DOCSLIB.ORG

Is a Smoking Ban in Parks and Outdoor Spaces a Good Idea?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Is a Smoking Ban in Parks and Outdoor Spaces a Good Idea? HEAD TO HEAD Ara Darzi director, Institute of Global Health Innovation, of the habit.1 The evidence remains clear: Is a smoking Imperial College London and former chair, London Health smoking tobacco is still the largest contributor Commission to ill health and preventable mortality in the Oliver P Keown clinical adviser and policy fellow, Institute ban in parks and of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, world today. Despite downward trends in 10th floor, QEQM Building, St Mary’s Hospital, London uptake across North America and Europe it W2 1NY, UK [email protected] persists as a growing epidemic internationally, outdoor spaces a disproportionately affecting the world’s Extending antismoking poorest people.2 In England, despite the good idea? legislation in the United number of smokers having halved in the YES Kingdom to encompass past 30 years through effective public health a ban in parks and squares is an opportunity interventions, it still prematurely kills more Ara Darzi and Oliver P Keown to celebrate the great beacon of healthy living, than 79 000 people a year, contributes to the clean air, and physical activity our green growing prevalence of non-communicable want a ban in the UK to help spaces are designed for. And, crucially, it is disease, costs the NHS an estimated £2.7bn smokers quit and to protect an opportunity to support our population— a year in associated healthcare expenditure, young and old—to make healthier lifestyle and—most frighteningly—attracts the highest children from seeing people choices easier. To tackle the significant burden rates of uptake among the country’s young lighting up. But, argues Simon of disease still associated with smoking, and adolescent populations.3-5 In London public health officials must take confidence alone, at least 60 schoolchildren take up Chapman, there is no scientific and emerging evidence from international smoking every day, which could not be a success stories, resume a national debate on clearer impetus for reinvigorating UK public justification for such a draconian the subject, and innovate across the public policy to tackle this issue.5 attack on basic freedoms policy spectrum to help people make healthier decisions in their everyday lives. The existing ban is a public health triumph thebmj.com Banning smoking in parks and squares To date, such policy has focused largely Ж Letters: Smoking ban in cars will benefit could be one such policy to support healthier on protecting the population from the decision making, as well as being a natural detrimental effect of passive smoking disadvantaged children most next step in the 60 year public health battle through a ban in enclosed public spaces, (BMJ 2014;348:g1720) that has raged in the UK since Richard Doll including food outlets and workplaces. The News: Russia to restrict smoking in public Ж first illustrated the detrimental health effects introduction of these interventions has been places from June (BMJ 2013;346:f1418) Ж Research News: Myocardial infarctions fall by a third after smoking banned in Simon Chapman professor, School of Public Health, The desire to prevent harm to smokers and workplaces (BMJ 2012;345:e7287) University of Sydney, Australia others Ж Head to Head: Should smoking in [email protected] The ethical justification for restricting where outside public spaces be banned? smoking can occur derives entirely from the (BMJ 2008;337:a2806) Smoking restrictions started Millean precept of preventing harm to others.12 NO to be introduced when But evidence soon also mounted about the the weight of evidence about the harms of important collateral benefits of banning chronic exposure to secondhand smoke smoking in workplaces: smokers reduced their had consolidated. This evidence was almost daily consumption by about 21%13—and, exclusively obtained from indoor domestic more importantly, many quit, welcoming the and occupational exposures, where non- bans as a form of imposed self discipline on smokers—including infants11—spent hours on a behaviour that 90% of smokers regret ever most days exposed to others’ tobacco smoke, starting.14 Smoking bans fomented a rapid sometimes for decades and in small, enclosed denormalisation of smoking15: venues that were conditions. Notwithstanding slogans about associated with relaxation and conviviality, “no safe level of exposure,” as with active such as restaurants, no longer allow smoking, smoking the harms of exposure to secondhand and smokers excuse themselves to go outside in tobacco smoke arise from chronic exposure, any weather forced to wonder about how much not from occasional fleeting encounters with they really enjoy smoking. single plumes. The proliferation of smoke-free areas certainly With almost all indoor public spaces contributes to reducing the frequency of smoking now smoke-free in nations that have and the proportion of people who smoke—but comprehensive tobacco control policies, some so would forced incarceration or forfeiting people are now emboldened to turn their smokers’ rights to healthcare (or other draconian attention to outdoor spaces such as parks strategies admittedly too tame for the Ottoman and beaches. One such proposal comes from Sultan Murad IV, who had smokers executed). Ara Darzi’s report for the London Health The ethical test of any policy is plainly not just 5 GIULIA FIORI/ALAMY GIULIA Commission. its efficiency in achieving outcomes. 