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ASH Daily News

16 November 2005

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

HEADLINES

Bingeing blamed for sharp rise in mouth cancer rates

University proposes complete ban on smoking

Scottish sportsmen support forthcoming smoking law

Submarines but not priests exempt from Scotland's smoking ban

Bangkok to increase enforcement of tobacco laws

FULL TEXT

Bingeing blamed for sharp rise in mouth cancer rates

Cancer campaigners criticised Government plans to extend opening hours yesterday and blamed a steep rise in mouth cancer on increased consumption of alcohol.

While cigarettes are the main cause of the disease, the number of cases jumped by a quarter to almost 4,300 in the decade to 2001, during which time there was a reduction in smoking.

The number of cases of mouth cancer diagnosed in Britain rose by about a quarter over the last decade for which figures are available, from 3,411 in 1992 to 4,285 in 2001.

Those who drink heavily and smoke are at 38 times greater risk of getting mouth cancer than those who abstain from both.

Former child actor Jack Wild, who played the Artful Dodger in the 1968 movie, Oliver, was left unable to speak surgeons removed his tongue and voice box following a diagnosis of mouth cancer.

"My lifestyle made me a walking timebomb, I was a heavy smoker and an even heavier drinker", Jack said, speaking through his wife Claire who lip-reads for him.

Cancer Research UK will today launch a three-year Open Up to Mouth Cancer campaign, funded with £300,000 from the Department of Health, aiming to raise awareness of the early signs and risk factors for mouth cancer.

Source: Daily Telegraph, BBC, Daily Mail, Guardian, Sun, 16 November 2005
Article link: (T) http://tinyurl.com/8bvy6: (B) http://tinyurl.com/8x2sj


University proposes complete ban on smoking

At Boise State University in Idaho, smoking is already banned in buildings, which must have one smokefree entrance.

But the university's head of health services, Ferdinand Schlapper, would like smoking banned entirely, including anywhere on the campus grounds and in vehicles on campus, stating "high achieving students would be drawn to a healthier learning environment".

Only 34 per cent of the college's 18,600 staff and students supported the proposal, but 92 percent "agree that the desire to breathe clean air should take precedence over a smoker's desire to smoke," Schlapper said.

If the ban happens, Boise State would become the first four-year school to completely ban smoking, according to the College Tobacco Prevention Resource in Newton, Mass.

Source: Times, CNN, 16 November 2005
Article link: (c) http://tinyurl.com/ct88w


Scottish sportsmen support forthcoming smoking law

Aberdeen footballers joined former Dons boss Sir Alex Ferguson and a host of sports stars yesterday in supporting the forthcoming ban on smoking in public places.

Many other sportsmen and women believe the legislation will have a positive effect on the nation's health, a sentiment backed by the majority of Scots according to a survey published yesterday.

More than half (58%) of those surveyed, including a significant number of smokers, support the legislation, with awareness of the dangers of passive smoking also growing.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex said passive smoking killed up to 1,000 lifelong non-smokers in Scotland each year.

"The smoking ban will have a positive impact on Scotland's health by reducing people's exposure to second-hand smoke," he said. "As has also been shown in other countries which have implemented a ban, smokers are also more inclined to smoke less or give up. This is an excellent move by the Scottish Executive and one I am personally delighted to see. I urge all of Scotland to get behind the ban."

Source: This is North Scotland, 16 November 2005
Article link: http://tinyurl.com/d83ej


Submarines but not priests exempt from Scotland's smoking ban

Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, said the Executive was likely to allow lighting up in smoking rooms on Royal Navy subs and refuelling vessels after a Ministry of Defence request.

He said laboratories examining tobacco products may also receive a specific exemption following an approach from academics at St Andrews University who test for the presence of heavy metals.

However, Holyrood's health committee heard that churchmen could be deprived of a sneaky puff on the way to the pulpit when the ban begins on 26 March next year.

Roseanna Cunningham, the committee convener, asked Mr Macdonald how the workplace ban would affect corridors connecting churches with the homes of ministers or priests.

This was often where the vestments were put on before services, she suggested, adding: "Some denominations leave their clerics little to enjoy except the occasional cigarette."

Mr Macdonald said if the corridor or room was accessible to people other than those living in the residence it would be covered by the ban.

"So no more sly fags before the service starts," Ms Cunningham said.

Mr Macdonald replied: "It will have to be in the kitchen."

Source: Scotsman, 16 November 2005
Article link: http://tinyurl.com/7jly9


Bangkok to increase enforcement of tobacco laws

Bangkok Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat put a proposal to the Cabinet yesterday to amend the Tobacco Act to prohibit shops from displaying cigarettes.

After a meeting of relevant agencies on Friday, which produced a clear guideline on the display of cigarettes, Pinij yesterday urged stores and shops not to show cigarette packets - be it one or many - in easily-seen locations.

"From an inspection I did on Sunday, many shops are still showing cigarette packets. They should be more responsible towards society and the country because this is a national health issue," he said.

He said all that should be permitted was an A4-sized sign saying "Cigarettes sold here".

From next Sunday, officials and police would inspect shops and immediately press charges against any that break the law, he said.

Source: The Nation, 16 November 2005

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