The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday urged a federal judge in Kentucky not to order the agency to delay enforcing new tobacco laws, saying such a move would have "devastating consequences" on public health.
The FDA is facing a challenge to its new tobacco powers, signed into law in June, from tobacco companies including Camel cigarette maker Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) and Commonwealth Brands Inc. The companies say the law imposes unprecedented restrictions on their First Amendment rights and want a federal court in Bowling Green, Ky., to order a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of certain provisions in the regulations.
A judge for the District Court for the Western District of Kentucky heard from the FDA and the tobacco companies Thursday on the request for an injunction. He could soon decide whether to grant the injunction.
The law restricts tobacco companies from using color in most ads, bars them from saying certain products are less risky than others and stops them from selling tobacco products in combination with other items, such as soda and mouthwash.
"It is crucial to the public health that tobacco products not be marketed as reduced-risk products unless they will, in fact, reduce risks," the FDA said in a brief filed with the court.
The injunction request relates only to the restrictions on marketing tobacco products with other consumer items, and restrictions against advertising that a tobacco product is less risky than other tobacco products. Restrictions on color in ads don't go into effect until June 2010.
The companies want to be able to make claims in ads and on boxes that certain tobacco products contain smaller amounts of harmful ingredients, such as being low in tar, and are, therefore, less risky than other tobacco products.
This issue is important to companies that make smokeless tobacco products. Reynolds, for instance, makes Camel Snus, a type of tobacco that comes in a pouch in flavors like "frost" and "mellow."
In their briefing documents, the companies argue that such information is truthful and should be given to consumers.
The FDA says such information gives consumers the "mistaken belief" that the products are safe to use. The agency will allow companies to make such claims only after they prove the product does reduce a consumers risk for tobacco-related diseases. That appears to be a high hurdle. The agency notes that medical devices and prescription drugs must go through a rigorous review process before they can be sold to treat or reduce the risk of disease.
The companies say they aren't completely against the FDA authority to regulate tobacco, and that they support restrictions in marketing and advertising to children.
While Lorillard Inc. (LO) is a party to the overall lawsuit challenging the advertising restrictions imposed by the law, it isn't a party to the preliminary injunction, according to a company spokesman. The company says it didn't join the request for injunction because it doesn't intend to market tobacco products with claims that they are less risky than other tobacco products.
пятница, 9 октября 2009 г.
среда, 7 октября 2009 г.
Cancer Society smoking cessation trainer course
The Cayman Islands Cancer Society is offering a stop smoking “Train the Facilitator” course, in its continued efforts to help tobacco users break the habit.
The seminar will be taught by Dr. Elbert Glover, the developer of the StartSmart™ Stop Smoking programme at the Governors Square boardroom at 9am on Saturday, 24th October.
According to the Cancer Society’s release, the course is suitable for medical practitioners and those in allied professions as well as other individuals who have an interest in helping persons to quit smoking.
The seminar will cost $50 per person and includes all materials. Participants will be asked to make a commitment to assist the Society in offering the StartSmart™ programme to the public on completion of training.
A maximum of 20 people can take part and pre–registration is required. Interested persons can visit or contact the Society at 114 Maple Road between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, to pay and reserve their space.
The advisory added that research has shown that a combination of behavioural modification and drug therapy intervention results in the most successful quit attempts. The components of the programme include information on developing an individualised assessment plan for each client using a combination of group support sessions and pharmaceutical adjuncts as well as relapse prevention.
While in Cayman, Dr. Glover will also address students in schools and conduct a workshop for medical professionals. The workshop on Friday 23rd October from 6ppm to 9pm at the Hibiscus Conference Room will provide attendees with CME credits. While there is no charge for the workshop, pre–registration is required as refreshments will be served.
In making the announcement of Dr. Glover’s visit, the Society’s Medical Director, Dr. Sook Yin, said: “With the impending introduction of the Tobacco Act, (at the end of October), there has never been a better time for health professionals and others in the community to… help their patients, family, friends and colleagues quit this addictive and often deadly habit.”
