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Alishamhooker (talk) 16:39, 4 April 2011 (UTC) I reviewed your article and found it very interesting, especially the statewide bans. Some of the statistics weren't very clear but otherwise great job!

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 [[User:Alishamhooker|Alishamhooker]] ([[User talk:Alishamhooker|talk]]) 16:39, 4 April 2011 (UTC) I reviewed your article and found it very interesting, especially the statewide bans. Some of the statistics weren't very clear but otherwise great job!
-== History of Tobacco ==
-[[Tobacco]] is an agricultural crop defined as a nervous system stimulant that triggers complex biochemical and neurotransmitter disruptions <ref>{{cite web|title=What Is Tobacco?|url=http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/smoking/whatis.html|publisher=Palo Alto Medical Foundation|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. The psychoactive ingredient is [[Nicotine]], a stimulant present in cigarettes <ref>{{cite web|title=What Is Tobacco?|url=http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/smoking/whatis.html|publisher=Palo Alto Medical Foundation|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Initially, tobacco was believed to be a cure-all used for religious and medicinal practices, to dress wounds, as well as a pain-killer <ref>{{cite web|title=What Is Tobacco?|url=http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/smoking/whatis.html|publisher=Palo Alto Medical Foundation|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Chewing tobacco was often used to relieve toothache pain and by the 1800s, many people used it in small amounts <ref>{{cite web|last=Randall|first=Vernellia|title=The History of Tobacco|url=http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm|publisher=Boston University MedicalCenter|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref>. Some chewed it while others smoked it occasionally in a pipe <ref>{{cite web|last=Randall|first=Vernellia|title=The History of Tobacco|url=http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm|publisher=Boston University MedicalCenter|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref>. Cigarette smoking became more widespread in 1881 when [[James Albert Bonsack]] invented the cigarette-making machine <ref>{{cite web|title=Histroy of Tobacco|url=http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit1/2history_of.html|publisher=From the First to the Last Ash|accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>. The popularity of smoking increased and in 1964, the Surgeon General of the U.S wrote a report concerning the dangers of cigarette smoking which prompted Congress to pass the Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965 <ref>{{cite web|title=Histroy of Tobacco|url=http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit1/2history_of.html|publisher=From the First to the Last Ash|accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>. In 1984, Congress passed another law called the [[Comprehensive Smoking Education Act]] which required cigarette companies to change warning labels on their products every three months <ref>{{cite web|title=Histroy of Tobacco|url=http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit1/2history_of.html|publisher=From the First to the Last Ash|accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref>. The American public has been aware of the risks of tobacco use, especially cigarette smoking for almost 50 years as its negative health impacts are exaccerbated by excessive consumption, abuse, and exposure <ref>{{cite web|last=Simpson|first=David|title=Tobacco: Public Perceptions and the Role of the Industry|url=http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.troy.edu/stable/pdfplus/3559662.pdf?acceptTC=true|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|accessdate=26 March 2011}}</ref>.  --Takeeta Dale 15:53, 30 March 2011 (UTC)
-== Tobacco Free Alabama - Overview ==
-[[Smoking]] is a practice in which a substance, most commonly tobacco or cannabis, is burned and its smoke is tasted or inhaled <ref>{{cite web|title=Smoking|url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/smoking|publisher=Free Dictionary|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States <ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Key Findings-Overview|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/2010-key-findings/|publisher=American Lung Association|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Each year more than 443,000 Americans die from tobacco-related illnesses <ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Key Findings-Overview|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/2010-key-findings/|publisher=American Lung Association|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. In [[Alabama]], approximately 7,500 adults die each year from their own smoking <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref>. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 88 million nonsmoking Americans continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke in homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public places <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids|accessdate=24 March 2011}}</ref>. In Alabama, approximately 850 adult nonsmokers die each year from exposure to secondhand smoke <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco of Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids|accessdate=14 March 2011}}</ref>. The [[American Lung Association]], founded in 1904 to help combat tuberculosis, has worked for more than 100 years to save lives by preventing lung disease and promoting lung health in the fight against illness and death caused by tobacco use <ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Key Findings-Commitment|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/2010-key-findings/commitment.html|publisher=American Lung Association}}</ref>.  The American Lung Association is a member of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Alabama and works to reduce tobacco use in the state by creating smoke-free environments at the state and local level, and increasing tobacco taxes <ref>{{cite web|title=Behind the Scenes-Alabama|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/state-grades/alabama/behind-the-scenes.html|publisher=American Lung Association|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. The American Lung Association supports individuals with lung cancer, and through stronger tobacco control policies seeks to reduce the 157,000 deaths caused by lung cancer each year <ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Key Findings-Commitment|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/2010-key-findings/commitment.html|publisher=American Lung Association}}</ref>. The American Lung Association’s "State of Tobacco Control" calls to action national and state elected officials to enact stronger tobacco control laws in their respective areas of representation <ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Key Findings-Commitment|url=http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/2010-key-findings/commitment.html|publisher=American Lung Association}}</ref>. According to the United Health Foundation's 20th Annual Report, a factsheet outlaying America's health, Alabama places 48th nationally with smoking and obesity as primary causes of its poor ranking. <ref>{{cite web|title=Healthy States Rankings Put Tennessee, Georgia, & Alabama Near the Bottom|url=http://www.tobacco.org/news/292839.html|publisher=Tobacco.org|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>.
-== State Legislative Efforts in Alabama ==
-While Alabama does not have a statewide smoking ban individual localities have passed laws with varying limitations on smoking in counties, cities, restaurants, and bars <ref>{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Tiffany|title=Alabama Smoking Ban|url=http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2914|publisher=Citizens Freedom Alliance, Inc|accessdate=17 March 2011}}</ref>. Senator [[Vivian Davis Figures]] of Mobile proposed a bill in 2008 that would have banned smoking in restaurants and other public places, making an exception only for bars where food sales make up less than 20 percent of their business <ref>{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Tiffany|title=Alabama Smoking Ban|url=http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2914|publisher=Citizens Freedom Alliance, Inc|accessdate=17 March 2011}}</ref>. The bill died in the Legislature without coming up for a vote in the House on the final day of the 2008 regular session. <ref>{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Tiffany|title=Alabama Smoking Ban|url=http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2914|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref> The last attempt in Alabama’s 14 year battle to pass a state smoking ban was stalled in 2009 when its author Senator Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) pulled the bill from Senate consideration after what she believed were attempts to, “gut the bill” Senator [[Hank Erwin]], a long time supporter of the legislation said that “Figures felt it was better to pull the bill for right now and regroup.” <ref>{{cite web|last=Reeves|first=Tim|title=No Smoking Bill Delayed Again|url=http://www.tobacco.org/news/281506.html|publisher=Clayton Adviser|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>.
-== Statewide Smoking Bans ==
-As of January 2, 2011 according American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation all [[workplaces]] in these [[cities]] and [[counties]] in Alabama are smoke-free: Alexander City, Atmore, Bayou La Batre, Centerpoint, Citronelle, Cottonwood, Daphne, Decatur, East Brewton, Fairhope, Flomaton, Foley, Geneva, Gulf Shores, Opelika, Orange Beach, Oxford, Phenix City, Prichard, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort, Talladega, and Tuskeegee.<ref>{{cite web|title=States, Commonwealths, and Municipalities with 100% Smokefree Laws in Workplaces, Restaurants, or Bars|url=http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/100ordlist.pdf|publisher=American Nonsmokers' Rights Founda     tion|accessdate=March 14 2011}}</ref>
