I mentioned this September 14/04 in abstract & here is article!  Lol   http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/351/11/1057

 

Smog May Cause Lifelong Lung Deficits By Alicia Di Rado 09/08/04

 A long-term USC study following the pulmonary health of children in polluted L.A. areas signals likely health problems in adulthood.

By age 18, the lungs of many children who grow up in smoggy areas are underdeveloped and will likely never recover, according to a study in this week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
The research is part of the Children’s Health Study, the longest investigation ever into air pollution and kids’ health.
Between 1993 and 2001, study scientists from the Keck School of Medicine of USC tracked levels of major pollutants in 12 Southern California communities while following the pulmonary health of 1,759 children as they progressed from 4th grade to 12th grade.
 “Teenagers in smoggy communities were nearly five times as likely to have clinically low lung function, compared to teens living in low-pollution communities,” said W. James Gauderman, associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School and lead author of the study.
People with clinically low lung function have less than 80 percent of the lung function expected for their age – a significant deficit that would raise concerns during a doctor’s exam.
Lung function grows steadily as children grow up, peaking at about age 18 in women and sometime in the early 20s in men. Lung function stays steady for a short time and then declines by 1 percent a year throughout adulthood.
As lung function decreases to low levels in later adulthood, the risk of respiratory diseases and heart attacks increases.
 http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/story.php?id=10495

 

U.S. Says Cigarette Makers Lied for 50 Years

 *209 RELATED ARTICLES ON GOOGLE (MOST HAVE SAME TITLE)

By Peter Kaplan Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:20 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

The trial is expected to last about six months and feature more than 100 witnesses.

Justice Department officials want the industry to give up $280 billion worth of past profits and are seeking tougher rules on marketing, advertising and warning claims on tobacco products.

Cigarette makers also say a $280 billion penalty would put them out of business and have challenged the government's legal authority to seek past profits.

An appeals court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in November on the penalty issue and some industry analysts think settlement talks could follow if the government loses.

Some anti-smoking groups fear the administration of President Bush may want to settle the case, but U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said he looked forward to recapturing industry profits and preventing the marketing of cigarettes to young people.

http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=6293840

 

U.S. Carmakers Lukewarm on Diesel Engines

By Karen Padley  Fri Sep 17, 2004 04:48 PM ET

DETROIT (Reuters) - Soaring U.S. gasoline prices may have some U.S. consumers taking a closer look at diesel cars, but few auto industry executives expect a wholesale rush to diesel any time soon.

Despite the higher fuel efficiency of diesel engines, stricter U.S. emissions standards coming in 2007 could dampen demand, according to executives at this week's Reuters Autos and Manufacturing Summit in Detroit.

Some also are hoping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may review their emissions regulations as diesel cuts the so-called greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Diesel engines currently are only sold in 45 states because they don't meet requirements for nitrous oxide, a component of acid rain, and particulates or soot, which has been linked to respiratory problems.

The more stringent emissions standards, now effective in California, New York and three other states, will be extended nationwide in 2007. It's unclear yet whether those standards can be met in a cost-effective way.

"When you look at the fuel economy improvement (of diesel engines over gasoline engines), which is anywhere from 30 to 70 percent, and you look at the cost of gas going up, it quickly pays for itself," he said.

http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6269284

 

Tougher limits on cigarette sales expected- Australia

The Queensland Cancer Fund believes it is inevitable cigarettes will eventually be forced under the counter in shops.

State Cabinet has finalised the details of restrictions on the display of tobacco products, under tough new anti-smoking laws.

From the end of next year, retailers will only be allowed one tobacco display unit and its size will be limited to one square metre.

Cancer fund spokesman Alan Inglis says stricter limits are sure to follow.

"Obviously the next step that needs to be taken is to put cigarettes under the counter out of the sight so that children, in particular, won't be seeing these as a temptation - that's the next step and retailers should be preparing for it," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200409/s1203450.htm

 

Woman 'drug rape' cigarette link - Britian

Detectives believe she was the victim of a so-called "fry" - a cigarette with a taste of surgical spirit.

Police, who say the victim may have had her drink spiked, issued a warning to women to beware if they are offered cigarettes by a stranger after the attack in Swansea last Friday night.

Other clubbers were urged to beware of the danger.

