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Money
up in Smoke
Smokers were
yesterday urged to kick the habit for the sake of
their wealth if not their health.
Around £5.5bn
is spent on tobacco in England alone, with some
households splashing out £3,000 a year.
To mark World
No Tobacco Day, the highest spending parts of the
country were "named and shamed" by the NHS
Smoking Helpline.
The Southeast
spent the most, coughing up £881m a year, followed
by the Northwest (£824m) and then London (£682m).
Source: Daily
Express, 31st May 2004 |
|
WNTD: Call for UK Smoking
Ban
On World No Tobacco Day, leading UK
health
organisations write in to the Guardian calling for
a ban on smoking in all workplaces and public
places:
"On World No
Tobacco Day (May 31), we ask how many more
consultations are going to be needed before the
government will grasp the nettle of banning
smoking in all workplaces and public places.
"Which other
single public health measure could save about
5,000 lives per year?
"The evidence
is conclusive. The chief medical officer, Liam
Donaldson, the government's adviser on the
National Health Service, Derek Wanless, and the
presidents of all 13 royal colleges of medicine
all recommend making public places and workplaces
smoke-free - and there is strong public support
for action. Yet 3 million people in Britain are
still routinely exposed to second-hand smoke at
work.
"In Ireland,
all workplaces, including public houses, have
successfully gone smoke-free this year. We urge
the British government to follow Ireland's lead
without further delay."
Donna Covey,
Asthma UK; Prof Charles George, British Heart
Foundation; Helena Shovelton, British Lung
Foundation; Prof Peter Bell, British Vascular
Foundation; Prof Alex Markham, Cancer Research UK;
Benet Middleton, Diabetes UK; Steve Crone, Quit;
John Barrick, Stroke Association; Beverly Malone,
Royal College of Nursing; Ben Youdan, No Smoking
Day; Deborah Arnott, ASH.
Source: The
Guardian, 31st May 2004 |
|
Tobacco Giant funds 'bad gene' Hunt
Following the launch
of a major new website that will give access to
all internal industry documents currently held at
the Guildford Depository, The Observer reports on
secret memos that show British American Tobacco
spent millions on studies playing down the link
between cigarettes and cancer.
Secret documents reveal Britain's largest tobacco
company has gone to great lengths to produce
scientific evidence clouding the link between
smoking and lung cancer.
According to newly unearthed internal company
papers, BAT has spent millions of pounds funding
university research to back the controversial
theory of 'genetic predisposition', which argues
that some people are more susceptible to lung
cancer than others because they have 'bad genes'.
The tobacco industry is keen to advance the theory
because it implies that only around one in 10
smokers - those with 'bad genes' - are at a
'heightened risk' from smoking and need to quit.
In recent years a number of scientists have used
the theory to raise the possibility that people
will soon be able to take a genetic test to see if
they are more likely to suffer from lung cancer.
But most scientists scorn the theory. They point
to several studies which found no significant link
between someone's genetic make-up and lung cancer.
They also say the tobacco lobby's research ignores
other diseases such as emphysema.
Now it has emerged that, in an attempt to provide
itself with more ammunition to advance the theory,
BAT - whose brands include Benson & Hedges, John
Player and Rothmans - has been bankrolling
research into 'genetic predisposition' at several
British universities.
In conjunction with the anti-smoking group Ash,
Gene Watch is preparing to publish a list of UK
scientists who have received BAT funding but not
declared it in their research papers, something
which opens them up to the accusation that they
failed to declare a conflict of interest.
'Geneticists who take tobacco money are dancing
with the devil,' said Helen Wallace,
spokeswoman for Gene Watch. 'The public has
been misled for decades by scientists who think
they've found the gene for lung cancer. All
smokers are at risk of early death or serious
disease.'
Full Article
Source: The Observer, 30th May 2004 |
Smoking to be a
Capital Offence?
There is wide coverage in the national newspapers
over the avowed intent of two leading Mayoral
candidates for London to turn the capital
smoke-free.
The Daily Express quote Labour's Ken Livingstone
citing the "overwhelming majority" of
Londoners who supported the idea, and that he
would be obliged to heed such a consensus.
