PIERRE, SD

The South Dakota Senate has passed a measure that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

E cigarettes are battery powered devices that resemble traditional cigarettes. They heat a liquid solution, creating vapor that users inhale to get nicotine without the smoke of regular cigarettes.

The bill could classify e cigarettes that contain nicotine as tobacco products that cannot be sold to or used by anyone younger than 18. Anyone selling e cigarettes to minors could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The bill next goes to the House for further debate.

Supporters of e cigarettes say they can help smokers quit tobacco, while some health advocates contend the inhalers can get young people hooked on nicotine.

Uk: female prisoners ‘coerced into sex for cigarettes and alcohol’

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Women in British jails have been coerced into sex with prison staff in return for cigarettes and alcohol, it’s emerged.

The revelations were contained in a report by the Commission on Sex in Prison.

It also found

Evidence of sexual assault known as ‘decrotching’, where women are forced to retrieve drugs from another inmate’s body

Women are at greater risk of entering prison with a sexually transmitted infection, including HIV.

Evidence some women have sexual relationships with other women prisoners. Intimate relationships between women could be a source of comfort or of bullying or abuse.

The report is the first independent review of sex behind bars in England and Wales.

Chris Sheffield, chairman of the Commission on Sex in Prison, said “Women in prison are particularly vulnerable and more likely than men to have a history of being a victim of violence or sexual abuse.

It is important that policies recognise these differences and are developed in order to protect the vulnerable.

It is equally important that staff in women s prisons receive specific training on working with women.

A Prison Service spokeswoman told the BBC “Sexual relations between prisoners are not commonplace. We do not condone sex in prisons or believe that prisoners in a relationship should share a cell.

“Reported incidents of sexual assault in prison are rare. Where an alleged sexual assault is reported or discovered it will be investigated and reported to the police if required.”

Copyright 2014 euronews

More about

  • Jail
  • United Kingdom
  • Violence against women
  • Women’s rights

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