Tobacco.org

Congress Breathes Easier, Thanks to Speaker Pelosi's Successful Efforts to Eliminate House Smoking Rooms  

The American Legacy Foundation® applauds Speaker Nancy Pelosi and all those in the U.S. House of Representatives who have worked tirelessly to protect Capitol Hill staff and visitors from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

On Thursday, the House's last two indoor smoking rooms are being cleaned and converted to smoke-free dining areas. It is no secret that secondhand smoke is dangerous - it causes 50,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Our halls of government should be playing a leadership role in ensuring clean indoor air for their staff and the visiting public and setting a positive example for other work places and public spaces nationwide.

Jump to full article »

Ohio Judge’s Ruling Represents an Important Step Toward Preserving Tobacco Funds, Protecting the Health of Ohioans  

Today in Columbus, Ohio, Judge David Fais of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas permanently enjoined the State from dissolving the endowment of the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF). This decision is a major step forward in the effort spearheaded by the American Legacy Foundation's to safeguard the state's tobacco prevention money for its intended purpose: to save Ohioans' lives. Two Ohioans were also plaintiffs in the case: Robert Miller and David Weinmann, both longtime smokers who relied on services and programs supported by the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation to quit smoking, brought claims on behalf of the intended beneficiaries of OTPF - Ohio smokers.

Jump to full article »

New Citations - Week ending October 16, 2009  

A Cluster-randomized Effectiveness Trial of Smoking Cessation Modified for At-risk Smoker Subgroups. . . .

A Method Comparison Study of Timeline Followback and Ecological Momentary Assessment of Daily Cigarette Consumption. . . .

Jump to full article »

New Citations - Week ending October 9, 2009  

A Gene-based Risk Score for Lung Cancer Susceptibility in Smokers and Ex-smokers. . . .

A Review of Smoking Behavior and Smokers Evidence (Chemical Modification, Inducing Nicotine Metabolism, and Individual Variations by Genotype: Dopaminergic Function and Personality Traits).

Jump to full article »

New Citations - Week ending October 2, 2009  

A Comparison of Abstinence Outcomes Among Gay/Bisexual and Heterosexual Male Smokers in an Intensive, Non-tailored Smoking Cessation Study. . . .

A Developmental Twin Study of Church Attendance and Alcohol and Nicotine Consumption: A Model for Analyzing the Changing Impact of Genes and Environment. . . .

Jump to full article »

Swedish Match Shares Jump on Speculation of Philip Morris Bid - Bloomberg.com 

Swedish Match AB, Europe’s largest maker of smokeless tobacco products, jumped in Stockholm trading on speculation Philip Morris International Inc. will bid for the company.

The shares rose as much as 8.9 percent, the most in almost a year, and were up 9 kronor, or 6.2 percent, at 155 kronor as of 3:45 p.m. local time. They’re set to close at their highest since January 2008. Swedish Match’s market capitalization is 38.7 billion kronor ($5.5 billion).

“There is a rumor that Philip Morris is showing interest in Swedish Match, and the level mentioned is 182 kronor,” said Michael Arnhuvud, a trader at Sweden’s Swedbank AB. Philip Morris spokeswoman Marija Sepic declined to comment, as did Swedish Match spokeswoman Rupini Bergstroem.

Jump to full article »

2009 New Mexico Tobacco Data Highlights (PDF) 

Adult Tobacco Use

--19.3% of NM adults are current smokers, which is similar to the US smoking rate (18.3%) and the first time that adult smoking in NM has dropped below 20%.1

--NM adult smoking has dropped significantly between 2001 (23.8%) and 2008 (19.3%).1,7

--Smoking rates are highest among adults who are young (18-24 years), low-income (under $20,000/yr), low education (less than high school diploma), the unemployed, the uninsured, and among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.2,3 . . .

Youth Tobacco Use

--24.2% of NM high school students were current smokers in 2007, compared to 20% in the US. 5,11

Jump to full article »

Estimated Benefits and Savings from the Decline in Adult Smoking Prevalence in New Mexico, 2001-2008 (PDF) 

New Mexico’s adult smoking rate dropped 4.5-percentage points, from 23.8% in 2001 to 19.3% in 2008, a statistically significant decline.1 The following estimates show the benefits and savings to New Mexico resulting from the decline in adult smoking, as supported by state investments in tobacco prevention.

