A new study confirms that the exposure to tar tended to be lower for smokers of slim cigarettes than of regular cigarettes. Similarly, exposure to nicotine tended to be lower.
Slim cigarettes are an increasingly popular type of cigarette in several countries around the world. Previous studies have shown that the levels of certain toxic chemicals in the smoke of these cigarettes are lower than those in regular cigarettes. However, because lower levels of chemicals in the smoke are not necessarily linked to a reduced exposure to harmful chemicals, concerns had been raised about whether or not smokers of these cigarettes are at a greater health risk than those who smoke regular cigarettes.
To determine the chemical exposure to smokers of slim cigarettes, scientists at British American Tobacco conducted a study in Russia, where slim cigarettes are popular. The study group contained 360 smokers of regular and slim cigarettes and their exposure to tar and nicotine were measured. This was done using a cutting-edge technique that involves measuring levels of chemicals in the smokers' used cigarette filters.
These findings tally with measurements made using high-tech smoking machines, which showed reductions in the levels of a number of chemicals in the smoke including carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, nitric oxide, acrylonitrile and benzene.
Lead Scientist Madeleine Ashley says that differences in the size of the puffs that the smokers of slim cigarettes took may explain the lower exposure to tar and nicotine. Ashley further stated that 'this is likely to be due to the reduced circumference of slim cigarettes, making it harder to draw on.'
Ian Fearon, Principal Scientist at British American Tobacco, added: 'More studies measuring the levels of smoke chemicals in the blood of smokers are needed to fully understand the exposure of people who smoke slim cigarettes. However, we can assume, based on our current findings, that smokers of slim cigarettes are at no greater risk of exposure to smoke chemicals than regular cigarette smokers. Further work would be needed to assess how this relates to a smoker's health risk.'
Friday, October 24, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
As Georgia colleges ban tobacco, some schools still considering options
As 31 Georgia universities adopt a ban on all tobacco products, colleges in and near Augusta support the measure but students remain unsure the bans will stop smoking on campus. All colleges that are part of the University System of Georgia went smoke-free on Wednesday, banning all tobacco-related products from their campuses. The ban, which includes e-cigarettes, hookahs and “all forms of smokeless tobacco,” will prevent anyone from using tobacco products while on campus property, according to the university system’s tobacco policy page. However, smokers may continue to buy cigarettes online.
Visitors who violate the policy could be asked to leave campus, and students that continue to use products despite the ban could be sanctioned under the school’s Student Code of Conduct. Many colleges are readying “smoke cessation” programs designed to help students, staff and faculty members quit smoking. About 1,500 colleges nationwide have adopted smoke-free policies, according to the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights organization.
Campuses in the Augusta area that already have similar programs in place said the bans are a step in the right direction. Georgia Regents University’s medical college and Summerville campus have adhered to smoking and tobacco product bans for several years. The medical college banned smoking in 2007, and when GRU consolidated in 2013, all campuses agreed to adopt an updated tobacco product policy, which included a ban on e-cigarettes.
Director of Cancer Information and Awareness Christine O’Meara, who worked on a committee to help create the system’s new tobacco product policy, said the college’s ban protected students, faculty and staff from health problems later in life.
“It’s important for everyone here to have a healthy environment to work and study in. Our North Star is promoting health and preventing disability and death, which tobacco products cause,” O’Meara said. “Working to promote these bans helps establish a good example for future public health officials to follow, which is something we definitely want our students to see.”
O’Meara said the next step for the campus’s tobacco product ban is complete compliance. While “a large part of the student population” supports the ban, according to school surveys, there are small percentages of students who still use tobacco on the school campus.
“It’s a cultural change for the Summerville campus. And change of that nature can come very slowly,” O’Meara said. “But we are working to educate our students and faculty about the policy. We will be showing videos to our population here on how to approach people kindly and inform them about the campus’s policies.”
GRU campuses do not use a fine levying system. Instead, they use students and faculty members to voluntarily approach those violating the ban and inform them of the school’s tobacco policy. If an individual refuses, students can call public safety or the college’s “compliance hotline” to report them.
For the University of South Carolina Aiken campus, which does not have a tobacco ban in place yet, the bans are an example to follow.
USC Aiken Chancellor Sandra Jordan said the campus currently restricts where students can smoke, and is exploring a complete tobacco ban as part of a healthy lifestyle initiative, planned to go into effect in the fall of 2015. Jordan said the “vast majority” of students want tobacco bans in place at the school.
“We’ve sent out surveys to our student population, and around 75 to 78 percent of survey takers think a ban would help improve their lives on campus, so we know our population wants it to happen here. We’ve also found that those who smoke on campus started their habit during their freshman or sophomore year. That’s not a culture we want,” Jordan said. “In order to foster healthy lifestyles among our students, a tobacco product ban is very important to have.”
Jordan said she “applauded” Georgia colleges for adopting tobacco bans, saying it placed them “in the vanguard” of colleges hoping to improve their students’ lives. “It’s a forward looking approach,” Jordan said. “Most universities are on track for putting bans like this in place over the next five years, according to what I’ve heard. This means that Georgia is really making gains ahead of other colleges.”
