Elected officials must get it, too
Editor
Apr 24, 2012
Kids say the darndest things — and some of the smartest, too.
When Linda Kelsch’s third grade students at Linton Elementary School in Linton, North Dakota, were asked to express their opinions about a community issue, they chose to write about a proposal before the City Council to require smoke-free public places and work places.
Continue reading The Kids Get It: Secondhand Smoke Kills
posted April 24, 2012
Big bucks will spread big lies about cigarette tax initiative
Editor
Mar 6, 2012
Big tobacco companies already have coughed up nearly $15 million to try to kill a California ballot initiative that would boost the state's cigarette tax by $1 to fund cancer research and tobacco-prevention programs.
"Shame on them," says Dr. Richard Gray, president of the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate. "But we aren’t surprised — they will always put their profits before the health of millions of Californians."
Continue reading Big Tobacco Bankrolls Fight Against California Measure to Reduce Smoking, Save Lives
posted March 06, 2012
Pamper your heart by quitting smoking and helping loved ones quit
Editor
Feb 14, 2012
Tired of chocolates? Are flowers all too forgettable?
Give the enduring gift of better heart health by quitting smoking or encouraging a loved one to quit this Valentine’s Day.
In addition to causing cancer and respiratory diseases, smoking is also a leading cause of heart disease. In fact, about 130,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease every year are attributable to smoking, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 26 percent of heart attacks and 12-19 percent of strokes are attributable to smoking, the CDC says.
Continue reading Show the Love on Valentine’s Day
posted February 14, 2012
Smoke-free laws influence smokers to keep smoking in check
Editor
Feb 7, 2012
The percentage of teens exposed to secondhand smoke in cars has declined significantly, yet more than a fifth of non-smoking middle and high school students are exposed to smoke in vehicles, putting them at risk of disease including acute respiratory and ear infections, delayed lung growth and more severe asthma attacks.
Continue reading Despite Progress, Teens Still Exposed to Secondhand Smoke in Cars
posted February 07, 2012
Reduced smoking and better screening save lives
Editor
Jan 6, 2012
Deaths from cancer continue to decline, pushed downward by critical prevention strategies, especially progress against smoking. The American Cancer Society’s annual report on cancer statistics says better screening and treatment also play a role.
Continue reading Prevention Drives Drop in Cancer Deaths
posted January 06, 2012
Camacho Cigars and smoking lounges have no place in sports
Editor
Dec 20, 2011
Ten national public health and medical groups have called on the Orange Bowl Committee and the NCAA to cancel a cigar company sponsorship of the marquee college football game to prevent tobacco marketing at one of the nation’s premier sporting events.
Davidoff of Geneva, parent company of Camacho Cigars, last week announced that it has signed a three-year deal making Camacho Cigars a corporate sponsor of the Orange Bowl Festival, which includes the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Discover Orange Bowls, the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game and related fan events. The 2013 Discover BCS National Championship game will draw particularly intense fan interest and media attention.
Continue reading Orange Bowl Must Drop Tobacco Sponsorship
posted December 20, 2011
Tobacco use still responsible for one of five deaths in U.S.
Editor
Dec 9, 2011
Slow progress in bringing smoking rates down, coupled with dramatic increases in obesity and diabetes, mean the nation's overall health didn't improve in the past year.
United Health Foundation’s annual report, America’s Health Rankings, ranks states based on progress in fighting the causes of chronic diseases that are overburdening the health care system and driving up costs. States that showed the most improvement this year were New York and New Jersey — both of which advanced because of strides in reducing smoking.
Continue reading Let’s Get Healthier: Take Action for Change
posted December 09, 2011
Countries act to reduce smoking, protect everyone from secondhand smoke
Marina Carter, International Press Secretary
Nov 18, 2011
Marking five years of significant achievements in global tobacco control, Bloomberg Philanthropies has released a report on the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use that shows ground-breaking progress in reducing tobacco use and protecting everyone from secondhand smoke.
