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ASH News and Events Bulletin - 01-15 March 2011

HEADLINES

EVENTS

  • Tobacco displays to be banned from shops

    Tobacco displays in shops will be banned in England as part of a package of measures to discourage smoking.

    Cigarettes and other products will have to be kept out of public view from April 2012 for large stores and 2015 for small shops, ministers have announced. A consultation will also be launched on whether manufacturers should be forced to put cigarettes into plain packets.

    Both measures have been set out in the government's tobacco control strategy, which marks the start of the publication of a series of public health plans. The strategy - unveiled on No Smoking Day - also sets out "national ambitions" to reduce smoking rates from 21.2% to 18.5% by the end of 2015, with specific targets for pregnant women and 15-year-olds.
     
    Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said he wanted to see the numbers falling faster in the next five years than they had in the past five.
    "We want to do everything we can to help people to choose to stop smoking and encourage young people not to start smoking in the first place."

    If England goes ahead with the plan to force tobacco companies to put cigarettes in plain, unbranded packets it will be the first country in Europe to take such a tough line. Australia is due to introduce the measure in 2012.

    Martin Dockrell, of the campaign group ASH, praised the government for its plans, saying there was "strong evidence" they would stop people taking up smoking.
     
    Shadow public health minister Diane Abbott said she welcomed the moves, saying that they were "building on" what Labour had done through its anti-smoking legislation.
     
    But not everyone is in favour. The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) described the display ban as a "betrayal of our nation of shopkeepers", while smokers lobby group Forest said it would "discriminate against law-abiding consumers".
     
    See the ASH press release:  http://bit.ly/i2wFtM
     
     
    Further coverage:
     
    The Independent: Lives are saved by stubbing out this addiction: http://ind.pn/iiNtzM
     
    The Guardian (Editorial) : Public Health: The fug of mixed messages - http://bit.ly/fDYkIS
     
    The Telegraph: Cigarettes to be sold under counter in 'puritan' move -  http://bit.ly/f8SCQk
     
    The Times: Shops banned from displaying cigarettes -  http://thetim.es/goqMQJ
     
    Daily Mirror: Tobacco shop displays to be banned - http://bit.ly/g1fm3m
     
    MediLexicon: UK: Plain cigarette packaging arrives, public agrees - http://bit.ly/dL0Ssj
     
    Daily Star: Plain Packs could be next move -   http://bit.ly/dGRLnA
     
    Daily Mail: Big tobacco counter cover up - http://bit.ly/feQkCw
     
    The Independent: Support for plain packaging blows cold - http://ind.pn/hA3aSR
     
    The Telegraph: Anti-smoking plans: Number of smokers at an all time low - http://bit.ly/gSDXus
    Source: BBC online, 09 March 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/gFX0hK

  • Rising status of women linked to more smoking

    Millions of women in developing countries risk disease and early death in the coming decades as their rising economic and political status leads them to smoke more, according to researchers from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

    An analysis in 74 countries found that men are five times more likely to smoke than women in countries with lower rates of female empowerment, such as China, Saudi Arabia and Uganda. In countries with relatively high female empowerment, such as Australia, Canada, Norway, Sweden and the United States women smoke almost as much as men do.

    Geoffrey Fong who led the study, said: "Our study makes a strong case for implementing gender-specific tobacco control activities ... such as more higher tobacco taxes, more prominent graphic health warnings, smoke-free laws, and advertising and promotion bans."

    Source: Los Angeles Times - 01 March 2011
    Link: http://lat.ms/ietYNs

  • Third hand smoke: myth or reality?

    Many people recognize cigarette residue — it leaves a yellow patina on walls, a persistent smell on fingertips, and doctors tell us it coats the inside of the lungs. Only in recent years has this phenomenon been given a name — third hand smoke.

    According to experts in the field, third hand smoke can be just as dangerous as secondhand smoke — especially for infants, children, and pregnant or nursing mothers.

    Where is third hand smoke found?

    Source: North Jersey - 06 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/eJbvgw

  • China's Smoking Problem

    One state agency tries to get people to quit while another tries to get them to smoke

    The economic cost of smoking to China exceeded 70 billion yuan last year, creating what one critic called a country "with the biggest tobacco problem in the world."

