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| Issue 98 | 3 September 2008 |
Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Try the online version. FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
One decision which is imminent is the Commerce Commission's findings on the 'light' and 'mild' descriptors complaint lodged by the Smokefree Coalition nearly two years ago. We will make sure this is well publicised as soon as we hear what has been decided. However, I do want to revisit the matter of the online Smokefree Contacts Map. Sign-up is still painfully slow. From the general email which was sent out in July we received about 50 new registrations. As of today 170 people have registered. Another 145 people have made initial contact but have yet to complete the registration process. I would encourage you all to get listed soon. This database will replace the Aotearoa/New Zealand Tobaccofree/Tupeka Kore Smokefree Directory, so you will need to be included. It only takes a few moments of your time, so get to it! I have been watching the email debate through the New Zealand Tobacco Advocates Network (NZTAN) on the merits of pursuing smokefree outdoor places. Strong points have been made by contributors on both sides and it is good to see the sector debating the way we do our work and how we use resources. I have not been moved to comment on the discussion so far, but my tendency is towards erring on the side of "If it isn't hurting tobacco control efforts – what is the problem?" Without wishing to stir up any more controversy about the matter I must say it is good to see more and more public amenities becoming smokefree. Good work to the advocates and congratulations to the decision makers who have had the fortitude to implement smokefree policies. Well that's all for this time, folks. Watch this space, Have a good fortnight. Mark Peck Director IN THIS ISSUE:
CHRISTCHURCH STUDENTS TEAR DOWN THE WALL
This story is an update on Christchurch students take on tobacco companies, published in the last Update (20 August 2008). Children took over Cathedral Square in 20 August in a bid to save their generation from the evils of smoking. Pupils from Discovery 1 School built a 31 square metre wall in front of the cathedral, representing one-200th of the space New Zealand shops devote to displaying tobacco products. Anti-smoking slogans were emblazoned on the wall and guest MPs and children made speeches outlining their desire to have tobacco displays outlawed. "I hope it will stop kids like me thinking it is good to smoke," said 10-year-old Isla Kennedy, whose grandmother died of lung cancer. Partnership Health Canterbury came up with the idea of the wall but the logistics and the invitations to MPs were organised by the children. "We came up with the concept that tobacco displays are designed to be focused on children. They fit into all the right locations, like dairies," said Michael O'Dea, health promotion project manager with the group. "The children have done everything else, like calling the media, calling the MPs and getting them involved." The guest speaker, Christchurch Central Labour MP Tim Barnett, said he was impressed with the children's efforts. "It's a great learning experience for the kids to take an issue right through and think of a public event that will attract interest," he said. The Press, 21 August 2008 KAPITI COLLEGE SMOKEFREE OPEN DAY
When: Monday 8 September "Come along and stop the smoking behind the bike shed and encourage young people to quit smoking." Mark Hammond - Presenter (Year 13 student) To register email hammma@kapiticollege.school.nz with the following details:
THROUGH THE SMOKE
People looking for a partner or just a date often list 'non smoker' as an important attribute. But for those not put off by kissing someone who smells like an ashtray, there's an online dating and social networking site specifically for singles who are "tired of people making faces when they light up". Smoking Passions features lots of extras including forums for discussing why smoking is so enjoyable. Members can even send in videos of themselves smoking to lend that 'extra-alluring' touch to their profiles. SMOKEFREE SHORTS
New ZealandSmokers getting the message
The images, introduced in February and now compulsory, show smokers graphic reminders of health problems related to smoking. The UMR Research survey, commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health, showed just 4 percent of smokers had not noticed the images. Smokers were asked how often they had noticed the warning labels on cigarette and tobacco packets in the past month. Some 79 percent of respondents noticed them "very often" or "often". New Zealand Herald, 29 August 2008 Coalition wants smoking in parks stubbed out Urging councils to adopt smokefree policies in parks is among the goals of a newly-formed coalition. The Wairarapa Smokefree Network, which comprises several agencies and met for the first time on 14 August, is keen to step up efforts to stub out smoking in playgrounds and public spaces. Wairarapa Times Age, 28 August 2008 Anti-littering group takes tobacco cash