Continue reading Bloomberg Philanthropies Reports Progress in Fighting Global Tobacco Epidemic
posted November 18, 2011
A step forward in nation of “smoking baby” and severe epidemic
Editor
Nov 9, 2011
Indonesia's Constitutional Court has upheld critical tobacco control related aspects of the country's 2009 Health Law, affirming that tobacco is indeed addictive and making it clear that pictorial warnings on cigarette packs are required and not just optional.
The ruling came on a challenge to the law backed by tobacco companies, which are politically powerful and have aggressively fought efforts to reduce tobacco use. The Indonesian government has lagged in implementing the law, bowing to the clout of tobacco interests.
Continue reading Court Upholds Key Indonesian Tobacco-Control Laws
posted November 09, 2011
Chan says countries must stand together to thwart efforts to block anti-smoking measures
Editor
Oct 12, 2011
World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has accused the tobacco industry of dirty tricks and unethical behavior in its latest efforts to challenge tobacco-control laws and policies around the world.
Continue reading WHO Chief Slams Big Tobacco’s Big Money and “Dirty Tricks”
posted October 12, 2011
CDC study says employers can help reduce smoking, saving lives and money
Editor
Sep 30, 2011
While the United States has made huge progress in reducing smoking, not all Americans are benefiting equally. Where you work can make a big difference in whether you smoke — and how healthy you are.
Continue reading Where You Work Affects Whether You Smoke
posted September 30, 2011
In country of smoking baby, tobacco giant targets young men with outrageous billboard
Editor
Aug 30, 2011
From Philip Morris International’s Indonesian subsidiary Sampoerna comes a new billboard with a jaw-dropping slogan: "Dying is better than leaving a friend. Sampoerna is a cool friend."
See it in the full post.
Continue reading Philip Morris International Suggests Cigarettes are “a Cool Friend” for Indonesians
posted August 30, 2011
Celebrate July 4th holiday with commitment to be free of nicotine
Editor
Jul 1, 2011
Fireworks can be transformed from a patriotic tradition into a personal celebration of freedom from nicotine for smokers who take steps to quit or get the support they need to break free of cigarettes.
Continue reading Declare Your Independence from Cigarettes
posted July 01, 2011
“Sex, Lies and Cigarettes” documentary airs on Tuesday night
Editor
Jun 24, 2011
Widening its lens beyond the image of Indonesia’s infamous “smoking baby,” Current TV plans to air an hour long documentary Tuesday night that exposes the tobacco industry’s deadly expansion into Indonesia, where it is addicting a new generation and helping to create a global epidemic of deaths caused by tobacco use.
Continue reading For Big Tobacco, Indonesia is the new Marlboro Country
posted June 24, 2011
New, bold warning labels for cigarette packs prod smokers to quit
Editor
Jun 21, 2011
The Food and Drug Administration has unveiled nine bold, graphic health warnings that will be required on cigarette packs and advertisements beginning in September, 2012.
Continue reading Graphic Warning Labels Update
posted June 21, 2011
For Fathers’ Day, help a Dad quit smoking and thank those who already have
Editor
Jun 17, 2011
On Fathers' Day, encourage fathers to lead by example.
Help a Dad quit smoking, or eliminate a family's exposure to deadly secondhand smoke by making the house, the car and other places where the kids gather smoke-free.
Continue reading Fathers Who Know Best Don’t Smoke
posted June 17, 2011
Tennessee Lt. Gov says spending for smoking cessation is “a highly effective use of funds.”
Editor
May 24, 2011
As states from coast to coast continue to struggle with serious budget woes, Tennessee's Lieutenant Governor has a message for them: Using public funds to help smokers covered by state health insurance programs quit is a "no brainer."
Continue reading True Conservatives Know Helping Smokers Quit Saves Money
posted May 24, 2011
HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel takes on smokeless tobacco use in Major League Baseball
Editor
May 17, 2011
An all-star lineup of Major League Baseball notables including Brett Butler, a cancer survivor who played in the majors for 17 seasons, and ESPN analyst and former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, discuss the dangerous use of smokeless tobacco in baseball and its negative impact on young fans on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel tonight.
