Abstract
This paper discusses the newspaper articles on San Francisco's ban on plastic bags; San Francisco voted ten to one that plastic bags used at grocery stores be banned. While San Francisco is the first state to ban plastic bags, more cities may follow their example. The paper encourages the reader to consider the facts about plastic bans, compare the facts about compostable bags and paper bags, and decide to take immediate action about these plastic bags.

From the Paper
"Imagine the number of plastic bags used throughout the United States. Charlie Goodyear (2007) for the Chronicle states that it takes over 400,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100 million bags. San Francisco voted ten to one that plastic bags used at grocery stores be banned. While San Francisco is the first state to ban plastic bags, more cities may follow their example. Consider the facts about plastic bans, compare the facts about compostable bags and paper bags, and decide to take immediate action about these plastic bags."

Tags:plastic, paper, ban

Abstract
This paper looks at the smoking ban in Maryland. It looks at the history of the legislation, how it has been modified over time and its current status. It describes how the ban is enforced and the penalties levied for breaking it, and future legislation planned for 2006.

From the Paper
"Prior to December Maryland was the only state to have anti smoking bans for the workplace. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act MOSH prohibited smoking in most indoor workplaces unless confined to an enclosed separately ventilated smoking room ..."

Tags:smiking ban, Maryland

Abstract
This paper examines the smoking ban in Kansas by using the five crucial steps of the decision making process. First, the paper defines a smoking ban, pointing out its benefits to individuals and society. Then, the paper describes how the smoking ban in Kansas can be analyzed through decision making. The five steps of this process are described one by one and are then applied to the case in Kansas. The paper contends that the decision making model is is crucial for the successful outcome of any endeavor in all fields, but even more so within the business community, which impacts the lives of millions.

Outline:
Introduction
Problem Identification
Context for Success
Framing of the Problem
Alternative Solutions
Evaluation of Alternatives
The Best Alternative
Conclusions

From the Paper
"The basic idea relative to setting a context for success is that of ensuring that the right people participate to the decision making process; they must be well informed and unbiased. In this order of ideas, the authorities in Kansas have to meet face to face and discuss the implications of each potential course of action. Foremost, they must meet with representatives of the other parties involved. The context for making an informed decision has to present the issue from numerous standpoints and this is why the federal authorities must meet with more parties. The deciding forces could meet with representatives of the health sector, presenting an objective evaluation of the negative effects of second-hand smoking."

Tags:smoking restrictions, workplace, public areas, decision theory

Abstract
The paper examines the Boston ban's effect on tobacco sales and provides an analysis of the stakeholders impacted by this ban. The paper discusses how the ban creates new problems for tobacco companies' marketing efforts, and challenges them to find new sources of new customers.

Outline:
Introduction
Effect on Tobacco Sales
Stakeholder Analysis
Tobacco Marketing
Conclusions

From the Paper
"The regulation singles out pharmacies for the ban, under the theory that pharmacies represent part of the health care system and therefore should not be selling a product that damages people's health. Pharmacies account for 4% of total sales of tobacco products (Magee, 2008). This is against the will of the vast majority of pharmacists. However, the major corporations that run the pharmacies, CVS and Walgreen's, generate substantial profit from the sale of cigarettes. The total market is $65 billion, so the take of the pharmacies is estimated to be $2.6 billion. Thus, the city of Boston felt that the ban needed to come from their end."

Tags:stakeholders, marketing, customers

Abstract
The paper refers to studies that suggest that handguns actually cause more problems, deaths, and accidents than they solve and contends, therefore, that the Supreme Court made the wrong decision when it overturned the Washington D.C. gun ban. The paper believes that a handgun ban is necessary for the safety and well-being of ordinary citizens, in particular children, those suffering from suicidal tendencies, and those who accidentally misuse guns. The paper also asserts that a gun ban would end the illegal handgun market.

From the Paper
"On June 26, in a monumental 5-4 decision, the US Supreme court overturned the Washington DC gun ban, citing that the "right to bear arms" phrase of the second amendment applies to more than just militia (Davies 2008). The decision came just one day after five died from gun wounds in Kentucky after a mentally disturbed man opened fire at his place of employment, eventually killing himself as well as the others (Davies 2008), and just after a recent study by the CDC stated that 55% of gun deaths can be considered suicides (MSNBC 2008). Although opposition to the banning of handguns suggests that the practice is unconstitutional in regards to the second amendment, proponents to the bans suggest that guns were only intended for the use stated in the amendment--a militia."

