges China to curb smoking rates (WHO, Wu, Linlin)

• 09-29-15:

  Nicotine poisoning of young children increases 800% from 2012-2014; Attorneys General call for federal regulation (NY Attorney General’s website)

• 09-21-15:

  HUD Publishes new Video on Smoke-Free Housing Policies (HUD.gov)

• 09-21-15:

  FDA Announces Guidance for Tobacco Retailers on Tobacco Products Not Substantially Equivalent (FederalRegister.gov)

• 09-17-15:

  Massachusetts establishes 18 years as minimum age of sale statewide; passes stronger regulation on child-resistant Packaging (The Daily Item, Gayla Cawley)

• 09-15-15:

  Smoking to be banned from Play Parks (Edinburgh News, John-Paul Holden)

• 09-15-15:

  F.D.A Bans 4 Cigarette Products Produced by R.J. Reynolds (New York Times, Sabrina Tavernise)

• 09-14-15:

  R.J. Reynolds Hit with $34.7M Verdict for Family of Air Force Sergeant who died of Cancer (ABAJournal.com, Victor Li)

• 09-01-15:

  China bans tobacco ads in public places and to minors (WHO, Press release)

• 08-31-15:

  Massachusetts smokefree casino opening leads to reduced gaming at smoking-permitted Rhode Island casino

• 08-31-15:

  Study Finds E-Cigarette Liquid Lethal to Children if Ingested (Astro Awani Network News)

• 08-27-15:

  FDA takes action against three tobacco manufacturers for making “additive-free” and/or “natural” claims on cigarette labeling (Michael Felberbaum)

• 08-26-15:

  Study shows Smokefree Apartment Policies Beneficial to Owners and Residents (MedicalXpress.com, South Dakota State University)

• 08-26-15:

  Teens who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking regular tobacco. (JAMA)

• 08-24-15:

  UK Isle of Jersey to ban smoking in cars with under age 18 (Channel – ITV News)

• 08-18-15:

  Chicago Tribune’s editorial board supports Tobacco 21 laws (Chicago Tribune)

• 08-14-15:

  Smoking liquid nicotine has the same properties as nitric acid, a chemical that causes cancer (MalayOnline)

• 08-13-15: *

  NY state law on 100 feet smoker buffer zone by after school programs (Post Star)

• 08-12-15:

  Malaysian Health Minister recommends no hookah or e-cigarette use (The Star Online)

• 08-11-15:

  Albany Housing Authority goes 100% smokefree, starting January 1, 2016. (Times Union)

• 08-10-15:

  E-cigarette smolders in airline passenger’s handbag at a U.S. airport (Occupational Health & Safety)

• 08-06-15:

  Philadelphia’s smoking ban slowly in effect

• 08-06-15:

  Geneva Housing Authority board approves smoking ban (Finger Lakes Times, David L. Shaw)

• 08-04-15:

  CVS stock climbs 47% in the last 12 months, after stopping sales of tobacco (Associated Press)

• 08-03-15:

  Mayor of San Francisco Signs an Ordinance to Ban Smokeless Tobacco from all Public Athletic Fields. ( NY Times)

• 07-29-15:

  Philadelphia Goes Smokefree in Public Housing (The Inquirer, Michaelle Bond)

• 07-24-15:

  Vaping waste ‘More dangerous than traditional cigarettes’ (Business Waste)

• 07-15-15:

  Beijing Smoking Ban shows compliance in 1st month One (Editor Yan, Xinhau News Agency CNN Reporter: Katie Hunt)

• 07-15-15:

  Gaming industry commentary to prepare for smokefree gaming

• 07-07-15:

  Delaware bans e-cigarette use inside public places and workplaces ( The News Journal, Jon Offredo)

• 07-06-15:

  CDC study finds 75% of adults in favor of raising the age to 21 for tobacco sales

• 07-02-15:

  Brown, Blumenthal and Democratic Senate Colleagues Issue Joint Statement on U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Lobbying for Big Tobacco (Press Releases, United States Senator Sherrod Brown)

