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| Issue 103 | 12 November 2008 |
Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Try the online version. FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
I want to extend a special word of thanks to Jane for her energy and commitment over those years. She will continue to serve the Coalition in her new role of Co-Deputy Chair. An article about Jane appears below. I also look forward to working with Robert Beaglehole who will replace her as the new Chair. In that other election, what we all expected happened and we have a change of Government. Congratulations to John Key and we are eager to begin work with whoever holds the tobacco delegation in the health portfolio. Hopefully we will know such details soon. Don't be surprised to see former Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor back in Parliament before the end of this term. He is the next cab off the rank on the Labour list and given the comments from some members about their futures, he could be back fairly soon. Lest we forget, however, plaudits must go to the Labour-led government for their action in the tobacco control arena. Nothing has changed society's views about tobacco as much as the move to legislated smokefree environments for bars, clubs and enclosed public places. Without revealing what happens in the Labour caucus I know that this was a very brave decision. Thank you, Steve Chadwick, for your determination and effort in getting the bill and supplementary order paper through the house. The 2000 increase in tax on tobacco was introduced by the Labour-led government. I took part in those debates in the house and I know from bitter experience that raising taxes is controversial and not too pleasant. Thank you, Michael Cullen. We get grumpy that more was not done in this area and we have the roll-your-own anomaly to fix, but the 2000 tax increase was significant and provided much-needed funds for cessation measures. Then there was the introduction of graphic health warnings on tobacco products. This was a commitment arising from our Framework Convention on Tobacco Control obligations, but it was an initiative of the Labour-led government and thank you here goes to Damian O'Connor. This is just part of the story. It is however an impressive list of measures which have been progressively introduced from the late 1980s until now. Thank you to Helen Clark. She took on the tobacco industry at a time when it was not "sexy" to do so and suffered enormously from their vitriol and not-so-subtle pressure. She stood firm and the huge reduction in consumption, and now in smoking prevalence, can be sheeted home to her dogged determination. We are going to miss her more than we probably imagine. However, I know we all wish her well in whatever she does in the future. She is someone we can be justly proud of. National has a hard act (excuse the pun) to follow. The work is not done. Far too many New Zealanders are still daily smokers and the death burden is still unacceptable in a decent society. The issue of tobacco control is no longer a left/right debate. It is mainstream in the same way our nuclear free stance is mainstream and part of our national identity. Parents, grandparents and young people throughout the country are calling for more and more action against the tobacco industry. There is a very real movement to remove smoking from being seen as anything like a normal activity. This is so the image the next generation gets about smoking is one of pity for the poor addicted souls and disdain for the industry that peddles death. National may not like the nettle but they will find that they have no choice other than to grasp it. Have a good fortnight. Mark Peck Director IN THIS ISSUE:
Jane Patterson stepping down as Smokefree Coalition Chair
Jane, who is also the Executive Director of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, says she grew interested in smokefree advocacy over some years. "As I began to appreciate the enormous consequences to individuals and the whole community of smoking, and the duplicity of the tobacco industry in recruiting smokers to replace those who die or quit, I became very interested in working for change in this area." Jane worked in various central and local government roles, with non-government organisations and as a self-employed gardener, before she took on the job heading the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation seven years ago. The Foundation is a founding member of the Smokefree Coalition. Ask her the best experience heading the Coalition and she replies without hesitation, "The night the smokefree legislation got through Parliament." Jane describes it as exciting and even now she can appreciate anew the magnitude of what it achieved. She says the Smokefree Coalition is in an almost unique position in its ability to bring together the major players in tobacco control, and then co-opt credible ancillary members such as The Quit Group, the Public Health Association and the New Zealand Medical Association. Jane says among the goals the Smokefree Coalition has set for 2009 is getting systematic and significant price hikes on cigarettes and to advocate for the continuing regulation of the sale and supply of tobacco, such