-All [[restaurants]] in these cities and counties in Alabama are smoke-free: Alexander City, Atmore, Auburn, Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Birmingham, Citronelle, Cottonwood, Daphne, Decatur, East Brewton, Fairfield , Fairhope, Flomaton, Foley, Fort Payne, Gulf Shores, Headland, Homewood, Luverne, Northport, Opelika, Opp, Orange Beach, Oxford, Phenix City, Prichard, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort, Talladega, Tuskegee .<ref>{{cite web|title=States, Commonwealths, and Municipalities with 100% Smokefree Laws in Workplaces, Restaurants, or Bars|url=http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/100ordlist.pdf|publisher=American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation|accessdate=March 14 2011}}</ref>
-All [[bars]] in these cities and counties in Alabama are smoke-free: Atmore, Auburn, Bayou La Batre, Citronelle, Cottonwood, Decatur, East Brewton, Fairfield, Flomaton, Gulf Shores, Headland, Homewood, Luverne, Orange Beach, Oxford, Phenix City, Talladega .<ref>{{cite web|title=States, Commonwealths, and Municipalities with 100% Smokefree Laws in Workplaces, Restaurants, or Bars|url=http://www.no-smoke.org/pdf/100ordlist.pdf|publisher=American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation|accessdate=March 14 2011}}</ref>
-Smoke-free [[hospitals]]: Atmore Community Hospital (Atmore, AL) <ref>{{cite web|last=Prestridge|first=Adam|title=ACH Goes Smoke Free|url=http://www.atmoreadvance.com/2009/11/18/ach-goes-smokefree/|publisher=The Atmore Advance|accessdate=14 March 2011}}</ref>, Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, East and Collins Medical Building (Florence, AL), and Shoals Hospital (Muscle Shoals, AL)<ref>{{cite web|last=Rubanks|first=Michelle Rupe|title=Coffee Going Smoke-Free|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20091004/articles/910045037&tc=yahoo|publisher=Times Daily|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>, East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika, Alabama)<ref>{{cite web|last=Vessell|first=Chris|title=East Alabama Medical Center To Ban Smoking On Campus|url=http://www.wtvm.com/global/story.asp?s=11570337|publisher=WTVM9}}</ref>, Andalusia Regional Hospital (Andalusia, AL)<ref>{{cite web|last=Gerlach|first=Michelle|title=Hospital Campus Going Tobacco Free|url=http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/11/18/hospital-campus-going-tobacco-free/|publisher=Andalusia Star News|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>, and Alabama mental health facilities (state-wide)<ref>{{cite web|title=State Mental Healthy Facilities Ban Smoking|url=http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/80282437.html|publisher=WTVY|accessdate=14 March 2011}}</ref>.
-== Economic Downside ==
-The State of Tobacco Control 2010 report grades states on their anti-tobacco efforts; in this report, Alabama received straight “F’s".<ref>{{cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Hannah|title=American Lung Association: Alabama Fails at Tobacco Control, Prevention|url=http://tobaccofreealabama.org/index.php?page=news.main&newsid=65|publisher=The Birmingham News|accessdate=13 March 2011}}</ref> The report grades states on four categories: 1) their spending on programs to prevent and control tobacco use, 2) their statewide smoking restrictions, 3) the tax they levy on cigarettes, 4) and whether they pay for medications and counselin g for Medicaid patients and state employees who are trying to quit smoking.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Hannah|title=American Lung Association: Alabama Fails at Tobacco Control, Prevention|url=http://tobaccofreealabama.org/index.php?page=news.main&newsid=65|publisher=The Birmingham News|accessdate=13 March 2011}}</ref> Alabama ranked right at the bottom in all four categories. <ref>{{cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Hannah|title=American Lung Association: Alabama Fails at Tobacco Control, Prevention|url=http://tobaccofreealabama.org/index.php?page=news.main&newsid=65|publisher=The Birmingham News|accessdate=13 March 2011}}</ref> For every smoker in Alabama, $993 a year is spent on hospital care as a result of smoking <ref>{{cite web|last=Editorial Board|title=OUR VIEW: Without an aggressive policy to discourage smoking, Alabama's economy will continue taking|url=http://tobaccofreealabama.org/index.php?page=news.main&newsid=63|publisher=The Birmingham News|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>A national study shows that Alabama’s economy suffers $5.6 billion a year in direct costs because of smoking, which also includes more than $1 billion in lost workplace productivity and $1.7 billion in direct medical expenditures.<ref>{{cite web|last=Editorial Board|title=OUR VIEW: Without an aggressive policy to discourage smoking, Alabama's economy will continue taking|url=http://tobaccofreealabama.org/index.php?page=news.main&newsid=63|publisher=The Birmingham News|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>
-== Problem of Smoking in Alabama ==
-• Alabamians spend $842 million a year on drugs directly as a result of smoking.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers For Tobacco Control|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/statesystem/Common/File_Download.aspx?FileName=STATESystemSFA.pdf&ObjectId=88|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>
