Smokers will be out of luck at River Park Hospital. It’s the latest medical center to ban tobacco. Starting Jan. 1, the hospital in McMinnville is going smoke-free on the campus as well as on all of the properties it owns or leases. That means no one can use tobacco products near the building, on the sidewalks or inside vehicles.Many local medical centers already have tobacco bans in place. … Read entire article »

A Timaru tobacconist says a ban on tobacco displays is unlikely to reduce smoking in New Zealand. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia announced further consultation on removing tobacco products from display in retail outlets earlier this year, as part of a package aimed at stamping out smoking by 2020. The consultation document sought feedback on enhanced education and enforcement, further restrictions and a ban on tobacco displays. There is much to be done regarding this issue. However, Association of Community Retailers (ACR) founding member, Timaru tobacconist Murray Gibson, said there was huge opposition among the retailing community to the display ban. “This issue is not about smoking. It is about the right of retailers to display and sell a product that remains legal. “If the Government wants people to stop smoking, it should ban tobacco … Read entire article »