Lee and Mackenzie’s news analysis article on BAT’s Blackberry-picking
endorsement (TC 2007;16:223) jolted to memory an advertisement from Malaysia a
couple of years ago. In March 2005, the Clearing House on Tobacco Control
(based at the National Poison Centre, Penang) alerted Malaysians to a
similar endorsement advert for BlackBerry by BAT Malaysia in a national
newspaper (see illustration at http://tobacco.health.usyd.ed...
Lee and Mackenzie’s news analysis article on BAT’s Blackberry-picking
endorsement (TC 2007;16:223) jolted to memory an advertisement from Malaysia a
couple of years ago. In March 2005, the Clearing House on Tobacco Control
(based at the National Poison Centre, Penang) alerted Malaysians to a
similar endorsement advert for BlackBerry by BAT Malaysia in a national
newspaper (see illustration at http://tobacco.health.usyd.edu.au/share/blackberry.jpeg).
Chances are this promotional link-up between BAT and BlackBerry was
first tested in Malaysia before being introduced elsewhere in the world.
After the ban on indirect tobacco advertising went into effect in Malaysia
on September 2004 this co-branding advertisement, first of its kind, appeared the
following year. It has an uncanny similarity to the promotion described by
Lee and Mackenzie. The Malaysian advertisement quoted a BAT IT Director’s
endorsement of the Blackberry saying it allowed “BAT Malaysia to be
connected to its worldwide network.” Why would the Malaysian public care
how a BAT executive communicated anyway.
Malaysia’s notoriety as a testing ground for indirect tobacco
advertising holds true in this case. With this advertisement, BAT Malaysia
accomplished several things – it advertised its name, its facility, its
logo, its executive and aligned itself prominently in Malaysia’s quest for
technological advancement. None of this is unlawful in Malaysia. The
Malaysian tobacco control legislation is limited to only a ban on
cigarette brand advertising and sponsorship.
Telecommunications companies or any company for that matter, not
engaged in public health, will have no issues in co-branding with a
tobacco company. The onus is on governments to ensure tobacco control
legislation is broad enough to cover co-branding. Currently very few
countries have banned tobacco advertising via internet or email. This is
cross-border advertising and this issue should be addressed globally.
Many countries are now tightening up their regulations banning
tobacco advertising and sponsorship to make them compliant with the FCTC.
Article 13 of the FCTC calls for comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising
and sponsorship activities and these include email and internet
technology. The devil is in the detail. Limiting advertising ban to just
tobacco brand names creates a loophole for the companies to continue
corporate advertising and engage in co-branding advertising with other
companies.
While Parties to the FCTC are moving forward with drawing up
guidelines on cross-border advertising, perhaps we should do something
meanwhile. The Malaysian advert said that BAT uses BlackBerry for their
employees on the move, and goes on to ask, “When will you?” Perhaps our
response ought to be, “When will BlackBerry stop its co-branding with
BAT?”
NOT PEER REVIEWED
I am surprised that AIDS has not been blamed on passive smoking yet,
if you excuse my irony.
Quite frankly this obsession with SHS being the cause of SIDS is
quite depressing as an eager public lap up any chance to demonise smokers.
Looking at the empirical evidence it does not back up the hypothesis.
As remarked here by UK journalist Charlie Booker in a piece entitled
"Fiddling those s...
NOT PEER REVIEWED
I am surprised that AIDS has not been blamed on passive smoking yet,
if you excuse my irony.
Quite frankly this obsession with SHS being the cause of SIDS is
quite depressing as an eager public lap up any chance to demonise smokers.
Looking at the empirical evidence it does not back up the hypothesis.
As remarked here by UK journalist Charlie Booker in a piece entitled
"Fiddling those smoking figures again." (1) "The only snag was that the
years between 1970 and 1988, when cot deaths shot up by 500 per cent,
coincided with the very time when the number of adults who smoked in
Britain was falling most sharply, from 45 to 30 per cent. To anyone but a
fanatical anti-smoking campaigner, this might have suggested that
"environmental tobacco smoke" was unlikely to be the chief cause of cot
deaths."