While many students at USC Aiken feel the ban could be beneficial to the campus, some are skeptical of how well the ban will be enforced. “It’s definitely good overall for students’ health, especially considering secondhand smoke,” 18-year-old Rina Lowder said. “But I’m not sure the ban could be really enforced or be fair to those that do smoke. I don’t know if it will really encourage anyone to quit.”
Visitors who violate the policy could be asked to leave campus, and students that continue to use products despite the ban could be sanctioned under the school’s Student Code of Conduct. Many colleges are readying “smoke cessation” programs designed to help students, staff and faculty members quit smoking. About 1,500 colleges nationwide have adopted smoke-free policies, according to the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights organization.
Campuses in the Augusta area that already have similar programs in place said the bans are a step in the right direction. Georgia Regents University’s medical college and Summerville campus have adhered to smoking and tobacco product bans for several years. The medical college banned smoking in 2007, and when GRU consolidated in 2013, all campuses agreed to adopt an updated tobacco product policy, which included a ban on e-cigarettes.
Director of Cancer Information and Awareness Christine O’Meara, who worked on a committee to help create the system’s new tobacco product policy, said the college’s ban protected students, faculty and staff from health problems later in life.
“It’s important for everyone here to have a healthy environment to work and study in. Our North Star is promoting health and preventing disability and death, which tobacco products cause,” O’Meara said. “Working to promote these bans helps establish a good example for future public health officials to follow, which is something we definitely want our students to see.”
O’Meara said the next step for the campus’s tobacco product ban is complete compliance. While “a large part of the student population” supports the ban, according to school surveys, there are small percentages of students who still use tobacco on the school campus.
“It’s a cultural change for the Summerville campus. And change of that nature can come very slowly,” O’Meara said. “But we are working to educate our students and faculty about the policy. We will be showing videos to our population here on how to approach people kindly and inform them about the campus’s policies.”
GRU campuses do not use a fine levying system. Instead, they use students and faculty members to voluntarily approach those violating the ban and inform them of the school’s tobacco policy. If an individual refuses, students can call public safety or the college’s “compliance hotline” to report them.
For the University of South Carolina Aiken campus, which does not have a tobacco ban in place yet, the bans are an example to follow.
USC Aiken Chancellor Sandra Jordan said the campus currently restricts where students can smoke, and is exploring a complete tobacco ban as part of a healthy lifestyle initiative, planned to go into effect in the fall of 2015. Jordan said the “vast majority” of students want tobacco bans in place at the school.
“We’ve sent out surveys to our student population, and around 75 to 78 percent of survey takers think a ban would help improve their lives on campus, so we know our population wants it to happen here. We’ve also found that those who smoke on campus started their habit during their freshman or sophomore year. That’s not a culture we want,” Jordan said. “In order to foster healthy lifestyles among our students, a tobacco product ban is very important to have.”
Jordan said she “applauded” Georgia colleges for adopting tobacco bans, saying it placed them “in the vanguard” of colleges hoping to improve their students’ lives. “It’s a forward looking approach,” Jordan said. “Most universities are on track for putting bans like this in place over the next five years, according to what I’ve heard. This means that Georgia is really making gains ahead of other colleges.”
While many students at USC Aiken feel the ban could be beneficial to the campus, some are skeptical of how well the ban will be enforced. “It’s definitely good overall for students’ health, especially considering secondhand smoke,” 18-year-old Rina Lowder said. “But I’m not sure the ban could be really enforced or be fair to those that do smoke. I don’t know if it will really encourage anyone to quit.”
Friday, September 19, 2014
Park commission wants to ban smoking at 77 Ann Arbor parks
Want to light up at an Ann Arbor park or playground? Think again. The Parks Advisory Commission is trying to turn 77 parks into smoke-free zones.
The PAC looked at other cities with similar bans and consulted with a public health expert before sending their recommendation to Ann Arbor's city administrator, Steve Powers. He is the one who has the power to approve it.
Some didn't like the idea.
“I come here and smoke at Liberty Plaza every morning," said Ann Arbor resident Vittorio Riley. “This is how I start my day before I go to work. It’s a public place, open air and not close to businesses. How can it be banned?”
Others were in support.
“I have a child and I think it’s great idea for parks with playgrounds,” said Nicole Minney. “No one wants to breathe in that secondhand smoke and I wouldn’t have to tell my child, 'OK, let’s move over here.'"
The Ann Arbor City Council already approved an ordinance this year that bans smoking near bus stops and store fronts.
Local 4 reached out to Powers, who is out of town, and he responded with this statement: “I will be receiving the Parks Advisory Committee's recommendations in the next few days. I will then review the recommendations and decide on implementation using city council's policy direction and PAC's work.”
There are 158 parks total in Ann Arbor. The ban would apply to 73 parks with playgrounds and four others. The PAC would monitor the effectiveness before recommending the ban at all parks.
