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The Pueblo Heart Study examined the impact of a municipal smoke-free ordinance in the city of Pueblo, Colorado, that took effect on July 1, 2003 (3). The rate of AMI hospitalizations for city residents decreased 27%, from 257 per 100,000 person-years during the 18 months before the ordinance's implementation to 187 during the 18 months after it (the Phase I post-implementation period).* This report extends that analysis for an additional 18 months through June 30, 2006 (the Phase II post-implementation period). The rate of AMI hospitalizations among city residents continued to decrease to 152 per 100,000 person-years, a decline of 19% and 41% from the Phase I post-implementation and pre-implementation period, respectively. No significant changes were observed in two comparison areas. These findings suggest that smoke-free policies can result in reductions in AMI hospitalizations that are sustained over a 3-year period and that these policies are important in preventing morbidity and mortality associated with heart disease. This effect likely is mediated through reduced SHS exposure among nonsmokers and reduced smoking, with the former making the larger contribution (4,6,7). . . .
Editorial Note:
Evidence from animal and human studies indicates that SHS exposure can produce rapid adverse effects on the functioning of the heart, blood, and vascular systems that increase the risk for a cardiac event (1). Relevant mechanisms include effects on platelet function, endothelial function, and inflammation. Epidemiologic and laboratory data indicate that the risk for heart disease and AMI increase rapidly with relatively small doses of tobacco smoke, such as those received from SHS, and then continue to increase more slowly with larger doses (1,8,9). Evidence also suggests that the acute effects of SHS exposure might be rapidly reversible (8,9).
Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers from SHS
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Penn has long been the most controversial figure in Clinton's political orbit, in part because his other relationships have repeatedly placed her campaign in an uncomfortable position. Among his firm's clients have been drug companies, a tuna industry group, a tobacco firm and the controversial military contractor Blackwater USA. . . .
Penn's outside work does not represent the first time that this kind of conflict has arisen in a presidential campaign. In 2000, for instance, Al Gore drew fire over the fact that a key aide, Carter Eskew, had done work on a tobacco industry advertising campaign that was aimed at undermining the Clinton Administration's tobacco settlement deal. (The work had been done before Eskew joined Gore's campaign, and he left the firm at Gore's request when he came on board.)
Mark Penn continues to roil Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign after the announcement that he was being replaced as top strategist for helping Colombia promote a trade accord. .. .
The campaign said it stripped Penn of part of his portfolio after the Colombian government fired Burson- Marsteller, the public relations firm where he is chief executive officer. . . .
Penn, 54, has also worked counter to Clinton's position on the environment and energy. Last year, he wrote in an internal company blog about how Burson worked ``behind the scenes'' for TXU Corp., a Texas company seeking to build power plants fueled by pulverized coal, which some environmentalists say would be major polluters.
At the time, Clinton was pushing for more research into new energy technologies to help stem greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Other Burson clients include tobacco companies and drugmakers.
Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes. .. .
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Penn, who serves as chief executive of public relations giant Burson-Marsteller, met with Colombian officials March 31 to help craft strategy to move the Colombian Free Trade agreement through Congress. . . .
Penn's consulting firm, Penn, Schoen & Berland, has been paid $10.8 million so far by Clinton's campaign.
Penn has come under criticism for other Burson-Marsteller clients, including tobacco giant Philip Morris and corporate clients accused of union-busting activity. While Penn says he does not personally work on any accounts that could be construed as anti-labor, labor leaders have publicly expressed concern about his involvement with the campaign.
A pub is closing down on Easter Monday due to falling trade following the ban on smoking.
Yates Wine Lodge, in Worthing, will shut after last orders at the end of the evening session.
The bar, in Chapel Road, is one of several Yates ear-marked for closure around the country. . .
Owners, the Laurel Pub Company, which owns more than 400 pubs and restaurants nationwide, said: "We are closing due to the affect of the smoking ban and difficult trading conditions."
Should campaign consultants be able to serve two masters? Nation Editor Katrina van den Heuvel says no:
"My colleague Ari Berman has done more than any journalist to shine some light on how pollster-strategist Mark Penn, head honcho at PR giant Burson-Marsteller, and perhaps the most important figure in Hillary Clinton's campaign, poses a real dilemma for the candidate. Penn heads a firm that has represented everyone from union busters to big tobacco, and more recently Blackwater. (According to a Marsteller spokesperson, it was a subsidiary, BKSH & Associates, run by GOP operative Charlie Black, which helped Erik Prince prepare for congressional hearings after his employees killed civilians in Iraq).
"It would seem difficult to find a more controversial client than Blackwater but Penn's firm has just been retained by Spin Master.
"It turns out that Spin Master distributes Aqua Dots
Public relations giant Burson-Marsteller has vast experience steering companies through tough times. But there's a limit to how much it can help Blackwater USA, a new client that's been battered by negative publicity.
The State Department, which pays Blackwater hundreds of millions of dollars to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq, has stringent rules barring the private security contractor from discussing with the media the details of its work, according to those familiar with the arrangement.
Under those limitations, it's difficult to repair a corporate image, said one official close to Blackwater. . . .
According to the Center for Media and Democracy, Burson-Marsteller clients have included cigarette maker Philip Morris, nuclear power plant owner Entergy and Allergan, the pharmaceutical company that makes Botox.
Hillary Clinton's chief strategist has been accused of illegally monitoring the emails of a former business associate who started a rival company, according to a lawsuit filed in New York last week.
Mark Penn, a polling guru who secretly advised Tony Blair on tactics to win over traditional Tory voters before the 2005 general election, has denied the allegation.
The case is the latest example of how Mr Penn's high-profile business dealings are threatening to embarrass the Democratic presidential front-runner.
His dual role - as Sen Clinton's adviser and chief executive of the public relations company Burson-Marsteller - is hampering her campaign to woo the trade union support crucial for any Democrat seeking the party nomination. . . .
The PR firm represents energy, tobacco and pharmaceutical companies, some of whose interests are at odds with Sen Clinton's public stance on the environment and health care.
A study analyzing Philip Morris' internal documents criticizes the tobacco giant; its PR firm, Burson- Marsteller; and a journalism school for their attempts to influence coverage on secondhand smoke.
In an interview, study author Dr. Richard Hurt attacked the tobacco company for funding training programs at the Herndon, VA- based National Journalism Center.
Hurt said the funds went to support speakers who would discount research on the dangers of secondhand smoke. They also backed an internship program to place reporters who supported the tobacco industry's position, Hurt said.
He noted that "hundreds of thousands of dollars" would be a "low estimate" of the amount of money that was spent.
He added that Philip Morris received PR support from Burson and an independent media consultant.
The study, which is scheduled to be published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is the latest piece in an ongoing analysis of documents made public after a 1998 lawsuit against the tobacco industry. . . .
"The tobacco industry coined the term 'junk science,'" he said, referring to an oft-used phrase in pro-tobacco pieces. "When they can get people to write these things down in reputable places, then they can influence public opinion."
Hurt said he doesn't expect much reaction from the media to this study. "The typical reaction is no reaction because [covering this research] usually causes embarrassment."
The typical reaction [of the media] is no reaction because [covering this research] usually causes embarrassment.Dr. Richard Hurt, on the American Journal of Preventive Medicine study that anyalyzed tobacco industry influence on the media's secondhand smoke coverage.
The tobacco industry coined the term 'junk science' . . . When they can get people to write these things down in reputable places, then they can influence public opinion.Dr. Richard Hurt, on the American Journal of Preventive Medicine study that anyalyzed tobacco industry influence on the media's secondhand smoke coverage.