If look at the figures supplied by the UK's government's Office of
National Statistics and look at Figure 2 graph Mr Booker is entirely
correct. (2)
My smoking statistics are supplied by Action on Smoking and Health
(3) and indeed confirm Booker's claims for a reduction in that time.
Also if you look at data on smoking rates smoking is often a sign of
poverty, twice as many poorer people smoke than affluent people 30% vs 15%
typically. Poverty often means you live in less hygienic housing and
surrounds, rubbish, excrement and hypodermic needles etc. Greater
densities of people to pass on virus and bacteria, closer proximities to
industrial and car pollution. All these are confounders with smoking just
a marker that you are poor. As this paper articulates (4)
This paper written by (5) Neuropathologist Hannah Kinney, MD,
neuroscientist David Paterson, PhD, "and colleagues examined brainstem
tissue from 31 infants who died from SIDS and 10 who had died from other
causes. They documented the most comprehensive set of defects known to
date: deficiencies in the serotonin receptor 5HT1A, an abnormally high
number of neurons that make and release serotonin; a preponderance of
immature serotonergic neurons; and insufficient amounts of the serotonin
transporter protein, which "recycles" serotonin so neurons can reuse it.
Male SIDS infants had significantly fewer 5-HT1A receptors than females,
offering a possible explanation why boys succumb to SIDS twice as often as
girls."
To be fair it does go on to say speculatively that "Although more
research is needed, Kinney, Paterson and colleagues believe that factors
such as maternal smoking and alcohol use during early fetal development
may derail development of the brainstem serotonin system."
This paper certainly concludes that smoking is irrelevant. (6)
This paper also explores the much higher death rates among lower
socio-economic groups (7)
In conclusion "Fiddling those smoking figures again" may have struck
again.
7th April 2011 speaker at the "Tobacco dependence should be recognised by the state as a medical condition, not a lifestyle choice." My travel expenses were met by Pfizer.
A goal of the World Health Organization's Tobacco Control Framework
is to totally eradicate tobacco use (1). The underlying theory is that
anyone who exerts enough will power can overcome addition to nicotine. The
situation may not be as simple as they would like to believe.
The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians found
that the development of nicotine addiction includes changes in brain
st...
A goal of the World Health Organization's Tobacco Control Framework
is to totally eradicate tobacco use (1). The underlying theory is that
anyone who exerts enough will power can overcome addition to nicotine. The
situation may not be as simple as they would like to believe.
The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians found
that the development of nicotine addiction includes changes in brain
structure and function that impair the ability to achieve and sustain
abstinence. They note that some of these changes may not be entirely
reversible; consequently some smokers may never be able to quit all
nicotine use (2).
Sweden has one of the lowest rates of smoking and lowest lung cancer
rates in the world; however this is not due to the eradication of tobacco
use. It is most likely due to the high percentage of smokers who switched
to low-nitrosamine Swedish snus (3).
Thus it is troubling that Etter, et al, discuss concerns about
electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) that are more appropriate for a
medication. This focus ignores the primary purpose for the invention of
the e-cigarette: To allow smokers to save their health and their lives by
switching to a safer alternative source of nicotine (4).
One of the reasons that more smokers have not switched to the
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products is that the dosages are kept
low because of concerns about "abuse potential" (5). These doses are
inadequate replacement for many smokers.
In a national survey, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that
9% of UK smokers had tried e-cigarettes and 3% were still using them. This
amounts to 300,000 people who have achieved smoking abstinence thanks to
these products. In a focus group, those who had not tried e-cigarettes
pictured a device that looks and performs much like a real cigarette.
Those who had tried e-cigarettes put greater importance on an "authentic
smoking experience" and strength of nicotine (6).
