HEADLINES

• More landlords refuse to accommodate smokers
• Diabetes 2 drug Metformin may protect against lung cancer in smokers
• Scotland: Prize money available for youth groups tackling tobacco
• Retailers set out ideas to tackle underage sales
• Russians urged to drink and smoke more to help the economy

• More landlords refuse to accommodate smokers

  A new survey published on Easyroommate.co.uk, has revealed that 38% of the landlords do not tolerate smoking and would not allow their tenants to smoke in their properties, whereas only 7% of the landlords would give their properties to a smoker, or allow the tenant to smoke at their dwelling.

  The survey also included information about smokers, who do not find any accommodation, and end up living in a non-smoking property. Six out of every 10 smokers would find no choice, but to settle for a non-smoking place, whereas a third of this number would quit temporarily, if not at all, in order to find a proper rent.

  The reason behind the landowners being intolerant towards smoking is not mere bias, but the fact that smoking increases the risk of the property catching fire and if there is furniture, it might face irreparable damage. In addition, the smoke might be irritating for some non-smoker landowners.

  Moreover, landowners believe that having a smoker as a tenant would ultimately reduce the landowner's potential in finding another resident to share the accommodation with the smoker. The survey confirmed this information stating that 1 out every 5 tenants would accept to have a smoker roommate.

  Jonathan Moore, Director of Easyroommate.co.uk, commented on the results saying, "There have been a strong shift in attitudes towards smoking, and the tolerance levels of smokers since the smoking ban. Smoker-friendly accommodation has been squeezed as a result".

  Source: TopNews - 02 September 2010
  Link: http://bit.ly/a6PGPf

• Diabetes 2 drug Metformin may protect against lung cancer in smokers

  Two studies reveal that smokers may have a significantly lower risk of developing lung cancer and colorectal cancer with the drug metformin, which is commonly prescribed for diabetes type 2 treatment, the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research informs. Metformin, originally sold as Glucophage, is the first-line drug of choice for diabetes type 2 patients, especially those who are obese or overweight, as well as diabetes patients with normal kidney function.

  Metformin may have the following brand names: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, or Riomet.

  mTOR is a protein that helps tobacco-induced lung cancer tumors grow. Studies have shown that metformin switches on an enzyme that blocks mTOR.

  Study 1 - carried out by scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and led by Dr. Philip Dennis, revealed a significantly lower lung cancer tumor burden in mice that were given metformin and were exposed to NKK, a nicotine-derived nitrosamine - the most prevalent tobacco carcinogen. The mice were treated with metformin either by injection or orally (by mouth). Those receiving the medication by mouth had 40% to 50% fewer tumors compared to mice that did not receive the drug. The mice injected with metformin had 72% fewer tumors, the investigators inform.

  Dr. Dennis said:

  Although smoking cessation is the most important step for current smokers, over half of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in former smokers, raising the importance of identifying those at highest risk and identifying effective preventive treatments.

  
  The authors write that clinical trials are being considered to find out whether metformin might be used as an effective chemoprevention agent for smokers. The majority of lung cancer patients became ill because of regular smoking. (Clinical trials involve human beings, rather than animals)

  Study 2 - investigators in Japan demonstrated that individuals without diabetes who took metformin had a considerably reduced rate of rectal aberrant crypt foci, a surrogate marker of colorectal cancer. Trial participants who received metformin had a mean of 5.11 foci versus 7.56 among those who took a placebo (control group).

  You can listen to a teleconference (link below) hosted by Scott Lippman M.D., editor-in-chief of Cancer Prevention Research. Lippman is professor and chair in the department of thoracic head and neck medical oncology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

  Download the mp3 of the teleconference (10.7 MB, 46 minutes and 51 seconds)

  "Metformin Prevents Tobacco Carcinogen-Induced Lung Tumorigenesis"
  Regan M. Memmott, Jose R. Mercado, Colleen R. Maier, Shigeru Kawabata, Stephen D. Fox, Phillip A. Dennis
  Cancer Prevention Research September 2010 3; 1066
  doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-10-0055

  "Metformin Suppresses Colorectal Aberrant Crypt Foci in a Short-term Clinical Trial"
  Kunihiro Hosono, Hiroki Endo, Hirokazu Takahashi, Michiko Sugiyama, Eiji Sakai, Takashi Uchiyama, Kaori Suzuki, Hiroshi Iida, Yasunari Sakamoto, Kyoko Yoneda, Tomoko Koide, Chikako Tokoro, Yasunobu Abe, Masahiko Inamori, Hitoshi Nakagama, Atsushi Nakajima
  Cancer Prevention Research September 2010 3; 1077
  doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-10-0186

  Source: MediLexicon - 02 September 2010
  Link: http://bit.ly/dBU32q

• Scotland: Prize money available for youth groups tackling tobacco

  Young Buddies who help others kick their smoking habit could be in line for a cash bonus.

  The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), in partnership with ASH Scotland, launched its annual drive to recognise the achievement of young people in reducing tobacco and smoking-related harm in Scotland.

  And groups in Paisley and the wider Renfrewshire area involved in the issues surrounding smoking and tobacco are being encouraged to apply for the Crofton Award.

  Now in its second year, the award features a £1,500 cash prize – to be shared between two groups – to go towards the further development of tobacco control work.

  The winning group will win a grand while the best newcomer will walk away with £500.

  Applications for the award are being welcomed from today until Friday, October 15, with an award ceremony planned for mid-November.

  Tom Bell, Chief Executive of REHIS said: “We want to recognise the contribution that many young people play in tackling tobacco in Scotland.

  “The addictive nature of tobacco means it is all too easy to get hooked on this lethal habit. Young people are also a target as replacements for the smokers who quit or die each year. So to see what young people themselves are doing to stop that recruitment and to encourage young smokers to quit should be applauded.

  “REHIS is delighted to do that through the Crofton Award.”
  Around 15,000 young people in Scotland take up smoking every year, according to figures supplied by anti-smoking group ASH.

  ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy added: “We are delighted to be a partner in such a worthy recognition of young people’s dedication, commitment and achievements in tackling smoking.”

  Source: Paisley Daily Express - 01 September 2010
  Link: http://bit.ly/cbG2Na

• Retailers set out ideas to tackle underage sales

  Retailers, who spend £20 million a year on preventing sales to underage people of alcohol, tobacco, spray paint, knives, fireworks and other age-restricted products, have set out their ideas in a report.

  The Age-restricted Products Review Group, representing major businesses, trade associations and professional bodies (with around 250,000 retail outlets), has made 12 recommendations in Better Regulation of Age-restricted Products: A Retail View, following an independent investigation for LBRO, the experts on better regulation.

  The report's authors want to see the law on underage sales simplified and made more effective, with the current 18 separate pieces of legislation unified, compliance partnerships between local regulators and trade associations, closer working on the wider underage sales agenda with local businesses, LBRO's primary authority scheme extended to cover age-restricted products, shared responsibility for under-age sales among business, young people and adults who buy on their behalf and a binding code of practice to improve the effectiveness of test purchasing.

  Retailers have identified age-restricted sales as their number one concern within local regulation. The review group, a sub-group of LBRO's Business Reference Panel, was led by Geoffrey Budd, the former company secretary of DSG International and a longstanding chairman of the CBI Consumer Affairs Panel.

  He said: "Retailers are keen to play their part in denying children access to age-restricted products such as alcohol or knives but their role can be more effective if retailers are seen as part of the solution, rather than the problem.

  "Retailers take their responsibilities to their communities very seriously and I believe the sector is entitled to be embraced as part of the front line in this campaign. What the law currently requires of them is often hard to deliver."

  The report says retailers want to stop underage sales but find the regulations brought in to tackle the issue place huge burdens on their business.

  Jennifer Brown, public affairs manager for the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "Our members are all too aware that sales of restricted products to youths can create anti-social behaviour problems, which harm young people and communities.

  “However, the current regulations brought in to tackle underage sales are often disproportionately focused on the shop and those that work there and fail to acknowledge good work done by responsible firms to keep these products out of the hands of young people.

  "Effective enforcement has to encompass actions not only against businesses but against the individuals that willingly buy and supply alcohol to those underage and the young people themselves that seek to obtain products by deception.

  “This report points to a fairer and more holistic approach to underage sales enforcement."

  Rebecca Abbott, information manager with the BHF:BSSA Group, said: "In the context of changes underway to reform licensing, it is an apt time to consider how all age-restricted products are controlled and how the system of regulating these products can be improved to protect young people and communities and make life easier for business."

  British Retail Consortium director general, Stephen Robertson, said: "Retailers have an excellent record on preventing underage sales of restricted products, such as alcohol. They are part of the solution to underage sales not part of the problem.

  "We're keen to work more closely with local authorities on joint initiatives to tackle the root causes of young people gaining access to regulated goods. The LBRO report points the way to a more joined-up approach."

  LBRO made the report possible by bringing business together, as one voice on the subject for the first time, as part of its drive to create the right conditions for changes that deliver prosperity and protection.

  The public body accountable to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will now prepare a response which will be sent to Government, alongside the report, for consideration.

  LBRO chairman, Clive Grace, said: "Age-restricted sales are a continuing focus of public and media concern and often for good reason, given the damage which can follow from inappropriate access to these products by young people.

  "It is very important that sellers comply with the relevant regulations, yet those regulations are numerous, complex and often experienced by businesses as unnecessarily burdensome.

  “It is quite possible that the regulatory requirements could be considerably simplified, while increasing the level of compliance, and also producing better social and community outcomes - a powerful win-win for business, communities and regulatory reform."

  The full report can be downloaded here (pdf).

  Source: Halesowen News - 01 September 2010
  Link: http://bit.ly/9dMdQv

• Russians urged to drink and smoke more to help the economy

  Politicians usually urge citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles, but Mr Kudrin has called for increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol in a bid to lift the state's revenues.

  It's a position that's sure to spark debate in the country.

  “If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems," commented Kudrin.

  "People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state," Kudrin continued.

  Russia, noted for its high consumptions of both cigarettes and alcohol, have among the lowest duties on cigarettes in Europe.
  In June, plans to double the excise duty on cigarettes from 250 roubles, roughly £5 per 1,000 cigarettes, to 590 roubles (£12.49) by 2013 were outlined.

  The finance ministry's plans are sure to be met with distain by the Russian population, who are famously fond of their tobacco. Not so long ago a cigarette shortage led to protests in the country.

  The comments by the minister seem to contradict recent government moves to control Russia’s excessive nature and improve its abysmal life expectancy rates.

  Night-time sales of alcohol are now prohibited and the country has adopted a zero-tolerance ban on drink-driving. 

  Source: Metro - 02 September 2010
  Link: http://bit.ly/cDeord