Tobacco.org

• PAHO Report Urges Higher Tobacco Taxes, Bans on Advertising  

A growing number of countries in the Americas are adopting effective measures to reduce consumption of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. But a new report from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recommends further measures, particularly increases in tobacco taxes and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

The new Tobacco Control Report for the Region of the Americas summarizes progress in countries’ implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s first international public health treaty, which requires States Parties to apply a series of policies and measures aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and protecting people from secondhand smoke. The treaty has been in force since 2005.

Of 35 countries in the Americas, 29 have ratified the FCTC, most recently, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis.

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• Three in 10 Chinese Adults Smoke 

Three in 10 Chinese said they smoke regularly (25%) or occasionally (5%), according to Gallup surveys conducted shortly after China's ban on smoking in public places took effect last May. This translates to roughly 320 million adults -- or more than the entire population of the United States -- and underscores the potential health crisis China faces as it tries to reduce an estimated 1 million smoking-related deaths each year in its country.

Recent studies show that about 3,000 Chinese are dying each day from smoking-related diseases, and that the number could rise to 8,000 per day by 2050. Chinese men's smoking habits place their health disproportionately at risk. Gallup surveys find about 6 in 10 Chinese men say they smoke at least occasionally, while 3% of Chinese women say they do.

Smoking Widespread Across Much of Asia

China may account for one-third of the world's smokers, but its smoking rate ranks second in Asia. Indonesians are the most likely in the region to say they smoke at least occasionally. . . .

The ubiquity of smoking throughout China's culture, coupled with the country's financial stake in the tobacco industry as the world's largest tobacco producers and consumers, fuel doubts among health experts and the media about the potential effectiveness of the nearly year-old ban. Persuading hundreds of millions of Chinese smokers to quit and preventing young Chinese from picking up the habit will likely require public education, time, and compliance with existing bans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) rates China's compliance with bans on various types of advertising of tobacco a 5 out of 10, where 0 is "low compliance."

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Tobacco industry attempts to undermine Framework Convention on Tobacco using the German government  

Researchers at the Tobacco Control Research Group have shown in a paper published in the British Medical Journal how the Tobacco Industry attempted to use the German government to undermine the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Germany has been identified as one of a few high-income countries that opposed a strong Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). A group of researchers has examined the role that the tobacco industry played in influencing the German Government's position.

The WHO FCTC is the world's first global public health treaty, and requires parties to adopt a comprehensive range of measures designed to reduce the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco.

The researchers used tobacco industry documents to show how they had approached the German government and tried to create and then exploit controversy between the financial, trade and other ministries and the health ministry in order to weaken the FCTC. In turn they then also also managed to use Germany to limit the European Union negotiating mandate.

The research is a damning indictment of allowing the industry to have access to policy makers and shows the subversive role that they can play in weakening public health protection.

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• WHO, FCTC disputes burley claims as Malawi gets case study status  

Claims that partial guidelines for the implementation of Articles 9 and 10 have a negative effect on burley tobacco and its producers are inaccurate, the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) has said.

But the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA), which has fought against the adoption of the guidelines, has, on several occasions, argued that the treaty threatens the livelihoods of 30 million tobacco growers globally.

The association estimates that 3.6 million people in just five poor African countries depend on tobacco cultivation.

In Malawi alone, reducing the demand for harsher tasting burley tobacco could shrink the economy by 20 percent, according to ITGA. Two million Malawians directly survive on tobacco growing.

The association said a severe shock to exports for tobacco will lead to the destabilisation of Malawi’s economy which will take decades to recover from such a “one-time shock”.

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WHO calls for efforts against passive smoking 

World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke by implementing smoke-free air policies in all enclosed public spaces. In its call to action, WHO commemorates 10 years since the two holy cities of Makkah and MAdina were declared smoke-free by releasing the report entitled Tobacco-free cities for smoke-free air: A case study in Mecca and Medina.

This report is pivotal for other cities and countries looking to take forward their smoke-free air agenda. The success of the Mecca and Medina initiative may trigger action, particularly in the Muslim world, and thus contribute to worldwide protection from exposure to secondhand smoke, said a statement issued by the world Health Organisation (WHO) Islamabad office.

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RAHMAN: Fighting Big Tobacco in Malaysia — Fifa Rahman 

In a country where 46 per cent of males smoke, and where the government spends RM20 billion a year treating tobacco-related illnesses, it is imperative that we as a society demand greater health protection, and stronger tobacco laws.

However, in the enactment of tobacco laws to protect public health, and also in the execution of anti-tobacco/pro-health advocacy, there has been a long history of tobacco industry interference which undermines and very often, blocks efforts from materialising altogether. As someone who has had exposure to tobacco policies and regulation, I am fearful that tobacco industry interference is the most significant obstacle that policymakers and anti-tobacco advocates face today. . . .

