Million Adult Smokers in LA County

Less than a million adults are smokers in Los Angeles County, a figure reached for the first time since such data were collected in 1997, according to a new health report. The report, released by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health late Wednesday, found 13.1 percent of all adults were smokers in 2011, the last year for which data were available. That is down from 14.3 percent in 2002 and 2007.

Indifference to Smoking Warnings

Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) announced tobacco industry interference as the theme for World No Tobacco Day this year to focus on the industry’s increasingly aggressive efforts to undermine public health efforts across the world. This global discourse warrants an assessment of the industry’s role in India’s tobacco control and larger public health movement. Every year, tobacco use causes one million deaths in India and the industry spends millions of rupees on clandestine marketing and advertising tactics to recruit new users, particularly the youth.

Indiana Inhabitants Support Smoking Ban

A poll commissioned by the American Heart Association indicates 70 percent of Indiana voters support a ban on smoking workplaces, restaurants and bars. The Indiana House is expected to take up legislation regarding a statewide ban later this week.

The poll of 500 registered voters from across the state found that only 27 percent of voters don't support a ban.

Poll findings were released Wednesday morning released by the Indiana Campaign for Smokefree Air, a coalition of health groups including the American Heart Association, American Lung Association and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The survey also found among Indiana voters:

85 percent believe that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, including 58 percent who say it is a serious health hazard.

71 percent believe the right of employees and customers to breathe clean air in restaurants and bars is more important than the right of smokers to smoke cheapest Temp cigarettes and businesses owners to allow smoking.