Tobacco giant will remain ‘resilient’ during recession

Lambert & Butler firm Imperial Tobacco has said it would remain “resilient” in the face of recession and could see 2009 results boosted if the pound continues to weaken. The world’s fourth largest tobacco company raised hopes that exchange rate movements could help lift figures this year, although it said sterling’s slide may also increase its net debt.

Imperial, which also makes Davidoff and JPS cigarettes, said it had made a “pleasing start” to the year. It also confirmed it had hiked the price of a 20-pack of cigarettes in the UK by an average of 11p last month.

The Bristol-headquartered firm reported a slight dip in average cigarette market share in the UK, at 45.7% in the year to December, down from 45.9% in the year to September. Imperial estimated a marginal slowdown in the UK cigarette market decline seen since the introduction of the public smoking ban in 2007. The market fell 4% in 2008 to £45billion, but Imperial said this had reverted to an annual decline rate of 2% to 3%.

Gareth Davis, chief executive of Imperial Tobacco, said: “Overall, this has been a pleasing start to the year. While we will not be immune from the current economic situation, we will be resilient.” Imperial confirmed the cigar market was being hit by the global economic troubles. The firm announced the closure of its cigar factory in Bristol last year in a sign of troubles in the market.

Imperial is also closing other factories across Europe as part of a restructuring following the £10billion acquisition of Altadis, the Franco-Spanish tobacco company. The group has said it had seen market share declines in a number of its key regions, including in Spain, where its market share dipped to 37% despite an overall increase in market volumes. Imperial’s products are sold in more than 160 countries and it operates 58 manufacturing sites around the world.

Source: WalesOnline.co.uk, 04 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/byJuM

US: Tobacco companies targeting teens, study says

Tobacco company ads are reaching teenagers and influencing their desire to smoke and what brands they choose, U.S. health officials report.

"We are continuing to find that Marlboro, Newport and Camel brands, among the most heavily advertised brands, continue to be overwhelmingly the preferred brands of cigarettes smoked by middle school and high-school students," said Terry F. Pechacek, associate director for science in the Office on Smoking and Health at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The industry will deny that they are marketing to underage youth, but our data are showing that the advertising is still reaching the kids," Pechacek said.

A spokesman for one of the tobacco companies defended its marketing program. "Kids should not use tobacco products of any kind," said Philip Morris USA spokesman David Sutton. "We take youth access to tobacco products seriously. We have made a significant effort, both at retail and marketing, to connect only to adult smokers," Sutton added. The brand preferences in the report mirrors what is seen in the marketplace among adult smokers, Sutton said.

"If you look at those preferences, they line up with market share among adult tobacco consumers," he said. Each of the major cigarette companies in the United States has a leading youth brand, Pechacek said. "Industry documents show that all the tobacco companies are continuing to note that if they don't have a leading youth brand, they are in corporate trouble," he said.

The report, in the Feb. 13 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found that 78 percent of middle school students and 87 percent of high-school students prefer to smoke these three brands. In addition, there was a considerable difference in the brands preferred by boys and girls, and blacks and whites.

Marlboro is preferred by 50 percent of middle school girls and 54 percent of high-school girls, while the brand is preferred by 38 percent of middle-school boys and 50 percent of high-school boys. Camels were smoked by 12 percent of middle-school boys, compared with 4 percent of girls.
Newport, a menthol cigarette that is primarily marketed to black communities, was the preferred brand for 60 percent of black middle-school students and 79 percent of black high-school students, according to the report.

In a recent report, the U.S. National Cancer Institute said there is sufficient evidence to conclude that tobacco advertising is directly related to getting people to smoke, Pechacek said. "Our data in this study, without implying intention, [shows] we are finding that adolescents are being heavily exposed to advertising," Pechacek said.

In an editorial note accompanying the CDC report, researchers noted that, in 2004, 85 percent of teens saw tobacco ads in stores, 50 percent saw them in newspapers or magazines, and 33 percent saw them on the Internet. A whopping 81 percent of teens saw smoking on television or in the movies.

Pechacek noted that the U.S. National Cancer Institute report found that partial bans on tobacco advertising are ineffective, and a 2007 report by the Institute of Medicine called for stronger measures to control tobacco advertising. The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has called for a complete ban on tobacco advertising as far as possible within constitutional restraints, Pechacek said.