Not-for-profit environmental organisation Keep New Zealand Beautiful has signed a three-year deal with the cigarette company and has received smaller payments since 2005. A company official also sits on Keep New Zealand Beautiful's board as an industry representative, though the board chairman insists there are no strings attached. Dominion Post, 23 August 2008 InternationalFree NRT motivates quitters Offering smokers nicotine replacement therapy free of charge could dramatically boost the numbers willing to quit, Canadian researchers say. A telephone survey conducted among 825 daily smokers revealed 58.9 per cent would be interested in receiving NRT if it was offered free. Almost all those who indicated a willingness to use free NRT said they would use it with the intention of quitting for good. The findings suggested "a substantial population of smokers would be willing to participate in public health initiatives to reduce the prevalence of smoking" if offered free NRT, the researchers said. NZ Doctor, 13 August 2008 Can 'quit smoking' contests help people stop smoking? That's what the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation that evaluates medical research, wanted to find out. So they did a systematic review of 17 relevant studies that had taken place in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. These studies had used mostly monetary incentives to help encourage participants to quit smoking. HealthBolt, 17 July 2008 Number of Scottish pubs rises since smoking ban Scotland officially now has more pubs than before the smoking ban. The Scottish Government yesterday reported the number of current public house licences had risen by nine in 2007, the first full year after the 2006 crackdown. There are now 5186 pubs in the country, roughly one for every 1000 people. The Herald, 16 August 2008 Gloucester Rugby to ban smoking at Kingsholm Gloucester Rugby is to ban smoking from all viewing areas at its Kingsholm ground. In a move that will eventually ensure Kingsholm is a no-smoking stadium, the C&G Grandstand, High Tech Stand, Shed and the West Terrace will all see smoking banned this season. ThisisGloucestershire.co.uk, 19 August 2008 Israeli court rules smoker must pay damages The Tel Aviv Magistrates Court set a precedent when it ruled that a person smoking in a public place must pay 1000 shekels (NZ$400) to a person harmed by the smoke. This is the first time that the smoker, rather than business that failed to enforce smokefree laws, was found liable for spreading passive smoke. GLOBESonline, 19 August 2008 Candy cigarettes for kids spark anger (PIC)
The cartons – which contain eight look-alike cigarettes – are selling for 40p a pack at Candy Kisses in the High Street. Yesterday angry mum Lydia Smyth, 32, fumed, "I couldn't believe it when I saw these packets of fake ciggies on the shelves. "I haven't seen them around for years and thought they were long gone. I don't think we should be encouraging children to pretend to smoke." Paisley Daily Express, 18 August 2008 Smoking in movies causes teens to smoke – report Tobacco promotions and depictions of smoking in movies cause teenagers to start smoking, according to a sweeping report on tobacco in the media. The report by the National Cancer Institute found the tobacco industry spent more than $US13 ($NZ18.46) billion on smoking-related advertising and promotion in 2005. These efforts boosted overall tobacco use, contradicting industry claims that they are intended to build brand loyalty. Reuters, 23 August 2008 Nanny state fears are just a smokescreen The nanny state was born in a 1965 column by "Quoodle" in the British weekly, The Spectator. Quoodle was Iain Macleod who, as minister for health, smoked through a 1954 press conference to publicise the dangers of smoking. He died at 57 of a heart attack. The phrase caught on. It is regularly used to attack health groups or governments, especially by interest groups bereft of arguments and journalists in search of a cliche. The West, 22 August 2008 Ill man sues tobacco giant Terry Gottlieb says he was 13 when he started smoking Marlboro cigarettes. Now the emphysema sufferer, 58, is suing tobacco giant Philip Morris. In his statement of claim before the County Court, Terry John Gottlieb, representing himself, alleged Philip Morris knew smoking could cause serious medical problems such as emphysema but withheld this information from consumers. The Age (Australia), 23 August 2008 Coronation Street's pregnant Alison King is ordered to smoke
