Tag Archives: tobacco use
Tax hike didn’t cut smoking
Senators will interrogate the tobacco industry stakeholders about the government plan to reform excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol in spite of the presupposition made by Cesar Purisima, Finance Secretary that the tax rise was not a reason for quitting smoking.
During a previous hearing led by the Senate committee Purisima said that they suppose that essential tax increases and following retail prices increase will not lead to a significant decrease in tobacco use.
According to the recent study, it was demonstrated that cigarette use even increased under the conditions of hikes in tobacco taxes and prices.
Cesar Purisima said that cigarette prices from year 2004 to 2011 were augmented by as much as 61%, but tobacco use did not decreased.
He made reference to tobacco tax hikes, which over the years, had led to corresponding increases in the retail prices by as much as 99%.
Republic Act 9334 requires tax increases on tobacco and alcohol products starting January 1, 2005 and every other year until January 1, 2011.
But Senator Ralph Recto, ways and means committee chairman, pointed out that the main thing in the current tax reform discussions is coming up with the efficient tax rate.
He declared that it was the opinion of majority in the Senate to reach a tax structure that would profit all players equally.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said if the Senate wants to increase the tax, it won’t reduce the number of smokers and they will continue to smoke.
Rodelito Atienza, who is the Labor Union president, asked if the proposed aim will not be reached, why is the DOF willing to cause so much injury to many of stakeholders in both alcohol and tobacco industries who are ready to lose their jobs?”
Blake Dy, Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corp. vice president, said that government was being “heavy-handed” without the need. There are other ways of make money without giving such radical change, he said.
He added that the government should preserve an open mind on this matter. There are various ways to obtain government’s goals without destroying the industry, he said.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona told that the country is now number one country in tobacco use in the Southeast Asia with every Filipino smoking an estimated 1,073 sticks yearly.
He stressed that cigarette consumption is a risk factor in 6 of the world’s 8 leading causes of preventable diseases.
Rihanna slammed for smoking in video
It is just the latest in a series of objections to the video which depicts the singer and a boyfriend fighting in a drug-fuelled haze.
At the time of filming, a farmer spoke out against Rihanna’s nudity on set, but on Tuesday local charity Ulster Cancer Foundation criticised her deadly habit.
Rihanna smoking in her latest music video We Found Love
The Barbados-born singer smokes openly in the video, which was filmed on locations across Northern Ireland including Co Down and Belfast’s New Lodge.
Thousands flocked to catch a glimpse of Rihanna as she was captured on film for the song, which was a collaboration with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, in the days before she kicked off her latest tour at the Odyssey arena.
The Ulster Cancer Foundation says it is concerned that the singer’s smoking habits could influence young people in Northern Ireland.
“After so much hype around the filming of the video it was very disappointing to see Rihanna so blatantly smoking throughout it,” said UCF Cancer Prevention Officer, Doreen Regan.
“Artists such as Rihanna are held in high esteem and regarded as role models by millions of young people. We are very concerned that young people watching the video will see smoking as glamorous and want to copy her behaviour,” she added.
Research by the UCF has revealed that almost one third of 14 to 16-year-olds have tried smoking, and smoking in television, films and music videos is a key trigger for teens starting to smoke
“Young people who experiment with tobacco can become quickly addicted. The earlier a young person begins to smoke the worse the impact on their health including wheeziness and shortness of breath compared to those who do not smoke, and impaired lung growth and function which may lead to lung cancer in later life.
“Three-quarters of adult smokers start the habit as teenagers, which is why it is so irresponsible of Rihanna to influence her young fan base in this way,” added Ms Regan.
Last week the Rape Crisis Centre said the video was a “disgrace” and “sends the message that [Rihanna] is an object to be possessed by men, which is disturbingly what we see in real violence cases”.
Tougher anti-tobacco rules for TV, films
Henceforth, every time an actor is seen taking a puff on screen, a prominent scroll warning that smoking is injurious to health will run at the bottom. What’s more, the actor will personally read out the ill-effects of smoking, say the new health ministry rules to be effective from Monday.
According to the rules, all filmmakers depicting usage of tobacco will have to show a message or spot of minimum 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of the concerned film or TV programme.
Johnny Depp smoking in The Tourist movie
For films or programmes being made after Monday, a strong editorial justification for display of tobacco products or their use shall be given to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) along with a UA certification.
A representative from health ministry will also be present in the CBFC.
It will also need a disclaimer of minimum 20 seconds duration by the concerned actor regarding the ill effects of the use of such products in the beginning and middle of the film or television programme.
Also, the names of brands of cigarettes and other tobacco products will also have to be cropped or blurred.
