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ASH Daily News

Tuesday 12 October, 1999

Headlines

Half of all men believe that cancer is an infectious disease
Tobacco use increases in China
Reaction to AMV’s anti-smoking contract
Further coverage of tobacco ad bans
JAMA Letter


Full Text

Half of all men believe that cancer is an infectious disease

‘Many people are ignorant about the causes of common cancers and some
still mistakenly believe that cancer can be caught through kissing or
by lavatory seats’ writes Cherry Norton.

The article continues that a third believe ‘that stress caused by
suffering from divorce or bereavement can trigger the disease’. Fifty
percent of the population underestimated that lifestyle issues can
cause cancer. There is a marked need for education’ said Peter
Blackwell, author of the study.

Professor Gordon McVie of the Cancer Research Campaign, quoted in the
Sun, said “Many people are still living in the Dark Ages”

Source: The Independent, The Sun, 12 October 1999

Tobacco use increases in China

Results of the third national prevalence survey on smoking in China,
1996, show an increased rate of tobacco consumption. A representative
sample of 120,298 people aged 15 to 69 years showed that the
prevalence of daily smoking was 34.1%, 3.4% higher than that found in
a 1984 national survey of tobacco use. The age of initiation was 3
years younger at 25 (28 in 1984) in both men & women. 53.5% of
nonsmokers reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at least
15 minutes per day on more than 1 day per week. Only 36% of smokers
knew that smoking can cause lung cancer and only 4% knew that it
increased the risk of heart disease.

Source: Jama, October 6, 1999-Vol 282, No.13, p.1205, 1247-1251
Link: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v282n13/full/joc80784.html

Reaction to AMV’s anti-smoking contract

Dominic Mills writes, ‘The legendary American Adman Bill Bernbach once
said that a principle wasn’t a principle until it cost you money. Over
the years the principled refusal of Britain’s biggest agency Abbott
Mead Vickers to handle tobacco advertising has undoubtedly cost it
money.’

The article adds that ‘If, however, you believe that you reap what you
sow then AMV, has at last got its reward. Last week it landed the
Government’s latest anti-smoking blitz, a 50m advertising campaign
over three years.’

Source: Daily Telegraph, 12 October 1999

Further coverage of tobacco ad bans

Despite concessions to what Frank Dobson termed the “genuine concerns”
of the tobacco industry, the Telegraph reports the TMA as saying “We
are still proceeding with our court action…because we still believe
that…should await the European Judgement before implementing any
restrictions”.

The Guardian reports that the delay is to help ‘small shops and firms
wean themselves of their dependence on tobacco income’ following their
appeals during a consultation period required by European law.

The article continues that ‘retailers have another three months, until
next March, to make sure they comply with the ban. By July, in pack
promotion schemes and direct marketing must stop, and, by July the
following year, companies that share branding with tobacco products
must ensure their branding is distinct.

Source: Daily Telegraph, Guardian, 12 October 1999

JAMA Letters

There are letters on the following topics to the JAMA editor on
‘Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Children’s Animated films’ which briefly
reviews the relationship between consumption and product placements.
Dr Drachtman points out Disney’s recently restored feature, Melody
Time, has been ‘fully restored’ without the original’s references to
tobacco, including scenes that showed a character using a thunder bolt
to light a cigarette.

Source: Jama, October 6, 1999-Vol 282, No.13, p.1205, 1247-1251
Link: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v282n13/full/jlt1006-5.html


Karl Brookes
Project Manager
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