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ASH News and Events Bulletin - 01-15 June 2011

HEADLINES

EVENTS

  • EU urged to adopt plain packaging on tobacco products

    Cancer Research UK has renewed its call for the European Union (EU) to adopt plain packaging with graphic pictures of health warnings on all tobacco products.

    A report being presented in Brussels shows the importance of stopping the marketing of tobacco via its packaging.

    The briefing - titled "Spotlight on the FCTC" - argues that tobacco packaging should be used by governments to communicate the dangers of tobacco use rather than being used as a marketing tool by the tobacco industry.

    Hard-hitting and graphic pictures of the health effects of smoking placed on the front and back of packets and ensuring all packaging has identical colouring and design would achieve both these goals.

    The report also reveals the evidence that plain packaging helps change attitudes to smoking, the high level of public support for the measure, as well as dispelling the myth that this will cost jobs or a loss of retail income

    Source: Medical News Today - 31 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iQZUCP

  • Nicotine treatment 'could control obesity'

    In an article in the journal Science, Yale University researchers describe experiments on mice which found nicotine activates neurons to send signals the body has had enough to eat.

    However they are not the same neurons which trigger a craving for tobacco.

    As a result, the researchers say nicotine-based treatments could help control obesity.

    Prof Marina Picciotto, senior study researcher and professor of psychiatry at Yale University, cautioned that the impact of a nicotine-based medication would be limited because smokers who are leaner when they give up smoking only gain 2.5 kilos of weight on average.

    Clinical trials in humans would also be necessary to explore the side effects on blood pressure.

    Amanda Sandford, research manager for ASH, said it was already known that pure nicotine could be safely used to wean smokers off their tobacco habit.

    "If nicotine could also be used to tackle obesity then it could be a valuable tool in tackling two of the most critical public health problems that we face today," she said.

    Source: BBC News - 10 June 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/iYu8Hh

  • Plain Packaging argument

    Simon Chapman, Professor & Director of Research at Sydney School of Public Health refutes arguments presented by the tobacco industry on plain packaging.

    Source: Crikey - 09 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kdkONA

  • Scotland: Delay in cigarette vending machines ban

    A ban on sales of tobacco products from vending machines was to be implemented from October 1. However, due to the ongoing legal challenges, the Scottish Government has reluctantly come to the conclusion that it is no longer possible to introduce the ban on that day.

    A new date for its introduction will be announced in due course.

    Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said:

    "Scotland needs decisive action to improve our health as a nation and discourage people from smoking. Evidence shows that many young people obtain cigarettes from vending machines, which is why we remain committed to banning cigarette sales from vending machines. This, alongside a comprehensive package of measures, will help dissuade a future generation of smokers.

    "Two legal challenges against the vending machine sales ban have already been dismissed. However, in view of appeal proceedings, we feel it is prudent to defer the ban from the original implementation date to a date to be announced."
     

    Source: e-Gov Monitor - 03 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kAP9Aw

  • Smoke and minors: Teenage girls and smoking

    More teenage girls smoke than boys. Anne Karpf examines whether it could be because the tobacco industry plays on their desire to look fun, feel confident and stay thin?

    Source: The Guardian - 03 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iIzHKV

  • Spain: More people going to bars following smoking ban

    A new study shows that more people are going out now that establishments are smoke-free.

    In a survey carried out by the Spanish Society for Family and Community Medicine, 70 per cent of respondents said they go out to bars and restaurants with the same frequency as before the ban, while 18 per cent said they go out more and just 12 per cent said they go out less.

    86 per cent of respondents believe that the smoking ban will result in improved health for the general public. Even 50 per cent of smokers say they would be against going back to allowing smoking in bars and restaurants.

    The number of smokers attempting to quit the habit has continued rising, according to SemFYC's Vidal Barchilón. "This year some 36 per cent of smokers have attempted to quit, compared to 31 per cent last year and 25 per cent the year before. "

    Despite the study's findings, bar and restaurant owners continue to maintain that the smoking ban is costing them money in lost business. 

    Source: Costa News - 07 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/jgJGbq

  • Worth the price? Underwriting smoking cessation

    Governments across Europe are getting on board to help people stop smoking. Ross Campbell, Chief Underwriter, Gen Re Life/Health Research & Development, discusses health insurance implications of nicotine replacement therapy.

