Smoking may enhance link between existing risk factor and muiltiple sclerosis (MS)..

April 9, 2010 - Smoking appears to enhance the link between an existing risk factor and multiple sclerosis, nearly doubling the chances of getting the disabling neurologic disease, according to a new study.

PAPER: Combined effects of smoking, anti-EBNA antibodies, and HLA-DRB1*1501 on multiple sclerosis risk, K. C. Simon ScD*, I. A.F. van der Mei PhD, K. L. Munger ScD, A. Ponsonby MD, PhD, J. Dickinson PhD, T. Dwyer MD, P. Sundström MD, PhD, and A. Ascherio MD, DrPH, Neurology 0: WNL.0b013e3181dad57ev1, ABSTRACT..

The existing risk factor is having high levels of antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common herpes virus that infects most people but is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a small fraction of those who have it. Previous research has found a link between high levels of EBV antibodies and the disease, said the study's lead author, Kelly Claire Simon, a research associate at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Simon and her colleagues evaluated 442 people with MS and 865 healthy people without the disease who had been participants in three large studies: The Nurses' Health Study I/Nurses' Health Study II, the Tasmanian MS Study and the Swedish MS Study.

"Having the HLA DR15 risk gene (an immune system-related gene) did not appear to be affected by smoking or not," Simon said. But higher antibody levels of EBV did affect risk in those who had ever smoked, compared to those who had never smoked. "The increasing risk of MS associated with higher EBV antibody [levels] was stronger among ever-smokers than never-smokers," Simon said. Among the participants with higher levels of the EBV antibody, smokers were twice as likely to have MS as those who had never smoked. The association was not seen in those with lower antibody levels, however.

Exactly how the smoking enhances the link between the high antibody levels and MS risk isn't known, the researchers added. Previous research has found those already diagnosed with MS who smoke are at higher risk for getting the brain lesions associated with the disease, and for brain shrinkage.

Overall, a person's lifetime risk of getting MS is one in 200 for women and one in 600 for men in the United States. Those with the higher antibody levels in the study had up to a twofold increase in risk if they smoked, compared to nonsmokers, the Harvard researchers found.

Reference: Smoking May Boost MS Risk in Some by Kathleen Doheny, Health Day Reporter, 4/7/2010.

Related MS news briefs:
Smokers with multiple sclerosis (MS) show more brain atrophy..;
Teen smokers may be at a greater risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)..
Read more...

U.S. - State Cigarette Taxes Not Spent on Anti-Smoking Efforts..

April 9, 2010 - In 2009, 14 states and the District of Columbia raised their excise tax on cigarettes, increasing the national mean tax from $1.18 a pack in 2008 to $1.34 a pack in 2009.

However, none of the 15 states dedicated any of the new excise tax revenue by statute to tobacco control. (State Cigarette Excise Taxes --- United States, 2009 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), April 9, 2010 / 59(13);385-388.)

"We know that increases in cigarette prices are one of our most effective and efficient strategies for both preventing youth initiating and helping young adults and other adults to quit smoking," said report contributor Terry Pechacek, the associate director for science of the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health.

But investing taxation-derived funds into tobacco prevention and control would further reduce smoking, Pechacek said.

Excise taxes on cigarettes vary widely state-to-state. Rhode Island has the highest tax at $3.46 a pack, while South Carolina has the lowest at just 7 cents a pack. Connecticut's tax is also over $3.

States that have high tobacco taxes and devote funds to tobacco control programs will save on health costs in the long run, Pechacek noted. "Reducing tobacco is good for the bottom line," he said. For example, California, which devotes its tobacco tax dollars to public health programs, estimates a $50 payback in reduced health care costs for each dollar devoted to these programs, Pechacek said. California's excise tax on cigarettes is 87 cents a pack.

"Using resources of the excise taxes, raising the price of a pack of cigarettes is a really good investment in public health," he said.

A World Health Organization study revealed that the increase in the price of cigarettes by 10% had managed to decrease demand for cigarettes by 8% in developing countries and 4% in developed countries.

Another CDC report in the same issue found that cigarette minimum price laws -- another way of keeping cigarette prices high -- is also effective in getting people to quit. In 2009, 24 states and the District of Columbia had minimum price laws, but just seven of them also outlawed the use of trade discounts in calculating the minimum price of cigarettes. (State Cigarette Minimum Price Laws --- United States, 2009, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) April 9, 2010 / 59(13);389-392.)

Cigarette makers give trade discounts to dealers in an attempt to circumvent increases in excise taxes and keep cigarette costs down, Pechacek said. "There are many ways in which the industry can blunt the effect of excise tax increases, and the 10 states with the lowest excise taxes had an absence of any legal protections against discounting and other price cutting mechanisms," he said.

Of the 10 states with the highest excise taxes, eight also have minimum price laws, Pechacek noted.

"The ultimate thing is to have the public health benefit of the high prices," he said. "While we are making progress, the industry is responding by having dramatic efforts in discounting and other types of value-added efforts to blunt the effect of the public health goal of having a higher retail price."

In a press statement released Thursday, April 8th American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said her group, "applauds states that have raised their tobacco taxes and urges those that lag behind to take corrective action. While we urge all states to raise their tobacco taxes, we would especially encourage the 30 states and territories that currently have a cigarette tax below $1.50 per pack to consider the benefits of a cigarette tax increase of at least $1.00 per pack."

Philip Morris, the largest U.S. tobacco company and the only one to support legislation allowing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco, firmly opposes raising excise taxes on cigarettes, according to information on the company's Web site. The company claims the tax is regressive, taxing all smokers at the same rate, and places a burden on low-income smokers, who can least afford it. The taxes also make selling contraband and counterfeit tobacco products more attractive, it claims.

In addition, Philip Morris says tobacco excise taxes reduce the income of retailers and wholesalers who sell tobacco products, while doing little to solve state budget problems.

Reference: State Cigarette Taxes Not Spent on Anti-Smoking Efforts by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter, 4/8/2010.

Read more...

Croatia - toughens anti-smoking measures..

April 9, 2010 - As of Saturday, April 10, 2010 smoking will only be allowed in cafes and bars smaller than 50 square metres (538 square feet) if they have installed a special ventilating system. Croatia is toughening a public smoking ban after a six-month grace period for small bars and cafes expires at midnight (2200 GMT).

In larger establishments and in restaurants smoking is allowed only in specially designated zones covering up to 20 percent of their total surface. Smoking is not allowed in any areas where food is served.

Croatia introduced a strict smoking ban for all public places in May 2009, sparking strong protests by managers of cafes and restaurants who claimed it was ruining their business. The government ceded to their pressure and in September amended the law a giving them a six-month transitory period to meet the criteria. (Croatia - backs down (loosens) smoking ban..)

According to health ministry figures, only 156 cafes out of about 350 that have requested permission to become a smoking establishment have received approval to do so.

Zlatko Puntijar, head of a national association gathering around 16,000 owners in the industry that employs some 100,000 people, said the few demands could be explained by the high costs of installing ventilating systems.

