http://pressroom.prlog.org/ASHORG/About ASH.ORG - Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), America's first anti-smoking and nonsmokers' rights organization, serves as the legal action arm of the anti-smoking community. It is supported by tax-deductible contributions. http://www.prlog.org/11188220-nicotine-addicts-ineligible-for-hospital-jobs-1111.htmlTwo Florida hospitals have joined the growing number of hospitals that want a drug-free workforce - a category which increasingly includes the addictive and deadly drug nicotine - both to save up to $12,000/yr per worker and to protect their imageFri, 31 Dec 2010 13:50:27 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11186016-ash-announces-new-executive-director-laurent-huber.htmlLaurent Huber, 45, who has served as International Director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) for more than ten years, will become its new (and second) Executive Director on January 1, 2011.Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:38:09 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11175265-best-christmas-gift-ever-quit-smoking.htmlThe best gift any smoker can give his spouse, children or grandchildren, nephews or nieces, friends or coworkers, is to quit smoking, says Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).Fri, 24 Dec 2010 13:48:39 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11166792-santa-claus-quits-smoking-to-protect-mrs-and-kids-ash.htmlSanta Claus will deliver toys this year without his pipe because of growing concerns about his health, the health of Mrs. Claus and children everywhere, and the growing number of court orders and even laws prohibiting smoking in homes with children.Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:02:00 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11164089-tobacco-toxins-linger-in-apartments-risk-children-others-latest-thirdhand-smoke-study.htmlA new study shows that persons who move into apartments previously inhabited by smokers are exposed to tobacco toxins even if the dwellings had been vacant for months and cleaned and repaired - more evidence of the dangers of thirdhand tobacco smoke.Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:46:34 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11146634-deficit-reduction-commission-ignoredspared-smokers.htmlThe Deficit Reduction Commission totally ignored the major controllable cause of health care expenditures and completely spared the cause, even while proposing sacrifices for innocent bystanders like doctors, hospitals, medical students, patients.Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:09:21 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11112838-passive-smoking-kills-150000-kidsyr-including-in-us.htmlThe WHO reports that 165,000 children die annually from secondhand tobacco smoke. While most occur in poor countries, many people refuse to recognize that parental smoking kills thousands of children yearly in the U.S., largely unprotected by law.Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:00:39 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11093360-more-hospitals-refuse-to-hire-smokers.htmlRecently the Anna Jaques Hospital in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts followed the lead of the Massachusetts Hospital Association in refusing to hire smokers, a move also copied by Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri - ASHTue, 23 Nov 2010 12:51:51 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11072640-new-cigarette-warnings-may-have-no-measurable-impact.htmlThe Department of Health and Human Services has proposed new graphic health warnings as the centerpiece of its new war on smoking, but even HHS seems to concede that such warnings are likely to have no measurable impact, says ASHMon, 15 Nov 2010 14:37:07 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11060709-unanswered-questions-for-hhs-sec-sebelius-about-todays-tobacco-control-strategic-action-plan.htmlProfessor John Banzhaf asked the first question at this morning's announcement by HHS's Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about her agency's "Tobacco Control Action Plan, Here are more questions which might help to put her announcement into perspective.Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:57:25 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11060395-hhs-tobacco-plan-too-little-too-late-and-wrongheaded.htmlToday's announcement that HHS will fight the almost $200 billion/yr tobacco epidemic primarily only by requiring bigger and more graphic warnings on cigarette packs and ads is too little, too late, and wrongheaded, says ASHWed, 10 Nov 2010 17:02:40 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11059793-event-reminder-from-ash-hhs-antismoking-initiatives-announcement-today-wed.htmlNew antismoking initiatives - aimed at America's number one preventable cause of death, disability, and unnecessary medical expenses - will be unveiled this morning by HHS Sec. Sebelius and FDA Comm. Hamburg at GWUWed, 10 Nov 2010 12:17:53 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11056831-smokers-will-not-be-able-to-adopt-scotland.htmlThe Aberdeen City Council - concerned about legal liability for health problems - is reportedly about to join the majority of agencies and counsel in Scotland that will no longer allow smokers to adopt children, notes Action on Smoking and Health.Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:15:14 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11053935-hhss-new-antismoking-initiatives-to-be-unveiled-notes-action-on-smoking-and-health-ash.htmlNew antismoking initiatives - aimed at America's number one preventable cause of death, disability, and unnecessary medical expenses - will be unveiled at the George Washington University, notes John Banzhaf, a law professor there.Mon, 08 Nov 2010 13:14:36 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11049436-ma-hospital-assn-refusing-to-hire-smokers-will-slash-costs.htmlThe Massachusetts Hospital Association is the latest in a growing number of business and governmental bodies refusing to hire applicants who smoke - a move which could save them more than $10,000 a year for every nonsmoking person they employFri, 05 Nov 2010 11:51:06 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11039534-smoking-bans-cut-heart-attacks-and-costs-new-studies.htmlTwo new studies show how communities can cut the number of heart attacks - and slash unnecessary medical care expenses - at virtually no cost, confirming many earlier similar studies, says Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:23:14 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11032016-biggest-halloween-risk-for-kids-is-surprising.htmlThis Halloween millions of parents will warn children about the dangers of motor vehicle accidents, or of eating poisoned candy. But most will fail to warn about the biggest risk, which may kill more children than all of the others combinedThu, 28 Oct 2010 11:46:12 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11029189-this-halloween-tell-children-about-real-monsters.htmlFolklore says that vampires, the most frightening of all Halloween monsters, gradually enslave people by biting their necks, and eventually causing them to suffer a long and lingering death -- but REAL monsters Are far worseWed, 27 Oct 2010 11:51:27 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11016104-french-smoking-hits-taxpayers-pocketbooks-twice-habit-doubles-unemployment-risk-notes-ash.htmlResidents of France who continue to smoke are imposing huge costs on the great majority of the French who do not smoke, notes Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in response to a new report that about 50% of all the unemployed in France are smokers.Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:08:58 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11011133-smoking-costs-americans-5x-more-than-shoplifting-notes-americas-first-antismoking-organization.htmlToday's report that shoplifting costs the average American family about $425 each year is nothing compared to the costs imposed by smoking, which are almost five times higher, and about which something can easily be done, says ASH.Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:17:16 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11010308-cigarette-just-as-bad-proclaims-health-ministry.htmlE-cigarettes are "just as bad" as conventional cigarettes, says the Malaysian Health Ministry, noting that "there is concern this nicotine delivery to the human lung might result in stronger toxicological, physiological and addictive effects."Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:32:03 GMT http://www.prlog.org/11000416-cigarettes-hit-with-patent-infringement-threat-effect-could-disrupt-industry-already-under-fire.htmlThe trade association for the electronic cigarette industry reportedly has been advised by a law firm claiming to have a patent covering all e-cig products that it intends to prevent the sale of such products which are not licensed, notes ASH.Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:05:11 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10976443-tobacco-smoke-residue-causes-massive-damage-in-babies-skin-new-study.htmlParents who do not smoke in the presence of their children, including even those who smoke only outdoors, nevertheless put their children at serious risk of "massive damage" to both skin and nerve cells, according to a new study, notes ASH.Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:51:36 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10963528-smokers-waste-an-hour-every-day-on-smoking-breaks-alone-employers-fighting-back-says-ash.htmlSmokers average about four 15-minutes smoking breaks a day, wasting an employer more than a year of the smoker's working life, according to a new study, yet most employers don't reduce their pay or permit nonsmokers similar break time - ASHWed, 29 Sep 2010 11:54:58 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10960385-mass-smoking-ban-saving-lives-taxpayer-dollars-notes-ash.htmlMassachusetts’ statewide smoking ban reduced heart attacks by over 7% a year, and saved million of dollars, according to a study about to be published in the American Journal of Public Health, notes Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:30:46 