Tobacco.org

• PAHO Report Urges Higher Tobacco Taxes, Bans on Advertising  

A growing number of countries in the Americas are adopting effective measures to reduce consumption of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. But a new report from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommends further measures, particularly increases in tobacco taxes and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

The new Tobacco Control Report for the Region of the Americas summarizes progress in countries’ implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s first international public health treaty, which requires States Parties to apply a series of policies and measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and protecting people from secondhand smoke. The treaty has been in force since 2005.

Of 35 countries in the Americas, 29 have ratified the FCTC, most recently, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis.

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Nicotine buzz from 1,300 years ago 

Researchers have identified traces of nicotine inside a 1,300-year-old Mayan flask, confirming the vessel's ancient use and providing the earliest chemical evidence of tobacco in Maya culture.

There's been ample evidence from textual and pictorial sources that the Maya smoked tobacco. For example, at Mexico's Palenque archaeological site, one of the carved stone panels at the Temple of the Cross shows a man smoking what appears to be an ornate pipe.

Other evidence suggests that the Maya and other ancient Mesoamerican cultures smoked tobacco either in pipes or in cigar-type bundles.

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First physical evidence of tobacco in Mayan container 

A scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an anthropologist from the University at Albany teamed up to use ultra-modern chemical analysis technology at Rensselaer to analyze ancient Mayan pottery for proof of tobacco use in the ancient culture. Dmitri Zagorevski, director of the Proteomics Core in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) at Rensselaer, and Jennifer Loughmiller-Newman, a doctoral candidate at the University at Albany, have discovered the first physical evidence of tobacco in a Mayan container. Their discovery represents new evidence on the ancient use of tobacco in the Mayan culture and a new method to understand the ancient roots of tobacco use in the Americas.

Their research will appear in the journal Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, in an article titled "The detection of nicotine in a Late Mayan period flask by GCMS and LCMS methods."

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• Scientists Confirm Tobacco Use By Ancient Mayans 

Archaeologists examining late period Mayan containers have identified nicotine traces from a codex-style flask, revealing the first physical evidence of tobacco use by ancient Mayans.

The study published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry reveals the flask is marked with Mayan hieroglyphics reading, “y-otoot ’u-may,” (“the home of its/his/her tobacco,”) making it only the second case to confirm that the text on the exterior of a Mayan vessel corresponds to its ancient use.

“Investigation of food items consumed by ancient people offers insight into the traditions and customs of a particular civilization,” explains Jennifer Loughmiller-Newman from the University at Albany in New York. “Textual evidence written on pottery is often an indicator of contents or of an intended purpose, however actual usage of a container could be altered or falsely represented.”

Many of the Mayan flask vessels from the Kislak collection of the Library of Congress examined in this study were filled with other substances, such as iron oxide used in burial rituals, making it difficult to detect the original content.

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• The so-called "Spanish model" - Tobacco industry strategies and its impact in Europe and Latin America 

Background

To demonstrate the tobacco industry rationale behind the "Spanish model" on non-smokers' protection in hospitality venues and the impact it had on some European and Latin American countries between 2006 and 2011.

Methods

Tobacco industry documents research triangulated against news and media reports.

Results

As an alternative to the successful implementation of 100% smoke-free policies, several European and Latin American countries introduced partial smoking bans based on the so-called "Spanish model", a legal framework widely advocated by parts of the hospitality industry with striking similarities to "accommodation programmes" promoted by the tobacco industry in the late 1990s. These developments started with the implementation of the Spanish tobacco control law (Ley 28/2005) in 2006 and have increased since then.

Conclusion

The Spanish experience demonstrates that partial smoking bans often resemble tobacco industry strategies and are used to spread a failed approach on international level. Researchers, advocates and policy makers should be aware of this ineffective policy.

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The so-called "Spanish model"- Tobacco industry strategies and its impact in Europe and Latin America 

Results: As an alternative to the successful implementation of 100% smoke-free policies, several European and Latin American countries introduced partial smoking bans based on the so-called "Spanish model", a legal framework widely advocated by parts of the hospitality industry with striking similarities to "accommodation programmes"promoted by the tobacco industry in the late 1990s. These developments started with the implementation of the Spanish tobacco control law (Ley 28/2005) in 2006 and have increased since then.

Conclusion: The Spanish experience demonstrates that partial smoking bans often resemble tobacco industry strategies and are used to spread a failed approach on international level. Researchers, advocates and policy makers should be aware of this ineffective policy.

