http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/class.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db85.htm http://tobacco.org/news/333513.html Key findings Data from the National Health Interview Survey, 2008 * Current smokers (16%) were twice as likely as former smokers (8%) and four times as likely as never smokers (4%) to have poor oral health status. * Current smokers (35%) were almost one and one-half times as likely as former smokers (24%) and more than two times as likely as never smokers (16%) to have had three or more oral health problems. * Current smokers (19%) were about twice as likely as former smokers (9%) and never smokers (10%) to have not had a dental visit in more than 5 years or have never had one. * Cost was the reason that most adults with an oral health problem did not see a dentist in the past 6 months; 56% of current smokers, 36% of former smokers, and 35% of never smokers could not afford treatment or did not have insurance. National Center for Health Statistics cdcinfo@cdc.gov Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=661533 http://tobacco.org/news/333450.html Adult smokers are twice as likely to develop oral health problems as those who have kicked the habit, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found. Compared to people who never smoked, current smokers are four times more likely to develop oral conditions, such as mouth cancers, gum disease and cavities. The CDC investigators also found that smokers between the ages of 18 and 64 are nearly 1.5 times as likely as former smokers and more than twice as likely as people who never smoked to have three or more oral health problems. Although current smokers were more likely to acknowledge the importance of oral health issues, they were less likely than former or never smokers to visit a dentist for an existing problem, the findings showed. The researchers reported that people who smoke are about twice as likely to have not been to the dentist in more than five years or not at all. The main reason smokers said they avoided the dentist, the CDC authors noted, was that they couldn't afford dental treatment. HealthDay [HealthScout] Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.health-policy-systems.com/content/10/1/3 http://tobacco.org/news/333076.html Introduction In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) over the past two decades locally relevant tobacco control research has been scant. Experience shows that tobacco control measures should be based on sound research findings to ensure that measures are appropriate for local conditions and that they are likely to have an impact. Research should also be integrated within tobacco control measures to ensure ongoing learning and the production of knowledge. Thailand, a middle-income country, has a public health community with a record of successful tobacco control and a longstanding commitment to research. . . . Conclusion The evolution of tobacco control research in Thailand provides examples of steppingstones that LMICs may be able to use to construct their own tobacco control research pathways. Health Research Policy and Systems Thailand Asia Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120201p2a00m0na005000c.html http://tobacco.org/news/333004.html Rates of both smoking and obesity in women are higher in low-income households, analysis of a Japanese government health survey has shown. The analysis, released on Jan. 31 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, was based on the ministry's 2010 nationwide health and nutrition survey, and marks the first time the government has examined the relationship between average income and lifestyle. "It's possible the (health and income) relationship is influenced by factors such as access to medical care and information on healthy living," a ministry statement said. The health ministry queried some 3,200 households Mainichi Daily News Japan Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.stlbeacon.org/region/115670-areas-with-most-smoking-related-illness-have-most-exemptions http://tobacco.org/news/332881.html Many establishments that are exempted from St. Louis County's public-smoking ban are in areas with the highest incidences of smoking-related illnesses, according to an analysis by Tobacco-Free St. Louis. It also argues that the exemptions could undo the health benefits of the Clean Air Act and that they are unfair to the majority of county establishments that have banned smoking. According to the group, 56 of the exempted establishments are in north county. Another 41 are in south county, 29 are in west county and the remaining 20 are in the mid-county region, including the smoke-free communities of Clayton, Brentwood and Kirkwood. Dr. Stuart Slavin (right), a member of Tobacco-Free St. Louis, stressed that the group isn't arguing that illnesses related to smoking would vanish without the exemptions. "But what's striking to me is that if you look at illnesses that may be smoking related, whether it is heart attacks or hospitalization for chronic lung diseases, you will find significantly greater risks and rates in north county," Slavin said. He also said that many residents of north county may lack adequate access to health care and "can least afford to suffer from these problems." He added, "We aren't saying this is the cause of health disparity. But it certainly is one that's contributing, and it's easy to fix. It simply requires an act of the County Council, and these exemptions would disappear." No council members were available to comment on the analysis, which shows that the 56 exemptions are in districts represented by Democrats Hazel Erby of University City, Kathleen Kelly of Overland, and Council Chair Michael O'Mara of Florissant. Kelly and O'Mara have raised questions over the years about the ban. St. Louis Beacon Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/ccon-psf011912.php http://tobacco.org/news/332787.html according to a new study by a tobacco dependence researcher at The City College of New York (CCNY). Christine Sheffer, associate medical professor at