Latest local news, weather and sports for Syracuse and Central New York

Monday, April 29, 2013  Health professionals and local businesses in Syracuse react to proposed legislation which would raise the smoking age limit to 21 in New York state.

Thursday, March 28, 2013  Government health officials launched the second round of a graphic ad campaign Thursday that is designed to get smokers off tobacco, saying they believe the last effort convinced tens of thousands to quit.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013  New York City is marking the 10th anniversary of its ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other indoor public spaces.

Monday, March 18, 2013  Mayor Michael Bloomberg is announcing legislation that he says would make New York the first city in the nation to keep tobacco products out of sight in retail stores.

Friday, January 04, 2013  A new series of graphic anti-smoking ads are saturating the airwaves at all hours of the day in central New York.

Friday, February 03, 2012  They're hard to miss if you're watching TV.  Anti-smoking ads are featuring the consequences of smoking.  Some of the most visible ads on television right now feature a man without his lower jaw, a woman who has had a tracheotomy, and a man with an oxygen tank.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012  Anti-smoking advocates said Tuesday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget would continue to cut help for smokers to quit, even as it takes advantage of their habit by raising the tax on cigars and loose tobacco used in rolled cigarettes.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011  The 30-second ads, sponsored by the New York State Health Department, are the latest attempt to get smokers to quit. Some complain the ads are too graphic. What do you think?

Monday, May 10, 2010  In the last three years, New York's once heralded anti-smoking program has been cut three times by a total of 30 percent and as its TV spots, quitters' help line and free nicotine patch programs were scaled back, 105,000 adults started smoking who otherwise might not have.