Flavored Cigarettes Harder to Quit

Could a mint-flavored additive to cigarettes have a negative impact on smoking cessation efforts? New research from investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and UMDNJ-School of Public Health shines a light on this topic. It finds that menthol cigarettes are associated with decreased quitting in the United States, and that this effect is more pronounced for blacks and Puerto Ricans.

The findings, which appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, are ideally timed as the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is currently considering banning menthol cigarettes after its own Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) concluded that “removal of menthol cigarettes from the marketplace would benefit public health in the United States.” CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Previous studies regarding the impact of smoking menthol cigarettes and smoking cessation efforts have produced mixed results. For instance, some research did not take into account the overall population of smokers, while other studies lacked focus on periods of successful smoking cessation and instead targeted attempts to quit. This current study, Smoking Cessation Prevalence among Menthol and Non-Menthol Smokers in the United States, looks at whether those who smoke menthol cigarettes are less likely to quit than smokers of non-menthol cigarettes and whether these findings differ by race/ethnicity as well as among various subgroups of smokers, such as those trying to quit.

Utilizing data from the 2003 and 2006-2007 National Cancer Institute Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, investigators focused on white, black and Hispanic “ever-smokers,” who were defined as current smokers and former smokers who quit in the past five years. Current smokers were further defined as having smoked 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and smoking every day or some days at the time of the survey. Former smokers were noted as those who smoked 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and were not smoking at all during the time of the survey. Blacks included multi-racial blacks, and the Hispanic data set was further broken down by Hispanic origin (ie: Mexico vs. Puerto Rico). Socioeconomic factors including education and household income were examined for all groups.

Overall, menthol smoking was more common among females and young adults, ages 18 to 24. Menthol smoking varied considerably by race/ethnicity; among blacks, 71.8 percent smoked menthols, which is significantly greater than whites (21 percent) and Hispanics (28.1 percent). However, among Hispanics there were wide variations. Menthol smoking was more common among those of Puerto Rican descent (62 percent) than among those of Mexican (19.9 percent) and other Hispanic origins (26.5 percent).

The study further found that menthol cigarette smoking was associated with lower levels of smoking cessation compared to non-menthol smokers, and this relationship was more pronounced among blacks and those of Puerto Rican descent. A key strength of the study was that the research team examined the relationship between menthol smoking and cessation for five different sample restrictions (e.g., all smokers vs. smokers with quit attempt history). The main finding held true even after analyzing the data using several different samples. “Because our evidence suggests that the presence of menthol may partially explain the observed differences in cessation outcomes, the recent calls to ban this flavoring would be prudent and evidence-based,” the authors state.

CINJ Member Cristine Delnevo, director of the Center for Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Research Program, is the lead author of the study. She notes one thing that sets this study apart from others on this subject is further recognizing the diversity of the Hispanic population.

'Illegal cigarette' awareness campaign may get more people smoking

When South Africa took the step to ban cigarette advertising, it was with the hope that the adoption of smoking would end. So, our televisions and movie screens were stripped of beautiful, young, successful and sporty people lighting up a cigarette and enjoying a 'healthy' life.

Slowly the images of the glorious smoking lifestyle faded away; the cigarette was no longer in the upper echelon of our awareness. Relegated to point of sale, pack innovation, permission-based marketing and other dark marketing practices they have, however, persevered. And now they're back.
Consider cigarettes again

Then, this year, cigarette communication has once again taken centre stage, forcing people to consider cigarettes again - perhaps not to the same degree as when B&H commercials promoting skiing and smoking filled the airwaves or when the Marlboro Man made us want to ride off into the sunset on our horse - but they have made it back onto the billboards and interrupted our daily journeys once again, even if its message is somewhat more sinister.

Instead of the lifestyle positioning, the message is all ominous: "Buying Illegal Cigarettes Funds Organised Crime!"

Pamphlets, print ads and billboards all raise the profile of the tobacco product once more, in what is probably a loophole in the legislation overseeing advertising-restricted products.

While there is no recognisable brand to be seen, the Tobacco Institute of South Africa has taken centre stage in communicating that consumers who buy a pack of cigarettes for under R14.50 are probably buying illegal cigarettes, and so are more than likely supporting organised crime syndicates who use the profits of illegal cigarettes to fund their dastardly deeds.

E-cigarettes also contain nicotine

The Department of Health warns the public on the use of e-cigarette or the electronic cigarette. It does not help people quit smoking and it is not safe for human consumption.
Marketers of the e-cigarette claim that it is nicotine-free and contains E-liquid or E-juice which are organic. However, tobacco control advocates said that smokers use it since they get their nicotine fix or kick from it.
DOH regional director Rio Magpantay explained that although the e-cigarette does not emit the same odor and smoke produced by the real cigar, the vapors the e-cigarette emits have carcinogens and toxic chemicals.
The e-cigarette heats a liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker inhales. A tiny light on the tip glows like a real cigarette.
This product misleads smokers into believing that this is a way of smoking cessation. Tobacco control advocates wants a ban on the sale of this product since it would only promote the concept of smoking and lure teenagers to the habit.

How (Not) to Quit Smoking: What Will Occupy Your Lesbian Hands?

Did you know that smoking is bad for you? Whoa, neither did I! ‘Cause you know, my parents, teachers, and that lady I bummed a light from on the street told me it was, but I thought they were lying until I sat down and starting doing research for this post right here, and damn! That shit is scary. I’m stressed out. Does anyone have a cigarette?
Ugh, sorry if I’m a little bit grumpy, you guys — I’m trying to quit smoking.
I had my first cigarette when I was 16. I started smoking regularly at 18. I came out as a smoker at 19, because sometimes the truth takes a long time to come to terms with. It was finals week of my freshman year in college. My best friend and I had been up all night ingesting study drugs and shots of espresso, and while standing outside the campus McDonald’s waiting for it to open at 6am rolling cigarette after cigarette, I turned to him and said, “You know, I don’t think this is a social thing anymore.”
At some point you have to stop blaming the big things. You have to stop getting mad at capitalism, booze, Big Tobacco (whatever that means), the abrasiveness of those fucking Truth ads and the deliciousness of cigarettes (mm, cigarettes) and say “I AM A SMOKER (and maybe I’m addicted).”

How to design for NO-Fun – a cigarette packaging case

Usually, companies are trying to evoke positive emotions with their product and packaging design. However, when it concerns health issues and government could have a (opposed) hand in the design, sometimes designing for negative emotions is required. This British design student case for cigarette packaging shows just how to do that.

This new packaging concept for cigarettes from recent UK design graduates Jennifer Noon and Sarah Shaw is in response to the British government’s controversial proposal for plain packaging, which purports that bland and generic cigarette packages devoid of company logos or art would make health warnings more prominent. (Which is not to say that labels wouldn’t work.) (Source: Core 77)

Buy cheap Lucky Strike cigarettes online for discount price.

BRIEF Australia has attracted a lot of press attention in recent months on cigarette packaging. The British government are considering introducing plain packaging to the UK. Here is the response.

RESPONSE The main aim was to change the structure of the pack making it less ergonomic. The pack was developed to be difficult to use and carry. For the warning imagery focusing on aspects which would appeal to the users vanity

Don’t Be Misled By 'Eco Friendly' Cigarette Claims

Most of my patients including the few remaining diehard smokers will tell you I consider smoking an unhealthy and filthy habit. So it was no surprise recently when a patient handed me an advertisement touting a so-called ‘green’ cigarette in an effort to prove otherwise. New magazine ads touting cigarettes with “additive-free” “organic” tobacco use the term “eco-friendly” is prompting smoking foes to cry foul.

Ads for Natural American Spirit cigarettes have appeared in magazines such as Elle, Mother Jones, Field & Stream and Esquire.

The cigarettes manufactured by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company is owned by Reynolds American Inc.

The company says it’s not saying its cigarettes are safer but that its manufacturing is greener.

Reynolds says its facilities are wind-powered, its farmers use fewer chemicals and 70% of its sales staff, drive hybrid vehicles.

“We try to be good stewards of the environment,” says spokesman Seth Moskowitz. He adds a sister company helps fund Keep America Beautiful.

“The ads are egregious. They are attempting to ‘greenwash’ a deadly and addictive product,” says, Vince Willmore of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids adding research shows cigarettes are not only unhealthy but are also the No. 1 source of litter.

Like my patient, the average person believes “eco-friendly” is better for you. That’s why the new ads are dangerously misleading.

Reynolds has made similar advertising claims. In 2000 the tobacco company ran afoul of the Federal Trade Commission, after advertising its cigarettes are free of additives.

The FTC negotiated a settlement that required the company to include this statement: “No additives in our tobacco does NOT mean a safer cigarette.”

In 2010 the company returned with ads marketing its “organic” tobacco. 33 state attorneys general demanded a disclaimer saying the cigarette was not safer as a result. For the record, tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of more than 4000 chemicals in the form of gases, particles or both. When you inhale cigarette smoke, dozens of harmful substances enter your lungs and spread through your body.

Cigarette bandit nabbed on Coast

A Gulfport man with local ties has been charged by the Laurel Police Department in connection with a commercial burglary involving the theft of cigarettes.

Sammie Lee Fairley, 48, whose last known address was Dacetown Area in Ellisville, has been taken into custody in Gulfport in connection with the July 21st burglary of a local convenience store.

Investigator Kim Stewart with the LPD said the Rapid Shell Station located at 205 South 16th Avenue was burglarized and several cartons of cigarettes were taken.

According to police, at approximately 11:38 p.m. Thursday, July 21st, the LPD Patrol Division was dispatched to the Rapid Shell Station in reference to an alarm. Stewart said Sgt. Jim Thornhill arrived on the scene and discovered that the front glass door of the store had been broken and the store had been burglarized.

Last year, the City of Laurel along with several jurisdictions in the Pine Belt Region reported commercial burglaries involving the theft of large quantities of cigarettes.

Locally, the Spaceway then located at the intersection of 16th Avenue and Highway 84 West; Dandy Dan’s Dandy Dan’s, located at 615 North 16th Avenue; and George’s Discount Tobacco.

According to law enforcement officials in the surrounding area, during the month of July 2010 they received reports of at least eight commercial burglaries of convenience stores where tobacco products were taken.

Entry was gained by breaking the glass on the front door and Newport cigarettes and Black & Mild Cigars along with an undisclosed amount of money were taken from the stores by two individuals.

Approximately 30 of these types of burglaries were reported in the Pine Belt area, with the majority of the incidents being along the I-59 Corridor from as far north as Jasper County and as far south as Pearl River County.

Stewart said the recent July 21st incident was similar. When the police officer arrived on the scene, “he observed the front door shattered.”

According to police, someone threw a concrete rock through the glass door and the burglar gained entry to the closed business through the broken glass door.

Stewart said with the use of the store’s surveillance tapes, he began working to identify the latest suspect, described as a black male six-foot to six-foot-two-inch in height, weighing about 175-180 pounds wearing a white tank top and faded blue jeans with Timberland boots.

“The video shows that once he entered the store, he had his own plastic garbage bag,” Stewart said. “He took 10-15 cartons of Newports Cigarettes and some cartons of Salem and then exited the store.”

Stewart said a public tip through Jones County Crimestoppers led him to investigate Fairley as the suspect in the case.

“We are grateful for the assistance we received from other agencies and for the public’s help in getting this suspect off the street,” Stewart said. “He was just going from one place to another committing these crimes. They all had the same MO.”

As a result of the investigation, Stewart said, Fairley has been identified as the suspect in similar burglaries in Gulfport, Wiggins and possibly Collins.

“I entered his information on NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and his last known addresses were Ellisville and Gulfport. So, I then contacted Gulfport and asked them to check an address in Gulfport where he had lived before,” Stewart said. “Gulfport authorities went to the address in their jurisdiction and located him.”

Stewart said law enforcement agencies in Laurel, Gulfport and Wiggins currently have holds on Fairley for several charges of commercial burglary and Collins Police Department is considering him as a person of interest in a similar incident in Covington County.

The Collins’ incident occurred on July 19th; the Laurel incident occurred on July 21st; the Gulfport burglary on July 24th; and the Wiggins’ burglary occurred on July 25th.

Stewart said Monday that Gulfport currently has a $100,000 bond on Fairley and he is being held in the Harrison County Jail.

According to the investigator, once Harrison County has completed it’s process, Fairley will be transported to Laurel to face the local charge here.