Mr Livingstone's Conservative counterpart Steve
Norris claimed New York and Ireland as examples of
"extraordinarily successful" smoke-free
implementation. However, Liberal Democrat Mayoral
candidate Simon Hughes rejected the idea of a
smoking ban in the capital, dismissing it as a
"nanny state" solution.
Smoking bans are one of a number of public health
ideas currently being floated by a Department of
Health consultation, and due to be published in
the autumn. Whilst Government is contemplating a
nationwide smoking ban, implementation could be
left to local authorities - such as the Greater
London Authority.
Anti-smoking MP Andy Burnham said: "I feel
that, in time, people will look back and say 'why
did they take so long to take this action'. If
people are sceptical they should go to Ireland and
see what a huge difference it has made. The time
has come to go down the same route here. If London
did this it would be a clear signal to other
cities to get on and create healthier, safer
working environments for all."
The Guardian notes Mr Livingstone's views
represent a personal rethink. It reminds readers
that in a letter to the London Evening Standard
last year Mr Livingstone admitted in times past of
enjoying Cuban cigars in London restaurants. The
Guardian also notes whoever is elected Mayor on
June 10 the problem of pollution in London will
have to be addressed. The capital has one of the
worst levels of pollution in Europe.
With several major cities such as Manchester,
Liverpool and Newcastle, contemplating smoke-free
policies, the Daily Mail says pressure groups
think change is imminent - largely due to the
threat of compensation lawsuits from bar workers.
An Evening Standard editorial points out that
there is an overwhelming medical case for people
to quit smoking. It maintains that public policy
should continue to encourage smokers to abandon
their habit. However, the paper believes in
upholding people's right to smoke and that
provision should be made to facilitate smokers'
requirements. The Standard ends with the
observation: "In the future, it is all too
likely that cigarette-smoking will diminish as
smokers become increasingly uncomfortable about
smoking in public. The sooner the better."
Predictably the Daily Telegraph pours scorn on the
spectre of a smoke-free London, and dismisses the
calibre of the Mayoral candidates: "Can't they
find anything more important to talk about?"
the editorial asks. "London is a financial
power house and the capital not only of Britain,
but also of Europe. Yet it suffers from a decayed
public space, shoddy transport system, high crime,
filthy streets and pockets of serious poverty."
The whingeing leader ends with a rallying cry:
"Unless Mr Norris can propose something more
exciting than a smoking ban, London will be
subjected to another four years of Mr
Livingstone's regime, by default."
Smoke-free policies are popular, according to the
results of an online poll, reports the Birmingham
Post.
Up to 80 per cent of West Midlanders who responded
to the survey indicated they would support a law
banning smoking in the workplace.
More than 10,300 took part in the Big Smoke Debate
to weigh public opinion on smoking in public, with
four out of five indicating their support for a
workplace ban.
The figure contradicts those produced by
pro-smoking lobby Forest, which claimed in a
recent survey 69 percent of Birmingham residents
opposed a ban.
Source: Daily Express, May 27th 2004, Guardian,
Evening Standard May 26th, Daily Mail May 27th,
Daily Telegraph, Birmingham Post, May 26th |
Formula One: Kissing Goodbye to Tobacco?
F1 Magazine questions how much longer the sport
can sustain tobacco sponsorship and urges a
rethink on possible alternatives. "A glance at
the latest list of Fortune 500 reveals there is
plenty of money untapped by F1 in the US alone",
the publication notes. "Fewer than 20 of
Fortune 500 companies have a presence in F1. But
many US giants, such as Coca-Cola, Kellogg's,
Pepsi and Pfizer will never touch F1 until tobacco
is gone". The magazine ends with a resounding
plea: "Time to stub out your fags, lads".
Source: F1 Racing (UK) May 2004 |
Microsoft: Saying hello to F1?
The Daily Telegraph speculates that Microsoft
could be a possible source of lucrative Formula
One sponsorship funding when the EU ban on tobacco
sponsorship begins in 2006. The Toyota team and
Ferrari are both believed to be keen on
associating their racing cars with Bill Gates'
computer company.
Source: Daily Telegraph. May 26th, 2004 |
Tragic killings over Smoking
Several papers report on the tragic and bizarre
story of a mentally disturbed husband who stabbed
his wife and two sons to death after discovering
his wife smoking more than the prenuptial
agreement of six-a-day.
