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Canada: a new angle on packs

D Hammond

Tob. Control 2006;15;150-

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News analysis (258 articles)

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News analysis......

China: marathon event runs on green ribbon power A new health initiative has got off to a busy start in Xiamen, a subtropical island off the south east coast of China, directly across from Taiwan. Based at the university of Xiamen, it was born out of discussions I had with students about my work with the BADvertising institute, which I started in the late 1980s in the USA. BADvertising (http://www.badvertising. org/) uses the power of art and humour to try to counter tobacco promotion, and support other tobacco control measures. Having learned about the situation in China and the dire predictions of future Chinese tobacco deaths during the world conference in Beijing in 1997, I had decided to come to teach in China, and to do something to help. Now, having learned about my past experi- Students in Xiamen, China are helping to raise awareness about the health problems caused by ence of control work, the students smoking. decided they wanted to do something similar. First, we conducted several aware- Breathing (Lu Si Hu Xi) and produced Eventually, we publicised the plans ness-raising activities about the pro- contacts to help set up an official ourselves, using text messages and other blems caused by smoking, about which organisation. means, asking people to honour and there is still comparatively little knowl- The mission of the Green Breathing enjoy the smoke-free zone, and to wear edge in China; about 40% of male Association is to work for a healthier something green to show their support. doctors still smoke, and half seem not China by educating the public about the We had no time or money for Green to know that smoking can kill. We could harm of secondhand smoke, empower- Breathing T-shirts, but instead made not come up with a good translation for ing passive smokers to protect them- hundreds of twisted pieces of green BADvertising, and trying to create an selves and their loved ones, and ribbon similar to those used to mark organisation turned out to be difficult promoting the benefits of smoke-free campaigns associated with other cam- and time-consuming, so we decided to environments. We use people’s interest paigns. They were highly popular, and bypass the paperwork and just get on in learning English as a way of attract- we even pinned them on the security with the work. As a loosely-knit group ing those who would not normally pay guards who came to check on our of students, teachers and community any attention to the topic of smoking, activities. We began to realise just how members, we made bookmarks, flyers and we give our members a hands-on helpless and oppressed non-smokers and posters, gave slide slows and con- opportunity to use their English to make have felt in China. By declaring them- ducted a letter-writing campaign to a real contribution to society. selves as smoke-free zones, people can loved-ones who smoked, and in the In March each year, Xiamen hosts an claim their right to smoke-free air process received much interest and international marathon, and although without having to personally confront support from the media. officially recognised too late for long anyone, something to be avoided at all At the end of last year, the students term planning, the group was given costs in China. started a BADvertising ‘‘English corner’’ permission to do something along the to attract students who were interested route. With help from several large and in improving their English, and at the more established environmental organi- same time offer information on the sations, we made banners, posters and harmfulness of smoking and second- petitions in support of a smoke-free hand smoke. It led to the name Green zone at the marathon, hoping that the media would help get the word out. Unfortunately, no support was forth- All articles written by David Simpson coming. One factor possibly connected unless otherwise attributed. Ideas and was that a major sponsor of the mara- items for News Analysis should be sent thon was the Seven Wolves clothing to: [email protected] A promotional airship for the Chinese tobacco company, better known to many as the company Seven Wolves, sponsors of the Seven Wolves tobacco company. Xiamen international marathon.