This is the list from PAC for the potentially smoke-free parks:
City of Ann Arbor parks with playgrounds
1. Allmendinger Park
2. Arbor Oaks Park
3. Bader Park
4. Baxter Park
5. Beckley Park
6. Belize Park
7. Bromley Park
8. Brookside Park
9. Bryant Community Center
10. Buhr Park
11. Burns Park
12. Burr Oak Park
13. Churchill Downs Park
14. Clinton Park
15. Cloverdale Park
16. Cranbrook Park
17. Creal Park
18. Ellsworth Park
19. Esch Park
20. Evergreen Park
21. Foxfire North Park
22. Frisinger Park
23. Fritz Park
24. Fuller Park
25. Gallup Park
26. Garden Homes Park
27. Glacier Highlands Park
28. Greenbrier Park
29. Hansen Nature Area
30. Hunt Park
31. Huron Highlands Park
32. Island Park
33. Kelly Park
34. Kilburn Park
35. Landsdowne Park
36. Las Vegas Park
37. Leslie Park
38. Longshore Park
39. Mary Beth Doyle Park
40. Maryfield Wildwood Park
41. Meadowbrook Park
42. Mixtwood Pomona Park
43. Mushroom Park
44. North Main Park
45. Northside Park
46. Olson Park
47. Pilgrim Park
48. Placid Way Park
49. Plymouth Parkway Park
50. Riverside Park
51. Rose Park
52. Rose White Park
53. Scheffler Park
54. South Maple Park
55. SouthEast Area Park
56. Sugarbush Park
57. Sylvan Park
58. The Ponds
59. Turnberry Park
60. Veterans Memorial Park
61. Virginia Park
62. Ward Park
63. Waterworks Park
64. Waymarket Park
65. Wellington Park
66. West Park
67. Wheeler Park
68. White Oak Park
69. Winchell Park
70. Windemere Park
71. Winewood Thaler Park
72. Woodbury Park
73. Wurster Park
City of Ann Arbor parks within DDA District:
1. Farmers Market
2. Kempf House
3. Liberty Plaza
4. Sculpture Plaza
The PAC looked at other cities with similar bans and consulted with a public health expert before sending their recommendation to Ann Arbor's city administrator, Steve Powers. He is the one who has the power to approve it.
Some didn't like the idea.
“I come here and smoke at Liberty Plaza every morning," said Ann Arbor resident Vittorio Riley. “This is how I start my day before I go to work. It’s a public place, open air and not close to businesses. How can it be banned?”
Others were in support.
“I have a child and I think it’s great idea for parks with playgrounds,” said Nicole Minney. “No one wants to breathe in that secondhand smoke and I wouldn’t have to tell my child, 'OK, let’s move over here.'"
The Ann Arbor City Council already approved an ordinance this year that bans smoking near bus stops and store fronts.
Local 4 reached out to Powers, who is out of town, and he responded with this statement: “I will be receiving the Parks Advisory Committee's recommendations in the next few days. I will then review the recommendations and decide on implementation using city council's policy direction and PAC's work.”
There are 158 parks total in Ann Arbor. The ban would apply to 73 parks with playgrounds and four others. The PAC would monitor the effectiveness before recommending the ban at all parks.
This is the list from PAC for the potentially smoke-free parks:
City of Ann Arbor parks with playgrounds
1. Allmendinger Park
2. Arbor Oaks Park
3. Bader Park
4. Baxter Park
5. Beckley Park
6. Belize Park
7. Bromley Park
8. Brookside Park
9. Bryant Community Center
10. Buhr Park
11. Burns Park
12. Burr Oak Park
13. Churchill Downs Park
14. Clinton Park
15. Cloverdale Park
16. Cranbrook Park
17. Creal Park
18. Ellsworth Park
19. Esch Park
20. Evergreen Park
21. Foxfire North Park
22. Frisinger Park
23. Fritz Park
24. Fuller Park
25. Gallup Park
26. Garden Homes Park
27. Glacier Highlands Park
28. Greenbrier Park
29. Hansen Nature Area
30. Hunt Park
31. Huron Highlands Park
32. Island Park
33. Kelly Park
34. Kilburn Park
35. Landsdowne Park
36. Las Vegas Park
37. Leslie Park
38. Longshore Park
39. Mary Beth Doyle Park
40. Maryfield Wildwood Park
41. Meadowbrook Park
42. Mixtwood Pomona Park
43. Mushroom Park
44. North Main Park
45. Northside Park
46. Olson Park
47. Pilgrim Park
48. Placid Way Park
49. Plymouth Parkway Park
50. Riverside Park
51. Rose Park
52. Rose White Park
53. Scheffler Park
54. South Maple Park
55. SouthEast Area Park
56. Sugarbush Park
57. Sylvan Park
58. The Ponds
59. Turnberry Park
60. Veterans Memorial Park
61. Virginia Park
62. Ward Park
63. Waterworks Park
64. Waymarket Park
65. Wellington Park
66. West Park
67. Wheeler Park
68. White Oak Park
69. Winchell Park
70. Windemere Park
71. Winewood Thaler Park
72. Woodbury Park
73. Wurster Park
City of Ann Arbor parks within DDA District:
1. Farmers Market
2. Kempf House
3. Liberty Plaza
4. Sculpture Plaza
Friday, August 8, 2014
New Jersey mulls bill raising state smoking age to 21
Lighting up may soon join chugging as a rite of passage in New Jersey, as the Garden State weighs a first-in-the-nation statewide ban on the sale of tobacco products to those under 21 years of age. In a move being closely watched by other states, New Jersey is well on its way to the ban, with a bill having passed the state Senate and headed to the state General Assembly this fall.