14 28 February 2015 | the bmj the bmj | 28 February 2015 15 HEAD TO HEAD a public health triumph and has led to clear Smoking tobacco is still the largest international pilot studies in regions and cities and sustained reductions in passive smoke contributor to ill health and where smoking bans have been successfully exposure, reductions in acute cardiovascular preventable mortality in the world introduced. incidents, and a downward trend in the today New York City, for example, has been prevalence of smoking.6 Although this one of several global leaders in banning legislation was initially censured as an The study of behavioural economics smoking, with the staged implementation attack on public freedom and civil liberty, the highlights the importance of societal “norms” of its Smoke-Free Air Act of 2002. This 2007 ban in England stoked an unexpected as a powerful influence on decision making. legislation initially prohibited smoking in and ongoing cultural shift against the habit By reducing the geographical footprint workplaces and recreational venues but and recent polls have shown 78% public where smoking is sanctioned and by limiting was later extended in 2011 to cover all approval for the 2007 public smoking bans.5 exposure to the practice itself, we can redress public spaces, including parks, squares, There is, therefore, a precedent and quite the observed norms against which park users beaches, and public plazas. In parallel possibly an appetite for renewed policy and young people compare their personal with a package of public health measures, innovation in this area. smoking habits. If we are to celebrate the including tobacco taxation and media Today, emerging evidence supports cultural and community assets that parks campaigns, these efforts led to a significant extending these public bans beyond the and community spaces represent and, fall in the number of smokers from a 2002 parameters of passive smoke exposure concomitantly, to protect children and young pre-prohibition rate of 22%—incidentally, and enclosed public spaces. Targeting the people from the normalising effect of observed the same as the UK’s current national behaviours and physical environments that smoking behaviours, then extending the average—to a globally competitive rate facilitate the uptake of smoking by banning it smoking ban to other public spaces will have of about 15% in 2011.9 Although it is in parks and squares is a logical progression. a positive effect. Discerning where to draw the difficult to unpick the relative influence Evidence has shown the significant effect that line on any public smoking ban is difficult, of the specific public smoking ban in New the media and peer to peer role modelling but, using the rationale above, it should York, significant compliance of 97% has can have on young people and adolescents arguably encompass the spectrum of public been shown across the city.10 As evidence taking up smoking.7 And emerging evidence spaces where exposure to smoking occurs. emerges from pilot schemes in cities such illustrates the significant effect of the physical as New York, Hong Kong, and Toronto, an environment on such behaviours, with one Evidence from pilot schemes around the world opportunity exists to conduct comparative study highlighting the positive influence that Evidence to better understand the links studies to further explore the effects of childhood access to recreational space can have between behaviour and the physical smoking bans on population behaviours, in deterring young people from smoking.8 environment should be harvested from but already the trend is quite clear. The evidence base about the risks of Thirdly, some have invoked the virtues of As with active smoking the harms outdoor smoking has grown. In a 2013 shielding children from the sight of smoking of exposure to secondhand tobacco review I worked on,17 no studies looked at as worthy evidence in this debate.18 They smoke arise from chronic exposure, exposure in parks or on beaches—almost may concede that smoking in wide open not from occasional fleeting certainly because researchers with any spaces such as parks and beaches poses a encounters with single plumes knowledge of airborne exposures would near homeopathic level of risk to others, appreciate that such exposures would be so but they point to an indirect negative effect the open air event was non-smoking but that small, dissipated, and transitory as to be of from the mere sight of smoking. This line of smoking areas were available on the periphery no concern.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • When One Person's Habit Becomes Everyone's Problem: the Battle Over Smoking Bans in Bars and Restaurants