Tobacco cessation programs are underfunded when compared with CDC recommendations, Pechacek said. "Are we reaching a majority of vulnerable kids? The evidence is clearly no," he said. "We are reaching some of the vulnerable kids, probably in the range of 20 to 30 percent."
There was a dramatic drop in teen smoking since 1997, Pechacek said. "But that drop stalled in 2003. For 2007, the data are indicating that the sharp decline has stopped. We are still seeing a slow pattern of possible decline. But we are stalled at probably one in five high-school students smoking," he said. "That's pretty much a replacement number for adults that quit."

Danny McGoldrick, research director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said this is yet another example of the reach of tobacco company marketing. "This is one more piece of evidence that the tobacco marketing efforts affect kids, and the companies are still up to it," McGoldrick said. "For companies that claim not to market to kids anymore, they sure do a good job of getting them to use their product."

Marlboro is smoked by more high-school students than all the other brands combined, McGoldrick said. "When you are close to 90 percent market share among these three brands, they are doing something right," he said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to have the authority to regulate tobacco marketing, McGoldrick said. "The FDA regulates food, drugs and even cosmetics, but doesn't regulate a product that kills half the people that use it, and 90 percent of the users start as children," he said. McGoldrick thinks more money is needed to counter tobacco company marketing. "The states aren't using their tobacco settlement or tax dollars to fund the programs we know work to counter tobacco industry marketing and promotion," he said.

Source: Healthfinder.gov, 13 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/YmSD0

Changes in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure over a 20-year period: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

Abstract

Aims: To examine long-term changes in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in British men between 1978 and 2000, using serum cotinine.

Design: Prospective cohort: British Regional Heart Study.

Setting: General practices in 24 towns in England, Wales and Scotland.

Participants: Non-smoking men: 2125 studied at baseline [questionnaire (Q1): 1978–80, aged 40–59 years], 3046 studied 20 years later (Q20: 1998–2000, aged 60–79 years) and 1208 studied at both times. Non-smokers were men reporting no current smoking with cotinine < 15 ng/ml at Q1 and/or Q20.

Measurements: Serum cotinine to assess ETS exposure.

Findings: In cross-sectional analysis, geometric mean cotinine level declined from 1.36 ng/ml [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31, 1.42] at Q1 to 0.19 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.18, 0.19) at Q20. The prevalence of cotinine levels ≤ 0.7 ng/ml [associated with low coronary heart disease (CHD) risk] rose from 27.1% at Q1 to 83.3% at Q20. Manual social class and northern region of residence were associated with higher mean cotinine levels both at Q1 and Q20; older age was associated with lower cotinine level at Q20 only. Among 1208 persistent non-smokers, cotinine fell by 1.47 ng/ml (95% CI: 1.37, 1.57), 86% decline. Absolute falls in cotinine were greater in manual occupational groups, in the Midlands and Scotland compared to southern England, although percentage decline was very similar across groups.

Conclusions: A marked decline in ETS exposure occurred in Britain between 1978 and 2000, which is likely to have reduced ETS-related disease risks appreciably before the introduction of legislation banning smoking in public places.

Source: Jefferis, B. et al. Addiction, Volume 104 Issue 3, 06 February 2009 Pages 496 - 503
Link: http://tiny.cc/n68At

Tobacco firms court female Asian market

Tobacco companies are flouting domestic laws to promote cigarettes to girls and young women in Asia, it has been claimed. Research published in Globalisation and Health journal accuses transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) of employing the same tactics used in the west to "devastating effect".

Kelly Lee from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine led a team of researchers who studied internal documents from TTCs operating in South Korea, where smoking among women and girls remains largely taboo. The Korean cigarette market was opened to the world 21 years ago amid the threat of US trade sanctions, with laws passed in 1989 banning advertising or marketing that targeted women and children.

But Ms Lee says TTCs are circumventing the law to promote cigarettes by linking smoking with feminism and independence, as they have done in the US and Europe for the last century. "Since the opening of the South Korean tobacco market in the late 1980s, females have been targeted by TTCs as an important source of future market growth and profitability," she writes. "The rise in smoking rates among females within certain age groups since the late 1980s suggests that these efforts have been successful."