Fines for those breaking the law range between 500 and 15,000 kunas (69 and 2,600 euros, 93 and 2,700 dollars.) The authorities have said the law is aimed at protecting non-smokers, who make up 68 percent of the country's population of 4.4 million.

The Balkans are home to Europe's most inveterate smokers (hard-nosed, long-established, refuse to quit), with 30 to 40 percent of all adults hooked on the habit, according to the World Health Organisation.

Reference: Croatia toughens anti-smoking measures, by Agence France-Presse (AFP), 4/9/2010.

Croatia - related news briefs:
Croatia - lifted smoking ban in bars and cafes..;
Croatia - backs down (loosens) smoking ban..;
Croatian government gives in loosens public smoking ban..;
Croatian coffee shop owners looking for break from smoking ban...
Croatia - adjusting to new smoking ban..;
Croatia begins enforcing smoking ban on May 6, 2009..;
Croatia cigarette prices to go up April 1, 2009...;
Croatia - ban in smoking in public places goes in effect..,
Croatia - A ban on smoking went into effect on October 27, 2008..;
Croatia Aims at More Stringent Anti-smoking Laws...
Read more...

Smokers in ICU experiencing nicotine withdrawal..

April 9, 2010 - FRIDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Nicotine withdrawal can create serious problems for smokers who have a medical condition that puts them in intensive care, according to a new study.

PAPER: Nicotine withdrawal and agitation in ventilated critically ill patients, Olivier Lucidarme (olivier.lucidarme@ch-cholet.fr), Amelie Seguin (seguin-a@chu-caen.fr), Cedric Daubin (daubin-c@chu-caen.fr), Michel Ramakers (ramakers-m@chu-caen.fr), Nicolas Terzi (terzi@chu-caen.fr), Patrice Beck (beck@ch-cholet.fr), Pierre Charbonneau (charbonneau-p@chu-caen.fr), Damien du Cheyron (ducheyron-d@chu-caen.fr), Critical Care 2010, 14:R58 (April 9, 2010), ABSTRACT, PDF-FULL TEXT..

Researchers from Caen University Hospital in France found that hospital patients going through nicotine withdrawal can become highly agitated and accidentally remove tubes and catheters, require additional sedation, analgesic or anti-psychotic medicines, or need physical restraints.

Agitation, for example, occurred twice as often among smokers as non-smokers, the researchers found.

Their study, published online April 9 in Critical Care, compared 44 smokers and a control group of 100 non-smokers treated in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).

"These results suggest the need to be aware of nicotine withdrawal syndrome in critically ill patients and support the need for improved strategies to prevent agitation or treat it earlier," study author Damien du Cheyron said in a news release from the journal's publisher.

None of the smokers were allowed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during the study.

"NRT remains a controversial topic in intensive care and has been associated with mortality," du Cheyron said. "Due to the serious consequences of withdrawal-induced agitation, including sedation and physical restraint, we suggest the use of nicotine replacement therapy should be tested by a well-designed, randomized controlled clinical trial in the ICU setting."

VIDEO on nicotine withdrawal..

Reference: Nicotine Withdrawal Can Complicate Hospital Care by HealthDay, 4/9/2010.
Read more...

Malaysia - Health Ministry's proposal to ban the sale of 14-stick cigarette packs beginning June 1, 2010..

April 9, 2010 - KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today lauded the Health Ministry's proposal to ban the sale of 14-stick cigarette packs beginning June 1, 2010 to deter youths, especially schoolchildren, from picking up the smoking habit, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said Fomca would provide full support to the government's efforts to prevent cigarette-smoking from becoming a habit among new smokers, especially teenagers. The Health Minister said only the 20-stick packs, which were more expensive, would be sold. “This, hopefully, will put youths off buying cigarettes,” he said in reply to Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS – Kuala Krai).

More no-smoking areas would also be created, Liow said. The ministry, he added, was considering additional steps to make smokers, especially the younger generation, quit the habit. "Besides, we had made a similar suggestion in 2007 but the industry players then were not ready because they claimed to have plenty of stocks," he told Bernama here today.

Among the measures taken was increasing the price of cigarettes, a move which took effect on Jan 1 when the minimum price was set at 32 sen per stick or RM6.40 per pack (20 sticks). Liow said the price of cigarettes was an important factor in determining how much the people took to smoking. “A high price will deter the accessibility of cigarettes to younger people,” he said. The Government increased the excise duty on tobacco by one sen per stick in last year’s Budget.

It was reported last year that British American Tobacco Malaysia, which has a 70% share of the domestic legal cigarette market, increased the price of its 20-stick packs by 30 sen and its 14-stick packs by 20 sen – the price of a 14-cigarette pack ranges from RM5.80 (1.82 USD) to RM6.90 (2.17 USD) while a 20-stick cigarette pack costs RM7.80 (2.45 USD) to RM9.30 (2.92 USD).

He lamented that the number of cancer and heart disease patients in the country had also increased every year due to smoking.

“The ministry is also working with the Customs Department to prevent cigarette smuggling, which has been increasing lately due to higher cigarette prices,” Liow said.

On the sale of e-cigarettes, Liow said the ministry would study the impact of the use of such cigarettes first. It was reported that WHO has not endorsed the e-cigarettes due to “lack of data”.

Meanwhile, Consumer Association of Selangor and Federal Territories president Mohd Yusoff Abdul Rahman said the ban of 14-stick cigarette packs was also hoped to prevent students from falling into smoking habits. He said most of the cigarette-smoking students were using money given by their parents to get their fix. "By only allowing the sale of 20-stick cigarettes packs, which are more expensive, inadvertently, these students will buy less cigarettes," he said.

Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia's (PPIM) executive secretary Datuk Nadzim Johan, on the other hand, said while welcoming the government's effort to reduce the number of cigarette smokers in the country, the association hoped that the ruling be implemented as soon as possible. "The sooner it is implemented, the better...so that the smoking habit will not be spread like a contagious disease," he said. Nadzim also called on the government to tighten regulations and enforcement on cigarette-related advertising in a bid to reduce the sale of cigarettes among teenagers.

Liow told Datuk Mohd Sirat Abu (BN – Bukit Katil) that a World Health Organisation study revealed that the increase in the price of cigarettes by 10% had managed to decrease demand for cigarettes by 8% in developing countries and 4% in developed countries.

References: 14-stick packs to be snuffed out the Star online, 4/6/2009; NGOs Laud Ban On Sale Of 14-stick Cigarette Packs, Bernama.com, 4/7/2009.