as cigarettes not being openly on display. "These are quite stiff challenges, but I am reasonably optimistic we can be successful. There is no doubt that using the steps taken in tobacco control in other countries gives the Coalition's advocacy more credibility. She says it is good to see the whole smokefree movement gain momentum. "Although the Coalition's different members may stimulate awareness and action out in the community, it's great to see that taken on by others, such as with local governments' smokefree parks initiatives. That sort of thing changes what people regard as 'normal' behaviour." Although Jane is stepping down as Chair, she is not leaving the Smokefree Coalition. She will remain as Co-Deputy Chair. SMOKERS SUPPORT BANNING SMOKING IN CARS WITH CHILDREN: LATEST RESEARCHLatest research shows 96 percent of New Zealand smokers support a ban on smoking in cars carrying pre-school children. A study by the University of Otago, Wellington, funded by the Health Research Council, surveyed almost 1400 smokers. It appears in the 7 November issue of the New Zealand Medical Journal. The lead author, Dr George Thomson, says, "Until now, politicians and officials have been hesitant about proposing such a ban, partly because they've thought public opinion would be divided. Smokers have been considered particularly likely to oppose a smokefree car law." But he notes the policymakers may not have known there are already a number of similar bans in place in Australian states, Canadian provinces and states in the USA. The survey results from overseas have all indicated high public support. One of the University of Otago researchers, Associate Professor Richard Edwards, notes that investigations carried out in New Zealand and elsewhere show that smoking in cars, even with windows down, produces extremely high levels of toxic pollutants which are dangerous to health. These levels are far higher than World Health Organization air quality guidelines for particulates in ambient air. "This type of air pollution is particularly bad for the health of small, pre-school children, and they need to be protected. In previous research, we've found that because of the very limited space in cars, levels of particulate pollution are often far worse than in a smoky pub," he says. Project leader Dr Nick Wilson says this survey result indicates very strong support from smokers, both Māori and non-Māori, for protecting children from second-hand smoke in cars. "Politicians now have a strong mandate from the very people thought most likely to oppose a smoking ban in cars." View the One News story on smoking. This Radio New Zealand (Checkpoint) story includes comments from Keith Evans of the South Australia Drug and Alcohol service about the implementation of the smokefree car law there. HARD HITTING "MĀORI KILLERS" CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
Te Reo Marama (TRM – the Māori Smokefree Coalition) distributed packs from the "Māori Killers Tobacco Company" with mock health warnings, such as "Want equality? Smoking is an equal opportunity killer". The packs contain 20 "Māori killer truths" in the shape of cigarettes, while posters and other material have also been distributed. "This is about stimulating discussion in a new form, and taking a shot at the tobacco companies for their continued ability to operate in the 21st century with products that kill 5000 New Zealanders a year, of whom 800 are Māori," TRM Director Shane Bradbrook said. He said tobacco companies had, to date, operated in an under-regulated manner with a product that killed. "We see recalls for dangerous products all the time. Just look at the Chinese milk powder scandal," he said. "Yet there is no accountability or responsibility taken for the deaths of so many Kiwis caused by a handful of wealthy tobacco executives." He said TRM aimed to reduce Māori usage of cigarettes and to that end the labelling of the product as "Māori Killer" was important. "But you could easily call it 'Kiwi Killer', 'Pacific Island Killer' or 'Asian Killer'. And this killer product is commonly available from your corner dairy," Mr Bradbrook said. He said Māori had been over-represented in smoking statistics, though in the past five years the smoking rate among Māori has fallen from 54 percent to 40 percent. TRM has been active in recent years in its attempts to reduce Māori smoking rates, and was also to the forefront of a 2006 campaign which successfully got tobacco giant Philip Morris to apologise for using Māori images on cigarette packets in Israel. Stuff, 29 October 2008 NATIONAL Māori ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY HUI
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand is pleased to announce the return of the National Māori Asthma and Respiratory hui. The whakatauaki for this hui 'kaua e rangiruatia te hā o te hoe; e kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta' highlights this organisation's commitment to working collaboratively and in partnership with Māori and non-Māori organisations. This hui is open to all Māori and non-Māori health practitioners, and community health workers. Some facts you need to know about asthma and respiratory illness among Māori:
"We're in the 21st century and we still have conditions affecting New Zealanders, and particularly Māori, that are largely preventable or very receptive to primary health care treatment. It's not good enough," says Jane Patterson, Executive Director, The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. The Foundation invites you to join it to help make a difference. Topics and workshops: Update on asthma medications, inhaler techniques, nutrition, smoking cessation, asthma management, Te Ao Māori, paediatric consultation, care of the child with eczema, the addicted smoker and COPD; dynamic keynote speakers; inspirational Māori speakers; rongoā, mirimiri and much more. For more information contact Sunny Wikiriwhi, Māori Services Manager,
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation; 04 4994592, 027 482 9959,
sunny@asthmafoundation.org.nz The Living Smokefree Team at Counties Manukau DHB
The Living Smokefree plan was launched on 23rd of October at the Alfriston College Marae. Community members were invited to attend the launch and meet the Living Smokefree team. Special guest speaker, Kaumatua Joe Henry, spoke about his journey towards becoming smokefree. Joe has been smokefree for six months now and thanked the support of Living Smokefree team member Michelle Lee. The Living Smokefree vision is: "Living smokefree is the norm for all communities in Counties Manukau." A dedicated team of 10 people is already on the ground putting the plan into action. The plan's four key objectives are: 1. Preventing the uptake of smoking Boyd Broughton has recently joined the team and will be working with tamariki and rangatahi to support smokefree youth leadership. 2. Promoting smoking cessation Primary care will be a strong focus for Counties Manukau. Melissa Rich is working with PHOs to incorporate the ABC approach into general practice. With almost 21,000 adults consulting their GP each week in the district, and evidence that brief intervention from a doctor supports quit attempts, the successful implementation of this approach will see huge benefits for our population. The ABC approach is: Ask about smoking status, give Brief advice to stop smoking to all smokers and provide Cessation support to people wanting to stop smoking. Michelle Lee and Tracey Winmill are working to support mental health services and service users in being smokefree by integrating the ABCs and providing an intensive cessation service. Smoking prevalence rate here is amongst the highest, easily reaching 70 percent. Mike Minnell recently joined the team and will be providing intensive outpatient support for people wishing to be smokefree. Karyn Wiles is working with our hospital inpatient services, primarily in the education of healthcare staff. The training of health workers will be a key priority over the coming year, as we strengthen the workforce in implementing the ABCs of smokefree and in providing NRT and quit cards to patients and visitors to the hospital. With the main goal of reducing inequalities in smoking prevalence, especially among Māori people, new team member Walter Harawira will be working in the community supporting cessation and building community leadership. 3. Preventing harm from second-hand smoke Keeping the hospital smokefree has been an ongoing challenge. Robin Mose has been part of the team for the past year, building awareness of CMDHB's smokefree policy for patients, visitors and staff. Intersectoral work and supporting smokefree messages and campaigns also feature in the plan, and a key priority is working with people before they become unwell and enter the health system. 4. Improving infrastructural support and co-ordination The Living Smokefree Leadership team is comprised of several key people within the DHB. External reference groups, clinical leadership, community and youth leadership, and regional and national partnerships will all support the successful implementation of the Living Smokefree plan. Administration and project support to all the team is provided by Marjorie Fatupaito. For the full plan and more information on Living Smokefree visit www.cmdhb.org.nz. Ingrid Minett,
Programme Manager, SMOKEFREE AND ALCOHOL-FREE RUGBY TOURNAMENTAumaga – Saoao Pasekifa Trust Smokefree and Alcohol-free National Seven-a-Side Rugby Tournament Connect to Pacific youth, families and communities at this great health promotion opportunity.
To register teams and promote your service email aumaga_saoao@hotmail.com or phone 027 356 0477. THROUGH THE SMOKEPseudoscience tobacco advertising from the bad old days
"But for those of us who live in the new era of the tobacco advertising ban it is easy to forget the cynicism and shamelessness of tobacco marketing in the golden era of the 30s, 40s and 50s. "[Here are] some of the very worst, taken from the extensive collection lovingly archived by the Stanford School of Medicine. Click the images to see them in full size." – The Transform Drug Policy website See http://transform-drugs.blogspot.com/2008/10/pseudoscience-tobacco-advertsing-from.html. SMOKEFREE SHORTS
New ZealandSign of the smokefree times at playgrounds
The playground was the first park to have the signs but the council plans to spread the message to every playground in the city. Cr Geoff Piercy said it was a historic day for the city and one, as a reformed smoker, he welcomed. "It will be self-policing with parents supporting it and hopefully the message will get through that smoking is not okay," he said. The Southland Times, 20 October 2008 Teens enlist council help in cigarette ban Two teenagers have helped to persuade Gisborne district councillors to throw their weight behind banning cigarette displays in shops. Gisborne has one of the highest levels of child smokers in New Zealand, with 19 percent of children admitting to lighting up regularly. Rory McCourt, 16, and Nathanial Ratapu, 17, told councillors last week their community wanted to be free of cigarette advertising. The Dominion Post, 5 November 2008 Publican fined for smoking breach The publican of the White Hart Hotel was fined $2,400 plus court costs for allowing patrons to smoke in a bar, when he appeared in the New Plymouth District Court. Terry Wilson, who holds the hotel's licence under TJ Wilson Ltd, had admitted three charges of allowing smoking in a licensed premises. Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 2008 Entirely smokefree "not realistic" An entirely smokefree hospital campus was an unrealistic concept and served only to push smokers out on to the footpath, says Otago District Health Board Chairman Richard Thomson. As he walked through Dunedin Hospital's main entrance to attend yesterday's hospital Advisory Committee meeting he had to pluck a "still glowing ember" from his jacket, thrown from a patient standing with a smoke in one hand and a drip in the other, Mr Thomson said. Otago Daily Times, 29 October 2008 Baby burned by cigarette in 'freak accident'
Talyn's dad, Tom Miers, was driving along Peachgrove Rd two weeks ago when his son started screaming. "I looked behind me and there was smoke billowing out from him," Mr Miers said, "...I pulled over and put it out. I don't know what with. It's all a blur." New Zealand Herald, 1 November 2008 Loophole for cigarette ads A legal loophole is enabling some shops selling cigarettes to flout the spirit of the Smoke-free Environments Act, says the Smokefree Coalition. One such shop is San's Cigarettes For Less in Wellington's Manners Street. It can advertise cigarettes on signs outside the shop because it is registered as a company under that name. Smokefree Coalition Director Mark Peck said he had complained about the name of the shop to the Ministry of Health, which was investigating. Waikato Times, 3 November 2008 Repeat cigarette selling offender fined, banned A Turangi store owner has received one of the biggest court-ordered fines after his fourth conviction for selling cigarettes to underage customers. Sanjay Malaviya, owner of Sanjay's Selection, has been fined $750 on each of two counts, and has been banned from selling tobacco products for two months after appearing in Taupo District Court. Stuff, 29 October 2008 Safety tests published on Ruyan smoking alternatives Tests conducted in New Zealand and Canada find Ruyan E-cigarettes safe Ruyan America Inc has announced the publication of a report that tested the safety of its electronic smoking alternatives, specifically the nicotine cartridges that produce the smoke-like vapour that users find satisfies their desire for tobacco. MarketWatch, 28 October 2008 InternationalTobacco 'power walls' may be banned: Canadian Health Minister
Ross Wiseman said even though the government is preparing changes to the Tobacco Control Act, it won't change a word until it hears opinions from the public – including the retailers who have set up so-called "power walls" in their stores. CBC News, 3 November 2008 Smokers banned from fostering Smokers in a north-east London borough will not be able to foster children from January 2010 – unless there are "exceptional circumstances". The ban was passed by Redbridge councillors who voted unanimously in favour of the policy. Redbridge Council wants to protect children from "the damaging effects of passive and second-hand smoke". But the Fostering Network said it was concerned the policy could prevent good people from becoming foster parents. BBC News, 5 November 2008 Payback time for Big Tobacco Two years ago America's biggest cigarette makers showered Republican lawmakers in Oregon with campaign money. It was an unvarnished attempt to influence their votes on one of the biggest issues of the 2007 Legislature, and sure enough, it worked. Recipients of all that largesse blocked every attempt to pass a cigarette tax that would have helped buy health insurance for needy children. Now the cash-strapped Oregon Republican Party has been rewarded for its loyalty. The Oregonian (US), 3 November 2008 New evidence strengthens link between cigarette smoke exposure and poor infant health The damaging effects of smoking and smoke exposure can be seen at any age. Paediatricians have even noted these negative effects in various stages of infant development. The consequences of maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy can range from higher rates of prematurity to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Two new studies and an accompanying editorial soon to be published in The Journal of Paediatrics examine several physical and behavioural effects of cigarette smoke exposure on infants. Eurekalert, 5 November 2008 Does Mad Men make smoking cool?
I love how the distance between the early 60s and now makes our lives seem so much better, even if it feels so much worse. And I guess I love the smoking and the drinking. There, I said it. As an on-again, off-again part-time smoker, my love affair with the cancer stick is a tragic one. It can survive our relationship; I cannot. I mostly don't smoke anymore, not since having a kid. But every once in a while, it calls my name. It is a deadly, pointless thing to do to one's health, and I always regret it in the morning. Santa Monica Mirror, 6 November 2008 Anti-smoking web site helps parents plug into prevention Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, there is, thanks to the sponsorship of Lorillard Tobacco Company. Families throughout the country who'd love the help and advice of a real doctor in communicating an anti-smoking message to kids now have electronic access to Dr Michael Popkin, psychologist and founder of Active Parenting Publishers. Lorillard Tobacco Company media release, Yahoo, 29 October 2008 Children of smokers tend to be more impulsive Adolescents may have more in common with their smoking parents than previously thought, a new study conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital finds. These adolescents may also share a tendency to act impulsively, a trait that could be linked to a decision to become a smoker. Science Daily, 2 November 2008 50 lashes for Saudi smoker The Summary Court in the Eastern Province has sentenced a man to 50 lashes for smoking on board a non-smoking Saudi Arabian Airlines flight from Dammam to Riyadh. The man kept puffing his cigarette ignoring repeated warnings from flight attendants to stop. His smoking also set off the smoke alarm, causing panic among passengers. Saudi Gazette, 8 November 2008 Smokers increasingly hooked on nicotine: US study
The researchers examined nicotine dependence levels of about 600 smokers who entered treatment programs in northern California to quit smoking during three periods starting in 1989 and ending in 2006. Seventy-three percent of those seeking medical help to quit smoking in 2005 to 2006 were deemed "highly nicotine dependent". That compares to 55 percent of those seeking such help from 1989 to 1990 and 66 percent of those seeking treatment in 1994. National Post, 28 October 2008 Ireland falls in anti-tobacco stakes A study has found that Ireland is second of 27 countries for effective tobacco controls, down from first in a previous survey. Anti-smoking campaigners say much more work needs to be done to dissuade people from taking up smoking. The workplace smoking ban has had a significant effect on reducing Ireland's smoking rate but this report shows that where once Ireland was taking the lead in reducing smoking, the UK is now number one and we are number two. RTE News, 28 October 2008 Asking smokers for donations when lighting up A bar owner who is openly defying a county-wide smoking ban in West Virginia's capital city says he will gladly trade an ashtray for a can of green beans. Blackhawk Saloon owner Kerry (Paco) Ellison says he is requesting donations because he's risking his business and wants something good to come from it. WHSV, 29 October 2008 Smoking behaviour influenced by what others think A growing amount of research is finding that smokefree air laws help smokers quit or reduce the amount they smoke. Rather than changing smokers' own attitudes about smoking, the influence of the policies, particularly the strong ones, might lie more in changing smokers' perceptions of other people's attitudes about smoking. MediLexicon, 27 October 2008 MILESTONESLook who has had a birthday recently... Matthew Allen and Liz Price!
QUOTABLE QUOTES""There must be 100 percent extra taxes. I'm trying to quit but I can't manage it." Canadian smoker Tariq Mahmood, 37, says he would welcome higher tobacco taxes because it would help him stop smoking. ""Philip Morris shows contempt for women and their health by putting a pink gloss on a product that causes lung cancer and heart disease, two of the leading killers of women. It is the height of cynicism that Philip Morris timed its announcement of the new pink Virginia Slims for October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – when pink is usually associated with protecting women's health, not harming it." Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids |
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The Tobacco Control
Update is produced by the Smokefree Coalition If you are
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Control Update, |
There have recently been two elections.
The most important of these was at the Smokefree Coalition Annual General
Meeting where Jane Patterson stepped down as Chair of the Smokefree Coalition
after five years of service. 
After five years as Chair of the Smokefree Coalition
Board, Jane Patterson is stepping down to make way for Dr Robert Beaglehole, formerly of Auckland University's School of Population Health and the World Health Organization, and now back in New Zealand.
A
hard hitting anti-smoking campaign using fake cigarette packs labelled "Māori
Killers" has been launched.
Orakei Marae – Tāmaki Makaurau
"Tobacco products have had a long and inglorious history of largely unfettered marketing built around pseudoscience, false and misleading claims, and appeals to medical authority. The situation has improved today with tighter regulation of advertising and marketing in much of the developed world, even if tobacco companies have redirected their thoroughly unpleasant energies towards more sneaky marketing practices and less well regulated emerging markets in the developing world.
Where
possible, links are provided below the stories. Please click these to read the
story in full.
The Invercargill City Council has launched
an initiative to stub out smoking in children's playgrounds with the unveiling of smokefree signs at the Russell Square playground on 29 October.
A Hamilton baby bears the scars of a discarded cigarette flicked into his car seat by a passing motorist. Four-month-old Talyn was burned on his right thigh after a a cigarette butt was flicked out of a car window into the open front window of another car and into Talyn's lap. Both rear windows were up.
Newfoundland and Labrador's
Health Minister says the government is preparing legislation to ban prominent tobacco displays at convenience stores and other retailers.
I was worried that sooner or later that headline would make it onto the airwaves; I just didn't know it would be mine. I love
Mad Men. It is my favourite show currently on television and I can't get enough of it. I love everything about it.
Smokers who are seeking medical treatment to give up cigarettes are more highly addicted to nicotine than smokers who sought help two decades ago, US researchers say.