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| Issue 78 | 7 November 2007 |
Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Try the online version. FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
The biggest surprise to me was the selection of the new Minister of Health, David Cunliffe. I am looking forward to working with him. He will need to get up to speed in very short order, which in itself is quite a challenge. I want to make special mention of Steve Chadwick. I think a lot of us in the smokefree community will be highly delighted at her elevation. The person who championed the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act through the house has received the recognition she deserves. And to boot – she is an Associate Minister of Health. Well done Steve! Our Minister, Damien O'Connor, survived the cut and also retains his Associate Health role. This fortnight we highlight the evaluation of the Smokefree Coalition's website, inviting your comments. The website has been functional for 18 months and it's time to work out what is good and what could use some change. Please take a bit of time to navigate your way around the site and give us your feedback. Congratulations to those workers who have recently been involved in policing retail outlets over selling cigarettes to minors. I issued a media release highlighting the results which are quite sobering. It seems that for many convenience stores the age of the purchaser of cigarettes does not matter a whole bunch. It is time for the authorities to take a dim view of this flouting of the law. The fines (although miniscule) need to be imposed at their maximum if the message is to get across. While cigarettes are, by an accident of history, a legal product – they are not candy. This sort of behaviour from too many retailers does lend weight to the calls for much tighter regulation of the sale of cigarettes. Indeed it even raises the question of licensing. A licensed seller who breaches the law must ultimately lose their right to retail cigarettes. Finally, let us celebrate the latest dairy to quit selling cigarettes. Thank you to Maureen Hall the owner of Dainty Dairy on the corner of Smith and Stuart Streets in Dunedin for taking this stand. The dairy is in the proximity of the Otago Girls' High School and Maureen did not want the young people from that school to be exposed to cigarettes at her shop. Well done. It is not easy for a dairy to sacrifice a profitable item for a principle. I hope our smokefree networks in Dunedin give her shop some healthy promotion. Have a good fortnight. Mark Peck Director IN THIS ISSUE:
SMOKEFREE COALITION WEBSITE QUESTIONNAIREThe Smokefree Coalition website has been up and running for around 18 months, and we think now is a good time to get some feedback on whether people are finding it useful. We'd like to keep the site relevant and well-organised so that it best serves the needs of visitors, so we've put an evaluation form online to make feedback easy. Whether you're a regular visitor, or only go there occasionally, we'd appreciate you having another look around the site and telling us how you find it. We'd value your feedback no matter what your area of expertise. To make it more inviting, all who respond and provide an email address will go into a draw for a $100 CD Store music voucher. The Smokefree Coalition will not share those email addresses with any other party. You can answer as many or as few of the questions as you would like, and we've tried to make the questionnaire quick and easy to fill out, with plenty of opportunity for extra comments. The questionnaire is at http://www.sfc.org.nz/webfeedback.html. SMOKEFREE COALITION CALLS FOR ACTION ON CIGARETTE SALES TO CHILDRENThe Smokefree Coalition (SFC) is calling for a greater focus on reducing illegal sales of cigarettes to young people. The call follows a number of sales to under-18s in Christchurch, the Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne during recent compliance checks. "Under the Smoke-free Environments Act, tobacco products cannot be sold to people under the age of 18," says SFC director Mark Peck. "Previously the Ministry of Health had a strong focus on checking retailers' compliance with this law, but this priority seems to have slipped. The result is an increasing number of sales of a deadly, addictive drug to our teenagers." The Christchurch, Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti District Health Boards recently undertook separate compliance checks, during which 14 to 16 year old volunteers entered shops and asked to buy cigarettes. Three shops in Christchurch and one in Rangiora were caught out in the checks. There were also 14 attempts to purchase cigarettes from Wairoa shops, with three sales; and eight attempts in Central Hawke's Bay, with two sales. In Gisborne, volunteers were sold cigarettes seven times. "Staff at Christchurch, Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti DHBs are to be congratulated for carrying out these operations. Similar compliance checks should be happening regularly, all over the country. Retailers should be in no doubt that if they sell cigarettes to children, they will be caught." Mr Peck says low fines given out by courts for the sale of cigarettes to under-18s provide little incentive for retailers to comply with the law. "As a general rule, people convicted of selling cigarettes to minors receive fines of a few hundred dollars, if that. Courts need to impose bigger fines to show that it is never OK to sell drugs to children." As well as wanting compliance checks increased, Mr Peck is calling upon Government to introduce a requirement for retailers to be licensed before they are allowed to sell cigarettes. "That way, a retailer who sells cigarettes to someone who is underage can have his licence removed. Cigarettes are a big money earner for retailers, and the threat of losing that income would be a deterrent to illegal sales." Smokefree Coalition Media Release, 3 November 2007 PACIFIC ISLANDS HEARTBEAT SMOKING CESSATION SERVICE
This training is designed for health professionals (nurses and community health workers) to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing brief advice and cessation support to patients/smokers in the cessation process. The course has a strong emphasis on what is culturally relevant and appropriate for Pacific people. Participants and providers who complete the training can get registered with the Quit Group as Quit Card providers to access subsidised Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for clients who smoke and wanting to quit. The workshop will be held at the Te Amorangi Richmond Conference Room in Linwood, Christchurch, 12-14 December, starting at 9 am. For more information contact Anthony Leaupepe, Training Facilitator, 04 472 2780 ext 2, or e-mail: anthonyl@nhf.org.nz. YOU'RE SO SMART TO SMOKE PARLIAMENTS
We think this veil is particularly lovely, and would encourage any 'soon-to-be-brides' to consider doing something similar.
SMOKEFREE SHORTS
New ZealandFive Hawke's Bay retailers sell cigarettes to underage children Recent monitoring checks carried out by Hawke's Bay District Health Board's public health unit resulted in five retailers selling cigarettes to underage volunteers. Details regarding the retailers who sold cigarettes to the volunteers have been forwarded to the Ministry of Health for a decision on whether to prosecute. The maximum fine for selling to minors is up to $2,000, while repeat offenders may be ordered not to sell tobacco products. Hawkes Bay District Health Board media release, 18 October 2007 Cigarette 'sting' nets four Christchurch retailers Four Canterbury retailers are being prosecuted after a recent controlled purchase sting found them selling cigarettes to minors. Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said the result was disappointing but in line with a Ministry of Health survey showing most young smokers aged between 15 and 19 bought their own cigarettes. Stuff, 1 November 2007 Young rebel over tobacco health alerts
"There seem to be social negative connotations with tobacco use and that is contributing to less lifetime use, but there may have been some backlash since 2003," says researcher Chris Wilkins. New Zealand Herald, 6 November 2007 All Wairarapa Hospital patients to be asked if they are smokefree Wairarapa Hospital pre-admissions clinic nurse Jan Struthers was surprised at the encouraging response she got from people in the hospital's smokefree screening trial programme, which began in August. "The results have been very positive and patients have been very receptive. Far from the exchange being awkward, patients were very matter-of-fact and welcoming of the offer of support," she said. The trial began in August on elective surgery patients and came into full force on 5 November with all patients being asked on admission if they smoke and whether their households are smokefree. Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 October 2007 Greens call for even tougher line The Green Party has welcomed the New Zealand Super Fund's decision to stop investing in tobacco companies, but says it must also exit the weapons industry. The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation have said investments in tobacco companies represented 0.3 percent, or $37.6 million, of the fund's total assets. Otago Daily Times, 24 October 2007 InternationalTwo types of cigarettes: one for teens, both stupid In the New York Times op-ed "A Two-Cigarette Society" attorney David G. Adams argued we should have two types of cigarettes, one with and one without nicotine. He is proposing we start young adults out on nicotine-free cigarettes, so they don't get hooked. Like a child learning to ride a bike with training wheels, the teens using nicotine-free smokes will be eager to drop the training wheels and move on to the real McCoy. Health FactsandFears.com (US), 22 October 2007 Year 10 student allowed 'smokos' to keep her at school
Tara's mother, also a smoker, said the situation reached breaking point last month when her daughter was placed on detention, and prevented from leaving the school grounds. "She was really stressed. She just calms down if she has got a cigarette; otherwise she storms in the door, cranky and angry." The Sunday Mail, 3 November 2007 Smoking linked to teen alcohol, drug use: U.S. study Teenagers who smoke are five times more likely to drink and 13 times more likely to use marijuana than those who are not smokers, according to a recent report which analysed surveys conducted by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other data on youth smokers. Reuters, 5 November 2007 Son's cig ended smoking hell It was another hectic morning for chain smoker and mum-of-two Melanie Sherrington. After feeding her son, Daniel, breakfast she nipped outside for a cigarette, before heading upstairs to wake her baby daughter Rachel. But when she finally brought Rachel downstairs, Melanie, 32, saw something that made her blood run cold – and finally ended her lifelong addiction. Sitting on the living room floor with a cigarette in his mouth was two-year-old Daniel. The Sun (UK), 25 October 2007 Britain is sickliest nation in Europe Britain has been branded "the sick man of Europe" after a Government report revealed a nation blighted by record levels of obesity, alcohol abuse, diabetes and smoking related deaths. There are 288 deaths per 100,000 people from smoking-related causes in the UK, compared with an EU average of 263. Electronic Telegraph (UK), 23 October 2007 Smoking makes people fatter: report Researchers say they have blown away one of the last excuses smokers had to keep puffing – that it keeps them slim. A study by a team from the universities of New South Wales and Melbourne has found a few cigarettes a day may actually result in the body storing too much fat, not less. But the research has so far been limited to mice, perhaps offering smokers one last justification for hanging onto their addiction. ABC News, 23 October 2007 Smoking mothers lead to fat children: Japan study Children whose mothers smoked even in the early stages of pregnancy are nearly three times more likely to struggle with obesity later in life, according to a Japanese study. While the study did not state an exact correlation, one theory is that children whose mothers smoked were deprived of nutrition in the womb. Agence France Presse, 29 October 2007 One in four pregnant women in Tasmania smoke One in four pregnant women in Tasmania are risking their unborn babies' health by smoking, a new report has revealed. The startling 2005 figures, showing 27.6 percent of Tasmanian women smoke while they are pregnant compares with national 2003 figures showing about 17.3 per cent of Australian women smoked while pregnant. Herald Sun, 29 October 2007 Smoking bans help people quit, research shows
