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Gene found to defend against environmental pollutants and pulmonary emphysema

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and other institutions have identified a “master gene” in mice that controls the action of 50 other genes whose products protect the lungs against environmental pollutants.

1 Nov 2004

South Australia imposes smoking restrictions on high-rollers

South Australia has become the first Australian State to impose restrictions on smoking in casino high-roller or ‘VIP’ rooms.

1 Nov 2004

High prevalence of cigarette smoking among Chinese men indicates an urgent need for smoking prevention

Adopting a westernized lifestyle has spelled disaster for many people in China, where 60 percent of men smoke cigarettes, more than half of women are exposed to secondhand smoke at home and one in four men and women breathe smoke-filled air at work.

1 Nov 2004

Employees in workplaces with no smoking restrictions smoke five more cigarettes daily

Employees in workplaces with no smoking restrictions smoke almost five more cigarettes daily than those whose workplaces completely ban smoking, says a study by the University of Toronto's Ontario Tobacco Research Unit (OTRU).

1 Nov 2004

Long-term medication and counseling helps smokers quit

People who want to quit smoking have an improved chance of success if they receive long-term comprehensive drug and psychological interventions, according to a new study by UCSF researchers.

1 Nov 2004

Acetaldehyde appears to increase the addictive properties of nicotine

Acetaldehyde, one of the main chemical components of tobacco smoke, appears to increase the addictive properties of nicotine, according to animal studies conducted by the UC Irvine Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC).

29 Oct 2004

Smoking shown to quell painful sensations and heighten positive emotions

Smokers often say that lighting up a cigarette can calm their nerves, satisfy their craving and help them relax.

28 Oct 2004

Red wine consumption may protect men against lung cancer

Red wine may protect against the development of lung cancer in men, suggests research in Thorax, with each daily glass conferring additional benefit. No other type of alcohol seemed to have the same effect, the study found.

28 Oct 2004

Radiotherapy with cetuximab significantly improves disease control and survival in head and neck cancer

Combination treatment using the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, along with high dose radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck results in significant improvements in both loco-regional control and overall survival, according to Dr Jordi Giralt of Val d'Hebron University Hospital.

26 Oct 2004

Philip Morris exploited institutional fears of losing research funding

As part of its strategy to avert tobacco stock divestment by the country's top medical schools, Philip Morris exploited institutional fears of losing research funding, according to a new report by UCSF School of Nursing researchers.

25 Oct 2004

Number of adult smokers in Washington takes a healthy drop

The Washington State Department of Health has announced a 12 percent drop in the number of smokers in the state since the launch of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. That translates into about 115,000 fewer smokers statewide since the program began.

25 Oct 2004

Smoking continues to be the largest single cause of death and disease in the EU

Over 650,000 Europeans are killed every year because they smoke, one in seven of all deaths across the EU, and over 13 million more are suffering from a serious, chronic disease as a result of their smoking.

25 Oct 2004

No infant, child or adult should be exposed to secondhand smoke

A leaked British government report has concluded that 'no infant, child or adult should be exposed to secondhand smoke - secondhand smoke represents a substantial public health hazard'.

18 Oct 2004

You can't buy cigarettes from your doctor, so why can you purchase tobacco products at some pharmacies?

People do not expect to be able to purchase cigarettes or other tobacco products when they visit their doctors' or dentists' offices.

13 Oct 2004

Some people who chew betel nut may be genetically more prone to mouth cancer

The nut of the betel or areca palm tree contains a mild, central nervous system stimulant called arecoline. Chewing the nut on its own or with a mixture of tobacco, lime and betel leaf is a popular habit in Asian countries and among British Asians.

12 Oct 2004

RACGP welcomes Victorian state ban on smoking in pubs and clubs

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Victorian Faculty today welcomed the State Government announcement of an end to smoking in pubs and clubs by 2007.

12 Oct 2004

South Australia a step closer to smoke free pubs and clubs

New restrictions on smoking in South Australia’s pubs, clubs, gaming rooms and the casino will begin within weeks if the Rann Government’s tobacco control legislation is passed by the State’s Upper House this week.

12 Oct 2004

New study highlights survey vulnerabilities

Some 8.3 percent of California teens smoke cigarettes. No, wait, make that 4.5 percent. Or is it really 14.2 percent?

12 Oct 2004

Exposure to tobacco smoke and pollutants increases childhood risk of asthma

Children prenatally exposed to pollutants, such as motor vehicle exhaust, and postnatally exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) may be more likely to suffer from asthma and related symptoms early in life.

11 Oct 2004

Cancer experts say labelling cigarette packets with tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide measurements is misleading and should be stopped

The tar delivery of cigarettes is routinely measured with a machine and, with the exception of the United States, stated on every packet as a legal requirement in almost every country in the world. It is accompanied by measurement of nicotine and often carbon monoxide.

8 Oct 2004