Ms Lee goes on to claim the body image and female emancipation tactics have been "extensively used" in South Korea. "So-called 'ultra light', low tar' and 'superslim' cigarettes have been particularly effective, falsely suggesting certain brands offer a healthier or safer option, as well as appealing to female concerns about weight gain," she explains. "Tighter restrictions on the use of such descriptors, alongside public education on the fallacy of such claims, are badly needed in South Korea."

Cigarette smoking among women in Korea is largely frowned upon, with teenage girls frequently harangued in the street by older women if they are seen lighting up.

Source: inthenews.co.uk, 30 January 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/LU8Te

PQ: Smoking and Young people

James Brokenshire (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs; Hornchurch, Conservative): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people (a) were prosecuted, (b) were cautioned and (c) received a penalty notice for disorder for selling cigarettes to an under age person in the last 12 months.

Alan Campbell (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Tynemouth, Labour): The number of persons proceeded against and cautioned for selling cigarettes to an under age person in 2007 (latest published) are given in the following table. The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. The Penalty Notice for Disorder scheme currently does not extend to the offence of selling cigarettes to an under age person.

Source: Hansard, 26/01/2009 Column 105W
Link: http://tiny.cc/RnE5v

US: President Obama signs Children's Health Insurance and Federal Tobacco Tax increase into Law

Earlier this year, the American Lung Association (ALA) expressed hope that the Obama Administration would prioritize tobacco control and public health. It is finally celebrating a long fought public health victory - a victory that will improve health, increase children's health care coverage and reduce smoking. 

It commends President Obama for signing into law a federal cigarette tax increase of 62-cents bringing the total federal cigarette tax to: $1.01 per pack. Revenue from this tax will be used to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides much-needed medical care for the nation's low-income, uninsured children.

As an organisation dedicated to improving lung health and preventing lung disease, the ALA is especially grateful for this bipartisan victory that will provide an additional 4 million uninsured children with needed medical care. Studies show that children with asthma who were enrolled in CHIP had fewer asthma attacks and needed fewer medical visits.

Importantly, this substantial increase in the federal cigarette tax will help curb youth smoking rates. Each ten percent increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by about seven percent. This legislation also wisely increases taxes on other tobacco products to encourage smokers to quit tobacco use and not simply switch to other less expensive products.

Considering half of all smokers will die prematurely from their addiction, increasing the federal cigarette tax will go a long to save young lives and is also good for the economy. Preventing lung disease through access to quality health care while also preventing kids from starting to smoke, will save the nation billions in the years to come.

Source: mediLexicon, 05 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/nB0Q1

Do implementation issues influence the effectiveness of medications? The case of nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion in UK Stop Smoking Services

Abstract

Background: Effective pharmacotherapies are available for smoking cessation but their efficacy is established through randomised controlled trials where the medication is supplied direct to subjects. In health care settings patient access to medicines is often less direct. The process for obtaining supplies of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is relatively easy for smokers attending National Health Service (NHS) Stop Smoking Services in the UK, whilst this is not necessarily the case for those wishing to using prescription only medicines (e.g. bupropion and varenicline). This study was a direct comparison of the short-term validated abstinence rates of NRT and bupropion in a clinical setting.

Methods: Data were routinely collected from 2626 clients setting a quit date (82% of those registering) with two London NHS Stop Smoking Services that offered behavioural support combined with pharmacotherapy (NRT and bupropion).

Results: Contrary to what would be expected from multiple randomised controlled trials, the CO-validated 3–4 week abstinence rate in clients using NRT was higher than for bupropion (42% versus 34%, p = .003). This difference persisted even when controlling for smoking characteristics, demographic variables and treatment variables 1.40 (95% CI = 1.08 – 1.83).

Conclusion: Given that the level of behavioural support received by clients on each medication was identical, the most plausible explanation for the difference in effectiveness between NRT and bupropion perhaps lies with how clients of the Stop Smoking Services obtained their medications. Obtaining NRT was relatively easy for clients throughout the study period whilst this was not the case for bupropion. This study suggests that implementation issues and/or self-selection may influence the effectiveness of medications in health care, as opposed to research, settings.