Malaysia - some related news briefs:
Malaysia - increase in number of women smoking..;
Malaysia - new strategy to penalize retailers who sell contraband cigarettes..;
Malaysia - youth and student smokers may not receive aid from government..;
Malaysia - two tobacco control regulations starting January 1, 2010..
Malaysia - about 368,000 teenager smokers in the country, 50-60 added per day..;
Malaysia - sale of cigarettes in packets of less than 20 prohibited as of June 1, 2010..;
Malaysia - stepping up efforts to curb the trade in illicit cigarettes..;
Malaysia - BAT plans to dispose of a parcel of industrial land..;
Malaysia - ban on cigarette sponsorship for sports will not be withdrawn..;
Malaysia - cigarette-shaped sweets packaged like cigarettes;
Malaysia - Penang consumer group ban cheap cigarettes and increase price on premium..;
Malaysia - Kelantin State Government may not promote staff who smoke..;
Malaysia - excise duty increased on tobacco - another increase could be coming this month..;
Malaysia - smoking limits your quality of life..;
Malaysia - smoking civil servants in Penang to receive free nicotine treatment..;
Malaysia - illicit cigarettes, BAT wants government to slow excise duty increases..;
Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government de­­partments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government de­­partments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...

- Malaysia is a member of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA)..

Read more...

Canada - contraband cigarettes on the rise in Western Canada..

April 9, 2010 - Contraband (illicit, illegal, bootlegged, smuggled, unauthorized) cigarettes, which account for nearly half the Quebec and Ontario markets, are starting to make their way into Western Canada.

One in two cigarettes smoked in Ontario is illegal (illicit, smuggling, black market), robbing provincial and federal coffers of more than $2 billion a year and raising concerns about children gaining easy access to tobacco. The majority of contraband tobacco seized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from Britsh Columbia to Newfoundland come from the American side of Mohawk Indian reservation in New York State. (Canada, Ontario and Quebec - illegal cigarettes greater than 40% of consumption..)

Imperial Tobacco has labelled the illegal trade route the TransContraband Highway, and is calling on Ottawa to step up action against illegal cigarettes.

The cheap smokes are being manufactured in unlicensed factories on first nations reserves in Ontario, Quebec and New York state, then shipped by car, truck and motor home through Eastern Canada and increasingly into the West, particularly B.C. and Manitoba. Just this year, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) raids in Manitoba, in Portage la Prairie and Brandon, turned up large quantities of smuggled cigarettes.

In 2008, contraband cigarettes accounted for nearly four percent of the market in British Columbia (B.C.) up from two per cent in 2007, according to Imperial's figures.

The B.C. problem is exacerbated by shipments of illegal tobacco products entering the province from China, said Eric Gagnon, spokesman for the Montreal-based company.

The cross-Canada problem is huge, and growing. Imperial estimates some 13 billion illegal cigarettes were sold to Canadians in 2008, up from 10 billion in 2007.

So, what's Imperial's interest in talking up this problem? After all, why should Canadians care if the pedlars [peddlers]of death lose some of their market share (worth about $900 million a year)? Well, every time someone buys an illegal bag of 200 cigarettes at $6 instead of paying, say, $90 for a legal carton in B.C., tax revenue is lost to government.

Contraband activity throughout the country translates into forgone federal and provincial tax revenue of about $2.4 billion a year. It also supports organized crime and offers easy and affordable access to tobacco products for young people.

Canada has made strides in recent decades in getting citizens to abandon and avoid the unhealthy, addictive habit. Only 18 per cent of Canadians still smoke. But the question is, will a proliferation of cheap cigarettes lead to more people smoking, with implications for health care costs?

The Canadian Cancer Society notes smoking levels had been dropping by one per cent annually -- until 2007 when the declines became far more incremental. The society says on its web-site: "The main reason for the slowing decline has been the availability of cheap contraband cigarettes."

Imperial is urging the Harper government to make the problem a higher priority, to move beyond mere enforcement activity that takes place through the police seizures.

Of course, the fact the illegal products are being produced on native reserves makes the issue tricky. Can you imagine the feds attempting to shut down unlicensed manufacturing operations on native land?

Gagnon suggested Ottawa should hand over to the native manufacturers a portion of tax revenue from the legal cigarette market in exchange for their agreement to stop producing. But that sounds a lot like a bribe, or a reward for bad behaviour. Another way the feds could put a dent in the illegal activity is by lowering taxes on cigarettes, which in B.C. -- after the July 1 imposition of the harmonized sales tax -- will total about $60 on a $96 carton. (Canada - study finds the tobacco tax decrease implemented in February 1994 had no impact on tobacco consumption or promotion..)

Imperial tried to lobby the Campbell government to exempt cigarettes from the higher tax take that will result from the HST, but without success, said Gagnon, shaking his head.

And while Ottawa insists it's hard at work addressing the issue of illegal cigarettes -- pointing to the 2008 creation of a task force on illicit tobacco products-- Gagnon said the group has "done nothing to date." Public Safety Canada's David Charbonneau noted the group will be working with the Americans on the matter because it involves cross-border activity.

Reference: Contraband cigarettes make their way to Western Canada Cheap illegal smokes mean lost tax revenue, increased organized crime and easier access to tobacco for young people by Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun, 4/8/2009.

Canada - some cigarette smuggling related briefs:
Canada, Ontario and Quebec - illegal cigarettes greater than 40% of consumption..;
NCACT welcomes Quebec government's tabling of bill to fight contraband tobacco..;
Quebec - push to stop trade in illicit cigarettes..;
Canada Ontario/Quebec - make it illegal for minors to possess tobacco products..;
Canada - nearly one in five packs of cigarettes smoked by Canadian teen smokers are contraband products..;
Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey - 2008..;
Ontario, Canada - illegal cigarettes are everywhere..;
Canada - half of smokers have tried to quit..;
Canada - illegal cigarette trade - Imperial Tobacco President Kemball comments..;
Canada - Imperial Tobacco Head - Illegal Cigarettes..;
Imperial Tobacco - Canada Head - Canada growing crisis of illicit tobacco sales..;
Imperial Canada - stop illegal tobacco sales rather than raisng tax on tobacco..; Canada - will higher tobacco prices lead to increase in illicit cigarettes..;
Canada - to launch an advertising campaign on the problem of tobacco smuggling..;
Nova Scotia - buying smuggled tobacco you encourage organized crime..; Ontario Businessmen - want government to crack down on illegal cigarettes..;
Imperial Tobacco Canada - slow illegal cigarettes/sue tobacco companies..;
As tobacco prices rise - increase in illegal cigarette trafficing..; Canada - Obama visit - help STOP cigarette smuggling from U.S..;
Canada economic recession losing billions in unpaid tobacco taxes..;
Canada - Police arrest 46 in tobacco crackdown..;
Imperial Tobacco Survey - Canadian Illegal Tobacco Trade..;
Canada - Introduction of Tobacco Stamp to combat contraband...
Read more...

CDC MMWR: State Cigarette Minimum Price Laws --- United States, 2009..

April 9, 2010 -

State Cigarette Minimum Price Laws --- United States, 2009, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) April 9, 2010 / 59(13);389-392



About the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series.. Read more...

CDC MMWR: State Cigarette Excise Taxes --- United States, 2009..

