Tobacco News August 1, 1993

Items:

Lawsuit Claims Battery by Pipe Smoke
Tobacco Industry Hires Pros to Battle Anti-smoking Laws
Legislators Agree To Deficit-bill Provision Limiting Foreign Tobacco Imports
Agricultural Spending Bill Cuts Foreign Marketing Funds for Tobacco
ETS and Cell Abnormalities
Study Finds Increased Risk of Lung Cancer for Restaurant/Bar Workers
California Cigarette Tax to go to Breast Cancer Fight
Nation's Toughest Anti-smoking Law in Effect in Vermont

Tobacco News August 8, 1993

Items:

*Clinton Deficit Bill Passes, Keeps Limit on Foreign Tobacco Imports
*Study Finds Us Tobacco Exports Vital US Economic Factor
*Senate Passes Smoking Ban
*A New Look at Smoking Death Statistics
*Nicotine in Vegetables
*Cigarette Tax Aids Oregon Health Care Expansion
*Smoked Lung 86'D: LA Restaurants Served Smoking Ban
*British Air Bans Smoking on Most European Flights
*Coffee, Tea Or Cancer? Fly the Cloudy Skies with Freedom Air
*Singapore Gets Tough with Teen Smokers
*Universal Corp. Earnings up due to African, Brazilian Tobacco Markets
*.Discount Cigarette Price War Rages on

Tobacco News August 16, 1993

Items:

Oral Cancer Statistics
LA Smoking Ban Opponents Claim Disqualification Illegal
Malaysian Coalition Starts Boycott Of US Goods
RJR Trying To Pay Down High-interest Debt
Marlboro Ranked Most Valuable Brand Name
Top 1993 Movies Glamorize Smoking
Lana Turner Quits Smoking
Dear Abby on Smoking
Man Who Hit Flight Attendant Sentenced To No Smoking
Recirculated Cabin Air Being Investigated

Tobacco News August 21, 1993

Items:

Clinton Deficit Bill Addendum
Chicago Tribune on FTC vs. RJR
Smokers at High Risk from Leukemia
Smoking and Atherosclerosis in the Legs
Risks of SIDS to be Re-assessed
No Health Benefits in Low-tar Cigarettes, Study Reports
LA Restaurant Smoking Referendum Drive Funded by Tobacco Industry
Tobacco Possession by Kids Made Illegal in Illinois City.
Smoker Denied Bypass Tests in Britain Dies of Heart Attack
Southeastern Drought Hits Tobacco
Hack in the USSR: Western Tobacco Companies Moving into ex-East Bloc Countries
Sarajevo Cigarettes Costly for Peacekeeping Forces
Philip Morris joins RJR in Chinese Market
ACLU Defends its Acceptance of $500,000 from Tobacco Industry
TV Critic on Warning Labels
Minor Leagues Tobacco Free
Saints' Jim Finks in Hospital
Dyangen to Expand Testing of Drug that Eases Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
Nicotine Patch Shown Effective for Quitting Smoking

Tobacco News August 31, 1993

Items:

Federal:

US Requires States to Enforce Underage Tobacco Laws
High Taxes Decrease Smoking, Increase Revenues, Panel Finds

Health:

Cigarette-related Deaths Decline, but Smoking Rates Hold Steady
Study Finds Some Cigarettes Have 24 Times the Tar of Others
SIDS Recommendations Released in Britain

Local and International:

Smoking Bans Enacted in Michigan and Massacusetts
Tobacco Industry Wins One in LA Smoking Ban Battle
Estonia Delays Advertising Ban
Iraqi Cigarettes Brought Under Rationing
Hong Kong Takes Telephony Interactive to Provide Health Information

Cigarettes and Society:

Philip Morris Fails to Raise Dividend
Camel Cigarettes Advertised Nightly on David Letterman
Smokers Use Beaches as Ashtrays, Clean-up Group Finds.
Cigarette Prices in Smoke-free Prisons Higher than in Bosnia
"Fight the Tobaccoid" Video Game Released
55 Burger Kings Ban Smoking

Sports, etc.:

Australian Grand Prix Allowed to Keep Advertising Tobacco
Profits from World's Largest Cigar to Go to Heart Foundation

Lawsuit Claims Battery by Pipe Smoke

A three-judge panel of the Georgia Court of Appeals this month rejected a pipe smoker's argument that his pipe smoke could not "batter" someone.

Bonnie Richardson, a bank secretary who lost her job due to absenteeism, argued that the pipe smoke of coworker J.R. Hennly caused nausea, headaches, and weight loss so severe that she was hospitalized twice. Ms. Richardson, an employee for 10 years, said her symptoms began when Mr. Hennly was moved to an office 30' from her desk. She said smoke from the office would drift into her area and linger.

"He taunted her and blew smoke at her," said Richardson's attorney Jonathan Zimring.

Hennly also argued that Richardson couldn't prove that a single act, rather than second hand smoke in general, had caused her difficulties.

"Pipe smoke is visible. It is detectable through the senses and may be ingested or inhaled. . . It is capable of touching or making contact with one's person in a number of ways," wrote Judge J.D. Smith, in ruling that Richardson's suit against Hennly and the bank could proceed.

Tobacco Industry Hires Pros to Battle Anti-smoking Laws

"The tobacco industry is spending millions of dollars in communities throughout California, channelled through political action committees and front groups staffed by public affairs firms, which conceal its involvement," the Journal of the American Medical Association reported in its latest issue.

The tobaco industry previeously tended to set up "front" organizations of smoker's rights adherents, or "pseudo business coalitions", but when these were exposed, the tactic could backfire--as was the case recently in Vermont, where the nation's toughest smoking laws were recently put in effect. Instead, the industry now seems to be hiring professional political campaign firms, the authors said.

As an example, in Sacramento County (seat of the California state government), the industry spent nearly $1.8 million through a political action committee trying to defeat a smoking control bill (the attempt failed). The industry also led the recent LA petition drive, which "alone will cost the tobacco industry close to $100,000 just to qualify for the ballot".

The basic tactics, reports JAMA, are

*identifying communities considering anti-smoking laws

*organizing opposition

*trying to repeal referendums

*running referendum campaigns

As such opposition is expensive for the communities as well, just the threat of a referendum can result in a watered-down bill, as was the case recently in Long Beach, in Colfax and in Placer County.

LEGISLATORS AGREE TO DEFICIT-BILL PROVISION LIMITING FOREIGN TOBACCO IMPORTS

Federal Legislators last week added an amendment to President Clinton's huge budget-deficit bill that will protect US tobacco growers by requiring all cigarettes produced in the US be made up of at least 75% domestic tobacco. Manufacturers would be subject to a penalty equaling the price difference between the US tobacco and the foreign tobacco used.

The provision was supported by tobacco growing states, who claimed it would help compensate them for increased taxes on cigarettes in health care reform proposals. Rep. Charlie Rose (D-N.C) said, "we can live with that special treatment...if we get a little special treatment on imports."

"I didn't realize this had to do with health care," said Representative Sam Gibbons of Florida, who warned that the tobacco bill violated trade commitments made under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and could invite retaliation against U.S. exports. "We could pay serious penalties for having protected a little tobacco," he said, adding that the US has been "warned by many other countries that they intend to take us to GATT".

USDA Undersecretary Gene Moos said that while the provision will not help GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) negotiations, which have been going on for 6 years (and which President Clinton has pledged to bring to a close), the USDA has been concerned with increasing foreign tobacco imports and their effects on domestic tobacco price supports. (US tobacco is expensive because the US Government provides price supports).

Additional criticism has been leveled at the provision as an incompetent stop-gap measure that will in fact help destroy the domestic tobacco industry. As has been shown by the discount cigarette wars of the last few years, tobacco is extremely price-sensitive. Since the growth in tobacco sales is increasingly overseas, this provision will force domestic manufacturers to establish themselves in foreign countries, where they will have access to much cheaper tobacco, thus being able to use less of the more-expensive US strain. Under this scenario, domestic growers and manufacturing plants have a year or two at most, before the industry moves out of the country.