The seminar will be taught by Dr. Elbert Glover, the developer of the StartSmart™ Stop Smoking programme at the Governors Square boardroom at 9am on Saturday, 24th October.
According to the Cancer Society’s release, the course is suitable for medical practitioners and those in allied professions as well as other individuals who have an interest in helping persons to quit smoking.
The seminar will cost $50 per person and includes all materials. Participants will be asked to make a commitment to assist the Society in offering the StartSmart™ programme to the public on completion of training.
A maximum of 20 people can take part and pre–registration is required. Interested persons can visit or contact the Society at 114 Maple Road between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, to pay and reserve their space.
The advisory added that research has shown that a combination of behavioural modification and drug therapy intervention results in the most successful quit attempts. The components of the programme include information on developing an individualised assessment plan for each client using a combination of group support sessions and pharmaceutical adjuncts as well as relapse prevention.
While in Cayman, Dr. Glover will also address students in schools and conduct a workshop for medical professionals. The workshop on Friday 23rd October from 6ppm to 9pm at the Hibiscus Conference Room will provide attendees with CME credits. While there is no charge for the workshop, pre–registration is required as refreshments will be served.
In making the announcement of Dr. Glover’s visit, the Society’s Medical Director, Dr. Sook Yin, said: “With the impending introduction of the Tobacco Act, (at the end of October), there has never been a better time for health professionals and others in the community to… help their patients, family, friends and colleagues quit this addictive and often deadly habit.”
понедельник, 5 октября 2009 г.
The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Marcos Breton Column: Marcos Breton: DA Out to Pry Funding From First 5 for Abused Kids' Medical Exams
She has to find the money to pay for justice.
The county has no funds to pay for medical exams of children removed from their homes by Child Protective Services.
In the last fiscal year o in cases involving 829 kids under the age of 6 removed from their homes for reasons other than physical abuse o examinations performed at UC Davis Medical Center found physical abuse 55 percent of the time.
And in cases where kids were removed due to allegations of physical abuse, 20 percent of their siblings also were found to show signs of physical abuse.
God bless the children.
The county's cost for the screenings is about $133,000.
You would think someone could find the money. But it won't happen without another performance of the elaborate funding dance of Sacramento government.
It's so old by now. Haven't we all become numb to predictions of the apocalypse if this or that government program is eliminated?
But Scully, who has been in office since 1994, is nothing if not shrewd. She knows there are millions of dollars sitting around unused in Sacramento while government safety nets dissolve.
Let's repeat: There are millions of untapped dollars while local governments are melting down. A reserve of roughly $70 million is controlled by the First 5 Sacramento Commission.
The commission is made up of local bureaucrats headed by county Supervisor Roger Dickinson. They control the local share of statewide tobacco tax money used to fund education, health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5. This tax was approved by California voters in 1998 when they passed Proposition 10, the brainchild of film director Rob Reiner.
But like other do-gooder taxes, millions in First 5 money accumulates like bills in the bank vaults of celebrities. On Monday, Scully is going to ask First 5 Sacramento to peel off a sliver of its stockpile to fund CPS medical examinations for abused kids.
"The screenings fit right into their mission statement of commitment," Scully said.
Why not? In June, First 5 allocated $5,000 for monthly water play-dates and children's dance at Southside Park. They subsidized a block party, an ice cream social, a park play day and a movie night in east Sacramento for $4,000.
In January, Republican lawmakers took aim at First 5 for funding belly dance classes for pregnant women in San Diego.
Scully has a point: "We haven't asked First 5 to be accountable."
It starts Monday, at a First 5 meeting scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers.
These meetings are often held in obscurity. It's time to shine a bright light on all that First 5 money and how it's being spent o or not o amid so much need.
The county has no funds to pay for medical exams of children removed from their homes by Child Protective Services.
In the last fiscal year o in cases involving 829 kids under the age of 6 removed from their homes for reasons other than physical abuse o examinations performed at UC Davis Medical Center found physical abuse 55 percent of the time.
And in cases where kids were removed due to allegations of physical abuse, 20 percent of their siblings also were found to show signs of physical abuse.
God bless the children.
The county's cost for the screenings is about $133,000.
