http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/org/fctc.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2010/03/18/opinion/doc4ba1a13c09ad0328833125.txt http://tobacco.org/news/298856.html It's hard to believe, but only 16 years ago the CEOs of North America's largest tobacco corporations were before Congress, swearing under oath that nicotine wasn't addictive. And 12 years ago, these same corporations were disclosing a half-century of lies and willful deception of the public about the harms of tobacco products. A 46-state master settlement compelled them to do so. By 2005, the world's first public health and corporate accountability treaty was taking effect to tackle the world's leading preventable cause of death and disease: tobacco use. That treaty may be the least well-known tobacco milestone here in the United States, but it's the most significant. . . . More generally, President Obama has already embraced a number of treaty precedents by closing the revolving door between lobbyists and the executive branch, as well as by disclosing all executive meetings with private corporations. In echoing the sentiments of most Americans by opposing the Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited corporate dollars to flow to political campaigns, he has aligned his administration with the spirit of this little-known treaty. In these difficult times, when the conversation too often centers on how government isn't working, the treaty provides a light at the end of the tunnel for those intent on seeing government work in the public interest, untainted by corporate self-interest. Torrington Register Citizen Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE62F1MO20100319?type=marketsNews http://tobacco.org/news/298824.html A global pact to halt smuggling and counterfeiting of tobacco products, which costs governments up to $40 billion a year in lost taxes, has become bogged down over ways to trace products, officials said on Friday. The agreement would also ban duty-free sales of cigarettes, popular with international air travellers, but which health campaigners claim are often diverted into illicit trade. The aim is to reach agreement in Geneva by Sunday ahead of a meeting in November in Uruguay where the pact could be adopted. But by Friday, debate had not even begun on duty-free sales. Campaigners have accused multinational tobacco companies and duty-free lobbyists of trying to derail the week-long negotiations being held among officials from 168 countries under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO). "There is a consensus that track-and-trace measures are needed to combat traffic in illicit products," Vijay Trivedi, policy advisor to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) secretariat, told Reuters. "The devil lies in the detail," he said. Reuters Switzerland Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20100310214163/World-News/china-focus-ahead-of-world-expo-china-acts-to-promote-smoking-controls.html http://tobacco.org/news/298204.html According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which China signed in 2003 and ratified in 2005, the country will ban all types of tobacco advertising and promotion by 2011 in accordance with the FCTC. Further, smoking in all indoor work places and public areas, as well as public transportation vehicles, will also be banned. With just one year to go, and less than three months ahead of what authorities promised would be a smoke-free Shanghai World Expo, the Chinese government is fast tracking smoking control, even at this year's annual parliamentary and advisory sessions. Health Minister Chen Zhu said on March 3, the opening day of the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), that legislation for smoking control in public areas was currently being enacted in China. Behavioral Health Central China Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.health.gov.tt/news/newsitem.aspx?id=115 http://tobacco.org/news/298053.html Senator the Honourable Jerry Narace Minister of Health hosted several representatives of international, regional and local tobacco control organizations at the Ministry of Health’s Head Office on March 03, 2010. Those present at the meeting included Ms Lorraine Fry, General Manager of the Non-Smoker’s Rights Association of Canada, Ms Barbara McGah, Project Manager of the Caribbean Tobacco Control Project, and representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society. The meeting was held to facilitate an exchange of learnings regarding tobacco control, including the achievements made by Trinidad and Tobago in implementing tobacco control legislation. The information shared at the meeting will provide guidance on the way forward to all the parties involved. Ms. Lorraine Fry took the opportunity to congratulate Minister Narace and the citizens of Trinidad & Tobago on the proclamation of parts of the Tobacco Control Act on February 17, 2010 Ministry of Health - Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad And Tobago Caribbean Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20100308-257423/DTI-probes-naming-of-Batangas-street-after-cigarette-brand http://tobacco.org/news/298022.html The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered an investigation into the decision of the Tanauan City council in Batangas to name a local street after the US cigarette brand Philip Morris. Zenaida Maglaya, DTI undersecretary for consumer welfare and trade regulation, asked the Southern Tagalog office of the Department of Health-attached Center for Health Development (CHD) to look into the complaint of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) against