HEADLINES

• New Zealand: Prisoners volunteer to quit smoking
• Give up smoking for your wedding day, says NHS in Lancashire
• USA: Buffalo New York: Landlords learn about new smoking policy
• Australia: Smoking ban at home "entirely possible"
• India: Bollywood star calls for no smoking on set of her new film

• New Zealand: Prisoners volunteer to quit smoking

  Five prisons have established voluntary smoke-free units in the lead up to a total smoking ban in correctional facilities.

  Non-smokers, ex-smokers and those looking to kick the habit can choose to stay in the smoke-free units ahead of the outright ban on July 1.

   

  "Prisons are having no trouble filling these smoke-free units," acting Prison Services general manager Brendan Anstiss said. "The implementation of smoke-free prisons will reduce the risk of fires in prison, as well as having health benefits for prisoners and staff."

  
  Prisoners trying to quit smoking have access to nicotine replacement therapy with support from health services and Quitline.
  Source: Yahoo, 21 April 2011
  Link: http://yhoo.it/gJU34i

• Give up smoking for your wedding day, says NHS in Lancashire

  NHS Central Lancashire and Smokefree North West are urging brides-to-be to ditch the cigarettes in order to look better and feel healthier in time for their big day.

  With the Royal Wedding coming up next week, Angela Longworth, NHS Central Lancashire stop smoking service co-ordinator, said: said: “Getting married is the perfect reason to try to quit smoking. It will give you better health, more money, more energy and better skin."
  Source: Ormskirk and Skelmersdale Advertiser, 21 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/f7gzbK

• USA: Buffalo New York: Landlords learn about new smoking policy

  Under the City of Buffalo's new law, landlords must disclose their smoking policy to would-be tenants before they sign the lease agreement. It remains entirely up to the landlord to decide whether to choose a smoke-free policy or allow smoking.

  The Erie-Niagara Tobacco-Free Coalition is encouraging landlords to implement smoke-free policies. The coalition's Anthony Billoni says research shows that second hand smoke is traveling very easily through shared ventilation, putting neighbors at risk.
   

  Billoni and the Coalition argue that choosing a smoke-free policy is not just good for the health of tenants but also saves landlords money in maintenance and insurance costs.

  
  Supporters of the new law say both smokers and non-smokers benefit from the law, as it gives them all the information they need before signing a lease, and avoids potential trouble with their new neighbors.
  Source: WBFO, 21 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/hgQiiS

• Australia: Smoking ban at home "entirely possible"

  Home smoking bans may soon be in force as concerns about second-hand smoke grow, according to the Cancer Council of South Australia.

  Professor Brenda Wilson, the chief executive of Cancer Council SA, says the demand for smoke-free areas is sparked by increased awareness of the risks of second-hand smoke.

   

  The possibility of a ban follows the controversy earlier this month whereby a building in Sydney introduced a bylaw to stop smoking inside or on balconies.
   
  Source: Tobacco Journal International, 19 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/hOYQus

• India: Bollywood star calls for no smoking on set of her new film

  Bollywood's Vidya Balan ensured a smoke-free set for her new film Kahaani, the story of a pregnant woman looking for her husband who’s gone missing.

  Even the Director Sujoy Ghosh was not permitted to smoke on the sets.

  If a day passed with nobody smoking, Vidya Balan celebrated with cake and chocolates for everyone.

  Source: Bollywood Stars, 21 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/elzPoY