Hotelier John Jarvis then turned the knife on
himself but failed in his suicide attempt. The
couple's thirteen year old daughter discovered the
bloodbath the next morning and alerted the police.
Jarvis has admitted three counts of manslaughter
on the grounds of diminished responsibility and
has been detained indefinitely under the Mental
Health Act.
Source: Daily Mail, Daily Star, Daily Mirror,
Daily Telegraph, Daily Express, The Sun 25th
May 2004 |
FCTC: Campaigners worried
about Slow Progress
A year after the World Health Assembly adopted the
framework convention on tobacco control, the goal
of having 40 countries ratify the treaty by 29th
June is proving elusive.
While 192 member nations of the World Health
Organization backed the convention last year, only
113 countries have taken the first step towards
implementing it by signing it. Of these only 13
have taken the next step and ratified it
(indicating a country's agreement to be bound by
the provisions after the convention comes into
force), most of which are developing countries.
The only developed countries to ratify the
convention are New Zealand and Norway.
Key provisions of the convention-which will come
into force 90 days after 40 countries have
ratified it-include bans on advertising and
promotion, support for tax increases, and
protecting people from second hand smoke.
The European Union is expected to ratify the
convention at its early June meeting in Ireland.
The seven EU accession states that haven't yet
ratified are expected to follow. That would bring
the total number of countries to ratify it to 35.
South Africa and Thailand both strong supporters
of the convention, have yet to do so.
WHO's representative for the South Pacific, Dr Ken
Chen, said that last week the Cook Islands
announced at a meeting for Pacific nations on the
treaty that it would sign the convention (but
would be unlikely to ratify it by 29th
June). "Most of the Pacific nations have
indicated that they intend to sign the convention
before 29th June," Dr Chen said.
Full Article
Source: British Medical Journal, 22nd
May 2004 |
Survey reveals Majority in Favour of Smoke-free
Public Places
Most Britons support a ban on smoking in public
places, a survey revealed.
The survey conducted by market research analysts
Mintel found 52 per cent of British adults gave
the thumbs up for smoke-free public places.
Significantly, this included 29 percent of
smokers. However, 1 in 4 smokers said they would
not visit a public place that had introduced a no
smoking policy.
Commenting on the findings Amanda Lintott of
Mintel said: "The fact that a significant
proportion of smokers support a ban on smoking in
public places highlights that many do have a
conscience. They are aware that their habit can be
detrimental not only to their own health, but also
to
the health of those around them."
The Daily Express and Daily Star also report the
story.
Source: Daily Telegraph, May 20th 2004 |
No Smoking? You're Joking!
The Times reports that one of Britain's leading
private health companies BUPA, has pulled out of
plans for a conference in Dublin due to the Irish
ban on smoking in public places.
Apparently, almost half of BUPA staff smoke. The
company has spent considerable sums of money
promoting an anti-smoking stance.
The Burlington Hotel in Dublin was the proposed
conference venue, which was set to host 700
delegates for BUPA's annual meeting. The
conference was due to last several days and
included a lavish banquet and drinks reception. It
is estimated the function was worth £250,000 to
the hotel, with the entire 550-bedroom hotel being
fully occupied.
A BUPA spokesman applied a different spin on the
story: "We are holding our conference in the
United Kingdom. We looked briefly at Dublin and
other possible venues. We decided on the United
Kingdom because of convenience, less complicated
travel arrangements and lower costs", he said.
Only when confronted about the possible role
Ireland's smoking ban might have played did a
spokeswoman concede, it may have been a factor:
"During our visit to the Burlington, the smoking
ban was mentioned."
Martin O'Rourke, Managing Director of BUPA
Ireland cited "logistical reasons" for the
venue change, and went on to pledge BUPA's support
of Ireland smoke-free workplace legislation: "Any
other position would not be credible for us. The
benefits of Ireland's policy are clear for
individuals, insurance companies and society at
large", he said.
Source: The Times, May 19th 2004
Link |
Letters Page: Coughing mad about Passive
Smoking
A Daily Express reader expresses their utter
horror on learning that one bar worker every week
dies from passive smoking.
"The statistics in your article are article are
alarming, though not surprising", the reader
notes. The writer continues: "The dangers have
been known for years and yet serious action has
not been taken to protect non-smoking victims,
especially in enclosed public places."
