HEADLINES

• Most smokers with bipolar disorder want to quit
• Illegal London shisha den shut down
• Australia: New law bans smoking in cars with children
• USA: Chantix not linked to mood problems says FDA
• USA: Presidential candidate's smoking ad causes controversy
• Actress Salma Hayek quits smoking

• Most smokers with bipolar disorder want to quit

  Tobacco use is common among individuals with bipolar disorder, although most express a desire to quit the habit, research shows.

  Writing in the journal Bipolar Disorders, Judith Prochaska (University of California, San Francisco, USA) and colleagues explain: "Individuals with psychiatric or addictive disorders account for nearly half the cigarettes sold in the USA, yet their use of tobacco has received relatively little investigation."

   

  The researchers, who studied the responses of 1106 individuals with the mood disorder, found that 685 responders reported that they had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.

   

  Among those who were current smokers, 74% expressed a desire to quit the habit, but just 33% had been advised to quit smoking by a mental health provider.

  
  Although intent to quit smoking was not associated with current mental health symptoms, 96% believed being mentally healthy was important for smoking cessation, and 48% reported smoking to treat their illness.

   

  Of respondents who were ex-smokers, 57%  described their mental health as in recovery compared with 40% of smokers at the time of the survey.
   
  Source: Medwire News, 25 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/tWhqFc

• Illegal London shisha den shut down

  The owner of Manhattan Shisha Lounge in  Finsbury Park, North London, was found guilty of 16 smoke-free offences under the Health Act 2006 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

  After residents raised concerns, Islington Council staff with police and fire officers raided the premises on April 4 and May 13 and discovered 68 bongs. The owner Hanad Adulqadir Mohamoud was fined £4,500 for obstruction and providing false information and ordered to pay council costs of £1,638.11

  
  Jan Hart, Islington Council’s director of public protection, said: ““Many people don’t realise the dangers of shisha smoking. The smoke inhaled contains dangerous chemicals which can cause cancer and lung damage."

   

  Islington Council and NHS are preparing a health information campaign to warn shisha smokers about the risks, which can include lung cancer, irreversible lung damage and tuberculosis.
  Source: Islington Gazette, 25 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/vrT1Eo

• Australia: New law bans smoking in cars with children

  Canberra motorists who light up in cars carrying children will face a fine under a new law.

  The Government's Smoking in Cars with Children (Prohibition) Act 2011 will be in force on the capital's roads next year.

  
  Under the new law, adults caught smoking in a motor vehicle with children aged under 16 years will be subject to a $250 on-the-spot fine or a $5000 fine if the offence goes to court.

  
  The territory joins New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia, which have all enacted similar laws against adults smoking in vehicles with children present.

  
  Chief Minister and Health Minister Katy Gallagher said: ''The passage of the [new Act] is another step forward for public health and shows the Government's resolve to protect children under the age of 16 from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke,''

   

  The Government recently launched a campaign to educate the public about the dangers of smoking in cars with children and about this new law.

  
   
  Source: Canberra Times, 21 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/riBVXl

• USA: Chantix not linked to mood problems says FDA

  Two studies have shown that Pfizer's smoking cessation drug Chantix did not increase psychiatric problems like depression and suicidal thoughts, though the findings are not definitive, U.S. health officials say.

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been investigating reports of mood disorders and erratic behaviour among people taking Chantix, sold in the UK as Champix. The agency said that two federally-funded studies involving more than 26,000 patients did not show an increased rate of psychiatric hospitalisations among Chantix patients, compared with those using nicotine patches and smoking cessation treatments.

   

  FDA regulators stressed that the studies only recorded psychiatric problems that resulted in hospitalisation, meaning many issues likely went unreported. Additionally, the studies were not large enough to pick up very rare side-effects.
  Source: CBC News, 25 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/vRzfdb

• USA: Presidential candidate's smoking ad causes controversy

  Presidential candidate Herman Cain's campaign chief Mark Block has defended Cain's recent bizarre campaign video.  

  The ad, which featured Block smoking a cigarette, was geared towards their supporters according to Block who added, "I would encourage people not to smoke, its just that I'm a smoker."  "I'm not the only one that smokes in America for God's sake." said Block.

  Since Cain posted the video on YouTube, it has received 704 likes and 2,190 dislikes from online viewers. Many of the 1,989 comments are derisive, critical of Cain's "creepy" smile and Block smoking a cigarette.

  The ad might rally supporters who love Cain's anti-establishment style, but it certainly will not ease the minds of voters who are uneasy about nominating Cain as the Republican candidate.
  Source: Washington Examiner, 25 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/tOOr2H

• Actress Salma Hayek quits smoking

  Salma Hayek is winning her battle to quit smoking.

  The actress developed the habit almost 10 years ago when she took on the role of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Hayek confesses she got so used to puffing on cigarettes as the chain-smoking character, she couldn't put them down when filming finished.

   

  She says, "I hated cigarettes and I had to learn how to do it for the movie... At the beginning, I used to throw up after a couple of scenes and then I actually got addicted to that thing that I hated so much."
   

  "I stopped (for) two years when I was pregnant and I was breastfeeding.... but then I picked it up again... I tried everything... (but) I am free and clear now. "
  Source: Contactmusic.com, 25 October 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/tzMHoS