Legislators Considering Smoking Ban

Legislators are considering a smoking ban in this session of the legislature that would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment, in certain state vehicles and within 12 feet of a public entrance to a public place or an enclosed area of a place of employment. The bill allows smoking iqos heets uae cigarettes in certain gaming facilities, cigar bars, and retail tobacco stores if certain requirements are met.

Yet tobacco is legally sold in virtually every country in the world and, after decades of understanding its harm, it remains not only legal but highly accessible and profitable (to everyone but the consumer) in US.

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Indiana Legislative Sessions and Committee Meetings Canceled due to Weather

State Representative Nancy Dembowski

Tuesday and Wednesday were slow days for State Legislators as sessions were canceled because of weather for the first time in 10 years.

“We had no session on Tuesday and that included Committee meetings and Committee meetings were called off Wednesday as well,” said State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox). “Normally on Wednesday we don’t have session, but we have a full day of Committee meetings. All of that has been called off because it’s just really treacherous to move around down here because of the ice.”

Dembowski said the two days were not wasted.

“We were able to get here,” she said. “I don’t live far and I was able to walk over and it gives us uninterrupted time to get a lot of work done and get some things done that we may have been setting aside as busy as we’ve been in session. There are some positives to it as well.”

Electronic Devices Will No Longer be Accepted at Landfills after January 1st, 2011

Residents brought in several computers during the last Starke County Environment Days recycling event

Beginning January 1st, 2011, Indiana households, public schools, and small businesses will no longer be able to mix unwanted computer monitors, computers, televisions, printers, computer keyboards or mice, DVD players, video cassette recorders or fax machines with municipal waste that is intended for disposal at a landfill.

Effective July 1st, 2009, the Indiana Legislature enacted the Indiana Electronic Waste Program. The program’s purpose is to reduce the amount of electronic waste being sent to Indiana landfills and ensure that hazardous substances found in electronic waster are being managed in an appropriate and environmentally responsible manner. Electronics contain heavy metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium that can be harmful if released into the environment.

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