Other News

CDC reports that national smoking rates are not expected to meet 2010 goal
According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly (MMWR), although the national adult smoking rate has declined significantly over the last few years it most likely will not reach the 2010 goal level of 12%. According to results from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), smoking was down to 21.6% in 2003, from 22.8% in 2001. The article also reports that smoking among women has dropped below 20% and that smoking rates among the young adult group (18 -24) is at its lowest since 1991, at 24%. Additionally, over 50% of people who had ever smoked had quit smoking. Many other statistics can be found in the report included in the May 27th issue of the MMWR.

Reduced harm tobacco products investigated
The University of Minnesota conducted research to determine the effects of “potentially reduced exposure products” newly touted by tobacco companies. The report released on May 3rd indicates no substantiation of the reduced harm assertion. In order to assure the companies are making truthful claims regarding their products, the report states that government regulations are necessary. Click to obtain a copy of the study report.

Studies observe the impact of comprehensive tobacco control measures in New York City and California
Articles in the June 2005 issue of the American Journal of Public Health (June 2005, Vol 95, No. 6) examined the impact of comprehensive tobacco control measures in New York City and California. In 2002, New York City health officials devised a plan to decrease smoking through increased taxation, smoke-free legislation, and increased cessation efforts, including free nicotine replacement therapy, education and evaluation. The city reduced the adult smoking rate from 21.6 to 19.2%, indicating about 140,000 fewer smokers. Smoking rates decreased across the board, for all ethnicities, education levels, and genders, and in all boroughs. Researchers also report the tax increase had the greatest impact on reducing smoking. Looking at California, researchers determined that increasing taxes on cigarettes had a significant impact on smoking rates in a State that already had a low rate. They conclude that with more MSA money utilized for tobacco control, rates could be further decreased. Click to view the abstract for the article on New York City and also for California.

Research examines relationship of weight and smoking
The journal Nature features an article in their International Journal of Obesity (2005 29, 236-243.) that investigates relationships between smoking status, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and weight using a sample of 9,000 people between 16 and 74 years of age. Despite finding that overall, smokers weighed less than non-smokers, when taking age into account, differences were noted only in men over the age of 24 and women over the age of 55. They also found that smoking was associated with increased waist circumference in women, indicating that the belief that smoking can be used as a weight control measure is inaccurate, particularly for the most vulnerable population, young women. Click to view the abstract.

Resources on rodeo audience demographics
Two rodeo trade organizations have audience demographic information on their websites, PRCA Pro Rodeo Fan General Demographics and Professional Bull Riders, Inc. The information includes the statistic that 40% said a sponsor was important to an event when choosing to attend and that 51% were likely to purchase a product because it was a Professional Bull Rider sponsor.

Continuing education website for physicians and counselors
A new website for primary care physicians and counselors providing continuing education in tobacco interventions www.TobaccoCME.com is now available. The website was sponsored by the NHLBI and offers 18 courses with ACCME credit available (also NCCB, and ACPE for many courses).

State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System Updates
The State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation (STATE) System, first released in 1999, has undergone a transformation during the past year. The System has been redesigned and released to the general public with the following new features:

• The trend report feature, which allows users to compare multiple States over multiple years and to create graphs, including bar charts and line graphs.
• The Tobacco Control Highlights 2005 Report feature, which displays current state-based information on the prevalence of tobacco use, the health impact and costs associated with tobacco use, and tobacco excise tax drawing from multiple sources within the system. This report includes tabular and graphic output options as well as a feature to export to PDF.
• Multiple file output options, including html output to view the results on a web page or Microsoft (MS) Excel output to export the results to an MS Excel spreadsheet.
• Increased system usability through enhanced navigation and expanded help for users, including a new Getting Started module.
• A related links page where users can easily access other relevant web sites.

New data that are available in the STATE System:

• Smokefree Indoor Air Legislation and Excise tax data from Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), 1995-2004.
• Federal and National Investment data from Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), 2003.
• Smoking-Attributable Mortality (SAM) data from Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC), 1997-2001 (Annual Average).
• Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) data from Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC), 1997-2001 (Annual Average).
• Productivity Losses data from Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC), 1997-2001 (Annual Average).
• Tobacco Settlement Revenue data from National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), 2000 to 2003.
• Youth Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco use data from the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS), 2001 and 2002.
• Adult Cigarette use data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2003.
• Youth Cigarette and Smokeless Tobacco use data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), 2003.
• Cigarette Sales data from Orzechowski and Walker (OW), 2003.
• Demographics data from United States Census Bureau (USCB), 2003.

For more information visit the STATE System.

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