You would think someone could find the money. But it won't happen without another performance of the elaborate funding dance of Sacramento government.
It's so old by now. Haven't we all become numb to predictions of the apocalypse if this or that government program is eliminated?
But Scully, who has been in office since 1994, is nothing if not shrewd. She knows there are millions of dollars sitting around unused in Sacramento while government safety nets dissolve.
Let's repeat: There are millions of untapped dollars while local governments are melting down. A reserve of roughly $70 million is controlled by the First 5 Sacramento Commission.
The commission is made up of local bureaucrats headed by county Supervisor Roger Dickinson. They control the local share of statewide tobacco tax money used to fund education, health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5. This tax was approved by California voters in 1998 when they passed Proposition 10, the brainchild of film director Rob Reiner.
But like other do-gooder taxes, millions in First 5 money accumulates like bills in the bank vaults of celebrities. On Monday, Scully is going to ask First 5 Sacramento to peel off a sliver of its stockpile to fund CPS medical examinations for abused kids.
"The screenings fit right into their mission statement of commitment," Scully said.
Why not? In June, First 5 allocated $5,000 for monthly water play-dates and children's dance at Southside Park. They subsidized a block party, an ice cream social, a park play day and a movie night in east Sacramento for $4,000.
In January, Republican lawmakers took aim at First 5 for funding belly dance classes for pregnant women in San Diego.
Scully has a point: "We haven't asked First 5 to be accountable."
It starts Monday, at a First 5 meeting scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers.
These meetings are often held in obscurity. It's time to shine a bright light on all that First 5 money and how it's being spent o or not o amid so much need.
четверг, 1 октября 2009 г.
State cuts Tobacco Quit Line funding despite tax increases
Starting Thursday, smokers with health insurance who call the state Quit Line for help kicking their habit will get less help, the result of a 55 percent cut in state funding to smoking cessation and anti-smoking programs.
In spite of soaring state cigarette taxes, the Quit Line's funding was slashed by two-thirds - from $3.7 million a year to $1.2 million - as part of the broad cuts implemented in the 2009-11 budget signed by Gov. Jim Doyle to help solve the state's massive deficit. Total funding for anti-tobacco programs was cut from $15.3 million a year to $6.9 million.
The cuts follow a 75-cent increase in the cigarette tax on Sept. 1 that brought the state tax to $2.52 per pack, and also follows a $1-per-pack increase in 2008 - moves made to help solve budget deficits.
Maureen Busalacchi, executive director of SmokeFree Wisconsin, said more resources are needed by smokers motivated to quit by both the tax increase and a state smoking ban on bars and restaurants going into effect on July 5, 2010.
"When people need the resources most, we'll be least able to help them," Busalacchi said.
The Quit Line previously offered four sessions of follow-up calls to state smokers who call seeking to kick the habit, along with two weeks of a free nicotine patch or nicotine gum, at a total cost of $323 for callers who use all those services, said Moira Harrington, spokeswoman for the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, which oversees the Quit Line.
The Quit Line, operated by a company in Seattle, still will offer the same level of service to smokers with no health coverage or with state Medicaid coverage for the poor, she said. But smokers with private health insurance now will receive one follow-up call and the nicotine replacement items, said Harrington, who couldn't rule out additional cuts in services.
"It's not a decision we made lightly," she said. "We've just had to make a hard choice."
Dr. Michael Fiore, director of the center, said research showed more follow-up counseling sessions with smokers was more effective in helping them quit.
State Department of Health Services spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said smokers with private health insurance still will be able to make repeat calls to the Quit Line. But now the responsibility is on the smokers to call, instead of the counselors making follow-up calls to the smoker.
"This means we will make the best use of limited Quit Line resources and maximize access to smoking cessation services through private insurance," Marquis said
Other cuts to state tobacco control programs included:
• Overall programs to help people quit smoking, including the Quit Line and programs aimed at pregnant mothers, fall from $5 million a year to $1.8 million.
• Training and technical assistance for those working to reduce smoking drop from $1.5 million in 2009 to $505,000 in 2010.