Many local and city governments have passed laws to increase the minimum smoking age to 19 or 21, but there hasn’t been a statewide bill yet. Antismoking activists say the idea is gaining momentum and could even put pressure on Washington to join the movement.
“On the local and state level, we think that each of the states will move towards this,” said Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of the Global Advisors Smokefree Policy (GASP). “We would greatly appreciate if the federal government would take the next step and ban smoking in all public places and workplaces.”
Laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to those 19 and younger have been implemented in local communities and states like New Jersey, Alabama, Alaska and Utah, as well the District of Columbia. The minimum age in every other state is 18. Backers cite public health risks to the young people who are susceptible to becoming addicted, as well as the likelihood that buyers between 18 and 20 will share their purchases with even younger friends.
This move comes in the face of an expanding e-cigarette and marijuana industry, which has cut into traditional tobacco use among the young. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette use among the young has declined significantly: 15.7 percent had smoked cigarettes at least once 30 days before the survey in 2013, down from 36.4 percent in 1997.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has given no indication whether he will sign the bill. The bill covers cigarettes made of tobacco, smokeless tobacco and any electronic smoking devices. Merchants face fines of up to $1,000 for multiple offenses.
“There was a sizable majority of legislators wanting this to happen,” said Ms. Blumenfeld. “Isn’t that the job of policymakers to pass policy to save lives?”
New Jersey state Sens. Richard Codey and Joseph Vitale, the Democratic co-sponsors of the bill, argue that raising the age to 21 saves lives.
“This is a highly addictive and deadly product,” said Mr. Vitale. “We have to do all we can to minimize the risks for young people.”
“We care about them, and we don’t want them to die.”
But critics say the measure infringes on consumer choice and is just the latest misguided “nanny state” legislation.
“It’s a halfhearted attempt to bolster the argument that public health trumps consumer rights,” said Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association (NJGCA). “There’s no way that they are going to stop somebody under 21 years of age from smoking.”
People who love to smoke cigarettes, say that the best way to save time and money is to buy cigarettes online from http://www.dotcigarettes.com/
News source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Many local and city governments have passed laws to increase the minimum smoking age to 19 or 21, but there hasn’t been a statewide bill yet. Antismoking activists say the idea is gaining momentum and could even put pressure on Washington to join the movement.
“On the local and state level, we think that each of the states will move towards this,” said Karen Blumenfeld, executive director of the Global Advisors Smokefree Policy (GASP). “We would greatly appreciate if the federal government would take the next step and ban smoking in all public places and workplaces.”
Laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to those 19 and younger have been implemented in local communities and states like New Jersey, Alabama, Alaska and Utah, as well the District of Columbia. The minimum age in every other state is 18. Backers cite public health risks to the young people who are susceptible to becoming addicted, as well as the likelihood that buyers between 18 and 20 will share their purchases with even younger friends.
This move comes in the face of an expanding e-cigarette and marijuana industry, which has cut into traditional tobacco use among the young. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette use among the young has declined significantly: 15.7 percent had smoked cigarettes at least once 30 days before the survey in 2013, down from 36.4 percent in 1997.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has given no indication whether he will sign the bill. The bill covers cigarettes made of tobacco, smokeless tobacco and any electronic smoking devices. Merchants face fines of up to $1,000 for multiple offenses.
“There was a sizable majority of legislators wanting this to happen,” said Ms. Blumenfeld. “Isn’t that the job of policymakers to pass policy to save lives?”
New Jersey state Sens. Richard Codey and Joseph Vitale, the Democratic co-sponsors of the bill, argue that raising the age to 21 saves lives.
“This is a highly addictive and deadly product,” said Mr. Vitale. “We have to do all we can to minimize the risks for young people.”
“We care about them, and we don’t want them to die.”
But critics say the measure infringes on consumer choice and is just the latest misguided “nanny state” legislation.
“It’s a halfhearted attempt to bolster the argument that public health trumps consumer rights,” said Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association (NJGCA). “There’s no way that they are going to stop somebody under 21 years of age from smoking.”
People who love to smoke cigarettes, say that the best way to save time and money is to buy cigarettes online from http://www.dotcigarettes.com/
News source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Friday, August 1, 2014
Japan: Smoking rate falls below 20%
Japan’s smoking rate in 2014 fell below 20 percent for the first time since such statistics began in 1965, Japan Tobacco Inc. said Wednesday.
The rate decreased for the 19th consecutive year to stand at 19.7 percent, down 1.2 percentage points from the previous year.
The decline reflected growing health consciousness and a shift away from cigarettes accelerated by the April consumption tax hike from 5 percent to 8 percent.
The rate for men fell 1.9 points to 30.3 percent, and that for women dropped 0.7 point to 9.8 percent, slipping below 10 percent for the first time.
The estimated number of smokers stood at 20.59 million, down 1.36 million.
According to Japan Tobacco, the smoking rate peaked at 49.4 percent in 1966, when the rate stood at 83.7 percent for men and 18.0 percent for women, the highest figures on record.
The latest survey, conducted in May, covered about 32,000 people aged 20 or older. Valid responses were received from 60.5 percent.
Japan Tobacco Inc is manufacturer of Glamour cigarettes available at http://www.dotcigarettes.com/glamour
Source: http://the-japan-news.com
The rate decreased for the 19th consecutive year to stand at 19.7 percent, down 1.2 percentage points from the previous year.