One reason bans help people quit is simple biology. Inhaling tobacco actually increases the number of receptors in the brain that crave nicotine, so, removing the triggers that turn on those receptors is a good thing. National Public Radio (US), 25 October 2007
US doctor devises test to detect smokers A simple device for detecting carbon monoxide in the blood may help doctors get an honest answer out of patients who smoke, according to US researchers. The device, called a pulse cooximeter, is typically used to test for carbon monoxide levels in firefighters, but it can also detect carbon monoxide levels in people who smoke, offering a powerful tool for educating patients about the effects of smoking. Reuters, 23 October 2007 Tobacco advertisers defy rules, target youths: study According to a new study by a University of Tennessee researcher, tobacco companies are still targeting youth despite agreements that limit the marketing of smokeless tobacco. The study, titled "Under the Radar: Smokeless Tobacco Advertising in Magazines with Substantial Youth Readership," found that advertising restrictions have left a rather minuscule impression on smokeless tobacco advertising which targets youth. The Daily Beacon (US), October 24 2007 Report links teen smoking, depression Smoking cigarettes may make teens more susceptible to depression, alcohol abuse, and illegal drug use. Based on data from a US government drug use survey, researchers concluded that teens who smoke are nine times more likely to abuse alcohol and 13 times more likely to abuse illegal drugs than teens who don't smoke. WebMD News (US), 23 October 2007 Emotional intelligence and the use of tobacco and cannabis According to recent research, students who started smoking either tobacco or cannabis at a younger age and who regularly smoked these substances obtained lower scores related to emotional regulation. Thus students who are less able to regulate their emotional state are more tempted to consume tobacco and/or cannabis and regular consumption of these substances is a way of making up for this emotional shortage. Science Daily 3 November 2007 Champix danger
The medicines watchdog issued the guidance after two patients had accidents while driving when taking the drug. Dizziness and sleepiness are recognised side effects of the drug. Dominion Post, 3 November 2007
Smexting: Some Say It Leads to Crackberry Smexting is texting while smoking, often outside a bar. The phenomenon is being spurred by smoking bans, most recently in the UK. The British mobile carrier Orange reported a surge in texting when the ban went into effect. Conde Nast Portfolio (US), 26 October 2007 Every time you smoke, you might as well punch me What bothers me is that despite all the annoying campaigns to keep people from smoking, I still have to breathe air sponsored by Marlboro and Newport on my way to school. It also seems to me that the anti-smoking ads get more annoying each time I don't smoke. This leads me to creatively hate smokers for two reasons: They don't stop smoking despite the gaudiness of the ads, and they can't find a creative way to kill themselves. NYU Washington Square News, 30 October 2007 New Online Poll: Smoking ban in the home? Being told you cant smoke inside your own residence may sound far-fetched, but it's happening in some parts of the United States. Two California cities have passed ordinances to ban smoking inside apartment buildings. In the last year two large residential real estate companies with apartment complexes in several states have banned smoking, about 60 housing authorities around the country have prohibited smoking, and other apartment complexes in the country have moved to curb smoking. The Baxter Bulletin, 5 November 2007
QUOTABLE QUOTES"I remember Rodney Hide screaming at us and calling us the 'hairy legged smoking police'. I thought I had nice legs at the time and didn't get the connection at all." Steve Chadwick, MP for Rotorua , and newly
appointed Minister of Conservation, "Would they allow somebody who was addicted to alcohol to duck out at lunch time and have several cans of beer? So why should they allow someone to duck out and have several cigarettes?" Anne Jones, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia,
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The big news in the last little while has been the cabinet reshuffle. Having had a modicum of experience in the green leather seats I can tell you that this reshuffle is quite significant. There has been a Minister retire from the Ministry (Mark Burton), a Minister outside Cabinet has also retired (Dover Samuels) and there have been three new appointees (Steve Chadwick, Maryan Street and Shane Jones).
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Smoking has become more popular among younger New Zealanders, possibly reversing a 30-year decline in an apparent backlash against a Government drive to stamp it out. A Massey University survey for the Ministry of Health has found the number of people aged 15 to 45 who have smoked at least once in the previous year has increased from 31.1 per cent in 2003 to 35.8 per cent.
An Australian school student has been given permission to take cigarette breaks while at school because her doctor says she is clinically addicted to nicotine. Tara Lewis, 16, who smokes as much as a packet a day, is allowed to smoke between classes to relieve the
'stress' of her Year 10 studies.
Smoking bans are on the rise in American workplaces, restaurants and bars. Research shows that bans decrease the overall number of cigarettes people smoke and in some cases, actually result in people quitting.
Smokers in Britain have been warned not to drive while taking
Champix, a drug designed to help them quit, and which could make them sleepy or dizzy at the wheel.