Tobacco giants and Government in plain packaging showdown
British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco will line up against the Government The world’s biggest tobacco companies will this week start their High Court battle with the Government over plans to sell cigarettes in plain
BAT caught up in yet another bribery scam at Uganda subsidiary
Cigarette manufacturer British American Tobacco (BAT) is caught up in yet another bribery scam in Uganda, days after the firm was reported to have bribed Kenya’s former Trade minister Moses Wetang’ula. But the London-based tobacco
CORRECTED-Russian senator submits bill to raise smoking age to 21
Dec 7 Russia is considering a bill to raise the legal smoking age to 21 from 18 as part of an ongoing drive to improve public health in a nation of heavy smokers. Senator Anton
The secret bribes of big tobacco paper trail
The BBC’s Panorama programme has spent five months investigating bribery at British American Tobacco. BAT says it conducts its business with honesty, integrity and transparency, and has strict anti-bribery rules. But the BBC obtained hundreds
British American Tobacco accused of bribing government officials
BBC Panorama alleges BAT paid officials from three African countries in effort to undermine UN anti-smoking treaty British American Tobacco paid bribes to government officials in a bid to undermine the UN’s global anti-smoking treaty,
Big tobacco targets the young in poor countries – with deadly consequences
Tobacco is the only consumer product that kills when used exactly as the manufacturer intends. It does so at an alarming rate – one in two long-term users will eventually be killed by their habit.
The secret bribes of big tobacco
By Richard Bilton BBC Panorama A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence of bribery at one of the UK’s biggest companies. Panorama found British American Tobacco illegally paid politicians and civil servants in countries in East
Philip Morris should not be interfering with Uruguay’s public health legislation
In its letter to the Guardian (Philip Morris: we are defending our business, not attacking human rights, 19 November), Philip Morris International (PMI) claims that “the Uruguayan senate approved the investment treaty with Switzerland after
Lawsuit Exposes Cancer-Causing Chemicals from E-cigarettes
Oakland, CA-The national nonprofit health watchdog Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced it has filed lawsuits against leading tobacco companies and other e-cigarette companies, including RJ Reynolds (Vuse brand), Fontem/Imperial Tobacco (blu brand), NJOY and
France introduces plain cigarette packaging
The French parliament has narrowly passed a law to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes . It’s in a bid to cut the number of its smokers, particularly among teenagers, The new packaging will be introduced
Big tobacco tries to put its stamp on new packaging
Tobacco lobbyists have joined forces in a bid to stop the European Commission from signing up a Swiss company to provide advanced “track and trace” technology to combat cigarette smuggling. The fight is intensifying at the EU level
New anti-smoking law passes unanimously in National Assembly
The free ride for users of e-cigarettes — or vapers — has come to an end. Bill 44, the first update to the Quebec’s tobacco regulations in a decade, was passed unanimously in the National
Don’t Let Progress on Tobacco Evaporate
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this month that the adult smoking rate in the United States has fallen to a new low, a testament to the decades of education about the dangers
How can Philip Morris sue Uruguay over its tobacco laws?
When the architects of the international order that took shape after the second world war created the United Nations, they gave the organisation a lofty goal: “Save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Through
The Troubling History of Big Tobacco’s Cozy Ties With Black Leaders
It’s hardly surprising that a tobacco company would donate more money to Republican politicians than to Democrats, who are generally more amenable than GOPers to taxes and regulation. North Carolina’s Lorillard Tobacco, for instance, gave
Raise tobacco tariff to curb smokers
The World Health Organization has estimated the number of smokers in Kingdom at nearly 6 million. The number is expected to reach 10 million by 2020. Saudis have been spending about SR15 billion annually to
Cancer Society worries new cigarettes with squeezable menthol filter will hook kids
TORONTO – One of Canada’s largest tobacco companies has introduced a new type of menthol cigarette that the Canadian Cancer Society worries could get more teens and young adults hooked on smoking. The cigarettes, sold
Public Housing Nationwide May Be Subject to Smoking Ban
Smoking would be prohibited in public housing homes nationwide under a proposed federal rule announced on Thursday, a move that would affect nearly one million households and open the latest front in the long-running campaign
Stopping smoking is a win-win situation
Health and finances, especially among the lower paid, are both hit by addiction The message that stopping smoking is a great way to save money is getting more attention in public health circles, and for
Adolescent E-Cigarette Use Tied To Breathing Problems
(Reuters Health) – Adolescents who reported using e-cigarettes were about 30 percent more likely to report respiratory symptoms than those who never used e-cigarettes, in a study from China. The increased risk of breathing problems
Tobacco retailers have to obtain licences within a week
ISLAMABAD: Director of Excise Department Islamabad Capital Territory Administration Maryam Mumtaz issued notices to over 900 tobacco retailers in the capital on Tuesday, asking them to get their licenses within one week of receiving the
Bigger Warnings on Tobacco Products From Next Year, Rules Court
JAIPUR: Graphic warnings will have to cover at least 85 per cent of the packaging on both sides of tobacco products, the Rajasthan High Court ruled today. The new rule will have to be implemented
Tobacco firms must pay almost $1B in security, appeals court rules
Two of Canada’s largest tobacco companies must pay almost $1 billion in security to ensure that money is available to pay victims who have been involved in a 17-year legal battle for compensation, the Quebec
Liberal pledge to demand plain cigarette packaging draws cheers
The Canadian Cancer Society is celebrating a promise by the newly elected Liberal government in Ottawa to force tobacco companies to sell their cigarettes in plain packages devoid of brand designs and logos. The commitment,
Meet the Melbourne oncologist now at the centre of Big Tobacco’s dartboard
Dr Bronwyn King is an oncologist. She is an honorary radiation oncologist at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and works at Epworth Healthcare where she treats cancer patients. She has helped treat many hundreds of
Nepal implements 90 % graphic health warnings on tobacco packs, strictest in the world
The Union 29 October 2015 Tobacco packs in Nepal now have 90 per cent of their surface area covered with hard-hitting pictures of the health impacts of tobacco use – the strongest tobacco control measure
Raise smoking age to 21 and regulate e-cigs, pediatricians urge
(CNN)Most people who smoke started in their teens. While the number of kids trying tobacco for the first time has declined since the 1970s, there are still new smokers every year and kids’ doctors want
The Uncertainties About E-Cigarettes
In “Can E-Cigarettes Save Lives?” (column, Oct. 17), Joe Nocera expresses certainty about the health benefits of e-cigarettes and argues that it is time to “forget about the F.D.A.” in regulating these products. Whether e-cigarettes
Ukraine 1 step closer to larger package warnings after committee vote
On 7 Oct 2015, the healthcare committee of Ukraine’s Parliament approved a draft law that calls for larger graphic health warnings on tobacco packages. The law, based on a 2014 European Union directive, is staunchly
Big Tobacco’s Staunch Friend in Washington: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
LONDON — When the Irish prime minister visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year, he had a message to deliver. Ireland’s economy was recovering and his country was still open for business. “Call me
Why the United Nations should press for higher taxes on tobacco
By Michael R. Bloomberg and Margaret Chan October 1 Michael R. Bloomberg was mayor of New York from 2002 to 2013. Margaret Chan is director-general of the World Health Organization. For the first time, the
Tobacco Carve-Out in TPP, Major Victory for Public Health
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a major victory for public health, negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement concluded this morning with built-in protections to prevent private corporations from suing governments over anti-tobacco regulations.
