Secondhand Smoking Influence Children's Health

Secondhand Smoking Influence Children's Health

Smoking - The Social Consequences

Smoking - The Social Consequences

Cigarette Usage Among Overweight Females

Cigarette Usage Among Overweight Females

Users of illegal cigarettes brushing off health risk

They are available all over the state

LIKE most smokers, 35-year-old Mohd Wan (not his real name) had an uneasy time balancing his finances to lower his two-packs-a-day smoking habit, more so since he works and lives in the city,   where the cost of living is higher.
"I have been smoking for the past 13 years and have seen premium cigarette brands double in cost, from RM5.20 for a pack of 20s in the early 2000s to RM12 now," he said in the city centre recently.
But, for the past two years, the sales executive has spent less money when smoking his favourite American brand.
"My cigarettes sell for RM6 a pack. At times, it can also cost as low as RM5.70 a pack, depending on how much I buy."
He said this was despite the annual increase in sin tax on tobacco and alcohol by the government.
To our eyes, Mohd Wan's cigarette pack looks no different from those sold over the counter in eateries and convenience stores.
It is white and, at the same time, resembles the same box as the American brand that he has been smoking for the past six years.
Yet, the cigarettes that Mohd Wan smokes are contraband cigarettes, mainly from Indonesia, which are easily available in Johor Baru.
In fact, the sale of contraband cigarettes is not limited to the state capital, but also occurs in town districts like Muar, Batu Pahat, Labis and Pontian.
Their popularity is because of the price difference when compared with the real deal.
A contraband non-premium pack of 20s can cost as low as RM3.
The usual premium brands that are smuggled into Johor are Marlboro (red and lights), Dunhill (red and blue), Ella and Luffman, in addition to other lesser-known brands.
In addition, illicit kretek (clove cigarettes) are also popular and cheaper than the "official" ones.
Popular brands include Gudang Garam (regular and Suria), LA, Sampoerna and DjiSamSu 234.
While some customers claim that illicit cigarettes taste better than their original counterparts, the main motivation for buying them is because they are cheaper.
Checks have revealed that such cigarettes are sold mainly in sundry shops in rural and urban areas in the state. It is also common for jamu (traditional Indonesian herbal medicine  herbal  medicine) shops   to carry contraband cigarettes.
One only needs to ask the shop owner, who will bring out the cigarettes.
At times, contraband cigarettes are sold alongside regular ones.
However, they are mostly hidden because they do not carry the warning images on the packs.
For example, the normal Marlboro will be called as its namesake. But, the contraband is called Marlburi (denoting Marlboro Indonesia).
Such jamu-cum-sundry shops, usually run by Achenese businessmen, are popular in Johor Baru and cater to Indonesian contract workers. However, over the years, such shops have grown popular among the locals as well.
This is because of their more competitive prices and choices of toiletries and other medicines.
Smokers like Mohd Wan depend on the purchase of illicit cigarettes in these places to fuel their addiction.
As expected, he brushes off the health risks and chances of getting caught by the authorities.
And, this is despite warnings by the authorities that contraband cigarettes may cause more harm to one's health because of the higher levels of tar and nicotine compounds in the tobacco.

Best chance to quit smoking. Last chance to win.

Quitting smoking is the single most important thing someone can do to prevent cancer and there's never been a better time to quit than right now. 

Feb. 28 is the final day to register for the Canadian Cancer Society's Driven to Quit Challenge, presented by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., the makers of Nicoderm and Nicorette. The Challenge is a campaign to motivate adult Ontario tobacco users to quit smoking or other forms of tobacco for the month of March with the help of a support "buddy" for their chance to win a grand prize of a car and other cash prizes.

"The Driven to Quit Challenge offers great odds of winning because, not only does everyone who registers have a chance at winning the grand prize, they are a winner simply for taking this important step towards improving their health and wellness," says John Atkinson, director, Tobacco Control and Cancer Prevention. "And with supportive resources such as the Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline, the Driven to Quit Challenge helps smokers in Ontario win by inspiring them to quit for good."

Participants who stay smoke-free all month will be eligible to win a choice between a Dodge Avenger or a Dodge Journey or one of seven prizes of $1,000. Support buddies of winners each receive a $100 cash prize.

"We know that many smokers make five to seven attempts before they quit successfully and we want to give all participants the best possible support as they take this important step to a healthier lifestyle," says Krista Scaldwell, vice-president, communications and government affairs at Johnson & Johnson Inc. "We're committed to helping smokers with clinically proven, safe and effective nicotine replacement products."

Driven to Quit Challenge participants can receive discount coupons towards the purchase of Nicoderm or Nicorette. Coupons are available while quantities last.

Cambodia Bans Smoking In Public, Workplaces

Cambodia has implemented a smoking ban in public and workplaces, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported citing an official media report.

The ban also applies to educational institutions, museums, gas stations, playgrounds, religious centres and on public transport, said national press agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP).

A circular on the ban was disseminated by the Health Ministry in a recent seminar held here and attended by minister Mam Bunheng and World Health Organisation's representative to Cambodia, Pieter Van Maaren.

A survey conducted by the Planning Ministry in 2011 showed 90 percent of Cambodians were exposed to second-hand smoke in restaurants, 60 percent on public transport and 50 percent at workplaces.

Some 10,000 Cambodians die from tobacco-related diseases every year or about 30 people a day.

Cambodians spend approximately US$100 million on tobacco annually.

N.J. moves to ban smoking at beaches, parks

An Assembly committee has advanced legislation that would ban smoking at public parks and beaches in New Jersey.
Even in outdoor areas, second-hand smoke can be harmful, said Cara Murphy of Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy (GASP) during a legislative hearing Thursday.
"Smoke-free air benefits everyone. It not only benefits tourism as people are able to go to smoke-free beaches, but it also benefits children who wants to use parks and recreation areas," she said. "It also benefits anyone who wants to quit using tobacco because you're no longer around the presence of tobacco."
Supporters say the ban would help keep beaches clean and prevent fires in parks.
It also reflects changes in New Jersey where about 85 percent of the population doesn't smoke, said Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle, the bill's sponsor.
"More and more people understand now the hazards of secondhand smoke," said Huttle, D-Bergen. "They also understand the littering issue on beaches and of course the fire hazards in the forests and the parks."
If the bill becomes law, smokers who light up on the beach or in a park would face fines up to a thousand dollars.
A similar bill was introduced in the previous legislative session, but it failed to win approval.
Huttle said she hopes the latest version becomes law by the time people go back to the beaches this summer.

Cincinnati study: Students smoking less tobacco, more pot

Tri-State students are smoking less tobacco and more marijuana, according to a study by the Coalition for Drug Free Greater Cincinnati.
The study, which compiled data from more than 56,000 students from seventh to 12th grade, states tobacco use is down by 53 percent since 2000. Buy cigarettes.
According to the study, 5 percent of students abuse prescription drugs, 10 percent smoke cigarettes, 12 percent smoke marijuana and 18 percent drink alcohol.
The average age students report trying these substances is 13. The study also states peer and parental-disapproval rates are at an all-time high.
"We're excited that most kids aren’t using and we continue to see progress in this area,” said coalition spokesperson Mary Haag. “We have concerns in slight ticks in marijuana-use and binge drinking, and we're going to keep our eye and our effort on those two areas."
Students from more than 100 schools took part in the survey. It is conducted every two years.