    Volume 14 Issue 1 Article 5 2007 When One Person's Habit Becomes Everyone's Problem: The Battle over Smoking Bans in Bars and Restaurants Marot Williamson Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/mslj Part of the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Commons Recommended Citation Marot Williamson, When One Person's Habit Becomes Everyone's Problem: The Battle over Smoking Bans in Bars and Restaurants, 14 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports L.J. 161 (2007). Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/mslj/vol14/iss1/5 This Comment is brought to you for free and open access by Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal by an authorized editor of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. Williamson: When One Person's Habit Becomes Everyone's Problem: The Battle ov WHEN ONE PERSON'S HABIT BECOMES EVERYONE'S PROBLEM: THE BATTLE OVER SMOKING BANS IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS I. INTRODUCTION For many, smoking a cigarette while enjoying a drink while out at a bar or restaurant are activities that go hand in hand.1 Despite the social popularity of this duo, recent smoking bans around the country are putting an end to smoking in bars and restaurants. 2 Scientists have found that smoking not only harms the smoker, but also those surrounding the smoker.3 Although society once consid- ered smoking a fashionable and generally acceptable activity, knowledge of its health risks is compelling lawmakers to pass laws prohibiting smoking in public places.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 13: Tobacco Control
    Chapter 13: Tobacco control SUMMARY POINTS · The foundation for effective national tobacco control policies lies in comprehensive implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). · Once it enters into force, the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products could provide a comprehensive framework for national legislation to eliminate smuggled, counterfeit and illicit tobacco products that increase the accessibility and affordability of tobacco and undermine government revenues. · The Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC has issued detailed guidelines to assist Parties to implement specific provisions of the WHO FCTC in an effective, evidence-based manner. · In entering trade and investment agreements, countries should ensure that they do not unduly restrict their health sovereignty or unduly diminish their capacity to implement and enforce effective tobacco control measures. · Countries should coordinate the activities of their health, trade and finance ministries in order to ensure that they do not undertake trade and investment obligations that unduly conflict with their health goals, including their capacity to effectively regulate tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food products. · Tax policy is a powerful instrument for raising the price and reducing the affordability of tobacco products. Uniformly high tobacco prices help to discourage initiation, encourage quitting, and reduce the amount of tobacco consumed by those who do not quit. Countries can use tobacco excise tax increases, applied
    [Show full text]
  • Teufelskraut. Zur Historischen Anthropologie Des Tabaks
    5 Teufelskraut. Zur Historischen Anthropologie des Tabaks Hasso Spode Die Gattung Tabak (Nicotiana) ist in Amerika, einem Vorläufer der Historischen Anthropolo- Westafrika, Indonesien und dem australisch- gie. Doch Schlözers ganzheitliches Programm pazi!schen Raum heimisch und umfasst wohl ist erst in Ansätzen umgesetzt. Auch diese gut siebzig Arten. Sie zählt – wie die Kartoffel, Skizze kann dies nicht leisten, sondern konzen- die Tomate oder das Bilsenkraut – zur Familie triert sich erstens kulturgeographisch auf den der alkaloidhaltigen Nachtschattengewächse. „Westen“ und zweitens thematisch auf menta- Dabei weist der Tabak einen deutlich höheren litätshistorische Aspekte. Gehalt an dem psychotropen Alkaloid Nicotin auf als andere P$anzen dieser Familie. 1 Das macht ihn für den Menschen als Droge interes- 1 Tabak und Rauchen vor 1500 sant. Doch sehr lange Zeit beschränkte sich der systematische Gebrauch wahrscheinlich auf Bis zum November 1492, als Kolumbus zwei Amerika, wo bevorzugt zwei Arten kultiviert Kundschafter ins Innere Kubas entsandte, wurden: tabacum in südlichen Breiten, rustica war der Tabak den Europäern unbekannt. In in nördlichen. Heute wird Tabak in rund 120 den Amerikas fand er hingegen seit langem Ländern angebaut und zwar ganz überwiegend Verwendung: bei sakralen Zeremonien, als die Art tabacum. 2 Deren Blätter werden in der Heilmittel und als profanes Stimulans (Corti, Regel zu Zigaretten verarbeitet. Doch Tabak 1930; Goodman, 1993; Galety, 2003). Dabei wa- und Rauchen sind selbstredend keine Synony- ren zahlreiche „kalte“ und „heiße“ Konsum- me: Einerseits wurde und wird Tabak keines- praktiken üblich, wobei für letztere technisch wegs nur in Form des Rauchens konsumiert, wiederum „kollektive“ und „individuelle“ zu anderseits wurde und wird keineswegs nur unterscheiden sind.
    [Show full text]
  • Tobacco Use by Indian Adolescents
    Tobacco Induced Diseases Vol. 1, No. 2: 111–119 (2002) © PTID Society Tobacco use by Indian adolescents Chadda RK, Sengupta SN Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Human Behavior & Allied Sciences, Delhi, India ABSTRACT. Adolescents are the most vulnerable population to initiate tobacco use. It is now well estab- lished that most of the adult users of tobacco start tobacco use in childhood or adolescence. There has been a perceptible fall in smoking in the developed countries after realization of harmful effects of tobac- co. The tobacco companies are now aggressively targeting their advertising strategies in the developing countries like India. Adolescents often get attracted to tobacco products because of such propaganda. There has been a rapid increase in trade and use of smokeless tobacco products in recent years in the coun- try, which is a matter of serious concern to the health planners. It is important to understand various fac- tors that influence and encourage young teenagers to start smoking or to use other tobacco products. The age at first use of tobacco has been reduced considerably. However, law enforcing agencies have also taken some punitive measures in recent years to curtail the use of tobacco products. This paper focuses on vari- ous tobacco products available in India, the extent of their use in adolescents, factors leading to initiation of their use, and the preventive strategies, which could be used to deal with this menace. KEY WORDS: Smoking, nicotine, tobacco abuse, smokeless tobacco. INTRODUCTION Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic India; its use has unfortunately been well recognized among levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Smoke-Free Laws Do Not Harm Business at Restaurants and Bars
    SMOKE-FREE LAWS DO NOT HARM BUSINESS AT RESTAURANTS AND BARS In recent years a groundswell of support for smoke-free restaurant and bar laws has developed from states and localities across the country. As of August 15, 2020, 66.4 percent of the U.S. population (or more than 200 million people) live in areas that have passed strong smoke-free laws covering restaurants and bars.1 Strong smoke-free restaurant and bar laws are important because: Everyone has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air at work and while visiting public places like restaurants and bars. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that secondhand tobacco smoke causes serious illnesses, including lung cancer and heart disease in non-smokers.2 Smoke-free laws help protect restaurant and bar employees and patrons from the harms of secondhand smoke.3 Smoke-free laws help the seven out of every ten smokers who want to quit smoking by providing them with public environments free from any pressure or temptation to smoke.4 Accompanying the growth in smoke-free laws nationwide has been a parallel increase in false allegations that smoke-free laws will hurt local economies and businesses.5 In fact, numerous careful scientific and economic analyses show that smoke-free laws do not hurt restaurant and bar patronage, employment, sales, or profits.6 At worst, the laws have no effect at all on business activity, and they sometimes even produce slightly positive trends. For example: The National Cancer Institute, with the World Health Organization, in December 2016 conducted an extensive review of the economic literature on tobacco control, concluding, “.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Vaping and Tobacco Control Policies on Smoking Prevalence and Smoking-Attributable Deaths
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article US Nicotine Vaping Product SimSmoke Simulation Model: The Effect of Vaping and Tobacco Control Policies on Smoking Prevalence and Smoking-Attributable Deaths David T. Levy 1,* , Luz María Sánchez-Romero 1, Nargiz Travis 1 , Zhe Yuan 1, Yameng Li 1, Sarah Skolnick 2 , Jihyoun Jeon 2 , Jamie Tam 3 and Rafael Meza 2 1 Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA; [email protected] (L.M.S.-R.); [email protected] (N.T.); [email protected] (Z.Y.); [email protected] (Y.L.) 2 Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; [email protected] (S.S.); [email protected] (J.J.); [email protected] (R.M.) 3 Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale University School of Public Health, Hartford, CT 06520, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The public health impact of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) is subject to a complex set of uncertain transitions between NVP and cigarette use. Instead, we apply an indirect method to gauge the impact of NVP use on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) using the well-established SimSmoke tobacco control policy simulation model. Upon validating the Citation: Levy, D.T.; model before NVPs were more widely used, we project a No-NVP (i.e., in the absence of NVPs) Sánchez-Romero, L.M.; Travis, N.; while controlling for the impact of cigarette-oriented policies. The net impact of NVPs on smoking Yuan, Z.; Li, Y.; Skolnick, S.; Jeon, J.; prevalence is inferred by comparing the projected No-NVP smoking trends to corresponding trends Tam, J.; Meza, R.
