http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/org/wntd.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://tobacco.org/news/325758.html There has been widespread talk about the hazards associated with smoking. It is surprising to note that despite these talks about the harmful effects from smoking tobacco statistics show that the number of tobacco smokers is not decreasing. Could it be that people don’t really understand the effects of smoking on their health and the risk to the person sitting next to them not mentioning the effect on the environment? I will go down memory lane to the year 2007’s World No Tobacco Day. In a move to reduce the risk on non-smokers that year’s World No Tobacco Day was commemorated with a difference when smoking tobacco was banned at the Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport. . . . The other very important tip that was suggested was that of telling one’s family that you needed to quit smoking and needed their support. Smoking in public places is banned almost anywhere, but even if it is allowed one must not smoke where there is a large concentration of people. You could be causing someone unintentional harm by smoking in public places. Also, you will be much healthier if you stop smoking. Speaking at the climax of the World No Tobacco Day in Dar es Salaam, TAA Executive Director, Prosper Tesha, said the decision was aimed at controlling smoking in open places countrywide. IPP Media Tanzania Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Smoking complacency/4864687/story.html http://tobacco.org/news/322676.html In 1998, Jean Rochon, then Quebec’s minister of health, banned tobacco sponsorship as well as smoking in the workplace. In 2000, Pauline Marois, Rochon’s successor as health minister, chose to reimburse the cost of nicotine-replacement therapies and increase tobacco taxes. Finally, in 2005, then-health minister Philippe Couillard banned smoking in bars, restaurants and school grounds, the sale of tobacco products in these same places, and retail tobacco displays. So despite the continued devastation caused by the useless and deadly products of the tobacco industry, Quebec could still celebrate World No Tobacco Day knowing that smoking rates were gradually declining – from 34 per cent in 1996 to 20 per cent in 2006. This year, however, there is nothing to celebrate. The tobacco industry is winning. Quebec hasn’t introduced any large-scale measures since it strengthened its Tobacco Act in 2005. Worse, smoking rates have been stuck at 20 per cent for the past five years. This means that every year, tens of thousands of new smokers replace those who quit or die. More than 100,000 youth have started smoking since our current health minister took office in June 2008. While Quebec invests millions in the fight against contraband, it turns a blind eye to the ongoing predatory marketing practices of legal manufacturers, whose products consist of the main gateway to smoking for youth. . . . Meanwhile, Australia has tabled a law requiring plain and generic packaging for all tobacco products, the United States has introduced a quasi-moratorium on new tobacco products, and New York City has banned flavours in almost all tobacco products. Sadly for Quebecers, the only noteworthy thing about Quebec on this World No Tobacco Day is the complacency of our provincial government in the face of so much ongoing and unnecessary suffering and death. Montreal Gazette Canada Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/news/other-news/marriage-and-funerals-promote-tobacco-use-in-ue/ http://tobacco.org/news/322417.html THE USE of tobacco for marriages and funerals in the Upper East Region is said to be responsible for the production, peddling and smoking of the harmful product across the region. The 2008 Demographic and Health Survey indicates that 11.4% of the people in the region are smokers, minus other forms of tobacco usage. At this year’s national launch of World No Tobacco Day in Bolgatanga last Friday, Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, observed that tobacco usage was culturally rooted among the people of the region, because it was used for marriage and funeral purposes. He also noted that there was hardly any home in the region without a form of tobacco usage. “It is freely cultivated, and more or less a cash crop of the region,” he intimated. Ghanaian Chronicle Ghana Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://ghanaian-chronicle.com/editorial/controlling-tobacco-use-should-not-lead-to-assault-on-traditional-rites/ http://tobacco.org/news/322416.html The Chronicle, however, is disturbed by attempts by officialdom to undermine traditional marriage and funeral rites in the northern half of the country, on the premise that tobacco is involved in these ceremonies. . . . It is a catch 22 situation. The cultivation of the crop is leading to tobacco abuse. On the other hand, people who would, otherwise, have been reduced to penury existence, are managing their lives on proceeds from the cultivation of the crop. . . . The Chronicle is disturbed, though, by the suggestions that because tobacco is involved in marriage and funeral rites, there is the need to re-examine the role of the crop in these traditional rites. We do not believe the need to control tobacco abuse should affect the way funeral and marriages rites are organised in the north. We do not want a situation where our cultural values would be debased because tobacco features in their observations. Surely, there could be a way of minimising the abuse of tobacco without curtailing traditional rites that identify the people as distinctive members