Philip Morris's health information web site appears responsible but undermines public health

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

In 1999, Philip Morris launched its new website and encouraged consumers to obtain information about tobacco and health issues there. However, internal industry documents reveal that the website was a public relations effort intended to help the company avoid punishment and regulation.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1446.2008.00743.x

Comment: It is still astounding to read the lengths the tobacco industry will go to avoid being reprimanded.

Why combating tobacco smuggling is a priority

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

Presents figures highlighting the serious effects of tobacco smuggling - around 21% of all tobacco smoked in the United Kingdom is smuggled into the country. Urges the UK government to set out comprehensive measures and clear targets for border protection and enforcement, and to support negotiations, currently underway, for a strong international treaty to tackle cigarette smuggling.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a1933

Comment: To date, the Canadian government's response to tobacco smuggling has been weak. Is it not time to act?

Out of the ashes : the life, death, and rebirth of the "safer" cigarette in the United States

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

The endorsement of, followed by the reconsideration of reduced-harm cigarettes is explored in this article. Harm reduction products raise a point of debate: will efforts to minimize the harms from smoking prevent the acceptance of a product that is not completely safe, but of one that may be safer than cigarettes?

http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/94/2/192

Comment: An interesting (and lengthy) article about harm-reduced cigarettes, manipulation by the tobacco industry, and the dilemma that public health and tobacco control professionals face regarding harm reduction.

Cannabis use and risk of lung cancer : a case–control study

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

This New Zealand case-control study reveals lung cancer risk increased 8% for each joint year of marijuana use, after adjusting for confounding variables along with tobacco use, and increased 7% for each pack year of tobacco use, after adjusting for confounding variables including marijuana use. Findings suggest lasting use of marijuana increases the probability of lung cancer among young adults.

http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/31/2/280


Comment: This is an issue that doesn't generally occur to most people, nice to see it brought to the foreground.

Smoking cessation and weight gain : a common challenge and a unique opportunity

(Disponible en anglais et en français.)

Discusses post-cessation weight management, its relationship to gender, and implications for the treatment of adolescents. Includes simple, practical strategies to prevent post-cessation weight gain.

http://www.smokingcessationrounds.ca/crus/smokingceseng_04_08.pdf


Comment: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, watch your diet, exercise regularly and - never take another puff!

The waterpipe : time for action

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

The author outlines many factors behind the growing popularity of waterpipe (hookah, shisha, narghile) smoking. He calls for a public health response to this to dispel myths that it is safer than smoking cigarettes. As the waterpipe is gaining popularity amongst youth, swift action is required to contain its use.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02327.x

Comment: When we look back, 5 years from now, will we say that we responded appropriately to the problem and contained waterpipe use from spreading, or will we wish we had done more?

Active and passive smoking and depression among Japanese workers

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

The authors examine the relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace and depressive symptoms among those who do and do not smoke in Japan. Current smoking and workplace exposure were linked with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Gender was not a modifying factor.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.01.024

Comment: I've read about the links between depression and tobacco use before, but this is the first time I've seen links between exposure to secondhand smoke and depression.

Nicotine and alcohol dependence in patients with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

Research has demonstrated that ADHD can be a major risk factor for initiating and developing an addiction. Findings from this investigation show many patients with ADHD have an alcohol addiction, and even more are severely addicted to nicotine. These findings stress the significance of early and sufficient diagnosis and treatment of ADHD to stop the harm of an addictive disease.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agm069

Comment: Co-morbidity is an emerging important issue. We see it more often studied with schizophrenia; it's interesting to note the expansion into other mental health issues.

Forever cool : the influence of smoking imagery on young people

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

Table of Contents:
Introduction - Smoking trends - Why do young people smoke? - Smoking imagery - The way forward - Recommendations - Appendix 1: UK legislation on tobacco advertising and promotion - Appendix 2: The effect of different marketing strategies on smoking behaviour - References.

http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf.AttachmentsByTitle/PDFforevercool/$FILE/forevercool.pdf

Comment: Will the Conservative Party of Canada fulfill its 2008 election promise to ban tobacco advertising and promotion to youth?

Second-hand smoke and hookah pipes

(Disponible en anglais seulement.)

Water pipe smoking has been gaining popularity in recent years in Canada, especially among young adults. It is seen as a social exotic activity that is safer and less addictive than cigarette smoking. Hookah lounge owners in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, have successfully sought smoking bylaw exemptions.

http://www.nsra-adnf.ca/cms/file/pdf/Hookah_pipes_March_2008.pdf

Comment: Although the tobacco used in hookahs is mellower and less carcinogenic than that associated with cigarettes, hookah tobacco is still tobacco and the health risks remain.