• 07-01-15:

  Parents Unaware of Negative Health Effects from Hookah Smoking (Daedalus Enterprises Respiratory Care Journal)

• 06-30-15:

  U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes tobacco control

• 06-29-15:

  North Andover, Massachusetts raises the age of tobacco sales to 21

• 06-28-15:

  Fox News reports on trending tobacco 21 laws

• 06-25-15:

  Washington Post reports Hawaii raises smoking age to 21

• 06-23-15:

  NY Attorney General settles with e-liquid manufacturers violating NY state law that requires child-resistant packaging

• 06-22-15:

  Hawaii State Beaches and Parks Go Smokefree

• 06-22-15:

  FDA reports increase in incident reports from non-using consumers on Electronic Smoking Devices

• 06-19-15:

  Public health groups are troubled by U.S. House bill that eases e-cigarette regulation

• 06-17-15:

  Philadelphia Housing Authority bans smoking in all housing units (Philadelphia Inquirer, Madeline R. Conway)

• 06-06-15:

  Royal College of Physicians reports on dangers of shisha smoking

• 06-01-15:

  Beijing Bans Public Smoking, but Enforcement Poses a Challenge

• 05-21-15:

  Kingman approves law banning smoking while driving with kids. (DailyMiner, Doug McMurdo)

• 05-16-15:

  University of Texas study finds 25% of college smokers using e-cigarettes

• 05-16-15:

  University of Texas study finds 25% of college smokers using e-cigarettes

• 05-13-15:

  N.Y. State lawmakers want e-cigs banned in indoor public places and workplaces

• 05-10-15:

  Beijing smoking ban to be enforced starting June 1

• 05-01-15:

  Russia offers smoking cessation to combat high smoking rates amongst women and young people

• 04-30-15:

  Ontario Canada bans all flavored tobacco products including menthol as of May 31, 2015

• 04-29-15:

  UK bans ‘Sultry’ E-Cigarette Advertisement

• 04-28-15:

  Some States Receive Money Annually From The Master Tobacco Settlement

• 04-25-15:

  Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health call for total ban on e-cigarette products

• 04-24-15:

  Hawaii Governor Ige signs law banning e-cig use where smoking already banned by state law

• 04-24-15:

  Hawaii awaits Governor’s signature on a law banning tobacco an e-cigarette sales to persons under age 21

• 04-13-15:

  Warning Letters Issued to E-Cigarette Companies Illegally Making FDA-Related Claims

• 04-11-15:

  Addiction Links Between Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana

• 04-10-15:

  Smokefree casinos and public places takes effect April 22, 2015; Harrah’s Casino denied a delay.

• 04-07-15:

  Smokefree Maryland casino revenues increase by 10%

• 04-03-15:

  New Rule Bans Smoking in Air Force Recreation Areas

• 04-01-15:

  Montana’s Health Board Starts to Weigh Casino Smoke Room Rules

• 03-27-15:

  Federal Trade Commission report shows tobacco industry spent $9.6 billion per year to market/advertise cigarettes (FTC press release) 

• 03-27-15:

  FTC Releases Reports on 2012 Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco Sales and Marketing Expenditures

• 03-26-15:

  CDC anti-smoking ads target e-cigarettes for first time, highlight tobacco’s links to variety of diseases

• 03-25-15:

  Advocates push to raise smoking age to 21 in Rhode Island

• 03-24-15:

  Can Smoke-Free Casinos Still Cash In?

