Today In History: Cigarette Smoking Is Banned

At the end of March 2003, New York City enforced a ban of smoking in public places of employment, meaning that cigarettes were not allowed inside workplaces. Toxins in environmental smoke proved harmful and could spread to larger spaces, threatening the health of all, smokers, as well as non smokers. A leading cause of cancer, cigarettes contain dozens of chemicals that can bind to and damage DNA. Since 2003, many cities, states, and regions have implemented stronger smoking bans in restaurants, hotels, and indoor public spaces. Countries, including Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, France, India and Bhutan have barred it completely in public places, with greater public campaigns about the dangers of cigarette smoking. 

 The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Cooper, M. (2002, Dec 31). Mayor Signs Law to Ban Smoking Soon at Most Bars. New York Times (1923-) 
• Baker, A. (2003, Jan 16). In Shift, Restaurant Group Backs Smoking Ban. New York Times (1923-) 
• Lambert, B. (2003, Jan 29). Suffolk Votes to Ban Smoking, With a Grace Period of 3 Years. New York Times (1923-) 
• Lambert, B. (2003, Feb 28). Last Call, and Last Puff, As a Smoking Ban Nears. New York Times (1923-) 
• Scott, J. (2003, Mar 05). After 101 Years, Philip Morris Plans to Leave New York. New York Times (1923-) R
• Hu, W. (2003, May 23). 2 Bills Would Soften Smoking Ban Approved 2 Months Ago. New York Times (1923-) 
• Paul, V. Z. (2003, Jul 26). Report Says Restaurant Jobs Unaffected By Smoking Ban. New York Times (1923-) 
• Rutenberg, J., & Koppel, L. (2005, Feb 06). As Air Clears, Even Smokers Are Converted: City's Bars Thriving After Adjusting to Ban. New York Times (1923-) 
• Michael, H. S. (2011, Mar 08). The Long-Lost Smoke Ban. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 
• Dwyer, J., & Goodman, J. D. (2013, Aug 18). The Impossible Mayor Of the Possible. New York Times (1923-) 

Tips:

• Healey, Justin. Smoking and Tobacco Control. 1st ed. Thirroul, NSW: The Spinney Press, 2018. e-book
• Proctor, Robert. Golden Holocaust Origins of the Cigarette Catastrophe and the Case for Abolition. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. e-book
• WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2013 : Enforcing Bans on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2013. e-book

Images:

•  Hans Rudi Erdt - Problem Cigarettes, 1912, Courtesy Picryl
• Tobacco Plantation, from the Rothman Lantern Slide Collection, Courtesy of Teachers College, Columbia University

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