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Despite many difficulties in operating Some important lessons are emerging among the crowds present at the mara- from this two-tier system. thon itself, the green ribbons and peti- The regulations allow the owners of tions were welcomed enthusiastically bars and restaurants having a ‘‘useful and received much media coverage. surface for clients’’ smaller than 100 Subsequently, it has been reported on square metres to decide whether or not television that the marathon committee they allow smoking in their premises. is seriously considering making the They can also decide to have a partial marathon smoke-free next year, and ban, either by making separate areas even divesting itself of tobacco company according to the regulations for larger sponsors. As if in a show of strength, premises, or by putting up signs inform- Seven Wolves flew a large promotional ing customers in which part of the airship all over Xiamen for the week premises (without physical barriers) following the marathon. smoking is permitted. There is no Future tasks of the group include Young women dressed in Gitanes branded definition in the law about the meaning trying to help Xiamen university to go jackets distributed free cigarettes before a car of ‘‘useful surface’’, so owners tend to smoke-free, but already there are signs rally and ski race at the Faqra Club mountain want as much useless surface as possi- that the influence of tobacco interests resort in Lebanon. ble to avoid having to be considered a may first have to be overcome. At a larger place. Most bars fall in this prestigious concert featuring many category, and most of them allow famous singers on campus recently, sored by Altadis. The event featured cars smoking, as they fear the loss of the Seven Wolves company was in branded with Gauloises and young revenue. evidence. But offers started coming in women dressed in Gitanes branded In those bars and restaurants larger from pro-health allies, including a well jackets distributing free samples of than 100 square metres of ‘‘useful sur- known singer and a TV personality. Now cigarettes before the race. The event face’’ smoking is banned, but comple- the expanding group is redoubling its was advertised on posters throughout tely isolated smoking areas can be work towards a smoke-free China. Lebanese university campuses. While created, requiring good ventilation sys- the distribution of free samples to tems, and can occupy as much as 30% of BVIERTHALER people under 18 years old has been the useful surface. If these changes are Green Breathing Association, Xiamen prohibited in Lebanon since 1995, the not carried out by 1 September this year, University, China; [email protected] young women were not seen checking the entire premises must be smoke-free. the age of the recipients. Interestingly, This means some owners have to invest Lebanon: business as the distribution of free samples and in reshaping the premises, or else ban university advertising would seem to smoking. Many say they do not under- usual violate Altadis’s own code of conduct, stand why the law makes this differ- In December 2005 Lebanon ratified which claims that marketing campaigns ence. the World Health Organization’s are directed only at adults, and ‘‘our Spain’s regional governments have Framework Convention for Tobacco advertising never depicts people under the right and duty to assure compliance Control (FCTC) with little fanfare by 25’’. Most university students in to the new law, and can even improve the government and no coverage by the Lebanon are 17–21 years old. the legislation within their territories local media, and so far it seems that the It is clear that the Lebanese govern- (see Spain: going smoke free. Tobacco tobacco industry is behaving just as it ment will need to act more concertedly Control 2006;15:79–80). The first pro- did before (Tobacco Control 2006;15:80–1). than in the past to ensure compliance blem arose from the lack of time to While the tobacco industry remains with the FCTC. The adoption of com- understand, interpret and prepare under the control of a government prehensive legislation banning tobacco guidelines for those affected by the monopoly, the Regie—which has the advertising, marketing and sponsorship, law. It was published on 27 December exclusive right to import/export local and its effective enforcement, is 2005, and entered into force just days tobacco products and issue licences to urgently needed in Lebanon. Without later, on 1 January 2006. More than tobacco growers—competition for mar- this change, it will simply be business as three months later, regional govern- ket share within this substantial and usual for the tobacco industry. ments were still setting guidelines, with growing market remains fierce among some significant differences between the transnational tobacco companies. In RNAKKASH regions. 