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ASH Daily News for 18 October 2007

Altria profits increase but sales in the USA and EU fall

Altria Group Inc, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes and other brands, announced that profits from its ongoing operation were up 19 per cent. 

Altria's earnings were 2.6 billion dollars or 8.4 per cent less than in the same period last year.

Altria attributed its profits to price increases on its cigarettes in the US and a boost in sales overseas due to a weaker US currency. The firm is considering plans to spinoff its international unit, and will make a final decision. The move would shield Philip Morris International from US tobacco lawsuits and declining sales in the firm's home market.

International sales grew 0.6 per cent to 217.2 billion cigarettes in the third quarter, while US sales decreased 1 per cent and sales in the European Union fell 4.8 per cent.

Source: M&G Business News, 17 October 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/2ytk2r

Suffolk smokers giving up

Figures reveal that as the smoking ban loomed the number of people who quit smoking in Suffolk increased.

Between April and June this year, 980 smokers in the Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) area registered as quitters, compared to 619 in the same period last year.

The fall came as the government prepared to introduce the smoking ban and new legislation making it illegal to sell tobacco products to those under 18.

The rise is also put down to the introduction of Champix on the NHS, a new drug which reduces the craving for nicotine, the symptoms of withdrawal and the satisfaction of a cigarette.

Hilary Andrews, Suffolk Stop Smoking Service coordinator, said: “The increase in the number of quitters has continued throughout the summer."

She added, “ This is because of the smoking ban, the fact more people know about our service, and access to treatment on the NHS. The new treatment available, has put it at the top of people's agenda this year. I wouldn't be surprised if things slow down but we hope people still come to us as our mission is to be there for smokers, as most smokers want to quit."

Beelin Baxter, regional tobacco policy manager in the east of England, said: “Research shows that smokers are up to four times more likely to quit successfully if they have access to support than by relying on willpower alone.”

Source: Evening Star, 17 October 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/235z7e

Australia: Council imposes trial playground smoking ban

Kiama Mayor Sandra McCarthy says she believes there will not be any backlash by the community in supporting a six month trial of smokefree playgrounds in the local government area.

The council voted unanimously to support the trial this week and smoking is now banned within 10 metres of local playgrounds in the New South Wales south town.

Council rangers have the power to prosecute people who ignore the trial.

Councillor McCarthy says the council already has a policy which bans smoking at sportsgrounds and there appears to be good support for the bans.

"It's about creating awareness, and we have been very fortunate that our community have responded very well."

Source: ABC News, 18 October 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/yvyz7n

Japan: Smoking rate declines to record low in 2007 

According to a new survey, Japan's smoking rate, one of the highest in the industrialised world, has fallen to a new low amid health awareness campaigns and tighter regulations.

The overall rate of smokers in Japan slid to a new record of 26 per cent of the adult population this year from 26.3 per cent a year ago and has steadily dropped since 1996.  

The rate among Japanese men declined to 40.2 per cent from 41.3 per cent a year ago, but the rate among women edged up to 12.7 per cent from 12.4 percent, the survey showed.

"As a whole, the country's smoking rate is moderately declining," said Yukiko Seto, spokeswoman for the survey.

Seto said that growing health awareness and tighter regulations were behind the decline.

Many restaurants have begun designating non-smoking sections, while train operators have banned smoking in all but a few designated areas and many public facilities are smokefree.

Cigarette packs must also print signs which warn smokers of the harmful health effects caused by smoking.

Despite these improvements, a higher percentage of Japanese people smoke compared with most other countries in the industrialised world. The U.S. smoking rate stood at 18 percent in 2003, while 27 percent of British men and 24 percent of British women smoked in the same year.

The survey, conducted in May 2007, questioned 32,000 adults aged 20 and older.

Source: International Herald Asia-Pacific, 17 October 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/ywleev

EU study highlights positive effect of smoking ban

A new Europe wide study has provided further evidence of the positive health effects of smoking bans

As part of the study, more than 100,000 smokers and non-smokers from the 27 member states took a test to measure the level of carbon monoxide in their bodies.

Levels of the chemical in the bodies of smokers was found to be more than four times that of non-smokers and twice the maximum level tolerated for air pollution.

Overall carbon monoxide levels were also higher in countries that don't have a total indoor smoking ban and in countries where cigarettes are cheaper.

Ireland is identified as the best country in Europe for protecting non-smokers from tobacco smoke and the second best for its tobacco pricing policies.

Source: Belfast Telegraph, 18 October 2007
Link: http://tinyurl.com/2367q5