The letter ends with an assertion stating that
employers have a duty to protect their staff from
the perils of passive smoking and workplace
smoking should not be permitted.
Source: Daily Express, May 19th 2004 |
Smokers: Clean up or Pay
up
Failure to dispense with cigarette ends could hit
smokers in the pocket, notes the Daily Star.
Litter warden Vince Warrington has been hired by
Kettering council as part of its drive to
clampdown on litter, including wrappers, cans and
other rubbish.
"All our bins have stubbers so that you can put
your cigarette out before you drop it in the bin",
said a council spokeswoman. Mr Warrington said:
"It's certainly not an anti-smoking campaign and
it's not about making money".
Mr Warrington has issued a number of fines to
litter offenders, resulting in imminent court
appearances to three people who have refused to
pay-up.
Source: Daily Star, May 19th 2004 |
Alarm as second-hand smoke kills one Bar Worker
every Week
There is widespread coverage about new, disturbing
evidence of passive smoking. It is estimated one
bar worker every week dies as a result of inhaling
second hand smoke. The dramatic findings are
figures calculated by Professor Konrad Jamrozik of
Imperial College London.
A Daily Star editorial called for an end to
smoking in pubs and restaurants, whilst the Daily
Express highlighted the case of TV entertainer Roy
Castle - a victim of lung cancer in 1994.
Professor Jamrozik calculates passive smoking
accounts for 49 deaths a year among those working
in the hospitality trade - a figure double that of
those exposed to smoke in the home.
Professor Jamrozik's research will be revealed
today at a conference organised by the Royal
College of Physicians (RCP), and is part of its
drive to ban smoking in public.
The College believes that the situation is
intolerable and could be "completely prevented
if all indoor public places and workplaces became
smoke free.
"Environmental tobacco smoke in pubs, bars,
restaurants, and other public places is seriously
damaging to the health of employees," said
Carol Black, president of the RCP. "Making
these places smoke free not only protects
vulnerable staff and the public, it will also help
over 300, 000 people in Britain stop smoking."
Deborah Arnott, director of ASH said the findings
revealed "the bankruptcy of the hospitality
trade bodies' voluntary approach."
Source: The Independent, May 17th
2004; Daily Star; Daily Express;
The Guardian; Financial Times; the Sun; The Times;
Daily Mirror;
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3 |
Investigation Reveals Rising Mortality Rates for
Lung Disease
The Sunday Times Magazine devotes a detailed
investigation into the secret and worrying rise in
deaths from lung disease in Britain.
The magazine highlights the role of asbestos dust
as a chief cause of mesothelioma (cancer of the
pleura). "Asbestos is the leading cause of
work-related cancer, is the most fatal
manufactured carcinogen after tobacco", The
Sunday Times reports.
Treatment for asbestos induced lung cancer is
remote and there is a lack of Government funding.
The cynical explanation given is that this is
chiefly due to the profile of the typical asbestos
victim - men in the twilight years of working
lives.
Trade unions in the 1970s are criticised for
placing greater emphasis on membership at the
expense of health and safety. The contrast with
the attitude taken towards the problem in
Australia is quite marked, where modern medical
research technology was put at the disposal of
scientists and doctors.
The Observer notes that by 2020, "10,000 people
a year could be dying from fibres already in their
bodies." The paper offers advice to occupants
of Britain's 21 million residential dwellings:
"The consensus is that asbestos materials in good
condition and not releasing fibres which are
unlikely to be disturbed should be left in peace.
Materials which are damaged or deteriorating can
often be safely sealed."
However, the author adds one caveat - white,
fluffy pipe insulation (in the loft) and huge
ceiling panels. With an eye to property prices the
writer warns that this variety of asbestos can
drastically reduce its property values.
Arlene Judith Klotzko, a Financial Times
contributor draws attention to the growing number
of people in Britain suffering lung conditions and
premature deaths.
The writer notes "the biggest killer is not heart
disease or cancer; it's lung disease." Ms Klotzko
cites a recent report by the European Respiratory
Society that indicates Britain holds the dubious
claim to sixth position in the European league of
breathlessness. Only Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ireland headed that
particular unwelcome list.
