Phone Text messages Used as Smoking Cessation tool

Text messages could become a vital smoking cessation tool, research carried out by multiple US universities has indicated. Because cell phones are now such a regular feature of our everyday lives –and because many people possess phone deals that give them unlimited text messaging – the researchers argue that text messages can be used as a cheap and convenient method of amassing data about Doina smoking habits.

They say that by encouraging smokers to send a few texts each day which detail their smoking behaviours, health experts can help to monitor and assess the frequency of patients’ cigarette smoking sessions. When asked how many cigarettes they smoke daily smokers often provide inaccurate data, because they forget or misjudge their daily consumption levels.

The researchers, who are from the University of Michigan and the University of California, carried out tests in which they used training games to hone individuals’ self-control abilities. They used cell phones to gather data because doing so saved the cost of providing test subjects with new equipment, and was also convenient for the subjects.

Challenges were set for smokers with the aim of improving their self-control: a major factor in whether they are able to overcome nicotine cravings which offset many people on their paths to giving up smoking.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 1 billion male smokers and 250 million smokers worldwide. Tobacco consumption is a major cause of illness and death. When primary breadwinners die or are too ill to work due to smoking-related disease, entire families can be thrown into poverty, the WHO reports.

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Smoking Laws Regulate Tobacco Sales

By-laws which could regulate the sale of Lucky Strike cigarettes in shops near schools, ban smoking in some indoor areas and decide which shisha cafes are licensed, are to be voted on by the Health Council early next month.

The laws, which should have come into effect by the end of last year, will clarify the enforcement of federal anti-tobacco law No 15, issued in early 2009 by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE.

Dr. Wedad al Maidoor, the head of the National Tobacco Control Committee, said the by-laws were pending official approval because further steps had to be taken before smoking bans take effect in coming months.

The delay in drafting the by-laws was unavoidable, said Dr al Maidoor. “We have been in continuous meetings with all the concerned authorities and all the partners who must be included in drafting the by-laws, trying to find the best solutions,” she said. “We are almost done and in the final phase.”

Government departments involved in submitting proposals on what rules and regulations the law should address include the Ministry of Health, the various health authorities, Civil Defence, the municipalities and the Ministry of Economy.

Dr al Maidoor did not expect concerns or complaints about the by-laws to be lodged. That had already been dealt with, she said.

“The Health Council has to approve all laws. If the by-laws do not meet with opposition, the by-laws continue on to the Federal National Council. Within a few months, we can finalise this and start enforcing the laws,” she said.

Salem bin Mesmar, the assistant director general for the environment, health and safety control sector at Dubai Municipality, said smoking was a global crisis that needed immediate action.

Drafting the by-laws, he said, “was not an easy task”. “The Ministry of Health wants smoking all over UAE to be regulated and this law needs an appendix which explains the law in more detail and highlights the technical requirements.”

The details that had to be ironed out related to smoking, tobacco and packaging, he said.

“All over the world there is an increase of smokers, especially in the Third World and the Middle East – even in young people – and one reason for this is because companies invest heavily on advertisements,” Mr Mesmar said.

This month, Britain announced plans to enforce strict laws banning the display of cigarette packages behind cash counters from April 2012 in large shops and by 2015 for all others. The UK government aims to change social behaviour by considering a push for unbranded, plain packages.

Mr Mesmar said similar laws could come into force in the UAE. “The new rule on box advertising is coming here and we will deal with it on a GCC level,” he said.

“We would like to see the advertising on the box drop down to zero.”

In 2007, the Dubai Government approached the municipality to regulate smoking in shopping malls. Following discussions with the Shopping Mall Council, Dubai Festival City became the first smoke-free mall in the city.

“For phase two, we regulated smoking in hotels while working with the Dubai Tourism Authority. In phase three, we concentrated on cafes and restaurants, where we started with shisha, because the Government did not like it expanding,” said Mr Mesmar.

Business owners were given one year to follow the rules, but due to the financial crisis, cases were sometimes reviewed separately under special circumstances.

“Some smokers use the excuse for continuing the habit that there is too much pressure in the world and they believe it offers stress relief. Believe me, nobody who truly understands its effects will smoke.”

Dr al Maidoor said a large part of the drafted by-laws were concerned with enforcement, so that the burden was divided equally between government and private departments.

“Really, the law as it stands is quite clear and everyone should be enforcing it already. They definitely will once it is official – printed in the official gazette.”

The World Health Organisation reports that in addition to the five million people who die annually from smoking – six every second – at least 600,000 more die from second-hand, passive smoking

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Philip Morris set grow market share in Armenia tobacco market

Last year Armenian government approved several regulations to control local tobacco market and major tobacco companies. Regional senior manager of Philip Morris International, the leading tobacco group in Armenia, Sargis Tsaghikyan stated that the tobacco giant is set to show another great performance capturing more market share in 2011.

Mr. Tsaghikyan said that Philip Morris Armenia offers solid and balanced brand portfolio in the local market, and is presented in all price categories, keeping in touch with all adult costumers’ needs. This makes the company believe that its business performance will be successful and the market share will continue to grow.

According to PMI Armenia is an emerging and very competitive market. And the Marlboro-maker has a 19.5 percent share of that market, the biggest among its major rivals.