Source: McEwan, A. & West, R. BMC Public Health 2009, 21 January 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/he7FN

JTI announces 21% sales growth of global flagship brands

Sales of the supplier’s main cigarette brands rose to 245bn sticks between January 1 and December 31 2008.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has reported a 21% increase in sales of global flagship brands (GFB) year on year to 245bn cigarettes between January 1 and December 31 2008. GFB sales were boosted by the performance of Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut in the UK and Ireland, and Liggett-Ducat (LD), Sobranie and Glamour in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Total sales volume rose by 17% to 452bn cigarettes in the same period. Gallaher results were incorporated from April 18 2007.

Total sales of Winston grew by 14% due to strong sales in Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Spain, France and Italy, with sales of Camel cigarettes up by 10%, supported by strong sales in Italy, Russia and Spain. Mild Seven sales increased by 11.4%, with gains in South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and Malaysia.

The company reported 7% growth in sales volume in Southern, Western and Eastern Europe driven by the strong performance of Winston in Spain, Italy, France and Greece. Camel continued to perform well in Italy and Spain. In Northern and Central Europe, total sales volume fell by 2% following market declines in Austria and Ireland. Declining Private Label volumes in Germany also contributed to the decrease. In the CIS, total sales rose by 3.2%, with Winston performing particularly well in most markets. The company also recorded a strong performance from LD, Glamour and Camel in Russia. In the rest of the world, sales volume rose by 11%, with growth in Turkey, Taiwan and South Korea driven by Winston, Mild Seven and LD.

The supplier did not release any figures relating to its travel-retail operations, but JTI corporate affairs and communication worldwide duty-free Santiago Llairó told DFNIonline: “Travel-retail follows the overall pattern of JTI growth and we are very happy with our 2008 performance. In 2008 we completed the integration of Gallaher and part of this plan was the reinforcement of all JTI and Gallaher brands. We looked at ways to renew the brand imagery of all our leading brands including Winston, Camel, Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges, and the results reflect the efforts we have made.”

Source: DFNIonline.com, 09 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/xn7Ys

PQ: Tobacco smuggling

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire, Labour): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer
(1) what steps he plans to take to (a) reduce levels of alcohol and tobacco smuggling and (b) implement Article 15 of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on illicit trade in tobacco products; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps the UK has taken at EU level to reduce the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what mechanisms are in place to monitor the effectiveness of HM Revenue and Customs in tackling the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what evaluation he has made of the effectiveness of (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol industries' responses to smuggling of their products; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what recent discussions he has had with EU counterparts on the smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what assessment he has made of recent trends in the level of smuggling of (a) alcohol and (b) tobacco products;
(7) what the estimated losses to the Exchequer from (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol smuggling were in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; East Ham, Labour): At the time of the 2008 pre-Budget-report, the Government published a new integrated strategy for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA); 'Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Together'. The strategy document is available in the Commons Library. This sets out the Government's plans to build on the considerable progress that has already been made in driving down tobacco smuggling and reducing revenue losses. The strategy takes full account of work being done at EU level and at international level through the World Health Organisation's framework convention on tobacco control. As a party to the convention, the UK is committed to seeking an agreement on an illicit trade protocol under article 15 by 2010. The strategy also sets out a clear framework for co-operation between law enforcement bodies, regulatory authorities and the public health sector. It also reinforces co- operation with the tobacco industry, which remains crucial to tackling smuggled and counterfeit tobacco. The respective roles of HMRC and the UKBA, details of how UKBA performance will be monitored and objectives for tobacco seizures in 2008-09, are set out in the UKBA Partnership Agreement with HMRC, which is published on the UKBA website. At PBR 2008, the Government also announced a review of HMRC's alcohol fraud strategy. The review will look to strengthen work to tackle spirits fraud and extend this approach to other products affected by fraud. A further announcement on this will be made at Budget 2009.

Source: Hansard, 04/02/2009 Column 1275W
Link: http://tiny.cc/4BaDk

WHO says smoking is biggest cause of death

In 2010, smoking-related cancer will be the biggest killer of humans, according to a report released by the World Health Organization last December. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the WHO has predicted the number of cancer patients worldwide will more than double to 27 million, 17 million of whom will die by 2030. 

In Korea, there was a total of 265,000 deaths nationwide in 1979, according to data released by the then Economic Planning Board. Of these, 522 people died from lung cancer, accounting for a mere 0.2 percent of the total.

