Smokers Allured by Health Campaign

Tobacco retailers in Bahrain will this week start importing cigarette packets with graphic warnings about the dangers of smoking. They have also been given six months to get rid of their existing stock as part of GCC-wide efforts to combat the use of tobacco. The new decision will be effective starting Thursday and no imports without the image will be allowed into the country. The visual health warnings include horrific images of smoking hazards, such as the deterioration of organs and harmful effects on pregnant women, which will also be placed on sheesha tobacco packs.

Tobacco Products Sales Increased in India

A report has found that tobacco production has increased by more than 300% in India. It was also found that up to 35% of Indian adults use tobacco, and about one million Indians are estimated to die each year from smoking-related illness. “Conditions such as cancer, lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, account for 25% of all public spending on health in India”, said Professor Rob Moodie, Professor of Public Health at the University of Melbourne. Early market research indicates that many stakeholders believe plain packaging of tobacco products would reduce tobacco use and it could be implemented in India too.

British American Tobacco Market

British American Tobacco PLC Wednesday warned of global economic uncertainty as it posted a rise in profit driven by strong demand in emerging markets and price increases. The world's No. 2 tobacco company by sales boosted revenue slightly despite flat volumes and said the results were against tough year-on-year comparisons and were hit by adverse currency effects.

Smoking Prohibited on Campus

This is a response from Campuses Organized and United for Good Health (COUGH) Northridge to the opinion piece that was written by Joelle Katz in the Daily Sundial on January 30, 2012 titled “Non-smoker says: Don’t ban smoking!” With the recently passed mandate requiring that all University of California facilities be smoke free by 2014, it is evident that there is a national trend for colleges and universities to adopt tobacco-free policies. As part of the CSU system, we have the opportunity to lead and be the first campus in the system to move forward along with many other institutions nationwide.

South Africa to Severe Smoking Ordinance

Health authorities are working at tightening South Africa’s anti-smoking laws, proposing a total ban on indoor smoking and even making it illegal to puff away in open spaces such as beaches. Stadiums, zoos, parks, outdoor eateries and beer gardens would all be affected. At beaches, smoking would only be allowed at least 50 metres from the closest person. But before introducing any new law, the health ministry will throw open the proposals to the public in discussions next week.

Cigarettes Smoking Exposure Can Lead to Diabetes

A new study from Charles Drew University found that adults exposed to environmental tobacco smoke had a higher measure of insulin resistance than nonsmokers without the smoke exposure. With insulin resistance, the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. It can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. "Passive cigarette smoking" Researchers measured "passive cigarette smoking" by how much cotinine they found in the blood of participants. Cotinine is a substance related to nicotine that measures a person's exposure to tobacco smoke.

Illegal Tobacco Business, Alarming News

The extraordinary increase in illicit tobacco business in the country has rung alarm bells in higher echelons of authority. An urgent need to check its rampant growth has been acknowledged by the tax authorities. According to sources there has been an increase of 11 percent in illegal cigarette trade during last one year, bringing losses worth billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

Secondhand Smoke Ordinance, the Buellton City

The Buellton City Council gave first approval to a law that snuffs out smoking in most public places. By a 4-1 vote, the council on May 24 voted to ban smoking within 20 feet of businesses and at bus stops and transit centers, in retail and service lines, in 75% of outdoor dining areas and other places. The ban would not apply to outdoor seating sections of bars.