Tobacco.org

Smoking ban only the start for foes 

Now that Nebraska has snuffed out smoking in almost all public places, a leading anti-smoking group is firing up more proposals to clean the air.

The Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution, or GASP, has drafted 12 proposals that it hopes will follow the statewide smoking ban into the law books.

"We got the gold ring," said Mark Welsch of Omaha, the president of GASP. "Now we have to get the silver and the bronze." . . .

GASP's proposals would ban smoking in outdoor beer gardens and dining areas, as is done in Iowa, and within 25 feet of a doorway of a public building.

Welsch said the group also seeks to raise the legal age to buy tobacco, now 18, to 19 or even 21, to further restrict tobacco access to minors.

Several of GASP's ideas are targeted at keeping secondhand smoke away from children. It proposes to ban smoking in vehicles carrying minor children, near ballfields and playgrounds, and in state foster homes and in-home day care facilities.

Jump to full article »

Dodd Calls for Quick Action to Protect Children from Dangers of Smoking 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Chairman Edward Kennedy's chief deputy for health care reform, held a press conference today with Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Jack Reed (D-RI) to discuss the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Dodd was also joined by Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"Every year, 15,000 Connecticut children try cigarettes for the first time," Dodd said. "76,000 Connecticut children, alive today, are expected to eventually die from smoking. Tobacco companies know that if they can't addict children, then they won't have any customers. It's time for the tobacco industry to come up with a new business model - and this bill will force them to."

Jump to full article »

Smoking-cessation Research Highlights Importance Of Keeping Teens From Smoking 

Despite the efforts of college students to quit smoking, recent research conducted by Joyce M. Wolburg at Marquette University suggests that an extended trial and error period is necessary. Given that most college students begin smoking in high school, another study by faculty at HEC Montreal and University of Texas at San Antonio provides insights into how graphic cigarette warning labels impact intentions of American and Canadian teens. Both studies appear in the Summer 2009 issue of the Journal of Consumer Affairs.

The Wolburg study reveals that, despite good intentions to quit smoking after college, multiple strategies (and multiple attempts) are typically necessary to be successful at smoking cessation. Despite the best efforts to prevent teens from smoking, some ignore the risks and become smokers. By the time they are college students smokers, many want to quit but need strategies that get results. Programs that incorporate the real stories and experiences of those who failed early on but didn't give up offer hope to a group of people who may be among the best candidates for quitting. Future research will continue to refine those strategies.

The second study, conducted by Lalla Ilhame Sabbane and Jean-Charles Chebat, both at HEC Montreal, and Tina M. Lowrey at the University of Texas at San Antonio, reveals that graphic cigarette warning labels are most effective for Canadian participants, leading to negative attitudes and lower smoking intentions, but the graphic label was least effective at lowering smoking intentions for US participants.

Jump to full article »

R.J. Reynolds Told by Florida Jury to Pay $30 Million (Update2) 

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., the second-biggest U.S. cigarette maker, should pay $30 million to a woman whose husband died of lung cancer after years of smoking, a Florida jury said.

A six-person panel in state court in Pensacola, Florida, yesterday awarded Hilda Martin $25 million in punitive damages to punish the cigarette maker for the death of her husband, Benny Martin. The jury last week awarded Martin $5 million in compensation. Mark Belasic, a company lawyer, said the company will appeal. . . .

“We think the jury verdict is an outlier,” Belasic, of Jones Day in Cleveland, said yesterday in a phone interview. “There have been six of these individual Engle lawsuits and no one has been anywhere near this type of verdict.”

Martin’s lawyer, Matt Schultz, whose father died of smoking-related lung cancer less than two years ago, disagreed with Belasic’s characterization, saying the cigarette industry can expect more of the same as more cases go to trial.

Jump to full article »

Genes And Smoking Play Role In Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Recent genetic studies have revealed several new sites of genes that are risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The strongest association with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive RA (ACPAs are autoantibodies detected in RA that are used as a major diagnostic tool) has been found for the HLA-DRB1 gene, and this site seems to play a central role in susceptibility to the disease in Caucasian populations.

Previous studies have shown a high increase in the risk of ACPA-positive RA associated with smoking in those who have certain variations of the HLA-DRB1 gene. There are several types of such alleles related to a particular amino acid sequence known as shared epitope (SE). ACPAs occur in about 60 percent of RA patients and are closely linked to the presence of SE alleles. In fact, SE alleles are the strongest genetic risk factor for ACPA-positive RA.

Of several environmental factors that predispose people toward developing RA, smoking has been found to be the main risk factor and a strong gene-environment interaction between smoking and SE alleles for ACPA-positive patients has been shown in previous studies in Europe.

Jump to full article »

560,000 died of cancer in 2006, but death rate continues slow fall since 1990s 

The U.S. cancer death rate fell again in 2006, a new analysis shows, continuing a slow downward trend that experts attribute to declines in smoking, earlier detection and better treatment.