In 2010 Philip Morris International offered the following brands to the Armenian smokers: Marlboro, L&M, Parliament, Chesterfield, Virginia Slims, Bond Street, Muratti Ambassador, Red&White and Assos Slims. L&M is the best-selling brand among PMI brands.

Last October, Armenian president signed into law amended Excise Tax Law and Tobacco Products Tax Law under which the tax rate difference among imported and locally manufactured tobacco products will be gradually reduced starting from Jan 1st 2011, therefore introducing equal approach to local and imported cheapest cigarettes. Philip Morris International welcomed these tax code amendments, as they are implemented in established time and prompt Armenian Tobacco Products Taxation equaling with World Trade Organization requirements.

Armenia adopted a universal and thorough legislative base to regulate tobacco industry and according to Philip Morris Armenia senior manager, the company is willing to cooperate with the government and public health authorities to establish norms and regulations for the domestic tobacco industry. The company believes it is vital that regulatory base is comprehensive, justified by evidence and covering all tobacco companies and products and that enforcement is adequate and even. These regulations could allow the authorities reach the public health objectives.

Philip Morris International is the largest international tobacco group in the world, selling its products in more than 160 markets. In 2009 the company had an approximately 15.4 percent share of global cigarette market excluding the United States, or 26 percent, excluding China and the USA.

On its official website, PMI states that smoking can cause addiction and severe health complications and recognizes that there is no safe form of tobacco consumption. The company supports strict and effective measure to regulate tobacco, and agrees that cessation should be the major aim of public health policies. At the same time Philip Morris International doesn’t target non-smokers and minors, and their marketing strategies are intended to adult smokers and set to encourage them top prefer PMI’s brands in favor of competitors’ products.

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New Candy Flavored Tobacco Products become popular among Teens

OLYMPIA ¾ More Washington students are making healthier choices by avoiding alcohol according to a recent survey of kids in our teensmokingstate. But declines in cigarette smoking continue to stall and an increase in new candy-flavored tobacco products is a growing concern.

The Healthy Youth Survey is anonymous and voluntary; it’s taken every two years by thousands of Washington students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 in more than 1,000 public schools. It focuses on attitudes and health risk behaviors. Topics include drug, alcohol, and tobacco use; gangs; physical activity; suicide; bullying; and more. For the first time, the survey also asked about sexual activity.

“It takes a consistent, coordinated effort to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our kids,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “This survey shows that some of that hard work is paying off and kids are making better choices to improve their health. Of course there are always new generations of kids to reach so the work never ends.”

Since 2000, youth cigarette smoking has dropped by half, resulting in about 70,000 fewer smokers. However, these dramatic reductions have slowed in recent years, with 10th grade smoking remaining mostly flat at about 13 percent from 2004 to 2010. Besides cheapest cigarettes, youth are using other tobacco products that are often flavored to taste like candy. Among youth who use tobacco, about half report using some type of candy-flavored product. Chewing tobacco use by 10th graders is on the rise, particularly among girls — the rate has more than doubled in the past 10 years to more than three percent.

In the past 20 years, there’s been a big drop in 8th and 10th graders who report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days. Since 1990, youth drinking is down for 8th graders by over half, from 29 to 14 percent in 2010. Drinking among 10th graders has dropped from 44 to 28 percent. Since 2008, about 20,000 more youth in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade report that their parents talked to them about not drinking alcohol.

“Underage drinking is a major health concern in Washington,” said Liquor Control Board Chair Sharon Foster. “I’m pleased the most recent survey shows a continued downward trend. Statewide efforts the past few years have encouraged parents to talk to their kids about alcohol, because studies show parents are the number one influence on whether teens choose to drink.”

“It’s great news that our collective work in educating parents and kids is paying off,” said Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Susan N. Dreyfus. “When parents and other caring adults talk with and monitor the children in their lives, those children are more likely to succeed in school, stay healthy, and avoid addiction and other problems related to using alcohol or other drugs.”

Alcohol is the primary drug of abuse among youth, but the numbers are declining. Since 2008, there are about 11,000 fewer youth drinking alcohol. The message about the risks of prescription drug abuse is starting to get out there — pain medicine abuse is down among 12th graders.

There’s also more work to do in other areas. When students are depressed, abuse substances, are bullied and feel unsafe at school, they’re less likely to succeed academically. About seven percent of 10th graders attempted suicide in the past year — down from the previous survey. Of 10th graders surveyed in 2010, 85 percent said they felt safe at school.

“Teachers and school administrators have made progress in creating safe and supportive learning environments for our students,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn. “More of them report they feel safe, enjoy being at school, and have opportunities to become involved in school-related activities. We know when students are engaged in their learning experience and feel safe, they’re more likely to succeed academically.”

About 31 percent of 10th graders and 53 percent of 12th graders in the state reported having ever had sexual intercourse. About eight percent of 10th graders and 17 percent of 12th graders reported they had four or more sexual partners. Among those who had ever had sexual intercourse, about 63 percent of 10th graders and 54 percent of 12th graders reported using a condom the last time they had intercourse.

The survey is a joint effort of the Department of Health, Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Liquor Control Board, the Family Policy Council, and the Department of Commerce.

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