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December 2nd, 2012:

Riot-free move to smoke ban surprises jails

Inmates at Hawkes Bay Prison protested before the ban. Photo / APN

Inmates at Hawkes Bay Prison protested before the ban. Photo / APN

Prison bosses have admitted that they expected riots when they banned smoking in jails last year.

The Corrections Department’s principal research adviser, Dr Carolina Lukkien, told a criminology conference in Auckland that no country had banned smoking in all its prisons on a single day until New Zealand did it on July 1 last year.

“Smoking has long been part of prison culture. Two-thirds of prisoners are smokers,” she said.

“It’s fair to say we expected riots and expected things not to go as well as they did.”

The ban made all tobacco products and lighters “contraband”, imposing disciplinary consequences if prisoners or guards were found with them.

Dr Lukkien said the ban was effective. Confiscations plunged from 569 lighters and 237 tobacco items in the first month of the ban to two lighters and 12 tobacco items in June this year.

Nurses in all prisons offered nicotine-replacement patches and lozenges to all smokers for up to 12 weeks.

Dr Lukkien said some prisons held barbecues and concerts to involve prisoners in “celebrating” going smokefree, rather than seeing it as a hardship.

A second evaluation, completed this year by Wellington-based Litmus Ltd and Kaipuke Consultants, found that half of the prisoners who had been smokers said they either would not or might not start smoking again after leaving jail.

It said prisons provided more gym and other exercise facilities to help keep inmates’ minds off smoking, and health staff reported health improvements as a result.

“Improvements in prisoners’ self-esteem and confidence were also evident. Health staff reported prisoners telling them that having given up a nicotine addiction means that they feel they can give up other addictive behaviour also.”

The evaluators visited five prisons and found tensions reduced after the ban at two but increased at two others.

“Across all prisons, there has been no observed increase in the number of reported violence incidents (assaults, standovers, intimidation, ‘taxing’ and fighting) leading up to or following the policy’s implementation,” the summary said.

But Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon, who works at Hawkes Bay Prison, said violent incidents had increased 180 per cent in the past two years, because of the smoking ban and increased double-bunking.

“It’s a bit rich to say there were no riots,” he said.

“At Hawkes Bay Prison we had two major incidents in the lead-up to the smoking ban. In one of them, prisoners barricaded themselves in a yard and demanded smokes and eventually got on to the roof.

“Corrections say those don’t count because they were before the official start date,” Mr Hanlon said. “But a month out, prisoners were no longer allowed to buy tobacco. That was the time we said there would be the most tension.”

By Simon Collins Email Simon

Copyright ©2012, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Cigarette Manufacturing in China Industry Research Report – Now Available from IBISWorld

http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Cigarette-Manufacturing-in-China-Industry-4083429.php

Published 5:00 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2012 Page 1 of 1

Revenue for the Cigarette Manufacturing industry in China has been increasing 13.9% annually over the past five years. Demand elasticity for cigarettes is quite low and stable, and cigarette prices are very low in China. In recent years, Chinese smokers have attached greater importance to brand reputation and there has been a consumer shift toward famous-brand, high-quality cigarettes. Stricter government controls on cigarette smoking in public places and other buildings will result in slower demand growth in the future, says IBISWorld. Nevertheless, the smoking population in China is likely to remain high.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 01, 2012

Revenue for the Cigarette Manufacturing industry in China has been increasing 13.9% annually over the past five years. Despite the recent slowdown in China’s economy, the country’s large smoker population is set to drive strong growth in industry revenue to $116.0 billion in 2012, says IBISWorld. Even the global economic recession of 2008 and 2009 had very little effect on the industry as the demand elasticity for cigarettes is quite low and stable, and because cigarette prices are very low in China.

There are about 48 cigarette manufacturers in the Cigarette Manufacturing industry in China, although merger activity has led to a fall in enterprise numbers over the past five years. Revenue from the top four enterprises – Hongyun Honghe Group, Shanghai Tobacco (Group) Corporation, Hongta Group, and China Tobacco Hunan Industrial – accounts for about a third of total industry revenue, which reflects the wide range of cigarette and cigar brands in China. Each brand has a range of different level cigarettes and loyal consumers. In recent years, Chinese smokers have attached greater importance to brand reputation and there has been a consumer shift toward famous-brand, high-quality cigarettes. As a result, domestic cigarette manufacturers have invested in developing their brands and increasing production of higher value-added products.