Acting Detective Inspector Huw Griffiths said: "The woman was talking to two men in Baron's nightspot on Friday night.

'Very distressed'

"She was offered a cigarette, very soon afterwards felt giddy and disorientated and decided to leave.

"When she went home one of the men she had been talking to offered to take her home in a taxi.

"She woke up alone the next morning in one of the guest houses on Oystermouth Road.

There have been warnings there that cigarettes which have been tampered with have a taste similar to surgical alcohol and petrol.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/3676212.stm

 
Beattie tells retailers to butt out -Australia
Rosemary Odgers and Patrick Lion September 22, 2004

THE State Government is heading for a showdown with retailers over its tough new smoking laws.

Retailers have complained the proposed laws, which restrict cigarette displays in shops to 1sq m from next year, will threaten their viability and cost jobs.

They will lobby Labor MPs in a bid to water down the laws, and have written to Premier Peter Beattie and Health Minister Gordon Nuttall requesting an urgent meeting.

But Mr Beattie yesterday accused retailers of putting profits before the health of Queenslanders.

The Government announced the limits on Monday.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10838502%255E3102,00.html

 

Cigarette tax increase debated -Wisconsin

By REID MAGNEY / La Crosse Tribune

Legislative candidates weighed in on cigarette taxes and health issues at a forum Monday in La Crosse.

Ten candidates attended the forum, sponsored by SmokeFree Wisconsin and other local groups advocating for people with disabilities.
 http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/09/21/news/z02cig.txt

 

Cigarette butts mar HSS Complex, other campus scenery  -Nebraska
By Katie Backman / Daily Nebraskan September 20, 2004

Bergt(director of Landscape services) said the problem hasn’t increased since previous years, but she would like to see less cigarette butt litter on campus.

“I don’t know how to change people’s behavior,” Schumann said. “Some people will always throw their cigarette butts in an ashtray, and some will just litter.”

Makes you wonder why sudden butt problem

 

Supporters Raise $1.6M To Support Tobacco Tax - Colorado

By Steven K. Paulson, Associated Press Writer Sep 21, 2004
DENVER (AP) Supporters of a measure that would raise the state's cigarette tax from 20 to 84 cents say they have raised another $130,000 in the past two weeks, bringing their war chest to $1.6 million.
Their opponents have raised nothing, but plan to vigorously fight it.

Mike Melanson, spokesman for the sponsors of the initiative, Citizens for a Healthier Colorado, said Monday that the group plans to file its report on Wednesday with Secretary of State Donetta Davidson.
Melanson said his group plans to spend $2.2 million to get Amendment 35 passed.
He said his opponents, representing convenience stores and cigarette companies, have reported no contributions so far for their group, "Protect Our Constitution Vote No on 35."
The plan would raise the excise tax on other tobacco products like cigars and chewing tobacco by 20 percent.

http://news4colorado.com/localnews/local_story_265103532.html

 

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The True Smoking Issue

Business people are getting upset because the reservations won’t ban smoking.  Business owners, in Manitoba are asking for the provincial government to do something about it.  

If banning smoking is so good, why would they care what the small reservations in Manitoba would allow it?  A meeting hall, casino, where smoking is allowed is being planned.  A local business owner said she just wanted a level playing field.  There is a storm brewing where the sovereignty rights of North American Indians are going to be tried.  The storm is brewing all over Canada. 

In Ontario, the sale of native cigarettes has the media in the small city of Owen Sound asking on the radio if it’s right.  The Sale of cigarettes is allowed on Native land, and going at the price of $36.75 instead of the $64, business is brisk.  Talking to the owner, she mentioned that it was heard in Chicago, Illinois.  Now if the smoker where such a dieing breed, one has to wonder why this is getting so much air play. 

The control, not the health is what is being lost; in this issue.  This is evident is the exemptions that are being handed out.  If it were a real health issue the government wouldn’t allow the sale of this product.  In the United States the EPA has a minimum, and it would take 16,000 cigarettes to reach the minimum a 20x 20 sealed room, for the lowest chemical.  This would mean that the sale and control need to be questioned.  If the sale, and ban on Native American land can’t be controlled will the “denormalization” of the habit be garnered? 