The decline reflected growing health consciousness and a shift away from cigarettes accelerated by the April consumption tax hike from 5 percent to 8 percent.
The rate for men fell 1.9 points to 30.3 percent, and that for women dropped 0.7 point to 9.8 percent, slipping below 10 percent for the first time.
The estimated number of smokers stood at 20.59 million, down 1.36 million.
According to Japan Tobacco, the smoking rate peaked at 49.4 percent in 1966, when the rate stood at 83.7 percent for men and 18.0 percent for women, the highest figures on record.
The latest survey, conducted in May, covered about 32,000 people aged 20 or older. Valid responses were received from 60.5 percent.
Japan Tobacco Inc is manufacturer of Glamour cigarettes available at http://www.dotcigarettes.com/glamour
Source: http://the-japan-news.com
Friday, July 4, 2014
New Jersey smoking age could be raised to 21
New Jersey could become the only state in the country to prevent anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products under a measure passed Monday by the state Senate.
The bill, backed by a super majority of senators, would levy a $500 fine against retailers who sell tobacco products or electronic cigarettes to those under 21. A second offense would carry a $1,000 fine.
Retail trade groups testified against the measure, which puts the onus on their members to check identifications, rather than on the minors who attempt to purchase cigarettes.
The Garden State already is one of the states with the highest smoking age in the country, 19. Three other states — Utah, Alaska and Alabama — also prohibit sales to anyone under 19.
Two localities, New York City and Hawaii County, Hawaii, have prohibited anyone under 21 from purchasing tobacco products. Now, states are following suit. Utah and Colorado are also debating measures that would raise the smoking age to 21. Both states advanced their own bans in February.
Both measures would take effect in several years, effectively grandfathering in anyone over 18 who already smokes. The Utah bill would take effect in 2016, while the Colorado measure would be implemented in 2017.
Health officials believe raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products can substantially cut down on smoking rates. Researchers say 90 percent of regular smokers in the United States have their first cigarettes before they turn 18, and 90 percent of cigarettes obtained by underage smokers are purchased by those between 18 and 20 years old.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com
The bill, backed by a super majority of senators, would levy a $500 fine against retailers who sell tobacco products or electronic cigarettes to those under 21. A second offense would carry a $1,000 fine.
Retail trade groups testified against the measure, which puts the onus on their members to check identifications, rather than on the minors who attempt to purchase cigarettes.
The Garden State already is one of the states with the highest smoking age in the country, 19. Three other states — Utah, Alaska and Alabama — also prohibit sales to anyone under 19.
Two localities, New York City and Hawaii County, Hawaii, have prohibited anyone under 21 from purchasing tobacco products. Now, states are following suit. Utah and Colorado are also debating measures that would raise the smoking age to 21. Both states advanced their own bans in February.
Both measures would take effect in several years, effectively grandfathering in anyone over 18 who already smokes. The Utah bill would take effect in 2016, while the Colorado measure would be implemented in 2017.
Health officials believe raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products can substantially cut down on smoking rates. Researchers say 90 percent of regular smokers in the United States have their first cigarettes before they turn 18, and 90 percent of cigarettes obtained by underage smokers are purchased by those between 18 and 20 years old.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com
Friday, June 13, 2014
Survey finds concerns over secondhand smoke
A new survey of Tulare County tenants shows support for more protections from secondhand smoke in multi-unit housing, the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday. The survey, done for the American Lung Association in California in April, found that the majority of tenants surveyed favor rules prohibiting smoking in outdoor common areas of complexes (70 percent) and inside apartment units (66 percent). Despite these findings, only 43 percent of Tulare County tenants report currently living in a building with any rules limiting smoking.
Breathing secondhand smoke in multi-unit buildings is a health problem because smoke drifts from neighboring units, patios, balconies and outdoor common areas through open windows, doors and shared ventilation systems. Survey results indicate almost 28 percent of tenants in Tulare County have experienced secondhand smoke drifting into their unit.
“Drifting secondhand smoke is a real health hazard and this survey shows that residents across our county are highly aware of this fact. So looking at these results, it is not surprising that so many tenants want to be protected from secondhand smoke exposure in their homes,” said Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County Health Officer.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In 2006, the California Air Resources Board classified secondhand smoke as a “Toxic Air Contaminant” in the same category as asbestos, cyanide and arsenic, all of which can lead to serious illness and death. Restricting smoking in multi-unit housing will protect residents from exposure to a toxic air contaminant, result in financial benefits to landlords and owners through reduced maintenance and turnover costs, and improve the community’s health.
“People should feel safe in their own homes. Yet it is alarming that many residents of Tulare County are experiencing drifting secondhand smoke where they live,” said Kimberly Amazeen, vice president, Programs & Advocacy, American Lung Association in California. “To ensure the health of these tenants, more must be done to give them the protections they need from secondhand smoke.”
The Tulare County Public Health Department is working with residents who want to live in smoke-free environments as well as owners and managers, joining more than 55 municipalities throughout California already addressing the health needs of multi-unit housing tenants.