Update: The Senate Friday turned back a Republican effort to remove the provision in the bill that requires U.S. cigarettes to consist of at least 75% US tobacco. (Roundup 8/7)

Agricultural Spending Bill Cuts Foreign Marketing Funds for Tobacco

July 17, 1993. The Senate passed an agricultural spending bill for fiscal 1994. The most controversial part of the bill concerned Market Promotion Program funds, monies used by companies to market their products overseas so as to increase exports. The program has been heavily criticized for simply enriching the coffers of trans-national corporations at taxpayer expense. The funds were cut by half this year, with the proviso that none of the funds will be used to market tobacco products abroad. The bill differed minimally from the House's version, and was sent to conference.

ETS and Cell Abnormalities

July, 1993. In a study that involved autopsy results and survivor interviews, researchers at Harvard University have determined that non-smoking women married to smokers had many more cell abnormalities than those married to non-smokers.

Study Finds Increased Risk of Lung Cancer for Restaurant/Bar Workers

"Everyone talks about the risks of secondhand smoke for restaurant customers, " Dr. Michael Siegel said in an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, but "second-hand smoke has a devastating effect on the lives and health of restaurant workers."

In a review of 40 studies of indoor air quality and 6 lung cancer studies that identified victims by profession and controlled for primary smoking and other carcinogens, Dr. Siegel found bar and restaurant workers 1 1/2 times as likely to get lung cancer as the general populace, because of their greater exposure to ETS. Bars contain to up to 6 times more environmental tobacco smoke than offices, and about 4 1/2 times more than a home with one smoker. Restaurant workers are exposed to 50% to 90% more ETS than office employees, and 50% more than those in a home with one smoker.

Tom Lauria of The Tobacco Institute said, "Not one of the studies Siegel reviews measures restaurant worker exposure to environmental tobacco smoke." He criticized Siegel as an "anti-smoking activist" and said the review showed "nothing new."

"The article does not represent scientific research but a very selective review of literature with one person's interpretation of historical data," Lauria said.

The view from the trenches:

"The next morning you're coughing like a smoker," said Nicole Connors, a bartender and waitress. "Your eyes burn at night when it's really bad. I used to say I might as well have not quit because working in a bar is just like smoking."

Tom Oman, a piano player at the Zebra Lounge in Chicago said, "Sometimes Sundays I wake up and I can hardly talk. It's a real horror tale."

"Some waiters refuse to work in the smoking section," said Kathleen Farrell, a waitress.

"What surprised me the most is the degree to which secondhand smoke causes suffering for restaurant workers," said Siegel.

California Cigarette Tax to go to Breast Cancer Fight

8/20/93 The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee passed a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman, D-Los Angeles, that would provide for a 2 ¢/per pack tax increase (from 35 cents to 37 cents) that would raise $39 million for the fight against breast cancer. $17.5 million would go to breast cancer research, $17.5 million to early detection programs and $4 million to awareness and education programs.

Nation's Toughest Anti-smoking Law in Effect in Vermont

July 29, 1993 The nation's toughest anti-smoking law went into effect in Vermont today, making it illegal to smoke in any public place except restaurants, bars and hotels. Violators will face fines of up to $10,000. Vermont is issuing posters saying, "Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe easy. No smoking. It's simple. It's the law."

Tobacco News 8/8/93

Items:

*Clinton Deficit Bill Passes, Keeps Limit on Foreign Tobacco Imports

*Study Finds Us Tobacco Exports Vital US Economic Factor

*Senate Passes Smoking Ban

*A New Look at Smoking Death Statistics

*Nicotine in Vegetables

*Cigarette Tax Aids Oregon Health Care Expansion

*Smoked Lung 86'D: LA Restaurants Served Smoking Ban

*British Air Bans Smoking on Most European Flights

*Coffee, Tea Or Cancer? Fly the Cloudy Skies with Freedom Air

*Singapore Gets Tough with Teen Smokers

*Universal Corp. Earnings up due to African, Brazilian Tobacco Markets

*.Discount Cigarette Price War Rages on

CLINTON DEFICIT BILL PASSES, KEEPS LIMIT ON FOREIGN TOBACCO IMPORTS.

The Senate Friday turned back a Republican effort to remove the provision in the bill that requires U.S. cigarettes to consist of at least 75% US tobacco. Striking the provision would have increased foreign tobacco imports. Later in the day, the Senate passed the Clinton budget by Vice-President's Gore's tie-breaking vote.

STUDY FINDS US TOBACCO EXPORTS VITAL US ECONOMIC FACTOR

US Tobacco exports generate hundreds of thousands of jobs, and contribute billions to the trade balance, a study recently reported. The study covered 5 years, 1987-1992, and found that in 1992 alone tobacco exports provided:*299,925 American jobs*$7.1 billion in wages to American workers*$2 billion in local and federal tax revenues*$4.9 billion in trade surplus

The study was sponsored by COMET, the Coalition for Open Markets and Expanded Trade. The report was prepared by Price Waterhouse, and funded by the Philip Morris Companies. Wayne Valis, executive director of COMET, said "In the last five years, U.S. exports have accounted for almost half of our nation's economic growth and are an essential ingredient in our ability to compete in the global marketplace," and Price Waterhouse's Dr. Paul Lawrence said, "Tobacco has been one of the few consistent success stories in the U.S. trade picture. Given factors such as its superior quality and the removal of trade barriers, it seems likely that the U.S. tobacco industry will continue to have a strong positive impact on our trade balance."

SENATE PASSES SMOKING BAN

The Senate passed a provision that would ban smoking in all Federal buildings except those areas separately-ventilated, and remove cigarette vending machines from areas accessible by minors. The provision was added to a Treasury, Postal Service and general government appropriations bill. The House--which has previously gone further than the Senate in restricting smoking in its sections of the Capitol--is also expected to pass the provisions, though against strong tobacco lobby pressure. Senator Frank Lautenberg, (D-NJ) offered the smoking ban, and Jeff Binaman (D-NM) offered the vending machine amendment.

Wendell H. Ford (D-KY) argued that such provisions would mean inspections by the executive branch, (EPA and OSHA) with officials proclaiming, "You can't eat at your desk--the onions, you know."

Said Senator Lautenberg, "I think the evidence is irrefutable that tobacco smoke is different than smelly onions."

NICOTINE IN VEGETABLES

A letter to the New England Journal of Medicine reminded readers that there is "considerable evidence" that nicotine is present in certain vegetables, notably in the family that includes potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower and eggplant. The letter was from Dr. Edward Domino and his associates at the University of Michigan. There have been 3 studies indicating such presence, say the researchers, adding that their own researches confirm these reports.

Dr. Domino suggested that researchers in the field of second-hand smoke need to take this potentially confounding factor into account in their studies, some of which gauge exposure by physically measuring the amount of nicotine or its derivative cotinine in bodily fluids. (A recent Centers for Disease Control study found evidence of such substances in every one of 800 people tested. The CDC ascribed the findings to the pervasiveness of second-hand smoke.)

"It appears that the dietary intake of nicotine in nonsmokers may be of practical importance in the interpretation of the role of passive smoke inhalation when one is determining nicotine and cotinine levels in body fluids," Domino wrote, although, "it might not make too much difference."Jack Henningfield, chief of pharmacology research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Baltimore, discounted these potential sources of nicotine or cotinine as a confounding factor. "You're talking about eating five pounds of potato peels or three pounds of (dried) green tea to get the equivalent of one cigarette. Tobacco is a vegetable, but as a vegetable it contains hundreds of times (more) nicotine per weight than any other vegetable."

Cooking reduces much of the nicotine, as it is water-soluble, and dissolves easily.Walker Merryman of the Tobacco Institute said, "Clearly this is an issue that needs exploration. I'm glad these people from the University of Michigan raised it."

A NEW LOOK AT THE OLD STATISTICS

A new book due out soon, "Staying Healthy in a Risky Environment," by NYU Medical Center specialists, states that age is not the cause of death, but rather the passage of time contributes to the likelihood of health problems building up. The book states that the single most preventable cause of death today is cigarette smoking, and notes that the National Center for Health Statistics estimates that the American death toll from smoking for the period 1992 to 1996 is expected to exceed the combined death toll of every war in the history of the Unite States.

OREGON HEALTH CARE EXPANDED WITH HELP OF CIGARETTE TAX

Oregon State legislators approved a health care plan aimed at extending Medicaid to 120,000 people living below the poverty level. Virtually every Oregonian has been given guaranteed access to most major health care procedures, thanks in part to a 10¢ increase in the state cigarette tax, which will help raise the $65 million needed to start the plan.

The most controversial part of the plan was the requirement that employers provide insurance for their workers. This part will begin taking effect in 1997. Until then, the plan will cost $400 million.Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts said, "When you get past all the haggling, Oregon's done it. In one year's time we will have affordable, accessible health care for 120,000 Oregonians who did not have it before."

The plan has been praised by Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose draft health care proposals are said to resemble it.

SMOKED LUNG 86'D: LA RESTAURANTS GET SMOKING BAN

LA's diners went smokefree this week, as the measure to ban smoking in the city's 7,000 restaurants took effect despite a petition drive that gathered almost 100,000 signatures.

LA becomes the largest city in the nation to ban smoking in restaurants..Violators may be fined $50-$250, and owners face up to a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail.

The ban, recently passed by the City Council and signed by then-Mayor Bradley, was to have taken effect last July 26, but a petition drive recorded 96,000 signatures in protest. Had 56,000 of those signatures been ruled valid, the measure would have had to go to a general election. However, City Clerk Nancy Russell deemed last Monday that, based on a random sample, too many signatures were invalid.

The tobacco industry-supported Hospitality Coalition, which had sponsored the petition drive, announced a lawsuit against Ms. Russell's "ill- advised decision". Attorney Dana Reed said most of the 1,186 signatures sampled were disqualified because the person gathering them was not a registered voter.

BRITISH AIR BANS SMOKING ON MOST EUROPEAN FLIGHTS.

British Air, saying it is responding to passenger surveys that show most passengers prefer planes to be completely free of smoke, has prohibited smoking on all European flights lasting under 90 minutes. Such flights include most major European capitals. British Air, which already bans smoking on its domestic flights, and has experimented successfully with smoke-free flights to Hong Kong and California, says it will watch reaction closely to determine if it will extend the ban even further."The message coming through loud and clear is that most of our customers like smoke-free cabins, and we listen closely to what our customers tell us," said a spokesperson for British Airways.

COFFEE, TEA OR CANCER? FLY THE CLOUDY SKIES WITH FREEDOM AIR

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Freedom Air plans its maiden flight for Sept. 28, between Chicago and LA. Two more are planned for October,. Freedom Air, based near San Diego, was started by ex-airline pilot and smoking activist Ted Hall, who said, "More than 25 percent of the population are smokers and they should have the opportunity to enjoy what was previously afforded them. Freedom Air is simply meeting the demand of an important niche market." American Trans Air, a charter airline, will fly the initial voyage's wide-body L-1011, allowing Freedom Air to bypass current airline regulations. Passengers must be members of the Freedom Air Travel Club ($20 year), and be at least 21 years of age. Prices are relatively competitive ($445 round trip)

SINGAPORE GETS TOUGH WITH TEEN SMOKERS

The Health Ministry of Singapore has rounded up over 500 teen-age smokers in the two months since under-18 smoking was banned in the island state. Ministry officials have instituted a 3 month grace period, so the teenagers were simply warned that "underaged smokers will be fined from next month". Fines range from US$30-$60. A few shopkeepers have already been fined several hundred dollars each for selling cigarettes to minors or for failing to display notices of the new law.

UNIVERSAL EARNINGS UP DUE TO TOBACCO SALES IN AFRICA AND BRAZIL

Universal Corp. of Richmond, VA announced outstanding results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993. Though total tobacco sales were down, international tobacco operations, especially in Brazil and Africa, accounted for most of the net increase in earnings over the previous year. European sales were down.

DISCOUNT CIGARETTE PRICE WAR RAGES ON

Philip Morris this week rescinded its planned price rise on budget cigarettes, and in fact lowered its wholesale price on the brands, bringing them in line with similar brands from other manufacturers. Philip Morris said it planned to streamline its pricing structure and price all discount brands the same.Discount brands now account for almost 40% of the $45 million domestic cigarette market. Retail prices between discount and premium Philip Morris brands vary between 45¢ and 65¢.

Tobacco News August 16, 1993

Items:

Oral Cancer Statistics

LA Smoking Ban Opponents Claim Disqualification Illegal

Malaysian Coalition Starts Boycott Of US Goods

RJR Trying To Pay Down High-interest Debt

Marlboro Ranked Most Valuable Brand Name

Top 1993 Movies Glamorize Smoking

Lana Turner Quits Smoking

Dear Abby on Smoking

Man Who Hit Flight Attendant Sentenced To No Smoking

Recirculated Cabin Air Being Investigated

Oral Cancer Statistics

August 12, 1993. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates 75% of oral cancers are linked to smoking and tobacco use. Oral cancer kills 8,600 people a year in the US.

LA Ban Opponents Claim Disqualification Illegal

August 11, 1993. The Hospitality Coalition filed papers today claiming that Los Angeles violated its own charter and the state constitution in using the City Election code to invalidate signatures because the people gathering them were not Los Angeles voters. The papers were filed in Superior Court in anticipation of an August 26 hearing on the lawsuit the Coalition filed against the city clerk's office.

"Both the state Constitution and the Los Angeles City Charter supersede the city election code provision," said Dana Reed, the Coalition's attorney.

Deputy City Attorney Ken Chirlin claimed the City Clerk had acted properly.

Reed said no temporary restraining order was being sought at the moment because no one had been cited in violation of the law yet. "There haven't been any complaints," said Los Angeles Police Department Lt. John Dunkin.

Malaysian Coalition Starts Boycott Of US Goods

Kuala Lumpur, August 10, 1993. A Malaysion coalition of environmental, religious and political groups has announced a boycott of American cigarettes, soft drinks, and fast foods, saying such products represent US "domination of the world".

"These products symbolise American culture and U.S. political imperialism," said the Malaysian Action Front (MAF), which represents some 50 non-governmental groups comprising 2 million members. Also protested were oil firms and violent US movies and cartoons.

Posters and pamphlets urging Malaysians not to buy these products will be distributed all over the country. Malaysia's largest export market is the U.S.

Marlboro Ranked Most Valuable Brand Name.

August 12, 1993. Financial News magazine once again named Marloro the most valuable brand name in the world this month, with a worth of amost $40 billion. This is a decline of 6.3% in brand-name value from last year, primarily due to the discount cigarette wars.

Cigarettes took 4 of the top 20 spots in the list of 111 brands. RJR Nabisco's Winston took 11th place with a $5.23 billion valuation, and its Camel brand took 16th. with $3.65 billion. Both brands suffered double-digit devaluation in the last year.

RJR Nabisco scored also with its Life Savers candy, Nabisco cookies and crackers, and Planter's nuts. Philip Morris Cos., Marlboro's owner, ranked with its brands Miller beer, Kraft cheeses, Jell-O and Bird's Eye frozen vegetables.

The Marlboro Cowboy ad campaign, begun in 1955 by Chicago ad agency Leo Burnett Inc., is considered by many the most successful campaign in history.

RJR Trying Heartily To Pay Down High-interest Debt.

August 12, 1993. In a continuing attempt to pay down its high-priced debt, RJR Nabisco made a $1 billion bond offering today. This action follows RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.'s $1.25 billion issue of Series B cumulative preferred stock. Originally the stock issue's value was to be $500 million, but was increased due to investor demand. 50 million shares were issued at a price of $25 per share.

"We have a significant amount of high-coupon debt and as we look at how we want to approach it, this will give us more flexibilty," said Jason Wright of RJR in regards to the bond offering. `Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, not unlike from our preferred stock issue. It will give us the flexibility to pay down higher-cost debt,"

Wright said RJR has $14 billion of outstanding debt, some of it with interest rates as high as 15%.

RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. is the parent company of RJR Nabisco Inc.., whose major operating units are R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. R. J. Reynolds Tocacco International Inc., Nabisco Foods Group, and Nabisco Foods International Inc.

Top Movies Glamorize Smoking

August 12, 1993. According to Britain's Health Education Authority the top current blockbuster movies are giving the wrong impression of smoking. "Images of Smoking in Film," said 8 of the top ten movies1993 so far have scenes of smoking, including "Bodyguard," "Scent of a Woman", "Jurassic Park" and "Home Alone II." Although not much actual screen time is given to smoking, it usually occurs at critical moments, romanticizing and giving impact to the activity. Smoking in men usually occurs at times of critical decision-making, and in women at times of vulnerability.

"The report shows that recent box office hits continue to represent smoking as a positive activity without reflecting the real-life consequences," National Education Authority said.

The report said 70% of films targetting children showed scenes of smoking, leading to the impression it was a glamorous activity.

"Young audiences will nearly always associate smoking with glamor as long as the film world ignores more commonplace smoking associations, such as dirty ashtrays, lung cancer and heart disease. . . Film makers are reluctant to show the physical side-effects of smoking such as coughing. . . Clearly there is a need to encourage film directors, producers and writers to be more aware of the possible impact of these positive images of smoking and their ability to influence impressionable young minds," said the HEA.

The report was written by Dr. Terence Wright, a lecturer at the National Film and Television School.

Lana Turner Quits Smoking

August 12, 1993 Liz Smith reported today that Lana Turner has quit smoking She just finished 8 weeks of radiation therapy on a malignant tumor in her throat, and is down to 92 lbs. But, her daughter Cheryl Crane reports, she has finally put away the cigarette addiction she has had for "many, many years."

Dear Abby on Smoking

August 12, 1993. In a column this week, Dear Abby responded to a letter-writer who claimed, in regards to smoking, "society owes no accommodation to those who choose an addiction" by saying, "I have little patience and even less compassion for smokers."

The same column included a plea from an young AA member who begged adult readers not to "front" for children buying alcohol.

Man Who Hit Flight Attendant Sentenced To No Smoking

August 12, 1993, Cleveland, Ohio. A man who slapped a filght attendant who tried to make him put out a cigarette has been convicted of assault and ordered not to have a single cigarette or alcoholic drink for four years. .Albert A. Lancry, 57, was also sentenced to 4 months of home confinement and fined $1500. If he violates the terms of his parole he could be sentenced to six months in jail.

Mr. Lancry's lawyer claimed his client is a diabetic, had not eaten in several hours, and "was not thinking very clearly" at the time of the incident. Lancry claims not to have touched alcohol for several years, and only smoked 5 or 6 cigarettes a day.

Recirculated Cabin Air Being Investigated

August 16, 1993. Federal officials are investigating the quality of air in commercial airlines, with special attention to the possibility of TB transmission due to poor air-circulation procedures.

Fidel Gonzales, central safety chairman of the Association of Flight Attendants said flight attendants often suffer respiratory problems from recirculated air and inefficient filters. They "feel fine when they go to work on a three-day trip and are sick when they get back."

The concerns center around newer jets, built since the late 70s, which make more use of recirculated air. In the older jets air is drawn from completely from outside and cabin air is completely replaced everry 2-5 minutes. Outside air is, however, very dry and can cause discomfort. The newer jets use up to 50% recirculated air, and can replace the cabin volume in 3-6 minutes. Using recirculated air can also save 1-2% in fuel costs.

While The AFA is trying to get OSHA to oversee air quality on planes, many scientists and travelers aren't terribly concerned. Travelers interviewed at O'Hare recently expressed more concern about smoking on international flights.

Tobacco News 8/21/93

Items:

Clinton Deficit Bill Addendum

Chicago Tribune on FTC vs. RJR

Smokers at High Risk from Leukemia

Smoking and Atherosclerosis in the Legs

Risks of SIDS to be Re-assessed

No Health Benefits in Low-tar Cigarettes, Study Reports

LA Restaurant Smoking Referendum Drive Funded by Tobacco Industry

Tobacco Possession by Kids Made Illegal in Illinois City.

Smoker Denied Bypass Tests in Britain Dies of Heart Attack

Southeastern Drought Hits Tobacco

Hack in the USSR: Western Tobacco Companies Moving into ex-East Bloc Countries

Sarajevo Cigarettes Costly for Peacekeeping Forces

Philip Morris joins RJR in Chinese Market

ACLU Defends its Acceptance of $500,000 from Tobacco Industry

TV Critic on Warning Labels

Minor Leagues Tobacco Free

Saints' Jim Finks in Hospital

Dyangen to Expand Testing of Drug that Eases Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Nicotine Patch Shown Effective for Quitting Smoking

CLINTON DEFICIT BILL ADDENDUM

August 11, 1993. In an editorial that named Senators who protected special interests in the Clinton deficit bill, the Janesville (Wisconsin) Gazette cited Wendell Ford (D-KY) as the sponsor of the insertion that limits the amount of imported tobacco that can be used in domestically-produced cigarettes.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ON FTC VS. RJR

August 18, 1993. In a semi-rambling editorial that takes issue on First Ammendment grounds with the FTC staff's recommendation that RJR's Old Joe Camel ads be banned, the Chicago Tribune said:

"The Old Joe campaign is not misleading in its purpose, which, like it or not, is to promote cigarette smoking. It is not expressly designed to promote an illegal activity . . .the proper response to underage smoking is to enforce laws against the sale of cigarettes to minors. . . If the FTC commissioners try to outlaw Old Joe, they will accomplish two things. They will turn an ugly camel into a national cause celebre, drawing more market penetration through news accounts of the battle than a million bucks in billboards and magazine ads could. And it will set a dangerous new standard for the government's role in deciding what's good and bad speech."

(note: the tobacco companies have consistently claimed their advertising is not meant "to promote cigarette smoking," but to encourage existing smokers to switch brands)

SMOKERS AT HIGH RISK FROM LEUKEMIA

Atlanta, Aug. 19, 1993. Smokers have a 50% greater chance of contracting the deadly myeloid leukemia, according to a report by Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention scientist Dr. Michael Siegel, who reviewed 21 studies on the impact of smoking on leukaemia

There are about 26,700 cases of adult leukemias reported a year. About 12,000 are myeloid leukemia, an uncontrolled proliferation of one kind of blood cell. The strain is often fatal.

Researchers reported February in the Archives of Internal Medicine that smoking causes about 14% of all adult leukemias (3,600 a year).

Now Siegel has found that smokers stand a 50% greater risk of contracting myeloid leukemia than non-smokers. "Because myeloid leukemia is so often fatal, if we could eliminate smoking, we could eliminate 20 percent of adult leukemia deaths" he said.

"Leukaemia should be added to the list of smoking-related diseases, and efforts to prevent leukaemia should include appropriate attention to the role of smoking," the report said.

While there are still many questions about myeloid leukemia, it is known that benzene, radiation and certain viruses have caused some cases.

Leukemia, a Greek word for "pale blood" occurs when tissues in the bone marrow start overproducing one type of (largely ineffective) white blood cell. These cells eventually crowd out the cells needed to fight infections, and the platelets necessary to prevent blod clots.

Possible reasons for the high incidence among smokers are:

*Tobacco smoke contains high levels of the known carcinogens benzene, radioactive lead and radioactive polonium.