The rights, to the cultural freedom are one area that can not be denied.  This is a prohibitionist cause not a heath cause.  The abolishment of tobacco will not be granted. It has been occurring around the world since 1600’s, and yet the heath issue has suddenly appeared.  It is wrong to suddenly say that a disease that is not totally understood can be caused by one substance, yet only affect 30% of the customers.  It should be up to the property owners who are deciding the issue, not the “charity” organizations.

Sent to: Owen Sound, kincardine, globe, sun, star, nowtoronto.com, Toronto free press, metronews.ca (Ontario) Brandon sun,clipper weekly, neepawa banner, neepawapress.com, wiinepeg freepress,  Indian Life (Manitoba)

 

Cops foil abduction and cigarette theft

Friday, September 17, 2004

BRIDGEWATER, N.S. -- A brazen abduction and attempted cigarette heist was broken up by police in Bridgewater, N.S. on Thursday.

Town police chief Brent Crowhurst said three masked and armed men abducted a female employee of Crouse and Choat Wholesalers.

They forced her into a white mini-van and drove to the business owner's home about 16 kilometres out of town.

The owner and his wife were also forced into the van and driven back to Bridgewater where the man was told to open up the warehouse by the would-be thieves.

Crowhurst said police arrived at the scene before the suspects could load up the van after being alerted to "suspicious activities in the area."

Two suspects were chased by officers on foot while the mini-van drove off.

There was no word on arrests.

Thefts in New Brunswick

 

Good source for newspapers (has world and all north American too)

 

http://directory.google.com/Top/News/Newspapers/Regional/Canada/

 

Cigarette displays cut to one showcase
Sean Parnell and Rosemary Odgers
September 21, 2004

TOBACCO retailers have 15 months to re-design their cigarette displays or face severe penalties under the Beattie Government's anti-smoking campaign.

The campaign will also include a ban on smoking in all indoor areas of licensed premises – including alfresco dining areas and beer gardens – and all patrolled surfing beaches, around children's playgrounds and the entrances to buildings.

Penalties for breaches, to be announced in coming weeks, will include hefty fines.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10825015%255E3102,00.html

 

Man Allegedly Beaten To Death For Not Giving Up Cigarette

Fight Breaks Out At Partners Pub

POSTED: 9:06 am EDT September 20, 2004

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland police say a bar fight ended in murder Sunday.

Ricardo Leon, 23, died after being beaten outside Partners Pub on Dennison Avenue on Cleveland’s west side, NewsChannel5 reported.

Officials believe he was involved in an argument inside the bar when the fight began. Witnesses said he wouldn’t give a cigarette to another bar patron.

Police said about a dozen people helped beat Leon. Neighbors said they have the beating on video.

A man and woman have been arrested and likely will be charged Monday.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/3743795/detail.html

 

Tobacco tax-hike plan

Ballot issue would raise price per pack of cigarettes to $4

By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News
September 20, 2004

A proposed 64-cent tax hike would bring the price of a pack of cigarettes to about $4 in Colorado, and that gives some smokers sticker shock.

Citizens for a Healthier Colorado, the group backing Amendment 35 on the Nov. 2 ballot, expects that the new tax would raise $175 million a year.

Ballot question

 

Market Report
By David Winning and Louisa Nesbitt, City Staff, PA News

The FTSE 100 Index shrank back from the 4600 barrier today as it failed to recover from the early shock of a profits warning from Unilever.
http://business.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3524018

 

Atlanta Revisits Smoking Ban

Web Editor: Sean Rowe

Last Modified: 9/20/2004 10:53:16 AM

For the second time in September, the Atlanta City Council will consider the passage of a proposed smoking ban.
Council members were expected to vote on the ban about two weeks ago, but chose to send the issue back to committee for revision. The original plan called for a ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants, sporting venues and other outdoor events that require tickets to attend.
Bars would be exempt from the ban.
If the current resolution passes, then it would take effect on December 1.

 

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52138

Judge Strikes Down Campaign Finance Rules

Judge Strikes Down Several FEC Rules on Campaign Finance Law, Orders Tougher Restrictions
The Associated Press WASHINGTON Sept. 20, 2004 —

A judge has struck down several government rules on campaign fund raising, ordering tougher restrictions on big political money in the long term while creating uncertainty about how candidates, parties and interest groups should proceed in the current election's final weeks.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20040920_974.html

 

(JUNK)Study reports air worse in smoky bars

*Read scientific critique of report, this is based upon

http://forces.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=887

By LINDA A. JOHNSON Posted on Mon, Sep. 20, 2004
Associated Press
"The magnitude of that effect is striking," Buckley said.