Tulare County tenants were surveyed as part of polling by the American Lung Association in California for CA4Health, a project of the Public Health Institute funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The poll, conducted by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, included tenants in 12 CA4Health counties: Calaveras, Humboldt, Imperial, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Tulare, and Tuolumne. In Tulare Count, 154 people were surveyed.
Source: recorderonline.com
Breathing secondhand smoke in multi-unit buildings is a health problem because smoke drifts from neighboring units, patios, balconies and outdoor common areas through open windows, doors and shared ventilation systems. Survey results indicate almost 28 percent of tenants in Tulare County have experienced secondhand smoke drifting into their unit.
“Drifting secondhand smoke is a real health hazard and this survey shows that residents across our county are highly aware of this fact. So looking at these results, it is not surprising that so many tenants want to be protected from secondhand smoke exposure in their homes,” said Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County Health Officer.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. In 2006, the California Air Resources Board classified secondhand smoke as a “Toxic Air Contaminant” in the same category as asbestos, cyanide and arsenic, all of which can lead to serious illness and death. Restricting smoking in multi-unit housing will protect residents from exposure to a toxic air contaminant, result in financial benefits to landlords and owners through reduced maintenance and turnover costs, and improve the community’s health.
“People should feel safe in their own homes. Yet it is alarming that many residents of Tulare County are experiencing drifting secondhand smoke where they live,” said Kimberly Amazeen, vice president, Programs & Advocacy, American Lung Association in California. “To ensure the health of these tenants, more must be done to give them the protections they need from secondhand smoke.”
The Tulare County Public Health Department is working with residents who want to live in smoke-free environments as well as owners and managers, joining more than 55 municipalities throughout California already addressing the health needs of multi-unit housing tenants.
Tulare County tenants were surveyed as part of polling by the American Lung Association in California for CA4Health, a project of the Public Health Institute funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The poll, conducted by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, included tenants in 12 CA4Health counties: Calaveras, Humboldt, Imperial, Madera, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Tulare, and Tuolumne. In Tulare Count, 154 people were surveyed.
Source: recorderonline.com
Friday, May 16, 2014
NY Senate debating public ban on e-cigarettes
State lawmakers are considering whether to include electronic cigarettes in the state's indoor public smoking ban. The Senate Health Committee panel heard testimony Monday from health experts who said that the nicotine liquid and the vapor e-cigarettes produce could be hazardous to both consumers and the public.
The state's Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking traditional cigarettes in nearly all workplaces in the state. Proponents of the ban hope that e-cigarettes will also be included, as they are in New York City as of late last month. Research hasn't yet produced a definitive answer on whether secondhand vapor is a threat to the public, but health experts believe that e-cigarette companies are marketing to teenagers and young adults with flavors like cherry, chocolate and gummy bear.
"Federal law recognizes that the purpose of these flavorings is to addict children to nicotine and create a new generation of tobacco users," said Dr. Harlan Juster, director of the health department's bureau of tobacco control.
Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, said he has seen e-cigarettes with the image of Hello Kitty, a cartoon cat. According to the state health department, only 12 percent of high school-age kids reported having smoked a cigarette within 30 days in a 2012 survey, down from 27 percent in 2000. The health department says 88 percent of adult smokers began before the age of 18.
E-cigarettes are marketed as safer than regular cigarettes and a transitional measure to bypass quitting cold turkey, but still contain nicotine, the addictive ingredient in traditional cigarettes. Medical and public health professionals have seen no evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers quit, according to Lawrence Eisenstein, president of the state Association of County Health Officials.
Lawmakers also heard from opponents who said the ban would infringe on the rights of business owners. "The Association sees this as another attempt by government to dictate how New Yorkers run their business," said Scott Wexler, executive director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association.
Opponents suggest waiting for the Food and Drug administration's review of e-cigarettes before any legislation banning indoor smoking of e-cigarettes is enacted.
Source: Poststar
The state's Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking traditional cigarettes in nearly all workplaces in the state. Proponents of the ban hope that e-cigarettes will also be included, as they are in New York City as of late last month. Research hasn't yet produced a definitive answer on whether secondhand vapor is a threat to the public, but health experts believe that e-cigarette companies are marketing to teenagers and young adults with flavors like cherry, chocolate and gummy bear.
"Federal law recognizes that the purpose of these flavorings is to addict children to nicotine and create a new generation of tobacco users," said Dr. Harlan Juster, director of the health department's bureau of tobacco control.
Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat, said he has seen e-cigarettes with the image of Hello Kitty, a cartoon cat. According to the state health department, only 12 percent of high school-age kids reported having smoked a cigarette within 30 days in a 2012 survey, down from 27 percent in 2000. The health department says 88 percent of adult smokers began before the age of 18.
E-cigarettes are marketed as safer than regular cigarettes and a transitional measure to bypass quitting cold turkey, but still contain nicotine, the addictive ingredient in traditional cigarettes. Medical and public health professionals have seen no evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers quit, according to Lawrence Eisenstein, president of the state Association of County Health Officials.
Lawmakers also heard from opponents who said the ban would infringe on the rights of business owners. "The Association sees this as another attempt by government to dictate how New Yorkers run their business," said Scott Wexler, executive director of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association.
Opponents suggest waiting for the Food and Drug administration's review of e-cigarettes before any legislation banning indoor smoking of e-cigarettes is enacted.