CCNY's Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, tracked smokers from different socioeconomic backgrounds after they had completed a statewide smoking cessation program in Arkansas. Whether rich or poor, participants managed to quit at about the same rate upon completing a program of cognitive behavioral therapy, either with or without nicotine patches. But as time went on, a disparity between the groups appeared and widened. Those with the fewest social and financial resources had the hardest time staving off cravings over the long run. "The poorer they are, the worse it gets," said Professor Sheffer, who directed the program and was an assistant professor with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at the time. EurekAlert jnetting@ccny.cuny.edu Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-215_162-57366604/if-poor-folks-want-to-smoke-let-them/ http://tobacco.org/news/332673.html On January 1, 2012, Maine became the first state to ban smoking in all low-income public housing. Twelve thousand poor people faced their New Year's Day hangover without the solace of a Marlboro to accompany their aspirin and coffee. This, of course, was good. Just ask the high-minded, right-thinking progressive elites . . . The elites who denounce poverty despise the poor. . . . The high-minded, right-thinking progressive elite would then be poor people, working crap jobs. And what a mess they'd make of it! Imagine elites manning the drive-through window at Burger King, giving customers all-lettuce, all-pickle Whoppers without buns, cheese, or burger patties to combat obesity. Or at the 7-11 making change for a twenty the way the Federal Reserve does. "Wait a minute, I've got to go in the back and print some fives." Or convening a yard care seminar and producing a 200-page white paper on sustainable grass maintenance instead of mowing your lawn. Or panhandling in the manner of the U.S. government, "Hey, Buddy, can you spare $787 billion so's a guy can get a stimulus package?" Life would be hell if the high-minded, right-thinking progressive elite wasn't elite anymore. We'd better quit smoking. CBS Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/metro/48339.html http://tobacco.org/news/332656.html The Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance on Thursday demanded amendment to the tobacco control law in order to reduce diseases and deaths caused by tobacco consumption. Leaders and activists of the alliance made the demand from a human chain in front of the faculty of fine arts in the capital. They said, according to a survey conducted by the alliance, around 57,000 people died and 38,2000 contracted various diseases because of tobacco consumption. The existing anti-tobacco law of 2005 was a positive step towards development of public health, but because of some loopholes in the law it could not take total effect on the people. The cigarette companies, going against the clauses of the law, continued to find new techniques to attract people into smoking, they alleged. A large chunk of the population is illiterate and so unable to understand the health awareness grounds. New Age newagebd@global-bd.net Bangladesh Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120120184605.htm http://tobacco.org/news/332512.html Quitting smoking is never easy. However, when you're poor and uneducated, kicking the habit for good is doubly hard, according to a new study by a tobacco dependence researcher at The City College of New York (CCNY). Christine Sheffer, associate medical professor at CCNY's Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, tracked smokers from different socioeconomic backgrounds after they had completed a statewide smoking cessation program in Arkansas. Whether rich or poor, participants managed to quit at about the same rate upon completing a program of cognitive behavioral therapy, either with or without nicotine patches. But as time went on, a disparity between the groups appeared and widened. Those with the fewest social and financial resources had the hardest time staving off cravings over the long run. "The poorer they are, the worse it gets," said Professor Sheffer, who directed the program and was an assistant professor with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at the time. ScienceDaily Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/20/tobacco-shares-may-be-addictive/ http://tobacco.org/news/332439.html Over the past year, the tobacco companies continued to vastly outperform the S&P 500 and just about everything else, with share price gains ranging from a low of 19.6% for Altria to 47.9% for Lorillard shares. Remember, these are just the share price gains; they don’t include the dividends. The tobacco companies’ web sites are entertaining, to say the least. Each company stresses its commitment to tobacco growers in developing countries, its generous charitable efforts, stop-smoking programs it finances, and, where possible, tries to portray its chewing tobacco and snuff as prominently as its cigarettes. Financial Post rmorrison@nationalpost.com (Richard Morrison ) Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300519 http://tobacco.org/news/332435.html Objectives. We examined socioeconomic disparities in a community-based tobacco dependence treatment program. . . . Conclusions. Targets for enhancing therapeutic approaches for lower socioeconomic groups should include efforts to ensure that lower-SES groups receive more treatment content, strategies to address specific clinical and environmental challenges associated with treatment outcomes for lower-SES smokers (i.e., higher dependence and stress levels and exposure to other smokers), and strategies to provide longer-term support. American Journal of Public Health csheffer@med.cuny.edu (the Special Libraries Association) Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://wjbc.com/smoking-debate-continues-in-illinois/ http://tobacco.org/news/332420.html The Association gave the state a D for its cigarette tax of 98 cents per pack. Spokeswoman Katie Lorenz says a $2 tax would be better, if fewer smokers could mean more money for the state. “If