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Researchers develop new method to test for lung cancer 

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed a new "clinicogenomic model" to accurately test for lung cancer. The model combines a specific gene expression for lung cancer as well as clinical risk factors. These findings currently appear on-line in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. . . .

Studying current and former smokers undergoing bronchoscopies for suspicion of lung cancer, the researchers compared the likelihood of the subjects having lung cancer using the biomarker, the clinical risk factors and a combination of the two -- clinicogenomic model. They found patients using the clinicogenomic model had increased sensitivity, specificity, positive value and negative predictive value of their cancer compared to the other methods.

"Our data suggests that the clinicogenomic model might serve to identify patients who would benefit from further invasive testing, thereby expediting the diagnosis and treatment for their malignancy,"

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EDITORIAL: Marshfield bartenders should howl 

The din from almost three-quarters of Wisconsin's population must be getting so loud that it penetrates even the insulating walls of the state Capitol.

A new poll -- arguably the most objective and comprehensive of any done so far on this subject -- found that 69 percent of Wisconsin residents favor a statewide smoking ban. . . .

About the only groups that don't seem to favor a statewide ban are lawmakers, particularly Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker of Weston, and the state Tavern League. . . .

What tavern owners need to realize is that they're killing themselves with their own stalling tactics. As the Legislature drags its feet on a statewide law, municipalities are creating a patchwork of different rules across the state.

Voters in Marshfield just joined the list of cities that have banned smoking in workplaces, and barkeeps in Spencer, Stratford and Hewitt couldn't be happier. . . .

Marshfield tavern owners should be howling -- not over the legitimately adopted local ordinance, but at the state Tavern League. Until the Tavern League relents, bars in places like Marshfield will suffer from the uneven field on which they must play.

Meanwhile, it's up to the 69 percent of state voters who support a ban to make their views known.

Keep screaming. Sooner or later, your voices will get so loud that even Decker, sitting in the bowels of the statehouse, will hear them.

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Smoking Early In Pregnancy Raises Risks Of Heart Defects In Newborns  

The study, published in the April issue of Pediatrics, shows that women who smoked anytime during the month before pregnancy to the end of the first trimester were more likely to give birth to infants with certain congenital heart defects (CHDs) compared to women who did not smoke during this time period. The association was stronger for mothers who reported heavier smoking during this time period.

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LETTER: Legislature could have looked at alternatives to smoking ban  

Is it unconstitutional for a government to take away the rights of an individual? Everyone has the power to make choices, especially about health. Is it really constitutional for the government to choose that every bar and restaurant in the state of Iowa be placed under a smoking ban?

Why would the government want to hurt small businesses, which really are the heart of small communities? Allowing casinos to be exempt from the smoking ban proves that the government leans in favor of big businesses that are a large source of income for the government. . . .

I believe the following is a solution that benefits everyone:

- Allow each establishment's owner to decide if the establishment will be smoke-free, and make each establishment post on its doors whether it permits smoking in its facility and if non-smoking areas are available.

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LETTER: From today's inbox: Smoking ban costs big bucks  

Well they finally did it. The Iowa Legislature sold the many small-town bars down the river with this smoking ban ("Strict Smoking Ban Heads to Culver," April 9).

The Legislature did not consider that this will drive many places out of business. I did an informal poll of my friends who smoke, and about half say they will not frequent a bar that they cannot smoke in.

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Smoking Ban Debate detail 

Yesterday 4-8-08 we passed this bill( which is the conference committee report) in the House & Senate and sent it to the Governor for his signature.

House File 2212 implements a statewide ban on smoking in public places and places of employment. House File 2212 also raises the penalty for smoking in a prohibited area for the smoker and for the owner/employer who permits smoking in a prohibited area. The Conference Committee report addressed two issues of dispute between the House and Senate. The Report bans smoking in all restaurants and bars, and only exempts the gaming floor in casinos. The Report also exempts the Iowa Veterans’ Home from the smoking ban and private clubs.

A private club is an organization that either owns or leases the facility which is used exclusively for club purposes and meets the following criteria:

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Casinos Escape Smoking Ban  

Casino managers in eastern Iowa are relieved their customers will be able to smoke while gambling. But many of those casinos have bars and restaurants inside where gamblers won't be allowed to light up. There are mixed opinions at the Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino. Where someone stands on the smoking ban issue depends on where they sit on the gaming floor. Non-smoker James Peacock said, “You sit next to a person or you sit in the same row as that person you get all that smoke, you have to wave it away or ask them to put their cigarette someplace else.”

For others it's nice to enjoy a smoke while hitting the slots.

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KAPRIELIAN/HAMILTON: The benefits of a higher cigarette tax  

Currently, there is a legislative proposal that would add $1 to the levy on cigarettes. Its passage would add about $150 million to state coffers, which would enable the Legislature to continue healthcare reform, as well as reduce the incidence of smoking rates overall. Data shows that for every 10 percent increase in the cost of a pack of cigarettes, the overall smoking rates decrease 4 percent.

Perhaps more compelling, raising the price of smoking will discourage children . . .

So an increase in the tobacco levy simply makes sense. It deters children from smoking. It helps taxpayers, heathcare providers, hospitals, and insurance ratepayers. And it extends a helping hand to those hard-pressed families and individuals who are working but lack health insurance.

--Representative Rachel Kaprielian, Democrat from Watertown, is lead sponsor of the legislation; Rev. Herman Hamilton is president of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church.

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Smoking ban gets mixed reception 

North Iowans have mixed feelings about the smoking ban Gov. Chet Culver plans to sign Tuesday.

The ban would go into effect July 1 and include bars, restaurants, workplaces and other public areas. Casino gaming floors would be exempt -- an issue with most North Iowans.

"What makes me the maddest of anything is the fact that someone made the casinos god and that they could keep smoking," said Ron Delong, owner of Captain Ron's in Rake, which allows smoking. "If they stop the casinos from smoking they'll lose 20 percent of their revenue, but it's OK for the bars in Iowa to lose 20 percent."

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EDITORIAL: Wednesday's Our View: Caution flag 

Opponents said consumers are already making their choices known, with an increasing number of businesses going smoke-free on their own. They argued that trend should be allowed to continue without a state mandate.

Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, criticized "the blatant discrimination between casinos and private business owners." He predicted that lawmakers would next move on issues such as fat-laden fast foods.

"The last I heard cigarette smoking is legal in the state of Iowa," he said. "I think it is nothing more than government intrusion. How much government do we want in people's lives?"

There is clearly something about state government attempting to ban consumption of a legal product in privately owned businesses that should raise caution flags for Iowans.

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Smoking ban: 'Awesome' or oppressive? 

Restaurant and bar owners worried about losing customers when Iowa's smoking ban goes into effect July 1 can take comfort in the words of Deb Anson.

"We rock," said Anson, manager of Al's Red Frog in Cedar Rapids, one of the businesses that already have taken the plunge. The longtime Czech Village restaurant/bar voluntarily went smoke-free Jan. 1.

"It's been awesome," Anson said, bustling between tables and the bar during a busy lunch hour Wednesday. "Business has been twice as good."

Not only do customers appreciate the smoke-free air, she said, but cleanup is easier and employees don't have to worry about smelling like cigarette smoke when they go home.

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EDITORIAL: Statewide smoking ban a necessity  

At least 22 states, including our neighbors Illinois and Minnesota, have passed statewide bans. According to a recent poll, 69 percent of Wisconsinites support a statewide ban. State legislature must act now: end the patchwork of local smoking bans and enact a statewide ban.

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CORRECT: Japan Tobacco to shut its 9th-biggest cigarette plant in Japan 

Japan Tobacco Inc., the country's largest cigarette maker, has decided to close down its cigarette plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, the ninth-biggest of its 10 cigarette factories, as a response to falling domestic demand, the company said Thursday.

Japan Tobacco has been expanding its cigarette sales outside Japan, as well as its other business operations such as food and pharmaceuticals, to compensate for shrinking business opportunities in Japan, where the population is aging and an anti-smoking campaign is gaining ground.

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Students join others in anti-tobacco campaign 

Students in Caldwell College's anti-tobacco club REBEL U (Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies) demonstrated against tobacco related deaths by displaying 1,200 pinwheels on campus Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 3.

The Caldwell club joined 11 other New Jersey college campuses to speak out against tobacco companies and to raise awareness about tobacco related deaths.

"The 1,200 pinwheels, represented the number of Americans who die each day from tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, " said Caldwell College junior Katrina Procaccini president of the Caldwell's REBEL U club.

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Students plan 'drop' to raise nicotine awareness 

Today, 370 youths will simultaneously fall to the ground on the Schuylkill County Courthouse lawn.

They represent the number of county residents who die each year from tobacco use-related diseases, according to the county's Busted! Teens Kickin' Nicotine group.

One purpose of the 2008 Kick Butts Day DROP II Extravaganza -- to be held today from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- is for TKN to restate its goal.

"We have to spread the message that tobacco use is extremely dangerous to our health and it will eventually limit the goals and expectations we strive to accomplish," said Kelly Kalovcak, TKN public relations manager and a senior at Minersville Area Junior/Senior High School. . . .

According to the TKN Web site, www.smokefreeyouth.org/tknhome.htm, today's program will include speeches from the county commissioners as well as recognition of community leaders, businesses and organizations for their contributions to tobacco-use prevention.

TKN members are hoping their voices will be heard by legislators.

"We would appreciate very much if they would enforce a smoke-free bill in Pennsylvania," Kalovcak said.

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