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10945250-appeals-court-may-sidestep-cig-key-issue-argument-thurs-reports-ash.htmlAlthough the e-cig industry is eagerly awaiting oral argument Thursday before the U.S. Court of Appeals, hoping to get some inkling of how the court will rule concerning the FDA's power to regulate their product, the court may sidestep that issueTue, 21 Sep 2010 12:39:51 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10942504-cigarettes-banned-on-domestic-flights-reports-ash.htmlDespite claims by e-cigarette [e-cig] sellers that their product can be used to self administer nicotine on airplanes where smoking is prohibited, all domestic airlines ban the use of these untested products which the FDA has declared are illegalMon, 20 Sep 2010 11:17:05 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10902030-air-force-quantico-ban-cigarettes.htmlThe Air Force, and the Marine base at Quantico, have joined other jurisdictions in banning the use of e-cigarettes [e-cigs] at least in the workplace, citing the potential health dangers to users from toxic chemicals - Action on Smoking and HealthWed, 01 Sep 2010 11:37:06 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10884445-surgeon-general-af-warns-about-cigarettes-reports-action-on-smoking-and-health-ash.htmlThe Surgeon General of the Air Force has just issued a formal memorandum warning all personnel about the dangers of e-cigarettes [e-cigs], and noting that there use is banned wherever the smoking of conventional tobacco cigarettes is prohibited - ASHWed, 25 Aug 2010 14:03:37 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10884160-zeta-jones-toplesspregnantsmoking-photo-controversy-involving-ash-rekindled.htmlThe controversy over ASH's publication of a topless photo showing Catherine Zeta-Jones smoking while pregnant has been revived by an article accusing the antismoking organization of going on a "witch-hunt" over Zeta-Jones' pregnant smokingWed, 25 Aug 2010 12:12:40 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10865314-smokeless-tobacco-causes-heart-disease-and-death.htmlDespite claims of virtually total harm reduction, a new study shows that smokers who switch from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco still have a much higher risk of death than someone who gave up nicotine entirely, notes Action on Smoking and HealthTue, 17 Aug 2010 11:58:03 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10854785-smoking-in-car-can-be-child-abuse-as-royal-college-of-general-practitioners-head-reported.htmlThe head of the Royal College of General Practitioners has reminded his members that parents who smoke in cars when their kids are present may be guilty of child abuse, a situation which the Children Act 1989 requires be reported to authorities.Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:40:45 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10852320-cigarettes-or-snus-may-cost-not-save-lives-study.htmlEven if replacing tobacco cigarettes with e-cigarettes [e-cigs] or snus significantly reduces the individual user's risk of death, a public health strategy based upon promoting such nicotine-administration products may save few if any lives - StudyWed, 11 Aug 2010 11:42:26 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10846523-large-cigarette-company-settles-law-suit-makes-major-concessions.htmlOne of the country's largest e-cigarette [e-cig] companies has been forced to make major concessions to settle a law suit which threatened to put it out of business, says Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), America's first antismoking organization.Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:46:31 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10844986-states-debate-banning-smoking-in-cars-ash-debated-on-fox-news.htmlSix countries, five states, and many local jurisdictions have banned smoking in cars when children are present to protect them from the clear dangers of tobacco smoking pollution, and an estimated sixteen states are now debating similar restrictions.Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:06:48 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10836794-muslims-urged-to-quit-smoking-during-ramadan.htmlSmokers who fast during Ramadan, and already refrain from food, drinks and cigarettes from dawn to dusk, are being urged to quit during the night and quit for life, reports Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:01:03 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10834260-cigarettes-to-be-banned-in-uk-leaked-letter.htmlBritain's Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency [MHRA] has reportedly decided to ban e-cigarettes [e-cigs] with only 21 days of notice, at least according to a leaked letter dated July 29, 2010, from an officer of the Trading Standards Service.Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:26:38 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10831614-cigarettes-new-potential-dangers-for-users-and-new-ban-in-singapore.htmlAn important study has found new and previously unsuspected potential health problems for users of e-cigarettes [e-cigs] in addition to the many already reported by the FDA.Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:40:52 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10817150-addicted-toddler-forces-indonesia-to-ratify-world-tobacco-treaty-reports-ash.htmlIndonesia has finally agreed to ratify a tough world antismoking treaty, but only after photos and video reports of a two-year old who is so addicted that he smokes two packs a day appeared on the Internet -- activists elsewhere may follow leadMon, 26 Jul 2010 11:10:14 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10763429-fda-may-ban-marijuana-cigarettes-which-provide-vapor-rush-on-planes-and-in-workplace.htmlThe Food and Drug Administration [FDA] is considering whether to ban the sale of e-cigarettes advertised to administer marijuana to users "at the office, or even on the plane" and with ads suggesting use to get high in public without being detected.Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:26:20 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10752015-potent-marijuana-now-available-in-cigarettes-warns-ash.htmlTo the many dangers the FDA has already reported with e-cigarettes, add the many problems posed by inhaling at least three different "potent" strains of marijuana, warns Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:10:35 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10749903-us-could-be-liable-for-bp-oil-spill-damages-under-ftca.htmlWith interest focused on the liability of BP to pay for harm resulting from its oil spill, little attention has been focused on the potential monetary liability of the federal government under the Federal Torts Claims Act [FTCA] .Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:16:22 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10749715-nys-new-tax-latest-to-punish-smokers-its-what-the-public-wants.htmlNew York's proposed new additional tobacco tax of $1.60/pack is designed both to raise an additional $440 million and, to some, to "punish" smokers, but it's simply the latest is a growing number of measures aimed at smokers many regard as punitive.Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:49:58 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10745427-bp-hearings-greatest-environmental-disaster-has-been-cigarettes-says-congressman.htmlAt the BP spill hearings, Republican Parker Griffith noted that "the greatest environmental disaster in America has been cigarettes," and he's certainly correct with regard to many measures such as loss of life, and the cost to the American economy.Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:32:48 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10738438-congressional-hearings-nothing-compared-to-1994-tobacco-hearings-compare-dog-poop-to-madoff.htmlToday's congressional oil hearings are being compared by some to the hearings when the executives of the seven major cigarette makers testified before Congress about their policies. But the problem is just a drop in the bucket compared to smoking.Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:51:48 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10726833-support-grows-for-penalizing-employees-who-smoke-can-save-over-10000yr-per-worker.htmlSeveral recent polls and surveys show growing public support for penalizing employees who smoke by making them pay more for their health insurance, reports Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), America's first antismoking organization.Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:28:31 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10724186-more-companies-penalizing-unhealthy-behaviors-like-smoking-to-save-10000yr-per-worker.htmlA new survey shows that almost half of all large companies already penalize employees' unhealthy behaviors, or plan to do so shortly, a trend likely to be accelerated by the new health reform law which permits if not encourages it, reports ASHTue, 08 Jun 2010 12:53:15 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10714561-rewards-for-weight-loss-fail-but-cost-shifting-works-very-well-for-smoking.htmlA new report shows that financial incentives offered by companies trying to save money by getting employees to lose weight are largely ineffective as well as quite costly, but shifting the cost of smoking is obviously effective and costs nothing.Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:31:36 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10692146-smoking-bans-slashing-hospital-admissions-az-latest-studies-show-how-smoking-bans-save-lives.htmlBans on smoking in public places are saving lives, as well as money, by slashing hospital admissions from a wide variety of diseases; a phenomena just documented in Arizona where the state's indoor smoking ban slashed admissions by as much as 33%.Fri, 21 May 2010 17:10:34 GMT http://www.prlog.org/10606660-cigarette-imports-banned-indefinitely-says-action-on-smoking-and-health-ash.htmlThe importation of e-cigarettes will be banned indefinitely as the result of a unanimous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals which provides strong support for the FDA's position.Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:54:56 GMT