somebody through Medicare or Medicaid or state employees … we pay for their healthcare costs. Taxpayers do. When we encourage them to stop smoking and we’re not having to cover those illnesses, those diseases that are caused by tobacco use, taxpayers are going to see a return on that investment,” Lorenz says. Illinois has the 20th lowest cigarette tax, but Missouri’s tax is one fifth of Illinois’ and Kentucky’s is 38 cents less. Iowa’s is higher at $1.36 per pack, and Indiana’s is roughly the same. Wisconsin’s cigarette tax ranks among the highest in the Midwest and seventh in the nation at $2.52 per pack. Jim Tobin of National Taxpayers United of Illinois says the taxes are high enough and they do little to discourage smoking. “It just drives businesses out and of course it encourages people to roll their own cigarettes and do things like that avoid or evade paying the legal cigarette tax hike,” Tobin says. Tobin says cigarette taxes inordinately affect the poor WJBC AM 1230 Radio Bloomington talk@wjbc.com (WJBC Staff) Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=88 http://tobacco.org/news/332366.html CORRECTION: [Nov. 2, 2011] A sample size miscalculation in the original version of this publication resulted in errors to the estimated number of children affected by secondhand smoke, although the percentages, interpretation and findings remain correct. The errors were related to pooling three cycles of CHIS data. The Center regrets the error. A corrected version of the policy brief is attached, as well as an updated version of the original press release. Specifically, the following numbers were revised: The total estimated number of children annually affected by secondhand smoke was revised from 2.5 million to 966,000. The total number of children estimated to be exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes each year was revised from 561,000 to 224,000. The total number of children estimated to live in homes where there is an adult or teen smoker in the household, but smoking is never allowed in the home, was revised from 1.9 million to 742,000. . . . Despite having the second-lowest smoking rate in the nation, California is still home to nearly one million children under the age of 12 who are exposed to secondhand smoke, according to a new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Using data from several cycles of the California Health Interview Survey, the study's authors estimate that 224,000 children are directly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. Another 742,000 are at risk because they live in a home where another family member is a smoker, even though smoking may not be allowed in the home itself. UCLA Center for Health Policy Research healthpolicy@ucla.edu Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/60 http://tobacco.org/news/332352.html Background The association between socioeconomic status and health-related behaviours has been clarified in several epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to reveal the socioeconomic differences in health-related behaviours and in nutritional status of Hungarian and Romanian citizens living on both sides of the border. . . . Results The prevalence of smoking was similar in Hungarians and Romanians (33.2% and 36.4%). The frequency of "unhealthy diet" was 70.6% in Hungarians and 75.2% in Romanians. Physical inactivity was more prevalent in Romanians (73.2%) than in Hungarians (32.0%), while the prevalence of obesity was higher in Hungarians (22.0%) than in Romanians (16.5%). Based on the univariate logistic regression models the risk of smoking was higher among those with medium educational level (ORHu=1.66) and poor financial conditions (ORHu=3.13) in Hungarians. The risk of unhealthy diet was higher among the low educated (ORHu=1.77; ORRo=7.91) and among those with poor financial conditions (ORHu=2.05; ORRo=4.25). None of the socioeconomic factors was associated with leisure time physical inactivity. In the multivariate models obesity was associated with medium level of education in Hungarians, and with unhealthy diet in Romanians (ORRo=2.10). Physically inactive Hungarians were more (ORHu=1.74), whereas inactive Romanians were less (ORRo=0.64) likely to be obese than physically active people from the same country. Conclusions The present study shows that socioeconomic status is associated with health-related behaviours in a small area of Hungary and Romania. The results highlight the need for developing interventional strategies, focusing more on people in lower socioeconomic status, in order to reduce the existing inequalities in health and health-related behaviours. BioMed Central Hungary Romania Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://www.legacyforhealth.org/4981.aspx http://tobacco.org/news/332310.html To date, however, the FDA has not exercised its authority to assert jurisdiction on cigar products. Although the tax structure is not a part of the act, tax treatment of cigars differs from cigarettes, making many cigar products less costly. This is concerning, as there is a direct correlation between higher costs and lower consumption of tobacco products. Cigars can be just as harmful as cigarettes. Like cigarettes, cigars pose significant health risks, contributing to cancers of the mouth, lung, esophagus, and larynx and possibly contributing to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In order to more fully understand tobacco use patterns, researchers from Legacy - a national public health organization dedicated to helping people quit smoking or never start - analyzed the demographics of a sample of people who smoked cigarettes and cigars. Researchers found that this subgroup of dual-use smokers fit a different profile than cigarette-only smokers. Results from the study show that adult smokers who indicated that they use both cigarettes AND cigars (12.5 percent), were more likely to be young, African American, male, of low educational attainment and unemployed, compared with cigarette-only smokers. American Legacy Foundation jcartwright@legacyforhealth.org Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT