Tobacco.org

• Smokers see decline in ability to smell, rise in laryngitis, and upper airway issues 

As Americans prepare for a day without cigarettes and tobacco products as part of the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout (R) (November 20), new research gives them more reasons to extend that break to a lifetime, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF). Among the new research presented at the organization's annual meeting in September 2008 are studies that link cigarette smoking and upper airway symptoms ("smoker's nose"), the loss of smokers' ability to smell common odors, and most alarming, the role second-hand smoke plays in the rise of cases of "environmental laryngitis."

The first study, presented by Norwegian researchers, reveals that among 2,294 patients being evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, or nose-related issues, smokers were 12 to 27 percent higher than non-smokers in 8 of the 13 possible symptoms. The researchers believe that quitting smoking should be a primary therapeutic measure for patients with these upper airway ailments.

In another study, Brazilian researchers examined the link between smoking and loss of smell. In a clinical study examining 56 healthy volunteers, current and former smokers in the group had greater trouble smelling butanol, an alcohol used widely in odor testing because of its distinct and powerful smell. The authors believe this confirms that smokers will experience altered ability to smell as they continue the habit.

A third study cites second-hand tobacco smoke as one of the primary causes of what the authors term "environmental laryngitis," along with allergens and air pollution. The study, authored by researchers at the University of California-Davis, indicates through animal models that exposure to second-hand smoke can trigger laryngitis symptoms

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• Brazilians dislike president's stance on smoking 

Brazil's president is hot in the polls _ but not smoking. A new poll shows that 77 percent of Brazilians disapprove of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's recent comments defending smokers' rights. Smoking inside buildings is restricted in most places in Brazil, but Silva said in an interview two weeks ago that he thought smoking should be allowed everywhere.

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• Passive smoking kills 7 people per day in Brazil 

The diseases caused by passive smoking kill seven people per day, or 2,655 people per year in Brazil, according to a study released on Friday.

The study, released by the Rio de Janeiro State University and the Cancer Institute, showed that passive smoking could cause serious diseases, such as lung cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, angina pectoris, myocardial infection and coronary thrombosis.

Scientists also found out that for every 1,000 deaths due to cerebral hemorrhage, 29 are caused by secondhand smoke. The proportion is 25 of 1,000 deaths of heart diseases, and seven of 1,000 deaths of lung cancer.

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Smoking negatively affects sperm motility and semen antioxidant levels 

Results from a prospective study have confirmed that cigarette smoking reduces sperm motility, decreases the antioxidant capacity of the semen, and increases the risk forleukocytospermia.

"Numerous investigations have been conducted on the relationship between cigarette smoking and male infertility; however, the exact molecular mechanisms are not well understood," write Fabio FirmbachPasqualotto and colleagues from the University of Caxias do Sul in Brazil.

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Thailand's tobacco control is exemplary  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has selected Thailand as a role model for other countries in areas of tobacco-control consumption.

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Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. Announces Exit of the Brazilian Coated Papers Business 

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (NYSE: SWM) today announced changes to its Brazilian operations including the exit of the coated papers business and a resulting decrease of approximately 100 employees, or 16 percent of the current workforce, both effective immediately. This announcement will result in restructuring expenses totaling approximately $3.3 million comprised of $1.8 million in fixed asset impairment charges and $1.5 million for cash employee severance and other payments. The restructuring expenses are expected to be recognized during the second and third quarters of 2008. . . .

we have decided to exit the coated papers business in Brazil and to concentrate on our core tobacco-related fine papers business. We expect that the combination of exiting the coated papers business in Brazil, in addition to the previously announced plan to raise the selling prices of tobacco-related fine papers throughout the North, Central and South American markets, will restore a modest level of profitability in our Brazilian business by early 2009.

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• Brazil adopts stronger pictures on cigarette packets in antismoking campaign 

Ten shocking images have been released by the Brazilian health ministry as part of its latest antismoking campaign. Cigarette packets with pictures and health warnings to deter people from lighting up have been in circulation since 2001.

The country was second only to Canada in adopting images as part of a strategy to lower the prevalence of tobacco use. . . .

