Smoke-free Air Laws Effective at Protecting Children from Secondhand Smoke

Boston, MA—Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that children and adolescents living in non-smoking homes in counties with laws promoting smoke-free public places have significantly lower levels of a common biomarker of secondhand smoke exposure than those living in counties with no smoke-free laws. The children living in non-smoking homes in U.S. counties with smoke-free laws had 39% lower prevalence of cotinine in their blood, an indicator of tobacco smoke exposure, compared to those living in counties with no smoke-free laws. Children living in homes with smokers exhibited little or no benefit from the smoke-free laws. The study appears in the June 7, 2010 advance online edition of the journal Pediatrics........

Ghana Parliament Discusses Tobacco Bill

Jul, 22, 2011. Finally, the long awaited tobacco bill sailed through the 1st reading on the floor of parliament in Ghana today. The bill was however sent to the Health Select Committee for final amendments. It is tipped to pass into law when Ghana parliament reconvenes on October 25th 2011. Provisions of the tobacco bill include a total ban on smoking in indoor and outdoor public places, total ban on tobacco advertisements, promotion and sponsorships. also included are the prohibition of people under 21yrs to purchase or sell tobacco products, and the provisions of pictorial warnings covering a minimum of 70% of wraps and packs of tobacco products............