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June, 2015:

Public health group calls for levy on tobacco firms to help fight smoking

Jun 10th, 2015
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http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/10/public-health-group-calls-for-levy-on-tobacco-firms-to-help-fight-smoking

Health organisations say tobacco industry should pay levy to help smokers quit and prevent young people picking up a habit that costs UK at least £12bn a year

Passive smoking causes more than 150,000 cases of illness in children every year, the Royal College of Physicians has found. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

Sarah Boseley
Wednesday 10 June 2015 00.01 BST

The government should impose a new levy on tobacco companies to help pay for the harm they cause, according to 120 public health organisations launching a proposed new strategy against smoking.

By 2035, the proportion of the population who smoke should be brought down from 18.5% to just 5%, says the group, which is led by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

They hope their proposed five-year strategy document, Smoking Still Kills, will be taken up by government in the same way that their previous reports have informed government policy. In 2008, they published Beyond Smoking Kills, named after the Labour government’s 1998 white paper, Smoking Kills, which proposed many measures that later became law, such as the ban on tobacco displays in shops.

Smoking costs the NHS at least £2bn a year and a further £10.8bn in wider costs to society, including social-care costs of more than £1bn, says the document. With the public health budget now set to lose £200m a year, the group says that the tobacco industry should pay an annual levy to offset those costs and assist with the effort of stopping young people picking up the habit as well as helping smokers to quit.

The tobacco companies, which last year made over £1bn in profit, are responsible for the premature deaths of 80,000 people in England each year, and should be forced to pay for the harm they cause.

Peter Kellner, chair of the report’s editorial board and president of YouGov, said: “The NHS is facing an acute funding shortage and any serious strategy to address this must tackle the causes of preventable ill health.

“The tobacco companies, which last year made over £1bn in profit, are responsible for the premature deaths of 80,000 people in England each year, and should be forced to pay for the harm they cause,” he said.

“Investing in evidence-based measures that reduce smoking is highly cost effective; for example stop smoking services have been shown to be one of the most cost-effective ways to improve people’s health. Placing a levy on tobacco companies to fund such work is a win-win – saving both money and lives.”

The report says that smoking is entrenched more than ever in disadvantaged households and calls on the government to address the health inequalities that result. In England more than 1.2 million children and 3 million adults live below the poverty line in households with smokers. The strategy would require tobacco companies to publish their sales figures broken down to local levels.

The current Tobacco Control Plan for England runs until the end of this year. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Ash, said they had been working on the document for more than a year and they were hopeful that it would be favourably received by the government.

“This is an area on which there is lots of consensus,” said Arnott, pointing to the exchange on Twitter between the shadow health secretary, Andy Burnham, and the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, over plain packaging. Burnham congratulated Hunt in setting a timetable for introduction and Hunt responded welcoming “a rare moment of consensus! Let’s hope both our children can grow up in a smoke-free generation”.

In last year’s autumn statement, the chancellor, George Osborne, said he would consult on a tobacco industry levy. That concluded in February, but Osborne said in March that the government would “continue the consultation on whether to introduce a tobacco levy through informal consultation with stakeholders”.

Arnott said that anti-smoking efforts must not slacken, or the decline in smoking rates would stop. When the Tobacco-Free Living initiative of Michael Bloomberg, the New York mayor, ended in 2010, smoking rates in the city began to rise again.

Prof Jane Dacre, president of the Royal College of Physicians, points out that smoking is still the UK’s biggest killer. “As the RCP’s reports show, we still need strong policies to help the disadvantaged groups in society most affected by smoking – such as people with mental illness and lower-income families,” she said. “In particular, our children need protection – passive smoking causes over 150,000 cases of illness in children every year.

“The new government has an opportunity to make a real difference by accepting and implementing the recommendations of Smoking Still Kills, which has overwhelming support from health and medical organisations, and local authorities.”

Health lobby seeks more restrictions on tobacco industry

Jun 10th, 2015
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http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/89e56998-0ec1-11e5-848e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3cbxCKAyM

“Smoking Still Kills”, which is published by Ash and funded by Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation, follows a similar report in 2008 that called for a series of tough regulations that have since been passed.

Plain packaging, a ban on tobacco displays in shops, above inflation tax rises, a ban on cigarette vending machines and a ban on smoking in cars when children are present were all in Ash’s report seven years ago and have become law.

Now the antismoking charity is pushing for more stringent controls on tobacco.

“No one can say that the job of tobacco control is done when millions of smokers in England face the risks of smoking-related illness and premature death, hundreds of young people start smoking every day, and smoking remains the principal cause of health inequalities,” the report says.

The centrepiece of the new report is a levy on tobacco companies, which is called a “Tobacco Companies Obligation” and would be based on the volume of each company’s sales.

