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ASH News and Events Bulletin - 16-28 February 2011

HEADLINES

EVENTS

  • Smoked Out - Plain Cigarette Packaging

    As Australia prepares to implement a ban on colour cigarette packaging in 2012 and Canada and the UK consider similar bans, Elisabeth Fischer examines the role of packaging as a "silent salesman", its level of persuasiveness and the emotional response people have to it.

    Source: Packaging Gateway - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/g5pyVM

  • Letter: Point of Sale display ban

    In a letter to the Guardian, Professors Alex Markham, John Britton, Gerard Hastings and Robert West state that it is vital to do everything we can to put tobacco out of sight including removing point-of-sale tobacco displays without further delay.

    Click on the link below to view the full letter.

    Source: The Guardian - 19 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/hGo8MW

  • It is a myth that high duties on tobacco lead to increased smuggling

    Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health responds to a Guardian article citing tobacco industry assertions that a rise in tobacco tax is a gift to smugglers.

    "Your article reported the tobacco industry's assertion that "Treasury and Customs officials [need] to brace themselves for a tsunami of smuggled cigarettes", as "criminal gangs seek to cash in on the UK's exceptionally high tax rates on tobacco products" (Tobacco tax rise 'a gift to smugglers', 7 February). This is an old argument wheeled out every year in advance of the budget.

    As evidence the industry cites the 1990s, when tax increases were followed by tobacco smuggling ballooning out of control. Smuggling certainly did go up, due to a vast expansion in British cigarettes being sold overseas, destined to be smuggled straight back to the UK – with tobacco manufacturers benefiting from the increase in sales of their products at a cheaper tax-free price.

    George Osborne, sitting on the public accounts committee at the time, asked the manufacturers: "How can you possibly have sold cigarettes to Latvia, Kaliningrad, Afghanistan and Moldova in the expectation that those were just going to be used by the indigenous population and not in the expectation they would be smuggled? You must know these are places which are linked to organised crime."

    Scandalised by the behaviour of the tobacco industry, government put in place a tough anti-smuggling strategy, including fines of up to £5m for manufacturers who fail to control overseas sales. Following legal action, the major international manufacturers have all signed legally binding agreements to control smuggling and pay millions of euros to the EU and member states. The payments aren't called compensation, but it's clear the industry is being forced to pay for its past misbehaviour.

    So it wasn't disparities in tax that led to the growth in smuggling. And though you report that HM Revenue and Customs officials "admit that widening disparities between European tobacco tax rates are likely to be pounced on by industrial-scale tax evasion gangs", due to changes in tax and exchange-rates in Europe, the disparities are likely to decrease, not increase, over time.

    And now strong enforcement is in place there's no reason why, as the industry argues, "the volume of contraband sold on Britain's streets will rocket when excise duty goes up". Cracking down on smuggling, not cutting taxes, has brought tobacco tax fraud under control.

    As your article pointed out, since the anti-smuggling strategy started there has been a fall in smuggled cigarettes from over 20% of all smoked in the UK (and rising) to 11%. The benefit to government revenues is dramatic, with the annual tax take increasing by £1.7bn, and no evidence in the last two years – when taxes rose above inflation – that smuggling has started to go up again.

    The article states: "In 1993 the then chancellor Ken Clarke introduced a duty escalator to shore up hard-hit public finances." This is true but it was also introduced as a public health measure. Clarke said this approach "is the most effective way to reduce smoking". This view is supported by not just Action on Smoking and Health but also the World Bank and the World Health Organisation.

    That is why we and 60 other health organisations believe the government should increase the tax escalator from 2% to 5% above inflation in the upcoming budget – a move which will both increase government revenues and reduce smoking."

    Source: The Guardian - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/h5vFao

  • Wales: New tobacco control plan aims to reduce smoking

    New plans have been announced to significantly reduce smoking rates in Wales.

    Tony Jewell, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales said the new scheme called The Tobacco Control Action Plan marks the start of a consultation.

    The plan builds on the Welsh Assembly Government's programme of measures to discourage young people from smoking and aims to drive down smoking levels to 16% by 2020.

    Dr Jewell said: "Just as Wales took a bold step in creating smoke-free environments in public places, the time is right to champion new approaches to further protect children from the harms of secondhand smoke."

