HEADLINES

• Rural smoking cessation pilot extended in Wales after strong start
• Vending machines ban 'to cut underage smoking'
• Work-associated hand dermatitis exacerbated by smoking
• Video: EU moves to tackle cigarette fires
• Russia to impose smoking ban
• Canada: Smoking ban approved for Metro Vancouver parks

• Rural smoking cessation pilot extended in Wales after strong start

  The early success of a smoking cessation pilot in rural Wales has resulted in the service being extended.

  The one-to-one smoking cessation pilot was carried out in seven community pharmacies in Powys Teaching Health Board and accessed by 146 smokers, with 111 reaching their four-week quit date.

  The outcomes from the service and two other rural pharmacy pilots (see Panel) were presented by Public Health Wales at the Institute of Rural Health Conference this week (20 September 2011).

  Jason Carroll, medicines management pharmacist for Powys Teaching Health Board, said that staff at the pharmacies worked incredibly hard to make the pilot a success. She said: "[They] have shown that, when given the right support, community pharmacy can have a real impact on the health of rural communities."

  Owing to its success the service will be extended to 12 pharmacies in Powys from January 2012.

  Source: PJ Online, 23 September 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/oSMq7A

• Vending machines ban 'to cut underage smoking'

  A ban on buying cigarettes from vending machines will cut the number of Somerset children smoking, it is claimed.

  From October 1 it will be illegal to sell tobacco products from the machines commonly seen in pubs, clubs and restaurants.

  It follows a survey showing 17% of regular smokers aged 11 to 15 said they usually bought cigarettes from vending machines.

  A Trading Standards investigation concluded that 73% of attempts by 15-year-olds in the South-West to buy cigarettes from a vending machine were successful.

  Somerset County Council cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards Cllr David Hall said: “Children are buying tobacco more easily from vending machines than any other source, and this new legislation will help prevent under age sales.”

  Source: Bridgewater Mercury, 25 September 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/nX1w2t

• Work-associated hand dermatitis exacerbated by smoking

  According to researchers some symptoms of occupational hand dermatitis are worse in smokers than nonsmokers.
  
  Smoking is known to exacerbate various inflammatory skin disorders, but its influence on work-associated hand dermatitis is unclear.
  
  To investigate further, Birgitta Kütting (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany) and colleagues interviewed and examined the hands of 1355 German metal workers, aged 17-64 years, 96.7% of whom were men. Of these, 1020 men agreed to be followed-up at 1 year.
  
  Significantly more smokers reported suffering from dyshidrotic vesicles than nonsmokers, at 25.5% versus 19.3%. Smokers also had a significantly higher erythema score value than nonsmokers.
  
  No significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers were observed for prevalence of atopic dermatitis, prior or current hand eczema and associated disability, topical application of steroids on the hands, or dermatological consultations.
  
  "Our results provide a further strategic opportunity to motivate smoking cessation at the workplace and reduce smoking-related morbidity and even mortality," write the authors in the journal Dermatology.

  Source: MedWire News, 23 September 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/o5OhqY

• Video: EU moves to tackle cigarette fires

  Cigarettes are one of the biggest causes of fatal fires in homes and have long been the subject of information campaigns to try and persuade people to dispose of them safely.

  But from November, all cigarettes manufactured in Europe will have to meet new EU safety standards, so if they are not actively smoked, they self extinguish.

  Click on the link below to view the video footage.

  Source: BBC News, 24 September 2011
  Link: http://bbc.in/q576Eu

• Russia to impose smoking ban

  The Russian health ministry is to outlaw smoking in public places, starting with a ban on public transport, including airports and train stations, in time for the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
  
  It will be followed by a ban on smoking in hotels, cafés, restaurants and nightclubs in 2015.
  
  The ban will include hookah pipes, which are often smoked in cafés.
  
  To encourage smokers to give up, the price of cigarettes will be increased under measures driven by the World Health Organisation’s Convention on Tobacco Control, which Russia ratified in 2008.

  Source: 21 September 2011, The Telegraph
  Link: http://tgr.ph/ncAiF7

• Canada: Smoking ban approved for Metro Vancouver parks

  Smoking will be banned in Metro Vancouver's 12 regional parks starting next year.

  The region's board members voted in favour of the ban. The ban means smoking will be forbidden in regional parks except in designated areas.

  Park officers will be expected to enforce the ban which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012. The cost is expected to be limited to about $20,000 for signage to inform the public.

  B.C. already has laws in place banning smoking in any indoor public areas, at bus stops and next to public doorways and windows. Vancouver also has a bylaw prohibiting smoking on outdoor restaurant patios.

  Source: CBC News, 23 September 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/mSF4SE