    Source: IFA online - 08 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/mAC561

  • Early Day Motion 1851: Passive smoking in cars

    That this House welcomes the provisions of theTen Minute Rule Bill to stop smoking in cars with minors present; notes that research conducted by the British Lung Foundation found that over half (51 per cent.) of eight to 15 year-olds have been exposed to cigarette smokewhen confined in a car and 86 per cent. of children across the UK want people to stop smoking when children are in the car; further notes with concern that around four million people in the UK continue to smoke near children and over 300,000 children in the UK present passive smoking-related illnesses to their GP every year; and calls on the Government to ensure that measures are taken to improve child protection in this area.

    Source: Parliament UK - 24 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/mMT0qA

  • Parliamentary question: Passive Smoking and Children

    Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department plans to take to protect children from exposure to passive smoke.

    Anne Milton: The Government's Tobacco Control Plan for England, “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England”, published on 9 March 2011, sets out a range of Government action, including action to protect children from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

    Although the exposure of children to second-hand tobacco smoke has come down in recent years, we want this to reduce further. We want smokers to change their behaviour so as to make sure that they do not harm those around them, particularly children exposed to second-hand in the home or in family cars. We will work with national media to raise awareness of the risks in exposing children to second-hand smoke.

    The Department's new marketing strategy for tobacco control, which will be published this summer, will set out further details of how we will support efforts to encourage people to recognise the risks of second-hand smoke and to make their homes and private cars smokefree.

    Source: Hansard - 08 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/j6nsvk

  • Parliamentary question: Tobacco

    Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what peer review was undertaken on (a) the calculations of the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses contained in and (b) the research on the economic burden of tobacco use on society cited in the Tobacco Control Plan for England; [57511]

    (2) pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1158-59W, on tobacco, what criteria he uses to determine the admissibility of representations on public policy from sectors with commercial interests in the policy outcome; 

    (3) pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1158-59W, on tobacco, what obligations the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control places on the Government to protect tobacco control from vested interests of other industries. [57702]

    Anne Milton: “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England” included an appendix providing resources for tobacco control (pages 48-53). The references to the Policy Exchange’s “Cough Up” report and the Action on Smoking and Health website provide further information on the costs of treating smoking related diseases and the economic burden on society of tobacco use, and the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regarding the obligations that this treaty places on parties. Representations on public policy issues, including in the area of tobacco control, are regularly received from a number of interested parties and are all considered with due diligence. For example, when the Department carries out public consultations on policy initiatives it adheres strictly to the Cabinet Office guidance on representations from all parties.

    Source: Hansard - 07 Jun 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/lNiuMO

  • BAT claims Vogue launch is not a fashion statement

    British American Tobacco has defended itself against claims it has "downplayed" the health risks associated with smoking in favour of the "trappings of style, supermodels and staying slim" for its latest cigarette launch, Vogue Perle.

    Cancer Research UK, doctors and campaign group Fresh, Smoke Free North East said they were appalled at reports that BAT was gearing up for its new line to 'take off'.

    "Young women are obsessed with fashion and staying slim and this is exactly the message this pack is trying to give," said Dr Shonag Mackenzie, consultant obstetrician at Wansbeck Hospital in Northumberland. "It is young teenage girls who don't yet smoke but are probably experimenting who are most likely to be influenced by this."

    In response to the criticisms, BAT UK said it did not encourage any individual to start smoking.

    Source: The Grocer - 06 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/lmsH9q

  • Imperial Tobacco Caught Misleading Shareholders, UK

    Tobacco companies have a long history of misleading politicians and the public but a new report from Action on Smoking and Health reveals that companies trying to block new health regulations are also misleading shareholders.

    The report called "Tobacconomics" shows how shareholders at the Imperial Tobacco Annual General Meeting were repeatedly told that Ireland's tobacco tax revenue had fallen by half a billion pounds - almost half - after Ireland banned tobacco displays in 2009 when official Irish Government statistics show that revenue actually increased by almost 50 million euros (£44.5m). The report demonstrates that this is not an isolated error but part of a consistent pattern intended to block global health policy. 

    The full report, which reveals how the tobacco industry uses pseudo economic arguments to block new health regulations can be downloaded from the ASH website, here.

    Source: MediLexicon - 13 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/lCqizs

  • Pursuit of a safer cigarette gathers pace

    The FT reports that Sir Terry Leahy, the former chief executive of UK supermarket chain Tesco, has invested in a British company called Kind Consumer, which intends to market a nicotine delivery product.

    The company has signed a contract wtih British American Tobacco's newly-created subsidiary Nicoventures.

    Alex Hearn, founder of Kind Consumer, argues that success depends on more than delivering a safe nicotine hit. The rituals surrounding smoking must also be mimicked, he says.

    Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, argues that consumer goods groups would make more acceptable partners for inventors [than tobacco companies] while also having the marketing and sales experience of the tobacco groups. 