Fewer Smokers

Fewer adults who are current smokers in 20081: 66,600

Ever smokers age 30+ in NM who have quit smoking2: 55.3%

Public Health Benefits3

Today’s adults saved from dying prematurely from smoking: 14,600

Thousands fewer smoking-affected births and smoking-caused heart attacks, strokes, cancers

Monetary Benefits (Reduced Public, Private & Individual Smoking-Caused Costs)

Jump to full article »

Hoopeston bar fined under state smoking ban  

One of the first rulings under the state's new administrative review process for smoking ban violations upheld a Vermilion County Health Department fine against the Hoopeston bar, Deano's on Main.

Health department officials cited the business earlier this year when inspectors entered Deano's for a routine food inspection and a customer was smoking inside the business. The health department had received multiple complaints about smoking ban violations at Deano's prior to the inspector's visit, according to health department officials.

Rather than paying the fine, the business requested an administrative hearing handled by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The administrative law judge upheld the $100 fine.

Lori Dean, owner of Deano's, said the law is ridiculous, and 90 percent of her patrons are smokers. The day of the food inspection, she said, there was only one elderly customer smoking a pipe.

Jump to full article »

Smokers Sound Off On Tobacco Ban At Andrews Hospital  

Another West Texas hospital is putting the brakes on tobacco. They're banning all smoking and dipping anywhere on the property. The Permian Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Andrews is the next to go Tobacco Free. They said it's part of a state and nationwide trend. However, some smokers said the trend is forcing them to kick the habit.

"It's everywhere. It's not just the hospitals. It's everywhere," Katherine Morgan, an Andrews Hospital employee and smoker, said. "There's a lot of people that don't even want to come around you if they see you with a cigarette." . . .

Hospital officials in Andrews said their ban will go into effect in January. They said they already have several dozen employees signed up to get help to kick the habit. Hospitals in Midland and Odessa have already made the switch to tobacco-free campuses.

Jump to full article »

Rhys Ifans sparks smoking scare  

Rhys Ifans caused a mid-air panic by appearing to smoke a cigarette on a plane.

The 'Notting Hill' actor was jetting from London to Los Angeles when he began puffing on the white stick - smoking on planes is banned - causing furious passengers to complain to staff on the Virgin Atlantic flight.

The 41-year-old star caused further concern when he twisted the cigarette around and pressed the burning red ember into his lip - until staff realised it was a fake cigarette.

Rhys was using a SmokeStik, a new invention which allows smokers to get their nicotine hit without having to puff on a cigarette.

The version Rhys was using, the SmokeStik Royale, was designed by socialite Lady Victoria Hervey and features her family's crest.

Jump to full article »

Stop tobacco farms: Medic 

FIJI College of General Practitioners president Dr Ram Raju said stakeholders should find ways to curb the growing acreage under tobacco.

He said stakeholders should try and work towards a smoke-free Fiji.

He said if tobacco was the second highest risk factor contributing to non-communicable diseases then something should be done to stop the cultivation. . . .

The summit is hosted by the Health Ministry bringing together traders, farmers, health workers, policy makers and regulators.

The end result will be a series of recommendations put to Cabinet to help improve food security and consequently the health of the people of Fiji.

Jump to full article »

Tobacco - Pakistan - new research 

Euromonitor International's Tobacco in Pakistan report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2002-2007), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be the new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2012 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Jump to full article »

Petition locations released 

Supporters of a petition drive to overturn the smoking ban the Topeka City Council approved last month released a list Saturday of 14 businesses that have volunteered to make copies of the petition available for the public to sign. . . .

Trembley said the Boobie Trap will host a petition signing party from 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.

The petition drive comes after the Topeka City Council voted Sept. 30 to ban public smoking indoors and at places of employment. Exceptions are to be in retail tobacco stores; outdoor places of employment; locations the measure defines as "private places"; private residences, except when used as a child care, adult day care or health care facility; and no more than 20 percent of hotel or motel rooms that are available to be rented to guests. The ban will go into effect Dec. 4.

Jump to full article »

Philip Morris to stop offering contracts 

The outlook for Georgia tobacco farmers was clouded this week with the announcement that the largest cigarette manufacturer will not offer contracts and will close its Alma buying station.

Philip Morris USA told tobacco growers at a Wednesday meeting in Alma that it will no longer issue one-year contracts to growers. The company said it will honor three- and five-year contracts that are in effect as long as growers are in good standing.

"The folks that left that meeting Wednesday were pretty much in a state of confusion," said J. Michael Moore, a University of Georgia extension agronomist. "There's a lot of uncertainty."

The closing of the Alma buying station reflects the tobacco giant's decision to shift production to North Carolina and Virginia, Moore said. It is too early to determine how big the blow will be to Georgia tobacco growers.

Jump to full article »