Tags:black, market, children, violence, suicidal, tendencies

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the smoking ban in Tennessee that went into effect on the 1st of October 2007. The author analyzes the effects of this smoking ban, which rohibits smoking in places such as restaurants, hotels, bars and even the workplace. The paper notes that while the ban managed to reduce the rate of smoking, it has had a negative effect on businesses as more smokers preferred to now stay at home. The paper also discusses inconsistencies in the law and how the public and the local businesses took advantage of the loopholes to increase businesses and sale.

From the Paper
"The first of these effects have health implications on both active as well as passive smokers. The ban reduced the smoking rate encouraging as such numerous smokers to quit the habit. When they found out they were no longer allowed to smoke in bars, restaurants and at the work place, many of them found it too much of a trouble to go to special places where they could smoke. For others, the ban was a signal which made them realize the serious negative effects of smoking. To others, it was just the push they needed in order to quit. However, not sufficient people have quitted. And even if they didn't quit, they at least reduced the number of smoked cigarettes per day, which is also an improvement."

Tags:law, smoking, industry, health

Abstract
This paper notifies all employees of the company that, beginning one month from today, the company will follow the guide-lines of federal and state requirements and institute a ban on smoking in the company buildings. The author stresses that the idea of a smoke-free environment is not only to encourage those employees who smoke to quit but also to protect the non-smokers from being affected by second-hand smoke, scientifically called Environmental Tobacco Smoke- ETS, which can do as much damage to persons nearby a smoker as if they themselves were smoking. The paper includes discussion points for each department about this No-Smoking rule including, although the company is offering financial assistance for a "Stop Smoking" course to encouraged stop smoking anywhere, designating a "Smoking Area" outside the building .

From the Paper
"It is important for all of you to realize that this was not a sudden, hap-hazard decision, but the statistics were so overwhelmingly negative that we felt we had to do something to protect all our employees and to guarantee them, at least while on the job, a smoke-free environment. Later in this memo, we will explain some of the potential "solutions" to the smoking problem, but, as you will see, they simply did not solve that second-hand smoke situation. But, let me begin by a little background that alerted us to the dangers of second hand smoke."

Tags:enforcement, statistics, health-plan, secondary-smoke, solutions

Abstract
This paper discusses how hazards in the workplace are a significant concern and second-hand smoke has been deemed totally unacceptable especially by those working in restaurants, cafes and bars. This paper reviews the bill passed on March 26th, 2003 banning smoking in the State of New York.

Overview:
Abstract
Introduction
Secondhand Smoke Overview
Positive Effects of the New York State Smoking Ban
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Secondhand smoke is a known health danger. 53,800 people die each year from secondhand smoke, including death from heart disease, lung cancer, and other diseases. Scientific research has become so comprehensive that not only has scientists been able to pinpoint the effects of secondhand smoke on specific organs, but also on specific types of workers. In general, restaurants and bars that are located in cities that have smoking bans, in place, have 82 percent less indoor air pollution than those without smoking bans ("Secondhand smoke", 2006), equating to healthier workers. "

Tags:environment, health, occupational, risk, tobacco

Abstract
This essay considers the arguments for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and finds them badly wanting. The writer maintains that there is no practical advantage to banning gay marriage; it may have unintended consequences; it is a play to salvage conservative support for republicans, it is an attack on judges; and it would destroy the concept of the separation of church and state. The writer concludes that it therefore should not be adopted.

Tags:constitution, amendment

Abstract
Proposes an empirical research design to investigate why the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) failed to be ratified by the U.S. in 1999. Discusses worldwide attempts to stop nuclear arms proliferation. Resistance of other countries. Major role of U.S. politics in Congressional vote; partisanship in the Senate. Large public support for the treaty. Implications for further study.

From the Paper
"Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Failure: Research Design
Introduction
An empirical research design is proposed to investigate why the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) failed the ratification vote in the United States on 13 October 1999 (Raum, 1999). For all those people who have been in a coma for the past several years, the CTBT is a broad-based treaty that was aggressively negotiated by the United States. The treaty is designed to halt nuclear weapons development by preventing the testing of nuclear explosive devices. The CTBT, thus, represents a companion strategy to attempts to stop nuclear weapons proliferation to those countries that have not already developed a nuclear weapons capacity.


A few important countries, notably among them China, have failed..."