Smoke-Free Campuses on Rise in US

The war on tobacco is going to college. At a growing number of campuses nationwide, total bans on cigarettes and other tobacco products are showing up, barring students from lighting up anywhere on school grounds - even in the open air. The most recent school system to snuff out campus tobacco was the Ohio public college system when the Board of Regents on Monday recommended an all-out prohibition on tobacco products. In June, the University System of Maryland announced its 12 institutions, inside and out, would go smoke-free by next July.

Cigarette Butts and Secondh-Hand Smoke

One of Forsyth Park’s playgrounds is a miss. A favorite playsite for kids, it’s filled with cigarette butts. They not only look bad, but they're dangerous for pets, wildlife and especially our children. WSAV facebook fan, Danielle writes -- Tina, I saw your story on the cigarette butts in Forsyth Park.

Tobacco Tax Bad for Tobacco Farmers

Progressive lawmakers have put their foot down against six taxes on tobacco. Lawmakers from Anakpawis and Bayan Muna said the sin tax bill Congress approved on third reading last June 6, 2012 will not benefit local tobacco producers. “In the name of providing more funds for the universal health coverage program, the Department of Finance wants to pass a regressive tax measure that will further burden local tobacco farmers and consumers alike,” the lawmakers said.

Top Male Smokers in Filipinos

Despite the existence of laws that limit smoking, male Filipino smokers are among the top smokers in the world occupying the ninth spot following India and China among others, data from the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation revealed on Tuesday. The 2008 data was revealed by the Department of Health (DoH) as it sought to emphasize the urgency of the passage of the sin tax bill.