A levy would fall hardest on Bristol-based Imperial Tobacco, the largest seller of cigarettes in the UK with a 44 per cent market share, and Japan Tobacco International, which has a 41 per cent market share.

The money raised would be used to fund smoking cessation services, and Ash is seeking a change to the law to prevent tobacco companies passing on the cost of the levy to consumers in the form of higher prices, which they have said they would do.

Last year, the Labour party called for a levy and the previous Conservative-led coalition government launched a consultation. However, in the March Budget, George Osborne, the chancellor, kicked the issue into the long grass.

The report, which says warning smokers away from ecigarettes “would be a disaster for them and for public health”, comes a day after the Welsh government said it would ban the use of the products in enclosed public places from 2017.

Other measures proposed in the report include a 5 per cent tax rise on cigarettes each year above inflation, which is significantly higher than the current tax escalator of 2 per cent above inflation.

A ban on smoking in prisons, which are currently exempt from the ban on smoking in public places, and during theatrical performances are also proposed in the report, as well as prohibiting smoking in all cars and vehicles, not only when children are present.

Giles Roca, director-general of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, said the proposals were “simply a case of an antismoking professional lobby group trying to find new ways to attack smokers and a legitimate industry”.

“Aside from the unwarranted intrusion on individual freedoms, this continued drive to over-regulate the UK tobacco market will simply create greater opportunities for organised crime groups involved in smuggling on a massive scale,” he said.

World No Tobacco Day 2015

Jun 10th, 2015
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Ukraine’s decision to withdraw its complaint at WTO: an evidence-based move

Jun 9th, 2015
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Qatar- Call for banning tobacco ads on TV, newspapers

Jun 9th, 2015
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http://www.menafn.com/1094241475/Qatar–Call-for-banning-tobacco-ads-on-TV-newspapers

(MENAFN – The Peninsula) A senior GCC official has called on member-states to ban depiction of characters smoking in TV serials and dramas and bar advertising of cigarettes and other tobacco products in any form of media in the region.

The official told information ministry undersecretaries from the GCC states at their meeting here yesterday that an anti-smoking awareness campaign must be launched specially targeting vulnerable groups like school students and women.

“School students and women are the targets of cigarette and tobacco companies,” said Dr Mariam Azbi Al Jalahma, Assistant Undersecretary, public health ministry of Bahrain.

The meeting discussed a memo from the GCC Secretariat-General on measures to fight smoking in the region. Mariam said an anti-tobacco agreement reached among the GCC states earlier must be enforced.

She said characters must not be shown smoking in TV serials and dramas telecast in the region. Such plays must be banned as also promoting smoking through ad campaigns in the local media, whether print or electronic.

This was a preparatory meeting for the 23rd meeting of information ministers from the GCC states. Qatar doesn’t have an information ministry.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassem, of Qatar Media Corporation, represented Qatar at yesterday’s meeting. The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage is in-charge of media and information affairs in Qatar.

Santa Clara Co. Supervisors Pass Ordinance Raising Legal Tobacco Purchasing Age

Jun 9th, 2015
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http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Santa-Clara-Co-Superintendents-Pass-Ordinance-Raising-Legal-Tobacco-Purchasing-Age-306703241.html

Starting next year, anyone buying tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in unincorporated Santa Clara County must be at least 21 years old.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday that will raise the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The ordinance goes into effect on Jan. 1., 2016 and does not apply to incorporated cities within the county.

Supervisor Ken Yeager introduced the ordinance during the board’s May 19 meeting and said he hopes cities within the county will pass similar legislation.

Supervisor Joe Simitian asked during last month’s meeting if there were preemption issues to the ordinance.

County Counsel Orry Korb said that his staff looked at the state law regarding preemption and said that the county would “likely prevail” in any challenges to the ordinance.

“Tobacco is still the number one cause of preventable death,” county Public Health Officer Sara Cody said.

Cody cited an Institute of Medicine study released in March that showed raising the legal purchasing age for tobacco products would decrease the smoking rate by 12 percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.

Businesses will be required to post signs provided through the county stating the minimum age to buy tobacco is 21 and that anyone who violates the ordinance will be fined.

Retailers must also ask for identification from the buyer before selling a tobacco product.

The county is the first statewide to pass such an ordinance.

“In our county we have been a national leader in protecting the health of our residents, particularly our children and youth, from the harms of tobacco,” Cody said.

Last year, the county passed a law prohibiting the sales of flavored tobacco in unincorporated areas and amended its no-smoking policy to include restrictions on using and selling e-cigarettes.

Legal analysis of the agreements between the European Union, Member States, and multinational tobacco companies

Jun 8th, 2015
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Other cities must follow Beijing’s example on smoking bans

Jun 8th, 2015
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http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1818247/other-cities-must-follow-beijings-example-smoking-bans

The smoking ban introduced in Beijing last Monday was never going to be an instant success. Far too many of the capital’s people smoke and too many businesses rely on their patronage. Two previous such measures made little headway, so expectations, even among municipal officials, was low. Yet no matter how limited the inspections or the number of fines handed out, the increased awareness of the dangers posed will advance efforts to force smokers to stub out the habit.

