Tobacco Use in Mizoram, Tobacco Control

Tobacco consumption in Mizoram is way above the national average, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2009-10. The report shows the following statistics of consumption of tobacco and smoking in Mizoram–Male (tobacco) – 72.5 %, Female – 61.6 %; Male (Smoking) – 59.4 %, Female – 19 %. The statistics of overall in India reads- Male (tobacco) – 47.9 %, Female – 20.3 % ; Male (Smoking)– 24.3 %, Female – 2.9 %. The ‘Fact Sheet’ showing Mizoram status was opened yesterday at a programme organised by Mizoram State Tobacco Control Society (MSTCS) at I & PR Conference Hall in the presence of Esther Lalruatkimi, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department as well as Chairman of MSTCS . “It is shameful to see the status of Mizoram as shown by the Survey. It testifies the high rate of smoking and tobacco consumption in Mizoram. The statistics shown by the Survey is true and reliable, therefore we can make useful of it to find a better ways and strategies in fighting against tobacco and smoking,” Lalruatkimi said.

Less Tobacco Use in Turkey

The use of tobacco products is going down in Turkey. While 31.3 percent of people aged 15 and above were using tobacco products in 2008, this number has fallen to 27 percent in 2012, according to data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). According to TÜİK’s 2012 Global Adult Tobacco Study, tobacco usage among the male population has fallen the most drastically. Male usage has dropped 6.5 points among men and only 2.1 points, among women, according to the study. Still, more men smoke than women. In 2008, 47.8 percent of men smoked and 15.2 percent of women. The 2012 figures show that 41.4 percent of men were smokers, while 13.1 percent of women were.

Hospital Campus Will Become Smoke-Free

A ban on the use of tobacco products anywhere on the Methodist Hospital campus takes effect Jan. 1. This includes parking lots, hospital vehicles and employees’ personal vehicles parked on the premises. Employees are prohibited from using tobacco products during working hours. Hospital leaders say the new policy reflects the hospital’s mission. “We are eliminating tobacco use on our properties to provide a healthy and safe environment for employees, patients and visitors and to promote positive health behaviors,” said Methodist Hospital CEO and President Dan Ausman..

People Smoke Less Cigarettes and More Cigars

Higher taxes drove a significant number of Americans away from cigarettes last year, according to a new study from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But instead of quitting, many of those smokers shifted to other sources of tobacco that are not taxed as heavily. Cigarette use declined by 2.5% between 2010 and 2011, the new study reveals, while consumption of other forms of smoked tobacco such as cigars and homemade cigarettes rose more than 17%. Since 2000, cigarette use has dropped by 33% while use of non-cigarette products rose 123%, with the biggest increase coming since a 2009 hike in federal cigarette taxes – which exempts cigars and loose tobacco. The lobbying arm of the American Cancer Society responded to the numbers by calling yesterday for the government to close that tax loophole, which the society said undermines cessation efforts and deprives the government of money. “The CDC’s data clearly demonstrate that the disparity in tax treatment of tobacco products is undercutting our ability to effectively reduce tobacco use and save lives,” Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in a statement.

Tobacco Use in Norcross City Banned

The Norcross city council has voted to rescind the citywide tobacco ban. CBS Atlanta reports that the ban was supposed to go into effect Monday. But the council voted unanimously to scrap the entire ordinance, which would have banned all tobacco use in the city. The council members in February passed a new ordinance banning smoking in Norcross, meaning no smoking on sidewalks downtown, at city hall and in public parks. Residents spoke out against the ban during the public comment part of Monday's council meeting. Council member Ross Kaul says he might consider a more focused ban at some point in the future.

Smoking Ban in Parks Not Enough

An alderman proposing a ban on tobacco use in Spring Hill parks will now target smoking only. Alderman Keith Hudson’s proposal last month also made it a minor municipal offense to use smokeless tobacco in a park within the city. But he made clear at Monday night’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen work session that he wants to focus only on smoking and he’ll bring forward an amendment at the June 18 regular meeting.

Cigarette Tax Hike and Tobacco Use

Every year, it seems, the Idaho Legislature is faced with a smoldering question: should the state cigarette tax be raised? There has been a push again this year by health organizations and other groups to raise the tax on smokes sold in Idaho by another $1.25. And, if you believe Idaho Medical Association CEO Susie Pouliot, almost three-quarters of Idaho voters support that. The current Idaho cigarette tax is 57 cents a pack, the lowest in the region. In addition to the survey showing broad public support, advocates are armed with other statistical claims, among them: n A recent study indicates tobacco use costs Idaho more than $300 million a year in health care-related costs. n Increasing the cost of cigarettes will prevent 12,500 Idaho youth from taking up smoking.

Albertans favour higher tobacco tax

Premier Alison Redford would have the support of most Albertans if she raises tobacco taxes in the upcoming provincial budget, according to a new poll. An online survey by Ipsos Reid, which polled 809 Albertans between Dec. 20 and 26, indicated that 70 per cent of the respondents support a $2-per-pack tax increase on best Ritm cigarettes if the proceeds are used to reduce tobacco use and promote healthy living. An increase in the cigarette tax could bring down smoking rates in Alberta, particularly among youths, said Candace Nykiforuk of the Alberta Policy Coalition of Chronic Disease Prevention and an assistant professor of public health at the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Sower Progress Toward Reducing Teen Tobacco Use

Tobacco use by teens decreased at a slower rate between 2008 and 2011 and more than 50 percent of high-schoolers are still exposed to secondhand smoke The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today (Monday, Dec. 5) released new information showing that after a decade of sharp declines in tobacco use among teens, progress is slowing. In addition, more than 50 percent of high school students are still exposed to secondhand smoke, despite the passage of the Freedom to Breathe Act in 2007. Equally concerning is that the use of menthol cigarettes has more than doubled among teen smokers since 2000. These findings are included in the report, Teens and Tobacco in Minnesota 2011; Results from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey. “We’ve made great progress in reducing tobacco use since 2000, but the most recent findings in this new report give us little to celebrate,” said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “We are failing our youth when you consider that they use tobacco at higher rates than adults and are still being exposed to secondhand smoke. We are setting them up for a future of tobacco-related illness and premature death.”

Tobacco has a Lifetime Consequences for Kids

In my job at the Summit Community Care Clinic, parents every day tell me they feel alone in their fight to protect kids from tobacco and other substance abuse. And the fight becomes even harder when the big tobacco companies come into our county targeting children with their colorful, trendy products designed to entice kids to buy. It's not just about cigarettes anymore, either. Now, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds are test-marketing dissolvable tobacco products that come in the form of orbs, sticks and strips — including right here in Summit County. I am very worried about kids using these products at a younger and younger age. These products look like candy and are very colorful and attractive. They are intended for children and youth consumption.