2002 Philip Morris, British American Beirut, Lebanon; [email protected] The law lacks definitions of two Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International KLEE concepts where interpretation is crucial, and the French-Spanish company London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, especially in the hospitality sector. Even Altadis held 93% of the cigarette market. UK; [email protected] after several meetings of tobacco control Altadis alone now holds more than 10% experts from the different Autonomous of the Lebanese market, which it Communities, it has not been possible to describes as ‘‘outstanding’’. Smoking Spain: lessons of a not- get agreement. One concept not defined prevalence is 46% for adult males and is ‘‘useful surface’’, and the other has to 35% for adult females, among the high- so-smoke-free law do with premises where two different est rates for females in the region; 8.3% Under a law that came into force at the activities occur. For example, the law of 13–15 year olds are current cigarette beginning of the year, smoking has been allows for up to 10% of the useful smokers (12.1% of boys and 5.6% of completely banned (not even allowing surface for smoking areas in bus or girls). any smoking areas) in all workplaces in train stations and airports. To avoid the Just one of the cigarette promotions Spain, except in the hospitality and surface dedicated to bars or restaurants taking place in February was held at a gambling sectors. There, depending on becoming the smoking area of such car rally and ski race at the Faqra Club the size or where the premises are premises, the law introduces the con- mountain resort, and was part-spon- located, different regulations apply. cept of ‘‘different activities’’, allowing

www.tobaccocontrol.com Downloaded from tc.bmjjournals.com on 28 May 2006 148 News analysis for smoking sections in both the bar and In summary, the chaos generated the rest of the station or airport. But in within the hospitality sector in Spain the hospitality industry, owners of so simply underlines how smoke-free laws called ‘‘bar-restaurant’’ venues larger applying equally to all public places (as than 100 square metres argue that it is in Ireland) are much easier to imple- up to them to decide what to do if the ment. The government has to recognise ‘‘different activities’’, say bar and res- the problems created by the law, and taurant, are individually smaller than change the situation as soon as possible. 100 square metres. Under this interpre- The hospitality industry may actually be tation, smoking would be permitted in prepared for the change, provided the many more venues. law applies equally to all premises. From Independently of their size, those bars the broader public health perspective, and restaurants located (among others) including trying to persuade smokers to within factories, public administration quit, non-smoking regulations are of buildings, hospitals or educational set- great help, as in effect they make tings, or selling takeaway food, must be smoking a private matter that should completely smoke-free. In malls and never be allowed in shared places. shopping centres, on the other hand, smoking is banned in smaller venues. JTOLEDO For all these venues, the owners say the Public Health Direction Genera, Government of law has made some of their clients Arago´n, Spain; [email protected] change to bars elsewhere that allow UK: politicians sent fake cigarette packs Earlier smoking. this year, as members of parliament were Some of the owners of bars and preparing to debate what sort of smoking New Zealand: Pacific restaurants that initially chose to go restrictions English workplaces should have islanders’ smoking smoke-free later reversed their decision (Scotland had already decided on a full ban), because of a real loss of smoking Cancer Research UK sent all members of targeted customers. Although nearly 70% of the parliament a fake cigarette pack with warnings such as ‘‘Second-hand smoke kills bar Minority groups frequently miss out on Spanish population are non-smokers, workers’’. Given the unusual luxury of a free targeted television cessation campaigns they are (at least at present) under- vote, with no guidelines or orders from party because of the high costs of television represented among the clients of bars ‘‘whips’’ about which way to vote, an advertising. In New Zealand, some 32% and restaurants. overwhelming vote was registered for a total of Pacific peoples living in the country The different treatment given by the workplace ban, genuinely representing what public opinion polls had been showing for a are smokers, but this group makes up a law to the hospitality industry has long time. comparatively low 3% of total calls to provoked both negative and positive the national Quitline. Research showed reactions. On the one hand, some places that the lack of Pacific faces on televi- cause cancer, hence the reason why are