One in five of Beijing’s 20 million people smoke. Restaurants, bars and nightclubs have made them welcome with ashtrays and owners were unenthusiastic about the new rules. But although there has so far been little noticeable change in the amount of smoking on the city’s streets, the message is slowly sinking in through fines and calls to a special hotline, 12320. Success will be measured less by how many offenders are penalised than the number convinced to quit.

This is, after all, the toughest ban yet imposed. It extends from government offices to hotels, restaurants, recreational centres and public transport. Outdoor places near hospitals, schools and some tourist sites have also been designated smoke-free. Shops within 100 metres of kindergartens and primary schools will no longer be able to sell cigarettes.

The World Health Organisation estimates one million of China’s 300 million smokers die each year of ailments including cancer and heart disease, while second-hand smoke claims a further 100,000. A recent study by the Beijing Patriotic Health Campaign Committee found 90 per cent of patrons of bars and clubs and 65 per cent of diners were probably exposed to tobacco fumes. Any effort to limit the effects is welcome.

Advertising was last month banned in the mass media, on public transport and in outdoor public places and national taxes on cigarettes doubled. Gradually, an environment is being created that frowns upon smoking. Beijing’s ban has to be properly enforced and extended to other cities.

Smoking rate among New Yorkers at all-time low

Jun 8th, 2015
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http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Smoking-rate-among-New-Yorkers-at-all-time-low-6315003.php

Claire Hughe, Times Union POPULATION OF NEW YORK IN 2014 WAS 8.491 MILLION

Smoking rates are the lowest ever recorded among New Yorkers, state officials announced Monday.

In the last four years, the smoking rate among high school students has dropped 42 percent to 7.3 percent. The adult smoking rate has dropped to 14.5 percent, below the national average of 17.8 percent.

State officials attributed the decline to efforts including its Tobacco Control Program and the Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.

A strong Clean Indoor Air Act, which prohibits smoking in restaurants and other workplaces, and high cigarette taxes have also contributed, said Harlan Juster, director of the state Health Department’s Bureau of Tobacco Control.

Those results were achieved despite declining funding for state-led tobacco control efforts. The state spent US$84 million on the program in 2008-09 (HK$ 655 MILLION) , but just US$39.3 million (HK$ 306.54 MILLION) in 2012-13, when funding leveled off.

“Our charge is to do the best with what we’re given,” Juster said, adding that the results show the state’s success in funding successful efforts.

Judy Rightmyer, director of the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition, which receives some state funding, applauded health officials’ efforts.

Smoking rates remain stubbornly high among certain populations, including New Yorkers with mental illness, low incomes and lower levels of education, Juster and Rightmyer said. New York is one of only five states to receive $1 million in federal funding to work with medical practitioners to address smoking rates among patients who are poor or mentally ill, or have lower levels of education.

Going forward, state health officials also want to reduce cigarette marketing in low-income neighborhoods, Juster said. Efforts may include encouraging local policies to reduce the number of cigarette retailers in low-income neighborhoods, for instance.

The state has received a US$9.29 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fund ongoing efforts to encourage smokers to quit.

Tobacco Smuggling in the UK

Jun 7th, 2015
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http://www.tobaccotactics.org/index.php/Tobacco_Smuggling_in_the_UK

In the UK the latest figures available show that despite the British Government’s 10 year campaign to eradicate tobacco smuggling, the problem still costs the taxpayer an estimated £2.2 billion a year.

According to HM Revenue & Customs, “the illicit tobacco market in the UK has changed significantly since 2000. Historically it was made up of genuine UK brands of tobacco smuggled from lower-priced EU countries. Currently, it is much more a mix of genuine UK and non-UK brands of cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, counterfeits, and increasingly, illicit whites”.[1]

Official figures show that the proportion of genuine UK-made cigarettes being seized has fallen dramatically. In 2002/3 the figure was about 31 per cent of cigarettes being UK-made; 41 per cent being counterfeit and 46 per cent being illicit and non-UK duty paid. In 2009/10, the last year for which figures were available, the proportions had changed dramatically so only six per cent was genuine UK made, 48 per cent was counterfeit and 46 per cent illicit or non-UK made, known commonly as cheap whites. [1]

Whilst the smuggling of genuine UK-made cigarettes has declined, HMRC concedes that “smuggling of genuine UK brands continues to be a particular problem for hand-rolling tobacco, which is relatively small in volume but high in value. In 2009/10, half of HMRC and UKBA seizures of hand-rolling tobacco were genuine UK brands, with the remainder being counterfeits of UK brands (24%) and non-UK brands (26%)”.

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