“India has the largest film producing industry and films have played a key role in the process of social change and in influencing the Indian culture. Thus, for the tobacco industry, films provide an opportunity to convert a deadly product into a status symbol or token of independence,” a statement from the ministry said Friday.
“The role of movies as vehicles for promoting tobacco use has become even more important as other forms of tobacco promotion are constrained,” it said.
According to a combined study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the health ministry, tobacco usage was shown in nearly 89 percent movies in 2005 compared to 76 percent in 2003.
Nearly 75 percent of the movies showed the lead character smoking in 2005 and 41 percent showed the brand.
UIC to study tobacco pricing and mass media
The University of Illinois at Chicago has received $14.2 million from the National Cancer Institute to study how mass media and tax and pricing affects tobacco use and behavior.
The two five-year studies at UIC’s Institute for Health Research and Policy build on previous tobacco research conducted by the institute to better understand what factors influence smoking behaviors.
Model advertising cigarette smoking
In one study, senior research scientist Sherry Emery and colleagues will measure the extent to which people are exposed to, search for, and exchange both pro- and anti-tobacco information in mass media, how these activities are related to one another, and ultimately, how these actions are related to smoking behavior, beliefs and attitudes.
In evaluating pro- and anti-tobacco information the researchers will use existing data to assess passive exposure to television advertisements, banner ads that pop up on the internet, and sponsored text messaging; what people actively search for on the internet; and what people exchange via social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
“The hypothesis is that if you’re exposed to, for example, an ad that says you should quit smoking your level of engagement with that information will be substantially lower than if you actively search the Internet for ways to quit smoking; in turn, engagement will be even greater if you share your experience with quitting via social media. These different levels of engagement may be associated in important ways to tobacco-related attitudes, beliefs and behavior,” says Emery, principal investigator of the $7.2 million NCI-funded grant.
Emery’s study will also collect new data from an online survey of 15,000 people in the country’s top 75 media markets to obtain media market estimates of people’s behavior and their consumption of pro- and anti-tobacco information from a variety of mass media, as well as smoking behavior information and demographics.
The tobacco industry is prohibited from advertising on television, but they are not prohibited from providing information about their products that can be actively searched for on the internet, says Emery, whose previous research has examined the impact of tobacco-related television advertising on youth and adult smoking attitudes and behaviors.
Watching television, while still the dominant source of information for many people, is a different behavior than it was five years ago, Emery said.
In the other study, Frank Chaloupka, distinguished professor of economics and director of the Health Policy Center at UIC, and colleagues will assess policies affecting retail tobacco prices over a 10-year period; evaluate the impact of price-reducing promotions on tobacco purchasing behaviors, such as choice of product and brand; and determine to what extent consumers will avoid paying tax on tobacco products by crossing county or state borders, or by purchasing online or by phone or mail order.
The study will also investigate how pricing and tax policies impact tobacco behaviors, including prevalence, frequency and intensity of use, youth uptake, cessation, and substitution among products.
“Tobacco tax increases are widely recognized as the most effective policy governments have for reducing the death, disease and economic costs imposed by tobacco use,” said Chaloupka. “Findings from this project will help to ensure that these policies are designed and implemented in a way that maximizes their effectiveness in reducing tobacco use and its consequences.”
Chaloupka has conducted extensive research on the economics of tobacco use and found that increases in cigarette prices – including tax hikes – lead to significant reductions in smoking. This research has led to many substance-abuse policy initiatives and has been cited by the U.S. surgeon general’s office.
The Benefits of Stop Smoking Aids
It’s no secret that cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health. You can even see it on cigarette packs and boxes. Why do people still smoke despite the warnings? The answer is simple; nicotine is a highly addictive substance. It explains why people who start smoking can’t seem to kick the habit out the window easily. The good news is there are many stop smoking aids available on the market.
Quitting smoking is a real tough job. Fortunately, a number of alternatives have been introduced to the world and have helped thousands of people. Nicotine gums, nicotine patches and nicotine sprays are often used to replace the nicotine you get from cigarettes. They were designed to control your nicotine cravings and suppress the urge to light up a cigar at every chance you get. Keep in mind that you cannot smoke while you are on nicotine replacement therapy as it can result to nicotine overdose.
STOP SMOKING AIDS
The stop smoking aids can be really helpful but you cannot rely solely on them. You still have to work hard for it. You need to resist the urge to smoke. It may be difficult but your efforts will surely pay off in the end.
The possibility of catching chronic diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer will also be decreased. It’s a win-win situation for you. Quitting smoking has indeed several advantages and they should be enough to motivate you to kick the habit out the window.
Stop smoking aids include the disposal of cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays. Be sure to clean your house and your work place as it is much easier to quit if you can’t see tempting things lying around. Also, make it a point to stay away from places where you will be prompted to light up a cigarette. It’s also best to stay away from people who smoke while you are still in the process of breaking the habit so that you won’t be tempted.