So when the Research Agenda suggests "a standard dosing regimen" be
developed for e-cigarettes, we consumers cringe. In all the years that we
were smokers, we self-regulated our nicotine intake. We smoked more often
or inhaled more deeply in times of high stress or when we had the need to
remain alert. We smoked less often when we were relaxed and ready to go to
sleep.
In addition, our overall intake varied widely across individuals.
Most smokers averaged a pack a day; but many got along just fine on 5 or
10 cigarettes a day, and some required several packs per day. These
varying needs are reflected in the range of nicotine strengths and
quantity of liquid used per day by e-cigarette consumers (7). Regulating
the products to the point where dosages are kept low for fear of abuse
potential most likely would make the products just as ineffective an
alternative as pharmaceutical NRTs.
It is unquestionably in the best interests of public health to help
as many smokers as possible make the switch as soon as possible to safer
alternatives. If "continued marketing constitutes an uncontrolled
experiment," so what? Continued smoking guarantees irreversible damage to
the lungs, cardiovascular systems, and DNA of smokers who can't quit
during the years that the researchers are satisfying themselves that e-
cigarettes are "safe."
E-cigarettes don't need to be safe in any absolute sense. They only
need to be safer than continued smoking. If they were more harmful than
smoking, we would know that by now.
(1) World Health Organization. Tobacco Cessation: A Manual for
Nurses, Health Workers, and Other Health Professionals. ISBN 978-92-9022-
384-9
http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Tobacco_Free_Initiative_manual-hsw.pdf
(Accessed May 2011).
(2) Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians. Harm
reduction in nicotine addiction: Helping people who can't quit. October
2007. Royal College of Physicians.
http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/4fc74817-64c5-4105-951e-38239b09c5db.pdf
(Accessed May 2011).
(3) Ferberg (2005). Is Swedish snus associated with smoking
initiation or smoking cessation? Tobacco Control 2005;14:422???424.
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/14/6/422.abstract (Accessed May
2011).
(4) Demick B. A high tech approach to getting a nicotine fix. Los
Angeles Times. April 25, 2009.
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/25/world/fg-china-cigarettes25
(Accessed May 2011).
(5) McNeill A, Foulds J, Bates C. Regulateion of nicotine replacement
therapies (NRT): a critique of current practice. Addiction (2001) 965,
1757-1768. http://www.tobaccoprogram.org/pdf/nrtcritique.pdf (Accessed May
2011).
(6) Dockrell M, Indu SD, Lashkari HG, McNeill A. "It sounds like the
replacement I need to help me stop smoking": Use and acceptability of "e-
cigarettes" among UK smokers. 12th annual meeting of the Society for
Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Europe. Bath, UK, 2010.
(7) Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association.
Survey Results.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=HrpzL8PN5cP366RWhWvCTjggiZM_2b8yQJHfwE9UXRNhE_3d
(Accessed May 2011).
In reference to the e-letter published on July, 24, 2007, entitled
"Water-pipe smoking and dental stains – Adding fuel to the controversy?"
and authored by Sebastian et al., I'd like to share with comments on the
following:
1- The generalizations that "Shisha (Water-pipe) smokers did not
develop any stains while Cigarette smokers had grade 3 dental stains at
the end of 100 days" and "Coal...
In reference to the e-letter published on July, 24, 2007, entitled
"Water-pipe smoking and dental stains – Adding fuel to the controversy?"
and authored by Sebastian et al., I'd like to share with comments on the
following:
1- The generalizations that "Shisha (Water-pipe) smokers did not
develop any stains while Cigarette smokers had grade 3 dental stains at
the end of 100 days" and "Coal tar combustion does not happen in water-
pipe smoking, since no stains formed in 100 days" need further scrutiny.
These generalizations (that describe how some aspect of a phenomenon
behaves under stated circumstances) are based on a very small number of
study subjects (10 in each group) and a too short period of evaluation
(100 days). My observation is that dental staining occurs in both Shisha
and cigarette smokers even with enthusiastic measures of oral hygiene. A
crucial factor to consider, however, is that cigarettes can be smoked at
any point of the 24 hours of the day, while smoking Shisha is not. This
entails different environmental factors during cigarette smoking.
