CDC releases 2006 state-specific adult smoking rates
The September 28th edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), features new state-specific adult smoking rates. While Utah and California had the lowest rates of smoking at 9.8 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively, Kentucky and West Virginia had the highest smoking rates, at 28.6 percent and 25.7 percent, respectively. The report also includes state-specific quit rates and quit attempts among adults ages 18 to 35. To access the report, click here.

Community guide recommendations and state-level tobacco control programs: 1999-2004
A recent study has identified how state tobacco control programs have addressed interventions recommended by the Community Guide, and how these interventions have changed between 1999 and 2004. In order to do so, researchers used responses from the Strength of Tobacco Control surveys in 1999, 2002 and 2004. Primary results indicate that in each year more than 70% of tobacco control programs worked to advance clean indoor air legislation, that the percentage of programs working on increasing the tobacco tax increased significantly from 1999 to 2002, and that the percentage of partners working with a quitline increased significantly at each time point. The percentage of tobacco control partners addressing a cost reduction for tobacco cessation treatments was lower than 31% at each time point, and the percentage of partners using mass media to target youth dropped significantly in all years. Click here to view the abstract of the study, which was published in the October 2007 issue of Tobacco Control.

Zagat releases 2008 America’s top restaurants survey
Zagat recently released the results of its 2008 America’s top restaurants survey. The survey includes results from 1,416 eateries, which are based on the ratings of 132,000 surveyors from 23 million meals. Primary smoking-related results indicate that 77% of restaurant-goers would eat out less if smoking were permitted in local restaurants. The report also suggests that Americans are increasingly interested in consuming organic foods, banning trans fats, and having heart-healthier options available on the menu. Click here to read more.

Progress in tobacco control in 30 European countries, 2005-2007
The European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) has released a report that details the survey results of tobacco control activity in 30 European countries, using the Tobacco Control Scale. The report includes comparative results, a discussion, and five recommendations for implementation by 2010. Click here to access the report.

Wales: Smoking deaths fall as ban hits six months
On the recent sixth month anniversary of Wales’ smoking ban, chief medical officer Dr. Tony Jewell announced that the lives of 200 non-smokers have been saved since the ban’s implementation. Additionally, the All Wales Smoking Cessation Service released a report indicating a 20 percent increase in the number of people requesting help with cessation. The report also includes information about the efficacy of treatment programs. Of the 9,375 people who participated in a cessation program, 4,757 indicated that they had given up smoking. Click here to read more.

Australia: Smoking bans encourage smokers to give up
Quit Victoria has reported a 20 percent increase in weekend calls to the Victorian Quitline since the July 1 smoking ban was implemented in Australia. One likely contributing factor to the increase is the fact that bars can no longer encourage or endorse smoking behavior. Instead, the indoor smoking ban in bars and taverns has helped to denormalize smoking and turn them into venues that support cessation attempts. Click here to read more.

Smokers ‘should have alternative for hit of nicotine’
The Royal College of Physicians recently announced that nicotine-containing products, which are free of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke, should be available in the United Kingdom. The rationale is that while quitting smoking is the best option to promote health, some heavily addicted smokers will never be able to quit due to the lack of easily accessible medicinal nicotine products.  Click here to read more about the report.

Adult recall of tobacco advertising on the Internet
A recent study identified the prevalence and characteristics of adults who reported seeing tobacco advertisement on the Internet. Researchers utilized data from approximately 11,000 participants who completed the New Jersey Adult Tobacco Survey (NJATS) in 2001, 2002 or 2005. Primary results indicate that recall of Internet tobacco product advertisements was higher among young adult males, Asians, participants that reported receiving direct mail advertisements, and participants with a post-college degree. Advertisements were seen most commonly in pop-up or banner messages. Click here to view the study abstract, which was recently published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

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