May 03, 2013 — Today is the last day tobacco use is permitted on St. Lawrence County property. A ban takes effect Saturday that outlaws smoking, chewing, and other tobacco uses on property owned or leased by the county.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jan 25, 2012 — Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight or get more exercise? Some local small businesses are doing their part to help their employees stay healthy at the workplace. Wellness programs are not new. They've been staples at large companies for years, but are less likely to be used at small businesses. That's changing.

Amid soaring health spending, there is growing interest in workplace disease prevention and wellness programs to improve health and lower costs. Eager to control rising health care costs, small firms in St. Lawrence County are turning to a health experts for help. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Nov 12, 2009 — Hookah bars, or hookah lounges, are places where people go to smoke shisha (non-tobacco herbs). They're usually associated with the Middle East, but they're on a run in this country. According to a website that monitors this kind of thing, there are more than 500 hookah bars in the United States, with 5 new ones opening every month. The phenomenon's mostly been restricted to big cities. But a hookah bar opened this fall in one of the North Country's college towns, Potsdam. When many small businesses are falling victim to the recession, are people willing to ante up for a toke? Chelsea Ross went to find out.  Go to full article

Jan 20, 2006 — Anti-smoking groups are urging the legislature to adopt Governor Pataki's plan to fully fund the Health Department's tobacco use reduction program. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Dec 27, 2005 — The Village of Canton is considering a law to fine kids for smoking. The St Lawrence County Tobacco Free Coalition proposed the measure to the Village Board. It would levy fines of $50-75 to anyone under age 18 caught smoking in public. A public hearing on the proposed no smoking ordinance will take place January 23 at the Canton Municipal Building. Mayor Bob Wells says it started with complaints about young smokers outside Canton's elementary school.  Go to full article

Oct 31, 2005 — An independent survey found smoking rates in New York have fallen faster that anywhere else in the nation. Karen DeWItt.  Go to full article

May 24, 2005 — Anti-smoking groups want the state to outlaw candy-flavored cigarettes that they say are marketed to children. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Dec 15, 2004 — Anti-smoking groups have begun pushing for a hike in the state's cigarette tax next year. They say the money may be needed to step up anti-smoking campaigns, and to help fund other health care programs. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 09, 2004 — One of the many unfinished issues in the 2004 legislative session is whether to amend the statewide ban on smoking to once again permit smoking in bars. The bill now has a majority party sponsor in each house of the legislature, but opposition remains. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 11, 2004 — A bi-partisan group of state lawmakers want to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products in New York State from 18 to 19. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article