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ASH Daily news for 27 September 2011

HEADLINES

  • Through the haze - anti-smoking packaging measures

    Amanda Sandford of ASH goes head to head with representatives of the packaging and tobacco industry on the likely impact of tobacco plain packaging. Questions include the impact on smokers, Government and the packaging industry.

    Source: The Packaging Professional Magazine, 25 September 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/q2sjO9

  • Study: Sleep-deprived teens in riskier behaviour including smoking

    Two-thirds of U.S. teenagers who get less than eight hours of sleep on school nights are more likely to smoke, drink and fight, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    In a survey of more than 12,000 teens, 68.9 percent reported that they sleep less than eight hours on an average school night.

    In 10 of 11 categories, those students were more likely to engage in risky behaviour than students who sleep more than eight hours on school nights, the study found.

    Those behaviours include smoking cigarettes and marijuana and drinking alcohol.

    The study, published online by the Preventive Medicine journal, is believed to be the first large, national survey of its kind, the CDC said.

    Source: Reuters News, 26 September 2011
    Link: http://reut.rs/oFW9s9

  • Northern Ireland: Call to protect children from smoke

    Health Minister James Reilly said public debate was needed on proposals to ban smoking in cars carrying children .

    Dr Reilly told delegates at a seminar - called A Tobacco Free Country - that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, especially for children.

    "Even brief exposure can cause damage. Particularly in the enclosed space of a car," he continued. "The first step towards such a ban will be a public information and education campaign to mobilise public support in advance of the introduction of such legislation."

    Dr Reilly said, "This is an industry that seeks to addict a new generation of young people, having damaged or killed many of their parents. For the industry to simply maintain the size of its customer base in Ireland, it is estimated that more than 50 Irish children have to start smoking every day of the year."

    Source: Belfast Telegraph, 26 September 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/oXM5kk

  • Northern Ireland: Smoking accident led to man's death in fire

    An inquest heard that a former publican was overcome when discarded smoking materials sparked a fire at his home.

    Brian O’Kane (67) was found dead with his mobile phone in his hand in the living room of his bungalow in Londonderry on the evening of November 10, 2010.

    He was discovered by a taxi driver and friend who, on becoming concerned for his welfare, entered the house in the Westway area of Creggan with a neighbour.

    Following forensic tests on various items, Ms McKenna said: “I concluded that the fire had originated in the vicinity of an armchair in the living room, probably as the result of careless disposal of smoking materials.”

    Coroner Suzanne Anderson concluded that Mr O’Kane’s death had been a “tragic accident”.

    Source: Belfast Telegraph, 27 September 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/pOAzHo

  • Australia: Plain packaging won global praise, says Roxon

    Health Minister Nicola Roxon has returned from the United Nations, where she says ministers from around the world applauded the Federal Government's tobacco plain-packaging legislation.

    She said, "There's enormous interest in the Gillard Government's plain-packaging legislation. It really is exciting the world and reinvigorating the debate about the ways to reduce harm from tobacco."

    Ms Roxon says there was some sense that other countries are waiting to see how the Australian Government survives the battle with big tobacco before they act.

    The tobacco legislation has fallen off the program in the Parliament twice in the last two months, and it is not back on the Parliament agenda until October.

    Ms Roxon added, "Unfortunately the mysteries of the Senate mean that sometimes they spend a lot of time debating when they're going to debate things rather than actually doing the debating."

    "I won't be the first minister of a government to be a bit frustrated about that timing, but do remember that these laws are scheduled to come into being on the first of January next year.

    "We are keen for them to be passed; we have commitments and enough votes for it to pass the Senate.

    "It's now just a matter of programming for it to be on. I would have liked it to have been passed last week, but the Senate was unable to reach it."

    Source: ABC, 26 September 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/oeQy4v

  • USA: Statewide program helps mental health consumers quit tobacco, improve wellness

    Individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness are more likely to smoke, with tobacco-related diseases a main cause of death for people living with severe and persistent mental illness. Yet, few services exist to help those wanting to give up smoking through the mental health system. 

    UNC researchers tested the implementation and impact of a model curriculum (“Learning About Healthy Living”) to promote wellness and motivation to give up tobacco in psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouses. Results published in the September issue of BMC Public Health show that the curriculum, using support groups to motivate and share skills in clubhouses, helped clubhouse members cut down on tobacco use as well as advance smokefree policy change in the clubhouses.

    “The results of this evaluation are really encouraging given that tobacco use among those with serious mental health issues is so difficult to treat,” said Dr. Adam Goldstein, professor of family medicine and director of the UNC Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program, “this research has national potential for use in addressing tobacco among people living with mental illness.”

    Dr Goldstein said, “This research shows that a structured group approach to promoting healthful living and tobacco cessation can be an important tool in addressing the high tobacco use prevalence among people living with serious mental illness. Revision, dissemination, and a randomized controlled trial evaluation of the model curriculum should now occur."

    Source: Medical Xpress, 23 September 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/qqKEA6

  • USA: Texas company introduces non-smoker employee policy

    From 2012, Baylor Healthcare, one of Texas' largest employers, will no longer hire people who smoke.

    Baylor Healthcare System provides care to the Dallas/Fort Worth area hospitals, specialty hospitals and other care centres.

    According to the President of Baylor Dallas, it was about time the company set an example.

    "As healthcare leaders, we should be role models that we should set an example. For too long we've been in the sick care business it's time we do the healthcare business.”

    The policy won't apply to existing employees although these employees do have to pay more in insurance premiums. The screening on new employees will begin in January 2012.

    It's a controversial policy, and many believe it is a form of discrimination. However, according to Attorney Clint David, it's perfectly legal.

    Source: Yahoo News, 23 September 2011
    Link: http://yhoo.it/pOQVeB