Other Policy

Research

New study calculates lives saved by strong tobacco control policies, further evidence that tobacco control policies reduce smoking and save lives
A new study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization explores lives saved by the adoption of tobacco control policies in different countries and territories from 2007 to 2010. Researchers examined 41 countries that adopted the comprehensive MPOWER measures set forth by the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. MPOWER measures include comprehensive smoke-free laws, tobacco cessation techniques, tobacco advertising bans, graphic health warnings, and tobacco tax increases. By 2050, in countries that enacted MPOWER measures during the study period, there will be 14.8 million fewer smokers, and 7.4 million deaths will be averted. The study is one of the first to examine the effectiveness of MPOWER measures. Click here for a summary of the findings, or click here to read a statement from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids about the study findings. Click here to view the study abstract.

WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2013
This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the fourth publication in a series of periodic reports about the global tobacco epidemic. The report describes the impact of existing policies and opportunities for future policy development. This year’s report focuses on countries with complete bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship which are highly effective ways to reduce or eliminate exposure to cues for tobacco use. The report includes the status of evidence-based tobacco control policies from countries around the world. The study shows that more than 2.3 billion people are now covered by at least one of the MPOWER measures at the highest level of achievement. Click here to access the full report and related materials.

top

State Policy

A handful of state marketplaces opt not to charge smokers more for premiums
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, six states and the District of Columbia have opted not to utilize the 2010 Affordable Care Act provision that allows health insurers to charge smokers higher premiums than nonsmokers. Consumer advocates argue the surcharge may discourage smokers from purchasing much needed health insurance, including access to FDA-approved smoking cessation tools that many health plans are required to cover. Cigarette smokers are disproportionally low-income, and therefore least able to afford health insurance with high premiums; they are also least able to pay the cost of preventing and treating medical conditions without health insurance. Click here to read more, or click here to view a list of tobacco rating ratios for states that have set standards other than the federal defaults.

Rhode Island governor vetoes exemptions for e-cigarettes (RI)
Earlier this month, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island vetoed a bill that would outlaw e-cigarette sales to minors, but also create a special definition for e-cigarettes rather than include them with other tobacco products for regulation. Tobacco control advocates have applauded the governor’s decision, stating the correct way to prohibit e-cigarettes sales to minors is to extend current tobacco product definitions and regulations to include e-cigarettes. While masquerading as an effort to prevent e-cigarette sales to youth, the vetoed bill did not provide for effective enforcement and would have exempted e-cigarettes from other public health regulations intended to reduce tobacco use. Read more here, or click here to view the governor’s veto statement. This action was supported by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association and other health advocacy groups. Click here to view a statement from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in support of the governor’s decision.

Not enough tobacco settlement money dedicated to comprehensive tobacco control, public health advocates say (OR)
Public health advocates in Oregon report that the $4 million expected to go towards tobacco control programs in the next two years is inadequate. Oregon receives $120 million from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and $15 million from state tobacco excise taxes every two years. Advocates are seeking $12 million, a small fraction of the state’s tobacco-related income, to fund the two-year comprehensive tobacco control program. To read more, click here.

Wis. governor vetoes tobacco surcharge (WI)
Earlier this month, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker vetoed a proposed $50 monthly tobacco use surcharge for state employees. The surcharge was initially included in the 2013-2015 state budget to offset the higher medical costs associated with smoking. Governor Walker’s decision to veto the surcharge was based on guidelines that allow individuals to opt out of the surcharge if they participate in a tobacco cessation program. In the 2013-2015 state budget statement, Governor Walker said these guidelines would make the tobacco surcharge too onerous to administer. Click here to read more, or click here to read the 2013-2015 state budget veto message from Governor Walker.

top

International

Policies that protect kids from secondhand smoke proving effective (Canada)
The Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada’s annual report card shows a decline in children’s exposure to secondhand smoke during the past five years since Canadian provinces began to adopt laws that prohibit smoking in vehicles with children. According to data from the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey, Canadian restrictions on smoking in cars have reduced the prevalence of children’s exposure to secondhand smoke by 33%. According to the report’s author, Hai V. Nguyen, the reduction in secondhand smoke exposure closely mirrors the adoption of smoke-free policies in each province. The report card also discusses barriers to adopting smoke-free policies, the effects of Canadian bans on secondhand smoke exposure, and recommendations for future policy and research. To read more about the study, click here. Click here to view the full report card.

European ministers agree to stricter tobacco laws (Europe)
In June, the European Commission voted in favor of revising European Union laws to require larger health warnings on cigarette packages, ban menthol and other flavorings entirely, and classify all e-cigarettes as pharmaceuticals regardless of nicotine content. Under the new provisions, e-cigarettes would undergo authorization processes before being marketed, and all sales would be restricted to designated pharmacies. The policies were introduced with the intention of making smoking less attractive to young people; however, proponents of e-cigarettes have objected to the revisions, claiming that e-cigarettes encourage cessation and should be widely available to consumers. Policies surrounding e-cigarettes in Europe are widely varied with some countries implementing complete e-cigarette bans and others having no restrictions on e-cigarette sales. The agreements reached by the European Union health ministers are not a final ruling and must be approved by the European Parliament before going into effect. Click here for details, or click here to read more about the e-cigarette policy.

top

Back to Table of Contents