One in four deaths in the UK occurs as a result of
lung disease, chiefly asthma, pneumonia, lung
cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
British women fare particularly badly, with death
rates three times that of their counterparts in
France and Germany.
Source: Financial Times Magazine. May 15th 2004
Link
1
Link 2 |
F1 set to keep its Tobacco Habit
Formula 1 looks increasingly likely to continue
with tobacco sponsorship, despite the imminent
threat of bans on the tobacco advertising in the
sport, reports the Autosport magazine.
It was revealed last weekend that new Spanish
Grand Prix contract that runs until 2011 could be
scrapped if tobacco advertising is not allowed at
the circuit. Now teams have expressed their own
desire to keep cigarette money flowing into their
sponsorship coffers.
World champion Ferrari has admitted that it is
looking at ways in which current backer Marlboro
can continue, perhaps by merely running with its
red and white brand colours.
Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt said: "We
will try to continue as much as we can. As much as
we are able to work with Philip Morris, we will do
it."
When asked whether he believed tobacco sponsorship
in the sport should go on beyond 2006, when a
worldwide ban would come into force, Todt said:
"Probably, with some changes. But definitely,
tobacco will still be in motor racing."
But an editorial in the Motorsport News says that
smoking in F1 will stunt the sports growth in the
future and teams are missing an opportunity by not
moving away from tobacco sponsorship money.
The Motorsport News editorial says that whilst it
is massively disappointing the F1 chose to retain
its links with tobacco sponsorship, it should not
have been so depressingly inevitable: "Despite
the FIA's reluctance to conform with EU
directives, enforcing a tobacco ban in F1 would
have been so easy to achieve in the present
climate. With everyone working to nail down costs,
this should have been the perfect moment to
introduce a smoking ban. As it is, the remaining
cigarette cash will become more precious than ever
- to both parties - and will continue to create
ballooning budgets that other teams will be forced
to aspire to. The lure of tobacco cash will also
push F1 away from its heartland and into new
territories. That sets an unhealthy precedent. F1
is abandoning the places that nurtured it in
favour of new circuits that merely view the sport
as a tourist attraction."
Source: Motorsport News, 12th May 2004,
Autosport 13th May 2004 |
Smoking Alarm for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women whose partners smoke face a
"consistently higher" risk of miscarriage, a study
has found.
The research was carried out in the US and China
and published in the American Journal of
Epidemiology. Nearly one third of those with
partners who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day
lost their unborn baby six weeks or less into
pregnancy.
The level for those living with non-smoking men
was slightly higher than one fifth. One of the
researchers Dr Scott Venners of Harvard School of
Public Health said: "Our data suggests that
smoking by male partners leads to the early loss
of some pregnancies that would otherwise have
survived delivery."
Source: Daily Mail, May 13th 2004.
Evening Standard, May 12th 2004
Link |
US signs up to Smoking Reduction
The United States has finally become a signatory
to the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s global
treaty on tobacco control. However, the move was
greeted with caution by some anti-tobacco
campaigners who doubt whether President Bush's
administration will endorse its ratification.
The Wall Street Journal Europe quoted Health and
Human Services Secretary Tommy G Thompson, who
said: "The United States has been a world
leader in anti-smoking efforts. We have committed
more resources than any other country to the
research, development and evaluation of smoking
control and cessation programs, both at home and
abroad.
President Bush and I look forward to working with
WHO and other member nations to implement this
agreement."
It is nonetheless noted that no timetable has been
laid down for the US Senate to ratify the treaty.
The treaty provides a set of principles and a
guide for action on issues ranging from tobacco
advertising to excise taxes and cigarette
smuggling.
As a signatory the US is not compelled to change
any of its tobacco policies, although the US must
not weaken the agreement. Even sanctioning the
treaty would not considerably alter the way
tobacco in the US is regulated, unless Congress
passes requisite legislation for the treaty.
Hence, many anti-smoking lobby organisations
remain unconvinced. The tobacco-control and
corporate responsibility group Infact said:
"Unfortunately, [the US] government has a
history of signing treaties, leveraging its power
to weaken treaties, and then never ratifying them.
This is a stunning PR manoeuvre. We are not
holding our breath for the US to ratify the
treaty", they added.
