Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2025. Half the people that smoke today -that is about 650 million people- will eventually be killed by tobacco.
Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases, tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are alive due to increased sickness. A 1994 report estimated that the use of tobacco resulted in an annual global net loss of US$ 200 thousand million, a third of this loss being in developing countries.
Tobacco and poverty are inextricably linked. Many studies have shown that in the poorest households in some low-income countries as much as 10% of total household expenditure is on tobacco. This means that these families have less money to spend on basic items such as food, education and health care. In addition to its direct health effects, tobacco leads to malnutrition, increased health care costs and premature death. It also contributes to a higher illiteracy rate, since money that could have been used for education is spent on tobacco instead. Tobacco's role in exacerbating poverty has been largely ignored by researchers in both fields.
Experience has shown that there are many cost-effective tobacco control measures that can be used in different settings and that can have a significant impact on tobacco consumption. The most cost-effective strategies are population-wide public policies, like bans on direct and indirect tobacco advertising, tobacco tax and price increases, smoke-free environments in all public and workplaces, and large clear graphic health messages on tobacco packaging. All these measures are discussed on the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tobacco Free Initiative
WHO/Noncommunicable Disease and Mental Health
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 791 2126
Fax: + 41 22 791 4832
E-mail: tfi@who.int
media contact : Medical Center News Office , (919) 684-4148
dukemednews@contact.duke.edu
DURHAM, N.C. -- Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the Durham V.A. Medical Center say the psychological impact of taking even a single puff of a cigarette on a pre-set "quit day" means a smoker will probably go back to smoking within six months.
The researchers studied 200 smokers who wanted to quit and concluded that people who can't go "cold turkey" likely have a high physiological nicotine craving and probably won't be successful quitting on their own with nicotine patches.
"Few studies have been done to determine which smokers are more likely to benefit from nicotine patches," said Dr. Eric Westman, the study's lead author. "This is important because a failed quit attempt can be demoralizing and discourage many people from trying again. As physicians, we need to be able to give our patients the best shot at quitting. This study is a step in that direction."
Although nicotine skin patches double the chances of long-term success quitting smoking, only about one in four smokers who use the patch is still smoke free after six months. Westman, assistant professor medicine at Duke and medical director of the Duke-V.A. Nicotine Research Program, and colleagues Frederique Behm, Dr. David Simel and Jed Rose, co-inventor of the nicotine skin patch, reported their findings in the Feb. 10, 1997, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Based on their findings, the researchers propose a simple one-day observational test to identify which smokers are more likely to be successful quitting smoking using nicotine skin patches. The study was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"We found that people who smoke on their quit day are much more likely to go back to smoking within six months," said Westman. "This finding contradicts the common idea that people can cheat, even just a little, and still quit smoking. Our findings indicate that setting a definite quit date, and sticking to it, is important for long-term success."
In addition, Westman notes, knowing nicotine patches may not work can save patients considerable money. Over-the-counter nicotine patches cost an average of $4 a day or $220 for an eight-week treatment.
Previous studies used a two-week trial period to determine which smokers are likely to be successful quitting smoking using a nicotine patch, at an average cost of $56. The Duke study narrows that window to one day, which could save the smoker both money and frustration.
"If the smoker still craves cigarettes using a single patch after one day, a physician could suggest adding a second patch, or suggest a more intensive method," said Westman.
The researchers conducted two sequential studies with healthy smokers who smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day and wanted to quit smoking. The smokers selected a quit date two weeks in advance to prepare themselves for the quit attempt. Smokers completed a daily diary of the number of cigarettes smoked, and any withdrawal symptoms and cravings they experienced. Any self-reported smoking, even one puff, was counted as smoking in the analysis.
They found 25 percent of people were still not smoking after six months, which is comparable to other such studies. Of these, only 3 of 31 had smoked on the quit date. Conversely, 106 of 173 people who failed had smoked on the quit date. When the researchers combined smoking on the quit date and nicotine craving, they found of those who smoked on the quit date and also had a high nicotine craving, 98 percent were back to smoking after six months.
Based on their findings, the researchers have developed a simple series of questions to guide smokers and their doctors in determining if nicotine patches are for them.