now smoke-free, and others are sion commercials resulted in Pacific moving towards becoming smoke-free smoking has been banned in the work- peoples not realising that they could in a few months. Furthermore, the place. So why does it not offer the same access free Quitline support. hospitality sector owners are now level of protection to those working in The Quit Group responded by launch- divided, with some representatives of the hospitality sector? Perhaps the main ing its first television commercial, fea- the bar and restaurant associations reasons were pressure from the tobacco turing a Samoan man with his family in asking for a total ban in all premises, industry, to which the hospitality indus- the background. It aimed to inform as they recognise this will be the only try so closely allied itself for so long, and Pacific peoples about the risks of heart way to eliminate the differences created the lack of demand for protection by attack associated with smoking. by the law within the sector. They trade unions. The main mistake in this Increasing awareness and cessation assume that sooner or later new regula- law has been the fact that it considers attempts by Pacific smokers may be a tions, maybe from the European Union workplaces in general and the hospital- long-term process. Many Pacific com- or as a result of a judicial decision, will ity sector as being different scenarios. In munities do not fully understand the oblige all of their businesses to go the first, those to be protected are the risks associated with smoking, and smoke-free. workers, but in the second, the custo- health is viewed as a lower priority than According to official sources, the mers. other obligations such as church, family workplace ban has been implemented It has been disturbing to see senior and work. In fact, smoking is still seen with success in most places. However, health officials arguing that in the as a status symbol. Furthermore, while the situation for waiters has actually hospitality sector, customers can choose smoking has traditionally been socially worsened; this is because smoking is no where to go so long as there are smoke- unacceptable for women and taboo for longer allowed in offices and so smokers free areas, but ignoring the fact that in them in public, smoking rates among have moved to the nearest bar during the smoking areas, the workers are not younger Pacific women are increasing. breaks or after the office closes. It has free to choose where to work. One of the Quit New Zealand hopes to raise the also got worse for customers in some key factors in Ireland’s success was the percentage of Pacific callers to the regions, as in the past local regulations commitment of the trade unions, in Quitline to about 7% of all callers. required even small businesses to have strong contrast to Spain. More needs to Heavily subsidised nicotine replacement separate (although not physically sepa- be done to inform trade unions, politi- therapy removes most cost barriers to rated) areas, and these have now cians and the public about passive making a quit attempt. The Quitline also disappeared. smoking, and especially to convince employs Pacific advisors who can com- But what about the workers? The law politicians that these regulations not municate with callers in their own cites the International Agency for only protect the health of employees, languages. Research on Cancer (IARC) report on but do not have economic implications Response to the new commercial, passive smoking, recognising that it can leading to job losses. which was launched in late March,

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country that prides itself on its support decide for themselves without any reg- for freedom of speech and information. ulation from the government’’, echoing The concept is apparently of little inter- perhaps the industry’s most familiar, if est to the tobacco industry when it over-used, mantra. comes to telling Danish smokers just When questioned later by a concerned how many serious risks they are taking, doctor, the president of the party’s though warmly embraced when the youth wing admitted that he knew that industry is fighting to retain ways of the voluntary agreement between the promoting cigarettes. So long as one is tobacco industry and government in not too fussy about the integrity of the Denmark prohibited the tobacco indus- arguments involved, most aspects of try from distributing cigarettes free of tobacco control policy can be framed as charge, but he saw that as an image an invasion of personal freedoms. It was building exercise by the industry. He with such reasoning, presumably, that had no clear answer to the question as Venstres Ungdom, the largest and oldest to why Venstre Ungdom did not have political youth movement in Denmark, the same ambition for image building. with about 2000 members and eight And he may have been a little taken members of