Tobacco

Tobacco Mental illness, a reason to quit smoking

YORK, England (UPI) -- A British researcher says smoking cessation programs need to include smokers with severe mental illness. Simon Gilbody of the University of York & Hull York Medical School inEngland says those with severe mental illness need to be offered these programs. "Despite huge expansion in smoking cessation services in recent years, people with severe mental illness have been left behind," Gilbody says in a statement. Gilbody and colleagues reviewed studies on smoking cessation and mental illness and concluded treatment for smoking dependence is as effective among people with severe mental illnesses as it is for the general population. Moreover, such treatments do not appear to cause mental health deterioration. The study, published in the journal Addiction, notes people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia have high rates of physical illness and are two to three times likely as others to smoke. The researchers suggest smoking-related illnesses contribute significantly to the sickness among those with severe mental illness. Mortality rates for those with severe mental illness are three times those of the rest of the population -- largely due to smoking-related illness rather than schizophrenia itself. Tobacco Light cigarettes similar to cigarettes LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say low-nicotine cigarettes act similarly to regular cigarettes, occupying a significant percentage of the brains nicotine receptors. University of California, Los Angeles, psychiatry professor Dr. Arthur L. Brody and colleagues said light cigarettes have nicotine levels of 0.6 to 1 milligram, while regular cigarettes contain between 1.2 and 1.4 milligrams. The researchers also looked at de-nicotinized cigarettes, which contain only a trace amount of nicotine. "The two take-home messages are that very little nicotine is needed to occupy a substantial portion of brain nicotine receptors, and cigarettes with less nicotine than regular cigarettes, such as light cigarettes, still occupy most brain nicotine receptors," Brody said in a statement. The study, published in the online edition of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, found low-nicotine cigarettes function almost the same as regular cigarettes in terms of brain nicotine-receptor occupancy. When nerve cells communicate, nerve impulses jump chemically across gaps between cells called synapses through neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites on nerve cells -- in this case acetylcholine -- resulting in the release of a pleasure-inducing chemical called dopamine. Nicotine mimics acetylcholine, but it lasts longer, releasing more dopamine. The 15 study participants were given positron emission tomography scans that use minute amounts of radiation-emitting substances to tag specific molecules. Source : United Press International  Tobacco Ravaged lungs, tumors on matchbook covers NEW YORK (UPI) -- Matchbooks distributed by the New York City health department have images of ravaged lungs, rotting gums and large, painful tumors, officials said. The matchbook are free at 132 cigarette retailers in the South Bronx, East and Central Harlem, and North and Central Brooklyn, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, city health commissioner, said. "Throat cancer, gum disease, blackened lungs -- these are the realities of smoking," Frieden said in a statement. "Many countries put these images right on the cigarette pack, where they belong. While the United States hasnt done this yet -- and New York City is pre-empted from requiring cigarette package labels -- we are putting these images where New Yorkers buy cigarettes, just before they light up, in the hope theyll think twice about the decision to continue smoking." The campaign draws inspiration from Australia, Brazil, Canada and other countries where cigarette packs carry graphic warnings. Studies suggest that the approach encourages smokers to quit, Frieden said. "The tobacco industry spends $13 billion dollars each year promoting smoking by showing glamorous, healthful images," Sarah B. Perl of the health department. "The reality of smoking is ugly and devastating." Source : United Press International Tobacco Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, production, Supply and Distribution) Rules, 2004 G.S.R. 137. — In Exercise of the power conferred by section 31 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (34 of 2003), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely: -  1 Short title and commencement. A. These rules may be called the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, production, Supply and Distribution) Rules, 2004 B. They shall come into force on the 1st day of May, 2004 2 Definitions. — In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— A. “Act” means the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of trade and Commerce, production, Supply and Distribution Act, 2003 B. “section” means a section of the Act C. “open space” mentioned in Section 3(1) of the Act shall not include any places visited by the public such as open auditorium, stadium, railway station, bus stop and such other places; and D. words and expressions used herein and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, shall have the meaning, respectively, assigned to them in the Act 3 Prohibition of smoking in a public place. A. The owner or the manager or in charge of the affairs of a public place shall cause to be displayed prominently a board, of a minimum size of sixty centimeter by thirty centimetre in the Indian languages(s) as applicable, at least one at the entrance of the public place and one at conspicuous place(s) inside, containing the warning “No Smoking Area - Smoking here is an offence B. The owner or the manager or in charge of the affair of a hotel having thirty rooms or restaurants having seating capacity of thirty persons or more and the manager of the airport shall ensure that, — i) The smoking and non-smoking areas are physically segregated; ii) The smoking area shall be located in such manner that the public is not required to pass through it in order to reach the non-smoking area; and iii) Each area shall contain boards indicating thereon “Smoking Area/Non-Smoking area”. 4 Prohibition of advertisement of cigarette and other tobacco products.— A. The size of the board used for advertisement for cigarettes and any other tobacco products displayed at the entrance or inside a warehouse or a shop where cigarettes and any other such tobacco products are offered for distribution or sale shall not exceed ninety centimetre by sixty centimetre and number of such boards shall not exceed two. B. Each such board shall contain in the Indian language as applicable, one of the following warning occupying twenty-five percent, of top area of the board, namely: - i) Tobacco Causes Cancer, or ii) Tobacco Kills C. The board referred to in sub-rule (2) shall contain only the brand name or picture of the tobacco products and no other promotional message and picture  A. The owner or the manager or the Incharge of the affairs of a place where cigarettes and other tobacco products are sold shall display a board of minimum size of sixty centimetre by thirty centimetre at conspicuous place(s) containing the warning “Sales of tobacco products to a person under the age of eighteen years is a punishable offence”, in Indian language(s) applicable. B. The onus of proof that the buyer of the tobacco products is not a minor lies with the seller of the tobacco products. The seller, in case of doubt, may request tobacco purchaser to provide appropriate evidence of having reached eighteen years of age. [F.No. P-16011/2/2003-PH] thanks  BHAVANI THYAGARAHJAN, Jt. Secy