    The government should cut consumption by raising the cost of cigarettes, now only at 5 yuan (US.76¢) per packet of 20, which would guarantee its tax revenue, according to a report by the country's tobacco control lobby titled "Tobacco Control and China's Future. The report was written by Yang Gonghuan, vice director of the China Center for Disease Control (CCDC), and Hu Angang, Director of the Centre for China Study at Qinghua University and the China Academy of Social Sciences, and was posted on the CCDC website.

    It is a direct attack on the State Tobacco Monopoly and China National Tobacco Company, which has just announced record results. In 2010, the state-owned concern's profits reached 604.5 billion yuan, up from 253 billion in 2006, and taxes paid to the state rose to 498.8 billion yuan from 194.4 billion.

    Source: Asia Sentinel - 08 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/e3LoD1

  • Smokefree law in England a success - but some groups still vulnerable

    Smokefree legislation has worked - this is the finding of a comprehensive review of all the research that has been carried out on the impact of the law in England. The report 'The Impact of Smokefree Legislation in England: Evidence Review', published on 9th March by the Department of Health, was conducted by Professor Linda Bauld from the University of Stirling and the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies.

    The ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public places was examined for the effects it had on health, smoking and the hospitality industry. The review outlines some important findings. These included a significant improvement in the respiratory health of bar workers; a drop in hospital admissions for heart attacks and changes in smokers' behaviour - including a reduction in their tobacco consumption and an increase in the number of smokers trying to quit the habit around the time of the ban.

    In addition, initial analysis shows that the introduction of smokefree legislation has had no negative impact on business, although longer-term assessment is required.

    However, Professor Bauld concluded that a priority for future developments should be maintaining and extending smokefree environments to protect children and other vulnerable groups. 

    Source: Medical News Today - 11 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/hC5sZq

  • MHRA publishes outcome of consultation on nicotine containing products

    The MHRA has issued a statement on the outcome of the consultation on the regulation of products containing nicotine. Extract below: 

    "The consultation highlighted the uncertainty around levels of nicotine that have a significant pharmacological effect and the need for further information on the impact of regulation on public health and business. A period of further scientific and market research will therefore be coordinated by the MHRA with the aim of answering these important questions. The research will be informed by the advice of an expert working group of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and the draft Terms of Reference for the programme of research have been published on the MHRA’s website.

    The programme of research will include a work stream on investigation of the levels of nicotine which have a significant pharmacological effect, the actual use of existing nicotine products in the marketplace, their effect on smoking cessation and modelling of the potential impact of bringing these products into medicines regulation on public health outcomes. We envisage the programme of research will take about 18 months to complete and that a final decision on the regulation of nicotine containing products will be made in Spring 2013."

    The report can be downloaded here (pdf).

    Source: MHRA - March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/9ZDBK6

  • September's U.N. Summit on Non Communicable Diseases - call for action

    The World Lung Foundation is appealing to tobacco control supporters to ask their UN delegate to ensure tobacco control is given due prominence at the September UN meeting on non communicable diseases.

    A website has been created for this purpose which allows you to contact your UN Representative with a click, and urge them to take a strong stance during the Summit.

    Action is needed urgently, so the organisers are appealing to people to visit the website take action, and share it with your extended network.  

    Source: 15000 a Day - March 2011
    Link: http://15000aDay.org

  • Written answers and statements: Tobacco Control Plan (England) Health

    The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): The Government are today publishing "Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England".

    The recently published "Healthy Lives, Healthy People" White Paper sets out the coalition Government's determination to improve the health of the nation and to improve the health of the poorest, fastest. The White Paper recognises that reducing smoking rates represents a huge opportunity for public health, and makes commitments to publish a number of follow-on documents on how we will improve public health in specific areas. The tobacco control plan is the first of these.

    Smoking remains one of our most significant public health challenges, and causes over 80,000 premature deaths in England each year. While rates of smoking have continued to decline over the past decades, 21% of adults in England still smoke. Smoking prevalence has fallen little since 2007 and we need renewed action to drive smoking rates down further.