    [registration required]

    Source: The Financial Times - 02 June 2011
    Link: http://on.ft.com/l2s1if

  • Spanish cigarette price war burns £100m hole in Imperial profits

    Imperial Tobacco is facing a potential £100m profit loss hit as a result of a cigarette price war, tax increases and a smoking ban in Spain.

    Imperial, which is the world's fourth-largest tobacco company and the market leader in Spain, claims that a slump in cigarette purchases by cash-strapped smokers had led to a fierce price war in the country.

    The average retail price of cigarettes in Spain has fallen 10% since the end of April and Imperial – which sells brands including Ducados Rubio, Fortuna Red Line and Nobel Style – last cut its prices on Friday.

    Imperial reported an 18% slump in cigarette volumes in Spain for the six months to the end of March. The group's net profits rose to £926m from £689m a year earlier, on sales up 2% to £13.7bn.

    Source: The Guardian - 13 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kME55r

  • Thailand: Philip Morris backs tax changes

    The US tobacco company Philip Morris supports the Thai government's attempts to reform tobacco taxation as it would improve transparency in tax collection, says general manager Tammy Chan.

    The Excise Department is proposing to calculate taxes based on retail prices instead of the ex-factory prices of the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) for local cigarettes and CIF (cost, insurance and freight) prices for imported cigarettes.

    The Philippines, where Philip Morris has its production base, recently won a long-running dispute with Thailand over cigarette import taxes.

    Source: American Chronicle - 10 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/lLSamD

  • Tobacco cash bad for your moral health, Durham University told

    Durham University has been urged by a senior official at Cancer Research UK to return funding it received from British American Tobacco.

    The firm donated £125,000 to fund scholarships at Durham for women from Afghanistan, but in a blog on the CRUK website, Robin Hewings, the charity’s tobacco control policy manager, says that “the tobacco industry’s record means academic institutions should have nothing to do with it”.

    Mr Hewings argues that the industry “seeks to gain unwarranted respectability by association with credible bodies such as universities” and that “these kinds of donation aim to create an environment where there are soft government policies on tobacco”.

    The full blog post is available here.

    Source: Times Higher Education - 03 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/jM20WR

  • U.S. judge declines to shut tobacco racketeering case

    A court overseeing an extended battle between the Justice Department and an array of tobacco companies declined an industry plea to shut the case because tobacco is regulated under a new law.

    Judge Gladys Kessler, who had ruled in 2006 that Philip Morris and other tobacco companies were guilty of racketeering because of years of deception about tobacco's safety, insisted that she retain jurisdiction over the case.

    The racketeering case, filed in 1999 by the Clinton administration, sought to force the industry to fund a smoking cessation program and other remedies. Under the Bush administration, the U.S. Justice Department dropped demands from $280 billion to $14 billion.

    Kessler ruled in 2006 that the companies broke the law and could no longer use expressions such as "low tar" or "light" in their cigarette marketing. But she also said she could not force them to fund a smoking cessation program, and an appeals court agreed.

    Source: Reuters - 01 June 2011
    Link: http://reut.rs/j7gazT

  • Uganda: Tobacco firm operations stopped

    A new tobacco company that has been registering farmers to establish its operations in Kanungu, has been ordered to halt its activities. Kanungu District officials and tobacco regulators last week declared operations of Continental Tobacco Uganda (CTU) Ltd illegal.

    The company has been advised to first align its operations with the law and seek relevant permission from the tobacco regulator before operating in the area. The pronouncement came during a meeting between Kanungu district leaders, farmers and tobacco industry players.

    The meeting heard that CTU has since the beginning of this year been illegally contacting tobacco farmers as well as opening up sites for the new season starting this month, without clearance from the Trade ministry.
     

    Source: Afrique en Ligne - 06 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/mItvgZ

  • Effect of increasing price on smokers and recent quitters

    Abstract
    Aims: To track smokers’ responses to the increasing price of cigarettes after a tax increase, and assess socio-demographic differences in responses.

    Design: The Cancer Institute NSW's Tobacco Tracking Survey (CITTS) is a continuous tracking telephone survey. Weekly data were collected between May and September 2010.

    Settings: New South Wales, Australia.

    Participants: 834 smokers and 163 recent quitters (quit in last 12m).

    Measurements: Responses to the price increase included smoking-related changes (tried to quit, cut down) and product-related changes (changed to lower priced brands, started using loose tobacco, bought in bulk). Recent quitters were asked how much the increasing price of cigarettes influenced them to quit.

