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ASH Daily News

28 December 2005

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

HEADLINES

Passive smoking ages the skin

Smoking may lead to earlier menopause

Smokers pay roughly twice as much as nonsmokers for insurance

Interview with BAT chief executive


FULL TEXT

Passive smoking ages the skin


People who spend hours in smoke-filled pubs and clubs are likely to suffer the same dryness, premature wrinkles and crow's feet as smokers do. Research by the beauty firm, Clinique, shows that people spending time in smoke-filled environments are damaging more than just their lungs; they are also at risk of long term damage to their skin.

Tom Mammone, head of research at Clinique Laboratories said that nonsmokers should be aware of the terrible effects which secondhand smoke can have on their skin. "We found that secondhand smoke is extremely harmful to the skin. Exhaled smoke contains significant levels of nicotine, tar, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide which disrupt and weaken the skin's barrier, leading to the break down of collagen resulting in symptoms of smoker's skin" he said.

Smoking ages the skin because it destroys the skins ability to renew itself. This means that the skin of smokers - and those exposed to secondhand smoke - will age far faster.

Clinique commissioned a survey of 1,000 adults to find out how often people are exposed to passive smoking. The research found that more than three quarters of Britons will "passively smoke" around three times a week when visiting bars, clubs and parties in December and January. The survey found of those living in the south of England, 4 out of 10 people spend three of more nights a week in smoke-filled places and in Scotland 3 in 10 visit smoke-filled venues several times a week.

The combination of alcohol, which has an effect of drying the skin, and cigarette smoke can speed the aging process even more.

Daily Express 27/12/05



Smoking may lead to earlier menopause


A study undertaken by Columbia University in New York has examined the effects of smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption on the age of onset of menopause.

The team studied almost 500 New York women between 44 and 60 and recorded the age at which their menopause began, whether they smoked and how many alcohol and caffeinated drinks they drank In the UK the average age for a woman to start the menopause is 51, but it can happen at any time between 45 and 55.

The research showed that those who drank at least five times a week start menopause two years later than those who are teetotallers. The researchers found that smoking had the opposite effect. Women who smoked 14 or more cigarettes a day got their menopause three years earlier than nonsmokers and smoking appears to lower oestrogen levels.

The researchers said that 'clarification of these processes may have important for understanding oestrogen-related diseases such as osteoporosis and breast cancer.'

Daily Mail 26/12/05



Smokers pay roughly twice as much as nonsmokers for insurance


Kevin Carr, of independent financial adviser Lifesearch, says: "For most insurers, it's a black and white issue: you are either a smoker or a non-smoker, with smokers paying roughly twice as much as non-smokers, particularly at older ages."

So how do insurers weed out fraudulent claims? Mr Carr says: "They can order an independent medical examination if there are any doubts about the veracity of your application form or if you are applying for a high level of cover, typically in excess of £250,000. Insurers can also ask to see your medical records and require you to undergo a 'cotinine' test, which detects traces of nicotine in your urine, saliva and blood."

If you are a smoker, your premiums will be loaded according to your daily consumption. Those smoking up to 25 a day are rated as light smokers, 25-30 a day as moderate, and those on more than 30 a day as heavy smokers.

If you fall into the latter category, insurers may look at other medical issues such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes and may load your premiums accordingly. Giving up smoking would be the best idea of all.

Daily Telegraph 24/12/05 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml


Interview with BAT chief executive


The Daily Telegraph interviewed the Paul Adams, chief executive of British American Tobacco (BAT).

Adams said "The point is that the three UK-listed tobacco companies are among the most successful companies in the FTSE 100," he declares. "Yet, when people talk about tobacco, they want to talk about regulation, smoking bans and litigation without recognising that they have three absolutely world-class companies."

"Yes, they have issues to deal with but if you can tell me that the oil, pharmaceuticals, automobile, fast food, drinks and banking companies don't have issues to deal with, let me know. Do I sit here or feel under siege or feel a pariah? No I don't. I feel proud of this business and I feel proud of the company."

Adams is clearly well-practised at defending his company and industry. Still, with smoking bans and restrictions, and declining volumes of cigarettes in the world's developed markets, shouldn't Adams have plenty else to worry about? How does it feel to run a company constantly accused by western governments of helping kill its customers?

"Well, we don't take that view," Adams sidesteps neatly. "The simple truth is that there are about a billion people in the world who smoke and there are another billion people who are going to smoke in 10 years' time. You have to ask yourself who you want to provide cigarettes to those people. Do you want it to be a legitimate, publicly listed, responsible company which has large research and development facilities working on products that have the potential to reduce harm? Or do you want those people supplied by an illegitimate industry?"

"If we were to stop trading tomorrow, I think society would have horrendous problems. Who is going to supply a billion people with cigarettes if the legitimate cigarettes industry stops trading tomorrow? It would be counterfeiters and organised crime. Is that what society wants?"

Adams, who has been at BAT for 14 years and became chief executive at the beginning of 2004, would much rather talk about growth, which he expects to achieve from changing demographics, increased sales in the developing world and higher prices in more mature markets.

Adams sees Russia as BAT's most exciting market. "We've been there since the early 1990s," he says. "Consumers in Russia want international brands and we have taken the local brands and improved them. Now we are the second-largest player in Russia with 20pc of the market and our two premium brands in Russia - Kent and Vogue - are growing strongly."

Adams believes that what's happening with premium brands in Russia is mirrored in other developing markets. "As disposable income grows around the world, particularly in developing countries," he says, "people want to upgrade to international brands. Our four 'global drive' brands, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Kent and Pall Mall, are really doing well."

Daily Telegraph 26/12/05
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml
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Sarah Ward
Information Manager
Action on Smoking & Health (ASH)
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