As of July 1, a total of 727 U.S. municipalities had some smoking restrictions, with 312 banning smoking even in bars and restaurants, according to the nonprofit American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.

Delaware, New York and Massachusetts prohibit smoking in all workplaces, restaurants and bars. California and Connecticut have similar bans, but with exemptions for workplaces with five or fewer employees.

On the Web: American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation: http://www.no-smoke.org  www.repace.com

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/9713640.htm

 

*Something funny is happening I try to find the web page for, Healthy Acadiana Regional Grassroots Effort and the only thing available is the one cached .  I found out about them in the article in the advertiser (they don’t archive) 

Here is the news article & the cached page

advertiser news article

Group writes proposed law to ban smoking in Lafayette's public places

Claire Taylor/ctaylor@theadvertiser.com (Louisianna)

September 20, 2004

cached page

Schumer to Fight for Nuclear Workers' Compensation

(Town of Tonawanda, NY, September 20, 2004) - - Hundreds of local industrial workers or their survivors are still waiting for Uncle Sam to pay compensation for illnesses suffered working on America's nuclear weapons programs. News 4's Marie Rice reports that Senator Chuck Schumer is joining the fight.

Senator Schumer is calling on the government to complete site profiles at the 5 former nuclear facilities in Western New York.

He also wants the site profile at Bethlehem Steel to be re-done.

http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=2325950&nav=0RapR7ZR

 

Cancer Study to Help Patients
Posted: September 20, 2004

Researchers are looking for women ages 35 to 74 who have a sister diagnosed with breast cancer but has not had the disease themselves.

For more information log onto www.sisterstudy.org. 

http://www.weiu.net/news/archive/newsbuilder/2004/sept/0920/cancerstudy.htm

 

New anti-inflammatory strategy for cancer therapy

Medical Research News Published: Monday, 20-Sep-2004

A new strategy for cancer therapy, which converts the tumor-promoting effect of the immune system’s inflammatory response into a cancer-killing outcome, is suggested in research findings by investigators at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine.

The findings provide new insight into the immune system’s response to inflammation, the connection between inflammation and malignancy, and how the delicate balance between cancer promotion and inhibition can be manipulated in the patient’s favour

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=4933

 

Local Cancer Couple Shocked By Alleged Cancer Fraud
September 20th, 2004

Vegas Cares hopes the community will heal after the startling revelation that Christine Anderson faked her cancer diagnosis to get donations. But as News 3 Investigator Darcy Spears explains, there's one couple for whom healing is out of reach.

Some people were hit in the pocketbook by Christine Anderson's fraud. Some were just mentally shocked, but it really hit home for Diana and Greg Thomas, a husband and wife who both really have cancer.

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=2325803&nav=15MVR7Tk

 

Study: Air in smoky bars worse than air on highways (Junk)
TRENTON, N.J.

Even office-only bans have a big impact. Axelrad noted testing showed that as smoking in offices was increasingly restricted, the level of a nicotine byproduct called cotinine in the blood of nonsmokers plunged 70 percent from 1990 to 2001.

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=2322153

 

FCC fines levied in 2004

The Federal Communications Commission has levied fines totaling $1,635,000 in 2004, almost all for radio. In 2003, the total was $440,000, all for radio. A breakdown of this year's fines:
 http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/0919janetimpact.html

 

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Supporters point to cancer studies

By LISA R. HOWELER--Times Reporter

When a Pennsylvania state senator introduced the PA Smokefree Workplace Law he cited public and worker safety especially as the reason behind the law.