*Smokers' bones, which contain the marrow where blood cells are produced, are high in radioactive lead

*Smoking suppresses the immune system

SMOKING AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE LEGS

August 19, 1993. In an Associated Press report on atherosclerosis in the legs (hardening of the arteries in the legs to the degree it becomes painful to walk), Dr. Michael Freedman, the Diane and Arthur Belfer Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Director of Geriatrics at New York University Medical Center, states:

"Cigarette smoking appears to be the most important factor in producing

atherosclerosis in the legs. There is good evidence that ending smoking will

slow or even stop the clogging of the leg arteries."

He also notes that hypertension and high cholesterol levels are contributory factors.

RISKS OF SIDS TO BE RE-ASSESSED

August 19, 1993. Based on studies of recent papers and developments in the field of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or crib death) the European Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths, meeting at Oxford University next August 26, will recommend a reassessment of the causes of SIDS. According to the doctors' findings, some of which were pre-released by Dr Paul Johnson, who is organizing the meeting, the following actions should avoided with infants aged one week to five years:

Letting the baby become overheated

Letting the baby sleep face down

Over-swaddling the baby

Smoking, both during pregnancy and after.

Breast feeding and early immunization seemed to protect against SIDS.

Britain is one of a very few countries that isolates and studies SIDS as a cause of death.

NO HEALTH BENEFITS IN LOW-TAR CIGARETTES, STUDY REPORTS

August 16, 1993. Low-tar, low-nicotine brands offer no health benefits over normal cigarettes, according to a study by the American Lung Association.

A University of New Mexico School of Medicine study measured carbon dioxide and cotinine (a nicotine by-product) in the breaths of 300 smokers. The levels were "barely distinguishable" between low-tar and -nicotine brand smokers, and those smoking higher yield brands.

Tar and nicotine levels for cigarettes are determined by the Federal Trade Commission, based on laboratory analysis machines. According to a recent poll, most Americans think low-tar and nicotine brands are healthier and less addicting.

It is thought by many that smokers who have a certain nicotine-level to maintain simply smoke more of the low-nicotine brands to satisfy it.

LA RESTAURANT SMOKING REFERENDUM DRIVE FUNDED BY TOBACCO INDUSTRY

August 13, 1993. Over $211,000 of the $216,000 spent on a petition drive to force a referendum on the LA Restaurant Smoking ban were provided by tobacco companies and their subsidiaries, reported the Hospitality Coalition of Los Angeles in a filing with the LA city Ethics Commission.

Although 63 of the 83 contributors to the funds for the Coalition were local businesses and individuals, they only accounted for about $4,000. The rest was contributed by the following companies:

R.J. Reynolds gave a total of $80,939 directly, with another 20,000 donated by its subsidiaries Miller Brewing and Kraft Foods.

Philip Morris: $77,662

Lorillard Tobacco Co.: $16,716;

American Tobacco Co.: $15,578

United States Tobacco Co.: $1,500.

TOBACCO POSSESSION BY KIDS MADE ILLEGAL

The Yorkville, Ill. City Council passed an ordinance that will levey a $25 fine against anyone under 18 found in possession of tobacco products. Sellers of tobacco products must obtain a $50 license, and may not offer tobacco for sale within 100 feet of schools, child-care facilities and other children's program areas. Repeated sales of tobacco to minors could result in a loss of the license. The ordinance was modeled on one in effect in Woodridge.

SMOKER DENIED BYPASS TESTS IN BRITAIN DIES OF HEART ATTACK

August 17, 1993. A man denied tests for heart bypass surgery because of his smoking died of his second heart attack this week.

When Harry Elphick, 47, of Manchester, northern England, suffered his first heart attack, his cardiologist refused to schedule pre-surgery tests until Elphick quit smoking. Elphick did quit, and was scheduled to have the tests this Thursday (Aug. 19) but sufferred a second heart attack and died. The event has sparked a large-scale debate in the media about medical ethics and the direction of the resources of Britain's economically-pressed National Health Service.

Some responses:

--Elphick's widow, Pat Elphick, 43, claims her husband would be alive today if the tests had been performed, and said she planned to sue. "It shouldn't have mattered whether he smoked or not - he should have been given treatment. It is wrong and quite disgusting," she said.

--Marjorie Nicholson, spokeswoman for the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (FOREST) said her group was looking into a lawsuit also. She claimed the doctors were making moral, not medical decisions. "If they are going to start treating people on the basis of lifestyle factors rather than clinical need, then smokers would not be the only ones on the list." She said that homosexuals, heavy drinkers, or even people with poor eating habits could be denied medical care. "You could even include sportsmen, whose injuries could be said to be self-inflicted." Chris Tame, director of FOREST, called the policy "health fascism", and questioned its legality.

--Dr. Colin Bray, consulting cardiologist of Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, northern England, defended his decision, saying that most hospitals have the same policy and will not perform non-emergency heart surgery on heavy smokers. "Patients who continue to smoke after surgery don't have any survival benefits. They don't live any longer than if they haven't had an operation. Those are the hard facts. We're not saying that smoking is wicked and sinful. We're simply saying it's bad for people's health in the same way as we would be reluctant to treat the very fat, the people with very bad disease where the surgical results are poor.

"We do not withhold surgical treatment, if appropriate, for patients who are in an urgent situation and we didn't have the information from his local physician that he was in that category."

"I'm very sad that Mr. Elphick died but I don't have any regrets at all about our policy."

--The Manchester Health Authority expressed support for "the doctors' right to make their clinical decisions." Also, an anonymous spokesperson for the Authority said Elphick could have switched doctors to obtain the tests.

--David Blunkett, health spokesperson for the opposition Labor Party, expressed sympathy with doctors' hard decisions, but, he said, "it's unacceptable to have different policies carried out at different localities throughout the country. Secondly, it is quite impossible to have a situation where the government refuse to ban tobacco advertising, where we have subsidies to tobacco growers in the European Community, and yet we have a situation where somebody isn't treated for a life-threatening disease because they happen to be a smoker."

--An American Heart Association spokesperson said there are instances in the US of doctors who refuse to treat patients because of smoking or drinking patterns, but that "it's not something the AHA really is in favor of. People who are in need of care are deserving of that care."

SOUTHEASTERN DROUGHT HITS TOBACCO

The drought in the Southeast has not affected tobacco crops as much as corn, soybeans and cotton, but it has dried up about 25% of the domestic tobacco crop in South Carolina, according to Sen. Frank Hollings of South Carolina.

HACK IN THE USSR: WESTERN TOBACCO COMPANIES MOVING INTO EX-EAST BLOC COUNTRIES

August 14, 1993. The Washington Post today published an article by Fred Hiatt and Howard Schneider detailing American and British tobacco companies' investments in ex-East Bloc countries.

The authors cite the facts that an estimated 107 million Russians smoke (the third largest market of smokers after China and the US); that all former East Bloc countries combined smoke an estimated 700 billion cigarettes a year (as compared with the US's figure of 500 billion); and that local communities and businesses are in tremendous need of outside monies.

To the cigarette companies, the East Bloc is made up of millions of people who have a new fascination with brand names. "It's a huge, huge market, and obviously for us it represents major growth opportunities," said a Philip Morris spokesperson.

Philip Morris, RJR and the British BAT Industries (manufacturers of the "real American" Lucky Strike) have been investing in factories in Russia and Eastern Europe at a furious pace and at tremendous expense. Philip Morris' investment of $400 million in factories in the Republic of Czech is the largest investment of any US company in any industry in Eastern Europe.

Though according to Michael Herron of the American Cancer Society, "the Russian people are not even up to 1964 in terms of understanding the dangers" of smoking, the heavy advertising campaigns and their perceived targetting of young people have sparked criticism and a nascent anti-tobacco movement. The Moscow city council has passed a resolution banning cigarette advertising, but the Mayor has yet to act on it. Tatyana Rydlevich, a Moscow city council member. said of the advertising blitz, "What do they have, a wish to destroy our people?" Though the companies state they are only looking for smokers to switch brands, Ms. Rydlevich said, "Don't take us for naive people. We know they're aiming for young people who don't smoke." She said a recent survey found that 44% of Moscow 11th graders smoke, including 27% of the girls.

