A new change in policy blows in to the Windy City on Monday - snuffing out smokers' rights. Some call it the clean air issue. Others say the new smoking ban will hurt Chicago's restaurant industry. But the arguing is over when the no smoking rule goes into effect at most public places tomorrow.

The ordinance that was approved 45-1 by City Council in December, prohibits smoking at nearly all public places, including indoor sports arenas and the hallways and elevators of apartment buildings

The New Year heralds in new Medicare laws, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Medicare therapy services are once again subject to two caps -- one combined $1,740 cap for physical therapy and speech language pathology and a separate cap for occupational therapy.

APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr, says, "We are very disappointed and disheartened that Medicare beneficiaries will begin the New Year with implementation of a flawed policy that limits access to physical therapy

More information regarding medical studies is made public by drug companies. However, a new analysis of a federal registry finds some details are being withheld.

Merck & Co., despite allegations that it hid information on Vioxx's dangers, improves in the new analysis from the previous one. However, Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Novartis didn't fair so well

According to a new report in the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), the number of world-wide dementia cases is about to increase dramatically

Westin Hotels & Resorts will announce Tuesday that it will become the first major U.S. hotel chain to go smoke-free, reports USA Today

Starting Jan. 1, the Westin will ban smoking in all rooms, restaurants, bars and public areas at its 77 U.S., Canadian and Caribbean properties. Guests can continue to light up on balconies or other outdoor areas