April 9, 2010 -

State Cigarette Excise Taxes --- United States, 2009
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), April 9, 2010 / 59(13);385-388



About the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series.. Read more...

Indonesia - parents encourage 4-year old boy to continue smoking habit..

April 9, 2010 - Child protection services have opted not to take a 4-year-old boy from his parents in Malang, East Java, despite their encouragement of his smoking habit. Mulud Riadi, 52, and his wife Moedjiati, 41, had previously been threatened with having their son taken away to Jakarta for rehabilitation by the National Commission for Child Protection. Despite his age, the child is a chain smoker and is proficient in swearing — habits instilled in him by his parents.

The commission initially planned to place the boy under the custody of the Social Services Ministry in Jakarta for treatment. On Monday, commission head Seto Mulyadi met with Mulud and Moedjiati at their home in Malang to discuss the rehab program for their son. After a 15-minute talk, the couple refused to let the commission seek help for the boy.

Instead, they “promised” to protect the child from the negative impacts of “the surroundings”, with the help of Harianto, 23, who for some reason is regarded as the infant’s “best friend”.

Seto said the environment the boy was growing up in were not so bad that he couldn’t slowly be weaned of his habit, adding there was thus no urgent call to bring him to Jakarta. “That said, I urge everyone to change their views about the child,” he said.

“The child is the victim in this case of abuse by adults. The negative influence in his environment should also be categorized as abuse, mostly psychological.”

The boy’s case came to light with a video on YouTube showing him puffing on a cigarette. The footage has since been removed for violating the website’s rules. The boy’s parents said he began smoking when he was 19 months old, when Mulud claimed to have found him “enjoying a cigarette wrapped in a corn husk”. “When I asked him where he got the cigarette, he said someone had given it to him,” he said. “But none of the neighbors said they’d given him a cigarette.”

Mulud said the boy had since smoked regularly, and would throw a fit and start swearing when asked by his parents to stop. Seto said the case should prompt the government to immediately enforce the anti-tobacco law. “The law should provide a ban on cigarette companies from advertising in the media,” he said. “This should help reduce the number of children who take up smoking.”

He added the 4-year-old had a “normal psychological profile”.

Seto said children between the ages of 4 and 9 made up about 1.9 percent of Indonesia’s total population of smokers.

Reference: Smoking infant to stay with indulgent parents,
Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Malang, 4/6/2010.

Indonesia related news briefs:
Hemoglobin obtained from pigs may be used in cigarette filters..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette tax and cut cigarette output..;
Indonesia - Muhammadiyah-owned university students demonstrate against edict against smoking..;
Indonesia - kretek cigarette maker Gudang Garam's 2009 net profit jumps 84 percent..;
Indonesia - persons accused of eliminating clause designating tobacco as addictive..;
Indonesia - second largest Muslim organization launched a fatwa against smoking..;
Indonesia - RATIFICATION OF FCTC MAY RAISE INDONESIA'S BARGAINING POWER.. ;
Indonesia - 18 tons of illegal cigarettes destroyed..;
Indonesia - Government to limit cigarette production..;
Indonesia - BAT, Bentoel shareholders approve planned merger..;
Indonesia - another protest rejecting the new cigarette excise tax..;
Indonesia - workers from small cigarette producers protest excise tax increase..;
Indonesia - cigarette industry has pledged to stage a demonstration to protest a government plan to increase excise tax.;
Indonesia - the last paradise for a puff in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - trade minister officials want to meet with US counterparts to discuss ban on clove cigarettes..;
Indonesia - PT BAT Indonesia to merge with PT Bentoel International Investama Terbuka..;
Indonesia - missing tobacco regulation in approved Health Law..;
Indonesia - section on tobacco in health bill disappears..;
Indonesia - Constitutional Court by close vote rules that tobacco ads can continue..;
Indonesia - parent smoking can negatively affect the nutrition of children..;
Indonesia - new council member suspect in cigarette fraud case..;
Indonesia - an NGO commission assists cigarettes must be banned in films..
Indonesia - a paradise for tobacco companies..
Indonesia - after buying cigarettes very little left for food..;
Indonesia - will they ratify the first world public health treaty..;
Indonesia - last paradise to smoke in public places in Southeast Asia..;
Indonesia - Industry minister to close tobacco to new foreign investment..;
Indonesia Finance Ministry to cap tax deductions for tobacco companies..;
Indonesia - Smoking hits poor families the hardest, making the poor even poorer..;
Indonesia - Cigarette makers defy crisis, grows stronger..;
Indonesia - government may raise cigarette excise tax next year..;
WHO - Indonesia is crying out for your help..;
Indonesia - dispute with U.S. over banning the use of clove in cigarettes..;
Indonesia 'cash cow' for Philip Morris International..;
Tobacco industry has long targeted young people as "replacement smokers";
Indonesia - district court dismisses request to ratify FCTC..;
Asean Countries - Tobacco Industry Blocking Global Treaty On Tobacco..; Indonesia - farmers hold rally protest tobacco controls..;
Indonesia - tobacco farmers reject Islamic council's edict..;
Indonesia - Ulema Council - debate results is split on smoking..;
Indonesia - Withdraw Sponsorhip of Another Rock Concert..;
Indonesia to increase tax on tobacco products..;
Semarang, Indonesia - Cigarette Smoking Areas to be Prepared..;
Jakarta, Indonesia - Malls help enforce non-smoking ban..;
Indonesia - federal anti-smoking laws in one year - MAYBE..;
Indonesia - NGO's (non-government organizations) Demand the Government Ratify WHO's FCTC.;
Indonesia to raise cigarette tax by 6 to 7% in 2009..;
Surabaya, Indonesia - anti-smoking bylaw 10/2009 - FOR REAL??
Indonesians smoking more than ever before..;
Indonesia further rise in the excise tax would hurt the cigarette industry..;
Alicia Keys - Jakarta Concert (July 31st) tobacco companies forced to withdraw sponsorship.. and
Most Indonesians support moves to ban tobacco advertisements...
Read more...

Reynolds Ameriacn q1 2010 financial results..

April 9, 2010 - Reynolds American Inc. will webcast its conference call following the release of first-quarter 2010 financial results on April 22, 2010. The call will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

RAI to webcast first-quarter 2010 earnings conference call

Read more...

Lorillard - q1 2010 earnings conference call..

April 9, 2010 - Q1 2010 Lorillard, Inc. Earnings Conference Call, Monday, April 26, 2010 10:00 a.m. ET


Earnings Conference Call Read more...

C-store owner Valero signs agreement to abide by measures to keep kids from buying tobacco..

April 9, 2010 - SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Valero Retail Holdings Inc. and Valero Marketing & Supply Co. have signed agreements with 39 state attorneys general calling for Valero, which owns 1,000 convenience store outlets and has nearly 4,000 franchise outlets, to abide by a number of measures designed to keep underage consumers from buying tobacco.






Cigarette purchases mainly at c-stores:


California attorney general Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the multi-state agreement with Valero to stop young people from purchasing tobacco products at its c-stores. Attorneys general throughout the country reached this agreement after a nationwide investigation, led by Brown's office, of tobacco-selling practices at c-stores owned by or affiliated with Valero.

The Valero Energy Corp. units operate retail outlets under brands including Valero, Beacon, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Corner Store and Stop N Go.

"For years gas station convenience stores have served as an illegal provider for underage smokers. Today, Valero has finally joined the growing list of companies that have made a commitment to prevent illegal access to tobacco," Brown said. "Smoking remains a serious public-health problem in our country, and we need to do everything possible to keep young people from picking up the habit."

The assurance includes specific procedures and policies designed to address how tobacco is displayed and sold, in order to prevent sales to minors.

Valero will instruct clerks to check identification for all tobacco customers who appear to be under age 27, to use security videotapes to monitor compliance by clerks, to eliminate self-service tobacco displays and vending machines, to perform random compliance checks involving youthful tobacco purchasers and to implement many other safeguards.

Under the terms of the assurance, Valero also agreed to change the terms of its franchise contracts so that tobacco sales to minors must be reported to Valero, and illegal sales could result in loss of the franchise.

The states participating in the agreement include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia.

Recently, other multi-state agreements have been inked to curb the sale of tobacco to minors at gas station convenience stores, including Conoco, Phillips 66, 76, Exxon, Mobil, BP, ARCO, Chevron and Shell, as well as retail and pharmacy outlets operated by Kroger, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS and Wal-Mart. Participating grocery stores include Ralphs, Safeway and Vons.

Shell Signs Deal With 47 State AGs to Curb Minor Tobacco Sales..

Click here to view a copy of the agreement with Valero..

Reference: Valero Inks Deals With 39 AGs Retailer agrees to take to steps to prevent tobacco sales to minors, CSP Daiol News, 4/9/2010.

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Peter Jennings - in the U.S. lung cancer death rates have fallen since he revealed his fatal disease..

April 8, 2010 - It was five years ago tonight (April 5th) that Peter Jennings announced to us all that he had been diagnosed with [lung] cancer. Lung cancer death rates have fallen since the anchor revealed his fatal illness.

"I have learned in the last couple of days that I have lung cancer," he said. "Yes, I was a smoker until about twenty years ago. And I was weak and I smoked after 9/11."

While lung cancer remains the most common fatal cancer -- 160,000 Americans die from it every year -- the number of Americans dying from lung cancer is decreasing more rapidly than for any other cancer. It's due almost entirely to reductions in smoking.

While 20 percent of Americans still smoke,the smoking rate among the young is at its lowest ever. According to the CDC, 23 percent of high school kids smoked in 2005. By 2008, it was down to 20 percent.

2010 as the “Year of the Lung.”

Reference: Lung Cancer Rates Drop Since Peter Jennings' Death Since Jennings Was Diagnosed In 2005, More Help, More Laws by SUSAN SCHWARTZ and HANNA SIEGEL, abc World News, 4/5/2010.
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Smoking permanently banned on U.S. Navy submarines..

April 8, 2010 - Smoking will be banned on all U.S. Navy submarines, no later than December 31, 2010, Navy officials in San Diego announced Thursday, April 8th.

At the discretion of individual commanders, smoking had been allowed in the engineering space near the ventilation system. But a yearlong Navy study of nine submarines found that nonsmokers were still being subjected to secondhand smoke throughout the crafts.

The Navy has 57 submarines, including six based in San Diego. The submarine force has 13,000 sailors.

To help smoking sailors, the Navy will offer stop-smoking classes at shore stations and will provide nicotine patches and nicotine gum, officials said. "What we want to discourage is smokers turning to alternative methods of tobacco use such as chewing tobacco," said Capt. Mike Michaud, submarine force Atlantic surgeon.

See directly related news brief: Navy CNO - change in policy coming regarding smoking on submarines..

Reference: Smoking permanently out on U.S. Navy submarines, LaTimesblogs.Latimes.com/LaNow, Tony Perry in San Diego, 4/8/2010






--Tony Perry in San Diego Read more...

Brunei - smoking top cause of cancer death

April 8, 2010 - In Brunei (State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei), as elsewhere, smoking is not just a phenomenon connected with modern living; it has a cultural history as well. Before the influx of international brand cigarettes in the mid-twentieth century, smoking a Brunei “sigup”, or handmade cigarette, was considered a part of life here, while a smoke pipe, “pasigupan”, was a significant element in wedding ceremonies.

Today, the habit has grown in prevalence and popularity with the ready availability of cheap cigarettes. But while smoking has been associated predominantly with male culture, current statistics show an increase in tobacco use amongst women and girls, both globally and locally.

According to an officer at the Tobacco Control Unit at the Ministry of Health, “male rates of smoking have peaked, while female rates are on the rise. Especially troubling is the rising prevalence of tobacco use among girls. Data from 151 countries shows that about 7 percent of adolescent girls smoke cigarettes as opposed to 12 per-cent of adolescent boys in some countries; almost as many girls smoke as boys. In Brunei, it was observed during routine enforcement that there is an increasing trend of smoking in women and girls”.

A report, “Smoking among Girls and Young Women in Asean Countries”, published in February 2009 by The Collaborative Funding Program for Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Research, claims “the single most important factor may be the rise in spending power among girls and women, which is making cigarettes more affordable. Social and cultural norms that have traditionally prevented women in many countries from smoking are weakening….and changes in women’s roles are associated with smoking uptake”. Second hand smoke, or passive smoking, also contributes to about 10-15 per-cent of the disease burden caused by active smoking, reports the World Health Organisation.

Beyond important measures of prevention in the public domain, how can children, who remain most vulnerable, be protected and dissuaded from taking up the habit?

The Ministry of Health has developed education programmes to communicate awareness of the harmful effects of smoking to school students, and roadshows include health talks and exhibitions on associated health consequences. Smoking cessation clinics, established since 2005, are also open to all age groups, including school students.

Dr Hj Faruque Reza at the Silver Jubilee Health Centre added that "parents are the role model for their children. If parents do not smoke, or quit smoking, children would stay away from smoking, provided parents create awareness among children about the harmful effects of smoking and benefits of not smoking".

The habit, however, can affect people at all ages. Dr Hj Faruque Reza sees prominent numbers of patients in the 30-40-year age group, as well as many girls around 18 years and women up to and over 55 years.
See reference to read entire article.

Health Warnings on Cigarette Packages: 2008-present..

Reference: Smoking top cause of cancer death in Brunei, Catherine Wilson,
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, The Brunei Times, 4/8/2010.

Related news briefs - Brunei..
Brunei - national tobacco control panel to create smoke-free society..;

Images: (Top) Students being briefed on the effects of smoking by an officer from the Health Education Promotion Unit. Picture: BT/Hj Mohd Ali; (Middle) Statistics reveal an increase in tobacco use amongst women and girls. Picture: BT/Zamri Zainal; (Above) Young children learning about the danger of smoking at an exhibition during the health programme for Mukim Kilanas, held at Bunut Health Centre, Kilanas. Picture: BT/Saifulizam...

- Brunei Darussalam is a member of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA)..


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Malaysia - increase in number of women smoking..

April 8, 2010 - The Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) was told on Wednesday, April 7th that the increase in the number of women smokers was worrying.

(The Parliament of Malaysia (Malay: Parlimen Malaysia) is the national legislature of Malaysia, the bicameral parliament consists of the Dewan Rakyat (literally "People's Hall"; commonly referred to as the House of Representatives, lower house) and the Dewan Negara (literally "Nation's Hall"; commonly referred to as the Senate). The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Head) as the Head of State is the third component of Parliament. Parliament of Malaysia)

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that among the reasons for the increase was that many women believed that by smoking cigarettes, they could lose weight.
“According to our study, the number of women smoking cigarettes is indeed on the rise and this is a very worrying trend. “The perception that smoking cigarettes can help you lose weight is baseless,” he said in reply to Lilah Yasin (BN-Jempol) who wanted to know about the trend which was had been rampant of late.

Liow said women with such perception should go to a clinic or hospital and seek advice and counseling on the effects of smoking. To an original question from Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) on efforts to curb obesity, which could lead to various health problems, Liow said nurses and assistant medical officers were also authorised to provide counselling on exercise, nutrition and diet to the public.

“The responsibility to give counselling service to improve the quality of government service delivery in public helth clinics pertaining to the weight loss programme is no longer restricted to medical officers only,” he said.

He said the government had also deployed 172 family medicine experts to 151 government health clinics nationwide to enable obese individuals who also suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and heart ailment to get specialist attention easily.

Reference: MALAYSIAN PARLIAMENT: NUMBER OF WOMEN SMOKERS AT WORRYING STAGE, NAM NEWS NETWORK - BERNAMA, 4/7/2010.

Malaysia - some related news briefs:
Malaysia - new strategy to penalize retailers who sell contraband cigarettes..;
Malaysia - youth and student smokers may not receive aid from government..;
Malaysia - two tobacco control regulations starting January 1, 2010..
Malaysia - about 368,000 teenager smokers in the country, 50-60 added per day..;
Malaysia - sale of cigarettes in packets of less than 20 prohibited as of June 1, 2010..;
Malaysia - stepping up efforts to curb the trade in illicit cigarettes..;
Malaysia - BAT plans to dispose of a parcel of industrial land..;
Malaysia - ban on cigarette sponsorship for sports will not be withdrawn..;
Malaysia - cigarette-shaped sweets packaged like cigarettes;
Malaysia - Penang consumer group ban cheap cigarettes and increase price on premium..;
Malaysia - Kelantin State Government may not promote staff who smoke..;
Malaysia - excise duty increased on tobacco - another increase could be coming this month..;
Malaysia - smoking limits your quality of life..;
Malaysia - smoking civil servants in Penang to receive free nicotine treatment..;
Malaysia - illicit cigarettes, BAT wants government to slow excise duty increases..;
Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government de­­partments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...Peninsular Malaysia - one of three cigarette packs is either contraband or fake..;
Komtar, Penang, Malaysia smoking ban strictly enforced..;
Malaysia student forced to smoke 40 cigarettes in two hours..
Malaysia - PSD and Cuepacs are at odds over the no-smoking rule at government de­­partments and agencies..;
Malaysia: Are tobacco control measures working? - WHO thinks so...;
Malaysia - slowdown in cigarette consumption..;
Malaysia - January 1, 2009 pictorial cigarette warnings..;
Malaysia to hike cigarette prices..;
Malaysia - 25% of all cigarettes sales are illegal...

Read more...

India - cabinet decided to bar foreign direct investment in cigarette manufacturing...

Click to enlarge..
April 8, 2010 - Cigarette makers such as Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI) may have to put their plans to expand in India on hold after the country’s cabinet decided to bar foreign direct investment in cigarette manufacturing. “This would bring the policy in line with the administrative decision not to grant industrial license for cigarette manufacturing,” the government said in a note today.

Directly related news briefs:
Japan Tobacco Seeks to Expand Production in India..;
India - government set to ban foreign direct investment in tobacco..;

Japan Tobacco now hold 50% in its Indian venture –– JTI India. The current plan is to increase the foreign holding to 74%. On June 18, 2007, JTI, announced the launch of their premium quality, global brand, Winston in India.

The decision by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is part of the government’s policy to discourage smoking. India banned smoking nationwide in public places including office buildings, restaurants and pubs on Oct. 2, 2008, to prevent smoking-related diseases. Deaths from smoking are expected to rise to 1 million this year.

The rules allowed 100 percent foreign direct investment in cigarette making if the manufacturer could obtain an industrial license and the proposal was approved by India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board. Japan Tobacco, the world’s third largest publicly traded cigarette maker by sales, has been waiting for Indian government approval to expand production since June 2008, Executive Deputy President Masakazu Shimizu said in March.

“We are aware of this news and are currently in the process of verifying the decision,” Yuka Sugimoto, spokeswoman at Japan Tobacco said in an e-mail response to a query.

Reference: India Bars Foreign Investment in Cigarette Making (Update1) by Bibhudatta Pradhan (bpradhan@bloomberg.net) and Saikat Chatterjee (schatterjee4@bloomberg.net) with assistance from Naoko Fujimura in Tokyo and Pratik Parija in New Delhi. Editors: Abhay Singh, Mark Williams, (editors responsible for this story: Frank Longid at flongid@bloomberg.net; Hari Govind at hgovind@bloomberg.net), Bloomberg - Business Week, 4/8/2010.

India - some related news briefs:
^*India - captions with pictorial warnings should use local languages..;
^*ndia - pictorial warning will appear on every tobacco pack sold from June 1 , 2010..;
^*India - government set to ban foreign direct investment in tobacco..;
^*India - despite tobacco control measure in place - tobacco sales increase..;
^*India - still confusion pictorial warnings on cigarette packs..;
^*Mumbai, India - NGO activists want closure of hookah bars..;
^*India - gutkha and bidi companies NOT pictorial warnings..;
^*India - cigarette packs with pictorial warnings are here..; ^*ndia - NO graphic pictorial warnings yet..;
^*India - Still no pictorial warnings on cigarette packs..;
^*India - pictorial warning on cigarettes and tobacco products effective May 31, 2009..;
^*India - pictorial warning on cigarettes and tobacco products will be implemented from May 31 - no doubts about it..;
^*India - will pictorial or graphic health warnings be implemented from May 30, 2009..;
^*India - placing pictorial warnings on tobacco products delayed again..
Read more...

Viet Nam - WHO increase cigarette tax to lower smoking rate..

April 8, 2010 - A recent survey conducted by Nguyen Tuan Lam, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official, and other experts, found that higher incomes and low cigarette taxes had helped keep the smoking rate high, despite education about the hazards of smoking.