Greenleaf is not alone in his belief.

http://www.eveningtimes.com/articles/2004/09/18/news/news3.txt

 

Researches find unique way to stop smoking

.Dr. Geoffrey Williams will be the lead investigator for this study.  "Increased stress, arguments are likely  to bring someone to smoking so we want to see if we can help them arrange their environment to be  more supportive and that's what we will be testing out."  http://www.10nbc.com/news.asp?template=item&story_id=12631

 

Norwalk police enforce anti-smoking law in local bars

By Matt Breslow September 18, 2004
NORWALK -- Police this week conducted the city's first operation targeting smokers who flout the state ban on lighting up in bars, issuing tickets to five patrons and two bartenders.
Members of the city's Special Services Division, a narcotics and vice squad, Thursday night visited four bars that were the subjects of citizen complaints about smoking, said Sgt. Ronald Pine.
Under Connecticut's Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking was banned in restaurants effective Oct. 1, 2003, and in bars, cafes and off-track betting parlors effective April 1. Exemptions include private clubs, correctional facilities and tobacco bars.
The real smoke police

 

Cause discovered for September asthma flare-ups

Some Canadian doctors think rhinoviruses are to blame for the "September phenomenon" -- a troubling rise in children coming to hospital with asthma attacks.

The phenomenon hits every year from Sept. 17 to 24. And it's not just a Canadian phenomenon. It happens across the northern hemisphere.

"This is something you can't ignore, so yes, this is an epidemic by any standards," said researcher Neil Johnson.

As a result of their investigations, the researchers found the rhinovirus link.

Virus causes asthma

City should drop fight over smoking fine, says charged councillor Manitoba, Canada

 Sep 17 2004 01:13 PM CDT
WINNIPEG - St. Boniface Coun. Franco Magnifico says the city should give up its fight with him over violating the city's smoking bylaw.

http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_magnifico20040917

 

Tourists not flocking to Manitoba hotels: survey
Web Posted | Sep 17 2004 09:21 AM CDT
WINNIPEG - 2004 was supposed to be the year tourism bounced back in Manitoba, after two years of little travel after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. But while tourists have flooded back to other cities, Winnipeg is still in a slump.

Manitoba needs tourists

 

Bacteria tied to Crohn's disease

Last Updated Fri, 17 Sep 2004 18:33:39 EDT

LONDON - Bacteria may be behind Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, researchers say.

Bacteria causes Crohn’s

 

Canadian doctors test 1-day breast cancer treatment

Last Updated Thu, 09 Sep 2004 10:50:38 EDT

TORONTO - A one-day breast cancer treatment, in which doctors implant radioactive beads after removing small tumours, requires only a few hours in hospital and could let patients return to normal life more quickly.

In a pioneering Canadian trial, doctors removed lumps from six women and implanted the beads in a ring one centimetre away from the tumour site. The beads emitted low-level radiation for two months and then remained in the body after that. The patients have reported no side effects from the treatment, doctors say.

Canadians test one day cancer treatment

 

Restaurants jump the gun in going smoke-free Saskatchewan; Canada
Some Saskatchewan restaurants are already jumping the gun on next year’s smoking legislation.

http://www.meridianbooster.com/story.php?id=117288

 

For Your Information: Carbadox

What is Carbadox?

Carbadox is an antimicrobial product that was approved in the 1970s to prevent and treat dysentery in swine and to maintain weight gain during periods of stress, such as weaning. Carbadox has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals but when fed to swine, is metabolized or transformed over a relatively short period of time. It is on this basis that withdrawal periods were established. Carbadox remains in use in the U.S., but is banned in other countries (Australia and the EU).

Common carcinogenic antibiotic stays in meat

.

Butt ban looming in rural Manitoba

Melissa Ridgen Thursday, September 03 2004

With the Non-Smokers Health Protection Act coming into effect Oct. 1, provincial Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau says everyone is getting ready for the ban which will bring restrictions to communities that don't already have strong legislation.
But some area restaurateurs and pub owners are less than enthusiastic and expect it'll be the final straw for what's already been a tough time for many businesses.
 http://www.brandonsun.com/displayad.cgi?adnum=606

 

The Nicotine Content of Common Vegetables (cotinine)

 In indoor air, a low concentration of nicotine from tobacco smoke is about 1 µg per cubic meter. A person weighing 70 kg with a tidal volume of 4 ml per kilogram of body weight breathing 20 times per minute would exchange 5.6 liters of air per minute. If we assume that nicotine is completely absorbed from the lungs, it would take 179 minutes, or about 3 hours, of breathing in an environment with minimal smoke to absorb 1 µg of nicotine.  You could eat 10 grams (2.118 teaspoons)  of eggplant to equal that.

