The Straw that Broke Joe Camel's Back?

smoky.jpgNinety-nine government reports out of one hundred instantly get tossed in the wastebasket of irrelevancy, but yesterday's Surgeon General report on secondhand smoke seems destined to be an exception. In it, the Surgeon General confirms the scientific consensus that secondhand smoke is harmful and argues that eliminating smoking in indoor places is the only way to reduce the danger.

Today, media outlets across the country have been disturbingly uncreative, with journalist after journalist suggesting that state and local officials are feeling added pressure to restrict smoking as a result. Here's a sampling of this morning's headlines:

"Blanco feels squeeze on smoking ban," - New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Report bolsters backers of anti-smoking initiative," - Las Vegas Review-Journal

"State hopes more cities ban smoking in public," - Wichita Eagle

"Anti-smoking advocates renew call for statewide ban," - Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Secondhand smoke risks are upgraded; Report fuels Md. advocates' hopes for ban," - Baltimore Sun