In addition to the use of biased studies, over the years, the tobacco industry has also been very smart in recruiting influential persons or persons with previous government links to fill positions in their companies. A quick Google search of the Board of Directors of any large tobacco company will reveal names of highly influential persons, recognizable names that make tobacco lobbying just that much stronger.

The WHO provides measures to effectively deal with the tobacco epidemic; these are called the MPOWER measures -- all of which have in the past and currently face tobacco industry interference. These effective measures are: Monitoring of tobacco use; Protection from tobacco smoke; Offer help to cease smoking (cessation techniques); Warning of harms of tobacco use; Enforce advertising bans; and Raise taxes. . . .

In the campaign for smoke-free areas, the tobacco industry employs front-groups such as restaurant owners associations and tourism groups, stating that restaurant business would reduce and tourism would reduce. I could be wrong, but logically persons frequent restaurants for food and touristic areas for scenery and recreational activities -- not to smoke. Furthermore, evidence has proven that in New York, which banned smoking in restaurants, business was not adversely affected. In fact, the New York Restaurant Association and the Restaurant Union President supported smoking bans in restaurants for public health reasons.

The above anecdotes and worldwide experiences show that tobacco industry influence is rife and extremely powerful. As someone who has had tobacco control experience, I can verify as to interference that is alive and well, and that if we don't stand up, we won't just have 45 per cent of male smokers. That figure will increase unless something is done. Political will and the voice of the people will be imperative in defeating tobacco industry lobbying, and ensuring that Malaysians' health is better protected.

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• Re-define Tobacco Board of Zambia - State urged 

THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has appealed to government to redefine the role of the Tobacco Board of Zambia in line with the changing trends in the tobacco industry.

ZACA executive director Muyunda Illilonga said government should revolutionize the role of the Board in the country and come up with a programme that will promote diversification by small-scale farmers who are involved in tobacco cultivation.

“As a consumer body, we think it is high time government looked at the role of Tobacco Board of Zambia. As Zambia has become a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, government needs to change the role of the board to promote diversification”, he said.

He said tobacco is not a crop of the future because of the growing global pressure against governments to stop the cultivation of the crop which is also a source of revenue for many governments.

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• Restoration of Tobacco Control Cell status demanded 

The 44 partner organisations of the Coalition for Tobacco Control Pakistan (CTC-Pak) from all provinces of the country on Wednesday urged the government to restore the status of the Federal Tobacco Control Cell for the sake of effective implementation of tobacco control policies.

The demand was voiced at the 3rd national coordination meeting of coalition members. The meeting offered a platform for partner organisations of CTC-Pak to discuss policy issues and progress with reference to implementation of tobacco control laws after the devolution of powers from the federation to provinces.

The participants expressed concern over the delay in rotation of pictorial health warning on cigarette packs, which was due for implementation last year. “This delay has occurred because of shifting of the cell from one department to another after devolution. The status of the cell has been compromised and its working on tobacco control issues has been gravely undermined,” they pointed out.

The participants, through a resolution, urged the federal and provincial governments, particularly of Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, to legislate for banning the production and sale of ‘smokeless tobacco’ i.e., ‘gutka,’ ‘naswar,’ ‘manpuri,’ etc.

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EDITORIAL: Tobacco in the USA: smoke and mirrors 

When future historians look back on the long and unhappy story of people and tobacco, what will be said about our current era? The American Lung Association's report, State of Tobacco Control 2012, gives some clues. In retrospect, it will seem incredible that 60 years after Richard Doll confirmed the link between smoking and lung cancer, and 40 years since a US President declared war on cancer, 2011 was “an abysmal year for tobacco control at the state level”. . . .

Where does the Federal Government stand? Although commendable in some areas—for example, in its ongoing efforts to implement the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act—it continues to dawdle over the submission of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to the Senate, despite having signed it back in 2004.

Renewed effort at State and Federal levels is needed to put tobacco where it belongs: in the history books, as a sad and strange episode in the story of human health. The colourful magazine advertisements of a few decades ago, featuring doctors endorsing cigarettes, seem alien to us now. Hopefully the current arguments over cigarette packaging and sales restriction will seem equally bizarre to future generations.

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• Despite law, smokers continue puffing away in eateries  

Though a law banning smoking in public places exists the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Health Non-Smokers Ordinance of October 2002 – it is not enforced. The law outlines punishments for anyone advertising or selling cigarettes near educational institutions or to minors (fine of Rs5,000 or three months imprisonment). Those who smoke in public spaces or public transport can be fined Rs1,000 for the first offence and Rs100,000 for the second.

Under the ordinance, union council and tehsil officers, managers of restaurants, bus stops, train stations and airports, public transport drivers and heads of educational institutions were authorised to fine or lodge an official complaint against those smoking in public with the police. In March 2011, district officers of health, education, and revenue were told to implement the law and fine or lodge complaints against people smoking in public spaces.

