ASH Daily News for 15 July 2008

Arnie: Don't stub out movie smokes

Arnold Schwarzenegger says children need to be warned often about the dangers of smoking, but Hollywood should not feel pressured to ban cigarettes and cigars from films aimed at youngsters. Despite research that shows scenes of tobacco use can tempt kids to light up, the Terminator star-turned California governor said film-makers needed artistic freedom, particularly in historical settings. He scoffed at the notion that someone would play Winston Churchill without his trademark stogie in hand.

"I personally don't believe that we should erase cigarettes in movies. I don't believe that we should erase it when someone smokes a cigar in a movie. I think that we should remind people and kids all the time about the dangers of smoking," the Republican governor said. "To suddenly tell actors not to smoke a cigarette in a movie when they portray a character is ludicrous. I think this is going too far."

The governor's comments came at a news conference where major studios announced they would include anti-smoking announcements on millions of youth-rated DVDs of motion pictures that included smoking scenes. Disney began including anti-smoking messages on certain DVDs earlier this year. Other studios joining in are Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. The agreement involving the studios and the state of California was brokered by the Entertainment Industry Foundation - a philanthropy. The state developed the 30-second announcements for the DVDs, which will appear in the opening minutes.

Source: The Sentinel, 15 July 2008
Link: http://tiny.cc/ZapNT

Nicotine 'could help Alzheimer's sufferers boost their concentration'

It is the chemical which makes smokers hooked, but scientists believe that nicotine could have its benefits - and that it could hold the key to new treatments for Alzheimer's. The "boost" in concentration that smokers experience from cigarettes could help sufferers fight the mental decline associated with dementia, studies suggest. Tests are already underway on nicotine based treatments which researchers believe could delay the onset of the disease, offering sufferers crucial extra time.

Part of the reason that nicotine, which is also found in small quantities in foods like cocoa and tomatoes, as well as tobacco, is so addictive is because it acts as a stimulant, increasing the flow of adrenaline in the body. Studies in rodents have shown that treatments based on nicotine can stimulate parts of the brain which improve concentration and quicken the responses.

Professor Ian Stolerman, from King's College in London, who led the studies, said that such treatments could offer "relief" to dementia patients, tens of thousands of whom are diagnosed in Britain every year. Prof Stolerman said: "The substances we call drugs, in the majority of cases, actually do have a mixture of beneficial and harmful effects and nicotine is no exception in this."

Prof Stolerman started his research more than 10 years ago, initially not expecting to find that nicotine would have much effect on the brain's ability to concentrate. His studies suggest that nicotine is more effective than other popular stimulants like caffeine at enhancing the brain's attention span. His research suggests that the relatively small effect that nicotine has on healthy people would be greatly magnified in dementia sufferers. The effect of the treatments could allow Alzheimer's sufferers to delay the onset of the disease for months, he believes.

Some drugs using nicotine as a base are currently in clinical trials and could potentially be on the market within a few years. Prof Stolerman admitted that there is potential for addiction with the therapies. "The cognitive 'boost' that many smokers experience from nicotine probably contributes to the reason that people smoke cigarettes, so it may not be possible to totally prevent addiction," Prof Stolerman said. "Nevertheless, the potential for abuse of a medicine based on pure nicotine-like substance is likely to be very small."

Source: The Telegraph, 13 July 2008
Link: http://tiny.cc/WXP43

Dropped cigarette cost woman £155

A smoker's dropped cigarette butt cost her a £155 fine. The woman, from Rushden, Northampshire, who has not been identified, was spotted dropping a cigarette end in the town's High Street and was issued with a standard £75 fine. She told East Northamptonshire Council she could not pay the fine and, after the authority sent her three reminders and offered to arrange a payment plan, it took her to Wellingborough magistrates court, where she saw her fine more than doubled.

The council says it hopes the case will act as a warning to others after a survey revealed on one weekday 3,500 cigarette butts were dropped in High Street, Rushden. Waste management officer Kevin Skerry said: "Everyone is responsible for disposing of their litter responsibly, whether it is a bottle, a can or a sweet wrapper. Smokers are no exception. We treat cigarette butts just like any other litter and the original £75 is the standard fine we apply for the offence. If littering were to go unchallenged, people would think twice before shopping in a rubbish-strewn High Street and businesses would quickly feel the effect, with shoppers going elsewhere. This case sends out a strong message that people who don't pay their fines will end up in court and it could cost them even more."

Another Rushden woman was also recently prosecuted for dropping a butt in High Street, Rushden, and was fined £130, including £40 costs and £15 towards Victim Support. John Wills, chairman of Rushden Chamber of Trade, said: "We welcome this and would like to see people taking personal responsibility for their actions. People know they shouldn't litter and drop cigarette butts." East Northamptonshire Council will install cigarette bins in High Street, Rushden, in the next few weeks.

Source: Northants Evening Telegraph, 14 July 2008
Link: http://tiny.cc/XoQWv

Zambia: BAT seeks clarity on smoking ban

The British American Tobacco Company (BAT) has not assessed the impact of the Government’s ban on smoking in public places on its sales because it was still seeking clarification on the definition of the term “public places”. Managing director, Lovemore Manatsa, said the BAT management has engaged in dialogue with the ministry of Local Government and Housing to get clarification on Statutory Instrument (SI) number 39 of 2008.

Replying to a Press query, Mr Manatsa said so far two meetings have been held with the main objective of respecting the choices of both smokers and non-smokers. “We are yet to assess the full impact of the ‘prohibition of smoking in public places’ on our business, but we will do that after our meetings with the Government on the matter,” Mr Manatsa said.

The Government announced a ban on smoking in public places and introduced penalties for those to be found flouting the regulation. The penalty for the offence includes a K400, 000 fine or imprisonment for a term of up to two years. Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo, signed a Statutory Instrument that came into effect on May 27, 2008. Ms Masebo said public places include all public buildings, streets, offices, bus stations, conveniences and other places to be prescribed.

Source: Times of Zambia, 14 July 2008
Link: http://tiny.cc/J9pZQ

Netherlands: Cafes use fake cigarette smells to create atmosphere after smoking ban

Nasty smells left by sweaty summer beer drinkers have left some Dutch bar owners pining for the aroma of cigarette and cigar smoke two weeks after a smoking ban came into force. Rain Showtechniek, a Dutch company that specialises in lighting, special stage effects and sound systems, has developed a machine that reproduces the traditional smell of bars and cafes. 

"There is a need for a scent to mask the sweat and other unpleasant smells like stale beer," said Erwin van den Bergh, a spokesman for the company. "People find that smells such as Mocha coffee, Havana cigars or cigarettes can be about good moods and different ideas of living well." Unlike the real thing, the artificial tobacco smells do not have any health risks and does not linger in the hair or clothing of bar customers.

"Geurmachines" come in different sizes and prices, ranging from giant smell-makers, costing £3500 for exhibition halls to smaller and cheaper scent devices for cafés, priced at £440. Over 50 different scents are offered for the new machines ranging from tobacco aromas to the smell of leather, freshly baked bread or new cars. The Dutch smoking ban began on July 1.

Source: The Telegraph, 14 July 2008
Link: http://tiny.cc/jB26b