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Smoking rates: Lighting up in Latin America 

The number of countries with anti-smoking laws is growing, and Costa Rica might soon join the ranks.

Lawmakers are debating a bill that would ban smoking in some public places and raise the tax on cigarettes.

Costa Rica has been trying to pass the ban since 2008, but the bill has couldn't get through the legislature.

If it finally passes, Costa Rica won't be alone among Latin American countries with anti-smoking laws.

Of course, just because laws are on the books, doesn't mean everyone is snuffing out their smokes.

Here's a roundup of smoking laws around the region.

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• Health care alliance for tobacco dependence treatment launches training in Mexico 

Global Bridges, a healthcare alliance for tobacco dependence treatment based at Mayo Clinic, and its regional partner, the InterAmerican Heart Foundation (IAHF) in Dallas, Texas, announced today the first of a series of training courses for health care providers in Latin America on how to successfully treat tobacco users.

The initial training, developed in collaboration with several regional and global expert groups and scheduled for April 28 as part of the National Congress of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery in Puebla, Mexico, will engage 50 clinicians. Gustavo Zabert, M.D., a pulmonologist, who is the regional director for Global Bridges, developed and will teach the eight-hour course along with international experts in treatment of tobacco dependence Carlos Jiménez Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D., of Spain and Raúl Sansores, M.D., of Mexico.

"Tobacco usage is difficult to measure in Latin America. But rates are at least as high as 42.1 percent for men in Chile, and 32.5 percent for women in Bolivia. By offering this training, we are making a step towards addressing the tobacco epidemic," says Dr. Zabert, who also holds leadership positions in the Latin American Thoracic Society and the Latin American Coalition for Tobacco Dependence Treatment.

Global Bridges -- a collaboration among Mayo Clinic's School for Continuous Professional Development and Nicotine Dependence Center, the American Cancer Society and the University of Arizona -- was established in 2010 as a worldwide, science-based initiative to help health care providers unite to treat tobacco use and dependence while advocating for effective tobacco control policies. During

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Up in smoke - Latin America ($$) 

The region already has some of the world’s most successful anti-tobacco policies, but several Latin American nations are now going further.

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• Tobacco sales and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs from large cities around the world 

Context

Little is known about tobacco promotion activities in low and middle-income countries. Information on tobacco sales, advertisement and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs is needed to develop interventions to reduce smoking initiation and relapse, particularly among youths and young adults.

Objective

To evaluate cigarette sales and tobacco advertisement and promotion in bars, cafes and nightclubs using a volunteer survey approach in large cities throughout the world.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2009, we administered an interview-based survey to 231 bar/cafe/nightclub owners/managers in 24 large cities in Africa, the Americas, Asia and eastern Europe.

Results

Cigarette sales and tobacco advertisement and promotions were found in bars/cafes/nightclubs in most cities. Examples of promotions included cigarette giveaways and event sponsorship. Establishments that allowed smoking were more likely to sell cigarettes compared to smoke-free establishments (OR 8.67, 95% CI 3.25 to 23.1). Larger establishments (maximum occupancy ≥100 vs <100 customers) were more likely to have tobacco advertising (OR 4.35, 95% CI 2.04 to 9.24) and to receive promotional items from tobacco companies (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.41 to 7.17).

Conclusions

Cigarette sales and tobacco promotions were common in bars, cafes and nightclubs in the majority of cities. Socialising and hospitality venues must be covered by legislation banning tobacco sales and promotions to limit exposure among populations at high risk of tobacco initiation and relapse from quitting.

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• Health Leaders Vow to Resist Tobacco Industry Pressure and Support Efforts to Reduce Tobacco Use  

Health leaders meeting at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) vowed today to take action to counter attempts by the tobacco industry to subvert public health efforts aimed at protecting people from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Ministers of health and other high-level delegates from countries throughout the Americas pledged to "oppose attempts by the tobacco industry or its allies to interfere with, delay, hinder, or impede the implementation of public health measures designed to protect the population from the consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to second-hand smoke."

They also called on PAHO to help strengthen their ability to implement tobacco control measures, particularly those contained in the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). . . .

In discussions during PAHO's 50th Directing Council, Minister of Health of Paraguay Dr. Esperanza Martinez told fellow delegates that tobacco industry opposition was threatening to roll back her government's efforts to comply with the FCTC. She cited two recent presidential decrees, one banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and the other regulating labeling and packaging of tobacco.

"The implementation of both decrees is suspended at this moment due to injunctions and a challenge to their constitutionality by members of the tobacco industry, at both the national and international levels," she said. "Under these circumstances, it's very clear that we need the strong political support of the countries of the Region to prevent a painful setback to battles that we only recently won."

