For smokers who have had trouble quitting on their own, the prescription medication Chantix might have seemed like a lifeline. A pill to help them quit smoking. But sometimes artificial help comes at a cost.

The FDA had previously released warnings that people taking Chantix may experience suicidal thoughts. More recent reports are showing that in addition, many users are experiencing extreme sleepiness and possibly even seizures. In fact, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices linked the medication to more than two dozen traffic accidents.

In response to the concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration banned use of the medication for pilots and air traffic controllers.

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Global smoking bans continue to increase at what could be considered an alarming rate. Since 2007, many cities (and some states) in the U.S. have outlawed smoking in public places and many European countries have joined the globally health-conscious in banning smoking as well. Germany and France saw bans go into effect just a few days ago with the arrival of 2008.

But, it's odd to see a smoking ban come to a country that actually produces quite a bit of tobacco. Hint: Turkish Blend.

That's right -- Turkey's Parliament enacted a law this past week that extended a smoking ban to all bars, restaurants and coffeehouses by mid-2009. Well, that's 18 months away and everything, but it attests to the power of many governments to try and increase the health (and decrease cancer and emphysema deaths) of their citizens by not allowing public smoking.

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Those smokers who think eliminating smoking in public places withing the U.S. is more akin to democratic rights trampling more than public health, listen up. Our friends in France are going down the same road. That is, banning smoking in public places.

As of New Year's day, smoking in most public places in France is now against the law. Again, health freedom against the inhaling of toxic second hand smoke wins the day.

Smoking bans are not just happening in the U.S. -- far from it. World health officials realize that the fumes from smoking are killing millions of non-smokers globally every year. That's the reason for the ban, as opposed to finding ways to limit one's personal freedom. Agree or disagree?

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Yesterday, Illinois officially became a smoke-free state. Well, when it comes to public buildings at least.

The ban, which took effect on New Year's day, made it illegal to smoke in almost every public place within the state. Will laws force people to stop smoking where medical products and patches have failed? Doubtful -- addicted smokers will seek out anywhere they can to smoke a cig or two.

With smoking bans becoming more popular everywhere across the world, wouldn't it just be easier to quit? For some, yes. For others, the pleasure of sliding that cigarette onto one's lips is just overpowering. Pity.

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As another smoking ban comes up for enactment, it has been delayed. In Louisville, Kentucky, a proposed smoking ban in public places was delayed based on constitutional rights arguments by attorneys for bar and bingo hall owners.

The attorneys wanted to have more time to respond to a court motion and almost assuredly want to have the ban revoked or modified.

Although Louisville's smoking ban went into effect in July, perhaps the city should just forgo the ban and let everyone and anyone light up anywhere they choose -- kids included. No, wait -- that would be unhealthy.

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It's not often that we hear of a former smoker that turns tide and becomes a outspoken critic of smoking, but that is just what Maureen Hamilton did before her death last week.

Right up until the end, Hamilton, who passed away from emphysema complications, wanted the world to see what the smoking of cigarettes can do to a human body. Did she want to be remembered with a glamorous photo from her past?

No -- Hamilton wanted photos of her ravaged body to be on display after she died to give those who smoke a perfect picture of what all that smoking can result in. It's not a pretty picture -- but it is the truth. What are you doing to quit?

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Are you a smoker? If so, the current crackdown on global smoking and its ban in many cities around the world may have you concerned. To those that support public smoking out of a "freedom"argument, is that really the reason behind such a rash of smoking bans from Europe to the U.S.?

Keeping smoke away from the health-conscious is the reason for smoking bans in public. Those non-smokers don't want to be near or breathe toxic fumes anywhere in public where people congregate. Think smoking bans are trampling on your rights?

Both of those perspectives are completely valid; however, the freedom from smoke in public is just as important as the freedom to smoke in public, right? Where do you stand?

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Smoking bans are becoming pretty popular in many cities throughout the U.S., and the entire state of Wisconsin may be joining the select group of states that is considering banning smoking in all public facilities.

Wisconsin's governor, Jim Doyle, indicated that the state's legislature should hopefully vote next week on a statewide smoking ban.