Stricter government controls on cigarette smoking in public places and other buildings will result in slower demand growth in the future, says IBISWorld. Nevertheless, the smoking population in China is likely to remain high and pricing levels low.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Cigarette Manufacturing in China industry report page.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Cigarette-Manufacturing-in-China-Industry-4083429.php#ixzz2DuG8aY92

New Research Linked Smoke-free Workplaces and Restaurants to Reduced Heart Attacks

http://hometestingblog.testcountry.com/?p=22962

Filed under Health & Wellness by Lena Butler

The introduction of smoke-free laws in Olmsted County, Minnesota in 2002 has led to a decrease in the cases of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths, according to a new study conducted by the Mayo Clinic researchers.

http://hometestingblog.testcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/smoking-ban-255x300.jpg“We now know that not only do smoke-free workplace laws help avoid having a heart attack, but they also reduce the chances of having sudden cardiac death,” lead researcher Dr. Richard Hurt, director of Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center, said in a news release. “Those are both very dramatic things that have a very big impact on workers as well as patrons.”

The team looked into the relationship of smoke-free workplaces and restaurants in Olmsted County and the incidence of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death before and after the passage of smoking bans. They found that 18 months before the county’s first smoke-free ordinance for restaurants went into effect in 2002, the regional incidence of heart attack was 212.3 cases per 100,000 residents. However, 18 months after the implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free law in 2007, that rate dropped by about 45 percent — 102.9 per 100,000 residents.

In addition, the incidence of sudden cardiac death fell from 152.5 to 76.6 per 100,000 residents, a 50 percent reduction, during that same period.

Dangers of exposure to secondhand smoke has been well documented in a string of past research. Apart from raising the risk of heart diseases, secondhand smoke is noted for increasing an individual’s risk to develop lung cancer, asthma, and lower respiratory tract infections. According to the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke in the U.S. alone is responsible for an estimated 46,000 deaths (every year) from heart disease in people who are current non-smokers. Similarly, about 3,400 non-smoking adults succumb to lung cancer because of secondhand smoke.

Quit smoking with FC Barcelona – Barça The European Commission and FC Barcelona are joining forces

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to a life as a successful ex-smoker.

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If you want to login in other language, join the regular iCoach, available in 22 EU languages.

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Available in English, Spanish & Catalan. The FCB iCoach app will guide you step by step to a life as a successful ex-smoker.

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o   QUIT SMOKINGhttp://www.quitsmokingwithbarca.eu/images/ex_smokers_logo.jpg
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Indoor Air Quality at Nine Large-Hub Airports With and Without Designated Smoking Areas — United States, October –November 2012

Download PDF : AirportsmoAreas

Bill to ban smoking at outdoor dining and drinking venues to be introduced to Parliament

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bill-to-ban-smoking-at-outdoor-dining-and-drinking-venues-to-be-introduced-to-parliament/story-e6frf7kx-1226524571081

If passed, the legislation would ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, within 10 metres of playgrounds, within 4 metres of public transport stops, and at sports events. Source: Supplied

A BILL to ban smoking at outdoor dining and drinking venues is being introduced to Parliament by the Greens this week.

Pressure is mounting on the State Government to back the ban, which is supported by Victoria’s peak health organisations and which would bring Victoria into line with all other states.

If passed, the legislation would ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, within 10 metres of playgrounds, within 4 metres of public transport stops, and at sports events.

Greens MLC Colleen Hartland will introduce the Bill to Parliament for its second reading tomorrow, and it is due to be debated in February.

“I don’t understand what is causing the Government to drag its feet on this,” Ms Hartland said.

“Queensland has had this legislation since 2006 and they actually found the number of diners went up, rather than (the law causing) a decrease in customers. For every trader who tells you this is going to be the end of the world, you’ll have two others saying ‘This is going to improve my business’.”

The Australian Medical Association, the Heart Foundation, Quit, and the Cancer Council, as well as the Municipal Association of Victoria, support the proposed bans.

A spokesman for Minister for Health David Davis would not comment on whether the Government would support the Bill, saying it was considering “further options for regulatory reform in consultation with key stakeholders”.

Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said, “We know 70 per cent of Victorians support this ban. And with summer coming on, this support will increase, because people want to be smoke-free in these outdoor places.”

brigid.oconnell@news.com.au

Hard-core smokers more likely to cut back when cigarette taxes rise

Download PDF : Hard-core-smokers-more-likely-to-cut-back-when-cigarette-taxes-rise

www.News-Medical.net

Campaigners raise alarm over tobacco giants’ lobbying against plain packaging

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/dec/02/smoking-tobacco-plain-packaging

Campaigners raise alarm over tobacco giants’ lobbying against plain packaging

Tobacco industry hires two of the world’s most powerful PR firms in attempt to stop other countries following Australia’s lead

Lynton Crosby

The Tories’ new election mastermind Lynton Crosby, whose PR firm lobbied against plain packaging for cigarettes in Australia. Photograph: Andy Hall

Anti-smoking campaigners have expressed alarm that “big tobacco” has been employing two of the world’s most powerful lobbying companies in a bid to stymie the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes.