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/329/6/437

 

GRTU to contest in Court Government's Smoking Regulations - Malta

As usual changing the agreement reached

 

Efforts to curb child smoking 'a failure'

By Sophie Goodchild, Home Affairs Correspondent

19 September 2004

Attempts to clamp down on under-age smoking have failed so far, according to a major study published this week.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=563411

 

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Cigarette makers and feds head to court for biggest civil racketeering trial
By: NANCY ZUCKERBROD - Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The nation's cigarette makers are accustomed to massive anti-smoking lawsuits, but even cases that have produced enormous jury awards don't come close to what the government is seeking from the companies: $280 billion.
 Justice Department tobacco litigation site: http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/tobacco2/

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/09/18/business/news/18_39_149_17_04.txt

 

Sniff of Hollywood-style cigar bar
STEPHEN MCGINTY

TO BISMARCK a fine cigar was an aid to diplomacy. To Rudyard Kipling, a woman was only a woman, but a good cigar "was a smoke". Yet the soothing, soporific effect of Cuba’s finest export was captured best by Evelyn Waugh, the quintessential man of letters, who said: "The most futile and disastrous day seems well spent when it is reviewed through the blue, fragrant smoke of a Havana cigar."
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1094742004

 

Campaign: No smoke, No fire
By Joe Rogalsky, Delaware State News

DOVER - Two years ago, the state's new indoor smoking ban ignited controversy.
Most people had an opinion - good or bad - of the law that bans lighting up in most indoor public places.
Democratic Gov. Ruth Ann Minner pushed for the ban as part of her cancer-fighting effort and bore the brunt of public displeasure.
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2004/09/18/dm/sussex_county/dsn01.txt

 

My right to smoke - UK

Sep 18 2004By James Mccarthy

A man who was told by doctors he lost both his legs because of cigarettes is against plans to make Coventry a smoke-free city.

People balancing risks with rights

 

Cancer doctors reluctant to use word 'cure'

CTV.ca News Staff

There wasn't any doubt six years ago that Doug Jensen had cancer.

The Oregon engineer's blood was clogged with the immature cells that are sure signs of leukemia. Treatment with a new wonder drug, Gleevec, made them completely disappear.

Is he cured?

"They don't use that word," said Jensen, who would dearly love to hear it.

"When we look at our patients with extremely sensitive techniques, we can still see leukemia cells," he said. "Our concern is that if we stop Gleevec, then their leukemia will come back. Are they cured? Probably not. Are they well controlled? Absolutely, yes.

controlled but not cured?

 

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Officials reject claims of drug industry's influence London, England

Questioned repeatedly about the effect of the drug industry on doctors' prescribing, medical education, scientific research, and drug evaluation, government officials told a parliamentary inquiry last week that there was no evidence of unhealthy influence.

Four senior officials from the Department of Health and one from the Department of Trade and Industry were giving evidence at the first public hearing of the far reaching inquiry of the House of Commons Health Committee into the industry's influence on the health system.

David Hinchliffe said MPs wanted to consider whether the influence of the drug industry meant that the NHS concentrated too much on cure rather than prevention

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7467/641-a?ehom

It's the Fitness, Stupid These side-by-side JAMA studies provided an invaluable opportunity for the media to help consumers sort through medical information and come away with a very important message: not all studies are created equal.

 

Now that's news that people can use.

http://www.techcentralstation.com/091604E.html

 

Trick or Treat October 31/03

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has become the latest goblin lurking in our foods.

 

It's enough to make your teeth hurt. But, the facts give a completely different story.

 

http://www.techcentralstation.com/103103E.html

 

Smoking in the Dark

Did the tobacco companies fool anyone? Did they fool everyone?

http://www.reason.com/sullum/091704.shtml

 

Smokonomics

Hayek goes barcrawling November 25/03

Julian Sanchez

.

Reality, as social scientists frequently lament, is messy. Laboratory experiments can be rigorously controlled; real life is less accommodating. You can measure which way restaurant revenues trend before and after some new legislation, but establishing causality is a trickier matter. The niggling question always remains: Can we be sure we've isolated the independent variable? Have we controlled for every potential explanatory factor?