• 03-21-15:

  China plans to regulate e-cigarette production, sales, use

• 03-19-15:

  Ulster County in NY bans the use of e-cigarettes inside public places and workplaces

• 03-17-15:

  Approval of Powdered Alcohol Raises Concerns About Use

• 03-11-15:

  UK votes to ban cigarette pack branding, industry threatens legal action

• 03-11-15:

  Judge blocks DC man from smoking in his own home temporarily

• 02-03-15:

  CDC Vital Signs and MMR report focuses on second-hand smoke

• 02-03-15:

  Buffalo NY bans e-cigs in same spots as tobacco products

• 01-30-15:

  States Dash to Regulate E-Cigarettes

• 01-28-15:

  California health officials declare e-cigarettes a health threat, urge tougher regulations

• 01-26-15:

  E-Cigarettes Would Be Banned in Public Places Under California Bill

• 01-25-15:

  Smoking bans in apartments, condos in Canada

• 01-23-15:

  Packing e-cigarettes in luggage is fire risk, FAA warns

• 01-22-15:

  New Orleans bans smoking in casinos and bars

• 01-21-15:

  New York Joins E-Cigarette Regulation Push as Cuomo Backs Bans

• 01-21-15:

  Washington state’s attorney general proposes bill to lift smoking age to 21

• 01-12-15:

  Italy moves to widen smoking ban

• 01-09-15:

  New Hampshire bill introduced to revise the indoor smoking act.

• 01-07-15:

  NYC Health Department Investigates Hookah Bars in Violation of NYC’s Smoke-free Air Act

• 01-04-15:

  TAU cancels Philip Morris event following pressure from cancer organization

• 01-01-15:

  Suffolk County bans the sale of tobacco, electronic smoking devices and liquid nicotine to person under age 21

• 01-01-15:

  North Carolina Housing Finance Agency requires 100% smokefree policy for new and renovated affordable housing.

• 12-30-14:

  Drivers smoking shisha at the wheel will be fined in UAE

• 12-29-14:

  Child Labor on U.S. Tobacco Farms (NY Times)

• 12-29-14:

  NY State Bans Sale of Liquid Nicotine to Minors, Requires Child Tamper-Proof Containers

• 12-17-14:

  Hawaii County bans use of electronic cigarettes wherever smoking is banned, including beaches and parks

• 12-15-14:

  Utah proposes a state tax on electronic smoking devices

• 12-05-14:

  DOJ Banning Smoking in Federal Prisons

• 11-26-14:

  Italian researchers study e-cigarette use by Italians

• 11-17-14:

  Westminster Mass. Considers Ban on Sale of Tobacco Products

• 11-10-14:

  Massachusetts Town Weighs Nation’s 1st Tobacco Ban

• 10-29-14:

  Massachusetts Town Proposes Ban on All Tobacco Sales

• 10-28-14:

  Study on Secondhand smoke Emission Levels in Hookah Cafes in Doha, Qatar

• 10-28-14:

  Wall Street Journal on Cities Increasing the Tobacco Age of Sale to 21

• 10-18-14:

  WHO Working Group Agrees Draft Decision on E-Cigarette Regulation

• 10-15-14:

  Santa Monica bans e-cigarettes in public places

• 10-07-14: *

  N.Y.C. Councilman Constantinides Introduces Bill to Prevent Nicotine Addiction (NYC City Council Website)

• 10-01-14:

  Buffalo Moves to Regulate E-Cigarette Stores

• 09-29-14:

  A Review of Three Federal District Court Decisions of 2009 FDA Act

• 09-16-14: *

  WMBC-TV reports on smoking rates in N.J. and N.Y. (TV, WMBC-TV, Reporter Lisa Voyticki)

• 09-02-14:

  CDC Reports Quarter-Million Youth Who Had Never Smoked used E-Cigs in 2013

• 08-30-14:

  Golden Colorado bans smoking on public sidewalks, and at outdoor recreational areas.

• 08-29-14:

  Medway Massachusetts Board of Health Passes Increase to Age of Sale

• 08-29-14:

  Nebraska’s highest court rules that the cigar lounge and tobacco retailer smoking exemption are unconstitutional.

• 08-26-14:

  Santa Rosa (CA) considers banning smoking in apartments, condo and outdoor waiting lines

• 08-25-14:

  Metro News (West Virginia) Reports on Smoking Ban That Would Impact Casino

• 08-21-14:

  Albany County in New York May Be First to Ban Tobacco Sales in Stores With a Pharmacy.