See www.inca.gov.br/inca/Arquivos/Tabagismo/livroadvertenciascompleto.pdf for the images (text in Portuguese).

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Shocking images used in anti-smoking campaign  

SHOCKING images showing the dangers of cigarette smoking, including a foetus lying in an ashtray, have emerged in the latest anti-smoking campaign.

The 10 pictures are part of the Brazilian Health Department's new anti-smoking drive.

Images include a family at the bedside of a gravely sick man and a man suffering from impotence.

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Brazilian anti-smoking campaign serves up 'foetus in an ashtray' image  

Eye popping images showing the dangers of smoking, which includes a foetus lying in an ashtray, have emerged in a campaign to deter people from lighting up.

The 10 pictures are part of the Brazilian Health Department's new anti-smoking drive.

Images include a family at the bedside of a gravely sick man and a man suffering from impotence.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Brazil 17.2 per cent of 13- to 15-year-olds and 16.2 per cent of adults smoke, reports News.com.au.

The Cancer Council lists the smoking rate in Australia as 22.6 per cent of men and 17.6 per cent of women.

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Negative Impact Of Smoking Calls For Stringent Measures 

Smoking is a serious threat to the community and the impact on the public's health was sufficient for the government to take stringent measures in order to safeguard their health and lives.

Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, acting minister of health was speaking during the launching of posters and no smoking signs to ministries and various departments within the government at Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, yesterday said that the habit of smoking and the use of tobacco products have been known to lead to various negative effects on health and among the more common diseases known to have been caused by the habit is heart failure, cancer, strokes, asthma and respiratory failure.

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• Brazil spends nearly $200 mln on tobacco-linked illness  

Brazil's government spends at least 330 million reais (194 million U.S. dollars) annually on treating tobacco-related illness, the state-run Oswaldo Cruz Foundation said in a report Sunday.

Foundation economist Marcia Pinto based the estimates on spending by the Unified Health System on patients being treated for 32 smoking-related conditions. . . .

According to the foundation, the real spending may be much higher, as surgery and other specialized treatment were not counted and many diseases the World Health Organization defined as linked to smoking were not included in the estimates. . . .

"The tobacco industry must pay for the costs assumed by the state, and anti-smoking campaigns must be intensified," she added.

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2007年巴西对华烟草出口大幅增长2.2倍 

巴西烟草业协会会长斯库克（Iro Schünke）4日表示，2007年巴西对华出口了5.5万吨烟草，比2006年的1.7万吨增长223％，略低于对华出口量最高的2005年（6万吨）。

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Research and Markets: Get a Detailed Picture of the Tobacco Industry in Brazil 

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c77954) has announced the addition of "Tobacco in Brazil" to their offering.

Euromonitors Tobacco in Brazil report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2001-2006), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market -- be they new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2011 illustrate how the market is set to change.

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• Research and Markets: Get a Detailed Picture of the Tobacco Industry in Brazil 

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c77954) has announced the addition of "Tobacco in Brazil" to their offering.

Euromonitors Tobacco in Brazil report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2001-2006), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market -- be they new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2011 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage includes: cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco. . . .

Cigarette manufacturers continuously focus advertising campaigns with emotional appeal towards the female population, as they are expected to account for the majority of smokers in the country in the future. According to experts, women are beginning to smoke earlier than men are and are less likely to quit because there is greater tolerance from family members as well as society in general. Other forms of tobacco, such as cigars and pipe tobacco, are, on the other hand, expected to remain far more popular among men. . . .

Despite the slightly positive tobacco sales in 2006, the future is not expected to be so bright, as a result of the Brazilian ratification of the FCTC convention.

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Brazilian Attitudes About Cancer / Opinião dos Brasileiros Sobre o Câncer 

Synopsis in English: As part of its celebration of the 70th anniversary of its founding, Brazil's National Cancer Institute (INCA) has released the results of a May survey of 2,100 Brazilians 16 or older in seven state capitals . . .

Smoking was overwhelmingly recognized by survey respondents as a cancer risk factor: 100% said so in Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, João Pessoa and Goiânia, while 98.5% said so in RJ, 97% in SP, and 96.2% in Belo Horizonte.

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