But, according to the National Statistical Office, of the 245,817 deaths in 2003, 12,725 resulted from lung cancer, a 24.4-fold increase compared with 1979. It is assumed that an increase in tobacco consumption contributed to the sharp rise in deaths from lung cancer.

One report claims that smokers are typically lower earners than non-smokers. A survey of 8,900 Americans in their 20s between 1985 and 1998 found that non-smokers' average assets were 50 percent more than those who smoked less than a pack of cigarettes a day, and double the average of those who smoked more than a pack.

With the medical, economic and social toll from smoking snowballing, countries around the world have been running a powerful anti-smoking campaign. Enterprises are more reluctant to hire smokers, who are generally presumed to spend about 30 minutes of daily work time smoking cigarettes.

Source: english.chosun.com, 09 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/ov7tf

Second-hand smoke linked to cognitive impairment

Exposure to second-hand smoke could increase the risk of developing dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment, according to research published by Dr David Llewellyn from the University of Cambridge and his collaborators. The research, published today in the British Medical Journal, highlighted a 44% increase in risk of cognitive impairment when exposed to high levels of second-hand smoke.

Previous studies identified active smoking as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. However, this is the first large-scale study to conclude that second-hand smoke exposure could lead to dementia and other neurological problems in adults. (Previous findings suggested that second-hand smoke exposure could impair cognitive development in children and adolescents.)

The research, led by Dr Llewellyn, used saliva samples from nearly 5000 non-smoking adults over the age of 50. By measuring levels of cotinine (a by-product of nicotine) in their saliva and taking a detailed smoking history, the researchers were able to assess levels of exposure to second-hand smoke.

A range of neuropsychological tests were then used to assess aspects of brain function such as verbal memory (recalling words immediately and after a delay), numerical calculations, time orientation, and verbal fluency (naming as many animals as possible in one minute). These results were added together to provide a global score for cognitive function, and those whose scores were in the lowest 10 per cent were subsequently identified as suffering from cognitive impairment.

From their results they concluded that exposure to second-hand smoke may be linked to an increased chance of developing cognitive impairment, including dementia. The authors proposed a number of possible explanations for why exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the odds of dementia, including an increased risk of heart disease and stroke which are known to increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Dr Llewellyn commented on the research, "We have conducted the first study to examine the association between second-hand smoke exposure and cognitive impairment in elderly non-smokers.

"Our results suggest that inhaling other people's smoke may damage the brain, impair cognitive functions such as memory, and make dementia more likely. Given that passive smoking is also linked to other serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke, smokers should avoid lighting up near non-smokers. Our findings also support calls to ban smoking in public places."

Link to Abstract: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/338/feb12_2/b462

Source: University of Cambridge, 13 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/laQMD

US: Tobacco that dissolves in your mouth

In mid October 2008, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJRT) introduced a new line of dissolvable, smokeless tobacco products under its Camel brand name that will be test-marketed in three US metropolitan areas. The company will also expand its Camel Snus nationwide during 2009.

Unlike other combustion-free tobacco products, Camel Orbs, Sticks and Strips dissolve in the mouth. They come in three varities: Camel Orbs are small pellets which are placed between the upper lip and gum, last about ten to fifteen minutes and contain one milligram of nicotine. Camel Sticks are twisted sticks a bit thicker than a tootpick, last about twenty to thirty minutes and provide 3.1 milligrams of nicotine per stick. Consumers can either hold the complete stick in their mouth, like a toothpick, or break off pieces. Camel Strips are film strips resembling postage stamps and are placed on the tongue, where they dissolve in two to three minutes and release 0.6 milligrams of nicotine per strip.

RJRT emphasises that its new tobacco products are not meant as smoking cessation tools; they are age-restricted tobacco products that will carry the same health warnings and tax rates as other oral tobaccos in the US. Prices for the three variants will be in the range of that for a can of Camel Snus - between USD 4.00 and USD 4.50.

Source: Tobacco Journal International, December 2008 pg 24

Lord hits back in tennis ticket row

A Peer who works for two sporting organisations has defended accepting a free day at Wimbledon as the guest of a tobacco firm. Lord Pendry - Labour MP for Stalybridge and Hyde from 1970 to 2001 - attended the tennis tournament courtesy of Imperial Tobacco, according to the Lords register of interests. He was also paid undisclosed sums for his work as President of the Football Foundation and 'sports adviser' to Tameside council's sports trust.

