Tasmania may Become World's First 'Smoke-Free' State

Tasmania may soon win the title of the world's first 'smoke-free state' by putting new legislature in place.

The island state, which already has some of the world's strictest anti-smoking laws, is considering banning tobacco altogether, reports the Independent.

No Tobacco Ban for US Soldiers in Combat: Pentagon
US soldiers serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will still have access to cigarettes despite a report urging a tobacco-free military force, the Pentagon has said.

The proposal was put forward by councillors in Burnie, in north-western Tasmania, in response to a discussion paper by the state government, which wants to reduce the smoking rate, one of Australia's highest.

Smokers in Tasmania are becoming increasingly marginalised: the state capital, Hobart, banned cigarettes from the city centre four months ago, and the second-biggest city, Launceston, recently decided to do the same.

Other councils are considering following suit, and there are also calls for smoking to be prohibited on the island's beaches.

US Military Tobacco Ban Advocated by New Report
If the Pentagon accepts new calls for a ban on tobacco products in the military, then the image of a tired soldier relaxing by lighting up could become anecdotal.

Civil libertarians have denounced the idea and even health experts question the wisdom of such a drastic step.

But Burnie is standing its ground.

EU 'snus' Tobacco Ban Must Go, Says Sweden
Sweden is fighting to get a Europe-wide ban lifted on 'snus,' a moist tobacco form, which is popular across Scandinavia that is sucked rather than chewed or smoked.

"We just wanted to take that extra step; to show how passionate we are about creating a healthy environment," one local official said.

Source-ANI

Proposed Nigerian Smoking Ban Angers Pro-Tobacco Lobby
British American Tobacco Nigeria and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria on Tuesday expressed their opposition to a proposed anti-tobacco bill to be discussed in parliament.