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ASH Daily News

10 November 2005

[View html version: http://www.globalink.org/nbuk]

HEADLINES

Altadis and Imperial join forces in Russia

Scottish ban to be strictly enforced

Pfizer to unveil smoking cessation drug

106 countries signed up to FCTC

FULL TEXT

Altadis and Imperial join forces in Russia

Altadis SA has signed a merchandising agreement with Imperial Tobacco Group PLC to strengthen both companies' competitive stance in Russia from Feb 1, the company said in a statement.

Separately, Altadis said it has made "great strides" with its restructuring plans in Europe, noting that an increase in expected job reductions will boost recurrent cost savings to some 80m Euro over 2004-2008 from the 72m initially forecast.

Source: Wall Street Journal Europe, 10 November 2005


Scottish ban to be strictly enforced

Licensees in Scotland are set to face tough enforcement measures when the country's smoking ban comes into effect next March.

Local councils will receive £6m over three years to enforce the legislation in Scotland, which includes a complete ban in all pubs, bars and restaurants.

The tough approach could set a precedent for when a ban eventually arrives in England. At present, the government is proposing to ban smoking in all pubs that serve food in 2007.

Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "The additional funding will ensure we have the right number of officers in place across the country to enforce the legislation.

"Both new and existing officers will be responsible for enforcing the legislation."

The extra cash will allow each council to employ two enforcement officers, the Scottish Executive said.

Licensees that allow customers to smoke in a no-smoking venue, or fail to display a prominent no-smoking notice, will face a £200 fine.

Smokers will be hit with a £50 fine if found flouting the ban.

Meanwhile a guide to help licensees apply the new legislation was published by the Scottish Executive last week.

The guide set outs places the law will effect, how to comply, what signs need to be displayed and what to do if someone ignores the ban.

Source: Publican, Scotsman, 10 November 2005
Article link: http://tinyurl.com/7gqqu


Pfizer to unveil smoking cessation drug

Pfizer, one of the top players in the $60 billion market for heart-disease drugs, said that next week it will unveil data on an experimental smoking cessation drug that analysts say has blockbuster potential.

The late-stage data for Varenicline will be announced at the American Heart Association's conference in Dallas on Tuesday, said Pfizer, the world's biggest drug maker.

Varenicline is being developed as an anti-nicotine drug that would block satisfaction from smoking, according to Pfizer, which would not reveal more details.

Source: CNN, 10 November 2005
Article link: http://tinyurl.com/9bzzh


106 countries signed up to FCTC

A treaty aimed at reducing deaths from smoking has been ratified by 106 countries who can now vote at the first meeting of the anti-tobacco convention, the United Nations says.

UN associate spokesman Farhan Haq said 106 countries ratified the treaty by Tuesday's deadline for participation at next February's meeting.

"The progress is a true testimony to the growing global commitment to protect people's lives over big tobacco's profits," Corporate Accountability International's Campaigns Director Patti Lynn said in a statement.

The organisation criticised President George Bush's administration, which signed the treaty on 10 May 2004, for failing to submit it to the Senate for ratification.

The accord aims to reduce substantially the number of deaths from tobacco-related illnesses - such as cancer and heart disease - which the World Health Organisation estimates kill one smoker every 6.5 seconds.

There are an estimated 1.2 billion smokers in the world.

Source: Al Jazeera, Canada.com, 9 November 2005
Article link: http://tinyurl.com/7k3te

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