USA US to attempt once again to ban menthol cigarettes Previous attempts to ban menthol cigarettes in the US faced pushback from lobbyists and members of Congress. 30/04/2021
Spain Galicia bans smoking in public areas to curb COVID-19 outbreak The authorities believe that smoke can spread the deadly virus. 13/08/2020
Good Morning Europe Should workers have pay deducted for coffee and cigarette breaks? Spain's High Court has ruled in favour of a company that began deducting time for employees who took breaks for coffee and cigarettes. 12/02/2020
Greece Greece's new leader plans to stub out smoking in enclosed public place It's not the first time the Greek government has attempted to impose a ban but enforcing it has been the problem 07/10/2019
USA San Francisco moves closer to ban on e-cigarettes San Francisco has outlawed the sale of e-cigarettes until the United States Food and Drug Administration completes a review of the health effects. 19/06/2019
USA Hawaii considers new bill banning cigarette sales to anyone under 100 A new bill introduced in Hawaii's State House proposes banning cigarette sales to anyone under 100 years old by 2024. 10/02/2019
France Paris: Smoking banned in some public parks It's a trial which started in July, to reduce the effects of passive smoking and provide cleaner air and less cigarette butts on the ground. Six parks are participating in the scheme until Autumn 22/08/2018
France One million French smokers ditch habit in a year: survey In 2017, 26.9% of 18- to 75-year-olds smoked every day, compared to 29.4% a year earlier, according to the study by France's public health agency. 28/05/2018
Austria Popular backlash forces government rethink as Austrians mobilise again Plans to scrap a smoking ban due to come into force in May has created uproar in the medical community, and spawned a successful petition of nearly half a million signatures, forcing a parliamentary debate. 19/02/2018
Japan Japanese company gives non-smoking employees six extra days holiday a year The new incentive was brought into play after an employee complained about the amount of time other staff members spent on their breaks 01/11/2017
View View: Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes? The British Lung Foundation's position on the safety of E-Cigarettes or "vaping". 16/08/2017
world news Smoking set to kill and cost more than ever Smoking is on the rise according to the World Health Organisation and the costs far outweigh global revenues from tobacco taxes. 10/01/2017
Philippines Philippines: Duterte set to ban smoking in public A nationwide ban on smoking in public places is set to be signed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte this month. 12/10/2016
world news World No Tobacco Day: Plain packaging push to help smokers kick the habit Today of all days, the message is “stub it out”. 31/05/2016
United Kingdom UK body back e-cigarettes A UK government agency says e-cigarettes should be made available on prescription 19/08/2015
Germany Has Barack Obama taken up smoking again? Is the pressure starting to tell on the US president? Barack Obama informed the world that he had given up smoking in 2011 after 30 years. But a 09/06/2015
China Beijing bans smoking in all public indoor spaces Smoking has been banned in all indoor public spaces in Beijing. The toughest crackdown to date aims to stem a looming health crisis. But the move 01/06/2015
China China introduces smoking ban in Beijing A smoking ban in Beijing comes into force today in the Chinese capital’s, restaurants, offices and on public transport . Health activists have 01/06/2015
world news Ten questions to consider on World No Tobacco Day 2015 To mark World No Tobacco Day on Sunday, May 31, we have brought together ten key questions to consider: What is the tobacco death 29/05/2015
United Kingdom UK: MPs vote in favour of smoking ban in cars carrying children Britain’s parliament has voted in favour of banning smoking in cars carrying children. The UK government said a ban would be introduced before the 10/02/2014
China China calls for party officials who smoke to be 'criticised about their evil influence' Chinese party officials who smoke in public should be “criticised and educated about their evil influence”, it has been claimed. The call is part 30/12/2013
world news EU strikes deal on tough new anti-tobacco rules Main elements of deal on EU tobacco controls Health warning Graphic picture and text warnings will have to cover 65 percent of the front and back of 18/12/2013
USA New York cigarette buyers under age 21 to be outlawed The anti-smoking mayor of New York now has a law to raise the minimum age required to buy cigarettes in the city to the highest in the country: 21 31/10/2013
World EU seeks bigger health warnings for cigarettes The EU’s health chief wants bigger warnings on cigarette packets and bans on flavours such as menthol. Commissioner Tonio Borg unveiled proposals 19/12/2012
My Europe Series U-talk: The truth behind cigarette health warnings This edition of U-talk looks at the health warnings that appear on the sides of cigarette packets. Our question about that comes from Lewis in the 28/08/2011