EU Commission ‘lacked transparency’ over tobacco lobbyist meetings
EU ombudsman describes executive’s approach to its dealings with cigarette companies as ‘inadequate’ The European Commission has been told it must publish details of meetings between top officials and tobacco industry lobbyists, after the official EU
Canada: Suing tobacco firms for health care costs is constitutional: appeals court
Court upholds law that makes it easier for province to sue The Quebec government has the constitutional right to sue tobacco companies to recover health care costs, Quebec’s Court of Appeal ruled on Monday. The judges
UK: Cigarette design
Illicit, smuggled tobacco is an issue that deserves a serious response. Unfortunately, the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association’s (TMA) recent article (17 September) fails to deliver. It disregards reliable evidence on illicit tobacco in favour of misinformation.
Public smokers to be jailed
SMOKING in public will attract a fine of $500 or six months in jail after the country has aligned the Public Health Act on Tobacco Control Regulation 264 of 2001 with the World Health Organisation
Smoking increases the risk of losing your sight, ‘alarming’ study finds
The habit could have a detrimental impact on eye health, new research has found – even if you have no pre-existing illness Smokers could be exposing themselves to the risk of sight loss even if they’re
Adoption of Agenda 2030: A Major Victory for NCDs
25 September 2015 Today is a historic moment for the non-communicable disease (NCD) community. This morning, world leaders formally adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the United Nations in New York. These 17
Smoking linked with higher risk of type 2 diabetes
Boston, MA – Current smokers and people regularly exposed to second-hand smoke have a significantly increased risk for type 2 diabetes compared with people who have never smoked, according to a new meta-analysis conducted by
FDA orders Reynolds to stop sales of four cigarette brands
Reynolds American Inc can no longer sell Camel Crush Bold or three other cigarette products in the United States because they may be more dangerous than similar older cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration said
$34 million ‘big tobacco’ verdict in Pensacola
An Escambia County jury has returned a $34 million verdict against R.J. Reynolds tobacco company on behalf of the family of Garry O’Hara, a 50-year-old man who died of lung cancer 15 years after he
Smoke-free workplace laws may decrease youth smoking
(Reuters Health) – Although teens rarely spend time in offices, smoke-free laws affecting those venues may have a ripple effect that deters youth from taking up the habit, a new study suggests. In an 11-year
The Poison in Your E-Cigarettes
If you think e-cigs are a safer alternative to regular cigarettes, think again. An independent study from the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) this week has offered new evidence that e-cigarettes contain cancer-causing agents. If the research holds up, the devices’
Clashing Views on E-Cigarettes
A British government agency has issued a bullish assessment of the value of electronic cigarettes in helping people to quit smoking. It found that e-cigarettes can reduce the health risks of smoking by 95 percent because
E-cigarettes: Public Health England’s evidence-based confusion
Last week, Public Health England (PHE) reported what it described as a “landmark review” of evidence about e-cigarettes. The headline in their press release quoted their top-line finding—“E-cigarettes around 95% less harmful than tobacco”. Kevin
Millions of lives blighted by smokeless tobacco
by Nancy Wavell Mendoza A quarter of a million deaths per year are caused by smokeless tobacco-based products, according to a new study. Its authors say that millions more have their lives shortened by ill health
TTIP controversy: The European Commission and Big Tobacco accused of cover-up after heavily redacted documents released
The European Commission has been accused of a cover-up after refusing to release details of talks between its officials and the tobacco industry during negotiations over the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) treaty.
You Can’t Buy One Cigarette Stick – Only Packets – Uganda
The 2014 Tobacco Control Bill has become one of the highly controversial Bills submitted to Parliament of Uganda, on 28th July and passed which is awaiting the consent of the President. This Bill which was
Teens who try e-cigarettes more likely to start smoking
By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters) – U.S. teens who try electronic cigarettes may be more than twice as likely to move on to smoking conventional cigarettes as those who have never tried the devices, researchers from
Councils told by ministers not to accept money from tobacco firms to clean up Britain’s streets
The apparent U-turn was condemned as ‘political correctness’ by tobacco companies. In January another minister said he wanted tobacco companies to ‘make a contribution to put right the wrongs as a consequence of their product’