2- The inference that "tar produced by a water-pipe may differ from
that produced by a cigarette was interpreted on the basis that tobacco in
a water-pipe is not burnt, but heated". However, tobacco undergoes burning
during both Shisha (water-pipe) and cigarette smoking. The difference is
that tobacco in a cigarette is drier than in Shisha. While tobacco in a
cigarette can be burnt negatively without inhalation once the cigarette is
lit, it requires continuous inhalation during Shisha smoking. However, if
a cigarette with a damp tobacco is lit and left without inhalation no
further burning will occur and the cigarette will be in need of lighting
it again. Furthermore, examination of tobacco after Shisha smoking will be
of 2 types; completely (ash type) and partly (mixed type) burnt tobacco.
3. No safety does exist for any type of smoking and no controversy
should exist for Shisha (water-pipe) smoking.
Fouad Al-Belasy
Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,
Associate Dean for Education and Students Affairs,
Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, EGYPT
NOT PEER REVIEWED Pressure the CDC and FDA to pressure state legislatures to outlaw the
sale of filtered cigarettes. As I see it, this is the only viable solution
for ending this litter problem. Cigarette smoking should be made as
unappealing as possible to all concerned.
NOT PEER REVIEWED Thanks for Mr. Middleton's information that there are local tobacco
manufacturers in Hong Kong. I made a mistake when reading the materials. I
have amended this in the updated version.
It does not affect the analysis as the government taxes based on
number of cigarettes sold rather than manufactured, but I sincerely
appreciate your valuable advice.
NOT PEER REVIEWED Thanks for Mr. Middleton's information that there are local tobacco
manufacturers in Hong Kong. I made a mistake when reading the materials. I
have amended this in the updated version.
It does not affect the analysis as the government taxes based on
number of cigarettes sold rather than manufactured, but I sincerely
appreciate your valuable advice.
For the analysis part, it is not easy to have an "official figure" of
illicit cigarette consumption. During the peer review stage, I indeed have
discussed with the reviewers which source is preferable. I adopt the
figures provided by the tobacco sellers, but also list the Euromonitor a
reviewer suggested for readers' reference. Noted that these figures lead
to the same result, as the total tobacco consumption (tax + illicit) drops
after the tax increasing, which rebuts the traditional economic view that
tobacco duty is not an effective method because of smuggling.
It is also not an easy job to determine how much price is affordable
for people esp youngsters. However when we find out that smuggling shall
not be a concern when the government increases the tax rate, it is clear that
tobacco duty is a powerful tool to control cigarette consumption.
The published paper (p. 158) says "From 2002 to 2004, the IFSH
granted US$3.9 million to academic scientists studying biomarkers of
tobacco-smoke exposure and harm, tobacco harm reduction and toxicity of
tobacco constituents”. The correct number for this time period is $2.9
million. As of August, 2007 the nonprofit Institute for Science and
Health had spent US$3.83 million on tobacco industry funded research and
US$12...
The published paper (p. 158) says "From 2002 to 2004, the IFSH
granted US$3.9 million to academic scientists studying biomarkers of
tobacco-smoke exposure and harm, tobacco harm reduction and toxicity of
tobacco constituents”. The correct number for this time period is $2.9
million. As of August, 2007 the nonprofit Institute for Science and
Health had spent US$3.83 million on tobacco industry funded research and
US$120,000 on all other research programs.
Etter et al's recommendation to pull E-cigarettes from the market
until drug-type safety and efficacy studies are completed would make sense
if these products were delivering some otherwise unknown chemical
substance and if they were intended as pharmaceutical smoking cessation
therapy. Neither of these conditions applies.
The only evidence of toxicity noted in the Ette...