of the human species. Ghanaian Chronicle Ghana Wed, 08 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://jordantimes.com/?news=37997&searchFor=smoking http://tobacco.org/news/322045.html May 31 is the international "World No Tobacco Day", meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe and to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and its negative health effects. This pernicious habit currently leads to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually, so the day might be a good opportunity to raise awareness to the phenomenon and its often-deadly consequences. . . . Unfortunately, Jordan cannot feel proud of its measures against smoking as its ambitious legislation against it in public places remains words, not deeds. The Ministry of Health, which is spearheading the national campaign against smoking and doing its best to raise awareness about tobacco-related diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular ailments, is complaining in the open that other ministries are simply not cooperating with its drive against smoking in public places. . . . When 34 per cent of our physicians - the educated individuals aware of the bad effects of the habit - smoke, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health, we should fear the worse. The campaign against smoking has to be taken more seriously, and this calls for the full cooperation of all stakeholders, including the ministries and the private sector. Jordan Times Jordan Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14894&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=28 http://tobacco.org/news/322026.html Ever since the Law on the Protection of Population from Tobacco Smoke took effect on 11 November 2010, the number of smokers in Serbia, as well as smoking in public places, has dropped considerably, it was announced on the occasion of May 31, World No Tobacco Day. Exposure to tobacco smoke at work has been reduced by 10% and has dropped as much as 23% at schools and universities. The number of people allowing tobacco smoke in their homes has dropped, too. However, in the period from November through April, 134 reports against offenders were filed and two fines were pronounced - one to a legal person and the other to a person in charge. . . . In order to attend to our citizens’ health to full extent, we have selected as future priorities the printing of warnings as labels on tobacco product packages, the strengthening of health care and medical assistance to those who try to give up smoking, support to the NGO sector actively engaged in tobacco control and cooperation between various sectors in the application of the National Strategy and Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, says Stanković. International Radio Serbia Serbia Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.foroyaa.gm/modules/news/article.php?storyid=7103 http://tobacco.org/news/321908.html The World Health Regional Director, Dr Luis G. Sambo has said that Tobacco use remain the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death. He said Smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancer, 70% of chronic bronchitis and emphysema; and 25% of ischemic heart disease. This message was delivered on the World No Tobacco Day. He Said money spent on tobacco can be better spent on vital needs such as shelter, education and food. He said the economic impact of disability, lost productivity and early deaths due to tobacco has contribute to the burden of poverty, retarding national development and further widening health inequities. "Tobacco control is not only a public health priority but also a key development issue", he said He stated that the theme for 'World No Tobacco Day' this year is: "The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control". Foroyaa Newspaper Gambia Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.merinews.com/article/250-million-people-use-tobacco-in-india-90-have-oral-cancer/15852505.shtml http://tobacco.org/news/321904.html ACCORDING TO a survey, around 250 million people in India use tobacco to chew, smoke or use it in some other way. The government has been trying to curb the use of tobacco for a very long time now. To make people cut back on their tobacco and cigarette use, the government banned public smoking in 2001, but to no avail. Now the government has decided to print gory pictures of Cancer affected people to make smokers understand the extent to which they are harming their body. They must also understand that they are not only harming themselves but also affecting people around them - including families who depend on them. The inclusion of gory pictures is a latest agenda of the government to shock consumers of tobacco products. According to a survey, people in India chew tobacco more than they smoke it, which leads to oral cancer. Although pictorial representation of tobacco harm started in 2009 but the impact was negligible, owing to the bad representation of the pictures, which fail to impart the threat involved in the act. merinews /cj/rishi283@gmail.com India Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.canadanewswire.com/en/releases/archive/May2011/31/c9139.html http://tobacco.org/news/321893.html The Ontario Coalition for Smoke-Free Movies presented compelling new public survey results on World No Tobacco Day and cited the growing body of evidence and support from leading health organizations which include: the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, the U.S. National Cancer Institute, and the World Health Organization. According to the survey, nearly three out of four (73 per cent) Ontarians said