    [Show full text]
  • From Science to Politics German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg
    From Science to Politics German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg The failure of partial smoking bans in hospitality venues: The example of Germany and Spain Background Conclusive evidence and international consensus demonstrate 85 percent of the inspected larger venues, the smoking rooms that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. After were bigger than allowed and in 37 percent the physical separa- the ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco tion was not provided18. Control (FCTC) in 2003 and the adoption of guidelines on "Protec- Evaluation: Healthcare experts and health advocates thus tion against the exposure to tobacco smoke" (Article 8, FCTC) describe the outcome of the "Spanish model" as "chaotic" and by the Conference of the Parties in 20074,21, several EU Member ineffective19,20: States like Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the United ▪ Hospitality workers remain unprotected from tobacco smoke Kingdom introduced comprehensive smoking bans in public in their workplaces. places. However, some countries, such as Spain, Germany, ▪ The vast majority of hospitality venues is not smoke-free18. Denmark and Austria, decided to introduce partial smoking ▪ According to opinion polls, the majority of Spaniards are in favour bans, which only cover some hospitality venues. The two case of a comprehensive ban on smoking in bars and restaurants3,11. studies below demonstrate why partial smoking bans are not an ▪ Owners of larger restaurants have come out in favour of an alter native to comprehensive smoke-free legislation in Europe uniform solution in order to correct the crass distortions of and undermine international tobacco control efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Report Will Confirm Tomorrow— Support
    MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENT Thursday 30 June 2005 Session 2 £5.00 Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2005. Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to the Licensing Division, Her Majesty‘s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ Fax 01603 723000, which is administering the copyright on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Produced and published in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by Astron. CONTENTS Thursday 30 June 2005 Debates Col. BUSINESS MOTION ........................................................................................................................................ 18571 Motion moved—[George Lyon]—and agreed to. George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD) ........................................................................................................ 18571 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CROSS-CUTTING EXPENDITURE REVIEW) ............................................................. 18572 Motion moved—[Des McNulty]. Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab) ....................................................................................... 18572 Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) ............................................................................................. 18576 Mr Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) ................................................................................ 18578 Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD) .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Key Dates in Tobacco Regulation 1962 — 2020
    Key dates in tobacco regulation 1962 — 2020 16 Further information about the early history of tobacco is available at: www.tobacco.org/History/history.html 1962 The first Royal College of Physicians (RCP) report, "Smoking and Health", was published. It received massive publicity. The main recommendations were: restriction of tobacco advertising; increased taxation on cigarettes; more restrictions on the sales of cigarettes to children, and smoking in public places; and more information on the tar/nicotine content of cigarettes. For the first time in a decade, cigarette sales fell. The Tobacco Advisory Committee (subsequently Council, and now known as the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association) - which represents the interests of the tobacco industry - agreed to implement a code of advertising practice for cigarettes which was intended to take some of the glamour out of cigarette advertisements. The code was based on the former ITA code governing cigarette advertisements on TV (before they were removed in 1964, with the co-operation of the ITA) 1964 The US Surgeon General produced his first report on "Smoking and Health". Its conclusions corroborated those of the RCP and the US Surgeon General has produced annual reports since 1967 on the health consequences on smoking. Doll and Hill published the results of a nationwide prospective survey on "mortality in relation to smoking: 10 years' observations in British Doctors". Between 1951 and 1964 about half the UK's doctors who smoked gave up and there was a dramatic fall in lung cancer incidence among those who gave up as opposed to those who continued to smoke. 1965 After considerable debate, the government used the powers vested in it under the terms of the 1964 Television Act to ban cigarette advertisements on television.
    [Show full text]
  • What Do Y Tell Us About the Industry in Brazil?
