Tobacco.org

E-Cigarette may get snuffed out  

People trying to kick the habit by puffing on a fake electronic cigarette may have to find another route to a tobacco free road.

Federal regulators and anti-smoking groups want to extinguish the smokeless nicotine products. A local tobacco shop owner says she has seen the product grow in popularity by people who are trying to quit. . . .

The Daily Press would like to hear from our readers if you have used the E-Cigarette and if it was helpful in reducing tobacco use.

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Smoking reported down 26% among people with Mass. subsidized health insurance program  

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services said last week that about 33,000 MassHealth members have quit smoking since the state's tobacco cessation benefit was established in 2006, according to a recent Department of Public Health survey. That translates to a 26 percent decrease in smoking among MassHealth members, the state said.

MassHealth is the state's Medicaid program that provides health insurance for low-income people, and the tobacco cessation benefit provides medications such as the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge or a pill for a $1 or $3 copay. The program also offers counseling.

"Three out of four smokers say that they want to quit, but the cost of medications that help with cravings is a significant financial barrier to many low-income people," said Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach. "The success of the MassHealth benefit shows that smokers will utilize such a benefit, and they will quit in large numbers with the appropriate supports."

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Health workers urged to combat smoking 

Health care providers should intensify efforts to combat smoking since there is an alarming increase in the number of smokers in the Kingdom, said Dr. Najwa Al-Ghamdi at the inauguration of a symposium on Smoking Cessation — Improving the Role of Health Care Providers at King Fahd Medical City (KAMC) yesterday.

In her opening remarks, Al-Ghamdi, chairwoman of the symposium, pointed out that one sixth of the Kingdom’s six million smokers are women. “We hope that this event will act as a wake-up call to all health care providers to implement a multidisciplinary approach in assisting patients with tobacco addiction.”

Al-Ghamdi, who is a consultant clinical pharmacist, said health care providers could play an effective role in disseminating information on the ill effects of smoking. “Pharmacists have easy access to people and they can approach members of the public in a friendly way to help them quit smoking,” she said.

The symposium was organized by KAMC as part of a health awareness campaign conducted throughout the Kingdom in connection with World No Tobacco Day.

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EDITORIAL: N.H. government is out of touch with the people 

Gov. John Lynch and the Legislature are reported to have already reached agreement on a potpourri of tax increases likely to punch an additional dent in the state's economy -- a kick upward of the state's tax on meals purchased in restaurants, on stays in hotel rooms and the cigarette tax.

The Senate says it will match the bet of the governor and the House on the cigarette tax and raise it a dime, hiking the tax by $1.78 per pack.

We have expressed support for increases in the cigarette tax in the past, but only when it looked like New Hampshire was going to be able to maintain its competitive edge in relation to its three neighboring states. The fiscal chaos that exists at the Statehouse dismisses the certainty of anything.

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AMA backs cigarette tax hike 

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has encouraged the federal government to do everything it can to stop young girls smoking.

Newly-appointed AMA president Dr Andrew Pesce said he supported increasing taxes on cigarettes because it was an effective deterrent to taking up smoking.

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has put forward a plan to raise the excise on tobacco by 12.5 per cent.

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• Cancer patient sues tobacco firms 

A Saudi citizen has filed a lawsuit against two tobacco companies asking for $10 million (SR37.5 million) in compensation for the health damages he suffered from smoking.

This is the second lawsuit from the Kingdom and considered the first personal case against tobacco companies in the Middle East, said Abdullah Seruji, executive director of the Smoking and Drugs Awareness Association.

He said a court in Jeddah has accepted the lawsuit from Abu Abdullah, a businessman.

The victim had throat cancer and went though a major surgery in King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. . . .

Seruji noted that Saudi citizens are no less important than American or European citizens where they file lawsuits against tobacco companies and win huge financial compensations.

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• RP loses P148B a year to smoking-related diseases, deaths  

The government's failure to impose higher taxes on tobacco products in the past four years has widened the gap between government earnings and the cost, borne by citizens, of treating diseases and of losing productivity due to premature deaths linked to smoking.

Government data showed that from 2000 to 2002, government excise tax from tobacco products averaged P18.92 billion a year. In those years, smoking's health and economic cost to the population was at P46 billion a year, according to estimates made by epidemiologist Dr. Antonio Dans of the University of the Philippines. It was more than double the amount of tobacco excise taxes collected.

In succeeding years, from 2003 to 2006, the health and economic cost increased to more than six times the excise tax collection. Government earnings averaged P23.26 billion annually, while health and economic cost averaged P148.5 billion, based on estimates by the World Health Organization.

There are no official figures available for the succeeding years, but given the pattern of health and economic cost tripling every three or four years, Newsbreak estimates that the average amount could have increased to P445.5 billion in 2007 and in 2008. That would be more than 17 times the P25.28 billion annual average excise tax collection in those two years. . . .

"Smoking decreases the productivity of the Filipino workforce once they get afflicted with smoking-related diseases. If they die prematurely due to these diseases, it will cut their future income streams," said health economist Stella Quimbo of the University of the Philippines.

"On top of this, the healthcare costs for these diseases are substantial. The aggregate cost of these diseases in terms of health care and productivity losses is the impact on the economy," she said. . . .

Chemotherapy costs a patient P12, 000 to P15, 000 every session, which is usually done once or twice a month.

At the LCP, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office shoulders the hospital fees and medicines of indigents.

Healthcare costs for lung cancer amounted to P403 million in 2003, according to WHO.

Chain Effect

Aside from treatment expenses, many lung cancer patients missed more days of work . . .

Deaths from lung cancer, especially at a young age, deepen productivity losses. With the country's life expectancy of 67 years, a lung cancer patient who dies at 40 loses 27 potential years when he could have earned more than P2.4 million. . . .

SEATCA'S Dorotheo explains the chain effect of getting sick from smoking: "If a smoker gets sick, there is not only the huge cost of healthcare borne by the patient and his family, but also the income lost by the patient who is unable to work, the income lost by family members who need to watch over the patient, and the use of human and other resources of the healthcare provider, such as government hospitals, that could have been focused on other patients' needs instead for a highly preventable disease."

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It'll pay not to smoke 

The School Committee met on the 27th of May at the Wynn School to discuss a variety of issues, with one of those being violations of the smoking ban in the bathrooms at Tewksbury Memorial High School.

According to the Massachusetts Educational Reform Act of 1993, tobacco products in school, on school grounds, on school buses and school facilities is prohibited.

The TMHS current handbook says, "Suspected or actual use of any tobacco product, INCLUDING SMOKELESS TOBACCO, on school property or at school sponsored activities, as determined by the principal or designee will result in: First offense: a two-day suspension plus a meeting with parent and student and Second offense and subsequent offenses: a four-day suspension plus a meeting with parent and student."

The proposed plan, outlined by TMHS Principal Dr. Patricia Lally and Tewksbury Director of Public Health, Lou-Ann Clement, would impose a $50 fine for violators as well as introduce a smoking cessation program.

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Smoking ban doesn't ignite firestorm 

Most local business owners and their customers aren't hot under the collar about the statewide smoking ban that goes into effect on Monday.

On June 1, Nebraska will be the 16th state to place a smoking ban on restaurants, bars and workplaces. The purpose of the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act is to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment, state officials and anti-smoking advocates said.

The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health (DHHS) recently conducted a survey that showed that 80 percent of all Nebraskans, smoking and nonsmoking, support of the Act. Up to 20 percent of hotel rooms, tobacco-only retailers, labs that research the health effects of smoking, private residences and cigar bars are exempt from the new law. Residents, employees and patrons will be allowed to smoke inside these facilities only.

Dick Woods, who owns the Silver Saddle Lounge in Scottsbluff, said he banned smoking in his bar several weeks ago to get people ready for the change. "I don't think it's going to bother my business at all," Woods said. "I'm pretty much ready for it."

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Romeo's helps launch smoking ban 

It's official. Nebraskans can breathe easy thanks to the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act that took effect Monday.

To mark the occasion, Dave Holmquist, director of government relations with the American Cancer Society in Nebraska, kicked off a press conference Monday morning at Romeo's restaurant in Bellevue.

"It's a great day for the state of Nebraska," he said. "We've been waiting about 15 months to be able to say that Nebraska is smoke free."

Nebraska joins 15 other states in implementing a comprehensive smoking ban.

"The Nebraska smoke-free air law represents one of the greatest public health successes in our state's history," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Nebraska Chief Medical Officer.

Now, the hazards of second-hand smoke will be eliminated in bars, restaurants and other indoor public places.

"In general, we will be healthier because of this law," Schaefer said.

Dr. Mark Kestner with Alegent Health Systems challenged people to encourage their family and friends to make their homes smoke-free as well.

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Casino gaming floors exempt in smoking ban 

Michigan's House of Representatives took another step toward making the state smoke-free by approving legislation to ban smoking in most public spaces.

Rep. Paul Scott, a leading proponent to make Michigan smoke-free, voted in favor of House Bill 4377. The measure bans smoking in public places, but exempts casino gaming floors, cigar bars and specialty tobacco stores.

Thirty-seven states currently have some form of smoking ban. "Although a smoking ban without exemptions is ideal, this measure is a vast improvement on current law and will make great strides to keep Michigan residents healthy," said Scott, a Republican from Grand Blanc.

"I believe the idea of smoking in restaurants and workplaces will be seen as archaic in the future, much in the same way that using mercury thermometers or lead paint are seen now."

Scott said the casino exemption includes the three casinos in Wayne County.

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Where there's smoke ... 

Sitting on opposite ends of the bar Thursday evening inside Canton's Rusty Nail Lounge on Ford Road, patrons Ryan Roberts and Randi Tinglan couldn't be further divided over a workplace smoking ban that could include bars and restaurants.

The state House has approved a ban that still faces a decision by Michigan senators.

"I'm against it. I don't feel they should take that liberty away from us," Roberts, a 22-year-old Ypsilanti resident and smoker, said just a few hours before Thursday's Red Wings hockey game.

"A bar has always been a place to smoke," he said. "If people want to smoke a cigarette while watching a game, they should be allowed to do it. If they don't, let them go to Meijer or some other store and watch it."

Tinglan, a 43-year-old Canton resident who quit smoking in 1992, said she still enjoys stopping by the Rusty Nail even though she hates being around cigarettes. She supports a ban.

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Locals not threatened by House smoking ban 

The smoke-filled barroom could soon be a thing of the past in Michigan.

The state House of Representatives, with a 73-31 vote late last month, approved a ban on smoking indoors in most public places, including bars and restaurants, and the legislation has moved on for a vote in the state Senate.

The bill would only allow smoking in public in smoke shops, cigar bars and in Detroit's casinos. The move comes amid concerns about the health risks workers and the public at large are exposed to by inhaling secondhand smoke.

"We must act now to put the health of our workers and our families first," Rep. Marc Corriveau, D-Northville, said in a press release after the House vote. Corriveau represents the Plymouth area and voted for the ban.

"Residents, and parents with children, especially, should be able to visit a restaurant without worrying about the deadly dangers of secondhand smoke," he said.

Some in Plymouth who would be affected by a ban aren't exactly rising up to oppose it.

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Smoking ban irritating for some 

Lawmakers added another exemption this year: cigar bars, which will be exempt Sept. 1. A pool hall with locations in Omaha and Lincoln has filed a lawsuit challenging the ban as unconstitutional and the exemptions as arbitrary.

If history is any sort of indicator, that lawsuit will be unsuccessful, as many hospitality businesses in Nevada, Montana, Colorado, New York and Iowa, among others, have attempted lawsuits against state and local governments for what many regard as an American right.

"I think it should be up to the individual businesses," said Shelby Forrester, an employee at the Box Bar in Lexington.

While Forrester said it was too early to tell, she didn't think the ban would hurt business. After all, she pointed out, it's not like the bar's customers are going to be allowed to smoke elsewhere.

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MERHEB: Another cigarette tax hike will hurt small businesses, families 

Right now, the New Hampshire House and Senate are putting together the state budget for the next two years.

Sadly, the Legislature is not debating whether to add the fifth cigarette tax hike in five years. Instead, they are deliberating how big this new tax increase should be.

If these "leaders" were truly concerned about the small businesses and working families that they claim to represent, there wouldn't be cigarette tax increase.

Since 2005, there already have been four cigarette tax hikes; . . .

I realize that it is fashionable to demonize smokers, but if these politicians spent just a short time in my store, they would know that these cigarette tax increases are hurting average, hard-working families.

Most of our cigarette customers are not doctors or lawyers. They are blue-collar people . . .

It's important to know that those who buy cigarettes here also buy many other products, like milk, bread and even beer. Losing these customers will have a crippling effect on my business, as well as many other retail establishments near the border. Raising cigarette taxes means losing jobs, as these stores have to deal with lost income.

The New Hampshire Legislature needs to know that an 88 percent increase in the cost of cigarettes from tax hikes is already too much. We can't continue to hit hard-working families and small businesses with another crushing burden.

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