But these methodological quibbles are secondary. The Austrian insight that's most important to bear in mind when considering the wisdom of such laws is that, contrary to neoclassical assumptions, real world markets are never in equilibrium. Rather, market activity is a constant discovery process.

http://www.reason.com/links/links112503.shtml

* this has even more significance since the industry only makes 5% of profit after costs

Bar sales down in July according to CSO
17 September 2004 15:32

Bar sales fell substantially in July compared to the previous month, according to seasonally adjusted figures from the Central Statistics Office today. The value of sales was down 5.3% while the amount sold was down 6.4%.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0917/cso.html

 

Outright smoke ban “not a solution” 17 September 2004

An outright smoking ban in Dundee pubs is an unnecessary measure because the licensed trade is taking steps to improve ventilation and help customers kick the habit, it has been claimed, writes Graeme Strachan. Jonathan Stewart, president of Dundee Licensed Trade Association, said an outright ban was not a solution and the city’s pubs were committed to being 50% smoke free by 2007.

A new survey has indicated that licensed premises could lose up to Ł170 million a year and 30,000 jobs if the ban is implemented.

Total ban no solution

 

Penn State leverages tobacco settlement funds to maximize research
Friday, September 17, 2004

University Park, Pa. --- Funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's share of the settlement paid by tobacco companies to 46 states seeking to recover healthcare costs connected to smoking are being leveraged at Penn State to obtain additional funding from federal and other sources in order to maximize the University's health research effort.

Penn State faculty members also are benefiting from the $100 million in settlement funds Pennsylvania legislators used for a one-time investment in three regional Life Science Greenhouses (LSG) formed for economic development. To date, the LSG of Central PA has funded 33 projects, and 13 of them have been Penn State faculty-driven. The LSG also has supported 17 businesses and seven of them have been Penn State spin-out companies.

http://live.psu.edu/story/8112

 

Russellville Approves Smoking Ban  September 17, 2004 Russellville, AR

No more smoking or tobacco use at city parks and facilities in Russellville. The City Council voted Thursday night to ban smoking and tobacco products in city parks, buildings and vehicles.
The ordinance bans tobacco use within 50 feet of all city facilities, but designates the parking lots as smoking areas.
-Smokers will only be allowed to dispose of cigarette butts or tobacco products in waste disposal containers.

-Those who rent or lease city property can establish requirements more restrictive than those adopted by the city.

The ban adopted Thursday was more detailed than one passed by the city Recreation and Parks Commission in June, which called for restricting only cigarette smoking at city parks.

http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0904/173716.html

 

Lawmakers Question Survey Showing Smoking Drop

By David Robinson LITTLE ROCK,Arkansas
A few Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday questioned the validity of a report that shows a decline in smoking in the state.

Reps. Herschel Cleveland, D-Paris, and Daryl Pace, R-Siloam Springs, said the Gallup Organization failed to account for cigarettes bought in Oklahoma and Missouri and via the Internet.

The Gallup report said overall adult cigarette use had declined 14 percent from 2001 to 2002. Tobacco sales to minors dropped from 14.8 percent in 2002 to 11.2 percent in 2003.

“These figures are incredibly suspect,” said Pace, noting that other members of the House and Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor committees had questioned the report. “We’ve got to find a better way to get statistics because nobody’s going to buy this.”

Arkansas is using about $16 million of its $50 million annual share of the 1998 national tobacco industry legal settlement to pay for smoking prevention and cessation programs. The report also recommends that the state continue to ratchet up taxes on tobacco to reduce consumption.

The Gallup report says the state’s tobacco control programs should save about $49 million a year based on an estimated $3 savings for every $1 spent in other states with successful tobacco programs.

http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2004/September/17/news/smoking.html

 

*How much is caused by other sources then tobacco?

JEL students meet in Clarinda

Every 72 seconds, someone in Iowa dies from a smoking-related disease.

Nationally, the tobacco industry spends nearly $11.5 billion a year on marketing - which equates to more than $31 million per day.

25 students gather to get news coverage

 

Woodward Fire Chief Shane Pugh announced his resignation at the City Council meeting Monday night .  Indiana
* The Council discussed the possible implementation of a fine to businesses that sell alcohol to minors.
There is currently a fine for underage cigarette sales but not for alcohol sales. Proposed fines might begin at $500 with $1,000 for second offense and so forth. The Council will review a proposed resolution at its next meeting.
currently fine for selling smokes to young, but not alcohol

 

"Old Faithful" Laura

Fox and Friends today (Sept. 17) extended its one-sided coverage of the presidential race between George Bush and Sen. John Kerry to their spouses.