    Smoking has a devastating impact on health and well-being in our communities and we must keep up the momentum to reduce the health harms of tobacco use. Smoking contributes significantly to health inequalities and is the single biggest cause of inequalities in death rates between the richest and poorest in our communities.

    Localism will be at the heart of the Government's new radical approach to the delivery of public health services, with directors of public health, jointly appointed by local authorities, to be the strategic leaders for evidence-based public health. They will also lead action in their local communities to reduce health inequalities.

    The tobacco control plan sets out how comprehensive tobacco control will be delivered over the next five years within the new public health system, and includes confirmation of our intentions for ending tobacco displays in shops and for further work to explore the plain packaging of tobacco products. The plan includes specific ambitions to reduce smoking prevalence by the end of 2015:

    to 18.5% or less among adults (from a baseline of 21.2%);

    to 12% or less among 15-year-olds (from a baseline of 15%); and

    to 11% or less among pregnant mothers (from a baseline of 14%).

    These ambitions represent faster reductions in smoking rates in these groups in the next five years than we have seen in the past five years.

    The plan is built around the six strands of comprehensive tobacco control that are recognised internationally:

    stopping the promotion of tobacco;

    making tobacco less affordable;

    effective regulation of tobacco products;

    helping tobacco users to quit;

    reducing exposure to second-hand smoke; and

    effective communications for tobacco control.

    Take-up of smoking by young people is a particular concern. Smoking is an addiction largely taken up in childhood and adolescence, and so it is crucial to reduce the number of young people taking up smoking in the first place. Nicotine is extremely addictive and young people can develop dependence on tobacco very rapidly. Each year in England an estimated 320,000 children under 16 first try smoking and the majority of adult smokers were smoking regularly before they turned 18 years of age. The plan recognises that we must do as much as we can to stop the recruitment of new young smokers.

    We know that teenagers are susceptible to experimenting even when there is clear evidence of the dangers. We believe that eye-catching displays encourage young people to try smoking. They also undermine quit attempts by adults by tempting them to make impulse buys of tobacco.

    This is why we are implementing legislation to end tobacco displays in shops. This will help to change perceptions of the social norms around smoking, especially by young people who are often the target of tobacco promotion.

    While maintaining the expected public health gains, we will amend the display regulations to mitigate burdens on business. The growth review announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in November 2010 aims to reduce the regulatory burden on small and medium enterprises and micro businesses. In keeping with this approach, we will make the legislation more practical by:

    giving retailers longer to prepare by delaying commencement until 6 April 2012 for large shops and 6 April 2015 for small shops;

    increasing the size of temporary displays allowed when serving customers and re-stocking (from 0.75 square metres to 1.5 square metres); and

    adding to the circumstances in which such displays can occur, for example, to carry out stock-taking and other activities necessary in running a business.

    In this important area, I am interested in any measure with the potential to promote positive social norms around tobacco use and to diminish the impact of anything which promotes tobacco use, especially as this affects young people. We must continue to try new approaches, particularly those that may encourage behaviour change. We will, therefore, explore whether the introduction of plain packaging would bring additional public health benefits. The Government have an open mind on this and we want to hear what people think.

    The tobacco control plan confirms a commitment to consult by the end of this year on options to reduce the promotional impact of tobacco packaging. To do this we must review the evidence and draw up an impact assessment on the costs and additional public health benefits of policy options. We will, as well, explore the competition, trade and legal implications, and the likely impact on the illicit tobacco market of options around tobacco packaging. While similar measures are currently being considered actively by a number of Governments around the world, we must be sure about the impacts of policy options in the legal and trading circumstances of tobacco control in this country. Only after this work, and gathering views and evidence from public consultation, will we be in a position to know whether, or how, to proceed.

    An academic review "The Impact of Smokefree Legislation in England: Evidence Review" has been published today.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has also published today the outcome of the consultation on the regulation of nicotine-containing products. The MHRA will co-ordinate a period of further scientific and market research to inform decisions about the regulation of nicotine-containing products.

    Source: Hansard - 09 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/htham8

  • Parliamentary question: Tobacco

    Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health effects on young people of second hand smoke in confined spaces; and whether his Department plans to take steps to protect children from exposure to second hand smoke in cars; 

    (2) what research his Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the effects on tobacco smuggling of point of sale display bans; and when he plans to take a decision on the implementation of a tobacco display ban; 

    (3) with reference to the Public Health White Paper, what consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Inquiry on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health; and if he will make a statement; 

    (4) whether his Department has made an assessment of the health effects of the use of smokeless tobacco products in the south Asian community; whether he plans to make provision in respect of such effects in the forthcoming tobacco control plan; and if he will make a statement.

    Anne Milton: We announced in the Public Health White Paper "Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England", published on 30 November 2010, that we would be publishing a new Tobacco Control Plan. This will give details of how the Government will set about reducing the morbidity and mortality that result from smoking, niche tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

    Alongside the Tobacco Control Plan, we will publish a summary of the research evidence into the impact of smokefree legislation in England, including the health effects of secondhand smoke in confined spaces.

    The Tobacco Control Plan will be informed by all relevant available research evidence, including the health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke on young people, tobacco smuggling and use of smokeless tobacco products. It will also take into account the recommendations of the Inquiry on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.

    Source: Hansard - 08 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gTwTul

  • PMQs: No Smoking Day

    Ian Mearns: I am sure the whole House will join me in passing on their condolences to the family and friends of our fallen service personnel.

    The Prime Minister will be aware that today is No Smoking Day. Will he join me in congratulating the organisers of the "Making Smoking History" lantern parade which takes place this evening in Wrekenton, a part of my constituency that is particularly blighted by that addiction? Will he also comment on British Lung Foundation research that shows that more than half of children surveyed across the UK have been exposed to cigarette smoke in cars, and that 86% of children want adults...

    Mr Speaker: Order. We have got the drift.

    The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman makes a good point with great passion. I certainly support No Smoking Day, and unlike in some previous years, I hope to meet its requirements in full this year. His point about smoking in front of children and babies and smoking in cars is a good one. Whatever people have done in the past, the facts show that they really should change their behaviour. I am not sure whether it is possible to legislate in that area. We need a change in attitudes, which he is helping to lead with the British Lung Foundation and others. 

    Source: Hansard - 09 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gR1yaQ

  • $17.3 million verdict against Lorillard in Jacksonville, FL

    A jury awarded the family of a smoker who died of lung cancer in 1994 at the age of 63 a total of $6 million in compensatory damages. The jury assessed Lorillard Tobacco Company 65% responsibility for the death of Jacqueline Miller and 35% to Ms. Miller. This means that the compensatory damages award will be reduced by 35% while the punitive damages award will not. Therefore, Lorillard is liable for $15.2 million plus interest for the wrongful death.

    Source: PHAI - 02 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fCVJj1

  • British American Tobacco recognised as NZs worst corporate citizen

    British American Tobacco (BAT) is the worst transnational company in New Zealand after receiving the annual ‘Roger’ Award at a ceremony in Auckland.

    Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) says this confirms that New Zealand is waking up to the sustained public relations campaigns by the tobacco industry.

    Organised by the Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA), the Roger award is presented to any corporation that is 25 per cent or more foreign controlled and is judged to have the most negative effect on economic matters, people and the environment.
     

    Source: Info News - 02 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/eD8qri

  • Cowboy Showdown: Philip Morris Aims at Small Electronic Cigarette Company

    V2 Cigs, the fastest growing electronic cigarette company in the United States, has changed the name of one of its best-selling products in response to demand letters from Philip Morris USA, Inc., one of the world's largest cigarette manufacturers.

    Philip Morris recently targeted V2 Cigs claiming their "Cowboy" flavor infringed and diluted the Marlboro trademark. Philip Morris alleged the appearance of the V2 Cigs graphic was likely to confuse consumers with the tobacco giant's "Marlboro Man" trademark.

    In response to Philip Morris' demands, V2 Cigs has changed the imagery and name of their "Cowboy" product, while keeping the same flavor. 

    Source: Ad Hoc News - 14 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ezAfsE

  • Imperial buoyed by advertising proposals

    Imperial Tobacco outperformed a falling London market after UK proposals to restrict cigarette advertising proved more benign than the market had feared.

    The government delayed the introduction of shop display bans and announced plans for a consultation on plain packaging that would weigh the health benefits against legal and commercial implications.

    Imperial Tobacco  rose 3.5 per cent to £19.78 as Merrill Lynch added the stock to its “buy” list.
     
    British American Tobacco ended lower by 2.8 per cent, though that reflected buyers no longer being eligible for an 81p dividend payment.
     
    Further coverage:
     
    The Guardian: Tobacco crackdown sees Imperial soar - http://bit.ly/exWfX7
     
    The Express: Crackdown delay lifts Imperial - http://bit.ly/ejRooB
    Source: Financial Times - 09 March 2011
    Link: http://on.ft.com/i2onRd

  • Tobacco industry still glamorising smoking

    Further curbs on the portrayal of smoking on television, in films and on the internet are to be considered by the government, which said the tobacco industry continued "to find ways" of promoting products despite legislation banning advertising.

    The government's tobacco control plan states that the way smoking is portrayed in films and on TV "can create the false impression that tobacco use is a normal, or even glamorous, activity, and rarely shows the real life negative consequences of tobacco use".

    The campaign group Ash said it believed the Ofcom guidance was broadly working but that classification of films for under-18s should be more explicit in relation to smoking. Ash said cinemas should make sure there were warnings on the health consequences of smoking in screen advertising and in promotions before films.
     
    A spokesman for the British Board of Film Classificationsaid a public consultation in 2009 had asked whether portrayal of smoking should be regarded as a classification issue, concluding that "the overwhelming response was, people did not believe it should be."

    The Department of Health is also concerned about the continued promotion of smoking accessories, such as cigarette papers, at music festivals and other public events.
    Source: The Guardian - 09 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/eFfI1o

  • USA: Tobacco firms fight proposed ad campaign

    The nation's three largest tobacco manufacturers said that the U.S. Justice Department wants them to post "inflammatory and inaccurate" statements in an advertising campaign that is "designed to shame and humiliate" them.

    The manufacturers — R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Philip Morris USA Inc. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. — were responding to a federal request that was made Feb. 4 and disclosed Feb. 23. British American Tobacco Co. Ltd. also was listed as a defendant.

    The government proposed 14 statements that cover: the addictiveness of nicotine; the lack of health benefits from "low tar," "ultra-light" and "mild" cigarettes; and negative health effects of secondhand smoke.

    The manufacturers said they have "no objections to providing consumers with factual and noncontroversial information about the health effects and addictiveness of smoking."

    However, they added that the statements proposed by the Justice Department "are improperly prefaced by inflammatory, confessional and vilifying language about defendants' past conduct that bears no resemblance to the factual and uncontroversial statements contemplated by the D.C. Circuit" of the U.S. District Court.

    Source: Winston-Salem Journal - 03 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gXY5dB

  • Why the tobacco industry is bad for public health (beyond the obvious reasons)

    This post summarises recent examples of how the tobacco industry seeks to block policies promoting public health.

    1. Flexing its legal muscle
    2. Creating false diversions
    3. FOI-ing the living daylights out of health departments
    4. Paying for political clout
    5. PR spin

    Source: Crikey - 02 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/dVQEkh

  • Adolescents attention to heatlh warnings

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was determine if the inclusion of Canadian-style graphic images would improve the degree to which adolescents attend to, and subsequently are able to recall, novel warning messages in tobacco magazine advertising. Specifically, our goal was to determine if the inclusion of graphic images would (1) increase visual attention, as measured by eye movement patterns and fixation density, and (2) improve memory for tobacco advertisements among a group of 12 to 14 year olds in the western United States. Data were collected from 32 middle school students using a head-mounted eye-tracking device that recorded viewing time, scan path patterns, fixation locations, and dwell time. Participants viewed a series of 20 magazine advertisements that included five U.S. tobacco ads with traditional Surgeon General warning messages and five U.S. tobacco ads that had been modified to include non-traditional messages and Canadian-style graphic images. Following eye tracking, participants completed unaided- and aided-recall exercises. Overall, the participants spent equal amounts of time viewing the advertisements regardless of the type of warning message. However, the warning messages that included the graphic images generated higher levels of visual attention directed specifically toward the message, based on average dwell time and fixation frequency, and were more likely to be accurately recalled than the traditional warning messages.