Etter et al's recommendation to pull E-cigarettes from the market
until drug-type safety and efficacy studies are completed would make sense
if these products were delivering some otherwise unknown chemical
substance and if they were intended as pharmaceutical smoking cessation
therapy. Neither of these conditions applies.
The only evidence of toxicity noted in the Etter paper was FDA data
showing similar trace levels of the same carcinogens found in
pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapy products already approved by
FDA and a non-toxic level of diethylene glycol in one cartridge.
There is already extensive documentation as to the safety of these
products and the degree to which they are able to satisfy the urge to
smoke. They are intended to be recreational substitutes for cigarettes
for smokers who are unable or uninterested in quitting, yet wish to avoid
the many other toxic substances in cigarette smoke.
Your paper apparently evaluates e-cigarettes against a zero-risk
standard. A comparison to the risk posed by cigarettes would be more
appropriate.
Please note that our new FDA/Tobacco law grandfathers in and will
give full FDA approval to currently marketed cigarettes. I do not
understand how denying smokers access to less toxic alternatives is
beneficial to their personal health, or the health of the larger
community.
If our goal is protection of the health of the public, the only
course of action that makes sense is allowing E-cigarettes to remain on
the market, preferably with strict regulation of manufacture and
marketing, on the same basis as other smokefree tobacco-based products.
NOT PEER REVIEWED I have read with interest the article titled: Carcinogenic tobacco-
specific N-nitrosamines in US cigarettes: three decades of remarkable
neglect by the tobacco industry.[1] In the article, the authors suggest
that the tobacco industry has not attempted in a meaningful way to reduce
or control carcinogenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) either in
general (as implied by the title of the article...
NOT PEER REVIEWED I have read with interest the article titled: Carcinogenic tobacco-
specific N-nitrosamines in US cigarettes: three decades of remarkable
neglect by the tobacco industry.[1] In the article, the authors suggest
that the tobacco industry has not attempted in a meaningful way to reduce
or control carcinogenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) either in
general (as implied by the title of the article) or with respect to
specific brands (as stated in the abstract conclusion). In fact, nothing
could be further from the truth.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJRT) believes that cigarette smoking
is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Cigarette
smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, heart
disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other serious diseases and
adverse health conditions. Reducing the diseases and deaths associated
with the use of cigarettes serves public health goals and is in the best
interest of consumers, manufacturers and society.
To that end, RJRT employees have worked for decades to develop and
produce products that potentially reduce exposure to reported toxicants in
cigarette smoke, including TSNAs. RJRT scientists, engineers and
cigarette product developers have, among other efforts: conducted
extensive research to understand the origin of TSNAs in cigarette
tobacco;[2, 3] identified an alternative heating approach (the use of heat
exchangers instead of direct-fire burners) for flue-curing tobacco that
substantially reduces TSNA formation;[4] made that alternative heating
approach available to farmers and ensured that TSNA reductions of 90%, or
more, were realized for flue-cured tobacco upon using it;[4, 5] evaluated
the biological activity of tobacco that was flue-cured with the
alternative heating approach;[6, 7] reduced mainstream smoke TSNA yields
in the marketplace based on inclusion of tobacco produced with the new
process;[8]conducted research to understand possible TSNA formation during
smoking;[9] and developed new cigarette designs that reduce TSNA yields in
mainstream smoke by primarily heating, rather than burning, tobacco as the
cigarette is smoked.[10]
The practice of flue-curing tobacco changed in the mid-1970s, driven
by farm economics. Barns built before then were indirect-fired. They had
a heat exchanger and flue that directed combustion gases out of the barn,
producing tobacco with relatively low levels of TSNAs. With a shift to
direct-fire heating in the mid- to late-1970s, increased concentrations of
nitrogen oxides were realized within the curing barn, leading to increased
levels of TSNAs in cured leaf. Extensive research led to both an
understanding and a mitigation of that process,[3-8] with a return to the
use of heat exchangers in the early 2000s.
