Smoke and Mirrors: The EPA's Flawed Study of Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Lung Cancer

by Gary L. Huber, Robert E. Brockie, and Vijay K. Mahajan

http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg16n3c.html

 

Smoking bylaw ticket tossed out of court

By Eliza Barlow Monday, September 21 2004

A $200 ticket issued to a local hotelier under the city's public smoking bylaw has been thrown out of court due to discrepancies in both the wording of the charge and the time the ticket was issued.
A city bylaw officer issued a ticket to Doug "Percy" Sims, bar manager of the Crystal Hotel in downtown Brandon, on Feb. 20 after the officer observed two people smoking in the bar.
But the offence listed on the Crystal Hotel's ticket was "proprietor permit smoking," an offence which Brandon Police Service Sgt. Leon Flannigan said doesn't currently exist under the smoking bylaw, which bans smoking in all public places. "There's no such charge."
The time marked on the ticket was also wrong. Both factors led to the charges being dropped on Monday morning in Brandon bylaw court.
Flannigan said tickets can be issued to business owners if they fail to remove ashtrays, fail to put up no-smoking signs or fail to warn patrons about the bylaw.
The absence of the general offence of permitting smoking in an establishment is something Flannigan calls the major weakness in the city bylaw. He said he hopes sweeping new provincial anti-smoking legislation coming in next month will address that gap.
"The only way I can see absolute compliance is if the proprietors were in a position where they could be charged with permitting smoking," said Flannigan.
"If you're charging individuals and it's not affecting the pocketbook of the proprietor in those cases, you're going to see the proprietor turn a blind eye to people who are smoking."
But Sims said other than doing what he's doing now - telling patrons when they come in that they're not allowed to smoke - he doesn't know what else he could do to prevent people from smoking.
"We're doing the best we can," he said. "And we shouldn't have to babysit these people. The bylaw people should be coming out more often."
Flannigan called the erroneous ticket one "silly mistake" among the "two to three hundred" tickets issued since the smoking bylaw came into effect more than two years ago.
The latest ticket was the second ticket handed to the Crystal Hotel under the smoking bylaw. The hotel successfully appealed the first ticket last summer.
Sims said the two people who were caught smoking in the Crystal Hotel on his watch on Feb. 20 were each fined $100.

http://brandonsun.com/displayad.cgi?adnum=637

Williston bans smoking in taverns, restaurants

WILLISTON, Vt. Smoking has been officially banned in all taverns and restaurants in Williston.

The town select board's three-to-one vote in favor of a ban yesterday makes Williston the fourth community in Chittenden County to enact such a policy.

Burlington and South Burlington imposed smoking bans this year.

Winooski's City Council approved an anti-smoking ordinance in July, but that law is on hold while the city hears appeals.

Williston's smoking ban was enacted amid little fanfare.

No one in the audience at yesterday's meeting commented on the ordinance.

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=2326980

 

California Court Cuts Philip Morris Smoker Award

Tue Sep 21, 2004 08:31 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California appeals court has ruled that a smoker's record-breaking $3 billion punitive damages award against Philip Morris was still "excessive" even after being reduced by a trial judge to $100 million and must be halved again.

The Second District Court of Appeal, a state court in Los Angeles, gave the estate of Richard Boeken the option of accepting the lowered amount of $50 million or going to trial again, according to an opinion published on Tuesday.

Philip Morris said in a statement that the company would appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=6297736

 

Lawyers seek revival of suit over tobacco sales to Calif. teens

SAN DIEGO Attorneys trying to revive a class-action lawsuit argued in court that the once-popular "Joe Camel" campaign was strategically designed to recruit underage smokers.

Lawyers representing Californians who began smoking as teens say tobacco companies should NOT be allowed to use the First Amendment to illegally market cigarettes to children.

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=2328329

 

Infact Welcomes Long-Awaited Start of Trial

 

Department of Justice Lawsuit Signals Public Demand for Holding Tobacco Industry Accountable for Deadly Abuses

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/

    The trial begins as global momentum continues to build behind the

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first public

health and corporate accountability treaty. The global tobacco treaty becomes

international law after the 40th country ratifies; 31, including Norway and

India, have already done so. While the Department of Justice case will

potentially bring the tobacco industry to task in the United States, the FCTC

will change the way it does business in countries around the world.

    Infact spokespeople will be available for comment throughout the trial.

    Infact is a membership organization that protects people by waging and

winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions

around the world. Through bold campaigns and a commitment to win,  for over 25

years Infact has forced corporations-like Nestle, GE and Philip Morris/Altria-

to stop irresponsible and dangerous actions. Infact is an NGO in Official

Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Network for

Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes 75 NGOs from more

than 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable Framework Convention on

Tobacco Control. For more information visit http://www.infact.org or

http://www.iwr2002.org.

 

    Contacts------

lobyists support spending money on lawsuit

 

Companies hid dangers of smoking, lawyers say

WASHINGTON

Tobacco companies, desperate to maintain their hold on tens of millions of American smokers, worked together for years to deceive the public about the dangers of cigarettes and to encourage young people to start smoking, government lawyers said yesterday at the start of a racketeering trial.

Justice Department lawyers referred to numerous statements by industry executives that created doubt among smokers about whether the habit was harmful and whether they really needed to kick it.

"Defendants' strategy of denial worked, and they knew it," Justice lawyer Sharon Eubanks told Judge Gladys Kessler of U.S. District Court.

nFor the Journal's in-depth series on RJR, Lost Empire, visit us online at www.journalnow.com

Lawyers say they hid the dangers

 

"Nicotine patch therapy in 101 adolescent smokers : efficacy, withdrawal symptom relief, and carbon monoxide and plasma cotinine levels"

Nicotine patches NOT effective –report done in 2001

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10632247&dopt=AbstractCurrent

 

How to help nicotine-dependent adolescents quit smoking

Current Psychiatry Online 

Practical Clinical Reviews  September 22/04 Vol. 3, No. 9 / September 2004

Effect on quit rates. Psychiatric comorbidity may reduce quit rates during smoking cessation treatment.6 When smokers are trying to quit, watch for remission, worsening, or emergence of psychiatric conditions.

Assessing adolescent smoking
 CO levels typically reflect smoking in the previous few hours, whereas the half-life of cotinine is longer (1 day or more). Also, factors such as environmental pollution or marijuana use can inflate CO levels. Thus, cotinine levels have greater accuracy and specificity, reflecting only the amount of nicotine consumed.

Unfortunately, most laboratories do not measure cotinine levels, and the expired-air CO test (CO Breathalyzer) is relatively expensive for most clinicians.

Until cotinine testing becomes widely available, we recommend a combination of self-report and expired-air CO level to monitor abstinence.

We have found daily smoking to be a good indicator of nicotine dependence, and anyone who smokes daily would receive significant health benefits from quitting. Hence, any daily smoker who wants to quit, regardless of DSM-IV nicotine dependence status, is a candidate for treatment.

Behavioral therapy
Unlike adults, adolescents usually lack smoking-related medical consequences, such as heart or lung disease.

For adults, first-line FDA-approved medications for smoking cessation include nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) in transdermal, gum, inhaler, and lozenge forms and sustained-release bupropion. Nortriptyline, doxapine, and clonidine have shown effectiveness for smoking cessation but are not FDA-approved for this indication.15 Selegiline and mecamylamine have shown initial efficacy and are being examined in larger clinical trials.

For adolescents, little is known about what medications might help them stop smoking. Nicotine replacement therapies and bupropion SR have been most explored in adolescent smokers. The effect of psychiatric comorbidity on the quit rate is not well-studied in adolescents.

The transdermal nicotine patch (TNP) has shown modest results in preliminary trials among adolescents. One study found 11% abstinence at 6 weeks,16 and another found a <5% quit rate.17 A third study reported an 18% abstinence rate with a combination of TNP and contingency management therapy.18 Discussion of contingency management and other behavioral therapies is beyond the scope of this article.

A recent study comparing TNP, nicotine gum, and placebo in adolescent smokers found the lowest drop-out rate and highest compliance among the TNP group. Three-month abstinence rates were 17.6% for TNP, 6.5% for nicotine gum, and 2.5% for placebo. The difference between the TNP and placebo groups’ abstinence rates was statistically significant.19

Bupropion SR. In an open-label pilot study, our group treated 16 adolescent smokers weighing >90 lbs with bupropion SR, 150 mg bid. Average age was 18, and two-thirds of patients had ADHD. The endpoint abstinence rate—as measured by self-report and CO levels—was 31%, which is similar to rates reported in adult smokers treated with this dosage of bupropion SR.20

The adolescents did not gain weight during the study, which may be important to this age group. Reported side effects were similar to those in adults, with one adolescent reporting an allergic reaction (urticaria). We are conducting a larger follow-up study using bupropion SR with and without behavioral therapy.

 We suggest:

• using behavioral therapy and patient education as first-line treatment for nonregular adolescent smokers
• using medication and behavioral therapy as first-line treatment for regular smokers and medication as second-line treatment for nonregular smokers who do not respond to behavior therapy/ patient education.

Offer a treatment for at least 6 to 8 weeks before considering a change in therapy. One definition of initial success is no tobacco use over 7 days by self-report and biological verification (such as CO levels).

