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ASH Daily news for 17 February 2011

HEADLINES

  • TV advert in south west to 'dispel myths' of roll-ups

    Anti-smoking campaigners in the south west of England have started a new television advertising campaign highlighting the risks of smoking hand-rolled tobacco.

    Smokefree South West wants to "dispel the myths" which they say have built up around roll-up cigarettes. Findings from the organisation's research showed that smokers of hand-rolled tobacco believed it was "more natural" and a "real art form".

    Regional director of public health Gabriel Scally, who is also the spokesman for Smokefree South West said: "The majority of hand-rolling tobacco smokers believe that 'rollies' represent a healthier option. Hand-rolled cigarettes present the same kinds of health risks to smokers as manufactured cigarettes, such as cancer, impotence, stroke and lung disease."

    Jean King, from Cancer Research UK, said: "This campaign dispels the dangerous myth, believed by many smokers, that hand-rolled cigarettes are more 'natural' and so less harmful than manufactured ones. "

    Source: BBC News, 16 February 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/gvBXqM

  • Son begged mum in cigarette fire to quit smoking

    The son of a 77 year old woman who died after dropping a lit cigarette on her clothes had pleaded with her to stop smoking.

    Mrs Batey was one of 10 people who died in fires across the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service area last year. All of the fires were linked to smoking.

    Emergency services were called to her house at 12.30pm on October 18 after Mrs Batey called Hull City Council's Lifeline service reporting a fire.

    The inquest heard she had first, second and third degree burns to 60 per cent of her body.

    Fire investigator Graham Irish said the fire was started by a cigarette igniting Mrs Batey's clothing and the sofa.

    Source: this is Hull and East Riding, 17 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fFx4Zq

  • Survey finds 43% of people think the smoking ban should include outdoor public spaces

    A 5News/YouGov survey found that 43% of people in the UK think the current smoking ban should be extended to include all outdoor public spaces.

    Of those asked, 51% of people in the 25-34 year old age group, think the UK should have a full ban in public open spaces. The regions with the biggest support for the ban were Scotland at 50% and London at 48%.
     

    Source: Sky News Press Office, 16 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/hAdb4D

  • Cigarettes seized in tobacco smuggling crackdown in Burton-on-Trent

    More than 13,000 cigarettes were recovered from three shops by officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

    Keith Morgan, Specialist Investigation Detection Manager for HMRC, said: “The people who sell these cigarettes are not concerned about where or how they are produced, or even who buys them, including young children and teenagers."

    “We are determined to eradicate this form of criminality and will work closely with trading standards and police colleagues to reduce the damaging impact on our communities.”

    The operation, run with Staffordshire Trading Standards and Staffordshire Police, recovered some cigarette brands not sold legally in the UK.

    Source: StaffsLive, 16 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/g7ZR7X

  • Northern Ireland: smokers face ban from playgrounds

    Following a proposal from Dublin city councillor Mary O'Shea to ban smoking outside schools, Fine Gael's Barry Ward has urged the council to adopt a new bye-law to prohibit smoking "in or around children's playgrounds".

    Councillor Ward has tabled a motion urging the council to adopt the Prevention Of Smoking In Certain Areas bye-law.

    The areas mentioned include Dun Laoghaire's The People's Park, Rathfarnham's Marlay Park and Killiney Hill Park.

    The ban would take in the zone around playgrounds up to a distance of 50 metres.

     

    Source: Herald.ie, 16 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ecrbgG