In the resolution passed today, PAHO Directing Council members declared they were "deeply concerned about misinformation campaigns and legal actions" sponsored by cigarette makers and their allies against tobacco control measures." They called on countries to publicize, to the extent legally possible, the activities of the tobacco industry in order to expose their strategies and reduce their effectiveness.

The resolution also expressed specific support for Uruguay and measures it has implemented that have made it a pioneer in tobacco control among Latin American countries.

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• Tobacco smoking in seven Latin American cities: the CARMELA study  

Methods

The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 11 550 adults between 25 and 64 years old in Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Bogota, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Lima, Peru; Mexico City, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; and Santiago, Chile. Tobacco smoking, including cigarettes, cigars and pipes, was surveyed among other cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Santiago and Buenos Aires had the highest smoking prevalence (45.4% and 38.6%, respectively); male and female rates were similar. In other cities, men smoked more than women, most markedly in Quito (49.4% of men vs 10.5% of women). Peak male smoking prevalence occurred among the youngest two age groups (25–34 and 35–44 years old). Men and women of Buenos Aires smoked the highest number of cigarettes per day on average (15.7 and 12.4, respectively). Men initiated regular smoking earlier than women in each city (ranges 13.7–20.0 years vs 14.2–21.1 years, respectively). Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke at workplace for more than 5 h per day was higher in Barquisimeto (28.7%), Buenos Aires (26.8%) and Santiago (21.5%). The highest prevalence of former smokers was found among men in Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima (30.0%, 26.8% and 26.0% respectively).

Conclusions

Smoking prevalence was high in the seven CARMELA cities, although patterns of smoking varied among cities. A major health and economic burden is inevitable in urban Latin America unless effective comprehensive tobacco control measures recommended by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control are implemented.

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Bill Gates, Carlos Slim announce $150M for health 

The world's two richest men are teaming up with Spain to donate $150 million to fight malnutrition, dengue, malaria and other health problems in Mexico and Central America.

Foundations run by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Mexican telecom magnate Carlos Slim will each donate $50 million to the 2015 Meso-American Health Initiative. The Spanish government will contribute the rest.

Gates, Slim and Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced the initiative at a news conference Monday.

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DECLARATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS OF LATIN AMERICA - CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN IDRC, CANADA.  

Important tobacco control organizations have reported that the President of the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Center (IDRC), Ms. Barbara McDougall, was simultaneously working with the Canadian branch of British American Tobacco (Imperial Tobacco) in the position of Director of the Corporate Social Responsibility area (2007-march 2010).

IDRC is a government body whose main objective is to promote public health and to fight against poverty. The conflict of interest involving the participation of Ms. McDougall in its Board also implies a clear violation of Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) that has been ratified by the Canadian government.

The guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 of the FCTC state that there is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the tobacco industry and those of public health. . . .

Organizations such as the Framework Convention Alliance, Corporate Accountability International, ATCA, CIET- Uruguay, Inter American Heart Foundation, and other Canadian and international institutions around the world have reacted to this conflicting situation. . . .

However, despite all declarations against this situation, to this day IDRC has not expressed any will or intention of excluding Ms. McDougall from IDRC’s Board of Governors.

The organizations that sign this declaration hereby commit to cease grant applications to IDRC as long as Ms. McDougall continues as a member of the Board of Directors. We therefore demand her immediate exclusion from IDRC and RITC. . . .

Therefore, as members of the international tobacco control community we request that IDRC and the Canadian Government protect RITC, and we declare our full support to the program. Its work must continue in a wholesome, ethical and transparent way, for which the only solution is to end Ms. McDougall’s participation in IDRC´s Board. In the same way, a thorough investigation should be conducted by the Government of Canadá about possible tobacco industry interference with tobacco control efforts, as a consequence of its infiltration into IDRC, in solidarity and conformity with the principles that underlie the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control.

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• Can infants' wheezing be prevented?  

Smoking during pregnancy, daycare attendance and breastfeeding might be some of the main factors people can change to affect whether their infants develop wheezing, an international study suggests.

In a study of close to 29,000 children in two European and four Latin American countries, researchers found that in general, certain factors were consistently linked with the risk of infant wheezing. . . .

Another key factor seen in both Europe and Latin America was smoking during pregnancy, which was tied to a 44- to 48-percent increase in the risk of recurrent wheezing. . . .

SOURCE: here Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, online April 27, 2010.

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