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The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland says Minister must introduce a complete ban on second-hand tobacco smoke

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, which has energetically campaigned for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, said that the Minister’s decision not to introduce an immediate total ban in Northern Ireland was very disappointing.

28 Jun 2005

Changing a high-risk drinking culture through the lens of gender

Claims that men binge drink to feel more macho and women drink to feel more equal to men are among the motivations that will be explored over the next two years at the University of North Carolina Wilmington as CROSSROADS, UNCW’s substance abuse prevention and education program, seeks to identify, address and change gender-specific attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that contribute to high-risk drinking.

28 Jun 2005

Genetic predisposition to lung cancer exists

First-degree relatives of black individuals with early-onset lung cancer have twice the risk of lung cancer than first-degree relatives of white individuals with early-onset lung cancer, according to a study in the June 22/29 issue of JAMA.

21 Jun 2005

Smoking in cars - won’t somebody please think of the children!

Australian Medical Association Victoria (AMA) President Dr Mark Yates has praised the support from various health lobby groups and Democrats Leader Senator Lyn Allison to ban smoking in cars carrying passengers, and in particular children.

21 Jun 2005

Researchers isolate substance most responsible for the tissue damage that follows initial spinal cord injury

Purdue University researchers may have isolated the substance most responsible for the tissue damage that follows initial spinal cord injury, a discovery that could also improve treatments for a host of other neurodegenerative conditions.

21 Jun 2005

Study shows fewer Canadian retailers selling cigarettes to youth

For the first time, the Canada's national rates of retailers refusing to sell tobacco products to youth have exceeded the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy's 10-year target objective of 80% or greater.

16 Jun 2005

Nicotine triggers the same neural pathways that give opiates their addictively rewarding properties

In experiments with mice, researchers have found that nicotine triggers the same neural pathways that give opiates such as heroin their addictively rewarding properties--including associating an environment with the drug's reward.

15 Jun 2005

SARS vaccine produced from plants

According to new research, a vaccine has been produced in genetically engineered tomato and tobacco plants, which triggers anti-SARS antibodies in mice.

15 Jun 2005

Drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of infection in newborns

Despite public-information campaigns and physician advice about alcohol consumption during pregnancy, between 15 and 25 percent of pregnant women continue to drink each month, and five to 10 out of 1,000 pregnant women drink an average of seven or more drinks per week.

14 Jun 2005

63 percent of cancer deaths for African-American men related to tobacco smoke

A new analysis links tobacco smoke to 63 percent of cancer deaths among African-American men in the United States. The smoke-related cancer death burden for African-American men is highest in the South at 67 percent, with the lowest burden - 43 percent - in the Northeast. The percentage is 60 in the West and 63 in the Midwest.

13 Jun 2005

Brain shrinkage appears to have no impact on an individual's capacity to think or learn

The research is part of a 20-year study by the ANU Centre for Mental Health Research called PATH Through Life and suggests a revision of long-standing views on the impact of age-related brain shrinkage.

10 Jun 2005

New dopamine transporter gene findings may be relevant for substance abuse, tobacco smoking, and ADHD

Confirming findings in a previous study, Yale researchers observed an altered availability of the dopamine transporter in healthy persons with a genetic variation linked to substance abuse and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

6 Jun 2005

Oral cancer screening saves lives

Oral cancer is the 8th most common cancer in men and ranks 14th among women worldwide. There were 274,300 new cases and 145,500 deaths worldwide in 2002. Two-thirds of this burden are borne by developing countries, and over 30% by India alone. A high rate of oral cancer has been recorded in the Indian subcontinent, central and eastern Europe, parts of France, southern Europe, South America, and Oceania.

3 Jun 2005

Potential smoking liability cases thrown into doubt in Europe

The outcome of potential smoking liability cases in Europe has been thrown into doubt after a widow lost her claim for damages against the tobacco company she blames for her husband's death from lung cancer.

2 Jun 2005

UK latest country to join anti-smoking drive

Smoking causes more than 100,000 deaths in the UK each year and now the UK government is promising that it will become a driving force in helping smokers all over the world to quit.

2 Jun 2005

Research shows smoking bans unlikely to affect business in Canada

More people reported that they would likely visit bars and restaurants if they are smoke-free than the number who would stay away because of a smoking ban. These are the results of recent public opinion research announced today by Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh.

1 Jun 2005

Tobacco companies designed cigarettes "to addict women"

A new analysis of tobacco industry documents provides evidence that cigarette companies intentionally modified their products to promote female smoking by emphasizing attributes they knew would appeal to women - stylishness and taste, as well as perceived health benefits.

1 Jun 2005

Twenty countries plan to go smokefree

At least 20 countries around the world are working towards smokefree public places and it is time for the UK to provide a strong lead, Cancer Research UK's Chief Executive declares.

1 Jun 2005

BMA Scotland response to McTear v Imperial Tobacco verdict

Commenting on the judgement announced by the Right Hon. Lord Nimmo Smith on the case of Mrs Margaret McTear against Imperial Tobacco Limited today (Tuesday 31 May 2005), Dr Bill O’Neill, Scottish Secretary of the British Medical Association (BMA), said:

31 May 2005

Health professionals should push for a total smoking

Health professionals should push for a smoking ban in hospitals, research facilities, and health-care clinics as well as in public places, states a comment published online today by The Lancet to coincide with World No Tobacco Day.

31 May 2005