Reducing total TSNAs in flue-cured tobacco by 90%, or more, had a
significant impact on the tobacco blends typically found in U.S.
cigarettes, as flue-cured tobacco in one of the principal types of tobacco
found in U.S. tobacco blends. For example, a 38% decline in total TSNAs
for the Kool Filter King cigarette tobacco blend was observed between 1999
and 2004 as flue-cured tobacco with reduced TSNA levels became available
for manufacturing. Results of Stepanov, et al.,[1] suggest that further
reductions occurred after 2004, as tobacco cured with the alternative
heating approach was fully realized in the marketplace. In fact, their
data suggest that Kool Filter King cigarette tobacco blend total TSNAs
were reduced by 46% from 1999 to 2010. As these TSNA reductions
demonstrate, RJRT scientists have not only attempted in a meaningful way,
but succeeded, in reducing and controlling carcinogenic TSNAs in flue-
cured tobacco.
References:
1. Stepanov I, Knezevich A, Zhang L, et al. Carcinogenic tobacco-specific
N-nitrosamines in US cigarettes: three decades of remarkable neglect by
the tobacco industry. Tob Control 2011;doi: 10.1136/tc.2010.042192
2. Davis DL, Beeson DW, Dunlap SP, et al. The relationship of alkaloids,
genotypes and environmental factors on tobacco specific nitrosamines
(TSNA) in burley tobacco: R.J. Reynolds, 2001.
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/iug33a00/pdf.
3. Green JM, Caldwell WS. Chemical and microbial changes during flue
curing of NK-149 tobacco [presentation]. 48th Tobacco Chemists' Research
Conference, Greensboro, NC: R.J. Reynolds, 1994.
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/abg45b00/pdf.
4. Nestor TB, Gentry JS, Peele DM, et al. Role of oxides of nitrogen in
tobacco-specific nitrosamine formation in flue-cured tobacco. Beitr?ge zur
Tabakforschung International 2003;20:467-475.
5. Gray N, Boyle P. The case of the disappearing nitrosamines: a
potentially global phenomenon. Tob Control 2004;13:13-16.
6. Hayes JR, Meckley DR, Stavanja MS, et al. Effect of a flue-curing
process that reduces tobacco specific nitrosamines on the tumor promotion
in SENCAR mice by cigarette smoke condensate. Food Chem Toxicol
2007;45:419-430.
7. Kinsler S, Pence DH, Shreve WK, et al. Rat subchronic inhalation study
of smoke from cigarettes containing flue-cured tobacco cured either by
direct-fired or heat-exchanger curing processes. Inhal Toxicol 2003;15:819
-854.
8. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Reynolds Tobacco will use flue-cured
tobacco low in nitrosamines, Press release: R.J. Reynolds, 1999.
http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/xrm85a00/pdf.
9. Moldoveanu SC, Borgerding M. Formation of tobacco specific
nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke; Part 1, FTC smoking. Beitr?ge
zur Tabakforschung International 2008;23:19-31.
10. Borgerding MF, Bodnar JA, Chung HL, et al. Chemical and biological
studies of a new cigarette that primarily heats tobacco. Part 1. Chemical
composition of mainstream smoke. Food Chem Toxicol 1998;36:169-182.
The USA Amed Forces are not alone in subsidising tobacco for their
members. Here in Israel, the independent company (Shekel) which runs the
canteens on Israeli Military bases also sells tobacco at prices
significantly below those of civillian establishments.
In terms of profit generation, tobacco is in fact the single most
important item sold by the canteens. This fact along with the fact t...
The USA Amed Forces are not alone in subsidising tobacco for their
members. Here in Israel, the independent company (Shekel) which runs the
canteens on Israeli Military bases also sells tobacco at prices
significantly below those of civillian establishments.
In terms of profit generation, tobacco is in fact the single most
important item sold by the canteens. This fact along with the fact that a
certain percentage of profits from the canteens are donated to the
Soldier's Welfare Agency, creates an environment where removing the
subsidies hurts both the for-profit company and the parent not-for -profit
organisation.