Source: Poststar
Friday, April 18, 2014
Smoking Ban Faces Opposition
The smoke will soon be clearing from the corners of campus due to the recent progression of UVM’s smoke-free initiative. “I’m indifferent on the matter, but I can imagine that there’s going to be quite a few disgruntled smokers when that ban comes into play next year,” sophomore Abigail Earle said.
The University’s current goal is for campus to be fully tobacco-free by Jan. 1, 2015, according to their website. The University is going tobacco-free in an attempt to create a “healthier” environment for students, according to their website.
The goal is also to “protect” both smokers and non-smokers from the various health risks that both first and second hand smoking can experience, according to an email to students from Tom Gustafson and Jan Carney April 14. Gustafson is vice president of University Relations and Carney is associate dean of public health.
Despite this concern, many smokers remain “irked” by the prospect of not being able to “light up” whenever they wish.“I think it’s kind of futile, I mean I am a smoker, so I am not too happy about it obviously,” senior Jesse Arnaud said. “In New York they have a smoking ban there in beaches and parks and it doesn’t really work too well.”
Pharmacology professor Karen Lounsbury said she is “hesitant” to promote the ban be- cause she feels that “people should have the right to do what is legal.” She went on to say she believes that imposing the smoke-free ban on the whole campus “seems a bit impractical.” Lounsbury has been teaching cigarette toxicology at UVM since 1998.
“I think that the money going into the ban would be better spent on a health awareness campaign which informs students on the potential side effects of smoking rather than an outright ban,” she said.
The health concern comes from reports that 26 percent of UVM students who currently smoke started the habit after living on-campus, according to the University Benefit Advisory Council. Cigarette tar can cause immediate effects such as bronchitis and chronic heart disease, as well as long term effects caused by the mutations of cells which leads to lung cancer,” Lounsbury said.
Second hand smoke can also be “hazardous” to health, she said. Several students have com- plained about being subjected to this second hand smoke while walking across campus.“I’m very much against second hand smoke, and hate being caught behind a smoker on my way to class,” first-year Leah Ricitelli said.
While a smoke-free campus may benefit stu- dent health,it is also attractive to environmentalists.“It would be great to be able to walk through a rainstorm and not see a river of cigarette butts wash by and go right into the storm drain,” senior Matt Gargiulo said.
Source: http://www.vermontcynic.com
The University’s current goal is for campus to be fully tobacco-free by Jan. 1, 2015, according to their website. The University is going tobacco-free in an attempt to create a “healthier” environment for students, according to their website.
The goal is also to “protect” both smokers and non-smokers from the various health risks that both first and second hand smoking can experience, according to an email to students from Tom Gustafson and Jan Carney April 14. Gustafson is vice president of University Relations and Carney is associate dean of public health.
Despite this concern, many smokers remain “irked” by the prospect of not being able to “light up” whenever they wish.“I think it’s kind of futile, I mean I am a smoker, so I am not too happy about it obviously,” senior Jesse Arnaud said. “In New York they have a smoking ban there in beaches and parks and it doesn’t really work too well.”
Pharmacology professor Karen Lounsbury said she is “hesitant” to promote the ban be- cause she feels that “people should have the right to do what is legal.” She went on to say she believes that imposing the smoke-free ban on the whole campus “seems a bit impractical.” Lounsbury has been teaching cigarette toxicology at UVM since 1998.
“I think that the money going into the ban would be better spent on a health awareness campaign which informs students on the potential side effects of smoking rather than an outright ban,” she said.
The health concern comes from reports that 26 percent of UVM students who currently smoke started the habit after living on-campus, according to the University Benefit Advisory Council. Cigarette tar can cause immediate effects such as bronchitis and chronic heart disease, as well as long term effects caused by the mutations of cells which leads to lung cancer,” Lounsbury said.
Second hand smoke can also be “hazardous” to health, she said. Several students have com- plained about being subjected to this second hand smoke while walking across campus.“I’m very much against second hand smoke, and hate being caught behind a smoker on my way to class,” first-year Leah Ricitelli said.
While a smoke-free campus may benefit stu- dent health,it is also attractive to environmentalists.“It would be great to be able to walk through a rainstorm and not see a river of cigarette butts wash by and go right into the storm drain,” senior Matt Gargiulo said.
Source: http://www.vermontcynic.com
Friday, February 21, 2014
Colorado and Utah to raise smoking age to 21
A proposal to raise the tobacco age to 21 in Colorado is up for its first review in the state Legislature.
The bipartisan bill would make Colorado the first with a statewide
21-to-smoke law. It's before the House Health, Insurance, and
Environment Committee Thursday afternoon.
People who are currently between the ages of 18 and 20 would be grandfathered in, meaning the measure wouldn't be fully implemented until today's 17-year-olds are 21.
It's not clear how many of Colorado's current smokers are younger than 21. However, a paper published last year in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine said that 9 out of 10 daily smokers have their first cigarette by 18 years of age.
A Senate committee has approved a bill raising the age Utah young people can legally buy cigarettes from 19 to 21. The Senate Health and Human Services committee voted 4-1 on Thursday to approve the measure. It now advances to the full Senate. Ogden Republican Sen. Stuart Reid sponsors the bill and says it may prevent young people from getting addicted to tobacco.
