Research panel reports link between smoking and breast cancer

A report released on Thursday by a panel of U.S. and Canadian experts disputes a long-held view among scientists that smoking does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women, the New York Times reports. The panel, which was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, included 10 breast cancer and public health experts from Canada and the U.S. The report summarizes the panelists' review of newer studies that have been released in the past six or seven years, an analysis method that panelists said helped to distinguish differences between women who had never been exposed to smoke and those who had, either by smoking themselves or through secondhand smoke. 

In its report, the panel said that evidence from new studies suggests that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer and that young women and girls face special risks from exposure to smoke. The panel noted that even secondhand smoke exposure during adolescence could increase the risk of breast cancer occurring later in life, the Times reports. The report cited several newer studies that suggest women who start smoking when they are young increase their risk of breast cancer by 20% and that many years of heavy smoking could increase the risk by up to 30%. The panelists did not attempt to quantify how many excess breast cancers are caused by exposure to smoke. Although the report found strong support that secondhand smoke added to premenopausal breast cancer, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that it increased the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, the Times reports.

The report is "a sharp dissent" from the common belief among scientists that there is too little consistent evidence to determine whether smoke has a causal role in breast cancer, the Times reports. For example, a 2004 report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer found little or no link between breast cancer and active smokers, and the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General in 2006 said there was insufficient evidence that secondhand smoke causes breast cancer. If the panelists are correct, "they may be offering women a new piece of valuable information with practical advice about how to protect themselves from a common cancer that many fear," according to the Times.

Several experts who were not involved with the panel said any proof that smoking can cause breast cancer is elusive. Michael Thun, a former vice president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society, said that although it is "definitely plausible" that smoking can cause breast cancer, he "think[s] the jury is still way out." He said, "The issue is, what's the level of the evidence? That's where the disagreement exists" (Rabin, New York Times, 4/24).

Source: mediLexicon, 28 April 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/wBnMK

Wales: Teenagers to lobby British American Tobacco

Teenagers will tomorrow lobby one of the world’s biggest tobacco companies in a bid to prevent more children taking up the habit. Members of Ash Wales’ youth group Ffaith will call on British American Tobacco shareholders to make cigarettes less attractive to young people.

The 20-strong group – seven of whom come from Cardiff and Caerphilly – also want to draw attention to the fact that British American Tobacco profits massively from selling a product which is responsible for ill health and death.

Daniel Clayton, from Ash Wales, the protest’s organiser, said: “There are not many companies that make their money by selling a product that will eventually kill half its long-term users.”

Ffaith has been invited to give a presentation, after the protest, to MPs at the House of Commons about the harm caused by tobacco marketing to young people.

Source: WalesOnline, 29 April 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/DK788

Scotland: Tobacco firms 'should face tougher fines'

Fines for smuggling handed down to tobacco companies should be heavy enough to prevent it happening again, a charity has warned. Speaking after the Government struck a deal with two tobacco manufacturers, Edinburgh-based ASH said more still had to be done to prevent illegal cigarettes entering the country.

Some firms in the past have been criticised for being compliant in smuggling into the UK, and ASH Scotland's chief executive said if the problem was to cease more responsibility had to lie with the companies to stop the trade which sees the treasury miss out on an estimated £3 billion in tax every year.

Sheila Duffy said: "The fines the UK Government hands down must be large enough to show the tobacco companies that smuggling will not be tolerated. Illegal cigarette sales undermine the public health messages and stop smoking services that are funded through the NHS. Therefore all efforts that are made to prevent young people starting to smoke, help others quit and to stay quit are being undermined by the influx of cheaper cigarettes – counterfeit or smuggled."

The Government announced the deal with Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International to crack down on smuggling.

Source: New Scotsman, 28 April 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/QJHO7

Nottingham: Illegal tobacco 'harms anti-smoking efforts'

Illegal cigarettes smuggled into Nottingham are damaging the city's bid to cut its high smoking rates. Agencies including trading standards are now stepping up their attempts to cut the amount of counterfeit and illicit tobacco sold. It is feared dealers are targeting poorer communities with the illegal products, which can be sold cheaply because no tax is paid.

A high level of taxation is one of the main means of stopping people from buying cigarettes. But counterfeit cigarettes (which are made to look like major brands) and illicit products (intended for sale abroad only) are both sold illegally in the city. In Nottingham 38% of adults in now smoke, up four per cent on last year's figure, meaning the city has the third highest level in the country. In communities such as Aspley, almost half of adults smoke.

Jane Bailey, trading standards manager for the city council, said the availability of cheap cigarettes was one of the factors behind the high rate. She said: "It is having a significant impact because taxation measures seen by the Government as important are being completely brushed aside. The risk to the sellers is less than drug dealing because the penalties are less, but they are using the same sort of methods to get them into the country."

Counterfeit cigarettes, which are often made in underground caves in China before being smuggled abroad, have none of the quality controls of established brands. Trading standards officials say they are "assessing the market" to work out how widespread illegal tobacco is in Nottingham.

In February, more than 200,000 smuggled cigarettes and 100lbs of tobacco were seized by customs officials from a house in Hyson Green. The brands included Marlboro, Benson and Hedges, Sovereign and Jin Ling, amounting to a potential revenue loss of £43,500. A Nottingham Tobacco Control Strategy has now been put together, which sets out how the city will tackle its high smoking rates. It includes plans to increase the number of test purchases for cigarettes being sold to underage children and for extra training for retailers. The post of tobacco control alliance co-ordinator – who brings together the anti-smoking work of different agencies – will be made permanent.

Efforts are also being made to step up the Smoke Free Homes initiative, where residents pledge not to smoke in homes. Indu Hari, Tobacco Control Strategic Manager for NHS Nottingham City, said a lot of effort had already been put into the smoking cessation schemes. She said: "Most of the work we do is evidence based. Now it is more focused and there is a target attached to it, so there is more accountability."

Meanwhile the Department of Health is launching an advertising campaign highlighting some of the unpleasant ingredients – including animal droppings and floor-sweepings – that could be found in illicit tobacco products.

Source: This is Nottingham, 28 April 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/tcGIy