THE BENEFITS OF STOP SMOKING
Fill your pockets with gums and candies. Whenever you feel like smoking, pop in a candy or chew a gum instead. This should do the trick. You will eventually forget the remnants of tobacco smell.
Quitting smoking is not easy but it can be done. You just have to be patient. Soon, you will see that your efforts have paid off thanks to the stop smoking aids. Live a clean life, live a healthy life.
Youth too smart to be sucked in by smoking actors
An expert on youth, tobacco use and the media does not think that classifying films that feature smoking will make any difference to the habits of young people.
A new European study has added weight to claims that young people are more inclined to take up smoking after they see it being done in films. The findings have led to calls from overseas health authorities to classify smoking movies as R18.
Actress Lindsay Lohan smoking a cigarette
Dr Judith McCool from Auckland University says despite the studies, she believes that young people are smart when it comes to media and do not suddenly see an image of someone smoking and decide to take up the habit.
“From the research that we’ve done in New Zealand I don’t think classifying will work … going through the complicated process of reclassifying films that contain smoking is not going to solve this issue at all,” she said.
The latest study, and one undertaken in the US, both found similar results but McCool says they are based on a “dose response relationship”.
“These studies sound very convincing in terms of what they identify, but it’s how you interpret it that’s important.
“What they measure is purely onscreen exposure to smokers. Then they add a range of other factors that we know are associated with smoking and, from that, they say ‘the more smoking you are exposed to the more likely you are to become a smoker’,” she said.
McCool said New Zealand studies on the subject did not use the same method as the overseas ones did.
“We’ve tried to explore the relationship between viewing smoking and taking up smoking to see which groups are more vulnerable.”
McCool says images that depict the kind of life a young person wants to live are more powerful than generic ones that show something like smoking.
No more cigarettes for smoking Malaysian orangutan
A captive orangutan often spotted smoking cigarettes given to her by zoo visitors is being forced to kick the habit, a Malaysian wildlife official said Monday.
Government authorities seized the adult ape named Shirley from a state-run zoo in Malaysia’s southern Johor state last week after she and several other animals there were deemed to be living in poor conditions.
Smoking orangutan in the Malaysian Johor zoo
Shirley is now being quarantined at another zoo in a neighboring state and is expected to be sent to a Malaysian wildlife center on Borneo island within weeks.
Melaka Zoo Director Ahmad Azhar Mohammed said Shirley is not being provided with any more cigarettes because “smoking is not normal behavior for orangutans.”
“I would say she is not addicted … but she might have formed a habit after mimicking human beings who were smoking around her,” Ahmad told The Associated Press.
Shirley was so far displaying a regular appetite for food and no obvious signs of depression or illness, Ahmad said. Results from her blood tests and other detailed health examinations were not yet available.
Nature Alert, a British-based activist group, wrote to Malaysian officials about Shirley earlier this year, saying conservationists who visited the Johor zoo often saw people throwing lit cigarettes to her in a pit-like enclosure.
The group said Shirley seemed to suffer severe mood swings, sometimes looking drowsy and on other occasions appearing “very agitated” without a cigarette.
Authorities last week also reportedly seized a tiger and a baby elephant that was kept chained at the Johor zoo.
It is not clear when Shirley started smoking. Officials have estimated she is around 20 years old. Orangutans, which are native to rainforests in Borneo and Indonesia’s Sumatra island, can live up to about 60 years in captivity.
Other countries such as South Africa and Russia have also reported cases of primates learning to smoke after zoo visitors ignored warnings and tossed cigarettes into the cages of chimpanzees.
Smoking rates drop in US, but not by much
Despite national and state efforts to raise tobacco taxes, increase awareness of cigarettes’ health risks, and ban smoking in public places, the decline in smoking in the United States has slowed dramatically over the past five years, according to a report released today by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The decline was very gradual,” CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a media briefing. “But those who smoked heavily fell substantially,” he said, while the number of light smokers, who smoked half a pack a day or less, increased.
Woman holding a lighted cigarette in one hand and sunglasses in other hand
In 2010, an estimated 19.3 percent of Americans smoked, down from 20.9 percent in 2005. The percentage of smokers who puffed on nine or fewer cigarettes a day rose to 21.8 percent in 2010 from 16.4 percent in 2005, while the percentage of heavy smokers — 30 or more cigarettes per day — fell from 12.7 percent to 8.3 percent.
Still, health officials emphasize that light smokers also face the health hazards of heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes. “The latest research leaves us less impressed with the health benefits that people accrue from cutting down on smoking ,” said Dr. Tim McAfee, director of the CDC Office on Smoking and Health. “We see much more dramatic benefits from people quitting altogether.”
