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ASH Daily news for 17 May 2011

HEADLINES

  • Durham University defends British American Tobacco cash

    Durham University has been criticised for accepting £125,000 from a tobacco firm to help fund scholarships for women from Afghanistan.

    The British American Tobacco (BAT) donation was one of 2,700 which raised about £630,000 in 2010 for a programme of postgraduate scholarships.

    Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) described the donation as a "cynical attempt" to tap into a new market.

    The university said the cash was only accepted after "careful consideration."

    Martin Dockrell, director of policy and research with anti-smoking charity ASH, said: "It's a shame the university accepted this money.

    "Asia is one of the world's biggest untapped markets for the big international tobacco companies.

    "They have been working very hard to increase smoking rates among Asian women by making it look sophisticated and western. This appears to be very cynical."

    A BAT spokesperson said: "As a major international company we recognise the role of business as a corporate citizen and have long supported local community and charitable projects.

    "We approach corporate social investment as an end in itself, rather than as a way to promote ourselves, and our local companies.

    "We have long supported adult education, including management and business education, and will continue to do so."

    Source: BBC News- 17 May 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/jIGdAP

  • Poor labelling of chewing tobacco hides risks

    More than 80% of chewing tobacco products sold in England do not comply with legislation, according to a report seen by BBC News.

    The Race Equality Foundation together with the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) foundation found that only 15% of such products are sold with relevant health warnings or adequate labelling.

    Many chewing tobacco products do not even state if they contain tobacco.

    Amanda Standford, head researcher at ASH, says there needs to better regulation of the products.

    ''We need there to be an audit of all the products that are out there and then they need to be labelled according to current legislation.

    "That way consumers are at least better informed about whether it is safe or not to use them.''

    Source: BBC News - 16 May 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/kYFK9v

  • Smoke gets blamed for health issues

    A hidden danger in wood and tobacco smoke could be contributing to health problems such as cataracts, arthritis and heart disease, scientists have revealed.

    The threat comes from the chemical isocyanic acid (HNCO), which dissolves into the moist tissues of the body and promotes inflammation.

    It is released into the atmosphere by forest fires and woodburning, and is also present at high levels in cigarette smoke.

    But currently isocyanic acid, which is difficult to detect, is not listed as a "harmful" or "potentially harmful" element of wood smoke or tobacco products.
    Source: The Scotsman - 17 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/m9WAZ6

  • Australia: We'll flood the market with cheap tobacco, says British American Tobacco chief

    The tobacco industry is threatening to flood Australia with half-price cigarettes and force the government to cough up billions of dollars in compensation if it is forced to remove branding from cigarette packets.

    British American Tobacco chief executive David Crow, the man behind the Winfield and Benson & Hedges brands, yesterday said cigarette prices could be slashed in half as tobacco giants try to compete with black-market imports.

    A video is available by clicking on the link below.

    Source: The Telegraph (Australia) - 17 may 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ieDfGK

  • Zimbabwe: Corruption rampant at tobacco auction floors

    Corruption is rife at the tobacco auction floors, as farmers bribe auctioneers and other floor officials to manipulate prices. Last week, farmers selling tobacco at both Millennium and Boka Floors vented their anger on floor officials. 

    At Boka, police had to be called in as farmers turned violent in protest against exploitative auction offers. Those selling their produce at Millennium held officials hostage demanding payment for the day’s sales before close of business. 

    Last week, The Zimbabwean spent two nights with struggling farmers at the recently opened Millennium Tobacco Floors in Msasa, to experience first-hand the hardships and abuses they face.

    Source: The Zimbabwean - 15 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/mGgVIi

  • India: Shaan, Tobacco Control Ambassador of India

    Famous Bollywood singer, Shaan has been announced as the ‘Tobacco Control Ambassador of India' by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    “Initiation into tobacco use happens in younger days. Considering the fan following for Shaan among children and youths, we are sure that he will help spread the anti-tobacco message effectively,” B.K. Prasad, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

    The singer also launched his music video on tobacco-control, titled ‘Life se panga mat le yaar' (Don't mess with life, my friend) on the occasion.

    Source: The Hindu - 11 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iFpVGp