    Findings: Overall, 47.5% of smokers made smoking-related changes and 11.4% made product-related changes without making smoking-related changes. Multinomial logistic regressions showed that younger smokers (vs. older) were more likely to make product-related changes and smoking-related changes in comparison to no changes. Low or moderate income smokers (vs. high income) were more likely to make smoking-related changes compared to no changes. Highly addicted smokers (vs. low addicted) were more likely to make product-related changes and less likely to make smoking-related changes. The proportion of smokers making only product-related changes decreased with time, while smoking-related changes increased. Recent quitters who quit after the tax increase (vs. before) were more likely to report that price influenced them.

    Conclusions: The effect of increasing cigarette prices on smoking does not appear to be mitigated by using cheaper cigarette products or sources. These results support the use of higher cigarette prices to encourage smoking cessation.

    Dunlop, S., et al., Australian smokers’ and recent quitters’ responses to the increasing price of cigarettes in the context of a tobacco tax increase, Addiction, Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online for future issues)

    Source: Wiley - 11 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ltsJ7Q

  • Factors predicting recruitment to smoking cessation study

    Abstract
    Background: Recruiting smokers to smoking cessation trials is challenging and participation rates are often low. Consequently, the interventions evaluated may fail to reach a broad spectrum of the target population, thus compromising the generalizability of the findings. Brief interventions, using proactive recruitment, are likely to attract a broader and more representative proportion of the population.

    Objective: We explored the factors that influenced recruitment into a trial evaluating computer-tailored feedback reports that aimed to help smokers to quit [the ESCAPE (Effectiveness of computer-tailored Smoking Cessation Advice in Primary Care) study] in order to investigate the possibilities for increasing recruitment into smoking cessation trials.

    Methods: Current cigarette smokers, identified from GP records, were invited to participate in the study. The main outcome measure was the recruitment rate, i.e. the proportion of participants who responded and were randomized to one of the intervention groups. Predictor variables included geographical region, level of deprivation, practice characteristics and the number and timing of mailings of questionnaires.

    Results: The recruitment rate varied by practice (2.5-19.8%) and differed significantly between regions (from 16.3% in Scotland to 8.4% in London, P < 0.001). Recruitment decreased significantly by 1.1% between the lowest and highest quintiles of deprivation (P = 0.012), measured by Index of Multiple Deprivation scores, and decreased by 1.33% for every extra 10% smokers identified within a practice population (P = 0.010). Sending reminders increased recruitment by 7.5% (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed region and length of time between mailings were the main predictors of recruitment.

    Conclusions: Proactive recruitment methods can increase participation in smoking cessation trials and weighting the target sample in favour of more deprived areas will recruit a more representative sample. The number and timing of mailings to potential participants can also increase recruitment.

    Gilbert, H., et al., An exploration of general practice factors predicting recruitment to a UK wide primary care smoking cessation study (the ESCAPE trial), Family Practice, 2011 May 30. [Epub ahead of print]

     

    Source: Oxford Journals - 30 May2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/jHxsON

  • FCTC process from the tobacco industry's perspective

    Abstract
    Objective To analyse the models Philip Morris (PM) and British American Tobacco (BAT) used internally to understand tobacco control non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their relationship to the global tobacco control policy-making process that resulted in the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC).

    Methods Analysis of internal tobacco industry documents in the Legacy Tobacco Document Library.

    Results PM contracted with Mongoven, Biscoe, and Duchin, Inc. (MBD, a consulting firm specialising in NGO surveillance) as advisors. MBD argued that because NGOs are increasingly linked to epistemic communities, NGOs could insert themselves into the global policy-making process and influence the discourse surrounding the treaty-making process. MBD advised PM to insert itself into the policy-making process, mimicking NGO behaviour. BAT's Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (CORA) department argued that global regulation emerged from the perception (by NGOs and governments) that the industry could not regulate itself, leading to BAT advocating social alignment and self-regulation to minimise the impact of the FCTC. Most efforts to block or redirect the FCTC failed.

    Conclusions PM and BAT articulated a global policy-making environment in which NGOs are key, non-state stakeholders, and as a result, internationalised some of their previous national-level strategies. After both companies failed to prevent the FCTC, their strategies began to align. Multinational corporations have continued to successfully employ some of the strategies outlined in this paper at the local and national level while being formally excluded from ongoing FCTC negotiations at the global level.

    Gonzalez, M., et al., Through tobacco industry eyes: civil society and the FCTC process from Philip Morris and British American Tobacco's perspectives, Tobacco Control, doi:10.1136/tc.2010.041657

    Source: Tobacco Control - 02 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/j99Pyg

  • Misleading terms on packaging and smokers beliefs

    Abstract
    Aim: This paper examines how smokers’ beliefs about “light/ mild” cigarettes in Australia, Canada and the UK were affected by the removal of misleading “light/mild” terms from packs.

    Design, setting and participants: The data come from the first 7 waves (2002-2009) of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation (ITC) Four-Country Survey, an annual cohort telephone survey of adult smokers in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Australia (21,613 individual cases). “Light” and “mild” descriptors were removed in 2003 in the UK, in 2006 in Australia, and in 2007 in Canada. We compare beliefs about “light” cigarettes both before and after the bans, with those of smokers in the US serving as the control condition.

    Findings: The proportions of respondents reporting misperceptions about light cigarettes declined between 2002 and 2009 in all four countries. There were marked temporary reductions in reported misperceptions in the UK and Australia but not in Canada following the removal of “light/mild” descriptors.

    Conclusions: Removal of “light/mild” descriptors and tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide yield information from cigarette packs is insufficient to effectively eliminate false beliefs. The combination of alternative descriptors and design features that produce differences in taste strength and harshness, independent of actual intakes, are sufficient to produce or sustain the same misbeliefs.

    Yong, H., et al., Impact of the removal of misleading terms on cigarette pack on smokers’ beliefs about Light/Mild cigarettes: Cross-country comparisons, Addiction, Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online for future issues)

    Source: Wiley - 09 June 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kVYTP5

  • Nicotine intake while taking NRT and continuing to smoke

    Introduction

    There is increasing interest in the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking reduction (SR) and during periods of enforced temporary abstinence (TA). A number of products are now licensed for such purposes in the UK and several other countries (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency 2010). This was partially on the basis of the findings from clinical trials that NRT can help smokers to reduce their cigarette consumption and smoke exposure when used as part of a structured reduction programme (Moore et al. 2009). However, we have recently found that use of NRT for SR or TA by smokers in England, outside of the context of clinical trials, is not associated with a significant decrease in cigarette consumption (Beard et al. 2011). If there is no compensatory decrease in cigarette consumption when using NRT, it raises the question of whether there is an increase in overall nicotine exposure...

    In the meantime, our findings should provide reassurance to regulators that the concurrent use of NRT and smoking as currently practised poses no significant risk arising from an increase in overall nicotine intake.

    Beard, E., Is use of nicotine replacement therapy while continuing to smoke associated with increased nicotine intake? Evidence from a population sample, Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 May 26. [Epub ahead of print]

    Source: Springerlink - 13 May 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/kboX6N

  • Prescribing of NRT to youth in England

    Abstract
    Aims In November 2005, the indications for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were broadened in the UK, making all forms available to 12-17 year olds. This study aimed to estimate the effects of this change on prescribing of NRT to adolescents in England.

    Design Segmented regression analysis of primary care data on prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy using General Additive Mixed Models.

    Setting 350 general practices in England included in The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a database of UK electronic primary care records.

    Participants All 12-17 year old patients registered with a THIN practice in England.

    Measurements Monthly rates of prescribing of NRT per 100,000 12-17 year old patients registered with a THIN practice between January 2002 and June 2009.

    Findings Prescribing of NRT was highest in 16-17 year olds and extremely low in 12-13 year olds, generally under 10 prescriptions per 100,000 adolescents per month. Girls tended to be prescribed NRT more frequently than boys. In 12-17 year olds rates of prescribing were increasing prior to the broadening of indications, and there was no step change, but the rate of increase was lower, after the indications were broadened.

    Conclusions Recent changes to the marketing licence for nicotine replacement therapy in England to include adolescents appears to have had little or no effect on prescribing practices.

    Langley, T., Prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy to adolescents in England, Addiction, Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online for future issues)

    Source: Wiley - 06 April 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/iVY1uZ

Events

  • 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

  • Tobacco and Alcohol: Learning From Each Other Conference

    Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among people with alcohol use disorders. People who are dependent on alcohol are more likely than those in the general population to be smokers, and people who are dependent on tobacco are more likely than the general population to be dependent on alcohol. Alcohol use problems are associated with higher levels of nicotine dependence and a lower likelihood of smoking cessation. More alcoholics die of tobacco-related illness than die of alcohol-related problems. The link between alcohol and tobacco has important implications for those in the alcohol and smoking cessation treatment and policy fields. The conference is an opportunity to learn from each other and to present new models and ways of working.

    Date: 12 October 2011
    Venue: Parc Thistle Hotel, Cardiff
    Contact: http://www.ashwales.org.uk/conference-registration/

  • 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