Taverns -- including restaurants, workplaces and bars -- want exemption from the ban, which would make public smoking available in quite a few places outside of 'the public.'

If you're a smoker or non-smoker, are you for such bans? Why or why not?

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When public smoking bans come to town, there better be another equal distraction to ensure tiled smokers don't go nuts. Well, scratch that idea, as it appears vandals are now suspected of stealing toilet paper and trashing men's bathrooms.

This is happening at Frederick Community College in Boston, and officials there are considering lifting the smoking ban in order for the bathroom vandalism to cease.

Or, the college is offering a reward of $500 leading to the arrest of who may be responsible for the damage. Is the loss of smoking really driving students to act like teenage hooligans? Nice generation, eh?

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Many European countries have placed public smoking bans in place in the last 12 months, something that is seen in many areas around the world as a global public finally sees that second-hand smoke is not only dangerous to non-smokers, but can be deadly.

The European Union may have a multi nation-wide smoking ban across all countries in the Union if the European Parliament gets its way. The body has suggested just that: an EU-wide ban on smoking in the workplace. It's not "in all public places," but it's a great start.

It's estimated that over two million die in China from passive smoking, and up to 80,000 in Europe also pass away as a direct results of exposure to second-hand smoke. Progress, however, is being made in eradicating these toxic products from the environment of people who want no part of them.

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A European study has released a report on the positive health effects that have been a result of smoking bans in that region. This should come as no surprise, since cigarettes are some of the most noxious, toxic products ever to be manufactured.

More than 100,000 smokers and non-smokers took tests to measure the amount of carbon monoxide in their bodies. Since secondhand smoke can be just as deadly to non-smokers as smoking itself, it was good to see both groups included in this study.

Results of the study: carbon monoxide levels in studied smokers were four times higher than in non-smokers and were also double the amount tolerated for air pollution guidelines in most European countries. It's amazing something so small could create such health havoc, but there you are.

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Scotland's recent smoking ban has had an apparent positive effect on heart attack percentages in that country. Reports this week out of Scotland have the heart attack rate dropping 17 percent in the last 18 months since the smoking ban was enacted.

Now, what is to say how many of these attacks were actually prevented by a lack of smoke inhalation, but with such a drastic decline happening at the same time as a reduction in nationwide public smoking, one has to wonder.

With smoking bans increasing in countries around the globe, it would be interesting to see heart attack rates subside in substantial fashion in countries all over the world.

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The more I hear about smoking bans being erected in countries all across the world, the more I see health improving in citizenry just due to the elimination of public second-hand smoke. I'm not alone, either.

English citizens are apparently liking the ban in their country, and business owners that have to comply with the ban are complying at excellent rates all things considered.

A recent report pegs compliance rates at 97 percent in terms of businesses complying with the ban. It's amazing to see that in a city the size of London, a staggering 99 percent of public establishments were compliant with the country-wide smoking ban the first two weeks it was in existence.

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Smoking is a hot-potato issue across the globe right now, with bans happening in many countries on an ever-more-frequent basis. In China, the number of smokers is larger than the entire U.S. population, so that country is set to have some massive health problems if it does not curb its smoking population soon.

Chinese researchers have added that over two million Chinese people alive today will end up dying from emphysema and other chronic lung diseases directly caused by inhaling second-hand smoke. These are not smokers, but people who ingest smoke from nearby smokers.

In the research, most of the estimated two million Chinese citizens had never before smoked, but were exposed to second-hand smoke regularly. Of course, there will be more to come on the subject of smoking -- much more.

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Smoking bans are here to stay. In cities across the U.S. and indeed across the world, more and more municipalities and citizens are finding out that dumping smoking from the public airwaves is beneficial to those that choose not to smoke. In private, smokers can have at it.

In Texas, Houston's estimated 385,000 adult smokers will have to light up in private come this Saturday, as a citywide public smoking ban will come into effect.

As usual, public places like bars, restaurants and public buildings will be included in the ban, giving breathing relief to non-smokers throughout the city. If you live in Houston and smoke, do you plan to move to your private smoking area (wherever that may be), or just quit?

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