It is an arrangement rooted in historical co-dependence which is
particularly problematic given that most Israeli soldiers are conscripts,
and as such did not choose the "tobacco culture" of our military.
Indeed, availabilty and price of cigarettes are critical factors in
determining cigarette uptake especially among young adults. Our
resepective departments of defense have a moral obligation to change this
situation and thereby minimize the harm to our brave servicemen and
sevicewomen.
Lee and Mackenzie’s news analysis article on BAT’s Blackberry-picking endorsement (TC 2007;16:223) jolted to memory an advertisement from Malaysia a couple of years ago. In March 2005, the Clearing House on Tobacco Control (based at the National Poison Centre, Penang) alerted Malaysians to a similar endorsement advert for BlackBerry by BAT Malaysia in a national newspaper (see illustration at http://tobacco.health.usyd.ed...
NOT PEER REVIEWED I am surprised that AIDS has not been blamed on passive smoking yet, if you excuse my irony.
Quite frankly this obsession with SHS being the cause of SIDS is quite depressing as an eager public lap up any chance to demonise smokers.
Looking at the empirical evidence it does not back up the hypothesis. As remarked here by UK journalist Charlie Booker in a piece entitled "Fiddling those s...
A goal of the World Health Organization's Tobacco Control Framework is to totally eradicate tobacco use (1). The underlying theory is that anyone who exerts enough will power can overcome addition to nicotine. The situation may not be as simple as they would like to believe.
The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians found that the development of nicotine addiction includes changes in brain st...
Dear editor,
In reference to the e-letter published on July, 24, 2007, entitled "Water-pipe smoking and dental stains – Adding fuel to the controversy?" and authored by Sebastian et al., I'd like to share with comments on the following:
1- The generalizations that "Shisha (Water-pipe) smokers did not develop any stains while Cigarette smokers had grade 3 dental stains at the end of 100 days" and "Coal...
NOT PEER REVIEWED Pressure the CDC and FDA to pressure state legislatures to outlaw the sale of filtered cigarettes. As I see it, this is the only viable solution for ending this litter problem. Cigarette smoking should be made as unappealing as possible to all concerned.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
NOT PEER REVIEWED Thanks for Mr. Middleton's information that there are local tobacco manufacturers in Hong Kong. I made a mistake when reading the materials. I have amended this in the updated version.
It does not affect the analysis as the government taxes based on number of cigarettes sold rather than manufactured, but I sincerely appreciate your valuable advice.
For the analysis part, it is not easy...
The published paper (p. 158) says "From 2002 to 2004, the IFSH granted US$3.9 million to academic scientists studying biomarkers of tobacco-smoke exposure and harm, tobacco harm reduction and toxicity of tobacco constituents”. The correct number for this time period is $2.9 million. As of August, 2007 the nonprofit Institute for Science and Health had spent US$3.83 million on tobacco industry funded research and US$12...
NOT PEER REVIEWED To The Editor:
Etter et al's recommendation to pull E-cigarettes from the market until drug-type safety and efficacy studies are completed would make sense if these products were delivering some otherwise unknown chemical substance and if they were intended as pharmaceutical smoking cessation therapy. Neither of these conditions applies.
The only evidence of toxicity noted in the Ette...
NOT PEER REVIEWED I have read with interest the article titled: Carcinogenic tobacco- specific N-nitrosamines in US cigarettes: three decades of remarkable neglect by the tobacco industry.[1] In the article, the authors suggest that the tobacco industry has not attempted in a meaningful way to reduce or control carcinogenic tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) either in general (as implied by the title of the article...
Dear Sirs,
The USA Amed Forces are not alone in subsidising tobacco for their members. Here in Israel, the independent company (Shekel) which runs the canteens on Israeli Military bases also sells tobacco at prices significantly below those of civillian establishments.
In terms of profit generation, tobacco is in fact the single most important item sold by the canteens. This fact along with the fact t...
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