parliament, recently held aback when his expression of a clearly the event in question. negative attitude to ‘‘health extremists’’ Venstre Ungdom, literally meaning met with the robust expression of an ‘‘left youth’’, is akin to a youth wing of equal and opposite dislike by the doctor for ‘‘pushers in nice clothes’’. He even A television commercial launched in New Venstre, the political party of the prime Zealand has specifically targeted Pacific seemed concerned about why the doctor minister and the largest political party peoples, warning about the risk of heart attack was questioning him. But this, after all, in Denmark. Despite its left of centre associated with smoking. was Denmark, land of freedom of origins, Venstre is now a right-of-centre information and expression. was high and also resulted in interest party and currently governs in coalition throughout the Pacific, with news items with other conservative parties. Venstre about smoking and the campaign being Ungdom certainly struck a chord more Czech Republic: film aired in countries such as Samoa. familiar with conservative politics in seemingly supporting industry interests targets still in frame PSTJOHN against tobacco control policy. The In the Czech Republic, the advertising L TASI-MULITALO organisation arranged the ‘‘happening’’ and promotion of tobacco products, The Quit Group, New Zealand; linda.tasi@ in front of the Danish parliament, including sponsorship, was banned in quit.org.nz Christiansborg, during which its mem- 2004. The country has a long and bers offered all those passing by, distinguished history of cinema and politicians and the general public, free there are two main film festivals, FF USA: Philip Morris cigarettes or nicotine replacement ther- Karlovy Vary and Febiofest (Prague). apy products. The intention, apparently, Philip Morris was for several years the deplores bad taste main sponsor of the Karlovy Vary The Smoking Gun website (http:// was to provide a platform for the political idea of ‘‘people being able to festival. In 2005, instead of being a www.thesmokinggun.com/) recently direct sponsor, Philip Morris helped in revealed that Philip Morris had its law other ways, such as bringing VIP guests firm, Arnold & Porter LLP, send a ‘‘cease to the festival and providing accommo- and desist’’ letter to Bobble Head World, dation for them. At the end of June the maker of a ceramic ‘‘Smoking 2005, just before the festival, a special Baby’’. The problem? The box design issue of a weekly magazine Instinkt was for the inexpensive doll (not much more published. The cover page of this issue or less costly than a pack of cigarettes, featured the president of the film depending on where you live) bears a festival, Jiri Bartoska, together with a logo ‘‘confusingly similar’’ to Marlboro’s famous film actor, Jiri Machacek, both famous red and white chevron. wreathed in cigarette smoke. Inside, in a According to the legal letter, these picture showing the festival president designs ‘‘are clearly intended to evoke with another actor, cigarettes again an unsavoury association’’ with constituted a major element of the Marlboro. image. Easy to understand the angst at Philip The other film festival, Febiofest, last Morris. Creating unsavoury associations held in March this year, was sponsored with Marlboro is best left to the tobacco by British American Tobacco (BAT). professionals. Since sponsorship using the name of tobacco products is prohibited, BAT S SHATENSTEIN instead used its programme Vzdusny Contributing Editor, Tobacco Control; [email protected] Prostor (‘‘Airspace’’) to promote the film festival. In fact, what BAT was really promoting, apart from its Denmark: that tired old munificence in sponsoring the festival, was the idea of ventilation as the freedom thing again solution to deal with smoking in restau- A curious event took place recently in The ceramic ‘‘Smoking baby’’, the subject of a rants and other indoor spaces, an issue Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, a ‘‘cease and desist’’ letter from Philip Morris. then being widely discussed in the

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Examples like this of the new public stance of the companies who fought tooth and nail to stop or subvert the FCTC are worrying. Either the compa- nies think they can live with it, which means it is far from a comprehensive solution to controlling the industry, or else they will use their massive eco- nomic influence to try to ensure that national legislation passed under the FCTC has as many loopholes as it takes to allow them to carry on as before. In the past, Malaysia was infamous for having among the world’s worst ‘‘voluntary agreement’’ with the tobacco industry, which took brand-stretching du Maurier, one of Canada’s leading brands, to new depths of absurdity. Conversely, now being marketed in octagon-shaped it is known as one of the toughest packages, in an effort to reinforce