February 6, 2007

Cigarette Package Warning Labels Are Often Effective

Cigarette package warning labels have been found to be very effective at changing smokers' behavior, though not all warning labels have the same effect.

The study found that health warnings on cigarette packages in the United States, which were last updated in 1984, are the least effective, consisting of only small text warnings on the side of packages.

Canadian warnings appear to be more effective as the cigarette package is covered in a large "photograph of health damage caused by smoking."

U.S. Cigarette Pack Warnings Ineffective: Study

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October 4, 2006

France May Ban Smoking in Public Places

France may soon impose a smoking ban in public places such as cafes and restaurants. Quel surprise! I really thought France would be the last country to implement a smoking ban.

A ban would send a shock through France's smoker-friendly culture, where smoky cafes have long been redoubts of Paris' intelligentsia. The French presidency's Web site features a photo of a young President Jacques Chirac with a cigarette in his mouth.

French May Ban Smoking In Public Places

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September 26, 2006

Menthol Cigarettes May Be More Addictive

A new study has found that menthol cigarettes may be more addictive than regular cigarettes. The study originally set out to find out if menthols were more harmful than regular cigarettes but found them to be about the same.

The researchers found that people who smoked menthol cigarettes in 1985 were more likely to still be smoking in 2000. For example, 69 percent of menthol smokers were still smokers, compared with 54 percent of non-menthol smokers.

Menthol Cigarettes Seem Tougher to Quit

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July 19, 2006

Marriott to Make All Rooms Smoke-Free

Marriott International announced today that all of its hotels will be smoke-free by September. That includes not only guest rooms, but all hotel areas including restaurants, lounges and conference rooms. Many other hotel companies have been moving in the smoke-free direction and others have plans to do so.

"Creating a smoke-free environment demonstrates a new level of service and care for our guests and associates," Chairman and Chief Executive J.W. Marriott Jr. said in a statement.

Marriott Hotels to Go Smoke-Free

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