    Source: The Press Association - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/dHqPl5

  • Tobacco displays in Britain's shops should be consigned to history

    The following editorial in The Observer accompanied the article in the Industry Watch section below entitled Tobacco firms accused of funding shops' campaign to keep cigarettes on display.

    The government will soon decide whether cigarette displays in shops should be banned. Health campaigners insist they should, believing this will reduce the number of young people smoking, while those who run convenience shops oppose the move, saying it will cost up to £1,000 to remove the displays and to fit under-the-counter trays to hold tobacco products. This, they warn, will increase queues in shops, levels of theft and smuggling.

    Whether a ban deters young people from smoking is fiercely contested. Several Canadian provinces that introduced a ban have witnessed a significant fall in youth smoking. But provinces that did not introduce a ban have also seen falls.

    What is clear is that in the Canadian example the smoking lobby vigorously resisted the move, advancing the same arguments against the ban now being made here, ostensibly by shopkeepers but with the tacit support, both financial and administrative, of the big tobacco companies.

    The assertion that compliance with the ban will result in thousands of shopkeepers going out of business must be treated with suspicion. Even those who oppose the ban estimate the true cost of compliance will be only in the hundreds of pounds, a fraction of an average shop's annual turnover.

    Perhaps the most useful exercise for the UK government is to look to Ireland, which introduced a similar ban in 2009. Independent research confirmed that the ban did not result in a loss of income for Irish retailers, while there was a dramatic decline in children's awareness that tobacco was sold in shops. Support for the ban also rose among the general population after it was introduced.

    The researchers concluded the ban helped to "de-normalise" tobacco in the minds of children. The truth, long recognised by the tobacco industry, is that these displays are just another form of advertising and so, in the case of cigarettes, should be consigned to history.

    Source: The Observer - 27 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/grsqPf

  • Honduras seeks to stop smoking; even at home

    A new law banning smoking in most public and private spaces doesn't actually outlaw cigarettes inside homes, but it does have a provision allowing people to file complaints about secondhand smoke in homes.

    Violations would bring a verbal warning on the first offence. After that could come arrest and a $311 fine — the equivalent of the monthly minimum wage in this Central American country.

    Even some anti-smoking advocates suspect that part of the law may not work.

    The law bans smoking in most closed public or private spaces and orders smokers to stand at least six feet (1.8 meters) away from nonsmokers in any open space.

    The law explicitly bans smoking in schools, gas stations, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, buses, taxis, stadiums and cultural centers but it doesn't clearly ban smoking at home.

    The law also outlaws all advertising for tobacco products and requires photos of lungs affected by cancer to be placed on cigarette packs. Tobacco and cigarette companies have 60 days to comply with both requirements.

    The law says businesses, such as bars or restaurants, that allow smoking could be fined between $1,000 and $6,000 and repeat offenders could be shut down.

    Source: The Guardian - 25 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fRi6Fk

  • Parliamentary question: Tobacco smuggling

     

    Dr Wollaston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department spent on its Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy in 2009-10;

    (2) how many staff of his Department were assigned to implementing the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy in 2009-10; and how many such staff were engaged in (a) detection, (b) intelligence-gathering and analysis, (c)investigations and (d) the provision of legal advice; 

    (3) what estimate he has made of the expenditure incurred by his Department on salaries for full-time investigation staff allocated to its Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy for staff (a) engaged in detection, (b)engaged in investigations, (c) working on intelligence matters and (d) in total in 2009-10; 

    (4) what expenditure his Department incurred on publicity campaigns intended to reduce tobacco smuggling in(a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. 

    Mr Gauke: The full-time equivalents of staff employed on tackling tobacco smuggling in detection, intelligence gathering and investigation for 2009-10 are shown as follows.

    2009-10

     

    		 Number

    Detection

    153

    Investigation

    360

    Intelligence

    172

    Total

    685

     

    These figures represent HMRC's best estimate of the way resources were used in the year specified, bearing in mind that the work of staff employed on anti-fraud and smuggling activity often covers a number of different taxes and commodities.

    Expenditure incurred on salaries for full time equivalent staff allocated to tobacco smuggling is shown in the following table.

    2009-10

     

    		 £

    Detection

    5,362,740

    Investigation

    20,840,605

    Intelligence

    7,946,658

    Total

    34,150,003

     

    HMRC is unable to disaggregate time spent on the provision of legal advice on tobacco from time spent on other advisory work.

