Smokers more concerned with ‘effect on their looks than health’

Smokers are more concerned about the effects cigarettes have on their looks than their health, new research revealed today.
Experts found that, despite the potentially fatal long-term consequences of lighting up, a large percentage still find skin wrinkles and yellow teeth more troubling than lung damage. Dunhill Fine Cut Dark Blue
The study also found more than half of smokers either have, or are planning to, quit over fears about the damage it is doing to their appearance.

Smokers care more about the effect on their looks than health, a survey found (file picture)

But the in-depth findings by electronic cigarette brand VIP found one in seven admitted they would be more likely to give up the cigarettes if they noticed an effect on how they looked, rather than because their health was suffering.
And more than a quarter admitted this was the reason they have decided to quit tobacco for good.
Dave Levin, co-owner of VIP, said: ”The health effects of smoking are well documented, but people are less aware that cigarettes can also damage your looks.
”During our research three quarters of smokers said that their habit had caused deterioration to their looks and it was this, more than their health, that concerned them.
”While the health issues caused by smoking are so widely advertised, they aren’t always as easy to see or notice.
”But the effects on your appearance are something you can see every time you look at your reflection, whether it’s deeper wrinkles, discoloured teeth or a sallow complexion.”
The study, of 1,500 current or ex-smokers found that a staggering 88 per cent even admitted they regret taking it up in the first place because it is now showing in their appearance.
And the average smoker said they started to see the damage to their appearance around the age of 32.
Yellow teeth were named as the biggest concern with more than four in ten smokers saying they hated the effect cigarettes have had on their smile.
Bad breath, as well as the general odour that goes with being a smoker followed close behind, along with an increase in fine lines and wrinkles.
Stained and discoloured nails and fingers, wrinkled mouth and bad or ashen skin are also among the aspects of their appearance that smokers worry about.
Worryingly, the research also revealed that more than eight in ten admitted they are more likely to take notice of the effects of smoking they can actually see, such as yellow teeth and wrinkles, rather than what it is doing to their health and body internally.
One in three smokers has even experienced somebody insulting them or pointing out the effects of tobacco directly to their face.
And four in ten spend more time on their beauty regime to try and compensate for the effects of the cigarettes.
Dave Levin added: ”During the Christmas period Public Health England launched its latest TV advertising campaign to graphically demonstrate the health implications of tobacco.
”While we feel these messages are important and will resonate with some smokers, our research indicates that for many, vanity is also a key issue.
”VIP electronic cigarettes have been designed to offer a harm reducing alternative to smokers.
”They are not only widely recognised by a number of leading health professionals as healthier than tobacco cigarettes, but they’re also much kinder on our looks.
”Electronic cigarettes are free of the harmful toxins found in tobacco cigarettes which mean users can enjoy the great taste of VIP and stay looking good.
”What’s more, because VIP electronic cigarettes are virtually odourless and smoke free, there are no lingering tobacco smells.”

Confusion lingers over new law on UAE shisha cafes

From February 1, cafes may not operate within 150 metres of residential areas, schools and mosques.
There are about 500 shisha cafes in the emirate including 176 in Abu Dhabi city, 178 in Mussaffah, 90 in Al Ain and 11 in Al Gharbia, and about 90 per cent of them are in densely populated areas. The rules were announced last July but owners were given a seven-month grace period to comply, move, apply for a special licence or close down. Colts Cherry
Under the new law shisha cafes must be closed beween midnight and 10am, and the area occupied by each individual smoker must be at least two square metres. They must also have a sign at the front banning customers younger than 18.
Inspectors from the Department of Economic Development will begin visits next month to ensure compliance with the new law. Owners found to have broken the law face fines of up to Dh1 million, two years in prison and closure of their businesses.
However, both owners and customers say they are unclear about whether the new law applies to them, and how it will be enforced
One owner whose cafe is near a mosque is still waiting to hear from authorities if the business will be closed or not.
The owner is worried that the cafe would not be profitable without offering shisha, and other places that met the requirements could raise their prices, to the disadvantage of customers.
“I’m leaving everything to God,” the owner said.
About 30 to 40 people visit the cafe every day for shisha. It opens from 10am to midnight and a member of staff there said it never served under-18s.
One shisha smoker, Tahron Al Fadilah, an Emirati, had mixed views on the regulations.
“It is a good thing but not by much,” said Mr Al Fadilah, 35.
“Because maybe I will have to travel outside the city and I do not want to travel outside the city to smoke a shisha. I will invite people to my home.”
Mr Al Fadilah, who has smoked the water pipe for 15 years, said he knew of several cafes that would be forced to either shut or move.
“I support this decision, I support the Government. It will be very hard on us who have to travel, but at the same time it will be very good for all the people in the area to have good, pure air to breathe.”
He felt it would be a better idea to have a similar operation to that of Saudi Arabia, where shisha cafes were clustered five to 10 kilometres out of town.
“Far away from the city — two to three miles from the city there is a big complex where all the shisha cafes are in the area. There are maybe 10 or 15 cafes in the area. It would be a good solution I think to the smoking here.”
In the dim lights of the Special 2 cafe on the Corniche, smoke billows around Hussein Mohammed, 30, and Ghassan Arman, 40, as they chat and puff on water pipes.
They have heard about the rules and are unsure if the Special will be affected.
“Every day almost I smoke shisha,” said Mr Mohammed.
“I am a regular here. This is where we go to meet friends, I do not go to the cinema or the like.”
“There are cons and advantages,” said Mr Arman.
“It is not healthy to smoke shisha but we don’t want to have to travel far for it.”
Another shisha smoker at the cafe, a Syrian, said he thought the regulations were a good move.
But he said there were some drawbacks, especially for people who don’t drink alcohol.
“You need places for rest if you’re not going to bars,” he said.