Behavioral therapy is relatively low-risk and helps many adult smokers. Despite a lack of evidence, some sort of behavioral therapy in combination with pharmacologic therapy might also help adolescent smokers.

Medication. Based on the limited published evidence, we consider TNP and bupropion SR first-line medications for adolescent smokers who want to quit.

For adult smokers, clinicians often combine medication and NRT to increase success rates.15 No data suggest that combining TNP and bupropion SR may be more effective than monotherapy in adolescents, but the combination might help those who do not respond to either agent alone.

We recommend starting bupropion SR treatment at least 1 week before the patient’s quit date. Titrate the dosage based on the package insert and patient tolerance.

Start NRT according to package instructions, and titrate dosages based on response:

• increase if the patient reports substantial craving and withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and anxiety.

• decrease in case of toxicity (such as nausea).
In our experience, adolescent smokers require slightly lower NRT dosages than adults, although this varies among individuals.

Drug brand names

Bupropion SR • Zyban *causes adolescents to commit suicide. 

Clonidine • Catapres
Doxapine • Sinequan
Mecamylamine • Inversine
Nortriptyline • Pamelor
Selegiline • Eldepryl

Disclosure
The authors report no financial relationship with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.

http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/2004_09/0904_Upadhyaya.asp

 

A critique of NRT Regulation

*says no harm done by smokeless tobacco, no conclusive evidence of an increased risk of myocardial infarction, or oral cancer.  Long-term use of NRT could therefore be seen as an extension of the treatment period rather than the development of a new dependence. The limit of 18 years does seem to be arbitrary.  For most other medicines, 12 years or age of puberty are the cut-off limits.

http://www.ash.org.uk/html/regulation/html/nrtcritique.html#_Toc532097130

 

Casinos install equipment to remove cigarette smoke

DES MOINES, Iowa The Iowa health department and the state attorney general say high-tech air-handling systems the state's casinos are installing to remove clouds of cigarette smoke do not make the air safer to breathe.

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=2332419

 

Gas station cashier throws cigarette cartons at would-be robber

By The Associated Press
Wednesday, September 22, 2004

A gutsy 62-year-old gas station cashier chased off a would-be thief by pitching cartons of cigarettes at him, police said.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/newssummary/s_253938.html

 

Lyle slams plans for ban on smoking - UK

By Helen Russell Sep 22 2004

SMOKERS also need consideration when the issue of banning smoking in pubic places comes up for debate.

That’s the view of Councillor Richard Lyle, who is leader of the SNP Group of North Lanarkshire Council.

Councillor Lyle admitted that he is a committed smoker and he believes that the wishes of smokers are being ignored in the smoking debate.

He made the impassioned plea as the council’s planning and environment committee considered the response to the Scottish Executive on the document “Smoking in Public Places”.

The report, which was prepared by officials, supported in broad terms the ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

However, the council made it clear that this is not a ban on an individual’s right to smoke, rather it is an attempt to stop smokers making others ill while doing so.

Lyle-slams-plans-for-ban-on-smoking

 

Ghost shuts New Delhi university 23.09.2004 6.20 am
 Students at a New Delhi university have been given an unexpected week off - thanks to a ghost on the campus. There have been no new classes at the Indian Statistical Institute's Delhi branch since Friday, and most of the students have gone home for a week.

The reason is that students have become convinced the institute is haunted. They say a ghost is roaming the corridors, knocking on doors, jostling the students on the stairs, and leaving strange and unexplained odours of after shave, deodorant and cigarette smoke lingering around the buildings.

The students believe they recognise the strong smell of after shave and deodorant as that worn by a student who died suddenly from a rare heart condition during a class at the institute just a month ago.

Knock, knock Casper here

 

Tobacco Companies Deny Conspiracy to Push Smoking
September 22, 2004 1:19:00 PM ET

By Peter Kaplan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A tobacco industry lawyer acknowledged on Wednesday that some executives may have acted wrongly, but said cigarette companies have never engaged in a conspiracy to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking.

No conspiracy here

 

San Francisco supervisor wants to extend smoking ban outdoors

SAN FRANCISCO A law proposed by a San Francisco supervisor would really crack down on smoking.

Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier has proposed legislation that would ban smoking in all outdoor recreations area regulated by the city. That would include parks, gardens, piers and playing fields.

Under the proposed ordinance, people who light up in those area would be slapped with a 250-dollar fine.

But Assemblyman Leland Yee, who represents San Francisco, says he plans to reintroduce a law that would ban smoking cigarettes on the state's beaches that died in committee last year.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=2333556

 

---

 

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

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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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