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ASH News and Events Bulletin - 16-31 May 2011

HEADLINES

EVENTS

  • Scotland: Tobacco industry loses legal challenge on cigarette vending machines

    Sinclair Collins Ltd, which is owned by Imperial Tobacco has lost a legal challenge to the ban on cigarette vending machines in Scotland.

    The Court of Session rejected an argument by the company, that the legislation was against the European Convention on Human Rights.

    Lord Doherty also found that the measures are within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

    The Scottish Government welcomed the decision, saying the law is a key part of a drive to improve health.

    A government spokeswoman added: "We robustly defended our proposals to ban cigarette vending machines and are pleased that the Court of Session has today ruled in our favour and that we were successful on the aspects of the case which were before the court."

    Source: The Daily Record - 13 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iqSlwd

  • Wholesaler predicts display ban boost for independent retailers

    The independent sector could receive a substantial boost when the tobacco display ban is introduced in large stores in April 2012, according to Booker Group chief executive Charles Wilson.

    During a conference call to discuss Booker’s results, he said: “When the display ban comes into effect in the multiples [eg supermarkets] in 2012 we believe £0.5bn of tobacco sales could move into the independent sector.”

    He added that the increased footfall would also generate additional sales for independent stores.

    Source: Wholesale News - 19 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iQ7UR3

  • Diane Abbott MP calls for Olympic smoking ban

    The Shadow Public Health Minister, and Hackney MP, Diane Abbott is calling on organisers of the 2012 Olympics to make the entire Olympic Park in Stratford a tobacco-free zone.

    A video is available by clicking on the link below.

    Source: ITV London Tonight - 31 May 2011
    Link: http://itv.co/lqICI9

  • Yes, smoking kills – but not everyone wants to be saved

    Smoker Tanya Gold reflects on how, despite knowing each puff takes us closer to the grave, Big Tobacco keeps its nicotine-stained grip on millions of users

    Source: The Guardian - 31 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/m3AfXb

  • Sweden urges EU to lift ban on snus exports

    As the European Union is reviewing its regulations for tobacco products for the first time in 10 years, Sweden is urging it to drop a law preventing the Scandinavian country from exporting snus within the EU.

    Sweden's minister for trade, Ewa Bjorling, raised the question of snus as the EU's competition authorities met in Brussels. Sweden claims that prohibition of snus sales isn't compatible with the principles of free movement of goods and argues for a uniform regulation of all tobacco products as "a number of similar, often-more-dangerous products are allowed to circulate freely in the internal market."

    Source: ADVFN - 30 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/j2eluO

  • Israel: Cigarette vending machines to be banned from 2014

    On January 1, 2014, vending machines will be allowed to sell products such as postal stamps, envelopes, chewing gum and cold drinks – but not cigarettes or other tobacco products.

    The Knesset Economics Committee has approved a private member’s bill for its second and third (final) reading in the plenum. 

    Thus, yet again, the effort to reduce smoking has come from private initiative and not from the Health Ministry. 

    An initiative to keep the automatic machines distant from educational institutions was approved as well.

    Source: The Jerusalem Post - 31 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kdW3nx

  • New York City: Outdoor smoking ban goes into effect

    The city's outdoor smoking ban officially came into effect on Monday 23 May, and violators who are caught smoking at parks, plazas and beaches could get fined $50.

    City health leaders say it will protect New Yorkers from secondhand smoke in what they call family-friendly places.

    Mohamed Hussein said he and his 7-1/2-month pregnant wife support the smoking ban.

    "We just don't like smoking in public," he said. "I have a baby right now. I don't like my wife standing near a smoking person."

    The city plans television and print ads to get the word out about the ban but for the most part is relying on the public to enforce the law.

    Source: NBC New York - 22 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/jYhIBp

  • Australia: Plain packaging debate round up

    The debate about the introduction of plan packaging in Australia has been heating up in the past few weeks. Below is a round up of the main development.

    Big tobacco takes packaging fight overseas - ABC - 26 May 2011 [includes video]

    Tobacco plain packaging to pass despite Opposition - Sydney Morning Herald - 26 May 2011

    Tobacco giants blow smoke - The Leader - 26 May 2011

    Opposition coalition fine with tobacco industry donations - ABC News, 25 May 2011

    Plain cig packs novel but effective: Roxon - Sydney Morning Herald - 24 may 2011

    Big tobacco lobby 'scaremongering' - The Age.com.au, 22 May 2011

    Tobacco companies declare war - ABC - 22 May 2011 [includes video]

    New Calls for licensing smoking - Sky News AU - 22 May 2011

    We'll flood the market with cheap tobacco, says British American Tobacco chief - The Telegraph (Australia) - 17 may 2011

    Opposition told to kick tobacco donation habit - ABC News, 17 May 2011
     

    Source:
    Link:

  • Parliamentary question: Smokefree Olympic Games

    Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with (a) the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and (b) the Secretary of State for Health on making the London 2012 Olympics tobacco-free; 

    (2) what steps he is taking to ensure the London 2012 Olympics are tobacco free; whether the Olympic athletes' village will be a designated no smoking area; and whether ticketed venues for the London 2012 Olympics will be designated no smoking areas. 