the Tanauan City council. In her letter to CHD, Maglaya said the FCAP complaint against Mayor Sonia Torres-Aquino and other Tanauan City officials was "consistent with (a provision) of the Monitoring and Enforcement Guidelines of Republic Act no. 9211 (otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2007) and its implementing rules and regulations." The alleged violation by the Tanauan City council "related to Section 22 of RA 9211, which is within the Department of Health's administrative responsibility," noted Maglaya. The law prohibits all forms of advertisement of a cigarette brand. Philippine Daily Inquirer Philippines Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/visayas/view/20100307-257165/DOH-to-push-picture-based-warnings-on-cigarette-packs http://tobacco.org/news/298012.html GOOD news for anti-smoking advocates, but bad news for the tobacco industry in general. The Department of Health will push for the printing of "picture-based warnings" against tobacco use on cigarette packs being sold to the public. Stressing the need to intensify the government's campaign against the ill-effects of cigarette smoking, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral told a news conference on Friday that she favored the strategy. The DOH would implement as soon as possible a "draft administrative order" covering such warnings, Cabral told anti-smoking advocates like the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP). Philippine Daily Inquirer Philippines Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010030533123/National-news/ngos-outline-anti-smoking-goals.html http://tobacco.org/news/298011.html HEALTH officials and NGOs have formulated six recommendations for the government to step up its anti-smoking efforts, as a national seminar on tobacco control wound up in Phnom Penh on Thursday. Lim Sareth, a health promotion officer from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), said 82 government officials and 50 NGO representatives joined the two-day seminar, which discussed strategies for controlling tobacco use in the Kingdom. At the end of the seminar, officials presented six main strategies for reducing the health impacts of cigarette smoking. Among these were a higher tax on tobacco products, photographic warning labels on cigarette packages, a blanket ban on tobacco advertising, and public education programmes focusing on the negative effects of tobacco. Phnom Penh Post Cambodia Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/03/06/news0330.htm http://tobacco.org/news/298009.html Bangladesh Bank (BB) will give directives to the public and private banks of the country to control tobacco use according to the provision of Tobacco Control Act Besides, the central bank will also take initiatives to provide alternative jobs through Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) for the poor labours engaging in this sector. BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said this while sharing opinions with the representatives of Tamak Birodhi Jote (Anti-Tobacco Alliance) recently. He said tobacco is bad for health. "Considering this BB will help the government from its standpoint The private organisations should work together to control other aspects related to tobacco control", said Atiur Rahman. The New Nation Bangladesh Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Kenyan-girls-puff-away-7685.html http://tobacco.org/news/297924.html As the world marks five years since the first framework on tobacco control came into place, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over an increased number of young girls smoking cigarettes in Kenya. In an exclusive interview with Capital News, WHO Programme Officer in charge of Tobacco control Dr Joyce Nato said the latest statistics indicated that the ratio of young boys and girls smoking cigarettes is one-to-one, an increase from a 2001 report which indicated that in every 10 school going boys who smoked, only one girl smoked. "This is a big worry because it means that our girls are picking up smoking very fast and tobacco use in girls is even more dangerous," Dr Nato said. . . . Capital News spoke to a young lady who said she had been a smoker since she was in second year at the university. "I find it cool to smoke. I grew up in a single parent family. My mum used to smoke and I admired it," Cassandra said. Capital FM Kenya Kenya Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-03/03/content_9527857.htm http://tobacco.org/news/297861.html Vice-health minister Huang Jiefu slammed local health authorities on Tuesday for inadequate moves to stub out smoking in healthcare facilities, amid renewed efforts by the country to meet a full smoking ban in public places nationwide by next year. Related readings: Shanghai spearheads smoking bans for smoke-free World Expo Anti-smoking ads are smoke screens to truth Shanghai clamps down on smokers Smokers face tough fines "Some regional health authorities don't care and are taking no action, even as this country of 350 million smokers is facing great challenges to realize the target in nine months," Huang, who also heads the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control, said at an anti-smoking conference attended by health officials and hospital directors. His comments came as Yang Jie, deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's tobacco control office, said that currently, without legislation, a law enforcement mechanism or financial support an overall ban is "mission impossible in nine-months time". China Daily China Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.ajpm-online.net/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE2779.pdf