the ‘‘prestige’’ of the brand. countries in the world on the enforce- ment of laws against illegal drugs. fact that we are not allowed to do any When will it learn that allowing the kind of advertising, we needed to also tobacco industry a place at the health The cover of the weekly Czech magazine, redesign and refit our in-store displays table is like consulting the Mafia on Instinkt, featuring Karlovy Vary film festival to mirror the look of the pack.’’ president Jiri Bartoska, with actor Jiri anti-drug laws? It is vital for the health Machacek, both wreathed in cigarette smoke. of future generations of Malaysians that The design also decreases the promi- it does not find itself once again an nence of the health warnings. The brand international laughing stock for its information is positioned on the flat Czech Republic. BAT’s advertisements surface of the pack, whereas a signifi- included pictures of clean, smart bar tobacco control strategy, with the health of its citizens once more compromised. cant portion of the warning appears on interiors with not a whiff of smoke to be the angled sections that are less visible, seen, a sight somewhat at variance with particularly when viewed on a retail the present situation, which only a total Canada: a new angle display. ban will solve. Overall, the move underscores the on packs importance of the package as a corner- Point-of-sale marketing is among the stone of industry marketing and the Malaysia: most widespread and effective forms of need for more comprehensive restric- ‘‘transparency’’— tobacco marketing, particularly in coun- tions on point-of-sale displays. To date, tries such as Canada where other forms two provinces in Canada (Saskatchewan industry people at of tobacco advertising are prohibited. It and Manitoba) and one territory is therefore not surprising that tobacco (Nunavut) have introduced comprehen- FCTC talks companies continue to search for ways sive bans on retail displays of cigarette The Malaysian ministry of health to increase the salience of package packages, with bans in Canada’s two recently held a half-day consultation displays and other forms of point-of- most populous provinces, Ontario and meeting to discuss the amendment of sale marketing. Quebec, due to follow in 2008. the 2004 Malaysian Control of Tobacco Imperial Tobacco Canada, a wholly Meanwhile, last September, Thailand Products Regulations to bring them into owned subsidiary of BAT and the largest joined Iceland as the only countries in line with the requirements of the FCTC. tobacco manufacturer in Canada, has the world to introduce national bans on To the amazement of the 11 people from recently added a new twist to retail cigarette displays. These measures are non-governmental organisations at the displays. It has begun marketing du critical to ensuring that new packaging meeting, 11 representatives from the Maurier, one of Canada’s leading and other point-of-sale initiatives do not tobacco industry were also present, in brands, in octagon-shaped packages, undermine comprehensive advertising addition to 10 ministry officials. Among with angled edges on the front and restrictions. the industry participants were what one back of the package face. After a limited startled health worker called a ‘‘gang’’ release in the province of Ontario in D HAMMOND from BAT, as well as representatives of June 2005, the new packs are now being University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Philip Morris and Sampoerna, the introduced across the country. [email protected] Indonesian manufacturer it acquired Jeff Guiler, vice-president of market- last year, and Japan Tobacco ing for Imperial Tobacco, explained that International. the new shape was a way to attract Mauritius: British Health personnel protested, saying it consumer attention in a market with minister flouts rules to was clearly inconsistent with the FCTC, limited opportunities for advertising and but the official chairing the meeting said promotion. In particular, it was a way to greet BAT man it was the ministry’s policy to be reinforce the ‘‘prestige’’ of the du Health workers in Mauritius are accus- ‘‘transparent’’. Sickeningly, the people Maurier brand and to distinguish it tomed to their government’s willingness interested in health had to listen to from the growing number of discount to cosy up to BAT, the hugely dominant those interested in selling tobacco trot- brands in Canada. Guiler explained the cigarette manufacturer in the local ting out their public relations nonsense implications of the new packages for the tobacco market, especially when the about how they fully supported the point-of-sale environment: ‘‘We decided company lubricates the relationship government in regulating tobacco in that in order to leverage the full impact with university education grants and line with the FCTC. of the Signature Pack and overcome the other economic beads for the natives.

