China: Film ad provokes Hong Kong anti-smokers

A poster for a film about Coco Chanel that features the French fashion legend smoking a cigarette might break Hong Kong laws on tobacco advertising. The advert for "Coco Before Chanel" shows the film's star Audrey Tautou in silk pyjamas with Chanel's trademark cigarette dangling from her fingers. Although banned in Paris, France, it has appeared across Hong Kong.

But a campaign group, Clear the Air, alleges the poster breaks Hong Kong's increasingly strict anti-smoking laws. James Middleton, chairman of the anti-tobacco committee for campaign group Clear the Air, said the poster breaks Hong Kong laws banning any mention of smoking or cigarettes in advertising. "It is a direct breach of the law," he told reporters.

Earlier this year, the company that runs advertising on trains and buses in Paris pulled a similar poster over fears it could be prosecuted. An advertisement for the film that appeared in the South China Morning Post newspaper had the cigarette airbrushed out. The government says it is investigating.

Anti-smoking activist Annelise Connell, also from Clear the Air, said the ad was unacceptable. "This poster... promotes the use of cigarettes to young people because it glorifies cigarette use by a young and famous woman." The film, about the early life of fashion icon Coco Chanel, opened in the city on Thursday and the posters and ads have been on display since last week.

The Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance prohibits tobacco ads in print, public places or on the internet. It states that an advert is a tobacco ad if it illustrates or mentions smoking or cigarettes. The Department of Health said it was looking into the case.

Source: BBC News, 12 June 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/2UyK3

Cigarette crime could land companies £5,000 fine

West Midlands employers are being urged to be on guard against a minority of employees who may be selling illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco to co-workers. 

The warning comes as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers continue with efforts to stamp out tobacco smuggling, which sees around £3 billion in revenue drained from the public purse each year.

Companies could face fines of up to £5,000, along with damage to their businesses reputation, if they allow their premises to be used for illegal tobacco trading or fail to take steps to guard against it, HMRC warns. 

Source: Evesham Journal, 15th June, 2009
Link: http://tinyurl.com/m3m5yt

MP wants cig machines banned

A Wigan MP has called for a ban on cigarette vending machines to save lives in the North West. Ian McCartney, MP for Makerfield, called for a ban on such machines to help prevent young people from smoking and reduce the number of people who die from smoking related diseases in the North West of England.

Mr McCartney was speaking during a parliamentary debate on the Health Bill which outlines proposals to further control the sale of tobacco. While the Bill includes restrictions on vending machines, it currently stops short of a total ban.

During the debate he said: "Smoking takes a heavy toll on the lives of the people in the communities of the North-West, with 14,000 deaths a year in our region. It exacerbates health inequalities and has a negative impact on children and young people. That is the history of the north west of England."

He cited British Heart Foundation estimates that say vending machines are the source of cigarettes for around 46,000 children in England and Wales. It estimates that new Health Secretary Andy Burnham's beloved Everton's ground could be filled with children who regularly use these vending machines and still have 11,000 outside.

He also questioned why cigarettes continue to be sold from vending machines unlike other age-restricted products, such as alcohol, fireworks or glue. He added: "The fact that cigarettes remain available in vending machines is an anomaly, and we need to tackle it in order to stop the harm being done to our children, and to prevent another generation from missing out on longevity and a healthy and safe life. We must close this loophole and save tens of thousands of children from illness and premature death in the years to come. Be brave – get the ban in."

Mr McCartney also said that the prevalence of smoking in the region is the highest in England, with 23% of the population smoking. He also said that 22% of 14-17 years olds smoke in the North West despite the fact that it is illegal to sell cigarettes to under-18s.

The British Heart Foundation is campaigning for a ban on cigarette vending machines to protect children's health. Ruairi O'Connor, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the BHF said: "It is far too easy for children to purchase cigarettes from vending machines. It undermines every other measure aimed at stopping them from smoking. Please join me and help protect our children health."

Source: The Garstang Courier, 11th June 2009
Link: http://tinyurl.com/mzq8zm

MP failed to declare his link to tobacco lobby

A Labour MP who has consistently opposed government plans to curb cigarette marketing has been criticised for failing to declare his close relationship to an influential member of the tobacco lobby. 

David Clelland, MP for Tyne Bridge, Tyne and Wear, has been a vocal critic of the government's plans to ban the display of cigarette packets in shops and newsagents. It has emerged that Clelland is the stepfather of Katherine Graham, who runs the Tobacco Retailers Alliance, the body that has led opposition to the ban and is funded by the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association.

Clelland said he did not mention the link because "I didn't want to give the impression I was raising it because my stepdaughter worked for the TMA.

"I've been raising these issues not because I'm pro-smoking, but because I'm pro-tolerance."

Source: The Observer, 14th June 2009
Link: http://tinyurl.com/ljew7l