On we reported in August 2009 that Viet Nam - to ban smoking and increase tax..

Even with smoking ban in effect as of January 1, 2010 people can still be found smoking in public places, such as parks, stations and hospitals.

Every year, 40,000 people in Viet Nam (Vietnam) die from diseases related to smoking, and the medical expenses related to lung and heart diseases caused from smoking is estimated at VND1.1 trillion (US$61 million) each year, according to WHO.

Half of the men in the country smoke, with 65 per cent of them between 25 and 45 years old. WHO said if prevention measures were not implemented soon, annual fatalities due to smoking would rise to 70,000 by 2030.

Lam said if the Government imposed a tax of VND1,750 (1,750.00 VND = 0.09 USD) for each cigarette package, about 30 percent of smokers would quit. Tax revenues would be deposited in the Government’s health insurance fund.

Lam said that WHO and the World Bank had proposed raising the tax rate from 66 to 80 percent for one package of cigarettes.

Printing warning letters and images that warn smokers about the consequences of smoking are also effective methods to prevent people from smoking, especially young people.

Viet Nam was the 47th of 166 countries that signed the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

WHO said the warning images, which include photos of rotting teeth or cancerous growths, on cigarette packages should cover half of the package.

In August last year, the Prime Minister issued Decree No 1315 to follow the WHO convention guidelines.

Dr Ly Ngoc Kinh, a high-ranking expert at the Viet Nam Steering Committee on Smoking and Health, said the Ministry of Health had told tobacco producers to print the warnings on cigarette boxes no later than April 1 this year. However, companies have been postponing putting the warning message on packages.

“The rule must be implemented this year. About 60 images related to diseases caused by cigarette smoking have been selected for printing on the box,” Kinh said. “The warning label may be very helpful in preventing teenagers from smoking.”

Media plays an important role in urging the Government to consider both the economic interests of tobacco producers and the health of its citizens. It should also play an important role in warning about the dangers of smoking, he said.

Viet Nam is a member of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca).

Reference: VnnNews – Raising cigarette taxes could be the most effective way of reducing the high smoking rate in Viet Nam, VietNamNet/Viet Nam News, 4/7/2010.

Some Vietnam related news briefs:
Vietnam - who will enforce smoking ban to start January 1, 2010??;
Vietnam - national campaign launched calling for smoking ban..;
Third Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam smokefree..;
Viet Nam - to ban smoking and increase tax..;
PMI's Future: From Remarks by Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman and CEO-elect and Andre Calantzopoulos, Chief Operating Officer-elect after the spin-off of..;
Read more...

FDA CTP Update December 2009 - March 2010..

April 8, 2010 - FDA Center for Tobacco Products Update (April 7, 2010)

FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) intends to provide regular updates to inform Congress and the public on its progress in implementing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act).

This summary does not contain all actions taken by CTP.

FDA Center for Tobacco Products Update (April 7, 2010)..

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Altria - webcast - 1st quarter 2010 results..

April 8, 2010 - Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) ) will host a live audio webcast on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2010 first-quarter business results. The business results will be issued by means of a press release at approximately 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time the same day. The webcast can be accessed at www.altria.com.

During the webcast, Mr. Michael E. Szymanczyk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. David R. Beran, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the company's 2010 first-quarter results and answer questions from the investment community and news media.

The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. Pre-event registration is necessary; directions are posted at www.altria.com. An archived copy of the webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at www.altria.com.

Reference: Altria to webcast 1Q results, SOURCE: Altria Group, Inc., 4/7/2-10.
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Philip Morris Philippines..

April 8, 2010 - By 1995, Philip Morris Philippines Inc (PMPH) was set up to provide marketing support to its brands and to start organizing leaf-buying activities for its operations in the region.

In 2003, Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI) inaugurated its US$300 million manufacturing plant at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Batangas. President Arroyo lauded it as a proof of investor confidence on her administration.

In January 2010, PMPMI broke ground for its regional tobacco warehouse facility at the Subic Bay Techno Park in Central Luzon. The P1-billion facility, which will be built in phases, sits on a 50,000-sq-m parcel of land that PMPMI had leased from the Subic freeport zone authority for 50 years.

Philip Morris and its Philippine saga by Lala Rimando, Newsbreak, 2/25/2010.

Background: Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI) is an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), the most successful cigarette company in the world. In the Philippines, PMPMI manufactures and distributes the world’s number 1 cigarette brand Marlboro and Philip Morris Menthol cigarettes. It also has the world’s number two brand L&M as its mid-priced product. Completing its diversified portfolio, PMPMI has low-price brands Bowling Gold, Stork and Miller. Philip Morris’ products, particularly Marlboro has been in the Philippine market since 1955. Our products then were manufactured and sold under license with La Suerte Cigar and Cigarette Company. PMI is the most successful international cigarette company today with almost a quarter share of the entire adult cigarette market. Locally, PMPMI now enjoys a 31.3 percent share of market by the end of 2006.

On February 25, 2010, PM announced that Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI), an affiliate of PMI, and Fortune Tobacco Corporation (FTC), have signed an agreement to unite their respective business activities by transferring selected assets and liabilities of PMPMI and FTC to a new company to be called PMFTC, with each party holding an equal economic interest. (Philippines - PMI - FTC merger may lead smokers continuing to smoke and lure children into a life of nicotine addiction..)

The Philippines is the 15th-largest cigarette market in the world, and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. According to Euromonitor International, retail sales of cigarettes in the Philippines in 2008 stood at 81.4 bn sticks, having grown by some 13% since 2003. ( Philip Morris International forms new company with 90% of Philippines cigarette market by Don Hedley, Euromonitor Global Market Research Blog, 2/25/2010)

Philippines - DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs..;
Philippines - PMI - FTC merger may lead smokers continuing to smoke and lure children into a life of nicotine addiction..;
Philippines - PMI and Fortune Tobacco Corp. form new company called PMFTC..;
Philippines - Tanauan City names street Philip Morris..;
Philippines - DOH campaign for 100% smoke-free workplaces..;
Philippines - total tobacco industry could be down 10% to 15% this year..;
Philippines - 2003 ban on advertising and skirting the ban..;
Philippines - June is annually observed as 'No Smoking' Month..;
Philippines may be losing the war against smoking..;
http://snus-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/philippines-thai-cigarette-import-rules.html;
Philip Morris won't postpone Philippines Eraserheads Concert..;
Philip Morris could be criminally liable for its sponsorship of the event .in the Philippines..;
STOP PMI Sponsoring Concert in Philippines..;
Philippines - Smoker to be deported...

Read more...

Great Forks, North Dakota - extends smoking ban to bars and truck stops..

April 7, 2010 - On August 1, 2005, North Dakota's smoke-free law went into effect. The law prohibits smoking in all enclosed areas of public places and places of employment, with some exceptions. (North Dakota's Smoke-Free Law) Lawmakers have declined to extend the ban to bars and truck stops, but local governments may approve stricter anti-smoking laws.