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But they felt a bitter disappointment Current treatment guidelines are pre- recently to see the British government sented, including short interventions by doing the same thing. doctors, intensive intervention for spe- In March, newspapers carried cheery cialists, and group and individual ther- reports, complete with colour photo- apy, as well as the possibilities for graphs, of the acting British High treatment in the Czech Republic, where Commissioner attending a high profile specialised centres are starting work. reception organised by BAT to welcome Information about the international its new general manager in Mauritius. tobacco control community is also Not only were those trying to protect the given. health of Mauritians sickened by yet The course is a long overdue and more positive publicity for BAT, but they serious attempt to study the problem. Its had every right to expect a boycott. The focus is on evidence-based information British Foreign and Commonwealth about effective treatment, the economic Office’s guidelines for senior diplomats impact of tobacco addiction, and the (quaintly termed ‘‘posts’’) clearly state, treatment of tobacco dependence in ‘‘Posts should not inter alia be asso- other countries. The course will also ciated in any way with the promotion of inform students about the use of the the tobacco industry… Nor should they highly addictive drug potential of nico- attend or otherwise support receptions tine by tobacco companies, based on or high profile events—especially those An Australian tobacco company recently examples drawn from tobacco industry where a tobacco company is the sole or marketed its product in tins, with health warning documents. After lengthy discussions, stickers that could be peeled off easily. main sponsor.’’ the study of tobacco problems was Action on Smoking and Health, the incorporated into the Czech national UK’s leading public health campaign on the mandatory health warnings on drug prevention strategy by the govern- tobacco, wrote to the Foreign Secretary adhesive labels. ment last year. expressing its concern and demanding The warning labels are supposed to be an explanation, and to request him to fastened firmly and not easily removed. EKRALIKOVA remind all ‘‘posts’’ of the FCO guide- But in testing a tin of Peter Stuyvesant Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic; lines, to ensure that such participation is cigarettes bought in Perth, Western [email protected] not repeated elsewhere. Australia the labels were easily The UK government nowadays likes removed. UK: smoke-free effect to think it is in the forefront of tobacco Retailers reported that the tins were control, and as one of the countries that very popular with young smokers, and it on pension funds has ratified the FCTC, it has a respon- is likely that they removed the warning In the run-up to the recent vote to make sibility, as the FCTC states, to ‘‘be alert labels and then transferred the cigar- all public places in England smoke-free, to any efforts by the tobacco industry to ettes straight into the tin. The National there were frequent, often strident undermine or subvert tobacco control Heart Foundation of Australia made a assertions from those who were fighting efforts’’. So Foreign Office officials will formal complaint about this breach of for tobacco rather than health, that the have their work cut out to explain not legislation to Australia’s Competition move would have no effect on con- one, but two serious breaches. and Consumer Commission. sumption. But as health campaigners were celebrating the victorious parlia- Australia: health M G SWANSON mentary vote, commercial institutions National Heart Foundation of Australia were busy assessing the likely long term (WA Division); effects on the economy. Research by warnings canned [email protected] Since 1 March 2006, all tobacco pro- human resources firm Hewitt Associates ducts manufactured or imported into estimated that the ban could add up to Australia have been required to be Czech Republic: £20 billion (US$35 billion) to UK pen- sold in packaging that includes the sion deficits, as well as increasing the new graphic picture-based warnings addiction course annual cost to companies providing (http://www.quitnow.info.au/warnings/ defined benefit schemes. warnings.htm). includes tobacco No doubt the tobacco industry will However, a month before the regula- A new three year degree course, on continue to plead no effect in other tion came into effect a tobacco company ‘‘addictology’’, has begun at Charles countries contemplating a total ban, and was caught marketing cigarettes in University in Prague. What makes it health ministers and other prime trendy retro-style tins which, unlike noteworthy is that it includes tobacco movers would be well advised to consult packets of cigarettes with printed warn- dependence. their financial institutions, as well as ings, had health warning stickers that In the second year of the course, 30 their medical and health experts, to at were easily peeled off. The manufac- teaching hours are being devoted to the least cut down the time wasted by false turers appeared to be taking advantage epidemiology of tobacco, including the arguments by desperate tobacco inter- of an apparent loophole in regulations history and scope of the tobacco pan- ests. As with any aspect of tobacco that allow cigarettes not sold in the demic, its health impacts, and tobacco control policy, effectiveness is propor- traditional soft packs or flip tops to carry use related to different medical fields. tional to the volume of industry protest.

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