But most restaurants allow some smoking.

Yousaf Aslam, who has worked at Coffee Tea and Company since 2003, says the cafe has tried various limits on smoking to satisfy its customers. “Not everyone can be satisfied,” he said. . . .

DO (Health) Haq Nawaz Bharwan was said only the Environmental Protection Department or Food Department could control smoking in restaurants. “It isn’t the job of the health department,” he said.

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Pictorial health warning on cigarette packs demanded 

The Coalition for Tobacco Control (CTC-Pak) on Wednesday expressed its concerns over the delay of the rotation of pictorial health warning on cigarette packs that was due last year.

The 44 partner organizations of CTC-Pak from all over the country urged upon the concerned authorities in its 3rd national coordination meeting of the coalition members for timely rotation of health warning.

They were of the view that the delay is because of the shifting of the cell from one department to another that has compromised the status of the cell and its effective working on the tobacco control issues. They asked the concerned bodies to restore the status of the federal Tobacco Control Cell for effective tobacco control policies and measures in the country.

The partner organizations of CTC-Pak from the four provinces discussed the policy issues and situation of the implementation of tobacco control laws after the devolution of powers from federation to provinces.

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• Fa’asala questions interception by PM on Tobacco regulations 

The Solomon Islands Government must not act beyond the wish of the people of the country by derailing itself simply through ignorance of its obligations made and passed in Parliament through the Solomon Islands Tobacco Act 2010 according to Casper Fa’asala.

In a Statement through email from Manila, Philippines, Mr Fa’asala said, that the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo must do the right thing by listening to the populace and not doing so would mean a total ignorance of Government’s obligation.

“Secondly, it would create suspiciousness amongst the people of the country, thinking that the Government is listening more to the monopoly of the Tobacco Industry.

“People of the country knows that when the Tobacco Act was legislated by Parliament in March 2010, it gives Government the power to make appropriate regulations for the implementation of the Act which to the knowledge of the wider community has been done.

“We are surprised that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which is the leading Ministry of implementing of the Act was instructed by the Office of the Prime Minister to halt the launching of a major advocacy program that would inspire people from killing themselves through tobacco smoking.”

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• Pack of tobacco troubles  

China has yet to fulfill its commitment in effectively curbing smoking six years after the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) went into effect in the country.

To better raise people's awareness on the harm of smoking, experts advocated in a tobacco control discussion meeting held last Tuesday in Beijing, that as many other countries and regions do, graphic warning pictorials should be put on cigarette packs. But due to a handicapped management structure, their target is far from being realized.

Chinese cigarette packs feature different objects, scenic locations, and symbolic architecture, even the Giant panda, to instill a sense of connection with the brand. Some people believe that these designs are the epitome of Chinese culture, while tobacco control activists say they should have been removed long ago. . . .

During annual National People's Congress (NPC) sessions in the past four years, a number of deputies have called to enlarge warnings on cigarettes packs. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the designated authority on tobacco control, rejected proposals last year for two reasons.

"First, the Convention does not mandate warning pictures must be displayed. Second, during negotiations when drafting the contract, the Chinese government, together with counterparts from countries like Japan and South Korea, opposed putting pictures on packages," the ministry replied, according to a report by the Economic Observer in July.

"I think putting brutal pictures on cigarette packs is unsuited for our culture,"

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Coalition to protest against FDB for refusing to implement pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs 

The Coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Ghana on Tuesday hinted of a demonstration against the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) for its refusal to implement pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs to alert users on the implications associated with smoking.

“If a timeline for the implementation of the pictorial health warnings in Ghana is not announced by the end of the year, civil society would embark on a protest walk to the headquarters of the Food and Drugs Board, Office of the Minister of Health and Office of the Speaker of Parliament in January 2012.”

Mr Issah Ali, Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), a Tobacco Control NGO said in Accra that though support of the FDB was crucial to make pictorial images and information on tobacco packets, the FDB had refused to attend the series of meetings that it had organised.

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Late implementation for tobacco law 

The Pictorial Health Warning regulation on tobacco products will be implemented very soon. The government made a promise in this regard, said Professor Carlo Fonseka, the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol.

"Although this regulation should have been implemented in 2008, we are very late in implementing the law. Since the majority of smokers purchase cigarettes in stick form, there were various contradictory views in regard to implementation of this regulation. However now the government has decided to implement the regulation," he said. Professor Fonseka added that the Deputy Minister of Health had communicated the message that political authorities are expediting the process of implementation.

Professor Fonseka pointed out that the tobacco industry had murdered 100 million people in the world in the 20th century. The World Health Organization estimates that in the 21st century, a trillion of people would die due to smoking.

He made these comments at an exhibition and seminar held recently at the Auditorium of the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama to highlight the importance of implementing the regulation on Pictorial Health Warnings. This event was jointly organized by the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Care Association and the Jeewaka Foundation.

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