To the Point

Anti-Smoking Crusades Sweep US

New York City and California are neck-and-neck in a race to ban smoking and increase cigarette taxes. In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg moves to enact a California-style ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants, California is trying to catch up to New York-s cigarette tax with proposals that could raise the price to of a pack to $ 7. While many healthcare experts and legislators claim that such measures are aimed at protecting public health, others argue that the dangers of second-hand smoke are being used to limit civil liberties. We hear more from the head of New York City-s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, a UC San Francisco medical professor, civil libertarians, smoker-rights advocates, and an economist who studies substance abuse policies. Newsmaker: Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney Fights for Her Seat It-s election day in Georgia, where one congressional race has been described as -a sort of proxy war for the Arab-Israeli conflict.- In the Democratic primary, incumbent Cynthia McKinney is being challenged by another African-American woman, former state judge Denise Majette. Rhonda Cook of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has more on the hotly contested race. Reporter-s Notebook: Getty to Help Rescue Dresden-s Drowning Treasures Europe-s worst flooding in centuries has caused economic devastation, homelessness and the loss of many lives. It also threatens some of the continent-s most important art and architecture. The Getty Conservation Institute, under the Getty Trust, helps preserve art treasures around the world. Director Tim Whalen has more on the Institute's preparations and priorities in helping salvage the precious medieval buildings and their contents.