Continue reading “I Dip Because You Do”
posted May 17, 2011
Encourage her to quit smoking for the gift of better health
Editor
May 6, 2011
Lung cancer — not breast cancer — is the leading cancer killer among women, and smoking causes 80 percent of these deaths.
So there's no better gift for Mom this Mother's Day than giving her the encouragement, support and information she needs to help her stop smoking.
Continue reading Need a Last Minute Gift for Mom?
posted May 06, 2011
Country with sky-high smoking rates shows strong support for government action
Editor
Apr 27, 2011
Health ministers from around the world are meeting in Moscow this week to discuss the growing global health threat from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer and heart disease. Russia’s severe tobacco epidemic makes it a case study in NCDs.
The good news is that the Russian public strongly supports effective solutions: Eight in ten Russians — including nearly two-thirds of daily smokers — support a national tobacco control policy to help reduce tobacco use.
Continue reading Russian Public Enthusiastic about Tobacco Control as Health Leaders Meet
posted April 27, 2011
Tobacco linked to major non-communicable diseases that cause two out of three deaths
Editor
Apr 7, 2011
Tobacco use is a risk factor for all major categories of non-communicable diseases — heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes — and tobacco control must be the "top priority" if the world is to reduce the toll of diseases that now cause two out of every three deaths worldwide, according to a global alliance of scientists and non-governmental organizations.
Continue reading United Nations to Tackle Global Threat from Tobacco-Caused Disease
posted April 07, 2011
Ireland’s national smoke-free law started global trend for better health
Editor
Mar 17, 2011
If you’re having a pint for St. Patrick's Day — and sipping in a smoke-free bar — be sure to tip your hat to Ireland, too.
In March 2004, the Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to implement a comprehensive, nationwide smoke-free law for all workplaces, including restaurants and pubs. At first, there was widespread disbelief that it could happen in a nation where smoking and drinking were so much a part of local culture. Television crews from around the world turned up in Dublin to record what was heralded as a stunning — if uncertain — change.
Continue reading Leprechauns Love Smoke-Free Pubs
posted March 17, 2011
Menthol cigarettes attract youth, African-Americans and may make it harder to quit
Editor
Mar 17, 2011
The tobacco industry’s spin machine has gone into overdrive as we near the March 23 deadline for an Food and Drug Administration science advisory committee to issue a report on menthol cigarettes.
It's trying to convince the media — and nervous investors — that the committee will find menthol does not make cigarettes any more harmful, and nothing should be done about it.
Continue reading Panel on Menthol Sees Through Tobacco Industry’s Smoke
posted March 17, 2011
A baker’s dozen of lobbyists work to thwart health gains
Editor
Mar 14, 2011
In the spirit of Nick Naylor, the fictitious tobacco-industry lobbyist lampooned in the 2005 film Thank You for Smoking, lobbyists seeking to keep Oklahoma cities and towns from setting their own smoke-free policies are enjoying a business boom.
The Oklahoman reports that big tobacco companies have hired at least 13 lobbyists to try to defeat legislation that would let cities regulate smoking in public places.
Continue reading Smoke-Free Battle in Oklahoma Shows How Far Big Tobacco Will Go to Protect Profits
posted March 14, 2011
Even the smoking baby knows better
Editor
Mar 2, 2011
Thousands of international, scientific studies have proved the addictive power of nicotine, the essential element in tobacco products that gets people hooked and keeps them using a product that kills them.
That arresting video of a chain-smoking Indonesian toddler that went viral on the Web last year was clear and disturbing proof that this potent drug can work its deadly grip on anyone, of any age.
Continue reading Tobacco Supporters in Indonesia Still Say It’s Not Addictive
posted March 02, 2011
Hollywood must stop promoting cigarettes to kids
Editor
Feb 25, 2011
Tinsel Town and tobacco have a long and unhealthy relationship. Movies often glamorize smoking and in years past, the tobacco companies paid millions to film producers to get their brands placed on screen.
Society's attitudes about smoking have changed a lot over the past few decades. Hollywood's? Not so much.
Continue reading Why doesn’t Oscar® Quit?
posted February 25, 2011
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