The Grand Forks City Council has approved extending the city's workplace smoking ban to bars, truck stops and casinos. The ban begins August 15, 2010. The council voted 4-3 on Monday, April 5th to approve the new rules. Mayor Mike Brown cast the tie-breaking vote.

The cities of Fargo and West Fargo have had similar bans for almost two years.

Reference: Grand Forks City Council extends smoking ban, by: Grand Forks Herald, INFORUM, 4/6/2010.

North Dakota - some related news briefs:
North Dakota's Comprehensive State Plan to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use 2009-2014..;
North Dakota - statewide anti-tobacco plan to be released in July 2009..;
Read more...

Hemoglobin obtained from pigs may be used in cigarette filters..

April 7, 2010 - In a claim likely to cause consternation from Muslim smokers, a Dutch author has published a book that claims that pig blood is used to make cigarette filters. Pig 05049, written by Christien Meindertsma, lists 185 different ways that pigs’ body parts can be used, including in the manufacture of sweets, shampoo, bread, beer and bullets.

Pig hemoglobin is, according to the book, used to filter harmful chemicals in cigarettes.

See our directly related news brief: Pig hemoglobin used in cigarette filter to trap harmful chemicals..

The Indonesian Consumer Protection Foundation (YLKI) called on authorities to investigate the claims. “If the claim is true then the National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM), the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) Food and Drug Analysis Agency (LPPOM) should immediately conduct a sampling test,” Tulus Abadi, chairman of the YLKI, told the Jakarta Globe. (Indonesian Ulema Council - Indonesia’s top Muslim clerical body)

Tulus said that Indonesian cigarette producers were using imported filters because they are not produced locally. If the claims are true, Tulus said, the government has a stronger case to take a stand against tobacco. “As the most populous Muslim country, we should be really careful, most smokers in Indonesia are Muslims. How would they feel if they found out that the cigarettes they smoke were made using pig hemoglobin?” he said.

MUI chairman Amidhan said that MUI would not comment on the matter and would not conduct any certification test unless there was a request from the cigarette industry or the importer.

“Smoking is offensive and for now that’s our stance. However this information should be regarded as a warning for smokers to be more aware,” he said.

The Jewish and Muslim community refrain from pork consumption due to religious beliefs, and the same can be said about a large majority of vegetarians too who practice the diet because of strict religious beliefs.

Reference: Claims of Pig Blood in Cigarette Filters Coughs Up a Cloud of Controversy, Dessy Sagita, The Jakarta Globe, 4/2/2010.
Read more...

Tobacco Control Legal Consortium: A “Commercial Speech” Factsheet for State and Local Governments (2010)..

April 7, 2010 -

Elisa P. Laird-Metke, Tobacco Control Legal Consortium, Regulating Tobacco Marketing: A “Commercial Speech” Factsheet for State and Local Governments (2010), Tobacco Control Legal Consortium (www.tobaccolawcenter.org)

Tobacco Control Legal Consortium related news briefs:
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium - facts sheets provided to help understand the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act"..;
Legal Consortium files amicus (friend of the court) brief in first impression tobacco-free pharmacy case..
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Israel - Knesset member bill eliminate nicotine from cigarettes..

April 7, 2010 - Kadima (political party) MK (Member of Knesset (Israeli Parliament)) Yoel Hasson tabled a private member’s bill on Monday that, if passed, would be the world’s first law barring the sale of tobacco products containing addictive substances such as nicotine, or other substances, such as menthol and ammonia, that make nicotine more addictive, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

This article from the Jerusalem Post was reported on March 16, 2010.. Israel - Knesset member bill eliminate nicotine from cigarettes..
Read more...

Philippines - DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs..

Philippines Dept. of Health..
April 7, 2010 - In countries like Thailand, Brazil and Canada, graphic “picture-based health warnings” on cigarette packs have increased public knowledge on the ill-effects of smoking, as well as motivated an undisclosed number of smokers to quit the habit. (Graphic Warnings cigarette packs: Canada revising warnings, U.S. pictorial warnings within 4-years..)

The Philippines the Department of Health (DoH) has expressed confidence that the government could do the same by requiring tobacco firms to print similar warnings on cigarette packs sold to the public. DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral on Tuesday, April 6th told the INQUIRER they were “crafting an administrative order” covering such warnings against tobacco use.

The directive is “in accordance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,” or FCTC, which was signed in 2003 by over 160 countries, including the Philippines.
The FCTC “has been ratified (by the Senate) and is now part of the law of the land,” Cabral noted.

Ninety-six percent of Filipino smokers said graphic health warnings would most likely make them quit compared to bland text warnings, according to a recent study of the Council on Tobacco for Health and Air of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians. (Graphic health warnings may make smokers quit, says study by Jocelyn Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8/14/2008)

Like Cabral, both the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP) strongly believe picture-based health warnings would be a “more effective strategy” over text warnings against tobacco use.

Dr. Sylvia Banal-Yang, PCCP president, told a recent health forum “a picture speaks a thousand words. When smokers see what tobacco use could do to their health, then they will have second thoughts about buying cigarettes again.” For her part, FCAP executive director Maricar Limpin said such warnings printed on cigarette packs would most likely “convince the smoking public, especially the youth, that smoking is really bad for the health.”


Cigarette smoking is one of the lung health issues cited in Proclamation No. 2001, issued recently by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, declaring 2010 as the “Year of the Lung.” In her directive, Arroyo stressed the need for “preventive measures through a more intensified advocacy campaign and effective strategies to curb the epidemic causing serious and debilitating lung disorders.”

According to Cabral, the DOH would “continue our advocacy against cigarette smoking.”
Aside from the imposition of higher taxes on cigarettes, among other “sin products,” both the PCCP and FCAP favor a total ban on tobacco use in the country.

Cabral, however, said otherwise. “It impinges on the rights of human beings to choose to die or not to die from diseases caused by smoking. All we can do is tell them the facts and this is what we would do if we were you and we hope you'll do the same thing,” she explained.

Reference: DoH pushes for picture warnings on cigarette packs by Jerry E. Esplanada, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 4/6/2010.

Philippines - some related news briefs:
Philippines - PMI - FTC merger may lead smokers continuing to smoke and lure children into a life of nicotine addiction..;
Philippines - PMI and Fortune Tobacco Corp. form new company called PMFTC..;
Philippines - Tanauan City names street Philip Morris..;
Philippines - DOH campaign for 100% smoke-free workplaces..;
Philippines - total tobacco industry could be down 10% to 15% this year..;
Philippines - 2003 ban on advertising and skirting the ban..;
Philippines - June is annually observed as 'No Smoking' Month..;
Philippines may be losing the war against smoking..;
http://snus-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/philippines-thai-cigarette-import-rules.html;
Philip Morris won't postpone Philippines Eraserheads Concert..;
Philip Morris could be criminally liable for its sponsorship of the event .in the Philippines..;
STOP PMI Sponsoring Concert in Philippines..;
Philippines - Smoker to be deported...
Read more...