Did the person smoke on the quit date? If so, the odds of being smoke free at six months are tenfold less than if he or she had not smoked on the quit date. For example, if a person's chances of quitting smoking at six months is one in four, it is one in 40 if the person smokes on the quit date. Does the person smoking have a high or low nicotine craving? If cravings are low, the person has a fourfold better chance of success. The study showed that among smokers who didn't smoke on the quit date, 41 percent of the low-craving group were still smoke-free after six months, versus only 18 percent of the high-craving group.
The researchers measured nicotine dependence by asking questions such as how many cigarettes they smoke, how often, and how early in the morning they have their first cigarette.
Media Release
Thursday, 30th May 2002
Sky City workers will take to the streets of downtown Auckland tomorrow evening garnering public support for their demand that Sky City become a smoke-free casino.
The petition, which asks signatories to declare their support for the right of Sky City staff to:
"work in a smoke-free environment due to the scientifically proven hazards of second-hand smoke, and their wish for Sky City staff to not be exposed to chemicals in their working environment which cause illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and contributes to the on-going affects of asthma and other respiratory problems",
has already gathered thousands of signatures from Sky City customers in the few weeks it has been circulating.
"The workers have been reporting to us over number of years now deterioration in their health as a result of second-hand smoke. Complaints such as adult onset asthma, breathing difficulties and reoccurring sickness are common among the gaming floor staff", said Darien Fenton, National Secretary of the Service & Food Workers Union, the union that represents casino workers.
"Recent publicity from patrons complaining about smoke and smoking in the casino has focused media attention to the issue. But customers only visit the casino – what about the poor workers who are surrounded by it 8-12 hours at a time?"
"You can put up bigger 'No Smoking' signs and be stricter about enforcement in the non-smoking areas as the Health Department has recently recommended the Casino do, but that doesn't stop smoke drift."
The workers also want to see the Government follow the lead of the New South Wales Federal government, which has passed legislation banning smoking in its casinos, with no adverse downturn in business.
The workers will present their petition to Sky City management in the coming weeks.
For comment from Sky City workers contact casino organiser Nadine Rae – Tel: 375 2683 ext 822 or 021 507 092.
For further SFWU comment contact Ms Darien Fenton on –
0274 360 089 (mobile) or 09 810 9226.
As a friend or family member of a pregnant smoker who is trying to quit, here are some things you can do to help:
For you, the best way to help a pregnant smoker when they are trying to quit is to be supportive.
Congratulate her on her decision—Quitting smoking is the best thing she can do to improve her health as well as her baby’s. Tell her to talk with her prenatal care doctor, who may be able to provide counseling proven to double or triple quit rates.
If you smoke, tt will help if you avoid smoking around her or in the house. If this won’t work for family members, make certain rooms in the house, including the baby’s room, smoke-free.
More help is available through the Great Start Quitline, 1-866-66-START. The toll-free Quitline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is managed by the American Cancer Society. The Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies phone line also offers help, 1-800-311-BABY (English) or 1-800-504-7081 (Spanish).
You can also download products from Smoke-Free Families that will help:
Our booklet, Need help putting out that cigarette?, includes benefits of quitting for you and your baby, ways to prepare to quit, setting a quit date, how to handle "slips" and tips for after the baby is born.
This full-color, 28-page booklet is available in pdf format; a sample copy may be ordered by calling Smoke-Free Families at 919-843-7663 or emailing us at smokefreefamilies@unc.edu.
Also, you can dowload a copy of a two-page guide that includes information about the benefits of quitting, offers tips for quitting, and helps you create a quit plan. You Can Quit Smoking: Support and Advice from Your Prenatal Care Provider is produced by the U.S. Public Health Service and Smoke-Free Families.
This guide is available in pdf format from this site in English or Spanish.
The contribution of tobacco to death and disease is well documented. Less attention is given to the ways in which tobacco increases poverty.
Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases, tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are alive due to increased sickness. A 1994 report estimated that the use of tobacco resulted in an annual global net loss of US$ 200 thousand million, a third of this loss being in developing countries.
More of an expose of the smoking cult' HERE: