Tobacco.org

• Two-and-a-Half-Year-Old Addicted to Cigarettes 

Liangliang, a two-and-a-half-year-old, has been smoking for more than a year. His father gave him the cigarettes to relieve pain from a hernia. [Photo: Bohai Morning Post]

At only two-and-a-half years old, this toddler has been smoking for more than a year and says he enjoys the feeling of blowing smoke, the Bohai Morning Post reports.

Tong Liangliang, who is from Shandong Province and is now living with his parents in Tianjin, smokes at least a pack of cigarettes every day. . . .

With regret and anxiety, Liangliang's parents welcome any advice on a good method to quit smoking.

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EDITORIAL: Raid on a legacy - Our Take  

One of the great failings of this year's legislative session came home to roost last week -- well deserving of a Chiles family condemnation. And ours.

Gov. Charlie Crist and the state Legislature pulled $700 million out of the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund, a trust enshrined in state law as a "perpetual source" of funding in support of health and education programs for poor children and senior citizens. . . .

There's little doubt that this new raid will only add to the cynicism among voters over politicians. The Lawton Chiles Endowment withdrawal is only a one-year answer to a continuing budget problem. Instead of legislators who follow the path of least resistance, Florida needs visionary leadership working toward long-term solutions.

Legislators also have a duty to rebuild the endowment, though because of term limits that responsibility will likely fall on the next band of politicians. We expect -- and encourage -- the Chiles family to keep reminding them. We'll lend our voice to that, too.

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State hails anti-smoking program - Boston Business Journal: 

A state anti-smoking campaign has helped 33,000 smokers who use the state's medicaid program to quit, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Health officials are hailing the development as the first significant drop in smoking rates within that demographic to date.

Since the MassHealth tobacco cessation benefit was established in 2006, the number of MassHealth members who smoke has dropped by 26 percent. In the 12 months prior to the benefit going into effect, the smoking rate among MassHealth members was 38.3 percent, more than twice as high as the rate for the general population.

The percentage fell to 28.3 percent in 2008. Researchers found a smaller decrease in the smoking rate for other low income groups that did not have MassHealth coverage.

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Editorial: New tobacco laws redundant -- but needed 

The FDA is correct in pursuing to lower the nicotine content. Nicotine is the addictive chemical in cigarettes, and the only way for people to quit is to cure their addiction of nicotine.

Bombarding the public with government warnings everywhere they look does little more than desensitize people to the importance of a government warning.

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• FDA Regulations On Tobacco Could Take 3 Years 

Smokers and tobacco users will have to wait months, perhaps up to three years, to feel a substantial impact from federal oversight of the tobacco industry, analysts say. . . .

From the consumer end, the initial cost of FDA regulation is projected at 1 to 2 cents a pack, likely beginning in October. Even when the Center for Tobacco Products is fully operational by 2012-13, the cost is not projected to exceed 7 cents a pack, according to research by UBS Investment Research.

By comparison, smokers already have had to absorb a 62-cent increase in the federal excise tax this year.

However, FDA regulation is likely to spur consolidation by driving up compliance costs for smaller discount manufacturers.

“It will force them to register with the FDA and test their products,“ said Adam Spielman, an analyst with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. “It probably will make it impossible to launch new brands and lines without a series of tests that will be expensive for them.

“It probably will require them to use tobacco that has been treated in complicated ways to reduce certain constituents.“ . . .

Spielman said that despite stricter requirements for introducing tobacco products under the FDA, he believes regulation will not undercut R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.‘s smokeless innovation programs. The law requires premarket approval for new products, those introduced after Feb. 15, 2007.

“We disagree with the consensus view, which is that the legislation will harm Reynolds because it will make it harder (or nearly impossible) to introduce new products like Camel Crush,“ Spielman said.

“This is because the rules on new products do not require sign-off from the FDA if the product is substantially equivalent health-wise to existing products.“

Camel Snus were introduced before February 2007, said Maura Payne, a spokeswoman for Reynolds. “There were also substantially equivalent snus products sold in the United States prior to Camel Snus.“

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Protect Children From The Allure Of Smoking, Say Doctors 

BMA Scotland has warned that children who smoke face years of tobacco addiction that can lead to life-threatening diseases and premature death.

The association also called on MSPs to support the proposals contained in the Tobacco and Primary Medical services (Scotland) Bill in order to reduce children's exposure to tobacco products.

Findings in the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS) published today show that although it is illegal to sell cigarettes to children under the age of 18, 42% of 13 year old regular smokers and 57% of 15 year old regular smokers reported buying cigarettes from a shop and 13% of 13 year old regular smokers and 10% of 15 year old regular smokers from a vending machine.

In order to achieve a smokefree Scotland by 2035, BMA Scotland wants to see a robust approach to tobacco control in order to reduce the number of teens who smoke.

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Smoke-free signs preferred to ordinance  

Select Board members chose Monday to seek "smoke-free zone" signs at several town-owned parks rather than pass an ordinance banning smoking in those areas.

A group of students in the Southwest Vermont Career Development Center's pre-law class, along with the Smoke-Free Community Partners, had been seeking an ordinance "with teeth" to discourage smoking in areas where children congregate. But the board had reservations, and no clear majority to support an ordinance. They chose to seek signs with no force behind them, instead.

"It's not what you were seeking, but it's better than nothing," said Chairwoman Lodie Colvin.

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JAMES: Long-time Smoker Says Habit Was 'Worth It' 

On this day when President Barack Obama signed historic legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration power to regulate tobacco, Two-Way reader Shannon Bryony (bryony1) posted a comment I wanted to highlight. Shannon wrote:

I've been smoking since I was conceived. Both my parents smoked, my mother throughout the pregnancy. In those days, the late '40s and early '50s, no one knew it could kill you, except the tobacco industry, and they weren't telling.

So advertising had no effect on me. Mu (sic) parents were the "best" ad I could have had. But who knew? . . .

Was it worth it to me? I have to be honest. Yes. Unfortunately, not for my friends.

It's striking how rationally Shannon accepted what's sounds essentially like a Faustian bargain.

In exchange for what I'm assuming were the pleasures of smoking for so many years, Shannon is willing to trade good health. That sort of exchange might not make sense to many people, but in a free society adults are allowed to choose even when their choices are pernicious to themselves.

But here's the problem with tobacco, especially when you start using it as a child. It's a point Obama made today. Because of smoking's addictive power, you may not be able to make an adult choice. . . .

That's why it's so important to deter children from taking up the habit in the first place.

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Glover Wins Rain-Soaked U.S. Open  

That left Glover the most unlikely champion.

The 29-year-old from South Carolina, who chews tobacco and listens to Sinatra, had not won since holing out a bunker shot on the final hole at Disney nearly five years ago.

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Morning Rounds: Blogs and Tobacco. 

Altria called the new law which may or may not solidify its market share, by the way) a "historic achievement." The note quotes Altria CEO Michael E. Szymanczyk:

We have consistently advocated for federal regulation that recognizes the serious harm caused by tobacco products, that helps ensure tobacco companies do not market tobacco products to children and that also acknowledges that tobacco products are and should remain legal products for adults.

Consistently. Right.

Never mind the fat lady singing--this one won't be over 'til teens stop lighting up that first smoke and the skinny guy in the White House--and millions like him who wish they could quit--are able to stubb out their last butt.

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High tax won't cut number of smokers 

Raising tobacco tax alone won't help people give up smoking, says an article in Qilu Evening Post. Excerpt:

The tax authorities and financial regulators recently raised the taxes on tobacco products. "Raising the tax rate on cigarettes will not only increase government revenue, but also save the lives of millions of people," said Li Ling, professor in Peking University. Many anti-smoking organizations, too, believe the tax increase can reduce the harms caused by cigarettes.

But some people differ. They say the purpose of raising taxes has been clearly stated in the government's document - "to properly increase the financial revenue and perfect the consumption taxes on cigarettes". The document says nothing about reducing the number of smokers in the country, they claim, and if people think it to be an anti-smoking move they will soon be disillusioned.

In fact, some experts say raising taxes on cigarettes will only force smokers to choose between high-priced and cheaper brands. . . .

So the government would do better to set aside part of the increased taxes for anti-smoking campaigns. But more importantly, the government should gradually reduce its dependence on taxes from the tobacco industry. W

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Dual goal unlikely to be fulfilled 

The increase in tobacco tax can arguably serve two purposes: reduce the number of smokers and raise State revenue. But a closer look at the problem would show it might achieve one of the purposes, but not both. It seems a tax hike increases revenue but does not reduce smoking, says an article on www.dahe.cn. Excerpt:

The two purposes of the tobacco tax increase are related but cannot be achieved simultaneously. If a tax increase reduces the sale of cigarettes greatly, the government stands to lose valuable revenue. But if the government gets extra revenue, it indicates cigarette consumption has not shrunk considerably. Hence, the tax increase cannot fulfill both aims.

In reality, the tax increase has raised revenue but not reduced smoking. The reason is that cigarette prices have not soared despite the tax increase. It seems that cigarette makers and retailers have yet to pass on the tax to consumers.

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American Legacy Foundation® Comments on FDA Authority on Tobacco Products 

This measure would not have been possible without the dedication of many Congressional leaders and their staff who have long fought to reduce tobacco use in the United States. We want to also congratulate the bill's lead sponsors, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Congressman Todd Platts (R-PA), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

Senator Christopher Dodd's (D-CT) leadership on the bill on the past few months also made today possible and the bill enjoyed support from long-time champions Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA).

Many other Congressional leaders played a critical role to get this bill passed, sharing personal stories and speaking out against an industry that has gone long unchecked.

We congratulate the many organizations and groups that have worked tirelessly over the past decade to make this bill a reality. They have demonstrated incredible commitment to help protect Americans from the devastating consequences of tobacco use.

We want to especially acknowledge the organizations that have championed this effort, including the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association, among countless others. The American Legacy Foundation looks forward to continuing our mission to build a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. That possibility is one step closer to reality today as this law is enacted.

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Better to try other methods first 

The government should use more non-tax measures such as banning smoking in public places to cut down the number of smokers and reduce smoking. Taxes can be raised only after all the necessary non-tax steps have been taken, says an article in Modern Express. Excerpt: . . .

China lags behind other countries in using different ways to control smoking. Printing warning signs on cigarette packs, banning smoking in public spaces and a crackdown on cigarette commercials are just a few of them. Such measures are believed to be as effective as raising tobacco taxes.

Only after we have imposed the above non-tax measures can we consider using taxation as a tool to control smoking. That's because non-tax measures can achieve the goal without adding monetary burden on smokers.

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• 7 cities join in to kick killer butt 

QINGDAO: After several bans on smoking in public places in most Chinese cities went up in smoke, Shanghai and Luoyang have expressed a desire to educate parents of the dangers of puffing away in front of their kids.

Shanghai and Luoyang are among six cities, including Wuxi (Jiangsu), Changsha (Hubei), Ningbo (Zhejiang) and Tangshan (Hebei), which joined Qingdao in a campaign called "Tobacco Free Cities" launched in the coastal capital of Shandong province yesterday.

The five-year program, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will provide the cities with funds to implement anti-smoking policies. Most of the seven cities that have joined the campaign already have smoking bans in place, but "hope to tighten controls and raise awareness" about the harmful effects of smoking.

Li Aihong, an official with the Luoyang disease prevention and control center, said her research found that 80 percent of people in her city are "forced to inhale second-hand smoke in their own homes".

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