• 08-17-14:

  Illinois makes state supported college campuses smoke-free, and bans self-service electronic cigarette displays

• 08-11-14:

  GASP, New York Attorney General Schneiderman, and A.G.S of 29 States Urge FDA To Strenghten Proposed Regulation Of E-Cigarette

• 08-10-14:

  Nassau NY Lawmaker Judy Jacobs Continues To Increase Age to Buy Tobacco

• 08-06-14:

  Surgeon General Steinfeld mandated stronger cigarette pack warning labels (Associated Press)

• 08-06-14:

  Public Comment on FDA Proposed Regulations for Electronic Smoking Devices Ends August 8th

• 08-05-14:

  Communities Across the Country Are Considering the Adoption of Outdoor Smoking Bans

• 08-02-14:

  The Washington Post Editorial Board Discusses Raising All Federal Tobacco Taxes

• 07-30-14:

  Hookah Lounges Outlawed in Glen Clove, NY

• 07-29-14:

  Increased Tobacco Ban Impending in Turkey

• 07-07-14:

  FDA to fund $270 million in research projects on e-cigarettes.

• 07-01-14:

  Philadelphia’s Ban On ‘Vaping’ In Public Goes Into Effect July 1 (CBS Philly)

• 06-24-14:

  The White House weakens the FDA’s Proposed Regulations of E-Cigarettes (Reuters)

• 06-24-14:

  The Case for Banning Cigarettes Entirely, Forever, This Time I Mean It (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• 06-18-14:

  U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Hosts Hearing on E-Cig Marketing

• 06-05-14: *

  N.J. Senate Bill S602 Voted Through Committee, Raises Age of Tobacco Sales to 21 (The Star-Ledger, Reporter Susan Livio)

• 05-30-14:

  Russia’s New Anti-Smoking Law Causes Alarm for Tobacco Industry (New Straits Times)

• 05-19-14:

  Senate bill passes to tax e- cigarettes and raise tobacco taxes

• 05-13-14:

  NY Senator Hannon Holds Hearing on E-Cigarettes and Liquid Nicotine

• 04-03-14:

  Senators Push for Navy Ban on Tobacco Sales (Navy Times)

• 04-02-14:

  World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2014

• 03-31-14:

  U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Nagel supports a tobacco sale ban on all U.S. military bases and ships

• 03-20-14:

  NJ Senator Shirley Turner proposes bill to fund the state’s tobacco control program

• 03-14-14: *

  State legislature considers e-cigarette tax; many communities banning public use

• 03-01-14:

  Commission Calls on Massachusetts To Get Tough on Illegal Tobacco (WBUR.Org)

• 02-06-14:

  Congress members urge e-cigarette use be banned in the Capital building (The New York Post)

• 01-31-14: *

  Las Vegas WKNPR Radio hosts a program on secondhand smoke health dangers for casino workers

• 01-03-14:

  Phillipines’ Senator seeks regulation of e-cigarettes use, promotion (Business Mirror)

• 01-01-14:

  Maine State Housing Authority requires secondhand smoke protection for low-income tenants.

• 12-30-13:

  Mayor Bloomberg signs law banning e-cigarette use in places where cigarette smoking is already banned (Mashable, The New York Daily News)

• 12-20-13:

  New law signed: No tobacco sales under 21 in Hawaii County

• 12-19-13:

  NYC extends the ban on smoking to include electronic smoking devices (The New York Times, CBS New York, Bloomberg News, Refinery29, USA Today)

• 12-19-13:

  Hawaii first state in the nation to ban sale of all tobacco products to persons under age 21

• 12-05-13: *

  NYC hears testimony for bill banning electronic smoking devices indoors

• 11-21-13:

  Island of Hawaii raises age of sale for tobacco products to 21

• 11-21-13:

  Suffolk County Health Department backs raising age of sale for tobacco products to 21

• 11-19-13: *

  New York City’s increased age-of-sale law covered in Chinese newspaper (Epoch Times)