Source: Wall Street Journal Europe, May 13th
2004 |
New York: Cigs and the City
A large rise in cigarette tax and an end to
smoking in bars has cut the number of smokers in
New York by 100,000.
The Guardian reports that between 2002 and 2003
the number of adult
smokers fell by 11 percent. Meanwhile those who
did not stub out, smoked 13 percent less.
Although the decline occurred across all the
city's boroughs, age, racial and ethnic groups,
the most pronounced fall was registered among the
poorest particularly Bronx residents. This
included African-Americans, Hispanics and women.
Health officials cited the 18 fold tax increase in
cigarette tax as the chief reason for the decline
in smoking.
Source: The Guardian, May 13th 2004.
The Independent, May 13th 2004.
International Herald Tribune, May 13th
2004. The Sun, May 13th 2004.
Link |
Smoke-free Pub Legislation Mooted
The Observer reports that representatives of
Britain's pub and restaurant trade have failed to
convince Government of their voluntary approach
towards smoke-free provision in bars. This has
prompted speculation that an outright ban on
smoking in public places may soon be introduced.
In an earlier meeting with Culture Secretary Tessa
Jowell, pub and bar representatives were asked to
devise a new Public Places Charter, with measures
to protect non-smokers.
However, Ms. Jowell was unimpressed with the
results, and asked the industry to produce a
second draft - the results of which were presented
last week. The industry had hoped their scheme,
which included additional smoke-free areas; modern
ventilation and a ban on smoking at the bar would
have satisfied Ms Jowell and Health Minister
Melanie Johnson. Yet these proposals were not
deemed to have gone far enough.
Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British
Hospitality Association was "disappointed with
the Government's decision". He said "The
industry has worked hard to build consensus and
come up with a voluntary code."
Director of ASH Deborah Arnott believed the
decision marked a significant change in the
direction of an outright ban: "There's been a
sea change within the government. If you look back
six months, government ministers were talking
negatively about legislation. Now it's firmly on
the agenda," said Ms Arnott.
A letter sent by TUC general Secretary Brendan
Barber, indicating that the hospitality industry's
proposals did not comply with their employees'
health and safety requirements is believed to have
been a decisive factor in changing government
thinking on the issue.
The Daily Telegraph also indicated that under the
hospitality industry's voluntary scheme, they
claim that 80 percent of licensed premises by 2007
will have a smoke-free area. The Telegraph also
points out that the sector is keen to avoid
lobbying pressure that persuaded Government to
introduce smoke-free legislation in Ireland and
parts of the United States.
The paper fears that the initiatives by the
hospitality representatives' may not be enough to
stave off legislation, given the call from the
British Medical Association for a ban on smoking
in public places. Despite that some pub chains
have introduced smoke-free pubs, this amounts to
less than 50 out of 60,000 in the country.
The Daily Mail believes that in order to quell a
backlash from 13 million smokers the Government
may hand responsibility for imposing a likely
smoke-free ban on local authorities. The
suggestion has been criticised by "leisure
industry chiefs", who whilst acknowledging the
ban carries public support point out that the
introduction of smoke-free pubs must be total.
They warned that smoke-free zones enforced by
local authorities would result in anarchy. A
number of major cities, including Manchester and
Liverpool would like to be able to use such powers
by 2008 when the latter adopts the title European
City of Culture.
Source: The Observer, May 9th, 2004.
Daily Telegraph, May 8th, 2004. Daily
Mail, 10th May, 2004 |
Major Heart Drug to be offered over the Counter
A new drug that cuts the risk of heart attacks by
reducing cholesterol levels is set for sale over
chemist counters in Britain.
The Sunday Telegraph reports that Health Secretary
John Reid will shortly make the announcement that
statins will be available without the need for
prescriptions. It will be promoted as a major
contribution in the battle against heart disease.
The decision has drawn some criticism, however.
Critics have highlighted the drug's possible
side-effects such as muscle problems and memory
loss. The Royal College of general Practioners
estimate that for every 100,000 patients statins
for a year, four will suffer rhabdomyolysis - a
condition that can result in muscle breakdown and
kidney damage.
Under the proposed plans prospective users will
have a simple blood test at a chemist. If the test
indicates they would benefit from the drug, it
will then be possible to purchase it.