    Hugh Robertson: Officials in the Department and the Department of Health have discussed our aspiration for a tobacco free Games with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) on a number of occasions.

    LOCOG has confirmed that it will not be appointing a tobacco sponsor and that tobacco and cigarettes will not be sold at any of the Olympic or Paralympic venues. Smoking will also be prohibited in all ticketed sports competition, venues for the games (for example the Olympic Stadium and the Velodrome), as well as the athletes' village.

    Source: Hansard - 18 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ma3TdU

  • BAT admits funding campaign against the display ban

    British American Tobacco (BAT) has admitted funding a retail association's high-profile campaign against a government ban on cigarette displays in shops

    The National Federation of Retail Newsagents claimed the ban, approved by the government earlier this year, would put thousands of small shopkeepers out of business.

    But it has now emerged that the federation's campaign received funding from BAT whose lobbying firm, Hume Brophy, emailed MPs claiming the ban would have a "devastating effect on the small business sector in your constituency".
     
    In a letter to Labour MP Kevin Barron, BAT confirmed: "We have provided financial assistance to the NFRN in relation to this campaign." However, BAT denied it used "underhand tactics" or that the federation was a front for the company.
     
    The revelation that the campaign was funded by BAT is significant. Under international guidelines, the UK government is obliged to ensure the drafting of all legislation is free from tobacco industry influence.
     
    BAT's admission has prompted Barron to write to the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, warning the government's commitment to tobacco control "is being undermined by covert lobbying by the tobacco industry".
    Source: The Guardian - 28 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iGE6Bd

  • Durham University defends British American Tobacco cash

    Durham University has been criticised for accepting £125,000 from a tobacco firm to help fund scholarships for women from Afghanistan.

    The British American Tobacco (BAT) donation was one of 2,700 which raised about £630,000 in 2010 for a programme of postgraduate scholarships.

    Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) described the donation as a "cynical attempt" to tap into a new market.

    The university said the cash was only accepted after "careful consideration."

    Martin Dockrell, director of policy and research at anti-smoking charity ASH, said: "It's a shame the university accepted this money.

    "Asia is one of the world's biggest untapped markets for the big international tobacco companies.

    "They have been working very hard to increase smoking rates among Asian women by making it look sophisticated and western. This appears to be very cynical."

    A BAT spokesperson said: "As a major international company we recognise the role of business as a corporate citizen and have long supported local community and charitable projects.

    "We approach corporate social investment as an end in itself, rather than as a way to promote ourselves, and our local companies.

    "We have long supported adult education, including management and business education, and will continue to do so."

    Source: BBC News - 17 May 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/jIGdAP

  • BAT buys Colombia's Protabaco for US$452 million

    British American Tobacco has agreed to buy the privately owned Productora Tabacalera de Colombia, S.A.S. (Protabaco), the second largest cigarette company in Colombia, for $452 million (£277 million).

    Mark Cobben, BAT's director for its Americas region said "This investment will strengthen and complement our position in an important market and fill a strategic gap in our Americas region."

    Protabaco sold 5.5 billion cigarettes in 2010, accounting for almost one third of the domestic market. Its biggest brand, Mustang, is the country's second best selling cigarette with a market share of around 18 percent. BAT itself sold 708 billion cigarettes in 2010.

    Source: Reuters News - 26 May 2011
    Link: http://reut.rs/jvJ9pY

  • Philip Morris Int'l buys rights to nicotine system

    Cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc. has purchased the rights to a technology that lets users inhale nicotine without smoking.

    The world's largest nongovernmental cigarette seller said it has bought the patent for an aerosol nicotine-delivery system developed by Jed Rose, director of the Center for Nicotine and Smoking Cessation Research at Duke University in Durham, N.C. The school does not have a role in Rose's agreement with the company and won't receive any money. Terms were not disclosed.

    Rose said the next step is for Philip Morris International, with offices in New York and Lausanne, Switzerland, to develop a commercial product using the technology. The system differs from current medicinal nicotine inhalers available on the market as stop-smoking aids because it delivers nicotine more rapidly to mimic the nicotine "hit" a cigarette provides smokers.

    Last month, British American Tobacco PLC created a subsidiary called Nicoventures focused on nicotine alternatives. In 2009, the USA's second-largest tobacco company Reynolds American Inc. purchased Swedish company Niconovum whose nicotine gum, pouches and spray help people stop smoking.

    Source: Google/Associated Press - 26 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/klehNJ

  • New York City: Reynolds launches campaign to push smokeless product

    R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is launching a major advertising campaign for Camel Snus as antismoking laws at NYC parks and beaches are implemented,

    Two ads will run in the New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsday and some New York weeklies, as well as nationally in USA Today and Wall Street Journal. The New York Times does not take tobacco ads, Reynolds spokesman David Howard said.

    One ad features the image of a flame holder with the tagline "NYC Smokers: Enjoy freedom without the flame." The other ad is in the shape of the Empire State Building with the tagline "NYC Smokers: Rise above the ban."

    Vince Willmore, a spokesman for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said, "These ads continue Reynolds' irresponsible marketing of snus as a way for smokers to get their nicotine fix in the growing number of smokefree places."

    "The goal is to discourage smokers from taking the one step that would truly protect their health, which is to quit entirely. Once again, Reynolds is putting its bottom line ahead of public health. It's also deeply offensive [that] Reynolds is using iconic New York City images to market a harmful and addictive products, especially in a city that is a global leader in fighting tobacco use," Willmore said.

    Reynolds has not run cigarette ads in newspapers and consumer magazine in 3½ years. But it has been aggressive with its Camel Snus advertising, including in magazines such as Entertainment Weekly, People, Sports Illustrated, Time and US Weekly, as well as free and alternative publications.

    Source: Winston-Salem Journal - 22 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/khaKdK

  • India: How gutka brands do healthy business under the cover of surrogate advertising

    A recent study shows that tobacco companies manufacturing gutka [a smokeless tobacco product] have effectively evaded the ban on direct tobacco advertising through surrogate advertising that their targeted consumers relate to clearly.

    The study, by the NGO Salaam Bombay Foundation, found that gutka has been widely marketed as pan masala, a non-tobacco product, to get around the direct advertising ban imposed in 2004.

    The NGO surveyed 1,500 children in the age group 12-18 and an equal number of adults in the age group 19-50 from Lalbaug, Khetwadi, Ghatkopar, Andheri, Malad and Vashi.

    The respondents were shown flashcards of three pan masala brands and asked to mention what they associated with them.

    An overwhelming majority—2 % of the children and 84% of the adults said the products were gutka and not pan masala as advertised . The study showed that the association of a particular brand with gutka was the highest among the children.

    Source: The Economic Times - 31 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kyEIw7

  • Competitions and incentives to quit smoking

    Abstract
    Background: Material or financial incentives may be used in an attempt to reinforce behaviour change, including smoking cessation. They have been widely used in workplace smoking cessation programmes, and to a lesser extent within community programmes. Public health initiatives in the UK are currently planning to deploy incentive schemes to change unhealthy behaviours. Quit and Win contests are the subject of a companion review.

    Objectives: To determine whether competitions and incentives lead to higher long-term quit rates. We also set out to examine the relationship between incentives and participation rates.

    Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register, with additional searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Search terms included incentive*, competition*, contest*, reward*, prize*, contingent payment*, deposit contract*. The most recent searches were in November 2010.

    Selection criteria: We considered randomized controlled trials, allocating individuals, workplaces, groups within workplaces, or communities to experimental or control conditions. We also considered controlled studies with baseline and post-intervention measures.

    Data collection and analysis: Data were extracted by one author (KC) and checked by the second (RP). We contacted study authors for additional data where necessary. The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking at least six months from the start of the intervention. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence in each trial, and biochemically validated rates where available. Where possible we performed meta-analysis using a generic inverse variance model, grouped by timed endpoints, but not pooled across the subgroups.

    Main results: Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria, covering >4500 participants. Only one study, the largest in our review and covering 878 smokers, demonstrated significantly higher quit rates for the incentives group than for the control group beyond the six-month assessment. This trial referred its participants to local smoking cessation services, and offered substantial cash payments (up to US$750) for prolonged abstinence. In the remaining trials, there was no clear evidence that participants who committed their own money to the programme did better than those who did not, or that contingent rewards enhanced success rates over fixed payment schedules. There is some evidence that recruitment rates can be improved by rewarding participation, which may be expected to deliver higher absolute numbers of successful quitters. Cost effectiveness analysis was not appropriate to this review, since the efficacy of most of the interventions was not demonstrated.