In a controversial storyline, her bitchy Street character Carla Connor lights up because she is so stressed-out. Actress Alison, 35 – who immediately packed it in when she learned she was expecting her first child next February – has been told she will be provided with herbal cigarettes for the scenes. But she has revealed to friends she was horrified when she saw the script called for her to start puffing away. A source said, "She isn't best pleased. It was hard enough for her to give up in real life. The Mirror (UK), 26 August 2008 State tobacco control pays off, advocate says A newly published study by researchers at University of California San Francisco estimates that the California Tobacco Control Program has saved some US$86 billion (NZ$122b) in personal health care costs – a 50-fold return on investment. San Francisco Chronicle, 26 August 2008 Anti smoking ads "saved 55,000 lives" A national anti-smoking campaign has prompted nearly 200,000 people to kick the habit and should prevent about 55,000 deaths, research has shown. The hard-hitting "Every cigarette is doing you damage" campaign, which started 11 years ago and cost around A$9 million, is expected to save more than A$740m in health care costs. The Australian, 25 August 2008 Trouble quitting? New smoking study may reveal why A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University sheds light on why smokers' intentions to quit "cold turkey" often fizzle out within days or even hours. If a smoker isn't yearning for a cigarette when he makes the decision to quit – and most aren't – he isn't able to foresee how he will feel when he's in need of a nicotine buzz. The new study bolsters the theory that smokers not in a state of craving a cigarette will underestimate and under-predict the intensity of their future urge to smoke. ScienceDaily, 27 August 2008 Health groups fume over Stoner cigarette ads
They say images of the 22-year-old non-smoker and his bike covered in logos of Marlboro cigarettes are sending the wrong message to his fans, particularly impressionable young children. Action on Smoking and Health, Smarter than Smoking and the Australian Network on Young People and Tobacco have written to Stoner and his management at Ducati calling on him to relinquish his sponsorship deal with tobacco giant Philip Morris. The West Australian, 29 August 2008 More smokers since ban in pubs, clubs Smoking bans in New South Wales pubs and clubs have coincided with a rise in the number of smokers in the state, rather than pushing smoking rates down as has been the trend overseas. Blayney Chronicle, 26 August 2008 MILESTONESLook who has had a birthday recently... Murray Laugesen! QUOTABLE QUOTES"After each snort [of snuff] the man would blow into a handkerchief the size of a football field. The gunk that lodged in the hanky resembled plutonium waste." Joe Bennett, "Snuff out the ugly brigade" "Take a good look at my face. Take a good, long look. When it comes time for you to light that cigarette or take that chew, I hope you think of me." Mouth cancer sufferer, Gruen Von Behrens, talks to students in Clearfield, Utah. |
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Update is produced by the Smokefree Coalition If you are
considering using any material from the Tobacco
Control Update, |
This Update's a little on the shorter side. There's not a lot going on at the moment. Quite a few irons are in the fire but
anything major won't happen until after the election.
Kapiti
College invites you to come and learn about creating a 'Smokefree Strategic
Plan' in your school or organisation and receive training on a very popular
student-developed quit smoking programme.
Smoking
Passions 
Where
possible, links are provided below the stories. Please click these to read the
story in full.
The gruesome pictures adorning cigarette packets have proven almost impossible for smokers to ignore, a survey shows.
An anti-litter group is being bankrolled by a $300,000 donation from British American Tobacco.
A new sweet shop in Paisley (Scotland) town centre has been slammed for selling packets of chocolate cigarettes to young children.
She's pregnant in real-life – but stunned Corrie star Alison King has been ordered by soap bosses to start smoking again.
World MotoGP champion and Young Australian of the Year, Casey Stoner, is being named and shamed in an aggressive campaign by
health groups which have labelled him as a "high-speed drug pusher".