Opponents say the bill infringes on the freedom of young adults. Utah is one of a handful of states that ban sales for those under 19 years old, instead of 18. Reid's bill could make Utah the first state in the country to raise the age to 21.
People who are currently between the ages of 18 and 20 would be grandfathered in, meaning the measure wouldn't be fully implemented until today's 17-year-olds are 21.
It's not clear how many of Colorado's current smokers are younger than 21. However, a paper published last year in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine said that 9 out of 10 daily smokers have their first cigarette by 18 years of age.
A Senate committee has approved a bill raising the age Utah young people can legally buy cigarettes from 19 to 21. The Senate Health and Human Services committee voted 4-1 on Thursday to approve the measure. It now advances to the full Senate. Ogden Republican Sen. Stuart Reid sponsors the bill and says it may prevent young people from getting addicted to tobacco.
Opponents say the bill infringes on the freedom of young adults. Utah is one of a handful of states that ban sales for those under 19 years old, instead of 18. Reid's bill could make Utah the first state in the country to raise the age to 21.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Altria Q4 Profit Falls as Cigarette Sales Decrease
Altria Group's fourth-quarter profit dropped 56% as the Marlboro maker sold fewer cigarettes and recorded charges related to paying off debt early. Its adjusted earnings and revenue narrowly missed Wall Street expectations, and its shares slipped in premarket trading.
The owner of the nation's biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, posted earnings Thursday of $488 million, or $0.24 per share. That's down from $1.1 billion, or $0.55 a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, earnings were $0.57 per share, missing Wall Street expectations by a penny.
Altria Group, based in Richmond, Va., said that revenue, excluding excise taxes, fell 1% to $4.4 billion as higher prices helped offset a decline in volumes. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $4.5 billion. The company also said Thursday it expects 2014 full-year adjusted earnings between $2.52 and $2.59 per share. Analysts expect $2.57 per share.
Cigarette volumes fell about 6% to 31.8 billion cigarettes compared with a year ago. Adjusting for trade inventory changes, cigarette volumes fell 4%, on par with the total industry decline.
Marlboro volumes fell 5.7%, while volume for its other premium brands fell by more than 11%, and volumes for discount cigarette brands like L&M increased 2%. Its share of the U.S. retail market rose 0.3 percentage points to 50.7%. Marlboro's share of the U.S. market rose 0.2 percentage points to 43.7%.
The Marlboro brand has been under pressure from competitors and lower-priced cigarette brands amid economic uncertainty and high unemployment.
That's on top of the tax hikes, smoking bans and a social stigma that have made the cigarette business tougher. Altria and others are focusing on cigarette alternatives -- such as electronic cigarettes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco -- for future sales growth because the decline in cigarette smoking is expected to continue.
Volumes of Altria's smokeless tobacco brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal fell 4.3% from a year ago. Adjusting for one less shipping day and trade inventory changes, Altria says its smokeless volumes grew about 5%. For the quarter, the company's smokeless tobacco brands had about 55% of the market, though smokeless tobacco is a tiny market compared with cigarettes.
Volumes for its Black & Mild cigars rose 8.5% during the quarter. Altria Group also owns a wine business, holds a voting stake in brewer SABMiller, and has a financial services division.
Source: http://www.fool.com
The owner of the nation's biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, posted earnings Thursday of $488 million, or $0.24 per share. That's down from $1.1 billion, or $0.55 a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, earnings were $0.57 per share, missing Wall Street expectations by a penny.
Altria Group, based in Richmond, Va., said that revenue, excluding excise taxes, fell 1% to $4.4 billion as higher prices helped offset a decline in volumes. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $4.5 billion. The company also said Thursday it expects 2014 full-year adjusted earnings between $2.52 and $2.59 per share. Analysts expect $2.57 per share.
Cigarette volumes fell about 6% to 31.8 billion cigarettes compared with a year ago. Adjusting for trade inventory changes, cigarette volumes fell 4%, on par with the total industry decline.
Marlboro volumes fell 5.7%, while volume for its other premium brands fell by more than 11%, and volumes for discount cigarette brands like L&M increased 2%. Its share of the U.S. retail market rose 0.3 percentage points to 50.7%. Marlboro's share of the U.S. market rose 0.2 percentage points to 43.7%.
The Marlboro brand has been under pressure from competitors and lower-priced cigarette brands amid economic uncertainty and high unemployment.
That's on top of the tax hikes, smoking bans and a social stigma that have made the cigarette business tougher. Altria and others are focusing on cigarette alternatives -- such as electronic cigarettes, cigars, snuff and chewing tobacco -- for future sales growth because the decline in cigarette smoking is expected to continue.
Volumes of Altria's smokeless tobacco brands such as Copenhagen and Skoal fell 4.3% from a year ago. Adjusting for one less shipping day and trade inventory changes, Altria says its smokeless volumes grew about 5%. For the quarter, the company's smokeless tobacco brands had about 55% of the market, though smokeless tobacco is a tiny market compared with cigarettes.
Volumes for its Black & Mild cigars rose 8.5% during the quarter. Altria Group also owns a wine business, holds a voting stake in brewer SABMiller, and has a financial services division.
Source: http://www.fool.com
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