-• Nearly $125 million a year is spent by Alabamians in nursing homes directly as a result of smoking <ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers For Tobacco Control|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/statesystem/Common/File_Download.aspx?FileName=STATESystemSFA.pdf&ObjectId=88|publisher=State T obacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>
-• For every smoker in Alabama, $993 a year is spent on hospital care as a result of smoking <ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers For Tobacco Control|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/statesystem/Common/File_Download.aspx?FileName=STATESystemSFA.pdf&ObjectId=88|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System|accessdate=12 March 2011}}</ref>
-• Annual health care costs in Alabama directly caused by smoking: $1.49billion <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids|accessdate=11 March 2011}}</ref>
-• Portion covered by the state Medicaid program: $238million <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids|accessdate=11 March 2011}}</ref>
-• Residents’ state and federal tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures: $540 <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids|accessdate=11 March 2011}}</ref>
-•Smoking-caused productivity losses in Alabama: $2.24billion<ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|publisher=Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids|accessdate=11 March 2011}}</ref>
-== Statistics ==
-In Alabama, 22.1% of the adult population (ages 18+)—over 783,000 individuals—are current cigarette smokers. Across all states, the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults ranges from 9.3% to 26.5%. Alabama ranks 42nd among the states.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smoking and Tobacco Use: State Highlights|url=http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/state_data/state_highlights/2010/states/alabama/index.htm|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>
-Among youth aged 12–17, 12.0% smoke in Alabama. The range across all states is 6.5% to 15.9%. Alabama ranks 40th among the states. <ref>{{cite web|title=Smoking and Tobacco Use: State Highlights|url=http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/state_data/state_highlights/2010/states/alabama/index.htm|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>
-Among adults aged 35+ years, over 7,600 d ied as a result of tobacco use per year, on average, during 2000–2004. This represents a smoking-attributable mortality rate of 317.5 per 100,000. Alabama's smoking-attributable mortality rate ranks 44th among the states.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smoking and Tobacco Use: State Highlights|url=http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/state_data/state_highlights/2010/states/alabama/index.htm|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref>  <small><span class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedia:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:Kay king|Kay king]] ([[User talk:Kay king|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Kay king|contribs]]) 19:59, 28 March 2011 (UTC)</span></small><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->
-== How are other states handling the usage of Tobacco? ==
-As of December 2010, twenty-seven states prohibit smoking in bars and thirty-two states prohibit smoking in restaurants Thirty-three states have 100% smoke-free indoor air laws for worksites <ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers for Tobacco Control: State Smoke-free Indoor Air Fact Sheet|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking & Evaluation System|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Idaho, Mississippi, and North Carolina prohibit smoking in government worksites but not in private worksites <ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers for Tobacco Control: State Smoke-free Indoor Air Fact Sheet|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking & Evaluation System|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. As of December 31, 2010, twenty-five states, being Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have 100% smoke-free indoor air laws for bars, restaurants, and worksites <ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers for Tobacco Control: State Smoke-free Indoor Air Fact Sheet|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking & Evaluation System|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. Also, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are now smoke-free in all three locations (bars, restaurants, and worksites)<ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers for Tobacco Control: State Smoke-free Indoor Air Fact Sheet|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking & Evaluation System|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>. A new North Carolina law now prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants but still not in all workplaces<ref>{{cite web|title=New Frontiers for Tobacco Control: State Smoke-free Indoor Air Fact Sheet|url=http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov|publisher=State Tobacco Activities Tracking & Evaluation System|accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref>.