Fox and Friends co-hosts interviewed Devin Friedman, who interviewed Laura Bush for an article in the latest issue of GQ. Friedman said Mrs. Bush was guarded in her answers. For example, he said she would not directly answer the question concerning what she and her husband last argued about. He said on TV, Mrs. Bush could seem "a little plastic" but in person she does connect with people,

Surprisingly, Mrs. Bush likes an occasional margareta and cigarette, he said. Friedman said his sense is that people like Mrs. Bush but are not passionate about her.

Throughout the interview, the co-hosts made a couple attempts to make negative comparisons between Mrs. Bush and Teresa Heinz-Kerry. Steve Doocy pointed out that the first rule of politics for political spouses is to do no damage and insinuated that Mrs. Heinz-Kerry does embarrass herself and her husband. Friedman said, however, that a spouse who is always guarded like Mrs. Bush can fail to connect with people or excite them . E.D. Hill noted that Mrs. Heinz-Kerry, when asked about the title "First Lady," said "Ick." Friedman said that Mrs. Bush also "hates being called First Lady" and that he thought they would be friends. Probably not the answer Hill wanted.

Near the end of the interview, co-hosts Mike Jerrick mentioned that the magazine has a compaion piece about Mrs. Heinz-Kerry, but the co-hosts offered no explanation as to why they interviewed only the author of the Bush article. Nevertheless, the co-hosts did their best to draw comparisons by including negative comments about Mrs. Heinz-Kerry in their questions to Friedman.

http://www.newshounds.us/2004/09/17/old_faithful_laura.php

http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=69970

 

Good news source:  http://www.worldnews.com/

 

1638 China. The Ming emperor decrees any person trafficking in tobacco will be decapitated (1638), the decree proves ineffectual as smoking spreads within the court. A second prohibition is issued in 1641

http://www.erowid.org/plants/tobacco/tobacco_timeline.php3

 

Health warning issued for China's smokers

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is predicting a huge rise in serious illness in China because of cigarette smoking.

China is home to one in three of the world's smokers, who pay as little as 35 cents a pack.

China is also the world's largest producer of tobacco.

The WHO says the problem is made worse by the fact that the tobacco industry is a national monopoly, with the Government having a vested interest.

The WHO says more than 1 million people a year die in China from tobacco-related diseases, with the figure expected to rise dramatically in the coming decades.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200409/s1201829.htm

 

Arnold amends restaurant smoking ban 09/17/2004

By Tim Rowden Of the Post-Dispatch

The Arnold City Council on Thursday agreed to amend the city's new smoking ban to exclude existing restaurants that offer separately ventilated smoking sections.
The change will allow existing restaurants that apply to the city by Dec. 31 to install separately ventilated smoking sections in their businesses.
In July, the Arnold City Council approved legislation that would have banned smoking in all restaurants and in bars that derive less than 70 percent of their sales from alcohol..
"All I want is a level playing field," Leve said. "If I lose one out of four of my patrons, I'm out of business.
Missouri town amends bylaw

 

Mushrooms in the medicine cabinet? Researchers explore possibility

BY TOM MAJESKI Knight Ridder Newspapers
ST. PAUL, Minn. - (KRT) - Can the tasty mushroom help fight cancer?

That's a deliciously appealing question a team of University of Minnesota researchers hope to answer within five years.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/9688575.htm

 

Early success for new cancer vaccine

Doctors hope to trial the vaccine on 20 patients with melanoma early next year.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200409/s1201742.htm

 

bayer retreats from U.S. pill market
Analysts laud move that will slash overhead in line with shrinking sales
bayer retreats from US & Europe

 

Vegetables Help Fight Breast Cancer

The anticancer compound sulforaphane, found in vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale, blocks the growth of late-stage breast cancer cells, a new study says.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docid=521015

 

The AdBusters Media Foundation, a Vancouver-based anti-commercialism

group, is suing a number of Canadian broadcasters (including the CBC) for

refusing to air its anti-ad "advertisements."

For more on the AdBusters' lawsuit, see the group's website:

http://adbusters.org/metas/psycho/mediacarta/reading.html

 

You can also watch some of the group's "ads" here:

http://adbusters.org/metas/psycho/mediacarta/rejected/

 

*from Marketplace Newsletter (cbc program)

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