http://tobacco.org/news/297810.html In summary, the current study presents an ad exposure measure based on ad image recognition and cued brand recall that allows continuous measurement of exposure to tobacco and other ads. Whereas both measures have a bivariate dose–response association with youth smoking outcomes and susceptibility to smoking, only the variable that measures exposure to tobacco ad content retains a multivariate association. The current study argues that the tobacco ad–youth smoking association is specifıc to tobacco ad content. A total ban of tobacco advertising and promotion around the world is one key policy measure of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.38 Data from the current study support this measure, because a clear dose–response relationship between exposure to cigarette ads and smoking intentions and behavior was found even in a country with some tobacco advertising restrictions in place. American Journal of Preventive Medicine Germany Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/Script/DisplayPressRelease.php3?Display=1194 http://tobacco.org/news/297705.html The fifth anniversary of the international treaty to address the global tobacco epidemic presents a significant opportunity for President Obama to continue his strong leadership on tobacco control by submitting the treaty to the Senate for ratification and urging its quick approval. President Obama and Congress have already demonstrated clear and committed leadership on the tobacco problem by enacting the historic law giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products and marketing, and by raising cigarette taxes to finance health insurance for low-income children. Now, by ratifying the tobacco control treaty, the President and the Senate have the opportunity to lead in the global struggle against tobacco use Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids USA Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010npc/2010-02/24/content_9496218.htm http://tobacco.org/news/297682.html Anti-smoking advocates including 17 senior legislators and political consultants are urging that laws be passed to ban donations or sponsorships from tobacco companies for Chinese events, such as expos, festivals and athletic events. The measure is expected to be enacted by the top legislature within a year. "The message will be conveyed to the coming two sessions to fuel the anti-smoking efforts," said Wu Yiqun, deputy director of the Thinktank Research Center for Health Development, a Beijing-based nongovernmental organization, yesterday. The two sessions are the annual plenary meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which usually fall in early March. They are considered China's most important annual political events. Wu made the remarks at an anti-smoking seminar attended by 17 NPC deputies and CPPCC members yesterday in Beijing. China Daily China Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://opinion.globaltimes.cn/commentary/2010-02/508092.html http://tobacco.org/news/297675.html China might lead the world in many areas, but, as anybody who's had to put up with a Beijing restaurant knows, it is still lagging behind on battling smoking. The government recently introduced regulations to prevent smoking in indoor public areas in seven big cities. In October 2005, in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics of 2008, China signed the World Health Organization's framework on tobacco control. It pledged to introduce price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco. Further measures were supposed to include protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, control of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and packaging and labeling of tobacco products as well as education about the dangers of the vice. Despite this, little has been done. . . Smoking is so deeply rooted in China that the eventual elimination of the vice is not a simple matter, as overseas countries have found. Nevertheless, the latter are persevering with strict measures aimed 20 years down the line. In China it will take time and effort and money but it must be done. The government must not kowtow to the vested interest of the tobacco industry, nor its undoubted financial. Too many measures have failed to be enforced; the government needs to take the necessary action and reinforce it with the full weight of its legal apparatus. Global Times China Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100227053517/Shoura%20to%20discuss%20law%20against%20use%20of%20tobacco%20 http://tobacco.org/news/297671.html The 20-article Anti-Smoking Law which seeks a ban on cultivation and production of tobacco and tobacco derivatives in the Kingdom is to be looked at by the Shoura Council on Sunday paving the way for it to be referred for royal approval. The law, which would see smoking prohibited in public places, mosque courtyards, places of education and sport, cultural and health institutions; banks, factories, and on land, sea and air transport, would leave tobacco farmers facing fines of up to SR20,000 and their produce being destroyed on the spot at the expense of the violators themselves. Other articles in the proposed law would see increased customs tariffs on tobacco and tobacco derivatives in annual cumulative percentages of no more than 300 percent, pending decision from the Cabinet, while tobacco companies would be required to display warnings on cigarette packets, and the import and sale of imitation cigarette sweets would be banned. Zawya.com Saudi Arabia Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT