Smoking ban wins first vote (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
A proposed ban on smoking in most public, indoor places in Virginia took its first step through the General Assembly yesterday. The Senate Health and Education Committee advanced the legislation by a 10-5 vote, sending the bill to the full Senate, where such legislation has not fared well.
Source: www.timesdispatch.com

Melbourne may stop hiring smokers (Florida Today)
A Melbourne city councilman wants to ban smokers from the municipal job-hiring process, citing rising health care costs.
Source: www.floridatoday.com

More Muslim Leaders Should Rule Smoking Prohibited, Study Says (Bloomberg.com)
Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) — Muslim leaders in the Indian subcontinent should rule that smoking is prohibited by Islamic law to compel more believers to quit, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal today.
Source: www.bloomberg.com

Bill would allow Medicaid to cover smoking cessation (Lexington Herald-Leader)
As a public health nurse, Christi Vincent sees the ravages blamed on smoking while counseling people who struggle to kick the tobacco habit.
Source: www.centredaily.com

Indonesia introduces smoking ban in capital (New Kerala)
JAKARTA, Feb 5 : A ban on smoking in public places took effect on the weekend in the capital of Indonesia, one of the world's biggest tobacco markets, but residents said it was unlikely to discourage hardened smokers from lighting up.
Source: www.newkerala.com