Massachusetts has enjoyed a pretty steady decline in smoking rates over the past five years — from 18.1 percent in 2005 to 14.1 percent in 2010 — as have most of the other New England states.
Smoke-free laws enacted in Mass. seven years ago and a high cigarette tax — which currently stands at $2.51 per pack — may have contributed to the drop. These efforts, as well as support for those who wish to quit and education on smoking’s risks, all help to drive down smoking rates, said Friedan.
“There’s a misperception that we’ve reached an irreducible minimum for smoking rates, and that’s very far from the truth,” he added. “We know it’s possible to drive down tobacco rates substantially more than we have already.”
While the CDC recommends that states fund smoking cessation programs with 10 to 15 percent of their revenue generated each year from tobacco company settlement funds and cigarette taxes, only one state, North Dakota, met that recommendation. Massachusetts spent just $4.5 million on programs like anti-smoking advertising campaigns and toll-free quit lines in 2011 – barely 5 percent of the CDC’s recommended amount.
The federal government has set a goal to lower national smoking rates down to 12 percent by the year 2020, which looks highly unlikely given that smoking rates in many tobacco-growing southern states hover well above 20 percent. In Kentucky, nearly 25 percent of residents still smoke — similar to the rate in Massachusetts back in the late 1980s.
Smoking regulations in southern states are far more lax than in other parts of the country. On the flip side, California – one of the first states to implement anti-smoking laws more than a decade ago – has one of the lowest smoking rates in the nation: 12 percent
But laws can’t completely fix the problem. McAfee said cigarette taxes appear to be having less of an impact than expected due to discounts implemented by the tobacco industry in the form of cheaper prices per pack or coupons mailed directly to consumers. And Friedan added that CDC studies have shown that cigarettes have become more addictive in terms of how they’re designed to deliver more nicotine per puff — which can make it more difficult for smokers to quit.
Vogue editor regrets cigarette shots
French Vogue’s former editor Carine Roitfeld regrets using cigarettes in so many of her fashion shoots.
After several years as the magazine’s editor, Roitfeld left her post in January. Since then she’s embarked on new projects, including penning a tome called Irreverent.
It contains her favourite images she’s been involved with, and Vogue.com has published a sneak peek.
French Vogue's former editor Carine Roitfeld
Roitfeld says she wishes she had never shown models smoking in her pictures because she knows it probably had a profound effect on many young women.
“The book is dedicated to my husband, who quit smoking seven months ago,” she says.
“When he decided to stop smoking, I said, ‘My God, it’s too bad I didn’t try to help him to stop before’.
“Now I decide I will never use a cigarette again in any shoot.
“When you’re doing fashion pictures, you’re talking to lots of figures; some are very young, and they’re like sponges. So if your girl is smoking a cigarette, they can say, ‘Oh, my God, it’s smart to smoke a cigarette, it’s good for the look, so I’m going to have one, too’. And it’s totally stupid.”
Roitfeld also discusses how the fashion industry nurtures talent. She worries it’s too hard for rising French designers to get backing, and hopes that will change in the future.
“Here in France I’ve seen some very good young designers, but they don’t have this ability to be good businessmen, too. I think America gives you this,” she says.
“Maybe one regret I have about Vogue Paris is not to be more helpful for young designers.
“It’s true when you have a magazine, you have more power to help.
“My last issue was dedicated to young designers. OK, it was the last issue, but it was a beginning.”
Letter to the editor: We can make future where no Montana kids smoke
In recent Montana adult tobacco surveys by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, it was learned that nearly two in five low-income Montanans smoke.
Considering the cost of cigarettes and lost wages due to illness or death caused by smoking, the additional financial burden of tobacco addiction is staggering.
One of the goals for the Gallatin County Tobacco Use Prevention Program includes an outreach to specific population groups that include pregnant women and low-income families.
NO MONTANA KIDS SMOKE
Our key strategies:
* Increase the duration and intensity of public awareness campaigns for women of childbearing age (18 to 44 years old) that warn about the dangers of smoking during pregnancy.
* Provide information to Medicaid beneficiaries about the free services and low-cost medications offered by the Montana Tobacco Quit Line and the Montana Medicaid program.
* Educate and train owners and managers of rent-restricted multi-unit housing facilities (non-public housing authorities) about developing and implementing smokefree policies to protect residents from secondhand smoke.
* Offer training to home health care nurses and public health nurses on how to provide brief cessation interventions in order to increase the number of nurses that can provide this service for their clients.
* Provide tobacco use prevention resources and technical assistance to Head Start programs.
With your continued support of the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and community-based programs like the Gallatin County Tobacco Use Prevention Program, Montana will have a future where no children will ever start to use tobacco products and secondhand smoke exposure will be eliminated.