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Superstar DJ, Bob Sinclar and grand slam tennis champion, Victoria Azarenka led a list of celebrities joining forces with the European Commission to celebrate the inaugural Day of the Ex-Smoker.
Events took place in all EU countries to mark the first ever Day of the Ex-Smoker, an initiative of the “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” campaign, and the first health awareness day to celebrate the achievements of ex-smokers everywhere. By making role models of all ex-smokers, including the 400,000 people who have signed up to quit smoking with free online tool, iCoach, it is hoped that thousands more will be inspired to kick the habit. Parliament cigarettes.
Sinclar and Azarenka joina host of other celebrities from around Europeto applaud those who have won one of life’s toughest battles - quitting smoking. The European Lung Foundation (www.europeanlung.org), Education for Health, (www.educationforhealth.org)and other health organisations, charities and leading employers are also joining in the celebrations. It is hoped that the Day of the Ex-Smoker will show those still struggling with tobacco, that the life of the ex-smoker is something worth striving for.
Speaking at a public event, atParc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels; European Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg said: “Congratulations to all ex-smokers! Ex-smokers are heroes for fighting and winning against addiction to cigarettes, and a source of inspiration to others. I am pleased that many people are embracing a life free of tobacco and I very much hope that this will indeed inspire many more people to follow.”
The public event was especially for ex-smokers who were in Brussels and got the chance to meet world renowned DJ, Bob Sinclar who, to celebrate the Day of the Ex-Smoker, has donated 1,000 free downloads of his new song, “Summer Moonlight”. Speaking at the event, he explained that getting involved with the campaign was down to his appreciation for the benefits of a smoke free environment after working for years in clubs. He said:
“Now that smoking is banned in most clubs the environment is so much better for the crowd and for me – I can see better, my clothes don’t smell and I know my health isn’t suffering from 2^nd hand smoke.
“Ex-smokers have more money, better health, a better quality of life...and they certainly smell better. When you quit you’re making a conscious decision to choose life, to choose your own success. That’s why we’re celebrating today.”
Launched in 2011, “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” is an EC flagship campaign, aimed at reversing the annual toll of 700,000 preventable deaths linked to tobacco across the EU.Aimed specifically at the 28 million EU smokers aged from 25 to 34, “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” uniquely shifts the focus away from reiterating the dangers of smoking and highlights the benefits of quitting.  The campaign’s science-based, free health tool, iCoach is available in 22 EU languages.
The Day of the Ex-Smoker follows another recent innovation of the campaign, ‘Quit Smoking WithBarca’, the European Commission's partnership with international football club, FC Barcelona. This program is currently supporting more than 70,000 people quit smoking.
As the ‘Day of the Ex-Smoker’ events continue across Europe, it is hoped that a new tradition is being formed: that of congratulating ex-smokers and celebrating health.

Smoking ban group turns in signatures

A local group that is pushing for an indoor smoking ban has submitted a petition to the city.
Smoke-Free St. Joseph has been gathering signatures since Aug. 1, with a goal to bring a smoking ban in front of the voters. The county clerk must now verify the group received 2,190 signatures of registered voters in St. Joseph in order to proceed.

“We check each and every signature because sometimes you can tell if a husband signed for a wife. But all in all it goes pretty quickly,” said Mary Baack-Garvey. “We’ll get started on them as soon as we get them.”

Ms. Baack-Garvey said she expected the signatures in her office by Friday afternoon. If that’s the case, they should be certified before her staff leaves for Thanksgiving.

The petition filed by Smoke-Free St. Joseph calls for a ban in all indoor public places, with the exemption of 10 percent of hotel rooms or in membership clubs when no employees are present. It would allow smoking on the casino gaming floor, until casinos in Jackson, Platte or Clay counties go smoke free.

Paula Heyde, city clerk, said once the petition is certified, the City Council has 60 days to consider the ordinance. In that time they can either the pass the ordinance as written, or submit it to the voters. If the council refuses to adopt it as is, the ordinance will appear on a ballot “not less than 30 days or not more than 180 days from the date of the final council vote,” Ms. Heyde said. Davidoff cigarettes online.

It’s unlikely the issue will appear during the April general election, unless the City Council immediately decides to push the issue to the voters.

The council also has the option to negotiate the parameters of the ordinance, but only if Smoke-Free St. Joseph is willing to do so.

Dr. Jane Schwabe, co-chairwoman of Smoke-Free St. Joseph, said they do not expect the council to adopt their proposal. The group drafted the petition in May, after the council voted 6-3 to drop all discussions of a smoking ban.

“We would just like to get it on the ballot as soon as possible,” she said.

New laws likely on tobacco ban

The State Government might be on the verge of enacting new laws to ban smoking and smokeless tobacco although the existing ones relating to display of tobacco products continue to witness rampant violation.
Display of advertising hoardings promoting tobacco products directly or indirectly continues to be on a high with very minimum efforts coming from the concerned authorities to remove these illegal hoardings which were put up violating the Section 5 of the COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act).
However, if sources are to be believed, the authorities are now contemplating legal action against the tobacco manufacturing companies.
The Section 5 of the COTPA prohibits advertisement which directly or indirectly suggests or promotes use or consumption of cigarettes or any other tobacco products.
“We had taken steps to make aware the pan shop owners about the laws but it had hardly yielded results for us except in few areas. We are now contemplating legal action,” sources pointed out, adding that infringement of the Section 5 is going on in almost all the localities of Guwahati as well as other places with the tobacco companies pushing that extra hard to promote their brands.
Sources, however, maintained that the drive to remove banners and hoardings put up in violation of the laws would go simultaneously.
As per the amendment rule of the Section 5 of the COTPA, tobacco products can be advertised in the package containing tobacco products, on the entrance and inside a warehouse storing tobacco products and at the point of sale or distribution only.
But presence of hoardings advertising tobacco products, larger than the prescribed size (60cm x 45cm) at the point of sale and more than two boards at one point of sale are regarded as violation of the Section 5.
Illuminated or backlit boards at the point of sale, open display of tobacco products by a shop owner for sale, indirect/surrogate advertisement of tobacco production in any form such as in apparel, sports gear, accessories and others are also not allowed.
Sources further rue that the cigarette companies have also compelled the pan shop owners to display the cigarette products openly by signing a deal where they (the companies) will renovate the shops with preconditions of proper display of the cigarette brands.
In Guwahati and other major towns cigarette companies have renovated pan shops by fixing hoardings larger than (60 cm x 45 cm) size displaying their brand names without exhibiting the pictorial warnings.

Big Tobacco Means Big Income, But Should Investors Be Worried?

When looking at the yields of the major tobacco companies, they may seem too good to be true. This is especially true for Altria Group (MO), the highest yielding of the big tobacco companies, and also the best-run company in the sector, in my opinion. Let's take a look at the company, where it may be heading, and if the dividend is sustainable going forward.
Altria Group
Formerly known as Phillip Morris, Altria is a holding company with some of the most popular tobacco brands in the world among its portfolio. The company produces such cigarette brands as Marlboro (bestselling brand in the U.S.), Merit, Basic, Virginia Slims, and Parliament, just to name a few. The company also has an extensive wine business, including the Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates as well as such wine brands as Fourteen Hands, Stag's Leap, Seven Falls, and about a dozen more. Altria also owns U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, with the popular brands Skoal and Copenhagen.Phillip Morris producer of Chesterfield cigarettes and Marlboro Flavor Note cigarettes.
Beware of the anti-smoking trend?
With the anti-smoking trend in the U.S., should investors be worried? I would say "not really", and for a couple of reasons. First, although the percentage of adults in the U.S. is definitely dropping, the actual number of smokers is staying relatively constant. For example (not factual numbers), let's say that in 1960 about 50% of the adults in the U.S. were smokers and the total adult population was 75 million, meaning that 37.5 million U.S. adults were smokers. Let's also say that in 2010 that only 20% of American adults smoked, but the population had risen to 180 million adults, meaning that 36 million adults were smokers (the actual number of U.S. smokers today is around 45 million). In other words, the effects of the rising U.S. population is somewhat offsetting the lower percentage of smokers.
Also, with the invention of electronic cigarettes, tobacco users have an additional option besides quitting smoking outright. Even regular smokers are using electronic cigarettes some of the time, like in bars and restaurants where cigarette smoke is not allowed. Altria launched its first e-cigarette this summer through its NuMark subsidiary, and although this is a young industry, research has suggested that Altria could add $5 billion in value to its company by capitalizing on the e-cigarette market while it's still in its infancy.