    Peterson, EB., et al., Adolescents' attention to traditional and graphic tobacco warning labels: an eye-tracking approach, Journal of Drug Education. 2010;40(3):227-44.

    Source: Baywood Publishing - 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/fSpKM4

  • Case for worldwide smoking bans

    Abstract

    Purpose of review: Second-hand smoke (SHS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Governments have increasingly sought to mitigate the effects of SHS by introducing legislation that restricts tobacco consumption in public places. There is emerging evidence that such legislation leads to direct and indirect health benefits.

    Recent findings: Exposure to SHS is now shown to be associated with development of cardiovascular disease, and poorer health outcomes in patients with established chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Childhood (including in-utero) exposure to SHS has recently been linked with increased risk of cleft palate, demonstrable signs of atherosclerosis, and the development of emphysema and lung cancer in adulthood. Comprehensive bans on smoking in public lead to a reduction in overall exposure to SHS for both adults and children and have also been shown to immediately attenuate the incidence of myocardial infarction and paediatric hospital attendances with acute asthma.

    Summary: Banning smoking in public places is an effective tool for reducing tobacco-related morbidity across a multiplicity of diseases. Countries that have not already done so should introduce legislation to enforce effective legislation that prohibits smoking in public places.

    Menzies D., The case for a worldwide ban on smoking in public places, Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medecine. 2011 Mar;17(2):116-22.

    Source: LWW - March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/eBBaSo

  • Do smoking bans decrease exposure?

    Abstract

    Background Implementation of smoke free policies has potentially substantial effects on health by reducing secondhand smoke exposure. However little is known about whether the introduction of anti-smoking legislation translates into decreased secondhand smoke exposure. We examined whether smoking bans impact rates of secondhand smoke exposure in public places and rates of complete workplace smoking restriction.

    Methods Canadian Community Health Survey was used to obtain secondhand smoking exposure rates in 15 Ontario municipalities. Data analysis included descriptive summaries and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and compared across groups

    Results Across all studied municipalities, secondhand smoke exposure in public places decreased by 4.7% and workplace exposure decreased by 2.3% between the 2003 and 2005 survey years. The only jurisdiction to implement a full ban from no previous ban was also the only setting that experienced significant decreases in both individual exposure to secondhand smoke in a public place (-17.3%, 95% CI -22.8, -11.8) and workplace exposure (-18.1%, 95% CI -24.9, -11.3). Exposures in vehicles and homes declined in almost all settings over time.

    Conclusions Implementation of a full smoking ban was associated with the largest decreases in secondhand smoke exposure while partial bans and changes in existing bans had inconsistent effects. In addition to decreasing exposure in public places as would be expected from legislation, bans may have additional benefits by decreasing rates of current smokers and decreasing exposures to secondhand smoke in private settings.

    Naiman, A., et al., Is there an impact of public smoking bans on self-reported smoking status and exposure to secondhand smoke? Do smoking bans decrease exposure? BMC Public Health 2011, 11:146doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-146

    Source: BioMed Central - 03 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fbl4Bn

  • Harm reduction

    Abstract

    Issues. Tobacco smoking, sustained by nicotine dependence, is a chronic relapsing disorder, which in many cases results in lifelong cigarette use and consequent death of one out of two lifelong smokers from a disease caused by their smoking. Most toxicity due to cigarette smoking is related to the burning process.

    Approach. Models of harm reduction applied to tobacco suggest that use of non-combustible, less toxic, nicotine-containing products as a substitute for cigarette smoking would reduce the death toll arising from tobacco use. Available options include medicinal nicotine and smokeless tobacco products.

    Key Findings. The potential role of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products in a harm reduction strategy is currently severely restricted by strict regulations on dose, safety and potential addictiveness. As a result, NRT products are designed to provide much less nicotine, and deliver it to the brain more slowly, than cigarettes, which are widely accessible and poorly regulated. Smokeless tobacco (snus) has proved to be an acceptable reduced hazard alternative to smoking in Sweden, but supply of snus is illegal elsewhere in the European Union.

    Implications. To increase accessibility and reach more smokers, barriers to the use of NRT use need to be removed and more effective NRTs need urgently to be developed. Smokeless tobacco could also play an important role in harm reduction, but current European Union regulations and concerns over exploitation by tobacco companies currently preclude wider use.

    Conclusion. To improve public health there is an urgent need for an appropriate regulatory framework and regulatory authority at the European level, controlling both tobacco and nicotine products to ensure that the least harmful products are the most accessible.

    Le Houezec, J., Tobacco, nicotine and harm reduction, Drug and Alcohol Review, 2011 Mar;30(2):119-23. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2010.00264.x.



    Source: Wiley - March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/i1IZZ3

  • Health warnings in 12 countries

    Abstract

    With increasing restrictions on cigarette marketing, the cigarette pack itself has become a main means of marketing. We describe a method to examine cigarette labelling and use it to evaluate packs collected from 12 countries at different stages of economic development. Health warnings were present on all 115 packs of cigarettes examined, but were on the front and back panels of only 68 per cent. Promotional labels were widespread, found on packs from all countries and more numerous (although not necessarily larger) than health warning labels in 10 of the 12 countries. Deceptive terms such as 'light' and 'mild' were observed on 42 per cent of all packs examined. The simple method described here can be used to compare cigarette labelling and potentially evaluate and track the implementation of cigarette labelling policy. We found health warning legislation poorly enforced and cigarette packs widely used to promote smoking and deceive smokers about health risks. The findings underline the need for generic (plain) packaging.

    Mir, H., et al., Cigarette pack labelling in 12 countries at different levels of economic development, Journal of Public Health Policy. 2011 Mar 3. [Epub ahead of print]

    Source: Palgrave MacMillan - 03 March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/h8Q9pd

  • Impact of smoke-free legislation on smoking behaviour

    Abstract:
    Aims To study the impact of implementing smoke-free workplace and hospitality industry legislation on smoking behaviour.

    Design, setting and participants A cross-sectional population survey from 2001 to 2008 (n ≈ 18 000 per year) was used to assess trends and seasonal patterns in smoking and quitting, and to examine whether changes could be observed after the workplace smoking ban in the Netherlands in 2004 and the hospitality industry ban in 2008. Measurements 

    Outcome measures were smoking prevalence, quit attempts and successful quit attempts. Interactions with educational level (socio-economic status) and bar visiting (exposure to the hospitality industry ban) were tested.

    Findings The workplace ban was followed by a decrease in smoking prevalence (OR = 0.91, P < 0.001), but the hospitality industry ban was not (OR = 0.96, P = 0.127). Both bans, especially the workplace ban, were followed by an increase in quit attempts and successful quit attempts: workplace ban, OR = 1.31, P < 0.001; OR = 1.49, P < 0.001; hospitality industry ban, OR = 1.13, P = 0.013; OR = 1.44, P < 0.001. The workplace ban had a larger effect on successful quitting among higher-educated (OR = 0.35, P < 0.001) than on lower-educated respondents (OR = 0.74, P = 0.052). The hospitality industry ban had a larger effect on quit attempts among frequent bar visitors (OR = 1.48, P = 0.003) than on non-bar visitors (OR = 0.71, P = 0.014).

    Conclusions A workplace smoking ban in the Netherlands was followed by more changes in smoking and quitting than a hospitality industry ban. The hospitality industry ban only appeared to have an impact on quit attempts, and not on smoking prevalence.

    Nagelhout, G., et al., The population impact of smoke-free workplace and hospitality industry legislation on smoking behaviour. Findings from a national population survey, Addiction, Volume 106, Number 4, April 2011 , pp. 816-823(8)

    Source: Ingenta Connect - March 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/eL3eOW

Events

  • 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