-== Alabama Bills ==
-Specific smoking regulatory [[bills]] passed in Alabama include the following:
-Section 22-15A-4 "Prohibition against smoking in [[public places]]; exceptions. (a) No person shall smoke in a public place or at a public meeting except as otherwise provided in this subsection and in Section 22-15A-7. This prohibition does not apply in any of the following places: (1) Bars and lounges. (2) Retail tobacco stores and tobacco businesses. (3) Limousines used under private hire by an individual or corporation. (4) Hotel and motel rooms rented to guests, except for those rooms designated by the hotels and motels as 'no smoking' rooms. (b) Smoking by patients in a chemical dependency treatment program or mental health program may be allowed in a separated well-ventilated area pursuant to a policy established by the administrator of the program that identifies circumstances in which prohibiting smoking would interfere with the treatment of persons recovering from chemical dependency or mental illness." (Act 2003-314, p. 770, §4.) <ref>{{cite web|title=Prohibition against smoking in public places; exceptions|url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22-15A-4.htm|work=Alabama Legislature|publisher=Code of Alabama|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>
-Section 22-15A-6 "Designation of smoking areas; requirements; nonsmoking policies.(a) Pursuant to this section, the person in charge of a public place may designate an area for the use of smokers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a smoking area may not be designated and no person may smoke in any of the following unless the area is enclosed and well ventilated: (1) Child care facilities.(2) Hospitals, health care clinics, doctors' offices, physical therapy facilities, and dentists' offices. (3) Elevators. (4) Buses, taxicabs, and other means of public conveyance. (5) Government buildings, except private offices. (6) Restrooms.(7) Service lines. (8) Public areas of aquariums, galleries, libraries, and museums. (9) Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in apartment buildings, senior citizen residences, nursing homes, and other multiple-unit residential facilities. (10) Polling places.(11) Schools or other school facilities or enclosed school sponsored events for grades K-12. (12) Retail establishments, excluding restaurants, except areas in retail establishments not open to the public. (13) Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in multiple-unit commercial facilities. (b) If a smoking area is designated, existing physical barriers and ventilation systems shall be used to minimize the toxic effect of smoke, and no more than one-fourth of the total square footage in any public place within a single enclosed area shall be reserved and designated for smokers unless clientele dictates otherwise. No area designated as a smoking area shall contain common facilities which are expected to be used by the public. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any owner, operator, manager, or other person who controls any establishment or facility from declaring and enforcing a nonsmoking policy in the entire establishment or facility. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or this chapter, if any restaurant is deemed by its owner as being too small to have a designated smoking area, it shall be left up to the discretion of the owner if the facility will be a 'smoking' or a 'nonsmoking' facility." (Act 2003-314, p. 770, §6.) <ref>{{cite web|title=Designation of smoking areas; requirements; nonsmoking policies|url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22-15A-6.htm|work=Alabama Legislature|publisher=Code of Alabama|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>
-Section 22-15A-7 "Posting of 'No Smoking' and 'Smoking Area' [[signs]]; violations of chapter.(a) A 'No Smoking' sign or signs, or the international 'No Smoking' symbol, which consists of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across, shall be prominently posted and properly maintained where smoking is prohibited by this chapter, by the owner, operator, manager, or other person in charge of the facility. 'Smoking Area' signs shall also be posted as appropriate in public places. (b) The person(s) in charge of a public place who observes a person in possession of a lighted tobacco product in apparent violation of this chapter shall inform that person that smoking is not permitted in that area by law." (Act 2003-314, p. 770, §7.) <ref>{{cite web|title=Posting of “No Smoking” and “Smoking Area” signs; violations of chapter|url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22-15A-7.htm|work=Alabama Legislature|publisher=Code of Alabama|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>
-Section 22-15A-10 "Local [[laws]], [[ordinances]], or [[regulations]]. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict the power of any county, city, town, or village to adopt and enforce local laws, ordinances, or regulations that comply with at least the minimum applicable standards set forth in this chapter." (Act 2003-314, p. 770, §11.) <ref>{{cite web|title=Local laws, ordinances, or regulations|url=http:// http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22-15A-10.htm|work=Alabama Legislature|publisher=Code of Alabama|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> Bethany Mead (talk) 22:42, 20 March 2011 (UTC)
-== Tobacco and Alabama's Youth ==
-While the number of high school smokers is at an all time low, 22.1 percent, 12,400 children under 18 still become new smokers each year <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> It is estimated that 174,000 kids who are now under the age of 18 and alive in Alabama will ultimately die prematurely from smoking <ref>{{cite web|title=The Toll of Tobacco in Alabama|url=http:// www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/toll_us/alabama|work=Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids|publisher=Tobacco Free Kids|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> Furthermore, offsetting the positive trend of reduced smoking rates in youth is an increase in use of [[smokeless tobacco]] products such as [[snuff]], [[dip]], and [[chew]] <ref>(http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/)</ref>.