Crosby Textor, which has been hired by the Conservative party to provide “strategic direction” at the next election, has played a powerful behind-the-scenes role in mobilising opposition to the Australian government’s plans for plain packaging, which became law on Saturday.

Tobacco giants fear that the landmark law, which they tried to thwart by funnelling millions of pounds into an array of front groups purportedly representing small shopkeepers, will be copied around the world. The UK government has concluded a consultation on the issue and will report next year. Many other countries are studying Australia’s decision closely.

News that Lynton Crosby, described as the “master of the dark political arts” and “Australia’s Karl Rove”, is to become the Tories’ election mastermind triggered concerns from campaigners. “It’s very alarming that Mr Crosby now has the ear of the prime minister while the government is still trying to make its mind up whether to bring in such a law,” said Deborah Arnott, head of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).

While Crosby was federal director of the Liberals in Australia, the party accepted substantial donations from the tobacco lobby. Crosby Textor’s co-founder, Mark Textor, has been an adviser to the tobacco industry in Australia, fighting plain packaging.

His clients have included Philip Morris, the owner of the Marlboro brand. His company, which has opened an office in London, Crosby Textor Fullbrook (CTF), has been on retainer for tobacco firms since the 1980s.

CTF has also represented British American Tobacco. Mark Fullbrook, CTF’s co-founder, was also head of campaigning for the Tories.

It has emerged that Luther Pendragon, a major UK lobbying and PR firm whose clients include McDonald’s and Exxon Mobil, has been quietly lobbying against plain packaging on behalf of Philip Morris. The firm has been contacting trading standards officers around the country, warning them that plain packaging “will lead to a significant increase in counterfeiting and so will harm the sales of legitimate retailers”. An email from a Luther Pendragon lobbyist to trading standards teams, obtained by the Observer, says: “We aren’t against their objective, but don’t think this will achieve their aims.”

A related briefing document produced by Philip Morris makes a series of unsubstantiated claims about plain packaging, warning that the “government risks creating the perfect storm for black market expansion”, that jobs will be lost and “that there is no evidence that the move will reduce youth smoking. In fact, it might actually make the situation worse”.

Ash said it was writing to a number of health organisations that have used Luther Pendragon, including St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and NHS Skills for Health, suggesting that they may want to think again before using a firm that promotes the interest of cigarette companies.

“Any of the many health organisations that have used Luther Pendragon in the past should think carefully about whether to do so in the future,” Arnott said. “Do they really want the services of a company that is happy to profit from protecting cigarette sales and fighting efforts to cut the toll of death and disease caused by smoking?”

The lobbying firms’ claims about counterfeiting have been roundly rejected by the Trading Standards Institute, which claims that tobacco products are already easy to counterfeit and that it is not convinced by arguments that suggest the introduction of plain packaging will lead to an increase in counterfeiting.

It also claims that covert safety markings will be used in standardised packaging that will help authorities to distinguish them from counterfeits.

Luther Pendragon’s Brussels office has also been working for the European Retailers and Tobacconists Association. In an email sent to dozens of Brussels-based EU affairs journalists, it promoted a day of action by tobacco retailers in several EU countries, offering to arrange interviews for journalists and providing pictures to illustrate their articles.

“The tobacco industry has poured millions into the campaign to try to stop plain, standardised packaging, first in Australia, where they failed, and now here in the UK,” Arnott said. “That’s because the industry is terrified that standardised packaging will hit their sales.”

Luther Pendragon did not return requests for comment. CTF declined to comment

Bloomberg Businessweek

Cancer Replaces Crests as Australia Cigarette Law Begins

Packs of Marlboro Gold cigarettes, displaying the new generic packaging, at a tobacco store in Melbourne. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Bloomberg News

Tobacco Logos Vanish, Aussies Face Gangrene Pics

By Joe Schneider on December 02, 2012

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-02/australians-face-gangrene-photos-as-tobacco-brands-vanish

Australians buying cigarettes are now guaranteed to face warnings that include photos of a gangrenous limb and a cancer victim as the world’s first law requiring tobacco sales in uniform packages takes effect.

As of Dec. 1, all cigarettes in Australia must be sold in the uniform packs, with the brand name relegated to the bottom quarter of the package on a drab brown background. The changeover from branded cigarette packs to plain packaging began in October.

“They’re so horrifyingly ugly that they are magnificent,” Fiona Sharkie, executive director of anti-smoking campaigner Quit Victoria, said of the new warnings in a phone interview today. Some callers to its hotline said the packaging was the “final push” they needed to stop smoking, she said.

The Australian government faces A$31.5 billion ($33 billion) in annual health costs from smoking, a habit it estimates killed 900,000 of its citizens over six decades. It fended off a challenge from tobacco companies, which lost a bid to block the plain packaging law on Aug. 15 when the High Court of Australia rejected a claim that prohibition of the display of trademarks amounted to an illegal seizure of their property.