Some anti-tobacco Americans are getting into the fray. The American Cancer Society airs ads featuring cowboys coughing, a woman covered in tar, and a fetus smoking in the womb.

The article mentioned financial analyst Andrew Tobias' ad campaign, instigated when he found he could buy a spot on network TV for $100 that would cost $100,000 in the US. The first round of commercials that ran this summer cost Tobias around $60,000, and consisted of 15 spots that discourage smoking. In one ad Tobias states, "I'm very proud of America. But I'm ashamed of the way American tobacco companies, and others, are trying to addict Russian children."

A BAT spokesman said, "It seems quite odd in some ways that a place where there's been such a struggle to achieve freedom of speech should so quickly start to dismantle commercial freedom of speech, because that's what advertising is". Economically, he said, "there are a lot of people around Eastern Europe right now who are very glad that Marlboro Man came in. I think people are seeing right in front of their eyes that it's good for them."

SARAJEVO CIGARETTES COSTLY FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES

August 17, 1993. A carton of cigarettes goes for $70-$90 (120 German marks) in Sarajevo, too great a temptation for two Ukrainian soldiers with the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). The two were caught with a large quanitity of cigarettes by Bosnian police at a Sarajevo checkpoint last night. One of the soldiers has been sent home and will be dishonorably discharged. The other is still under investigation.

Food, fuel and cigarettes are all expensive black market commodities, and the UN has strict rules against profiteering. Lieutenant-Colonel Tricia Purves said that Ukrainians, coming from a society that often engages in unofficial barters, have been attacked by Bosnian authorities for black marketeering. "They are remarkably open about it," she said. "They are also remarkably stupid about it. They wander around with a great big armful of cigarettes, in uniform, saying 'Does anyone want to buy cigarettes?"'

The UNPROFOR force is made up primarily of soldiers from France, Egypt and the Ukraine.

PHILIP MORRIS JOINS RJR IN CHINESE MARKET

August 16, 1993. Philip Morris announced today that it has signed an agreement with China National Tobacco Corp. The agreement will allow a joint production of Marlboro cigarettes and development and manufacture of other brands for domestic use as well as exports, and will require the use of the Chinese state monopoly's production plants.

Winstons, Camels and other brands have been produced in China since 1988 under a similar agreement held by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco International.

ACLU DEFENDS ITS ACCEPTANCE OF $500,000 FROM TOBACCO INDUSTRY

August 18, 1993. In a letter to the Chicago Tribune, the ACLU defended its much-criticized acceptance of money from the tobacco industry, funds amounting to $500,000 over the last 6 years. The ACLU claimed the money was used for various programs that have long been on its agenda, including a public opinion poll on privacy and the rights of people in the workplace. It pointed out it has not objected to health warnings (note: these warnings help protect the cigarette companies from lawsuits), nor restrictions on smoking in the workplace. "In fact, our own office is smoke-free", the letter said. The letter also claimed the organization's policies on employer-control of off-the-job behavior began in 1986, a year before the ACLU began accepting tobacco money.

The letter also said the amount of money received was negligible, "never . . .more than 1% of our total revenue," and concluded, "furthermore, in our educational efforts regarding the decriminalization of illegal drugs, we have never hesitated to point out that nicotine is society's most dangerous drug."

MINOR LEAGUES TOBACCO FREE

August 17, 1993. The nation's minor league ballparks went smokeless today. And chewless. And dipless. But not spitless, as addicted ballplayers decried the injustice of the ruling by the Major League Baseball Association.

A player caught with tobacco at the Double-A and Triple-A levels will be fined $300 ($100 at Class A and below), and will be ejected from the game, along with his manager. The free samples of Skoal will have to come off clubhouse shelves..

Jimmie Lee Solomon, Major League Baseball's director of minor-league operations, said, "We felt it was our obligation to take steps to try and break the link between tobacco and baseball. Tobacco is a health hazard, and it has created a terrible image problem for baseball. What we're trying to do is do the right thing. If it works, there'll be fewer players addicted to nicotine."

Dick Wagner, assistant to acting commissioner Bud Selig, said, "We are determined to eliminate any perceived linkage between baseball and tobacco products of any kind."

Such a ban in the majors would have to pass the Major League Baseball Players Association, but some ball club owners have indicated it may be a topic of discussion in future negotiations. Until then, the minor league ban is seen both as the easiest place to start since the players don't have a union, and as a testing ground that will smooth the way for an eventual Major League ban.

Anti-tobacco groups were pleased. Tracy Orleans, director of tobacco control research at the FoxChase Cancer Center in Philadelphia pointed out, "it's much easier to tackle the problem at the minor-league level, because it's the entryway to the major leagues. Our biggest problem is with the youngest players: 57 percent of college players use tobacco, 47 percent of minor-league players, and 35 percent of major-leaguers. So it makes sense that the way to address the problem is in the minors first, and then it will eventually show up at the major-league level."

Reaction in the field ranged from the resentful to the rebellious to the resigned. Willie Fraser of the Toledo Mud Hens said,"They're telling us to chew seeds and gum, but I'm addicted to this stuff. And they give us two weeks' notice to stop? We resent this a lot."

Mud Hens manager Joe Sparks, who is trying to quit the habit, said, "I have been chewing since 1966. It really gets your adrenaline going. I decided to stop it during games and did for the first time last night. I felt uninvolved, like a spectator. So I know what they'll be going through. We'll put coffee in the dugout."

Jack Krol, manager of the Louisville Redbirds, who will be operated on this week for cancer of the tongue, said, "I don't mind being an example for my players, but this is not the way I wanted to do it. There's no doubt in my mind it was the dipping and chewing that did it."

The Mud Hens' Riccardo Ingram said, "It might help that I'm being told to stop. I'm from Georgia and remember my grandmother sending me out for snuff. She had a spittoon. So this is part of me -- has been for a long time. I'll use the nicotine patches and the counseling they're offering, and I'll quit. It's the nastiest habit ever, but it's hard to break. It'll be really hard for some guys."

.Randy Mobley, International League commissioner, said, "There is no question baseball is very serious about this. And if someone wants to test it and feels their rights are being infringed upon, I suggest they pursue it off the field.

Baseball players in the past were mostly from the farms, and farm boys tended to chew tobacco. Nearly all the players chewed in the early part of the century, but use has declined since the 40s. (Let us not forget the immortal Honus Wagner, whose picture graces the rarest baseball card in history. The card, from a 1910-1911 series, was withdrawn when Honus refused to allow his picture to be used to promote cigarettes. Now that's a hero.)

Tobacco Institute spokesman Bill Wordham said the ban was "another example of political correctness gone awry. The whole atmosphere today regarding non-smoking is somewhat overheated. You're being denied a legal activity just because some people find it distasteful. It has been cited that ballplayers should set an example for minors. The example ballplayers should set for minors is to be the best they can be in their chosen sport and to behave like adults."

JIM FINKS in Hospital

Former New Orleans Saints president and general manager Jim Finks, who was diagnosed with lung cancer last April 30th, is reported fighting for his life in a Louisiana hospital. Finks was a heavy smoker, and upon his diagnosis, No Smoking signs immediately went up at training camp. Spokespeople said smoking would not be allowed by anyone. Finks has been given much credit as a sports executive, and is considered instrumental in effecting the comebacks of the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.

TV CRITIC ON WARNING LABELS

Peggy Charren, founder of Action for Children's Television, criticized the TV industry's plan to meet increasing concern about the amount of violence on TV by labeling programs with violence in them. Ms. Charren said, "Pretty soon labels will get so ubiquitous that we will pay as little attention to them as we do to the warnings on tobacco advertising."