About 560,000 people died of cancer that year, according to an American Cancer Society report released Wednesday. The new numbers show the death rate fell by less than 2 percent, but since that decline was better than the previous year, the cancer society applauded the progress.

Others said the change was not a big deal.

"The improvement was modest," said Dr. Michael Goodman, an Emory University researcher who specializes in cancer statistics. . . .

The explanation for why the death rate has fallen depends on the type of cancer. For example, better screening has improved deaths from colon cancer. Treatment advances are more of a factor in leukemia death rates. And smoking cessation is the main reason behind improvements in male lung cancer deaths.

"What we call 'cancer' is really a great variety of different conditions," Goodman said.

Lung cancer accounted for nearly 30 percent of cancer deaths in 2006.

Jump to full article »

Tobacco Regulation Measure Clears Hurdle in U.S. Senate  

Legislation to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products cleared a procedural hurdle in the Senate.

The Senate voted 84-11 to limit debate on the measure. Sponsored by Senator Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of the Senate Health Committee, the bill would let the government limit nicotine levels on tobacco products, though it couldn’t require them to be nicotine-free. Flavored cigarettes would be banned, and the FDA could restrict other additives.

The government would revise warning labels and impose new advertising requirements.

Jump to full article »

Universal Reduces Flue-Cured, Burley Tobacco Forecasts for 2009 

Universal Corp., the world’s largest tobacco-leaf merchant, forecast global output of 4.277 billion kilograms (9.43 billion pounds) for the top grade of the leaf this year, below its previous estimate.

The forecast for flue-cured tobacco compares with an estimate of 4.296 billion kilograms, given on March 31, the Richmond, Virginia-based company said on its Web site. Global output of the tobacco last year was 4.175 billion kilograms.

So-called burley tobacco production will probably be 844 million kilograms this year, 2.4 percent less than the previous forecast. Burley production totaled 734 million kilograms last year, Universal said.

Jump to full article »

National Citizens Coalition puts weight behind fight against illegal cigarettes 

The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) welcomed another new member to its ranks today with the agreement of the National Citizens Coalition to join the fight against the spread of illegal cigarettes in Canada.

"The National Citizens Coalition has been fighting for smart government policies on behalf of Canadians for over 40 years and the problem we're seeing with contraband tobacco is one of the biggest threats we've ever seen. Its quiet, rapid growth, the ties to organized crime and the theft of billions in tax dollars make it a very serious problem no one is talking about," said Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition.

"Governments across the country need to work cooperatively to stamp out this problem and we're pleased to be throwing the weight of our organization and membership behind the efforts of the NCACT."

Since launching last year, NCACT has become a prominent voice and a key part of the fight against contraband tobacco in Canada.

Jump to full article »

And the winners are... the Imperial Tobacco Canada Foundation supports eleven leading Canadian arts organizations 

From a musical based on the story of a shipwreck survivor in Newfoundland to a new Canadian opera, and from a morality play acted on horse-drawn wagons in British Columbia to an innovative Montreal photography festival, the Imperial Tobacco Canada Foundation is delighted to announce the winners of its two inaugural arts donations programs, New Creation in the Arts and the Arts Achievement Award.

The prestigious Arts Achievement Award winner is LE MOIS DE LA PHOTO A MONTREAL, an international biennale of contemporary photography mounted in multiple Montreal public spaces, galleries and artist-run centres. This month long celebration includes educational and curatorial programming, keynote lectures and exhibitions. LE MOIS DE LA PHOTO A MONTREAL attracts visitors and artists from around the world and garners international attention. . . .

- OIL AND WATER, Artistic Fraud, St. John's, Newfoundland. A new musical theatre piece by writer Robert Chafe, composer Andrew Craig and Siminovitch winner, director Jillian Keiley. . . .

- LOCK DANSEURS, La La La Human Steps, Montreal. A new creation by Edouard Lock . . .

- CREATION 2010: O Vertigo Danse Inc., Montreal. Ginette Laurin is one of Canada's most innovative choreographers. . . . '

- DOULEUR EXQUISE, Sibyllines, Montreal. A new work by Siminovitch winner Brigitte Haentjens . . .

- THE MINES OF VENUS, Arraymusic, Toronto. . . .

- SEVEN STRANDS OF SOUND, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ontario. A diverse group of seven Canadian composers . . .

- CANASIAN DANCE FESTIVAL, Toronto. Three outstanding Asian dance artist/companies will create site specific works . . .

- THE INVENTOR, Calgary Opera Association, Alberta. A new Canadian opera by Bramwell Tovey with libretto by John Murrell. . . .

- EVERYONE: A MODERN MORAILITY PLAY IN SEVEN HORSE-DRAWN ACTS, Caravan Farm Theatre, Armstrong, British Columbia. . . .

- OUGHT APARTMENT, Vancouver Art Gallery Association, British Columbia. Using recycled and reclaimed materials in the blending of visual arts and architecture, artist Reece Terris will install a six-story apartment building in the rotunda of the gallery, noting the enduring nature of material culture.

Jump to full article »

Oropharyngeal Cancer on ADVANCE for LPNs 

In the United States, 90 percent of people with oropharyngeal cancer use tobacco products.4,9,10 Although tobacco smoke contains numerous carcinogens that directly contact the oral mucosa, tobacco tar possesses the most damaging elements.4 Smoking indirectly increases a person's susceptibility to malignancy by depressing the immune system.14 Secondhand smoke contains four chemicals defined as human carcinogens, as well as 10 others classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as probable carcinogens.15

Tobacco-related cancer risk increases significantly with the frequency and duration of smoking, especially with high-tar and non-filtered cigarettes.16 The highest risk, however, is associated with a smoking history of greater than 20 pack-years (a pack year is defined as the number of packs per day times the number of smoking years).2,16 Smokers increase their risk of developing oral cancer by 2-18 times compared to nonsmokers.2

Recent studies suggest that even greater risk is related to cigars and pipes.9 Smokeless tobacco contains 28 known carcinogens and raises the risk for buccal, gingival and inner lip cancer 50-fold.10 The nicotine in chewing tobacco is absorbed 2-3 times faster than cigarettes and remains in the bloodstream longer. Most frightening is that the quantity of nicotine in 8-10 dips of smokeless tobacco is equivalent to smoking 30-40 cigarettes a day.10

Jump to full article »

Bad habit may end up in impotency, BMI complications 

If you visualise tobacco kills only through cancer, then it is time to re-think over the whole ‘burden’ as both smoking and smokeless tobacco are causing other major diseases like macular degeneration (decreasing eye sight), impotency in men, pregnancy-related complications in women with chances of having low birth weight babies (LBWs) or stillbirths and negative impact on body mass index (BMI).

Tuberculosis-related deaths in India due to tobacco is more than 2 lakh persons a year as the lungs lose the ‘cell-mediated immune system’ and the ‘celia’ covering the outer and inner lining of the respiratory system are destroyed by smoking. Also the diseases like cancer, heart ailments do follow.

However, according to leading cancer researcher and Director of Healis-Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health, Mumbai, Prakash C. Gupta, other diseases with far more societal concerns must be discussed when the world observes ‘No Tobacco Day’ (NTD).

Speaking to this paper here today, Gupta said as tobacco consumption affects both the blood vessels and neural endings in the ‘extremities’, in case of many men it affects sexual behaviour, quality of sperm, sperm count and their motility.

‘‘But in the case of women ill-effects of tobacco are more severe. A study on 1,200 pregnant women in Mumbai has revealed that 20 per cent women using smokeless tobacco had LBW babies while their average weight reduction was 105 gm.

Jump to full article »

• MEYER: Right tax, wrong measure 

Like every other state, Pennsylvania has a tax on cigarettes. Unlike most other states, Pennsylvania does not tax other tobacco products - including cigars, bidis, snus, and snuff.

Fortunately, Gov. Rendell has taken a huge step in the right direction by proposing to close this loophole and start taxing these other tobacco products.

Unfortunately, the proposal is flawed. In his 2009-10 budget, the governor has proposed a tax based on the weight of the products. But the weight-based tax could actually boost profits for some of these products. Is that the goal of a tobacco tax? Not so much.

Fortunately, Rendell can fix this flaw easily. Instead of taxing such tobacco products based on their weight, the state should base the tax on a percentage of the wholesale price.

Some tobacco companies are pushing for a weight-based tax to help wipe out their competition and get kids addicted to a whole new generation of smokeless tobacco products. That's because they are now selling ultralight tobacco products that are smokeless, spitless, and able to dissolve in the mouth like candy.

Jump to full article »

Alcohol, smoking key causes for bowel cancer: study 

Lifestyle risk factors such as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are major risk factors for bowel cancer, a new global study said on Tuesday.

The study was released Tuesday by Australian researchers, who reviewed more than 100 published studies that had reported on the link between major and modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer including alcohol, smoking, diabetes, physical activity and various dietary components.

Approximately 1 million new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year, and more than half a million people die from this type of cancer, according to the background information in the study.

Jump to full article »

How to Quit Smoking Once and for All 

"Every time you light up, even if it's just a few cigarettes a day," says Dr. Janet Bruno, medical director for OptumHealth Consumer Solutions, "you are not only endangering your own health, but also the health of those around you -- down to the youngest member of your family."

Given these sobering facts, learning how to quit smoking once and for all remains a top priority for many smokers -- it's just easier said than done. An estimated 70 percent of smokers want to quit, but only 1.2 million per year succeed in quitting smoking for good, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research has shown, though, that using some form of nicotine replacement or participating in formal quit smoking counseling can improve your chances of quitting and avoiding relapse.

"In general, you can double your chance of success to quit smoking with nicotine replacement therapy and roughly the same is true for behavioral treatment," says Saul Shiffman, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the Smoking Research Group at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jump to full article »