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ASH Daily News

5 November 2004

HEADLINES

Hospitality chief supports smoking ban
Nicotine gene discovery
Smoking and caffeine: A deadly combination
Altria may split into Kraft and Philip Morris
Camden investments in arms and tobacco
Tobacco tax sets P&O adrift
Great Grandma quits after 72 years




FULL TEXT

Hospitality chief supports smoking ban

Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association has
pledged his support for a ban on smoking.

Interviewed in the trade publication, the Publican Mr Cotton states:
"Ultimately this is a no-brainer". He continues "A ban is coming and
everyone in the hospitality industry should be preparing for that. Most
BHA members already meet the 80 per cent voluntary approach recently
proposed to the government by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA),
so it's not as big a challenge for us. But others should be getting
ready."
Mr Cotton recently joined a delegation of politicians when the All-Party
Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, visited Ireland to determine
how the ban was working there.
Despite trade leaders and licensees' claims that trade has been
adversely affected by the ban, he is persuaded that the effect is not as
dramatic as some have made out.
"We found that the pub trade was down around nine per cent but it had
been falling for four years prior to the ban anyway," he claims. "I
learned a lot from the trip particularly that plans for a ban were being
made in Ireland as long ago as 1998".
He added: "The Irish government failed to stagger the introduction but
there was a five-year period to prepare for the ban. If we do the same
with the staggered approach we've suggested to the government, we can
avoid a lot of problems."
Source: The Publican, 4 November 2004
Link to article:
http://www.thepublican.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=15333&d=11

Nicotine gene discovery
A single gene could hold the clue to determining how easily people
become addicted to smoking, according to medical researchers. The study
was undertaken at the California Institute of Technology and the results
are reported in the journal Science.
By adjusting a gene in the brains of mice, US researchers were able to
create a hypersensitive breed that became hooked at a nicotine level 50
times lower than that found in a typical smoker's blood. Once addicted,
the mice demonstrated classic signs of nicotine dependence.

Scientists think the discovery could offer ways to help smokers give up.
By producing a drug that somehow singles out the neutrons in the brain
with the nicotine sensitivity, scientists could help reduce smoking
related deaths.

Stephen Dewey, a scientist at Brookhaven national Laboratory, who has
studied epilepsy drugs to treat nicotine addiction said: "The power lies
in the ability to be so specific. In being so specific, you can treat
the cause without ramifications of the side effects."

However, a note of caution was sounded by Daniel McGhee, a
neurobiologist at the University of Chicago, who specialises in nicotine
receptors. He warned that interfering with nicotine's effect on the
brain might also dull such experiences as eating food or drinking water.

Source: Independent, Times, 5 November 2004


Smoking and caffeine: A deadly combination

A coffee break accompanied by a cigarette might literally be a deadly
combination, scientists have warned.

Smoking and drinking caffeine does far more damage to your heart than
either alone. Together they act to harden arteries and disrupt blood
flow, raising heart disease risks.
The study's results were reported in the Journal of American College of
Cardiology. Dr Charalambos Vlachopoulos, of Athens Medical School said:
"It is advisable not to smoke while consuming coffee or
caffeine-containing beverages, as frequently is the case."

Pro smoking lobby group forest defended the 'classic combination' by
citing weighty scientific research of their own: "A smoke without
caffeine is like Posh without Becks", they said.

Source: Metro (London), 4 November 2004
Link to study:
http://www.acc.org/media/releases/highlights/2004/nov04/cigarettes.pdf
Press release:
http://www.acc.org/media/releases/highlights/2004/nov04/cigarettes.htm


Altria may split into Kraft and Philip Morris

Altria has admitted for the first time it is considering splitting the
company off into its components Philip Morris tobacco and Kraft Foods
businesses. The announcement was made by Chairman and Chief Executive
Louis Camilleri.

Mr Camilleri said the company was looking at ways of maximising
shareholder value, and said: "We are beginning to make the necessary
preparations to assure execution readiness when the tobacco litigation
environment permits."

A split could release value by removing the litigation risk that haunts
Kraft Foods, and allowing the market to place a "fairer" value on
Altria's domestic and overseas tobacco arms - Philip Morris USA and
Philip Morris International.

A major question revolves around whether Altria would break into two
parts, food and tobacco, or as Mr Camilleri implied, three - leaving
Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris International as independent
companies.

Analysts believe a three-way split is likely, freeing the international
tobacco arm from any ongoing litigation risk associated with the US
cigarette business.

The Chief Executive's remarks were the first acknowledgement that the
company was preparing for a break-up if it could overcome several
current tobacco litigation barriers. Included amongst these is the US
Justice Department's $280bn lawsuit against big tobacco which began in
September.

Source: Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, 5 November 2004


Camden investments in arms and tobacco

Despite claims that the council operates an ethical investment policy,
Camden Council in north London continues to hold shares in arms, tobacco
and oil firms.

The Hampstead & Highgate Express reveals Camden's investment portfolio
includes British American Tobacco and Gallaher.

A spokeswoman for Ethical Consumer (EC), which carries out research for
organisations that want to invest only in ethical shares said: "Mining,
arms, unethical lending GM & nanotechnology, oil, tobacco, alcohol,
controversial drugs, chocolate and gambling - there are plenty of
companies that Camden has investments in, which would get big black
marks when assessed by Ethical Consumer."

Councillor John Bryant of Camden's pensions committee said he
sympathised with some of the concerns raised, but there was an
obligation to maximise a return on their investments.

Source: Hampstead & Highgate Express, 29 October 2004


Tobacco tax sets P&O adrift

P&O ferries division continued to drift as holidaymakers refused to
spend money on more expensive French tobacco.

The ports and ferries group said the number of tourists carried remained
constant at 4.39 million for the peak holiday season. Yet their on board
spending was down by 19 percent as a duty rise on cigarettes by the
French government continued to hit sales.

Source: Daily Star, Daily Express, 5 November 2004


Great Grandma quits after 72 years

Great Grandmother Hilda Charmley was praised by Health Secretary John
Reid for giving up smoking - after 72 years.

Hilda, 80, of Preston, Lancashire lit her first cigarette at the age of
8. She now enjoys more energy for hobbies, including swimming, Tai Chi
and rowing.

Launching a report on Better Health in Old Age Mr Reid said: "People
like her prove the NHS is a wellness service not just a sickness
service."

Source: Sun, 5 November 2004


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Harold Wilson
ASH
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