DYANGEN TO EXPAND TESTING OF DRUG THAT EASES NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Upon the success of the most recent clinical trial, Dynagen will expand the development program of NicErase-IA. The trial was placebo-controlled, double-blind, and showed that the active ingredient, lobeline, was not addictive, and that there were no significant adverse effects. NicErase-1A's primary purpose is to minimize nicotine withdrawal symptoms, particularly in hospital patients who must quit smoking immediately.

NICOTINE PATCH SHOWN EFFECTIVE FOR QUITTING SMOKING

August 16, 1993. A study has shown that Nicotrol, a16-hour nicotine patch made by Parke-Davis, has a significant effect on successful quitting rates. The study found that 28 out of 113 people using the patch had not smoked for an entire year (7 1/2 months since last using the patch), but that only 10 out of 109 people given the placebo had not smoked for a year. That's a 25% success rate versus a 9% success rate.

Both groups participated in regular visits to doctors' offices, obtaining non-specialized care available in most primary-care physicians' offices.

Patients using the Nicotrol patch reported reduced craving, fewer withdrawal symptoms, and lower weight gain.

"This trial is the first to show that the 16-hour nicotine transdermal patch can achieve effective long term smoking cessation in men and women when administered as part of a comprehensive behavioral smoking cessation program based around typical physician counseling, but without intensive behavior modification efforts such as group therapy and psychological intervention," the study concluded.

Tobacco News 8/31/93

Items:

Federal:

US Requires States to Enforce Underage Tobacco Laws

High Taxes Decrease Smoking, Increase Revenues, Panel Finds

Health:

Cigarette-related Deaths Decline, but Smoking Rates Hold Steady

Study Finds Some Cigarettes Have 24 Times the Tar of Others

SIDS Recommendations Released in Britain

Local and International:

Smoking Bans Enacted in Michigan and Massacusetts

Tobacco Industry Wins One in LA Smoking Ban Battle

Estonia Delays Advertising Ban

Iraqi Cigarettes Brought Under Rationing

Hong Kong Takes Telephony Interactive to Provide Health Information

Cigarettes and Society:

Philip Morris Fails to Raise Dividend

Camel Cigarettes Advertised Nightly on David Letterman

Smokers Use Beaches as Ashtrays, Clean-up Group Finds.

Cigarette Prices in Smoke-free Prisons Higher than in Bosnia

"Fight the Tobaccoid" Video Game Released

55 Burger Kings Ban Smoking

Sports, etc.:

Australian Grand Prix Allowed to Keep Advertising Tobacco

Profits from World's Largest Cigar to Go to Heart Foundation

US REQUIRES STATES TO ENFORCE UNDERAGE TOBACCO LAWS

The US Public Health Service announced new regulations requiring states to ensure enforcement of laws regulating the sales of tobacco products to minors. Unannounced spot checks of retail stores are part of the requirements. Uncooperative states would stand to lose up to 40% of their substance abuse block grant funds by fiscal 1999. The grants, for substance abuse programs, amount to a total of about $1.1 billion a year.

HIGH TAXES DECREASE SMOKING, INCREASE REVENUES, PANEL FINDS

A panel formed by the National Cancer Institute in 1992 found that raising taxes on cigarettes not only cut down on smoking, but, properly implemented with regular raises for inflation and declining usage, would insure taxable income is not lost.

The panel was formed in November of 1992 to review the literature. It found that for every 10% rise in cigarette prices, there is a corresponding 4% decline in purchases. Thus, the report found, the rise in revenue due to a substantial excise tax is greater than the loss caused by decreasing consumption. Taxes would need to be tied to inflation and raised periodically. The panel, citing recent events in California, found that smoking could be decreased by as much as 17% when high costs are combined with a strong anti-smoking campaign.

Thomas Lauria of the Tobacco Institute claimed the medical community was just looking for an easy way to fund health care reform. "The medical and health care community are the only ones that keep pointing to the tobacco industry to tax smokers," he said.

CIGARETTE-RELATED DEATHS DECLINE, BUT SMOKING RATES HOLD STEADY

August 26, 1993. Atlanta, GA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that cigarette-smoking-related deaths declined in 1990, reflecting the gradual decline in smoking rates since 1966. The steady decrease in smoking rates, said the CDC, "is now resulting in thousands of lives saved each year," but added, "Smoking is still responsible for one of every five deaths in the U.S." Of the 418,690 deaths in 1992 (down from 434,000 in 1988), 180,000 were due to heart disease, 120,000 due to lung cancer, and about 85,000 due to respiratory disease. Also in the figures are 1,711 infants of smoking mothers. These figures do not reflect deaths due to any other form of tobacco, only cigarettes.

However, smoking rates among both adults and children seem to have leveled off. Smokers went from 25.5% of the population in 1990 to 25.7% in 1991. This is the first year in which adult smoking has not declined since 1966, when over 50% of the population smoked. Though teen smoking has declined since the mid-seventies (29% of high school seniors smoked in 1976, 21% in 1980, and 17% in 1992), it has remained steady over the last few years. The CDC attributed the stagnation to tobacco company promotions and the advent of discount cigarettes.

Michael Eriksen, director of CDC's office on smoking and health claimed that "twenty billion dollars a year is probably a good estimate of the direct health costs of smoking." He said the government spends about $1 million on anti-tobacco campaigns, while the tobacco industry spends about $4 billion in advertising and promotion.

Thomas Lauria of the Tobacco Institute claimed the industry only spends only $840 million on advertising, and the rest goes to merchant-oriented promotions.

Erickson countered that such promotions lead to cigarettes being "what the public sees on the display rack right at the entrance to the store," which fosters smoking.

The CDC calculated that every minute spent smoking cuts off a minute of life, 7 minutes for the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, or an average of 5 years from the life expecancy of a smoker.

"All of us have loved ones that smoke and are patient and understanding and want them to quit. But realizing that is time being taken away from their life with you puts a new urgency on it", said Erickson.

STUDY FINDS SOME CIGARETTES HAVE 24 TIMES THE TAR OF OTHERS

August 27, 1993. Tar, the solids in cigarette smoke which contain suspected cancer-causing materials, has been shown to have widely varying concentrations in cigarettes. Tests done by the Tobacco Institute Testing Laboratory and monitored by the Fetderal Trade Commission, show some cigarettes have less than1 milligram of tar, while others have over 24 milligrams.

Those with a tar content of 24 milligrams or above include: Philip Morris Commander, Old Gold Straights, GPC Approved, Pall Mall, Herbert Tareyton, Raleigh Extra, Lucky Strike, Players, and English Ovals.

Those with a tar content of 1 milligram or less include: Carlton Ultra, Now 100, Now king hard pack, Now king menthol, Now king soft pack, Carlton king soft pack, Carlton king menthol, Carlton king hard pack, Cambridge and Carlton 100s.

SIDS RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED IN BRITAIN

August 29, 1993. London, England. Britain's Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, one of the few organizations in the world studying the causes and prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, aka cot death), recommended that when put to bed, babies should sleep on their backs or sides, should not be overheated or too snuggly wrapped in heavy clothes or blankets, and should never be completely covered by their bedclothes. A strong link to smoking was also found. Mothers who smoke tend to have low-birth weight babies, and low birth weight babies are more prone to dying of SIDS. "Don't smoke and avoid smoky atmospheres," advises the Foundation to pregnant women.

Though there is no known cause of SIDS, cot deaths fell by 50% in Britain after a wide publicity campaign alerting parents to the above risks.

SMOKING BANS ENACTED IN MICHIGAN AND MASSACUSETTS

August 27, 1993. Michigan Governor Engler signed into law a bill that prohibits smoking on all school grounds in the state.

The strictest local anti-smoking law in Massachusetts went into effect Sept. 2, prohibiting smoking in most indoor areas in the city. Restaurants may allow smoking only if they provide separate, enclosed rooms with separate ventilation, and get approval from the Board of Health.

LA SMOKING BAN BATTLE CONTINUES

A California Superior Court judge turned down the Hospitality Coalition's request to repeal LA's tough anti-smoking ordinance today, but did order the city Registrar's office to re-examine the random 1,100 signatures it had invalidated as not belonging to registered voters.

ESTONIA DELAYS ADVERTISING BAN

August 30, 1993. Economic ministry officials in Estonia today announced they would postpone a ban on tobacco and liquor advertising that was due to go into effect Sept. 2, due to massive complaints from manufacturers and advertising agencies. The ban will now go into effect January 1, 1994, to allow for pre-planned advertising campaings.

IRAQI CIGARETTES BROUGHT UNDER RATIONING PLAN

Iraqi cigarettes are being brought under the rationing system usually reserved for foodstuffs. Every Iraqi, smoker or not, will be able to buy 20-30 cigarettes a month at about 13 cents a pack. Sumer, a popular domestic brand, usually sells for about 60 cents a pack, and the few foreign cigarettes available (despite an offical ban on cigarette imports) sell for about twice that.

A recent study found 50% of Iraqi men smoke.

Iraqi officials said cigarette prices had risen too much. Babel, the Iraqui newspaper published by Saddam Hussein's son Uday, criticized the move in an editorial that read in part, "The state is not responsible to provide poison for those wishing to commit suicide. Why not export the cigarettes we produce and import foodstuffs instead and let the smokers go wherever they want to go?"

HONG KONG TAKES TELEPHONY INTERACTIVE TO PROVIDE HEALTH INFORMATION

August 26, 1993. Advanced interactive technology is being implemented by the Hong Kong government to provide health information to its citizens. Through a telephone call, the Health Education Hotline offers information through mini-dramas on subjects from general health to cancer to the dangers of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. It even provides help for those wishing to quit. The hotline is being given a three month trial run, and is considered to be especially effective on sensitive issues such as sex education, because it is both personal and private.

PHILIP MORRIS FAILS TO RAISE DIVIDEND

August 24, 1993. Philip Morris, for the first time in the company's history, failed to raise its dividend today, prompting a sell-off of its stock, and a round of minor downgrading by market analysts. Philip Morris announced its quarterly payout would remain at 65 cents a share, leading analysts to believe the company had little confidence in the domestic market. Stock prices dropped about 5% after the announcement.

Many of Philip Morris' troubles stem from "Marlboro Friday" (April 2), when the company cut its Marlboro prices 20% (about 40 cents a pack) in order to regain market share lost to generic discount brands. In early August Philip Morris had to abandon plans for an 8% rise in its own discount brands. Also worrisome to the company is the proposed cigarette tax in President Clinton's health care bill.

Because of the price cut, Philip Morris regained some of its market share, but second-quarter earnings dropped 22 percent, with domestic earnings alone dropping 53% to $684 million.

Philip Morris said in a statement that "while it is pleased with recent cigarette market share increases, the continuing volatility in the domestic cigarette business makes maintenance of the current dividend rate the most prudent course of action at this time."

The company pointed out that its current annual dividend of $2.60 per share represents a yield of 5.1 percent, the highest of the 30 companies which make up the Dow Jones industrial average.

CAMEL CIGARETTES ADVERTISED NIGHTLY ON DAVID LETTERMAN

Within its introductory video montage, David Letterman's new show on CBS includes a large, readily-identifiable portion of the "Smooth Character" Camel billboard in Times Square, thus rendering ineffective the 1970 ban on cigarette advertising on television. A similar situation exists with the much-protested Marlboro billboard in the Mets' Shea Stadium in New York City.

SMOKERS USE BEACHES AS ASHTRAYS, CLEAN-UP GROUP FINDS.

Smokers "are using the beaches as ashtrays," said the Center for Marine Conservation, whose volunteers clean the nation's beaches annually. In calculating sources of the nearly 3 million pounds of litter gathered in 1992, the group found cigarette butts by far the most common piece of trash, accounting for 775,438 items, or 16.8 percent of all trash collected. Other common items were 173,654 beverage cans, 9,717 diapers, 5,768 condoms and 4,279 syringes. This year's clean-up is scheduled for September 18.

CIGARETTE PRICES IN SMOKE-FREE PRISONS HIGHER THAN IN BOSNIA

A fifty-something non-smoking friend who may be known to some but who for the moment (till he's out of danger) shall go nameless, reports that when he spent some time recently in the maximum security Santa Rita facility in Dublin, California, he found it was a smoke-free prison. He asked what new prisoners do when they have to suddenly quit smoking, and was told that if you have the money the guards will provide you with cigarettes for $400 a carton. That price is almost 10 times the cost of black market cigarettes in Sarajevo (as much as $50/carton in the Muslim sectors of eastern Bosnia).

"FIGHT THE TOBACCOID" VIDEO GAME RELEASED

The Illinois American Cancer Society has a new weapon in its battle against tobacco addiction: a video game titled "Fight the Tobaccoid", wherein the villain is a sinister character in a trenchcoat, with yellow teeth and a smoke-rasped voice. Fifteen of the five-foot-high, arcade-style games were manufactured. They will be loaned out free to schools, malls, and fairs statewide in Illinois. The game is free, and can be played in English or Spanish, and in a choice of settings: Urban, Rural, Athletic Field or Shopping Mall.

55 BURGER KINGS BAN SMOKING

August 30, 1993. The Jan Companies (JANCO), which operates 55 New England Burger Kings announced that all 55 would go smoke free as of September 1. The company said, "We looked at the EPA report and other research on environmental tobacco smoke, and decided it was in the best interest of all our employees and customers to make our restaurants smoke-free. Many of our patrons are families with young children. As the report indicated, children are especially vulnerable to ETS, so we decided to follow the advice of the American Cancer Society and eliminate ETS from all our restaurants."

The company had previously removed its cigarette vending machines. "When we put in the cigarette vending machines, we thought of it as a service to our patrons. However, we discovered that underage children were using our machines to buy cigarettes, and that bothered us. We felt that this was a disservice to the community," a spokesperson said. These are presently the only non-smoking restaurants in the 6,800-strong chain. McDonald's has officially banned smoking in 1,500 of its 9,000 restaurants.

In other commercial arenas, the move to ban smoking in shopping centers and malls is picking up steam. The Columbus Square and Peachtree Malls in Columbus, Ohio are the latest to announce non-smoking policies. Other recently-smokefree malls include the Springfield Mall in Virginia's Fairfax County, the SouthPark Shopping Center in Charlotte, South Carolina, all 187 Bi-Lo stores in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, and 5 separately-owned shopping malls in southwest Michigan which acted in concert to go smokefree September 1st. The Michigan malls are: The Crossroads and Southland Mall in Portage, Mich., East Towne Mall and Maple Hill Mall in Kalamazoo, and McCamly Place in Battle Creek, Mich.

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX ALLOWED TO KEEP TOBACCO ADVERTISING

August 24, 1993. Adelaide, Australia. The Formula One grand Prix has been granted a one year reprieve from Australian laws that prohibit tobacco advertising in sports events. The advertising will be allowed on cars and in the trackside hoardings. The exemption was granted, said Federal Health Minister Graham Richardson, because of the event's "international significance." Grand Prix publicity manager Mike Drewer said, "Although the exemption is for only one year, I believe the precedent has been set. Unless there is a dramatic change of policy I believe it will continue into the future." The event brings approximately US$25 million into the local economy.

PROFITS FROM WORLD'S LARGEST CIGAR TO GO TO HEART FOUNDATION

Belgium now claims title to the world's largest cigar--over 20 feet long, and weighing 837 pounds--extinguishing the ten year old Dutch record of 16 feet long and 576 pounds. The massive stogie took 334 hours to make and was rolled in the Belgian town of Onkerzele, where it will go on display as a tourist attraction. A heart research foundation will receive the proceeds.

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