Lord Pendry, who was elevated to the Lords in 2001, said his trip to Wimbledon did not conflict with his other roles. He said: "I don't see it as a clash at all. I am not a smoker and my work in the field of sport is completely separate." He said the offer of Wimbledon tickets stemmed back to Tameside's links with a tobacco factory in Hyde, which closed in 1999.

In 2006 he failed in an attempt - backed by the Tobacco Manufacturers Association - to exempt private members' clubs from the smoking ban. He says he has never smoked a cigarette in his life, but has had an occasional cigar.

Lord Pendry collected almost £54,000 in tax-free allowances and expenses last year, according to the register. He enjoyed a fortnight's cruise in 2007 from Los Angeles to Miami as a guest of Saga Holidays in return for giving on-board lectures on Parliament and sport.

Lord Pendry said he was stunned by the allegations against peers embroiled in the 'cash for laws' scandal. He said: "Everything I do is listed in the register and transparent for all to see. I'm certainly not one who does this job for the money." Unlike MPs, there is no salary for being a peer. But they get an allowance of up to £322.50 for every day they attend.

John Bell, leader of Tameside council's Tories, said he found it 'very surprising' that Lord Pendry - who once served as shadow sports minister - accepted the tickets. He said: "I believe politicians of all backgrounds should be doing their utmost to promote a healthier lifestyle to our young people."

Source: Manchester Evening News, 04 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/SShqM

US: Truth Campaign prevented almost half a million teens from smoking

The national youth smoking-prevention campaign known as truth®, likely prevented 450,000 adolescents from initiating smoking, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International.

"Given the substantial lifetime health and economic burden of smoking, preventing adolescents and young adults from beginning to smoke is a smart investment in public health," said Matthew Farrelly, Ph.D., senior director of RTI's Public Health Policy Research Program. "These results come at a time when funding for smoking-prevention programs in the U.S. is declining."

The study, published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, used data from the on-going National Longitudinal Survey of Youth that interviewed almost 9,000 adolescents annually from 1997 to 2004. The participants ranged in age from 15 to 20 when the truth® campaign was launched in February 2000.

The results of the study suggest that from 2000 to 2004 there were 450,000 fewer 15 to 24 year olds who initiated smoking as a result of the truth® campaign. The researchers also found that for every $544 spent on the campaign during its first four years, one fewer adolescent initiated smoking. The authors suggest that the cost is modest compared to other health interventions.

The truth® campaign spent $245 million on television advertising from 2000 through 2004, highlighting deceptive tobacco industry marketing tactics and stark facts about the dangers of cigarette smoking. The ad campaign was funded by the American Legacy Foundation.

The study was funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Source: mediLexicon, 13 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/5QGEW

Tobacco Industry report concludes smokeless products have lower health risk

Each year, two thirds of smokers in the US say they want to quit smoking but less than 3% of those who try to quit are successful. Although no tobacco product is considered "safe", studies have reported that different types of tobacco products are associated with different degrees of health risk.

The Life Sciences Research Office, Inc, (LSRO), funded by Philip Morris, conducted an evaluation of the scientific literature to compare the risk of use of smokeless tobacco products to smoking cigarettes, to identify the critical characteristics that contribute to an evaluation of risk, and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to categorize smokeless tobacco products according to risk. The findings are described in a new report "Differentiating the Health Risks of Categories of Tobacco Products".

Key Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

-- Smokeless tobacco products are reduced risk products compared to cigarettes.

-- There is insufficient information available to identify critical factors that contribute to risk.

-- Based on available information, Swedish snus (moist snuff tobacco) poses the lowest risk of smokeless tobacco products, traditional American smokeless tobacco products (US smokeless tobacco products other than those recently developed) pose an intermediate risk, and international smokeless tobacco products (products other than those primarily used in the US and Sweden) poses the greatest health risk.

-- Considerable additional research on smokeless tobacco products that involves application of standardized methods is needed to better characterize risk of smokeless tobacco products.

Source: mediLexicon, 04 February 2009
Link: http://tiny.cc/kjx2B