-A new product called “[[Snus]],” described as a smokeless, spitless, less detectable way to use tobacco is being marketed to young users <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. With higher levels of [[nicotine]] than other snuff products, it contains some of the same [[carcinogens]] and is more [[addictive]] <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>.
-On the 2009 Auburn City School’s Pride Student Survey, 10 percent of 10th graders and one out of seven seniors reported using smokeless tobacco products in the last year <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> This is a dangerous trend since smokeless tobacco products are not safer, and a user’s chance of getting oral cancer is 50 times greater than a non-user <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>
-== Anti  Tobacco Use Youth Initiatives ==
-In 2008, a student group called  Students Working Against Tobacco rece ived $28,000 from the [[Alabama Department of Public Health]] to spread their message <ref>{{cite web|title=Student anti-tobacco groups from four Mobile schools given $28,000|url=http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1227262611230801.xml&coll=3|work=Press Register|publisher=Press Register|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. SWAT operates out of Bryant, LeFlore and Murphy high schools and Phillips Preparatory middle school <ref>{{cite web|title=Student anti-tobacco groups from four Mobile schools given $28,000|url=http://www.al.com/news/press-register/metro.ssf?/base/news/1227262611230801.xml&coll=3|work=Press Register|publisher=Press Register|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>.
-The Youth Empowerment Program is a peer-teaching model that provides anti-tobacco messages to more tha n 58,000 teens according to Alabama's state health officer Don Williamson <ref>{{cite web|title=Teen Smoking|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080812/NEWS/808120311/-1/COMMUNITIES|work=Times Daily|publisher=Times Daily|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. The state funds community groups to educate people about the dangers of second-hand smoke and to encourage young people to reject tobacco use <ref>{{cite web|title=Teen Smoking|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080812/NEWS/808120311/-1/COMMUNITIES|work=Times Daily|publisher=Times Daily|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. The State Health Department also has a new teen cessation project that uses advertising on television and radio, as well as a MySpace page <ref>{{cite web|title=Teen Smoking|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080812/NEWS/808120311/-1/COMMUNITIES|work=Times Daily|publisher=Times Daily|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>.
-The Auburn CARES Coalition and the Alabama Department of Public Health encourage young people to make healt hy tobacco-free choices and for those using chewing tobacco to quit <ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref>. ADPH offers a free support and counseling service to help users successfully quit. ref>{{cite web|title=Letter: Youth remain targets of tobacco industry- smokeless or not|url=http:// http://www2.oanow.com/news/2010/feb/17/letter_youth_remain_targets_of_tobacco_industry_sm-ar-496670/|work=oanow.com|publisher=oanow.com|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> — Preceding unsigned comment added by BAMead (talk • contribs) 23:59, 20 March 2011 (UTC)  <small><span class="autosigned">— Preceding [[Wikipedi a:Signatures|unsigned]] comment added by [[User:BAMead|BAMead]] ([[User talk:BAMead|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/BAMead|contribs]]) </span></s mall><!-- Template:Unsigned --> <!--Autosigned by SineBot-->
-== References ==
-<references />