Tobacco.org

• Nonsmokers Top Smokers in Well-Being Across All Incomes 

Smokers trail nonsmokers in well-being, regardless of income bracket, according to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data collected in 2008 and 2009. In every income group, smokers are less likely than nonsmokers to be "thriving" by at least 12 percentage points. . . .

In the case of emotional health, the connection between smoking and low well-being is especially pronounced for low-income respondents. While the emotional health gap between smokers and nonsmokers is 4 points for the highest income group, the gap for the lowest income group is 10 points.

The differences in the size of the smoking gap across income groups could mean that the emotional consequences of smoking are less pronounced for people in the higher income group. Another possibility is that people in different income groups smoke for different emotional reasons. . . .

Self-reported smoking status is, in fact, strongly linked to depression. . . .

Across all income groups, smokers also fare worse than nonsmokers in physical health as reflected in lower scores on the Physical Health Index. Consistent with medical research connecting smoking to premature mortality, people who are 85 years old or older are unlikely to be smokers.

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Support for Smoke-Free Policies: A Nationwide Analysis of Immigrants, US-Born, and Other Demographic Groups, 1995-2002  

Methods. We analyzed 1995 to 2002 data from the Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement (n=543951). The outcome was a summary attitudinal measure assessing support of smoking bans in 4 of 6 venues. . . .

Conclusions. Immigrants and their children may be valuable tobacco control allies given their supportive attitudes toward smoke-free policies.

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ACSI: Consumers Find Comfort in Sweets; Smokers Fume over Cigarette Prices  

After a surge through the second quarter, aggregate customer satisfaction as measured by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) stalls. The ACSI loses 0.1% for the third quarter, which brings the Index to a score of 76.0 on a 100-point scale. . . .

Cigarettes: New Federal Taxes Make It Costly to Smoke

A new tax increase on cigarettes, from 39 cents a pack to $1.01, has led to a sharp downturn in customer satisfaction, falling 7.7% to 72, an all-time low. No company is immune from the effects of the new tax. Philip Morris drops 9% and Reynolds American 8%, both to 72.

"In the past, a 10% price increase in tobacco products contributed to about a 4% decline in consumption," Fornell said. "The ACSI model suggests the most recent tax hike will have a similar effect."

Customer satisfaction with tobacco products, largely made up of cigarettes, has never quite matched other nondurable products in customer satisfaction. Price has been an issue for a long time, and it also seems that there might be less differentiation than the advertising budgets imply.

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Most smokers worldwide support workplace bans: poll  

Even smokers support bans to prohibit lighting up in the workplace, according to a new survey.

The international poll of nearly 5,000 people by research institute RTI International and Harris Interactive showed that nearly three-quarters of workers who smoke and 87 percent of employers support a smoke-free work environment.

"Although there was widespread variations among countries, overall the results demonstrate global support for workplace smoking bans," said Michael Halpern, of RIT who is one of the authors of the report.

"This study shows support for additional programs and policies to increase those bans and assist employees with smoking cessation," he added in a statement.

The strongest support for smoking bans was in India where 85 percent of people voted for smoke-free workplaces, followed by Japan with 75 percent. But only one-third of Germans and 27 percent of Poles thought bans should be in place.

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• Immigrants likelier to support smoking bans 

SMOKE-FREE ALLIES: The strongest American advocates for smoking bans in public venues are the newest Americans, one study said.

Immigrants and their children were most likely to approve of smoke-free spaces, according to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census' Current Population Survey from 1995-2002.

Over those years, 75.7 percent of foreign-born U.S. residents supported a smoking ban in at least four different types of public space, while 59.1 percent of U.S.-born Americans with U.S.-born parents did so. Of the total population, 61.6 percent said they would support a ban in at least four of the six public venues listed, which included bars, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and indoors sports venues and shopping malls.

Americans overall have become increasingly likely to support smoking bans in public places.

"It is surprising that most of the immigrants had stronger attitudes,"

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FREELAND: Climate Change and Cigarettes 

I smoke cigarettes. I'm not proud of it, but it's a fact. At least I don't throw my butts on the ground. My favorite brand of cigarette is Newport™ brand cigarettes. I'm fully aware of the reasons why I should quit. The studies on carcinogenic pesticides used in the Lorillard fields in Greensboro, NC and their toxic effects is alarming. The pictures of smoker's lungs hanging about in schools other constant advertisements remind me that it's not good for my health. But all these facts mean absolutely nothing to me when I hear the soothing click of a lighter, smell the faint tinge of toasted paper as the tip turns red, as my cheeks pucker with a savory draw of cool mentholated smoke dancing over my tongue as I inhale that first puff deeply with a calming sigh.

I will quit someday, that is known. But whether I quit because I contract cancer and die, or because I take a conscientious effort to stop smoking is the true unknown. Draw all the parallels you like.

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Mums-to-be cut ciggies  

The number of mothers who admit smoking during pregnancy has fallen by nearly 12%, according to a study at the Coombe hospital, Dublin.

The proportion dropped from just over 23% to just under 21%, less than the smoking rate in the general population, which was 27% last year, but still higher than in other countries. In Massachusetts, America, for example, only 7% of pregnant women admit to smoking.

"When you compare the rates of smoking in pregnant women who attended the Coombe before and after the [smoking in public] ban, it's a significant reduction," said Luke Clancy, director-general of the Tobacco Free Research Institute (TFI).

"We are not saying the ban necessarily caused it, but we hope it influenced them . . .

The survey was published in BJOG, an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology.

