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Program News - tobacco control

What's New

New Webinar Recordings from TALC

Jan 18, 2012

New webinar recordings are available for viewing from PHLP's Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC). Eight Essential Elements for Strong Public Health Policy explains how communities can ensure that public health policy creates healthy environments, and includes a Sustainable Policy Worksheet. Tobacco Policy 101: Understanding the Legislative Process describes how innovative public health policy is often created at the local level, and features interviews with experts representing community and county stakeholders.

Legal Update: Two New Court Decisions Affecting Tobacco Control

Nov 18, 2011

In November, two courts have issued decisions that affect tobacco control, one negatively and one in a positive way. A federal trial court ruled that new graphic warning labels scheduled to be placed on cigarette packages in September 2012 are unlikely to survive a First Amendment legal challenge. And a federal court in New York upheld New York City’s ban on the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco, dismissing a legal challenge brought by US Smokeless Tobacco, which is owned by Altria. More legal analysis and other tobacco control news are available in our Tobacco Control FAQs.

Going Beyond TRL: Emerging Tobacco Retailer Policies

Oct 26, 2011

Ready to take your local tobacco retailer licensing ordinance to the next level? Join TALC and the Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing (the Center) for a webinar on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 10:30 am – 12 pm PST. We’ll get beyond the basics of local tobacco retailer licensing (TRL) ordinances and detail the emerging policy options that can be “plugged in” to a basic TRL ordinance.

FDA Enforcement of Tobacco Sampling Restrictions: How to Submit Comments

May 6, 2011

On May 20, 2011, Public Health Law & Policy and the Public Health Law Center submitted comments to the FDA detailing why we believe the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) includes all tobacco products in its sampling restrictions. To encourage public comment on federal regulations, we've created the fact sheet Getting Your Voice Heard: Commenting on Federal Regulations.

PHLP Submits Amicus in NYC Tobacco Signage Lawsuit

Apr 25, 2011

PHLP submitted an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in a lawsuit challenging New York City’s law requiring that tobacco retailers place a warning sign in their stores about the negative health effects of smoking. The brief, filed on behalf of several local governments across the country, argued that the warnings are permitted under the First Amendment as government speech.

New: 2011 Supplement for Tobacco Laws Affecting California

Apr 13, 2011

Download the 2011 supplement to "Tobacco Laws Affecting California," our popular booklet summarizing state and federal laws and regulations that affect the sale, marketing, and use of tobacco in California. The booklet is designed for tobacco control advocates, government attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and anyone working on tobacco control issues in California.

California Leads Decline in Heavy Smoking Nationwide

Mar 16, 2011

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examines the significant decrease in high intensity smoking nationwide, and especially in the state of California. Researchers examined data from two surveys spanning from 1965 to 1997, and identified marked declines in the number of new smokers and pack a day smokers over time. As an article in The Clinical Advisor points out, California's greater decreases in smoking and lung cancer may be attributable to aggressive tobacco control policies such as those developed by TALC.

Comprehensive Smokefree Ordinances Passed by Union City and Santa Clara County

Dec 2, 2010

Union City and the County of Santa Clara voted last month to adopt laws establishing smokefree multi-unit housing and outdoor public areas such as dining patios and parks. The Union City law was drafted by Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP), and the County of Santa Clara based its new smokefree laws on PHLP’s model ordinances.

Getting Your Voice Heard on Proposed Federal Rules

Nov 18, 2010

A new fact sheet from Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) offers guidance on how to provide input to federal agencies about proposed new rules. This information can be particularly useful for tobacco control advocates because the FDA is currently seeking comments on proposed new graphic warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements. Download the new fact sheet here and read the full text of our email sent to advocates here.

New Smokefree Housing Laws Adopted in California Cities

Aug 31, 2010

Two California cities passed laws this summer to create smokefree multi-unit housing using a model ordinance developed by Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP). Robin Salsburg, a staff attorney at PHLP, worked closely with city staff in South Pasadena and Sebastopol (along with the American Lung Association and Smokefree Air For Everyone) to tailor the ordinance to each city.