    Conclusions: With the exception of one recent trial, incentives and competitions have not been shown to enhance long-term cessation rates. Early success tended to dissipate when the rewards were no longer offered. Rewarding participation and compliance in contests and cessation programmes may have potential to deliver higher absolute numbers of quitters. The one trial that achieved sustained success rates beyond the reward schedule concentrated its resources into substantial cash payments for abstinence rather than into running its own smoking cessation programme. Such an approach may only be feasible where independently-funded smoking cessation programmes are already available. Future research might explore the scale and longevity of possible cash reward schedules, within a variety of smoking populations.

    Cahill and Perera, Competitions and incentives for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004307. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004307.pub4
     

    Source: Cochrane Collaboration - 24 November 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/lK2ceP

  • Ireland: Reduction in emergency hospital admissions following smoking ban

    A study, conducted by researchers in Dublin, found that emergency room admissions due to respiratory illness dropped significantly in Ireland after the implementation of a workplace smoking ban, compared to admissions that took place before the ban went into effect.

    The researchers evaluated data from the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE), a computer-based database system designed to collect demographic, clinical and administrative data on discharges and deaths from hospitals nationwide. Admissions data relating to emergency pulmonary, cardiac and cerebrovascular hospital admissions for the two years preceding, and the two years succeeding the implementation of the smoking ban (2004) were collected, and population, weather, pollution and influenza data for the same time periods were obtained from the official sources. 

    There was a significant reduction in emergency hospital admissions due to cardio-pulmonary disease in the two years following the smoking ban, and a trend towards reduced pulmonary admissions. The most pronounced decrease in pulmonary admissions was observed in the 20- to 29-year-old age group. A significant decrease also was seen in emergency asthma admissions, and there was a trend towards fewer admissions with acute coronary syndrome, especially among men aged 50 to 59 years and 0 to 69 years. No difference was observed in cerebrovascular disease. 

    Source: MediLexicon - 18 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/lQucme

  • Knowledge of smoking and blindness

    Abstract
    Purpose: Smoking is causally associated with certain prevalent visually impairing eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataract. Studies have found that people are afraid of "going blind" and may be motivated to quit smoking if they know that vision loss is associated with smoking behavior.

    Methods: A random-digit dialed telephone survey was used to measure health knowledge of adult smokers in Canada (n = 2,765), the United States (n = 3,178), the United Kingdom (n = 2,767), and Australia (n = 2,623) as part of the International Tobacco Control Four-Country Project.

    Results: A low proportion of smokers from Canada (13.0%), the United States (9.5%), and the United Kingdom (9.7%) believed that smoking can cause blindness. In contrast, 47.2% of Australian smokers believed that smoking causes blindness. Australia was the only country during the sampling period to have national awareness campaigns about smoking and its effects on eye health.

    Conclusions:
    These findings point to the need across countries to educate the public on this important consequence of smoking. There is an opportunity for the public health and eye health communities to work to educate the public about the impacts smoking has on eye health to improve quit rates and help discourage people from starting to smoke.

    Kennedy, RD., Knowledge about the relationship between smoking and blindness in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia: results from the International Tobacco Control Four-Country Project, Optometry. 2011 May;82(5):310-7.

    Source: Optometry - May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/mNljrE

  • Secondhand smoke and nicotine cravings

    Context Despite progress in tobacco control, secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure remains prevalent worldwide and is implicated in the initiation and maintenance of cigarette smoking.

    Objective To determine whether moderate SHS exposure results in brain α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) occupancy.

    Design, Setting, and Participants Positron emission tomography scanning and the radiotracer 2-[18F]fluoro-3-(2(S)azetidinylmethoxy) pyridine (also known as 2-[18F]fluoro-A-85380, or 2-FA) were used to determine α4β2* nAChR occupancy from SHS exposure in 24 young adult participants (11 moderately dependent cigarette smokers and 13 nonsmokers). Participants underwent two bolus-plus-continuous-infusion 2-FA positron emission tomography scanning sessions during which they sat in the passenger's seat of a car for 1 hour and either were exposed to moderate SHS or had no SHS exposure. The study took place at an academic positron emission tomography center.

    Main Outcome Measure Changes induced by SHS in 2-FA specific binding volume of distribution as a measure of α4β2* nAChR occupancy.

    Results An overall multivariate analysis of variance using specific binding volume of distribution values revealed a significant main effect of condition (SHS vs control) (F1,22 = 42.5, P < .001) but no between-group (smoker vs nonsmoker) effect. Exposure to SHS led to a mean 19% occupancy of brain α4β2* nAChRs (1-sample t test, 2-tailed, P < .001). Smokers had both a mean 23% increase in craving with SHS exposure and a correlation between thalamic α4β2* nAChR occupancy and craving alleviation with subsequent cigarette smoking (Spearman = –0.74, P = .01).

