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Students to learn about asthma, smoke-free air 

MUNCIE -- For the sixth straight year, CDI Head Start of Delaware County will be hosting Smoke-Free Day at Head Start at 9:30 a.m. today.

This annual event is held in recognition of National Asthma Awareness Month, helping students and parents understand the impact that smoking and secondhand smoke have on asthma.

"Asthma is a very serious condition for children and adolescents around the world, and Delaware County is no exception," said Erica Bailey, asthma coordinator for the Delaware County Health Department and chair of the Asthma Coalition of Delaware County. "It's important that families are aware that smoking and secondhand smoke are harmful to all children and adolescents."

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Gov. Nixon seeks to steer clear of Mo. tobacco tax initiative, wants to hold the line on taxes 

BSU's designated smoking areas could be reduced, closed 

MUNCIE -- Ball State Unviersity, which became a smoke-free campus more than four years ago, is considering becoming even more smoke free.

"We are smoke free, but we have places where people can smoke on the periphery of the campus," President Jo Ann Gora told the University Senate recently. "At this point, we have 11 places where people can smoke. And so the question is, are we really a smoke-free campus with that many places where people can smoke, and should we become more of a smoke-free campus and have fewer places to smoke."

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Witness: Fire at River Pointe Apts caused by man smoking while using oxygen 

Local restaurant owners voice concern over smoking ban 

Ban on Electronic Cigarettes?  

Should Fort Wayne join Indianapolis in banning electronic cigarettes right along with traditional smokes?

Indianapolis has been the scene of recent debate after the city passed a stricter smoking ban than the state wide ban by adding the electronic smoking devices to the list of items people can't use in most public places.

City Councilman Dr. John Crawford was in favor of Fort Wayne's 2007 smoking ban, but isn't as eager to ban electronic cigarettes.

Crawford says they are far less harmful than real cigarettes and pose very little second hand smoke risk. However, he says they should already be regulated by the FDA given the chemicals they contain. Electronic cigarettes commonly produce a water and nicotine vapor.

The owner of Wrigley Field Bar and Grill, Danny White, says he wasn't a fan of Fort Wayne's smoking ban when it first passed, but now he can see the health benefits.

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BSU's designated smoking areas could be reduced, closed  

Ball State Unviersity, which became a smoke-free campus more than four years ago, is considering becoming even more smoke free.

"We are smoke free, but we have places where people can smoke on the periphery of the campus," President Jo Ann Gora told the University Senate recently. "At this point, we have 11 places where people can smoke. And so the question is, are we really a smoke-free campus with that many places where people can smoke, and should we become more of a smoke-free campus and have fewer places to smoke."

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Suit Filed In Response To Evansville Smoking Ban 

LETTER: IN RESPONSE: Smoker hacks into insurance cost claims of ban backers  

I could not let Jackie Jackson's letter of April 19 go without response.

She regurgitated the typical lies we hear about smoking. It drives up insurance costs, second hand smoke is the root of all evils, blah, blah, blah!

Do smoker's really drive up insurance costs or is it all you do-gooder health nuts who plan on living until you're 100? . . .

And please shut up with all the junk science about secondhand smoke! Do you really think that we are getting unbiased information about smoking and secondhand smoke from groups like The American Heart Association, The American Lung Association, or worst of all, the federal government? I am amazed at how incredibly gullible most people are.

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Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items in country 

VIDEO: Indy mayor signs smoking ban into law affecting bars, taverns  

nly be able to smoke cigars or hookahs.

Mayor Greg Ballard made the big announcement Thursday evening via twitter, tweeting "I just signed into law the smoking ban ordinance."

The tweet spurred strong emotions on both sides of the long fought battle.

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VIDEO: Could Indy's Smoking Ban Influence Surrounding Counties? 

Marion County will become smoke-free on June 1, which prompted some Hoosiers to wonder if the recently passed law would snuff out smoking in bars in surrounding counties.

Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear said he would consider a smoking ban that includes bars in his city.

The sentiment was not echoed by Noblesville's neighbor, Fishers, RTV6's Jenna Kooi reported.

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AUDIO: Smoking Ban Fight Continues in Evansville 

• Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard signs tavern smoking ban into law  

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has signed a new ordinance expanding the city's smoking ban to cover most bars, a spokesman said.

The expanded ordinance, which already covers restaurants and most workplaces, will take effect at 6 a.m. June 1, said Marc Lotter, Ballard's communications director. He said Ballard signed the proposed ordinance shortly before 7 p.m. after arriving back in Indianapolis from a conference in Boston.

The City-County Council passed the proposal 20-9 on Monday.

It was the second proposal to pass the council this year. Ballard vetoed an earlier proposal in February over a dispute with the council over restrictions in an exemption for private clubs and veterans halls that would have kept children off the premises if smoking is allowed.

The new proposal -- signed by Ballard today -- exempts private clubs without any restrictions on children, though a new statewide smoking ban taking effect July 1 requires those clubs to restrict smoking to separate areas. The statewide ban exempts bars in cities or counties without stronger local laws.

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AUDIO: E-Cigarettes Included in City's Smoking Ban Proposal