Worldwide smoking bans continue to menace kayaks as the hot newness, and this time it's India that's stubbing out cigs in all bars and offices--and even in public places like bus stops. The ban goes into effect tomorrow.

Of India's 1.2 billion people, an estimated 250 million smoke, and health authorities are worried more might light up as the country's middle class grows. But the 200 rupee ($4.25) fine for rule breakers won't be stopping at least one smoker the UK Times spoke with:

The authorities aren't organised enough to prevent people smoking. I'll pay a bribe if they try to stop me. Or perhaps I'll just stay at home.

Related Stories:
· India to Start World's Biggest Smoking Ban [UK Times, via]
· Smoking Bans coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: RobRyb]]]> pbb 2008-10-01T12:30:36-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/16/171616/895

US Marshals have apprehended Christina Szele, she of the alleged in-flight outburst involving a cigarette, some swearing and a jab to the jaw of a JetBlue flight attendant.

According to authorities, she tested positive for cocaine *twice* while awaiting trial and was slapped with a charge of misdemeanor assault in Queens after a fight with her roommate.

The attorney's office in Denver, which decided to let Szele enter a plea in a New York court, now wants to prosecute its case back in Colorado. Since Szele's been banned from commercial air travel, she'll have to fly back with marshals on a government plane.

It'll be just like "Con Air," except she's innocent until proven guilty in court!

Related Stories:
· Woman from JetBlue Flight Arrested Again [Denver Post]
· Smoker Arrested Again [KUSA]
· Smokin' Szele Plans to Cop a Plea [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-09-16T17:20:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/12/123157/820

Despite our assertion that billboards are the new cigarettes, countries are still banning smokes. The latest to jump on the trend is Niger; in July Kenya passed a sweeping anti-smoking law.

People caught lighting up in public places or on public transport can be fined anywhere from $10 to more than $2,000, and jail sentences are apparently also on the table. Businesses that let patrons smoke can have their licenses revoked.

The BBC reports that there may be a little bit of a de facto grace period for puffers in the country since the government has only now decided to start enforcing the ban, which was originally approved in 2006.

Related Stories:
· Niger Cabinet Passes Smoking Ban [BBC, via]
· New Smoking Ban in Kenya Cutting Loosie Sales [Jaunted]
· Smoking Bans coverage [Jaunted]

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Infamous JetBlue passenger Christina Szele will plead guilty to at least some of the federal charges she's facing, according to the Denver Post, citing court documents in the case.

Szele, you'll no doubt remember, reportedly sparked up a cig on her flight between New York and San Francisco and flew into a rage when a flight attendant snatched it from her lips. She was booted off her A320 after it made an emergency pit stop in Denver.

With the plea, it's unlikely she'll get the maximum penalty she could've drawn, but US Attorney Troy Eid is definitely making an example of Szele--just like he promised.

Related Stories:
· JetBlue Flier to Plead Guilty [Jaunted]
· Smokin' Szele Indicted by Federal Grand Jury [Jaunted]
· Drunken Air Rage: Summer's Hottest Trend! [Jaunted]
· Bad Seatmates coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-07-29T09:45:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/23/154914/072

Is the wind in the Windy City a little clearer these days? Two and a half years after the City Council passed a "public places" smoking ban, residents are pleased overall--even if the ban has had some unintended consequences.]]> egw 2008-07-23T16:15:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/16/104131/252

After nearly a decade, Qantas is bringing back in-flight cigarette sales on international flights. Though the carrier isn't allowed to advertise smokes, it can and will start stacking them prominently on top of duty free carts as they trundle down the aisles.

Obviously, this has the anti-tobacco lobby more than upset. Says the head of one anti-smoking group:

Retail tobacco display is a powerful form of advertising, especially in association with a highly respected brand name like Qantas, and research shows it normalizes and encourages young people to smoke.

Wait. Qantas is a respected brand?

Related Stories:
· Qantas Brings Back In-Flight Cigarette Sales [The Age]
· Smoking coverage [Jaunted]

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Kenya is the latest country to join the no-smoking bandwagon, with an stringent anti-tobacco law that went into effect this week. The government's ban on butts is so strict, residents can't even puff in parks, private cars or their own homes.

The new rules require smokers to stick to sealed and ventilated rooms, so unless a house is equipped, it's technically out of bounds. For those hangers-on, the government has established a few outdoor "smoking zones" that draw clusters of smokers, eager to avoid fines of up to $46,000. (That's not for the first offense!)

Also included in the new tobacco control legislation is a ban on sales of single cigarettes, designed to keep lower-income Kenyans from lighting up. One vendor in Narobi told the BBC that his sales of loosies had indeed dropped off--but that people were just buying packs instead.

Related Stories:
· Stringent Law for Kenyan Smokers [BBC]
· Smoking coverage [Jaunted]

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