There will be no research in the bulletin this week as the Information Service is on holiday over Easter. The research for this week and next week will be published in the weekly bulletin for the 9th of April.
NEWS
Sharp rise in prescriptions for stop smoking aids ISD has published updated
statistics on the prescribing of stop smoking medicines in Scotland. Between 2007/08 and 2008/09 there was a 31% increase in the volume of items prescribed to help people stop smoking
US study identifies smoking as one of four risk factors reducing life expectancy A new study suggests that smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and overweight and obesity reduce life expectancy in the US by 4.9 years in men and 4.1 years in women and lead to health disparities.
- Medical News Today, 26 March 2010
- The Promise of Prevention: The Effects of Four Preventable Risk Factors on National Life Expectancy and Life Expectancy Disparities by Race and County in the United States.
- Goodarz Danaei, Eric B. Rimm, Shefali Oza, Sandeep C. Kulkarni, Christopher J. L. Murray, and Majid Ezzati.
- PloS Medicine, March 2010, vol. 7, issue 3: e1000248. DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000248
Study suggests smoking may lower IQ Young people who smoke regularly are likely to have markedly lower intelligence levels than those who do not smoke, and, according to the study of 20,000 young adults, the heavier the smoker, the lower the IQ.
Professor of Public Health launches website and calls for radical rethink on reducing inequalities in health - The Herald, 29 March 2010, p3, no url and
Leader, p14 - AFTERnowwebsite
The AfterNow Project seeks to trace the development of the current situation in public health. In six 5-minute introductory videos – backed up by a dozen 10-minute audio podcasts and over 30 short papers – they unpack the ideas which shape
and limit contemporary responses... and look to a brave new future for public health.
Number of New Zealanders who smoke is in decline An ASH New Zealand spokesman said 'This is the biggest drop in smoking rates for a decade. We are seeing that the impact of recent policies such as picture warnings on cigarettes and hard-hitting TV ads have been the kick start we needed to drive down the smoking rates in New Zealand.'
New Zealand Herald, 01 April 2010
ASH England calls for swift implementation of standard for ‘fire safer’ cigarettes following move by Finland The call is supported by the
RIP Coalition, a coalition of over 60 national and local organisations, including the Fire Brigades Union, Help the Aged and the UK Public Health Association.
ASH England press release, 01 April 2010, no url.
Pets to be protected from passive smoking As part of the review of legislation concerning dogs, a new proposal has been released with the intention of banning smoking in pet owners’ homes. A spokesperson for DEFRA is quoted as saying “Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, if a pet owner knowingly exposes a pet to a risk of disease, they are committing an offence. Smoking in the presence of a pet will inevitably expose the animal to known irritants and carcinogens, which are likely to cause both disease and suffering to the animal.”
Telegraph, (blog) 01 April 2010
Can second-hand smoke harm your pet?PDSA urges owners to consider their pet’s health when lighting up.
K9 Magazine, 11 March 2010
Cigarette filters may contain pigs’ blood Recent Dutch research suggests that cigarettes filters may contain traces of pigs’ blood, Professor Simon Chapman has said that the finding is likely to raise concerns for some religious groups.
New Zealand tobacco display ban consultation New Zealand’s Ministry of Health is launching a consultation this week on a proposal to ban tobacco displays in retail outlets.
Poland fails to introduce comprehensive smoking ban Poland’s Senate has voted to introduce a smoking ban that will permit smoking in bars and restaurants which have more than one room.
Menthol cigarette review begins in United States A scientific advisory panel that will advise the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on regulating tobacco has met to review the evidence on menthol cigarettes. The panel has a year to make a recommendation to the FDA on whether or not to ban menthol cigarettes.
Campaign group to argue case for relaxing smoking banThe Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign group is to meet with MP John Healey today. The group wants separate smoking rooms in pubs.
Illegal fag houses targeted in Nottingham campaignA campaign to tackle illicit tobacco trade has launched in Nottingham. Residents living near fag houses are being encouraged to report anyone they suspect of being involved in the trade.
Smoking in cars [letter]A Courier reader writes that the worst thing about smoking in cars is the way cigarette ends are thrown out of the window without concern for others.
Christopher Booker queries the Royal College of Physicians statistics (opinion piece) Susan Flockhart queries the sense of banning smoking in cars (opinion piece) - The Sunday Herald, 28 March 2010, p5, no url
'Health Nazis should butt out of our lives' (opinion piece)
Vicki Woods
Obstetrician comments on rights of pregnant women to smoke (letter)
PARLIAMENT The Parliament is in recess from 29 March - 11 April inclusive. During this time there will be no official parliamentary business.
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