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ASH News and Events Bulletin - 16-31 January 2011

HEADLINES

EVENTS

  • Smoking 'causes damage in minutes', US experts claim

    According to a report published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, smoking damages the body in minutes rather than years.

    Researchers looked at the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH - chemicals linked with cancer) in 12 patients after smoking.

    A PAH was added to the subject's cigarettes, which was then modified by the body and turned into another chemical which damages DNA and has been linked with cancer. The research shows this process only took between 15 and 30 minutes to take place.

    Martin Dockrell, Director of Policy and Research at Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Almost everybody knows that smoking can cause lung cancer. The chilling thing about this research is that it shows just how early the very first stages of that process begin - not in 30 years but within 30 minutes of a single cigarette for every subject in the study.”

    "The process starts early but it is never too late to quit and the sooner you quit the sooner you start to reduce the harm."

    Source: BBC News - 16 January 2011
    Link: http://bbc.in/eIQ6MS

  • Cigarette ads a powerful lure for teen smoking

    A new study shows that cigarette advertising significantly increases the odds that young people who see the adverts will start smoking.

    According to the study, adverts for other products such as cell phones and candies failed to trigger the same psychological mechanisms that make children take up smoking.

    The researchers say tobacco ads work because companies aim their messages at young people, who are particular susceptible to even subtle meanings, such as hints that smoking is tied to masculinity, in the case of males, and to thinness, sex appeal, and independence for girls.

    Source: WebMD - 17 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fvj8WH

  • Scotland: Ban on tobacco displays delayed

    A ban on tobacco displays in shops has been delayed because of an ongoing legal challenge, the Scottish Government said.

    Imperial Tobacco is appealing against a decision dismissing its original challenge last year.
    The Scottish Parliament voted to ban the open display of tobacco in legislation passed in January 2010. The ban was due to begin for "larger retailers" on October 1, 2011.

    Public health minister Shona Robison said: "The ban on displaying tobacco products in shops is being introduced to make cigarettes less attractive to children and young people. We remain fully committed to this policy and are continuing to work with the retail industry to prepare for implementation.

    "However, the ongoing legal challenge means that an October start date is now unrealistic. We will announce the new implementation date as soon as possible."

    Source: Google/Press Association - 25 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gnVTao

  • Working class smoke more

    According to the Office for National Statistics' General Lifestyle Survey almost twice as many working class people smoke – 29% compared to 15% of those higher up the social ladder.

    The 2009 survey found that for the third year running 21% of adults smoke and 63% want to give up, down from 72% in 2000.

    Amanda Sandford, of anti-smoking group ASH, said: “The smoking rate shows how hard it is to quit.”

    See also:

    - Ban fails to stop smokers - Financial Times

    Source: Daily Mirror - 28 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/hACDUf

  • Supersize me: the cigarette experiment

    In January of 2010, Christophe Cedat, owner of the Cafe 203 in Lyon, France, set out to smoke two packs of cigarettes a day — just to see what it would to do to his body. Cedat, who is in his 40s, had not smoked in decades. He is documenting his experience on the www.demainjecommence.com with graphics showing the number of cigarettes he has smoked since January, and updates on his physical and mental health.

    Interview.

    Source: Global Post - 24 may 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/eZIA3i

  • Quit the fags and pay the rent

    Smokers who have fallen into rent arrears on their social housing are being asked to give up cigarettes to save money so they can pay off their bills.

    Housing officials and debt counsellors have also been trained to identify those who are heavy smokers and refer them to smoking cessation courses.

    The policy has been pioneered in a joint initiative with the NHS and may now be adopted by the coalition’s new health and wellbeing boards, based in local authorities.

    [access to this article requires a subscription]

    Source: The Sunday Times - 16 January 2011
    Link: http://thetim.es/e1uAZk

  • Job Opportunity: Chair to the PDG on 'Tobacco - harm reduction at NICE

    The Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE is recruiting a Chair of the Programme Development Group (PDG) for the programme guidance on Tobacco - harm reduction approaches to smoking cessation for PCTs and NHS Stop Smoking Services.

    The deadline for applications is 24th February 2011.

    Find out more by clicking on the link below.

    Source: NICE - 26 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/dYdEe9

  • Parliamentary question: Advertising campaigns on smoking

    Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has allocated to public health advertising campaigns on smoking in each quarter since 1 April 2009.

    Anne Milton: The following table shows how much funding the Department has allocated to public health advertising campaigns on smoking in each quarter since 1 April 2009:

    Q1: April-June 2009 - £1,738,880

    Q2: July-September 2009 - £2,792,414

    Q3: October-December 2009 - £4,374,811

    Q4: January-March 2010 - £5,887,332

    ---

    Q1: April-June 2010 - £85,836

    Q2: July-September 2010 - £0

    Q3: October-December 2010 - £110,854

    A total budget figure for the 2010-11 financial year cannot be provided at this stage because detailed planning for additional marketing communications work is underway and allocations for advertising media have not yet been finalised.

    Advertising spend is defined as covering only media spend (inclusive of agency commissions but excluding production costs, Central Office of Information commission and VAT). All figures exclude advertising rebates and audit adjustments and therefore may differ from Central Office of Information official turnover figures.

    These figures are provisional for 2010 because the invoicing for some campaigns run towards the end of the year has not yet have been completed.

    Source: Hansard - 26 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fwBaIi

  • Parliamentary question: Quit attempts at NHS smoking cessation services

    Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many quit attempts NHS smoking cessation services recorded in each quarter of 2010. [35443]

    Anne Milton: Information on people setting a quit date, through the national health service Stop Smoking services, and successful quitters by quarter in 2010, is shown in the following table:

    Number of people in England setting a quit date and successful quitters( 1) in 2010
    Quarters 1 to 3 Number setting a quit date Number of successful quitters Percentage who successfully quit

    January to March 2010

    243,206(2)

    124,792

    51

    April to June 2010

    183,030(3)

    85,749

    47

    July to September 2010

    158,425(3)

    76,504

    48
    (1) A client counted as having successfully quit smoking at the four-week follow-up if he/she has not smoked at all since two weeks after quit date. (2) Quarterly data, which have been finalised by The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics. (3) Quarterly data have been published for the first two quarters of 2010-11. These data remain provisional until the end of year 2010-11 report is published, expected to be in August 2011. Source: The Health and Social Care Information Centre, Lifestyle Statistics.

    The data on the number of quit attempts for quarters two and three are provisional. Provisional data for quarter four are expected to be published in August 2011.

    Information on people setting a quit date and successful quitters, by quarter, 2001-02 to 2009-10 is contained within table 2.2 of 'Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 to March 2010'.

    Source: Hansard - 24 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ff0P1P

  • Formula 1: Renault livery could break Canadian law

    Renault's new black and gold livery might fall foul of strict anti-tobacco advertising laws in Canada this year.

    That is the claim of the Toronto based Globe and Mail newspaper, after the Enstone based team's newly Group Lotus-sponsored livery was launched officially last weekend at a racing car show in Birmingham.

    Source: Motorsport - 18 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/dFklWI

  • Altria 4Q profit jumps 27%, helped by smokeless unit

    Altria Group Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings rose 27%, in line with analysts' estimates, as the company's sales declined but margins improved and it again saw strength at its smokeless unit.

    Altria, the maker of Marlboro and other cigarettes, has posted better results recently despite declines in cigarette volumes, which fell 7% in the most recent period. The company has benefited from increasing demand for its smokeless-tobacco products.

    Gross margin rose to 38% from 34.1%.

    Revenue from cigarettes fell 3.4%, though profit climbed 7.4%. Smokeless products revenue jumped 14%, and the segment's profit nearly tripled to $217 million.

    The company said volume of its Marlboro cigarettes fell 5.7%, while its other premium-cigarette volume fell 12% and discount-cigarette volume slid 18%.

    Source: ADFN - 27 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/fPHY4W

  • India: Govt may filter out FDI in tobacco marketing

    Foreign cigarette companies could soon find it harder to sell their products in India. The government is looking into a proposal to ban foreign direct investment (FDI) in the wholesale marketing arms of these companies. It is also exploring the possibility of shifting the import of tobacco products from the open general licence (OGL) to the restricted list.

    After more than two years of deliberations, the government banned FDI in the manufacture of cigarettes last year. Despite this, however, the health ministry and NGOs have complained that foreign cigarette companies use the marketing services route as a back door for investment and to support sales in India.

    Source: Business Standard - 24 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/g2S1eV

  • Marlboro nears new Ferrari tie-up

    Marlboro is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new deal with F1 outfit Ferrari as its current deal, started in 1997, nears completion (end of 2011.).

    The new sponsorship deal would be until 2014 with tobacco company Philip Morris.

    Source: Sport Industry - 24 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/hE9imX

  • Smoking: main reason why men die before women

    Researchers analysed World Health Organization figures on death rates among men and women from all causes as well as those attributable to smoking and drinking in 30 European countries for the years closest to 2005.

    The proportion of the discrepancy in death rates for men and women attributable to smoking and alcohol was then calculated for all countries by dividing the gender gap for each cause by the gender gap for all causes.

    Smoking was responsible for 40% to 60% of the gender gap in all countries, except Denmark, Portugal and France, where it was lower, and Malta where it was much higher (74%). 

    Source: Times of India - 18 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/ejCZPF

  • Opinons on smokefree places to protect children

    Abstract
    Background: Governments use law to constrain aspects of private activities for purposes of protecting health and social wellbeing. Policymakers have a range of perceptions and beliefs about what is public or private. An understanding of the possible drivers of policymaker decisions about where government can or should intervene for health is important, as one way to better guide appropriate policy formation. Our aim was to identify obstacles to, and opportunities for, government smokefree regulation of private and public spaces to protect children. In particular, to seek policymaker opinions on the regulation of smoking in homes, cars and public parks and playgrounds in a country with incomplete smokefree laws (New Zealand).

    Methods: Case study, using structured interviews to ask policymakers (62 politicians and senior officials) about their opinions on new smokefree legislation for public and private places. Supplementary data was obtained from the Factiva media database, on the views of New Zealand local authority councillors about policies for smokefree outdoor public places.

    Results: Overall, interviewees thought that government regulation of smoking in private places was impractical and unwise. However, there were some differences on what was defined as 'private', particularly for cars. Even in public parks, smoking was seen by some as a 'personal' decision, and unlikely to be amenable to regulation. Most participants believed that educative, supportive and community-based measures were better and more practical means of reducing smoking in private places, compared to regulation.

    Conclusions: The constrained view of the role of regulation of smoking in public and private domains may be in keeping with current political discourse in New Zealand and similar Anglo-American countries. Policy and advocacy options to promote additional smokefree measures include providing a better voice for childrens' views, increasing information to policymakers about the harms to children from secondhand smoke and the example of adult smoking, and changing the culture for smoking around children.

    Rouch, G., et al., Public, private and personal: Qualitative research on policymakers' opinions on smokefree interventions to protect children in 'private' spaces, BMC Public Health. 2010 Dec 31;10(1):797. [Epub ahead of print]


    Source: BMC Public Health - 31 December 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/i6ceqU

  • Harm reduction - trial of oral nicotine products

    Abstract
    Background
    It has been suggested that cigarette smokers will switch to alternative oral nicotine delivery products to reduce their health risks if informed of the relative risk difference. However, it is important to assess how smokers are likely to use cigarette alternatives before making predictions about their potential to promote individual or population harm reduction.

    Objectives
    This study examines smokers' interest in using a smokeless tobacco or a nicotine replacement product as a substitute for their cigarettes.

    Methods
    The study included 67 adult cigarette smokers, not currently interested in quitting, who were given an opportunity to sample four alternative oral nicotine products: 1) Camel Snus, 2) Marlboro Snus, 3) Stonewall dissolvable tobacco tablets, and 4) Commit nicotine lozenges. At visit 1, subjects were presented information about the relative benefits/risks of oral nicotine delivery compared to cigarettes. At visit 2, subjects were given a supply of each of the four products to sample at home for a week. At visit 3, subjects received a one-week supply of their preferred product to see if using such products reduced or eliminated cigarette use.

    Results
    After multiple product sampling, participants preferred the Commit lozenges over the three smokeless tobacco products (p=0.011). Following the one week single-product trial experience, GEE models controlling for gender, age, level of education, baseline cigarettes use, and alternative product chosen, indicated a significant decline in cigarettes smoked per day across one week of single-product sampling (p<0.01, from 11.8 to 8.7 cigarettes per day), but no change in alternative product use (approximately 4.5 units per day). Biomarkers of exposure showed no change in cotinine, but a 19% reduction in exhaled CO (p<0.001).

    Conclusions
    Findings from this study show that smokers, who are currently unwilling to make a quit attempt, may be willing to use alternative products in the short term as a temporary substitute for smoking. However, this use is more likely to be for partial substitution (i.e. they will continue to smoke, albeit at a lower rate) rather than complete substitution. Of the various substitutes offered, smokers were more willing to use a nicotine replacement product over a tobacco-based product.  

    O'Connor, R.J., et a;., US smokers' reactions to a brief trial of oral nicotine products, Harm Reduction Journal 2011, 8:1 doi:10.1186/1477-7517-8-1

    Source: Harm Reduction Journal - 10 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/h6DgzW

  • Smoking in prisons

    Abstract
    Tobacco-smoking prevalence has been decreasing in many high-income countries, but not in prison. We provide a summary of recent data on smoking in prison (United States, Australia, and Europe), and discuss examples of implemented policies for responding to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), their health, humanitarian, and ethical aspects. We gathered data through a systematic literature review, and added the authors' ongoing experience in the implementation of smoking policies outside and inside prisons in Australia and Europe. Detainees' smoking prevalence varies between 64 per cent and 91.8 per cent, and can be more than three times as high as in the general population. Few data are available on the prevalence of smoking in women detainees and staff. Policies vary greatly. Bans may either be 'total' or 'partial' (smoking allowed in cells or designated places). A comprehensive policy strategy to reduce ETS needs a harm minimization philosophy, and should include environmental restrictions, information, and support to detainees and staff for smoking cessation, and health staff training in smoking cessation.

    Ritter, C., et al., Smoking in prisons: The need for effective and acceptable interventions, Journal of Public Health Policy. 2010 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print]


     

    Source: PubMed - 16 December 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/fBcl1B

  • Breast cancer and smoking

    Abstract
    Background: Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens, which may increase the risk of breast cancer (BC). Conversely, cigarette smoking also has antiestrogenic effects, which may reduce the risk of BC. The association between smoking and BC remains controversial.

    Methods: Prospective cohort study of 111 140 participants of the Nurses’ Health Study from 1976 to 2006 for active smoking and 36 017 women from 1982 to 2006 for passive smoking.

    Results: During 3 005 863 person-years of follow-up, 8772 incident cases of invasive BC were reported. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratio (HR) of BC was 1.06% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01%-1.10%) for ever smokers relative to never smokers. Breast cancer incidence was associated with a higher quantity of current (P for trend=.02) and past (P for trend=.003) smoking, younger age at smoking initiation (P for trend=.01), longer duration of smoking (P for trend=.01), and more pack-years of smoking (P for trend=.005). Premenopausal smoking was associated with a slightly higher incidence of BC (HR,1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.15 for every increase of 20 pack-years), especially smoking before first birth (1.18; 1.10-1.27 for every increase of 20 pack-years). Conversely, the direction of the association between postmenopausal smoking and BC was inverse (0.93; 0.85-1.02 for every increase of 20 pack-years). Passive smoking in childhood or adulthood was not associated with BC risk.

    Conclusion: Active smoking, especially smoking before the first birth, may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of BC.

    Fei Xue, et al., Cigarette Smoking and the Incidence of Breast Cancer, Archives of Internal Medicine. 2011;171(2):125-133.

    Source: Archives of Internal Medicine - 24 January 2011
    Link: http://bit.ly/gqrG0G

  • Acupuncture

    Abstract

    Background: Acupuncture and related techniques are promoted as a treatment for smoking cessation in the belief that they may reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

    Objectives: The objectives of this review are to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and the related interventions of acupressure, laser therapy and electrostimulation in smoking cessation, in comparison with no intervention, sham treatment, or other interventions.

    Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group specialized register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews, PsycINFO, Science Citation Index, AMED, Acubriefs in November 2010; and four Chinese databases: Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP in November 2010.

    Selection criteria: Randomized trials comparing a form of acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy or electrostimulation with either no intervention, sham treatment or another intervention for smoking cessation.

    Data collection and analysis: We extracted data in duplicate on the type of smokers recruited, the nature of the intervention and control procedures, the outcome measures, method of randomization, and completeness of follow up.We assessed abstinence from smoking at the earliest time-point (before six weeks), and at the last measurement point between six months and one year. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically validated rates if available. Those lost to follow up were counted as continuing smokers. Where appropriate, we performed meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model.

    Main results: We included 33 reports of studies. Compared with sham acupuncture, the fixed-effect risk ratio (RR) for the short-term effect of acupuncture was 1.18 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.34), and for the long-term effect was 1.05 (CI 0.82 to 1.35). The studies were not judged to be free from bias. Acupuncture was less effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). There was no evidence that acupuncture is superior to waiting list, nor to psychological interventions in short- or long-term. The evidence on acupressure and laser stimulation was insufficient and could not be combined. The evidence suggested that electrostimulation is not superior to sham electrostimulation.

    Authors' conclusions: There is no consistent, bias-free evidence that acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy or electrostimulation are effective for smoking cessation, but lack of evidence and methodological problems mean that no firm conclusions can be drawn. Further, well designed research into acupuncture, acupressure and laser stimulation is justified since these are popular interventions and safe when correctly applied, though these interventions alone are likely to be less effective than evidence-based interventions.

    White, AR. , Acupuncture and related interventions for smoking cessation, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011 Jan 19;1:CD000009.

    Source: Cochrane Review - 24 November 2010
    Link: http://bit.ly/gLlEZx

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

  • 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