    May 2007 – Phase I Report This publication is under embargo up to 31 May, 11 am (EST) HE TOBACCO INDUSTRY DOCUMENTS: WHAT DO THEY TELL US ABOUT THE INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL? T This work was commissioned by the Pan American Health Organization as part of a multi-phase project to analyze the tobacco industry and tobacco control in Brazil. This preliminary report represents Phase I of the project EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • This report builds on a previously published Pan American Health Organization report and presents preliminary results of a multi-phase project to map out the roles of the tobacco industry and of the tobacco control movement in Brazil. • This initial phase was developed to document the strategies and operations of the tobacco industry in Brazil as it can be determined from the tobacco industry documents publicly available after the settlement of legal cases of 46 states and territories of the United States with the US- based tobacco companies. • Brazil is an important tobacco market: its large, young, population appeal to tobacco companies searching to expand and it has a large tobacco growing, manufacturing and export business. • Despite the role of tobacco in the Brazilian economy, Brazil has been a world leader in implementing a regulatory framework in which the tobacco 1 May 2007 – Phase I Report industry operates. Overall adult smoking prevalence seems to be in decline, but youth smoking remains high in certain areas of the country. • The main cigarette companies operating in the country are Souza Cruz, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, with approximately 75% share of market; and Philip Morris Brazil, part of Philip Morris International, with approximately 15% of the market.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Effects of Smoking on Lung Function, and Respiratory Muscle Strength of Pakistani Youth
    ISSN: 2574-1241 Volume 5- Issue 4: 2018 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.07.001570 Murad Mehmood. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res Research Article Open Access Analysis of effects of Smoking on Lung Function, and Respiratory Muscle Strength of Pakistani Youth Murad Mehmood*, Muhammad Ahmad Shahid and Ahmar Saleem Services institute of medical sciences Lahore, Pakistan Received: August 04, 2018; Published: August 13, 2018 *Corresponding author: Murad Mehmood, Services institute of medical sciences Lahore, Pakistan Abstract Introduction: In the present era, cigarette smoking is a major but preventable cause of death. Despite being aware of its harmful and hazardous effects, many young adults begin experimenting with cigarettes at a very early age and then adopt it as a regular habit. Objectives of the Study: The basic objective of our study is to analyze the effects of smoking on lung function, and respiratory muscle strength of Pakistani youth. Methodology of the Study: This study was conducted at Services institute of medical sciences, Lahore during 2017. Youth male subjects aged 12 to 18 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic values and medical history of the selected patients were recorded clearly. Prior to participation in this study, each subject signed an informed consent form to comply with the ethical guidelines. Results: Most subjects started cigarette smoking between the ages of 15 to 18 years. The most common duration of cigarette smoking was 1-3 years. Three major parameters, chest expansion, lung function using spirometry, and respiratory muscle strength, were compared and these all are high in smokers. Conclusion: It is concluded that most of the people started smoking in young age due to environmental and social factors.
    [Show full text]
  • On Playing the Nazi Card
    Tob Control: first published as 10.1136/tc.2008.026344 on 25 September 2008. Downloaded from Editorial (1959); ‘‘scare stories’’ (1959); ‘‘time-worn On playing the Nazi card and much-criticized statistical charges’’ (1959); ‘‘extreme and unwarranted con- clusions’’ (1959); ‘‘foggy thinking’’ (1962); Professor Robert N Proctor ‘‘a rehash of previously inconclusive find- ings’’ (1962); ‘‘the easy answer to a Schneider and Glantz in this issue (see tobacco taxes helped prop up the Nazi state complex problem’’ (1962); ‘‘fanciful the- page 291) chronicle the industry’s long- (more than half of all storm-trooper ories’’ (1964); ‘‘propaganda blast’’ (1964); standing efforts to characterise tobacco income, for example, was from tobacco ‘‘statistical volleyball’’ (1965); ‘‘utterly control as ‘‘Nazi’’ or ‘‘fascist’’.1 The indus- taxes).2 They never point out that while without factual support’’ (1965); ‘‘exag- try’s rant has a certain superficial plausi- Nazi authorities tried to curtail smoking, gerations and misstatements of fact’’ bility: the Nazis had one of the world’s the industry was already powerful enough (1967); ‘‘guilt by association’’ (1968); strongest anti-cancer campaigns, one cen- to resist most of these encroachments. The ‘‘‘guesses, assumptions, and suspicions’’ tral feature of which was to curtail tobacco fact is that the Nazi war on tobacco was (1968); ‘‘worse than meaningless’’ (1969); use. Hitler himself stopped smoking in never waged as effectively as, say, the ‘‘claptrap’’ (1969); ‘‘a bum rap’’ (1969); 1919, throwing his cigarettes into the destruction of the Jews. Cigarettes were ‘‘colossal blunder’’ (1970); ‘‘one of the Danube in an act of defiance he later distributed to German soldiers throughout great scientific hoaxes of our time’’ credited for helping the triumph of the war, and cigarettes were still being (1970); ‘‘claims of the anti-cigarette Nazism.
    [Show full text]