• Anti-tobacco programs aimed at minorities drop from $1.3 million to $752,000 and programs aimed at teens will drop from $928,500 to $390,000.
• Anti-smoking advertising falls from $835,000 to $430,000.
Busalacchi said she supports a bill by Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, that would provide more than $2 million in additional money for anti-tobacco efforts. The bill would do so by rolling back a recent increase in how much of the cigarette tax can be kept by wholesale tobacco sellers to cover the costs of collecting the tax for the state and placing tax stamps on cigarette packages.
A representative of the industry, which opposes the bill, could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
In spite of soaring state cigarette taxes, the Quit Line's funding was slashed by two-thirds - from $3.7 million a year to $1.2 million - as part of the broad cuts implemented in the 2009-11 budget signed by Gov. Jim Doyle to help solve the state's massive deficit. Total funding for anti-tobacco programs was cut from $15.3 million a year to $6.9 million.
The cuts follow a 75-cent increase in the cigarette tax on Sept. 1 that brought the state tax to $2.52 per pack, and also follows a $1-per-pack increase in 2008 - moves made to help solve budget deficits.
Maureen Busalacchi, executive director of SmokeFree Wisconsin, said more resources are needed by smokers motivated to quit by both the tax increase and a state smoking ban on bars and restaurants going into effect on July 5, 2010.
"When people need the resources most, we'll be least able to help them," Busalacchi said.
The Quit Line previously offered four sessions of follow-up calls to state smokers who call seeking to kick the habit, along with two weeks of a free nicotine patch or nicotine gum, at a total cost of $323 for callers who use all those services, said Moira Harrington, spokeswoman for the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, which oversees the Quit Line.
The Quit Line, operated by a company in Seattle, still will offer the same level of service to smokers with no health coverage or with state Medicaid coverage for the poor, she said. But smokers with private health insurance now will receive one follow-up call and the nicotine replacement items, said Harrington, who couldn't rule out additional cuts in services.
"It's not a decision we made lightly," she said. "We've just had to make a hard choice."
Dr. Michael Fiore, director of the center, said research showed more follow-up counseling sessions with smokers was more effective in helping them quit.
State Department of Health Services spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said smokers with private health insurance still will be able to make repeat calls to the Quit Line. But now the responsibility is on the smokers to call, instead of the counselors making follow-up calls to the smoker.
"This means we will make the best use of limited Quit Line resources and maximize access to smoking cessation services through private insurance," Marquis said
Other cuts to state tobacco control programs included:
• Overall programs to help people quit smoking, including the Quit Line and programs aimed at pregnant mothers, fall from $5 million a year to $1.8 million.
• Training and technical assistance for those working to reduce smoking drop from $1.5 million in 2009 to $505,000 in 2010.
• Anti-tobacco programs aimed at minorities drop from $1.3 million to $752,000 and programs aimed at teens will drop from $928,500 to $390,000.
• Anti-smoking advertising falls from $835,000 to $430,000.
Busalacchi said she supports a bill by Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, that would provide more than $2 million in additional money for anti-tobacco efforts. The bill would do so by rolling back a recent increase in how much of the cigarette tax can be kept by wholesale tobacco sellers to cover the costs of collecting the tax for the state and placing tax stamps on cigarette packages.
A representative of the industry, which opposes the bill, could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.
вторник, 29 сентября 2009 г.
Partners of tobacco trading firm charged with Rs 85 lakh graft
ANAND: Three partners of a tobacco trading firm from Umreth town of the district has been accused of Rs 85 lakh graft. As per a complaint at Umreth police station on Sunday, the traders, all of one family, have left the country after the fraud.
Police said, that partners of Ashabhai Gopalbhai and Sons, a tobacco trading firm in Umreth, had taken a loan of Rs 85 lakh from Central Bank of India branch of the town against an equally valued stock of tobacco on March 23, 2006.
However, after paying a few instalments, the firm stopped making repayments. Partners Dinesh Amba Patel, Kashi Patel and Sunil Patel allegedly sold off the stock without telling the bank and fled to a foreign country.
As notices sent by the bank went unanswered for a long time, present manager Kalpana Vaidya registered a case of cheating against all three partners at Umreth police station.
