HEADLINES

• Silver, Gold and Slim cigarettes perceived to be less harmful
• India: Doctors call for ban on smokeless tobacco products
• NICE consults on smoking cessation guidance
• China: Video of children smoking on train causes outrage

• Silver, Gold and Slim cigarettes perceived to be less harmful

  A study published in the journal Addiction found that smokers in Western countries continue falsely to believe that some cigarette brands are less harmful than others. 

  The study was based on a poll of 8000 smokers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA.  Approximately one-fifth of those smokers incorrectly believed that "some cigarette brands could be less harmful than others."  In fact, all conventional brands of cigarette present the same level of risk to smokers.

  Smokers base their perceptions of risk on pack colour, believing that 'silver', 'gold' and 'white' brands are less harmful to smoke than 'black' or 'red' brands. 

   

  Smokers in the study also revealed false beliefs that slim cigarettes are less harmful, cigarettes with harsh taste are riskier to smoke than smooth-tasting cigarettes, filters reduce risk, and that nicotine is responsible for most of the cancer caused by cigarettes.

   

  Dr. David Hammond, one of the researchers on the study, says that the study provides evidence for further regulation. "The findings also support the potential benefits of plain packaging regulations that will soon take effect in Australias."

   

  The Addiction article can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/g1p1HC
  Source: Medical Lexicon News, 12 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/gJpDAC

• India: Doctors call for ban on smokeless tobacco products

  Directors of 17 regional cancer centres in India have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to bring in a ban on smokeless tobacco products, including gutka and pan masala. India has the highest number of oral cancer patients in the world.

  A press release from the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute highlights the 75,000 to 80,000 new cases of oral cancer every year, a figure to which tobacco-chewing contributes 90 per cent. "The easy availability of this mixture of toxic substances... in small affordable pouches has become a serious health hazard,” the release said.

  
  Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute director Jaydip Biswas said the tobacco industry had been targeting the youth by selling tobacco products outside schools and colleges, distributing free samples and getting endorsements from film stars.
  Source: The Hindu, 12 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/eMxe6L

• NICE consults on smoking cessation guidance

  The National Institute of Clincial Excellence (NICE) is undertaking a review on its plans to update the following public health guidance:

  •  Workplace interventions to promote smoking cessation
  • Smoking cessation services in primary care, pharmacies, local authorities and workplaces, particularly for manual working groups, pregnant women and hard to reach communities.

   Registered stakeholders are invited to comment during a two week consultation that runs until 27th April 2011.

  Details of the consultation are available here: http://bit.ly/i3HPjy

   

   

  
   
  Source: NeLM News, 12 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/ecEEIP

• China: Video of children smoking on train causes outrage

  A video of two children smoking cigarettes on a train has sparked fresh debate about the scale of China's tobacco habit.

  The short video shows two young boys - aged approximately three to four years old - laughing as they puff away, with one blowing smoke into the other's face.

  
  When one surprised passenger asks 'Does he know how to smoke?', another replies, 'Yes, you see he can inhale!'.

   

  China has arguably the biggest smoking problem in the world, with at least one million deaths per year from smoking related illnesses. The cost per year to the health service was more than 70billion yuan last year - approximately £6.5bn.
  Source: Daily Mail, 12 April 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/hE614A