HEADLINES

• Bradford: Shopkeepers will get training on how to stop sales of age-restricted products
• Lebanon bans smoking in public places
• Canada: Attorney's testimony wanted in tobacco case
• New Zealand: Drop in prison fires after smoking ban

• Bradford: Shopkeepers will get training on how to stop sales of age-restricted products

  Shopkeepers are to take part in training sessions to help tackle underage drinking and smoking in Bradford.

  Trading standards officers, working with the police, Bradford Council and the Great Horton Community Partnership are to hold the Responsible Retailer sessions.

  West Yorkshire Trading Standards has said it is vital retailers and their employees understand why age-restricted products must not be sold to underage children.

  Traders in Great Horton have been warned of the numerous courses of action for anyone caught selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors.

  Graham Hebblethwaite, chief officer of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “This service is determined to reduce the number of illegal sales and will continue to take legal action against the minority of traders who persist in selling alcohol and tobacco to children."

  Ward Councillor Joanne Dodds (Labour, Great Horton) said: “We hope the training shows our commitment to controlling the sale of age-restricted products and that it will reduce anti-social behaviour in the community by preventing items being sold to young people.”

  Source: Telegraph and Argus, 18 August 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/r8QwbK

• Lebanon bans smoking in public places

  Lebanon's Parliament has endorsed a law banning smoking in all enclosed public places, including restaurants, bars, cafes and offices.
  
  The law was presented for vote with an amendment that would see owners of businesses fined if they fail to prevent their costumers smoking, and will also fine individuals who violate the ban.
  
  Under the new law tobacco advertising and promotion will be illegal, including billboards, magazine advertisements and tobacco company sponsorship of events and concerts. The bill also calls for a pictorial warning of the dangers of smoking covering 40 percent of each pack.
  
  The law also makes smoking onboard planes illegal.
  
  Lebanon has been obligated to pass tobacco control legislation since the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the country signed, entered into force in 2005

  Source: The Daily Star, 17 August 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/qwdgn1

• Canada: Attorney's testimony wanted in tobacco case

  A former attorney for the tobacco industry who testified against his employers is at the centre of two Canadian lawsuits alleging that tobacco companies hid the dangers of their products.

  Attorneys in Montreal want to take the testimony of David A. Schechter, a former Brown & Williamson vice president and general counsel living in Louisville. The attorneys also want testimony from attorney John Meltzer of London, England, a one-time attorney for British American Tobacco, in class-action lawsuits about how tobacco companies kept and destroyed documents. The lawsuits are set for trial in March.

  The suit is one of two in Montreal against the tobacco companies brought by smokers who claim smoking-related illnesses from tobacco and that the firms conspired to stop smokers from learning about the addictive nature and dangers of tobacco products.

  Canadian Judge Brian Riordan, sent a request to U.S. District Court in Louisville for a subpoena for Schechter's testimony. A similar request has been made of the British courts for Meltzer's testimony.

  Source: Business Week, 16 August 2011
  Link: http://buswk.co/riN58l

• New Zealand: Drop in prison fires after smoking ban

  Corrections Minister Judith Collins says that fires and arson at prisons have dropped significantly in number since a smoking ban came into force.
  
  Smoking has been banned in prisons since July 1 and inmates have not been able to buy tobacco, matches or lighters.
  
  Ms Collins said there had been a "significant reduction" in the number of fires and arson-related incidents since the ban came into effect.
  
  There were four such incidents last month and only one so far this month, compared with 18 in the month prior to the ban.
  
  Ms Collins said there had also been a noticeable improvement in air quality.
  
  She said, "The result is that our prisons are much safer and healthier places for Corrections staff."
   

  Source: nzherald, 18 August 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/qLcAo3