• 11-19-13: *

  New York City raises age of sale for tobacco products to 21 (The New York Times, Associated Press, The Christian Monitor)

• 11-07-13:

  Dubai restricts age of sale for tobacco products to 21

• 08-12-13:

  Scotland to move tobacco products out of sight in airport duty-free shops (Travel News)

• 08-08-13:

  Study confirms smokefree air laws do not hurt restaurant and bar business (CDC)

• 07-29-13:

  Ghana passes smoking ban in public places (SpyGhana.com)

• 07-25-13:

  Jamaica passes smoking ban in public places (Caribbean 360 News)

• 06-19-13: *

  Why ban tobaccy, but not wacky tobaccy, at NJ colleges?

• 06-16-13:

  Pending New Jersey legislation would ban tobacco on college campuses

• 06-13-13: *

  Experts: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s tobacco ruling could pave way for suits (Boston Herald)

• 06-07-13:

  Pennsylvania considers getting rid of smoking ban exemptions (ABC News)

• 05-20-13:

  Philadelphia to raise cigarette and drink tax

• 04-26-13:

  Senate proposed “Tobacco Tax and Enforcement Reform Act”

• 08-17-12:

  A World Health Organization survey of a 1/4 million people around the world estimates 1 billion deaths this century attributed to smoking (TIME)

• 05-30-12:

  New Zealand increases cigarette tax and keeps packs hidden (Times Online)

• 05-29-12:

  When is Pennsylvania going to enact stronger smokefree air laws? (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• 05-01-12:

  Maryland Senate passes smoking ban in cars transporting children; legislation moves to the House (The New York Times)

• 04-30-12:

  Anti-smoking ad campaign funded by federal government (The New York Times)

• 01-31-12:

  Utah introduces legislation to ban electronic cigarettes and hookah use in public places (Deseret News)

• 01-18-12:

  NJ attorney general’s office files suit against NY tobacco company

• 11-11-11:

  Court Case upholds a New York City ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products

• 10-10-11:

  Cigarette vending machine illegal in England and Northern Ireland (Irish Dentist)

• 07-06-11:

  FDA unveils graphic health warning labels for cigarette packaging and advertising

• 05-04-11: *

  National Disability Symposium held in smoky Las Vegas casino (Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review Journal)

• 11-16-10:

  International journalists publish exposé on the tobacco industry’s influence in 8 countries (The New York Times)

• 09-16-10:

  Study released by the American Lung Association shows smoking costs NJ money

• 08-05-10:

  Court decision upholds NJ SFAA in regulating smoking in hookah bars

• 06-22-10:

  U.S. Federal Tobacco Control Act provisions take effect

• 06-22-10:

  New Jersey ends funding for its Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program

• 06-14-10:

  Proposed identical NJ Bills S2001/A2897 create an exemption to the NJ SFAA for cigar nights or smoking events at racet;racks and off-track wagering facilities (OTW)

• 06-01-10: Action

  CDC study shows tobacco control programs work to reduce tobacco use: Don’t end NJ’s

• 05-11-10:

  U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services sets reduced tobacco use as strategic initiative

• 05-04-10:

  FDA posts guidance for enforcing regulations related to the sale and distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco

• 03-18-10: Action

  NJ Governor Christie plans to END state’s tobacco control program

• 01-18-10:

  Lorillard fighting to prevent ban of menthol cigarettes (The Star Ledger)

• 12-09-09:

  National Report shows NJ falls short in investing tobacco revenues in tobacco control and prevention efforts

• 11-19-09:

  Tobacco Firms Exploit Tax Loophole (MSNBC)

• 10-23-09:

  New York City to Ban the Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products (The Daily News)

• 06-25-09:

  Cigarette sales tax increased by 12.5 cents, effective July 1, 2009

• 06-18-09:

  S2151 passed the NJ Senate to ban the sale of novelty lighters

• 05-14-09: Action

  Do not cut state funding of NJ’s Tobacco Control Program