Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaDecember 18, 2017

A Tallahassee judge will hear argument on whether to throw out Orlando attorney John Morgan‘s lawsuit over the ban on smoking medical marijuana. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers scheduled a Jan. 25 hearing on the state’s motion to dismiss, court records show. The suit originally was filed in July by People United for Medical Marijuana, the political committee behind […]

Jim RosicaJuly 6, 2017

John Morgan’s lawsuit against the state for not allowing medical marijuana to be smoked is “disappointing,” but “not surprising,” said the head of the Drug Free America Foundation on Thursday. Morgan, the Orlando-based attorney and entrepreneur, backed the medical marijuana constitutional amendment that was OK’d by 71 percent of voters last year on the statewide ballot. He filed […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

The city of Jacksonville’s municipal code has taken a gradualist approach to tobacco prohibition — and it’s not done yet, if a recently-filed bill is any indication. In 1973, the consolidated city passed an ordinance banning smoking in various places in the city. Then, a fortnight later, a second ordinance was passed clarifying that prohibition […]

Jim RosicaMarch 8, 2017

A lawyer for the widow of a Florida man “addict(ed) to cigarettes” asked the state Supreme Court Monday to reinstate her $30 million jury award for punitive damages. Tallahassee attorney John S. Mills, who represents Joan Schoeff, told the court the conduct of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.(RJR)—in selling a product they knew was killing 500,000 people a year—stopped just short […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 22, 2017

Floridians can vote and enlist in the military when they’re 18, but a new Senate bill would have them wait until they’re 21 to go to Marlboro Country. SB 1138, filed Wednesday by Democrat Darryl Rouson, would raise the smoking age from 18 to 21. Rouson’s bill would amend Florida Statute 569.008, which currently restricts the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 18, 2016

The state’s highest court has set oral arguments in an appeal of a punitive damages award against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. The Florida Supreme Court, which accepted jurisdiction this May, will hear the case March 8, court filings show. At trial, a jury found smoker James E. Schoeff 25 percent at fault in his death. He had “died from […]

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

The state’s highest court agreed to hear an appeal of a punitive damages award against the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in the case of a man who died from smoking, according to filings. The Florida Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction last Thursday, court dockets show. At trial, a jury found smoker James E. Schoeff 25 percent […]

Phil AmmannMarch 15, 2016

Every now and then, who doesn’t want to kick some butts to the curb? On March 16, the Florida Tobacco Cessation Alliance will be participating in the 20th annual Kick Butts Day, which gives everyone an ideal opportunity to tell the world how and why you fight tobacco. Kick Butts Day is an annual event […]

Drew WilsonSeptember 22, 2015

A new survey shows teens aren’t smoking as much as they used to, but they are still finding a way to get nicotine. The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, released Tuesday, found that 6.9 percent of Florida high school students smoked cigarettes, a 1.7-point drop from the 8.6 percent who said they smoked “conventional cigarettes” – […]

Guest AuthorAugust 12, 2015

I’ve been a pediatrician for 35 years, and in that time, I have seen first-hand the effect that a changing climate has on my young patients. With more ozone and pollution in the atmosphere, we see worsening respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma. I care for many young infants and children who have to take several […]

Tag: smoking

Judge sets hearing in ‘no smoke’ medical marijuana case

Drug Free America calls John Morgan lawsuit ‘disappointing’

Movement in Jacksonville begins to ban tobacco sales to those under 21

Smoker’s widow fights for multimillion-dollar jury award

Darryl Rouson wants to raise the smoking age to 21

Court orders oral arguments in smoking death case

Supreme Court agrees to hear smoking case

Kari Jacoby: Time for adults to join youth in kicking butts, saving lives

Teen smoking rates at all-time low

Dr. Lynn Ringenberg: Climate change health effects now visible, deadly