Dr. Reid is expected to point out the drug, and
the over the counter accessibility point the way
forward for patient choice is concerned. Previous
efforts at cutting down heart disease focused on
smoking reduction.
Source: Sunday Telegraph, May 9th, 2004 |
Birmingham Club Bosses back Smoking Ban Calls
Bar and club owners in Birmingham have called on
the Government to implement a ban on smoking in
public places.
Representatives from some of the most high-profile
venues in the city said that if the Government was
not prepared to "bite the bullet", the city
council should take the initiative.
Speaking at a health debate to be screened on the
BBC this weekend, the views were applauded by
health officials and members of the public.
Mark Tughan, owner of the Glee Club, said he would
introduce a smoking ban at the popular comedy
venue tomorrow if he thought people would respect
it.
"We need the law to do that for us because
people do not respect the individual edict of
someone like me," he said. "Not only do I
think the vast majority of my customers would
prefer it, it would ensure the 50 people I have
working for me would be protected from breathing
second-hand smoke. Who are these people that say
the trade does not support it and who do they
speak for? I would implement a ban tomorrow, and
have talked to my staff about going it alone, but
I think we need the strength of the Government or,
if not them, the city council to make it possible.
It would rediscover the city's reputation for
being at the cutting edge."
Source: IC Birmingham.co.uk, 6th May
2004 |
Smoke Quit bid Targets Mums-to-be
Mums-to-be who smoke can get help to quit from a
pioneering project. The new Breathe scheme in
Glasgow aims to cut the number of children born
prematurely underweight or with illnesses such as
asthma - all common when mothers smoke.
Pregnant women in Glasgow will have a routine
carbon monoxide test as part of their first clinic
test.
If it shows they smoke, they will be referred to
specialist midwives offering nicotine replacement
therapy or other aids.
In Glasgow alone around 3,000 babies are born to
smokers and, in the most deprived areas up to 50
per cent of mothers smoke.
Dr Neil Gibson, consultant in paediatric
respiratory medicine at the city's Yorkhill
Hospital, said: "Babies born to mums who smoke
have under developed lungs and that damage could
be permanent. They are four times more likely to
need hospitalisation for chest infections than
kids whose parents do not smoke. If we could help
pregnant women quit smoking, we could reduce that
dramatically."
Evening Times coverage
Source: Glasgow Daily Record, 6th May
2004 |
Prizes for Pupils to Stop Smoking
Schoolchildren in Sheffield are being offered free
CD players and trips to a theme park as prizes for
resisting the pressures to smoke cigarettes.
Twenty-two classes from schools across the city
has signed up for the scheme which is the first of
it's kind in England, and is aimed at discouraging
children aged ten to 14, from experimental
smoking.
Around 450 young people in Britain start smoking
every day, and the competition aims to reduce the
number of young people becoming hooked on the
habit.
The competition is based upon a successful smoking
prevention campaign, currently run in 15 European
countries and in Sheffield is being organised by
the Healthy School Standard team and the Sheffield
NHS Stop Smoking Service.
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Source: Sheffield Today, 6th May 2004 |
Threat of Cardiovascular Disease to Developing
Countries
Cardiovascular disease is a public health threat
in developing countries, more significant than
hitherto realised, warns the British Medical
Journal.
The report published by the Earth Institute notes
that young people are particularly vulnerable.
Population data from five middle income countries
- Brazil, South Africa, the Russian republic of
Tatarstan, India and China was used to calculate
the effects of cardiovascular disease.
The results indicated that heart disease and
stroke were more pressing threats to world health
than was previously thought. Death from
cardiovascular disease among working age people in
India, South Africa and Brazil was one and a half
to two times as high as that of the United States.
Mortality rates for people aged 35-64 were
significantly higher in Brazil, South Africa,
Tatarstan and India than in the United States.
The report recommended several measures to combat
cardiovascular disease, with a reduction in
tobacco production alongside improved nutrition,
improved education and physical activity among
them.
A World Health Organisation representative said:
"Very little international aid goes into CVD
(cardiovascular disease) prevention and control."
He suggested funds should be greatly increased,
but not at the expense of programmes such as
malaria and tuberculosis prevention.
Source: British Medical Journal, May 1st
2004 |
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