    HMRC incurred no expenditure on targeted media campaigns to support their anti-tobacco smuggling strategy in 2008-09. HMRC funded £170,000 for targeted media campaigns in 2009-10.

    Source: Hansard - 15 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fawmTq

  • Early Day Motion 1501: National No Smoking Day

    Early Day Motion tabled by Ian Mearns MP:

    That this House notes National No Smoking Day is taking place on 9 March 2011; believes that smoking is one of the biggest causes of avoidable deaths and that it is the duty of Government to encourage people to stop smoking or to discourage the recruitment of new customers by de-normalising and deglamourising the addiction; agrees with the Observer editorial of 27 February 2011 that independent research confirmed that the ban in Ireland did not result in a loss of income for Irish retailers, while there was a dramatic decline in children's awareness that tobacco was sold in shops; further notes that support for the ban rose among the general population after it was introduced; and urges the Government to positively conclude its deliberations on carrying through the decision of the last Parliament to ban tobacco displays in shops, which are simply a form of product advertising.

    Source: Parliament UK - 01 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gDFt2x

  • BAT profits up despite lower volumes

    British American Tobacco met analysts’ expectations with a 7.5 per cent rise in pre-tax profits for last year.

    The maker of Pall Mall, Kent and Dunhill cigarettes increased revenues 5 per cent to £14.9bn and pre-tax profits rose to £4.39bn, helped by pricing, strong trading in commodity led economies including Canada, Australia and Brazil, and favourable exchange rates. At constant currencies, organic revenues rose 3 per cent.

    Paul Adams, BAT’s chief executive who will retire next week after nine years at the helm, said the company was “achieving or exceeding our strategic targets”. A cost-savings goal for 2012 was met last year and BAT was on track, he said, to meet its 35 per cent operating margin target in the next two years or sooner.

    Source: Financial Times - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://on.ft.com/eSfCxI

  • Cigar makers target Cuban women

    Cuba's state-owned tobacco company is wooing women, with their very own version of the famous Havana cigar. 

    The world of Habano smokers is predominantly male, but the island's largest cigar manufacturer has now set its sights on the other half of the world's population - women.

    The result is the Julieta, a milder version of the renowned, strong-flavoured Romeo Y Julieta brand, which was founded in 1873.

    The Julieta is bigger, 4.75 inches (12cm) long, 0.5 inches (13mm) wide, and far more pungent.

    Women have a long association with cigar smoking - according to anthropologists, ancient Mayan women were just as likely as their menfolk to smoke dried tobacco.

    But in modern times it has never really taken off.

    Source: BBC Caribbean - 21 February 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/ibvEw7

  • Global Smokeless Tobacco Market Report: 2010 Edition

    The report analyzes the global smokeless tobacco industry including its market size and geographical segmentation. The report also analyses the key trends, drivers and challenges of the market. Further, the report highlights the positioning and strategies of top smokeless tobacco manufacturers – Swedish Match, Altria and Reynolds American Inc.

    The overall market growth for smokeless tobacco products is led by the growth in the US market. The US market for smokeless tobacco is forecasted to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of about 7% for the period spanning 2010 to 2012.

    The leading smokeless tobacco product categories are snuff and snus. The United States is the largest market for moist snuff and has increased manifold in the past 10 years. In addition, the Swedish snus market has also grown considerably. 

    Source: Research and Market - December 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/eppplq

  • RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris hit with $3.3 million verdict

    An Alachua County jury awarded $3,375,000 against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and Phillip Morris USA, Inc. for the wrongful death of John Huish, who died of lung cancer after 46 years of smoking Lucky Strike, Camel and Marlboro cigarettes. The verdict includes $3,000,000 in punitive damages.

    Source: PR News - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gHSIRU

  • Tobacco firms accused of funding shops' campaign to keep cigarettes on display

    A shopkeepers' trade body that has helped to persuade scores of MPs to oppose a ban on cigarette displays has been accused by its members of being a puppet of the tobacco industry.

    The National Federation of Retail Newsagents, which represents 16,500 shopkeepers, has emerged as an important player in the debate over whether "power walls" – behind-the-counter displays of cigarettes – should be banned.

    Health campaigners claim that banning the displays would benefit the nation's health because it would cut the number of young people who take up smoking. But the federation, which disputes evidence for the claim and warns that the move would be bad for business, has hired a lobbying company to make its case with MPs. Emails sent to MPs by account executives at Hume Brophy, which also lobbies on behalf of British American Tobacco, suggest the federation's campaign has been a success.

    One email, sent to all MPs this month, said: "The campaign has more than 78 supporters [MPs] … on this very important issue which would have a devastating effect on the small business sector in your constituency."

    "The federation is a puppet of the tobacco industry," said Colin Finch, its president in 2001 and 2007, who accuses tobacco companies of using "retailers to legitimise their campaign". He said tobacco money flowed into the federation "discreetly" via sponsorship of trade events, annual conferences, seminars, meetings and dinners.

    "The whole situation with the federation and the tobacco industry is out of kilter," said Finch, who opposes the display ban, arguing it is unfair and will not work. "The federation's code of ethics has been poisoned by the tobacco industry."

    Allegations that a trade body that has lobbied MPs has been influenced by tobacco firms will be seized on by health campaigners. The UK is a party to the World Heath Organisation convention on tobacco control, which compels governments to ensure the drafting of policies is free "from vested interests of the tobacco industry".

    "The government is required to protect its public health policies with respect to tobacco from the commercial and vested interests of the industry," said Deborah Arnott, director of the anti-smoking campaign group, ASH. "If the government repeals or significantly delays the display ban it will have utterly failed to live up to its international treaty obligations."

    Source: The Observer - 27 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/foo0NT

  • USA: Government tells tobacco tycoons: admit you lied

    A federal judge unsealed a government proposal that outlines what it wants tobacco companies to say in national advertising and on cigarette packages — that they lied to the American public about so-called light cigarettes and the addictiveness of nicotine.

    Judge Gladys Kessler of the United States District Court in Washington denied a request by the tobacco companies that the recommendations, by the Justice Department, be kept secret until they submitted a response.

    The so-called corrective statements were ordered as part of a civil racketeering judgment in 2006 in which Judge Kessler ruled against the tobacco companies, saying they had lied for 50 years. The statements are to appear in newspaper and magazine advertising and in attachments to cigarette packages.

    Judge Kessler is also deciding how the advertisements should be displayed at retail outlets.

    Below are some of  the proposed statements:

    “We told Congress under oath that we believed nicotine is not addictive. We told you that smoking is not an addiction and all it takes to quit is willpower."

    “We falsely marketed low tar and light cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes to keep people smoking and sustain our profits. We knew that many smokers switch to low tar and light cigarettes rather than quitting because they believe low tar and lights are less harmful"

     “For decades, we denied that we controlled the level of nicotine delivered in cigarettes"

    The tobacco companies will be proposing their own versions for the judge to consider.

    Source: New York Times - 23 February 2011
    Link: http://nyti.ms/hstlMY

  • USA: Tobacco giant prepares for fight over cigarette tax

    Tobacco giant Philip Morris USA has donated more than $128,000 to a new campaign account this month, in advance of a Californian legislative plan to increase cigarette tax by $1 a pack to fund cancer research and prevention programs.

    Taxpayers Against Out-of-Control Spending was created "so that we may explore and evaluate our options regarding this measure," according to David Sutton, a spokesman for Philip Morris' parent company, Altria Group.
     
    The planned increase would take effect from 2012.
    Source: The Sacramento Bee - 23 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/g84Aw9

  • Apps for smoking cessation

    A US study by the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative examines the potential of smartphones as an aid to smoking cessation. It concludes that despite the immense promise of technologies such as smartphones, “Where there is an app, there is a way” is undoubtedly overly optimistic.

    There are of course larger contextual issues that also must be considered. For example, it is important to note that dissemination of evidence-based science is a science in and of itself. A second broad issue is that even if we can effectively reach appropriate audiences, smokers then need to actively engage the app, that is, they not only download it, but use it in a manner that effectively delivers the intervention.

    For other cessation dissemination and intervention platforms such as websites, the issue of increasing engagement has been addressed in part via an iterative development process based on user-design principles. Increasingly, attention is being focused on building incentives into websites as a means to increase microengagements for use and click-through of site features.

    These types of approaches would also be appropriate for app development. Ultimately, the Abroms’ paper and other recent studies highlight the need to proactively address the gap between research and practice.

    Backinger, C., et al., Where There's an App, There's a Way? American Journal of Preventive Medicine
    Volume 40, Issue 3 , Pages 390-391, March 2011

    Source: AJPM - February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/i82mnL

  • Modernising an old anti-smoking media campaign

    Abstract

    Objectives: The iconic Sponge anti-smoking television advertisement was first made in Sydney, Australia, in 1979. In 2007, it was re-made for a new generation of smokers. This paper examines the impact of the re-made Sponge advertisement.

    Methods: Qualitative evaluation of the original Sponge ad by younger and older smokers (n=51) was followed by an online pre-test survey of the modernised version (n=301). A continuous tracking telephone survey of smokers and recent quitters (quit in past 12 months) over 18 years monitored performance of the modernised version while on air in late 2007 (total n=453; seen ad n=380).

    Results: Qualitative research found that the concept of the original Sponge ad may motivate younger smokers - who had not previously seen the ad - to quit. Online pre-testing demonstrated that the modernised version provided new information to 54% of 18-24 year olds (compared to 31% of older smokers). Tracking survey results indicated that believability of the modernised version was highest among 18-24 year olds (92%), that the ad was 'attention-grabbing' (86%), and that it was effective at influencing quitting intentions. Effects were amplified by the generation of pressure from family and friends.

    Implications: The re-made Sponge advertisement had a positive impact on smokers, and was particularly effective among the new market of smokers aged less than 40 years. Adapting successful mass media campaign material can be an effective and economical strategy to influence smokers.

    Cotter, T., et al., Squeezing new life out of an old Sponge: how to modernise an anti-smoking media campaign to capture a new market, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
    Volume 35, Issue 1, pages 75–80, February 2011 

    Source: Wiley Online Library - 13 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/g1mmr5

  • Smoking and liver disease

    Abstract

    Background: Metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, is a major risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for metabolic syndrome, but the epidemiological impact of cigarette smoking on development of NAFLD is unclear.

    Methods: In this retrospective study, 2,029 subjects underwent a complete medical health checkup in 1998 and again in 2008. Those who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody, or had an alcohol intake of >20 g/day as assessed by questionnaire, were excluded. Fatty liver was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. Independent risk factors associated with the development of NAFLD were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis. Smoking status was expressed using the Brinkman index (BI), which was calculated as the number of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years of smoking.

    Results: Of 1,560 subjects without NAFLD in 1998, 266 (17.1%) were newly diagnosed with NAFLD in 2008. Multiple logistic analysis identified age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.94-0.97], male sex (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01-2.10), body mass index ≥25 (AOR 3.08, 95% CI 2.20-4.32), dyslipidemia (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.25-2.58) and cigarette smoking (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.34-2.72) as risk factors associated with the development of NAFLD. Smoking status at baseline was also associated with the development of NAFLD (BI 1-399: AOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.02-3.07, BI ≥400: AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.37-3.03).

    Conclusion: Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for onset of NAFLD.

    Hamabe, A., et al., Impact of cigarette smoking on onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease over a 10-year period, Journal of Gastroenterology, 2011 Feb 8. [Epub ahead of print]

    Source: SpringerLink - 24 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/goDAiw

  • Study: Could e-cigarettes really help smokers quit?

    At least one previous study found that e-cigarettes don't deliver much nicotine and don't reduce smokers' cravings.

    Now two new studies of e-cigs, published recently in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, attempt to shed a little more light on the issue. The first study compared Internet searches for, and purchases of, e-cigarettes and other quit-smoking products like nicotine gum from Jan. 2008 to Sept. 2010 in the U.S., Britain, Canada and Australia. The authors didn't look at the effectiveness of e-cigs, but did find that they were the most popular smoking alternatives or cessation products on the online market, according to a statement.

    In another study, researchers at Boston University sent online surveys to 5,000 people who had bought Blu e-cigarettes for the first time during a two-week period in 2009. The number of respondents was small — just 222. They were mostly male and long-time smokers who had tried and failed to quit several times before. Among them, 67% said they had cut down on the number of cigarettes they smoked six months after buying Blu, and 31% had quit at the six-month mark; 49% also said they'd stopped smoking for some unspecified amount of time.

    Source: TIME - 10 February 2011
    Link: http://ti.me/dYfIZJ

  • Youth smoking uptake influenced by parents and siblings

    Abstract
    Background     There is increasing evidence that contact with other smokers, particularly in the family, is a strong determinant of risk of smoking uptake. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the magnitude of these effects is reported.

    Methods Studies were identified by searching four databases to March 2009 and proceedings from international conferences. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects, with results presented as pooled ORs with 95% CIs.

    Results 58 studies were included in the meta-analyses. The relative odds of uptake of smoking in children were increased significantly if at least one parent smoked (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.59 to 1.86), more so by smoking by the mother (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.79) than the father (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.94), and if both parents smoked (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.28 to 3.28). Smoking by a sibling increased the odds of smoking uptake by 2.30 (95% CI 1.85 to 2.86) and smoking by any household member by 1.92 (95% CI 1.70 to 2.16). After adjusting for overestimation of RRs it is estimated that, in England and Wales, around 17 000 young people take up smoking by the age of 15 each year as a consequence of exposure to household smoking.

    Conclusions Parental and sibling smoking is a strong and significant determinant of the risk of smoking uptake by children and young people and, as such, is a major and entirely avoidable health risk. Children should be protected from exposure to smoking behaviour, especially by family members.

    Leonardi-Bee, J., et al., Exposure to parental and sibling smoking and the risk of smoking uptake in childhood and adolescence: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Thorax, Published Online First 15 February 2011 

    Source: BMJ - 15 February 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/e2FBGK

Events

  • Tobacco control in secondary care conference

    Programme:

    - targeting hospitalised smokers
    - marketing public health in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    - identifying pregnant women who smoke and offering accessible treatment
    - the impact of illegal tobacco on smoking cessation
    - stop smoking interventions in secondary care, including Blackpool's Lung Health Check Programme
    - maintaining a smokefree hospital site
    - exhibition of resources and local projects

    Date: 02 March 2011
    Venue: De Vere Hotel, Blackpool
    Contact: Rachel.Swindells@bfwhospitals.nhs.uk - 01253303967

  • No Smoking Day - Time to Quit?

    The 2011 theme was developed with smokers themselves, we know that most of them would really like to stop, but find it hard to. For many the day that their smoke-free life begins never seems to arrive and so we are aiming to encourage smokers to think ahead and with the help of No Smoking Day make that day Wednesday, 9 March 2011.

    Date: 09 March 2011
    Venue: Around the country
    Contact: http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/

  • Child and Adolescent Addictions - 4th National Conference

    Child and Adolescent Addictions will bring together leading experts in the fields of psychiatry, psychology and psychotherapy to discuss the current issues, latest developments and practical management of child and adolescent substance misuse.

    Date: 21 March 2011
    Venue: Hallam Conference Centre, London, W1
    Contact: www.mahealthcareevents.co.uk/addictions2011

  • SCTRP Maudsley Training

    The SCTRP courses are run by NHS Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) trainers, cover the learning outcomes of the NCSCT Training Standards, and prepare course attendees for the NCSCT Stage 1 and Stage 2 Assessments and Accreditations. 

    Date: 21 March 2011
    Venue: London
    Contact: Janice Rossabi, SCTRP Secretary SCTRP@yahoo.co.uk

  • Budget Announcement

    The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announces his Budget for 2011.

    Date: 23 March 2011
    Venue: House of Commons
    Contact: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011_budget.htm

  • 5th European Conference on Tobacco or Health

     The conference programme will comprise three days of sessions. There are four main programme tracks:

    • Tobacco control policy measures;
    • Tobacco industry strategies and tactics
    • Tobacco treatment;
    • Health education & health communication.  
    Date: 28 March 2011
    Venue: Amsterdam
    Contact: www.ectoh.org

  • Tobacco control in practice: a postgraduate CPD module

    The module is aimed at professionals, at all levels, working in public health, health promotion and related fields. It aims to provide participants with an overview of key concepts and issues in tobacco control. Adopting an evidence-based approach, the unit will provide a background in the origins and key debates in tobacco control and enable students to critically evaluate current tobacco control interventions. The unit will also help students consider how they can apply lessons from current and emerging areas of tobacco control to their own areas of work.

    Applications will not be accepted after Friday 8th April 2011.
     
    UKCTCS: www.ukctcs.org
    University of Stirling: www.research.stir.ac.uk
    Date: 09 May 2011
    Venue: University of Stirling, Scotland
    Contact: c.a.french@bath.ac.uk

  • 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

  • 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