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ASH Daily News for 16 November 2007

Lidl ban sale of cigarettes

Discount supermarket chain Lidl in a bid to begin promoting health lifestyles have stubbed out cigarette sales in their Scottish stores.

The move brings them into line with the rest of their UK shops, which have never sold cigarettes.

The German chain said that the move was inspired by the Scottish government's Healthy Living programme, launched this year.

Last month, the group ran a Healthy October campaign which included big discounts on fresh produce.

A Lidl spokesman said: "We launched a campaign to encourage a healthier lifestyle in Scotland as the child obesity rates are extremely high and double the UK average."

Source: Daily Record, 5 November 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/2amnn9

USA: New survey finds that smokers remain unaware of the health effects of smoking

Despite major efforts to educate the public on the dangers of smoking, a new national survey conducted by the American Legacy Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, indicates that major knowledge gaps exist in what smokers believe to be the risks of smoking compared with the actual realities of tobacco related disease and death. Experts believe these misperceptions may prevent smokers from trying to quit and successfully utilising proven smoking cessation treatments.

According to the survey many smokers underestimate the risk of developing lung cancer with four in 10 incorrectly believing that lung cancer depends more on genes than anything else. Furthermore, the survey found that up to a third of smokers think that certain activities such as exercise and taking vitamins could undo most of the effects of smoking.

Dr Cheryl Healton, president of the American Legacy Foundation said, "What is alarming about these survey findings is that so many smokers are still so misinformed. Proven cessation treatments like nicotine replacement therapy continue to be underutilised and we believe these misperceptions are partly to blame."

Misperceptions about the effects of nicotine found in cigarettes remain at the forefront. Almost all survey respondents were either unsure or incorrectly believed that nicotine caused cancer, emphysema or heart attacks. While smoking has been proven to cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease, long term use of NRTs are not known to be associated with any serious harmful effects. These nicotine related misperceptions can prevent consideration and appropriate use of smoking cessation aids such as nicotine replacement therapies (NRT).

The survey findings indicate smokers dramatically underestimate the safety and efficacy of NRT products such as the nicotine gum, patch and lozenge. More than 76 percent of smokers surveyed wrongly believe that, or do not know whether, NRTs are more addictive than cigarettes, highlighting the need for further education as cigarettes are vastly more addictive. In fact, about half of the smokers surveyed stated they would be more likely to consider NRT if they were shown scientific evidence that prove its safety and efficacy.

Two-thirds wrongly believe or do not know if nicotine gum, patches or lozenges can cause cancer. Many surveys have confirmed that there is no link between cancer and nicotine replacement therapy.

Source: PR Web, 15 November 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/375s86

80,000 cigarettes seized in huge customs raids

Customs officials in North Wales have seized huge amounts of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco.

In a three day operation covering the whole of North Wales, officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) swooped on homes in Holyhead and Queensferry.

The raids netted 80,000 cigarettes and 200kg of tobacco. Cash totalling £5,000 was also recovered.

Last night an HMRC spokeswoman said people had been interviewed but no arrests had been made and no one had yet been charged.

The biggest tobacco seizure, totalling 155 kilos, was found in a house in Holyhead, while 47,000 cigarettes were discovered at the house on Deeside. 

Pete Turner, Higher Officer for HMRC said: “These results show HMRC is continuing to tackle criminality in North Wales."

“People should be aware that purchasing smuggled tobacco and cigarettes is not a bargain. It deprives much needed public services and funds further criminality.”

The trade in illicit tobacco costs the taxpayer nearly £3bn a year in lost revenue.

Mr Turner added: “A vital part of HMRC's work is to protect the interests of Wales, by preventing commercial smuggling and the onward transport and sale of illegal cigarettes. This seizure is significant and sends out a warning."

“Our work frequently takes us to the doorsteps of residential houses, factory floors and workplaces where individuals base their trade in cheap cigarettes to the community and work colleagues, often with no regard of sales to underage children."

“Cigarette smuggling is an organised crime, often linked to money laundering and drug trafficking.”

Source: Daily Post, 16 November 2007  
Link: http://tinyurl.com/ytvhwb

Prolonged use of Swedish Snuff increases risk of fatal cardiovascular disease and stroke

New research from The Department of Environmental Medicine at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet demonstrates that users of Swedish smokeless tobacco called 'snus' run a higher risk of dying from cardiac arrest and stroke. 

Although the study did not show an increased risk of snus use and [incidence of] myocardial infarction, it did show a 30 per cent increased risk of fatal heart attack compared with people who have never used the product. Amongst those who suffer non-fatal heart attacks, users of snus have a higher fatality rate in general than non-users, and from cardiovascular diseases in particular. 

Users also ran a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, which is a known factor of cardiovascular disease and they were also more likely to suffer a fatal stroke.

Two major population studies were used for the research. The first comprised Swedish men between the ages of 45 and 70, living in the counties of Stockholm or Västernorrland between 1992 and 1994. A total of 1,432 men diagnosed with first-episode myocardial infarction were compared in terms of tobacco habits and other factors with a control group of men from the same regions without heart problems.

The second was a study using data from health checks of all workers in the building industry between the years of 1978 and 1993. Information recorded at these checks included tobacco habits and blood pressure. Episodes of non-fatal and fatal myocardial infarction, strokes and blood pressure readings for over 100,000 snus users and non-users were followed until 2003/4.

Source: MediLexicon, 15 November 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/253hhd