Police said, that partners of Ashabhai Gopalbhai and Sons, a tobacco trading firm in Umreth, had taken a loan of Rs 85 lakh from Central Bank of India branch of the town against an equally valued stock of tobacco on March 23, 2006.
However, after paying a few instalments, the firm stopped making repayments. Partners Dinesh Amba Patel, Kashi Patel and Sunil Patel allegedly sold off the stock without telling the bank and fled to a foreign country.
As notices sent by the bank went unanswered for a long time, present manager Kalpana Vaidya registered a case of cheating against all three partners at Umreth police station.
пятница, 25 сентября 2009 г.
Unequal Risks, Unmet Needs. Pacific People And Tobacco In Nz
Little government attention has been given to smoking by Pacific peoples in New Zealand, and there is no specific government plan to deal with this smoking.
Pacific people in New Zealand face increased health risks from tobacco, compared to the overall New Zealand population, because of higher smoking levels (30% Pacific compared to 21% of the whole adult population). Using the most reliable data (from the census) smoking by Pacific women increased from 23% in 1996 to 27% in 2006.
However, research from the University of Otago, Wellington has found some improvements; smoking by Pacific year 10 students, and smoking inside the homes of Pacific students, has declined sharply since 2000.
These are some of the findings from the first review of smoking by Pacific peoples, which has just been published online in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
"We found continued disparities in smoking prevalence between Pacific and other peoples in New Zealand. This disparity has continued despite being well known by government for over 15 years." says lead investigator Tolotea Lanumata, from the Department of Public Health at UOW.
"The situation is made more urgent by the rapid growth of the Pacific population in New Zealand. That population has a young median age, of only 21, and is projected to reach at least 480,000 by 2026."
The research concludes that a central government plan for Pacific tobacco control is required. The researchers found little focus by government on smoking by Pacific peoples, although some DHBs have separately developed specific plans aimed at these groups.
The study, based on an analysis of databases and websites, found that the picture appears more positive for smokefree homes and for Pacific youth. The prevalence of smoking by Pacific year 10 students reduced from 29% to 16% during 1999-2007. However, this decline was much less than for European youth (which in 2007 was at only 9%). Smoking inside Pacific students' homes also declined from 35% to 26% during 2001-2007.
The health consequences of higher smoking levels in Pacific peoples are seen in lung cancer mortality rates which are twice as high for males and 1.4 times higher for females, compared to non/Maori/non Pacific.
Ms Lanumata said that "Because of the continued disparities, there is a need for much better funding of Pacific smokefree services. We also found strong calls for more specific interventions for Pacific Peoples."
Pacific people in New Zealand face increased health risks from tobacco, compared to the overall New Zealand population, because of higher smoking levels (30% Pacific compared to 21% of the whole adult population). Using the most reliable data (from the census) smoking by Pacific women increased from 23% in 1996 to 27% in 2006.
However, research from the University of Otago, Wellington has found some improvements; smoking by Pacific year 10 students, and smoking inside the homes of Pacific students, has declined sharply since 2000.
These are some of the findings from the first review of smoking by Pacific peoples, which has just been published online in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
"We found continued disparities in smoking prevalence between Pacific and other peoples in New Zealand. This disparity has continued despite being well known by government for over 15 years." says lead investigator Tolotea Lanumata, from the Department of Public Health at UOW.
"The situation is made more urgent by the rapid growth of the Pacific population in New Zealand. That population has a young median age, of only 21, and is projected to reach at least 480,000 by 2026."
The research concludes that a central government plan for Pacific tobacco control is required. The researchers found little focus by government on smoking by Pacific peoples, although some DHBs have separately developed specific plans aimed at these groups.
The study, based on an analysis of databases and websites, found that the picture appears more positive for smokefree homes and for Pacific youth. The prevalence of smoking by Pacific year 10 students reduced from 29% to 16% during 1999-2007. However, this decline was much less than for European youth (which in 2007 was at only 9%). Smoking inside Pacific students' homes also declined from 35% to 26% during 2001-2007.
