HEADLINES

• Plain packaging will deter smokers
• Linda Robson backs NHS Stop Smoking Services
• Former deputy mayor jailed for role in smuggling ring
• New evidence of smoking link to dementia
• Smoking damaged my voice says actress Lynda Bellingham
• USA: Obama administration appeals tobacco picture warnings decision
• USA: States cutting smoking prevention programmes

• Plain packaging will deter smokers

  In a letter to the Financial Times, Betty McBride from the British Heart Foundation outlines the evidence that plain packaging of tobacco products will be effective in deterring smokers and urges the government to ignore the fierce lobbying that can be expected by the tobacco industry.

  Source: Financial Times, 30 November 2011 [Subscritption required]
  Link: http://on.ft.com/vkl8vW

• Linda Robson backs NHS Stop Smoking Services

  Birds of a Feather actress and former smoker Linda Robson, has given her support to NHS Stop Smoking Services.  Linda is appearing in a series of adverts for the free NHS Quit Kit.

  Source: Daily Mirror, 30 November 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/ur1fuq

• Former deputy mayor jailed for role in smuggling ring

  Jozef Raca, a former deputy mayor of Northampton, was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay a £250,000 confiscation order, for his part in an international cigarette-smuggling ring. 

  The former Conservative Councillor was convicted of conspiracy to evade tobacco duty, after millions of cigarettes were found in a shipment of holy water.

  Source: Northampton Chronicle, 30 November 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/u1v49o

• New evidence of smoking link to dementia

  Laurie Edwards-Tate looks at new evidence by Kaiser Permanente in California, which establishes a firm link between smoking and the onset of dementia.

  
  The research found that people smoking two packs of cigarettes a day during middle age faced a 157% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and a 172% higher risk of vascular dementia compared to non-smokers.

  Source: The Washington Times, 28 November 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/tIG42v

• Smoking damaged my voice says actress Lynda Bellingham

  Loose Women and Calendar Girls star Lynda Bellingham describes how her 60 a day smoking habit damaged her vocal chords.

  Source: Daily Mail, 29 November 2011
  Link: http://bit.ly/u21Chm

• USA: Obama administration appeals tobacco picture warnings decision

  The Food and Drug Administration has launched an appeal against a ruling that graphic warnings on cigarettes were unconstitutional.

  Source: Reuters, 29 November 2011
  Link: http://reut.rs/vbwRMw

• USA: States cutting smoking prevention programmes

  Funding for tobacco prevention programmes has fallen by 12% this year, to the lowest level since 1999, according to a new report published by a coalition of public health groups.
   

  Source: Washington Post, 29 November 2011
  Link: http://wapo.st/v3sxMt