The size of the illicit tobacco market in Australia is equivalent to 13.4 percent of the legal industry, Deloitte LLP said in a May report on the cigarette industry.

Illegal Market

“This year’s Deloitte report into illegal tobacco found that nearly $1 billion in tobacco excise revenue was lost to organized crime gangs,” Scott McIntyre, a spokesman for British American Tobacco Plc (BATS) in Australia, said today in an e-mailed statement. “We expect further growth in the black market now that all packs will be easier to copy due to plain packaging.”

Australian Customs and Border Protection seized a shipment of more than 10 million illegal branded-package cigarettes on Nov. 28 as the new law took effect. Customs officials found the contraband while examining a sea cargo container destined for Sydney, which was said to contain ceramic tiles, according to a statement today from the agency. The shipment represented almost A$4 million in unpaid taxes, the agency said.  Customs and Border spokesman Campbell Massie declined to say which brand the seized cigarettes were.

The Australian government has also toughened punishments for smuggling cigarettes, increasing the maximum penalty to 10 years in jail or a fine equivalent to five times the duty evaded, or both.

BAT makes Dunhill, Pall Mall and Australia’s best-selling cigarette brand, Winfield.

Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) is also pursuing the case in international arbitration. The Australian proposal violates a treaty with Hong Kong and may cause billions of dollars in damages, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Schneider in Sydney at jschneider5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Douglas Wong at dwong19@bloomberg.net

©2012 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.

The science behind the campaign

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/images/campaign2013/smoker349x350.jpg

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/advice-and-information/behind-the-campaign/

What is a mutation?

A mutation is a fault in our DNA. DNA carries the instructions for our cells, packaged in the form of genes – these instructions tell the cell how to behave. So faults in our DNA can alter the way a cell behaves. In the case of cancer, damage to our genes causes a cell or group of cells to start to divide and reproduce uncontrollably, often forming a lump or tumour.

What causes mutations?

Mutations can happen by chance when new cells are made as part of normal development or they can be caused by things such as the chemicals in cigarettes that damage the DNA. It is not easy for a normal cell to turn into a cancer cell as around half a dozen different mutations are needed before this happens. The body has ways of repairing mutations, and cells can also destroy themselves if the damage is severe. But these checks and balances aren’t perfect, and sometimes mutations don’t get repaired and cells don’t destroy themselves. Many mutations will happen in parts of our DNA that aren’t crucial to the functioning of the cell, but some will happen in important genes that the body relies on to stay healthy.

It can take a long time before enough mutations happen for a cell to become cancerous. This is why most types of cancer are more common in older people. Although mutations happen naturally in the body, smoking increases the number of mutations – this in turn increases the likelihood of developing enough mutations in crucial genes to cause cancer. Being a non-smoker helps stack the odds of developing cancer in your favour by reducing the number of mutations in your body.

Does every mutation lead to cancer?

No, most mutations will happen in parts of our DNA that aren’t crucial to the cell’s normal functioning. And many will either be repaired or the cell containing the mutation will die. But being exposed to the numerous cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke increases the number of mutations, and therefore increases the chances of mutations happening in crucial genes that could lead to cancer.

If I stop, does the damage go away?

Smoking causes at least 14 different types of cancer, so if you are a smoker the best thing you can do for your health is to stop. Stopping smoking doesn’t erase any mutations that have already happened but it reduces the number of mutations that are likely to happen in future. And once you quit the risk of cancer starts to decrease.

Are only older people and heavy smokers at risk?

No. Older people and heavy smokers are more likely to develop cancer but anyone can develop the disease. Cancer is more common in older people because there has been more time for mutations to accumulate over their lifetime. Heavy smokers will have been exposed to higher levels of chemicals and so be at increased risk, but even light smokers are more likely to develop cancer than non-smokers, and the length of time you smoke also plays a role – the longer you’ve smoked, the higher the risk of cancer.

Are only people who smoke cigarettes at risk, or those who smoke roll-ups too?

You are at risk whether you smoke cigarettes or roll-ups. Roll-ups expose smokers to over 4,000 toxic chemicals – many of which are carcinogenic and poisonous. Smoking roll-ups can result in the same health risks as smoking cigarettes, including cancer. In fact, studies have suggested that people who smoke roll-ups have an increased risk of cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, pharynx and larynx compared to smokers of manufactured cigarettes.

What evidence is there to support the campaign?

The campaign has been developed based on research from a number of well-respected sources including experts from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the Cancer Genome Atlas Network, the Institute of Cancer Research and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT

Download : Department of Health launches new anti-smoking campaign – video Society guardian.co.uk