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Reliability of self reported smoking status by pregnant women for estimating smoking prevalence: a retrospective, cross sectional study (FULL TEXT) 

In conclusion, reliance on self reporting to measure smoking during pregnancy significantly underestimates the number of pregnant smokers in Scotland, with more than 2400 unrecognised pregnant smokers a year who will not be offered smoking cessation services. Reliance on self reporting resulted in twice as many undetected smokers in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas. Overall, these figures call for more accurate methods of identifying pregnant smokers, especially when such data are used to inform policy and provide patient care.

What is already known on this topic

Self reported smoking during pregnancy is known to be an inaccurate method of identifying smokers Self reported smoking in Scotland is used to generate smoking prevalence and, largely, to target smoking cessation services

What this study adds

Reliance on self reported smoking during pregnancy underestimates the true smoking prevalence in Scotland by 17% Each year in Scotland twice as many pregnant smokers from more deprived areas go undetected compared with pregnant smokers in the least deprived areas Reliance on self reporting results in a failure to detect over 2400 pregnant smokers each year in Scotland who are therefore not offered smoking cessation services

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Majority of Indians favour ban on smoking 

A year after the ban on smoking in public places came in force, a study has found that an overwhelming majority of Indians favour the regulations prohibiting smoking at workplaces and public arenas. More than nine out of 10 Indians surveyed in four cities favour the regulations prohibiting smoking in public places.

Support for regulations to ensure the ban is also strong in each city, with a large majority of those interviewed in Delhi [ Images ] (90 per cent), Mumbai [ Images ] (98 per cent), Chennai (92 per cent) and Kolkata [ Images ] (93 per cent) favouring it. Citizens in the four major metros also understand that second hand smoke is a serious risk to people's health. Ninety-two per cent believe exposure to second hand smoke is a serious health hazard for the non-smoker.

In addition, 91 per cent majority indicate that it bothers them a lot when they are exposed to second hand smoke, according to the study conducted by NGO, the Voluntary Health Association of India.

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• New Survey Finds One in Three Sports Fans Smoke, Five Out of Six Smoke While 

A new survey conducted by the American Legacy Foundation(R) (Legacy) finds that the majority (63 percent) of sports fans surveyed are current or former smokers and 76 percent of them have smoked while watching or attending sporting events. The study examines whether sports fans were exposed to secondhand smoke while watching sports; smoked while watching sports at certain venues; or whether those who quit smoking relapsed while watching a game. The survey also examined whether watching sports was a trigger for fans who smoke.

The survey also indicated that 60 percent of sports fans have been exposed to secondhand smoke in the past year while watching or attending sporting events and that 36 percent of sports fans who smoke or used to smoke are extremely or very tempted to smoke while viewing sporting events in their own homes. When the score of the game is close, nearly one third are extremely or very tempted to light up.

Starting this week and through the winter, many smokers will be exposed to new quit smoking messages through the EX(R) national smoking cessation campaign. Legacy, along with the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation (NATC), announced today that the next round of new ads in its two-year old EX campaign are now being featured during FOX Sports' broadcast of Major League Baseball's American League Championship Series (ALCS) and World Series.

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Survey of Irish Retailers on impact of POS Ban on Tobacco Products (PDF) 

Survey was conducted “on behalf of Heneghan PR” (ie Philip Morris was not named to respondents) . . .

Conclusion

• Overall, the majority of retailers believe the ban has had an negative impact on sales

• While most might support the objective of the ban, they believe it should be lifted (both because they believe it won’t work and because of the impact on their businesses)

• Retailers found it confusing at the start, but it seems to have settled down with customers and staff becoming used to the ban

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HBO Poll: Smoking In Idaho Bars 

Fine-particulate air pollution in Boise bars that permit smoking is 36 times worse than outdoor pollution levels in the valley, according to a new study by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute released today by the Coalition for a Healthy Idaho, and four times the EPA's standard for annual exposure. . . .

Yes 41% (43 votes)

No 59% (63 votes)

Dunno 0% (0 votes)

Total Votes: 106

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Support grows for bid to put cigarettes under counter 

THOUSANDS of people in the North East have signed postcards calling on MPs to vote in favour of putting cigarettes under the counter.

Parliament will vote later this month on new measures in the Health Bill to put tobacco out of sight in shops and restrict cigarette vending machines, both aimed at cutting the number of teenagers who start smoking each year.

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Singapore Health Promotion Board receives support for proposed amendments to Smoking Act 

The Singapore Health Promotion Board (HPB), in partnership with Health Science Authority (HSA), conducted a public consultation exercise, from 3 - 28 August 2009, on proposed amendments to the Smoking (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act and other smoking control measures.

The public consultation exercise on the proposed changes to the Smoking (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act received 171 responses. Respondents included individuals, tobacco manufacturers, importers and retailers, healthcare professionals and majority were in support of the proposed changes, with many providing suggestions to enhance smoking control measures.

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Bloomberg Has 16-Point Lead In Mayoral Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Voters Back Mayor's Bid To Ban Butts In Parks  

By a 52 - 43 percent margin, New York City likely voters support a proposal to ban smoking in city parks and beaches. This smoking ban wins 56 - 39 percent approval from Democrats. Independent voters split with 48 percent in favor and 47 percent opposed. Republicans oppose it 52 - 44 percent.

Women support the outdoor ban 57 - 38 percent, while men oppose it 49 - 44 percent. Support ranges from 55 - 38 percent in favor in The Bronx to 52 - 43 percent opposed in Staten Island, New York City's greenest borough.

"We ban smoking in saloons. We ban smoking in baseball stadiums. We ban smoking in all sorts of places, but in the open air in parks? New Yorkers are still puffing on that idea. Let's see what happens after the election," Carroll said.

From September 16 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,513 New York City likely voters

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