Pentagon won’t ban war zone smoking, despite study urging a tobacco-free military someday

October 12th, 2009 No buts! Syrian president bans smoking in publicDAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's president on Monday issued a decree banning smoking in public places, joining an anti-smoking trend already under way in other Arab countries. The ban also includes a rare restriction in the Arab world: limiting places where Syrians can indulge in the hubbly bubbly — water pipes known locally as argileh.

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 29th, 2009 A look at smoking in the militaryHighlights of a study commissioned by the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department to combat tobacco use in the military. Findings: — Tobacco is used by fewer than 20 percent of Americans compared with more than 30 percent of active-duty military personnel and about 22 percent of veterans.

July 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has said that it won't ban troops from smoking in war zones, despite a recent study recommending a tobacco-free military. The study by the Institute of Medicine calls for a phased-in ban over a period of up to 20 years.

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.

June 23rd, 2009 Obama admits occasional cigaretteWASHINGTON — One day after signing legislation giving the government unprecedented power to regulate tobacco, President Barack Obama is admitting that he's sometimes "fallen off the wagon" in his own effort to stop smoking. Obama told reporters Tuesday that he's "95 percent cured." But he added that "there are times where I mess up." He said he's not a "daily" or "constant" smoker, and that he doesn't smoke in front of his kids.

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 22nd, 2009 Obama to sign tobacco bill on MondayWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is to sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The law allows the Food and Drug Administration to reduce nicotine in tobacco products, ban candy flavorings and block labels such as "low tar" and "light." The bill, to be signed Monday during a Rose Garden event, also requires tobacco companies to cover their cartons with large graphic warnings and reveal what chemicals they put into their products.

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: 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.

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.

April 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Smokers interested in quitting the habit can now get some serious help from their iPhones - a new free application of the smart phone provides a live quitline coach and uses live text to advice on how to kick the butt. Developed by The George Washington University's School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) and the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative (NTCC), "My QuitLine" app also provides evidence-based treatment for quitting.

April 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the US, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products. The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.