The health consequences of higher smoking levels in Pacific peoples are seen in lung cancer mortality rates which are twice as high for males and 1.4 times higher for females, compared to non/Maori/non Pacific.
Ms Lanumata said that "Because of the continued disparities, there is a need for much better funding of Pacific smokefree services. We also found strong calls for more specific interventions for Pacific Peoples."
среда, 23 сентября 2009 г.
Burglar left trail of cigarette butts
A BUNGLING drug addicted burglar was caught by police after he left a cigarette butt at the scene of every place he raided during a seven-week spree.
James Murphy, 39, who is of no fixed address, gave a family member's address in Buckland to Torbay magistrates and pleaded guilty to a three burglaries and also agreed to four other burglaries being taken into consideration.
Crown prosecutor Simon Jarvis explained two were at second homes in Thurlestone and East Portlemouth in the South Hams, while the third was at an isolated bungalow near Saltash.
Murphy also admitted breaking into two sheds just 40 yards from the house he robbed in East Portlemouth, breaking into another house in East Portlemouth which was 400 yards away, ransacking the dilapidated Palm Court Hotel on Torquay seafront and going back to the Saltash bungalow.
These offences were committed between July 16 and early September explained, Mr Jarvis.
The clerk of court explained a warrant had been issued for Murphy's arrest on September 4.
Mr Jarvis said: "These offences were committed to fund his drug habit, and it is something like seven offences in seven weeks."
The court heard fishing tackle, binoculars, torches, a £3,000 silver cutlery set, a home theatre system, a wrist watch, keys, a laptop computer, two mechanisms from grandfather clocks, three bottles of whiskey, a GPS system, a compass and four boat flares had been taken.
But mitigating, defence solicitor Andrew Cooper called his client 'extremely naive', adding: "He left DNA evidence behind him. I believe that on every occasion they found a cigarette butt with his DNA on it, and so it only required a computer check to find him."
He added that his client had nowhere to live after a relationship broke up and that essentially he was going from 'fix to fix.'
Chairman of the bench Syan Venton said: "We have decide that for these offences of burglary we are going to commit you to the crown court because these offences are so serious that you should receive greater punishment than we can issue, so you will be committed to Plymouth Crown Court."
Murphy was remanded into custody until October 23. The breach matter will be dealt with on November 20 and outstanding fines will dealt with on November 18.
James Murphy, 39, who is of no fixed address, gave a family member's address in Buckland to Torbay magistrates and pleaded guilty to a three burglaries and also agreed to four other burglaries being taken into consideration.
Crown prosecutor Simon Jarvis explained two were at second homes in Thurlestone and East Portlemouth in the South Hams, while the third was at an isolated bungalow near Saltash.
Murphy also admitted breaking into two sheds just 40 yards from the house he robbed in East Portlemouth, breaking into another house in East Portlemouth which was 400 yards away, ransacking the dilapidated Palm Court Hotel on Torquay seafront and going back to the Saltash bungalow.
These offences were committed between July 16 and early September explained, Mr Jarvis.
The clerk of court explained a warrant had been issued for Murphy's arrest on September 4.
Mr Jarvis said: "These offences were committed to fund his drug habit, and it is something like seven offences in seven weeks."
The court heard fishing tackle, binoculars, torches, a £3,000 silver cutlery set, a home theatre system, a wrist watch, keys, a laptop computer, two mechanisms from grandfather clocks, three bottles of whiskey, a GPS system, a compass and four boat flares had been taken.
But mitigating, defence solicitor Andrew Cooper called his client 'extremely naive', adding: "He left DNA evidence behind him. I believe that on every occasion they found a cigarette butt with his DNA on it, and so it only required a computer check to find him."
He added that his client had nowhere to live after a relationship broke up and that essentially he was going from 'fix to fix.'
Chairman of the bench Syan Venton said: "We have decide that for these offences of burglary we are going to commit you to the crown court because these offences are so serious that you should receive greater punishment than we can issue, so you will be committed to Plymouth Crown Court."
Murphy was remanded into custody until October 23. The breach matter will be dealt with on November 20 and outstanding fines will dealt with on November 18.
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