they would support a policy initiative to get smoking out of youth-rated movies. "Research shows the more youth see smoking in movies, the more likely they are to start," said Dr. Rosana Pellizzari, medical officer of health, Peterborough County-City Health Unit, one of the many organizations endorsing policy recommendations to remove smoking from youth-rated movies. "The public agrees that smoking in movies is a serious public health issue, especially as it relates to youth. As tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario, this issue needs to be addressed." The survey was commissioned by the Ontario Coalition for Smoke-Free Movies, a group of significant health organizations from across the province that have come together to counter the harmful impact of smoking in movies, particularly as it targets and influences Ontario's youth. The March 2011 survey was conducted by Ipsos Reid and is based on online interviews with a stratified random sampling of 812 Ontarians, 18 years of age or older. Canada Newswire media@smokefreemovies.ca (ONTARIO COALITION FOR SMOKE-FREE MOVIES) Canada Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/228771.php http://tobacco.org/news/321856.html ASH Chief Executive Deborah Arnott was presented with an award from the World Health Organization by the Minister for Public Health, Anne Milton at an event to mark the charity's 40th anniversary, yesterday. At a special meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, Ms Milton presented the World No Tobacco Day Award 2011 in recognition of ASH's 'dynamic' international work supporting the establishment of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including the development of the illicit trade protocol. Accepting the award, Deborah Arnott said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of ASH . Since the charity was founded 40 years ago, we have seen a dramatic fall in smoking from around half of all adults to just one fifth. This achievement is due to the support of parliamentarians from all parties, who have helped to ensure that the UK remains a world leader in tobacco policy." Medical News TODAY UK Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.2682/news_detail.asp http://tobacco.org/news/321744.html Today is World No Tobacco Day, and the media have commemorated the occasion from a variety of perspectives. The New York Times today features an article focusing on new state laws that seek to ban or limit hookah use, which many teens and young adults wrongly believe is a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. Paul G. Billings, a vice president of the American Lung Association, tells The Times that such anti-hookah policies are "a top priority" for the group. Meanwhile, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has decided to mark the holiday by informing Kansans that Philip Morris/Altria, in partnership with the smokeless tobacco company Skoal USA, is using the state as a test market for their tobacco sticks -- which wibw.com reports as "a new product that comes with some of the same health risks as other tobacco products." . . . ACSH's Dr. Josh Bloom points out that, while the amount of nicotine in one of these sticks could be quite toxic for a small child, an equally valid concern would be swallowing the stick. ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross adds, "Anything that can be swallowed by a child can become toxic. Like any other product children could put in their mouths, it could be harmful but no more than, say, choking on a hot dog. As far as toxicity from the nicotine goes, that seems far-fetched. I seriously doubt that a child would suck on ten of these sticks at once. Those who highlight such ill-founded fears fail to appreciate the desperate need of addicted smokers for effective cessation products." ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, however, believes these stories illustrate the misguided priorities implied by World No Tobacco Day. "Clearly, the main focus of the occasion -- that is, cigarettes -- has been missed," she says. Priorities for Health Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/30/c8845.html http://tobacco.org/news/321649.html On the eve of World No Tobacco Day (May 31st), the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (with represents tobacco retailers and manufacturers) issued a press release, calling on the government to focus on the fight against contraband. The organization claims that * "illegal cigarettes make a mockery of Canada's tobacco control efforts", * "contraband remains in heavy use amongst kids", and * "to date there has been woefully little progress." "While we support the fight against contraband, we also believe it needs to be put in its proper perspective, and it certainly shouldn't be distorted for the tobacco industry's benefit. Legal cigarettes account for the vast majority of tobacco products consumed by Canadian smokers and represent the main gateway to nicotine addiction for youth. Tougher restrictions on the legal market remain essential and urgent," says Flory Doucas, spokesperson of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control. In order to correct any misinformation about the current tobacco contraband problem, the Quebec Coalition would like to highlight the following points: 1. The Canadian contraband market has shrunk considerably over that past few years—from 33% to 19% according to the Imperial Tobacco's parent company, due to "stronger government enforcement measures" Canada Newswire Canada Mon, 30 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/30/c8876.html http://tobacco.org/news/321648.html FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS AN OP-ED By John Clayton Vice-President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Imperial Tobacco Canada "World No Tobacco Day" is celebrated every year on May 31.  