Policy

Research

When the state paid, people stopped smoking: Study
A new study examining the association between publicly funded tobacco cessation benefits and medical claims for tobacco-related disease has found that removing barriers to utilization of smoking cessation services can decrease hospitalizations from some tobacco-related diseases. In this study, claims data from 21,656 individuals who had used an FDA-approved cessation medication were used to compare the probability of hospitalization from smoking-related diseases before and after the tobacco cessation benefit was added to Massachusetts’ Medicaid program, MassHealth. The results showed that over 75,000 MassHealth subscribers used the new cessation benefit during the first two and a half years it was available, and during that time period, smoking prevalence declined by about 10%. The yearly diagnosis rate of acute myocardial infarction declined by 46%, and the yearly rate of other acute coronary heart disease dropped by 49%. No significant change was seen in the other diagnoses that were investigated. Read more here, or click here to read the study abstract or download the full article from PLoS Medicine.

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State

Illinois casino smoking: Compromise bill would allow separate rooms (IL)
A House committee in Illinois has advanced a bill that would create an exemption in the state’s smoke-free law for casinos. The proposed bill would allow casinos to set up designated smoking rooms in their facilities, provided they are separate from the main floor and use air filtration systems. In addition, there would be a separate job application process for the smoking rooms, and employees working in them would be required to sign waivers acknowledging the dangers of secondhand smoke. Proponents of the bill say it will help casinos regain nearly $200 million a year in revenue that they claim was lost to casinos in neighboring states since the state’s comprehensive smoke-free law went into effect in January 2008. Opponents of the bill point to evidence that designating smoking rooms and the use of ventilation systems does not sufficiently eliminate smoke exposure. The bill is now up for consideration by the whole House, along with another bill that seeks to fully permit smoking in casinos along borders with other states that allow smoking in casinos. Click here to read more.

Okla. cities, towns want tougher tobacco options (OK)
The Oklahoma Municipal League has partnered with public health advocates in requesting a new law that would eliminate preemption provisions in the statewide smoke-free law. Oklahoma’s statewide law prohibits smoking in indoor public places except bars and certain restaurants, and also prevents cities and towns from enacting other policies that are more restrictive than the state law. Proponents of repealing preemption say that local legislators are the most appropriate people to protect the health of their communities. Those opposed suggest that the state’s current law effectively protects health while allowing individual bar and restaurant owners to decide their smoke-free status. In the U.S., only Oklahoma and Tennessee have statutes that prevent local communities from adopting tobacco laws that are stricter than state laws. Click here to read more.

Study shows dramatic air quality improvement because of smoke-free law (WI)
A study conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that there has been a 92% improvement in indoor air quality in bars and restaurants since the state’s smoke-free air law was implemented in July 2010. To assess changes in air quality, researchers took samples in 214 bars and restaurants in 41 counties between April and June 2010. The 183 sites with the worst air quality were re-sampled between September and October 2010 to see if a difference in air quality had occurred since the law was implemented. They found that there was a 92% improvement in air quality overall, with the average small particulate concentration for all tested facilities decreasing from 160 micrograms per cubic meter to 13 micrograms per cubic meter. Small particle levels at or above 35 micrograms are considered unhealthy. This decrease in small particulate matter corresponds to a decrease in secondhand smoke exposure, which can have both acute and chronic negative health effects. Click here to read more, or download the full report, which also provides data by county.

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National

Health agencies urge MLB tobacco ban
A group of ten public health agencies led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has begun campaigning for Major League Baseball (MLB) to ban the use of smokeless tobacco as part of its upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In a letter sent to both MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and Players’ Association head Michael Weiner, the group says that the use of smokeless tobacco is not only detrimental to the health of the players, but also sets a bad example for young baseball fans. While those supporting the ban say that an employer has the right to prohibit activities that do not reflect well on the company, players who use smokeless tobacco contend that because the product is legal, they should be allowed to use it. Team owners support banning smokeless tobacco in MLB; Weiner has previously sent a letter to the players’ union discouraging the use of smokeless tobacco and says that the issue will be discussed further. Congress had previously examined the issue, with some members seeking to extend a 1993 ban on smokeless tobacco in the minor leagues to MLB. Click here to read more or here to read the letter sent to MLB.

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International

Cigarettes soon to go under the counter in Turkey (Turkey)
Turkey’s health minister has announced plans to ban displays of cigarettes in shops, markets, and cafes in an effort to reduce smoking. The ban is part of a larger draft regulation being written by the prepared by the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Agency. The regulation will also contain measures designed to change how smoke-free laws are enforced and what smoking cessation aids will be available to the public. The draft legislation is being prepared a year after Turkey implemented a nationwide smoke-free law that prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, stadiums, and public transportation. Click here to read more.

Plans to stop youngsters from smoking could see cigarettes sold in plain packaging (UK)
Officials in the United Kingdom are discussing the possibility of creating legislation that would require cigarettes to be sold in plain gray or brown packaging. The measure is intended to prevent youth from smoking and help smokers quit by making the packages less attractive to potential buyers. If such a law is enacted, the packages would be plain colored and could only show basic brand information and text and graphic health warnings. The discussion of such a law is applauded by antismoking advocacy groups like Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health, which is calling for the Health Secretary to immediately set a date for switching the packaging. Read more here.

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