Highlights from report on smoking in the military

September 14th, 2009 NYC wants to make parks smoke-freeNEW YORK — New York City's famous parks may be going smoke-free. The city's health commissioner says the next goal in Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-tobacco crusade is to ban smoking at city parks and beaches.

August 6th, 2009 Iraqi Cabinet approves anti-smoking lawBAGHDAD — The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a draft bill to stamp out smoking in public places, the first such bill in a country where lighting up is virtually a rite of passage for most young men, a government spokesman said Thursday. The law aims to curb the number of people who start smoking and raise awareness about the dangers of cigarettes, said spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.

August 6th, 2009 A calmer Iraq takes on another killer _ smokingBAGHDAD — After six years of war and terrorist bombings, Iraq is moving against a different killer in its midst — smoking. Sweeping curbs unveiled by the government Thursday suggest that as the violence subsides, authorities have more time to worry about normal quality-of-life issues.

August 6th, 2009 Iraq: Cabinet considers anti-smoking lawBAGHDAD — The Iraqi Cabinet has approved a draft bill to ban smoking in public places, a government spokesman said Thursday. It's the first such bill in a country where lighting up is virtually a rite of passage for most young men.

July 18th, 2009 Turkey extends smoke ban to bars, restaurantsANKARA, Turkey — Patrons of a usually smoke-filled hookah bar stepped outside to light up Sunday as Turkey extended a ban on indoor public smoking to bars, restaurants and coffeehouses. The ban in this nation of smokers came into effect at midnight Saturday despite protests from bar and coffeehouse owners who fear it will ruin businesses that have already been hit by the economic crisis.

July 15th, 2009 Pentagon won't ban war-zone smoking, despite studyWASHINGTON — Smoke 'em if you got 'em. The Pentagon reassured troops Wednesday that it won't ban tobacco products in war zones.

July 15th, 2009 Pentagon won't ban war zone smoking, despite studyWASHINGTON — The Pentagon says it won't ban smoking by troops in war zones despite a recent study recommending a tobacco-free military. Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell says troops already are under enough stress and making enough sacrifices from fighting the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

July 1st, 2009 Greek law restricts public smokingATHENS, Greece — Europe's most nicotine-addicted nation adopted a new public smoking ban Wednesday in a bid to stub out the Greek habit of lighting up practically everywhere. Exceptions have been made for mental patients and gamblers.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama to sign anti-smoking bill in Rose GardenWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco. Obama is scheduled to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act during an event Monday in the Rose Garden.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama lauds anti-smoking billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes. Standing in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests, Obama declared: "It is a law that will save American lives." The legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco and cigarette marketing.

June 22nd, 2009 Obama signs strongest anti-smoking measure everWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it an extraordinary accomplishment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes. Standing in the Rose Garden with a number of lawmakers and other guests, Obama declared: "It is a law that will save American lives." The legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco and cigarette marketing.

June 15th, 2009 Turkish military investigates alleged plotISTANBUL — The Turkish military said Monday that it would purge any soldiers who failed to respect democracy and the rule of law following allegations of a military conspiracy against the Islamic-oriented ruling party. The statement came several days after Taraf, a Turkish newspaper, printed a document allegedly compiled by a military colonel that outlines a plan to use the media to smear the ruling party by portraying it as corrupt and a violator of its own Islamic ideals.

June 12th, 2009 Obama: Tobacco bill 'defines change' in WashingtonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says a bill giving the government much greater power to regulate tobacco "truly defines change in Washington." The president spoke in the Rose Garden just minutes after the House passed the bill overwhelmingly. The Senate approved the legislation on Thursday.

May 29th, 2009 WHO to gov'ts: Show 'suffering' on cigarette packsGENEVA — Cigarette packages should include images of sickness and suffering caused by tobacco, along with written warnings, the World Health Organization said Friday. The U.N. agency urged governments to make people more aware of the health consequences of smoking.

May 29th, 2009 WHO: Get more graphic with smokersGENEVA — Cigarette packages should include images of sickness and suffering caused by tobacco, along with written warnings, the World Health Organization said Friday. The U.N. agency urged governments to make people more aware of the health consequences of smoking.