No doubt, politicians across the country will once again this year join anti-tobacco activists under the campaign banner of a Tobacco Free World.  After all, isn't beating up on Big Tobacco and Canadian smokers always viewed as an easy political win? But when the photo-ops finish this week, Imperial Tobacco Canada, the nation's largest legal tobacco company, has a more difficult question to ask our nation's policy makers:  do you have a clear and comprehensive tobacco control strategy that recognizes the dual realities of Canada's legal and illegal tobacco markets, and also considers the potential unintended consequences of failed "good" policies given the emergence of a thriving black market? Those of us who work in the legal tobacco industry do not see such a strategy. In fact, here's what we do see: + We see provincial governments, with inexplicable disregard for basic market principles, pushing tobacco taxes well past the tipping point . . . Politicians see tobacco as an easy win. We ask them to open their eyes and see that the real tobacco problem in Canada is not the regulated and enforced legal industry, where already over 200 laws and regulations exist, but rather the unregulated and growing illegal black market.  Times have changed and tobacco control must change too.   If not, government may succeed in handing over the tobacco trade to the underground and criminal market - a free-for-all market that is unregulated, unenforced and untaxed. . . . We know that many readers will not agree with our views on this situation. Some will likely accuse us of trying to deflect attention from our own troubles. Others may even suggest that government needs to address BOTH the legal and illegal markets. Fair enough. But does anyone truly believe that the nation's policy makers have meaningful solutions to the new tobacco reality of today? Does anyone believe that governments have the political will to address publicly the source of the problem: the more than 50 illegal factories and over 300 smoke-shacks on First Nations land? Unfortunately, we remain doubtful and without action these numbers will only increase in future years. Politicians see tobacco as an easy win. We ask them to open their eyes and see that the real tobacco problem in Canada is not the regulated and enforced legal industry, where already over 200 laws and regulations exist, but rather the unregulated and growing illegal black market. Times have changed and tobacco control must change too. If not, government may succeed in handing over the tobacco trade to the underground and criminal market - a free-for-all market that is unregulated, unenforced and untaxed. Canada Newswire Canada Mon, 30 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2011/31/c9139.html http://tobacco.org/news/321645.html The Ontario Coalition for Smoke-Free Movies presented compelling new public survey results on World No Tobacco Day and cited the growing body of evidence and support from leading health organizations which include: the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, the U.S. National Cancer Institute, and the World Health Organization. According to the survey, nearly three out of four (73 per cent) Ontarians said they would support a policy initiative to get smoking out of youth-rated movies. "Research shows the more youth see smoking in movies, the more likely they are to start," said Dr. Rosana Pellizzari, medical officer of health, Peterborough County-City Health Unit, one of the many organizations endorsing policy recommendations to remove smoking from youth-rated movies. "The public agrees that smoking in movies is a serious public health issue, especially as it relates to youth. As tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario, this issue needs to be addressed." Canada Newswire media@smokefreemovies.ca (ONTARIO COALITION FOR SMOKE-FREE MOVIES) Canada Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT http://tribune.com.pk/story/188447/say-no-to-tobacco-smoking-is-a-licence-to-kill/ http://tobacco.org/news/321596.html Despite worldwide awareness campaign about negative health effects of smoking, more than one billion people in the world and approximately 20 per cent of women in Pakistan are engaged in this hazardous activity. This was stated by medical students at a ceremony held at Khyber Girls Medical College (KGMC) on Monday. The KGMC students in collaboration with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation (KPHF), organised a programme in connection with World No Tobacco Day which was celebrated all over the world on May 31. KPHF Managing Director Dr Umar Ayub attended the event as the chief guest. Addressing the students, Dr Ayub explained the hazards of smoking. He said even though shisha smoking was banned in Sindh, people in other provinces had open access to it. The students appreciated the government’s decision of increasing sales tax on cigarettes and urged the government to take practical steps to control the use of tobacco. . . . Lubna Khan, another student of KGMC held the media responsible for promoting smoking among the younger generation. She said the health warning at the end of television commercials was not enough to fulfil social responsibilities and the media and other advertising agencies should take effective steps to increase awareness about dangers of smoking in the country. Express Tribune Pakistan Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT