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ASH Daily News

12 December 2005

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

HEADLINES

Genetic changes caused by smoking may be passed on

Smokefree for a Spanish bar? The people's vote

Philip Morris involved in development of medicines for lung disease

French law likely to affect tourists buying bulk cigarettes

FULL TEXT

Genetic changes caused by smoking may be passed on


New research shows that smoking may cause genetic changes that can be
passed on to future generations. The study is thought to be the first to
show clearly that people's lifestyle and environment can alter genes in
ways that can be inherited by subsequent generations.

Marcus Pembrey, professor of paediatric genetics at the Institute of
Child Health at University College London said "It seems that the way we
live our lives can affect future generations. It is not just our own
genes that we affect by choices like smoking or diet. It is those of our
decedents too."

Pembrey used data from part of Bristol University's "Children of the
90s" project, which has collected data on more than 10,000 people born
during 1991-92. Of those, around 5,000 had fathers who smoked and he
identified 166 fathers who said they started smoking before age 11. He
then studied the growth of their offspring.

The sons of these smokers were more obese than other children, although
the daughters were unaffected. Pembrey believes the men's exposure to
smoke so early in life affected the mechanisms controlled which genes
are active and which are inert. Lifestyle and environment factors can
have an impact on the way genes are switched on and off. What has never
been accepted, and what Pembrey is proposing, is that such changes may
be inherited.

The Sunday Times 11/12/05



Smokefree for a Spanish bar? The people's vote


A Spanish bar owner who is deciding whether to make his bar smokefree or
to continue to allow smokers has asked his clients to decide for him.

The tapas bar, Chez Evaristo, is on one of the most internationally
famous streets in Spain. The bar serves tapas during the day to clients
including families with children who prefer a clean atmosphere; while in
the evening people come to the bar to drink and smoke.

Spain is banning smoking in public places from 1 January although the
law says establishments smaller than 100 sq metres can decide for
themselves whether to ban smoking or not. Chez Evaristo is 80 sq metres
and employs nine staff.

The owner, Jose Luis Biurrun, knew that whatever he decided he risked
alienating regulars, discouraging newcomers and faced the prospect of
constant arguments. So he opted to get the customers to decide for him.
Mr Biurrin's pragmatic, populist solution has touched a chord
nationwide, and inspired similar bar ballots throughout Spain.

"I figured it should be for the clients to decide if they wanted their
bar smoking or non-smoking," Mr Biurrin said. "Everyone thought it was a
great idea." He put a ballot box near the entrance to Chez Evaristo
three weeks ago, with an explanatory poster that asks: "How do you want
your bar? Help us decide between smokers or non-smokers." Four thousand
votes have already been cast.

Votes are to be counted on 22 December in the presence of a lawyer, Mr
Biurrin promises the result will be binding. Mr Biurrin hopes the
majority will vote to ban smoking: he says he loves children and doesn't
want to see them banished from his doors by bad air.

Independent 12/12/05
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article332472.ece



Philip Morris involved in development of medicines for lung disease


Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris which is the number one
cigarette maker in the US is preparing to make its first push into
drug-delivery business. It has teamed with lung-drug specialist
Discovery Labs Inc to create new technologies for delivering medicine to
premature babies with breathing problems.

The Virginia makers of Marlboro and Virginia Slims cigarettes has for
years quietly been working on new technology to treat a variety of
ailments, including lung diseases. The initiative was sparked by Philip
Morris's need to hedge against declines in smoking and arose from its
failed effort to invent a safer cigarette.

The company has kept the project largely under wraps until now as it
explored how to commercialise the technology. Mr Capetola, chief
executive of Discovery Labs conceded that the relationship could lead to
"some negative consequences with the pulmonary society and so forth." He
added "You have to go with the best technology. The pedigree is
secondary."

Wall Street Journal Europe 12/12/05
http://online.wsj.com/public/us?mod=1_0001 (Article only available to
subscribers)



French law likely to affect tourists buying bulk cigarettes


A new French law that comes into effect tomorrow limits the number of
cigarettes that a person can carry to 200. If a person is found with
more cigarettes than this, these can be confiscated.

The law is likely to hit unsuspecting British tourists who are trying to
stock up on cheap alcohol and cigarettes whilst in France. The French
law was brought in to stop the purchasing of cheap cigarettes in
Belgium. As the government is unable, under EU law, to prevent the
movement of goods across borders of member states, the legislation is a
catch all to stop people carrying more than 200 cigarettes outside their
house.

Daily Star on Sunday 11/12/05

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Sarah Ward
Information Manager
Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)
102 Clifton Street
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