    Conclusions Nicotine from SHS exposure results in substantial brain α4β2* nAChR occupancy in smokers and nonsmokers. Study findings suggest that such exposure delivers a priming dose of nicotine to the brain that contributes to continued cigarette use in smokers. This study has implications for both biological research into the link between SHS exposure and cigarette use and public policy regarding the need to limit SHS exposure in cars and other enclosed spaces.

    Brody, A., et al., Effect of Secondhand Smoke on Occupancy of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Brain, Archives of General Psychiatry. Published online May 2, 2011. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.51

    Source: AMA - 02 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iMYnWU

  • Vulnerability to nicotine addiction may to have a genetic basis, study suggests

    A person's vulnerability to nicotine addiction may to have a genetic basis, at least in part. A region in the midbrain called the habenula (from Latin: small reins) plays a key role in this process, as Dr. Inés Ibañez-Tallon and her team from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, have now shown. They also shed light on the mechanism that underlies addiction to nicotine.

    "Two years ago, studies indicated that genetic variations in a specific gene cluster are risk factors for nicotine dependence and lung cancer," Dr. Ibañez-Tallon pointed out. She and her team, together with researchers from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France and the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, have now elucidated the mechanism underlying this dependence.

    They investigated a specific receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is activated by nicotine in smokers and is encoded by this specific gene cluster, consisting of three subunits, that is three genes. "Although this gene cluster is present in the DNA of every cell, the receptor is only expressed in a few restricted areas of the brain." Dr. Ibañez-Tallon explained.

    "An important percentage of heavy smokers carry a single mutation in this gene. They are more prone to become addicted to nicotine and to develop lung cancer than individuals without this mutation," Dr. Ibañez-Tallon said.
     

    Source: Science Daily - 13 May 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/j6pZcp

Events

  • UK National Smoking Cessation Conference

    Presentations, workshops and debates cover all aspects of the policy and practice of helping smokers to stop. This two-day conference is the leading forum for discussion of evidence based service delivery and community innovations.

    All patient groups are covered, including pregnant smokers, young people, those with mental health problems, in secure environments, and hard to reach groups. Treatment modalities are also comprehensively addressed with presentations describing the state of the art on new medications, forthcoming treatments (like the nicotine vaccine), as well as researchers and practitioners presenting the latest on optimising existing treatments that are known to be effective, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), with results of work looking at combining products and 'pre-loading' prior to quitting.

    Although smoking cessation is the main focus of the conference, tobacco control measures such as smoke free public places and harm reduction are also discussed, particularly in relation to how they impact on services helping people to stop smoking.

    www.uknscc.org

    Date: 13 June 2011
    Venue: Novotel London West, Hammersmith, London
    Contact: 01305 262244, or email updates@uknscc.org

  • Health and Wellbeing – the 21st Century Agenda

    The second international conference organised by the journal Public Health is taking as its theme health and wellbeing. The conference will explore the relationships between health, wellbeing and the factors which influence them in a global environment. 


    website

    Date: 08 September 2011
    Venue: Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ
    Contact: crobins@rsph.org.uk

  • UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases

    The Summit will focus on the four most prominent non-communicable diseases, namely, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. The aim of the summit is to agree on a global strategy to address NCDs.

    There will be a High-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of Non-communicable Diseases (19-20 September 2011), while Non-communicable disease indicators are on the agenda for discussion during the Millennium Development Goals Review Session (20-22 September 2011).

    Date: 19 September 2011
    Venue: New York City, USA
    Contact: http://bit.ly/dOgoW4

  • 14th European Health Forum Gastein

    The EHFG has developed into a key annual event, bringing together, politicians, senior decision-makers, representatives of interest groups, and experts coming from government and administration, business and industry, civil society and science and academia.

    Date: 05 October 2011
    Venue: Salzburg, Austria
    Contact: http://www.ehfg.org/registration.html?&L=0

  • Fiftieth anniversary of RCP report on smoking and health

    To mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of its first report on Smoking and Health in 1962, the Royal College of Physicians is organising a one-day conference.

    Date: 06 March 2012
    Venue: Royal College of Physicians
    Contact: http://events.rcplondon.ac.uk/details.aspx?e=2497

  • 15th World Conference on Tobacco or Health

    The premier, international conference on tobacco control attracts thousands of academics, practitioners, non-government organisations and public officials. 

    Date: 20 March 2012
    Venue: Singapore
    Contact: http://wctoh2012.org