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ASH Daily News

12 December 2003

HEADLINES

Baroness' bill to ban smoking
Secondhand smoke and the onset of asthma
UEFA introduce touchline smoking ban
Philip Morris appeals $10bn 'Lights' ruling
India bans tobacco advertising
100,000 cigarettes seized by Customs


FULL TEXT


Baroness' bill to ban smoking

Cancer specialist Baroness Finlay of Llandaff is attempting to allow smoking in public places in Wales to be banned.

She has launched a bill in the House of Lords which would give the assembly the power to outlaw lighting up in pubs and restaurants.

Her proposed legislation, the Smoking in Public Places (Wales) Bill, would need active support by health ministers and the Welsh assembly to become law.

To date, the government has preferred to rely on voluntary curbs on smoking by public places of entertainment, and the bill is unlikely to enter the statute books.
The bill is receiving its first formal reading on Thursday evening in the Lords.

Full BBC Online story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3311613.stm
Source: BBC Online, 12 December 2003



Secondhand smoke and the onset of asthma

People regularly exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke are more likely to develop asthma, according to Finnish research published in the American Journal of Public Health. Those living with smokers were 4.8 times more likely to experience the problem.

Many people are susceptible to asthma but develop it only when the appropriate trigger is present.

Full AJPH text:
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/93/12/2055
Source: The Times, 12 December 2003



UEFA introduce touchline smoking ban

Following yesterday's announcement by UEFA that it was to introduce a ban on smoking on the touchline, several regional papers cover the story.

UEFA's own press release says it put the ban in place to improve football's image, branding smoking an unhealthy practice, that is 'no longer acceptable'.

UEFA statement on a touchline ban:
http://www.uefa.com/uefa/news/Kind=128/newsId=133442.html



Philip Morris appeals $10bn 'Lights' ruling


Philip Morris USA has filed an appeal against a court ruling that it tricked smokers into thinking 'light' cigarettes were safer than regular ones. The judgment left it facing a payout of $10.1bn (£5.8bn) which it is also seeking to reverse.

Source: Evening Standard, 11 December 2003



India bans tobacco advertising

India has decided to ban the advertising and promotion of tobacco products in the country. The government is to introduce a bill in parliament to enforce the order.

A large number of Indians smoke or chew tobacco. Nearly a million people are said to die every year in the country due to diseases caused by tobacco consumption.
Officials say advertising attracts young people and encourages them to consume tobacco products. This, they say, leads to tobacco addiction.

The government said the new rules would ban tobacco advertisements on television, radio and the print media. Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said the ban would come in to force shortly after it is passed by parliament.

Full article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3310293.stm
Source: BBC Online, 11 December 2003



100,000 cigarettes seized by Customs at Cardiff International Airport

Customs officers seized nearly 100,000 cigarettes from passengers travelling into Cardiff International Airport over the weekend, proving that the airport is no soft touch for smugglers.

Customs spokeswoman Kathryn Corcoran said: "These seizures must make criminals understand that smuggling through regional airports is not an easy option. They probably thought that the early morning Tenerife flight guaranteed success, and were surprised to find us ready and waiting for them. There is no let up in the war against smugglers in Wales - Customs is continuing its crackdown against those who smuggle for profit".

Source: HM Customs and Excise, 10 December 2003

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