National

Experts propose strategies to reduce, end tobacco use
A series of articles and essays in a May 2013 special edition of Tobacco Control focuses on strategies to end tobacco use and possible endpoints for the tobacco control movement, discussed at a meeting of forty top tobacco control advocates hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in June 2012. The volume titled “The Tobacco Endgame” includes editorials, endgame proposals, commentaries and new perspectives on tobacco control by leading scholars, scientists, and policy experts. Click here to find out more. Click here to view the full volume.

FTC reports first increase in tobacco marketing since 2003, underscoring need for continued vigilance in fighting tobacco use
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued two annual reports that highlight the amount spent on tobacco advertising and promotion as well as wholesale and retail cigarette and smokeless tobacco sales in 2011. A key finding from the report is the four percent increase in marketing expenditures for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in 2011. The $8.82 billion increase represents the first increase in tobacco marketing since 2003. The growth in tobacco marketing expenditures indicates a need for stronger state and federal regulations over tobacco products and marketing in future years. Click here to read the FTC’s press release, or click here to read a statement issued by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids regarding the report. Click here to access the Federal Trade Commission Cigarette Report for 2011, and click here to view the Federal Trade Commission Smokeless Tobacco Report for 2011.

CDC updates Winnable Battle targets for reducing tobacco use
In recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified six Winnable Battles, in an effort to achieve public health gains quickly and address the leading causes of poor health in the United States. CDC's Office of the Associate Director for Program has announced an update to these Winnable Battle Targets with the latest available data, providing “quick, at-a-glance look at the targets and trends driving the Winnable Battle efforts.” Reducing tobacco use remains one of the 6 Winnable Battle Targets. Click here to view the targets for all the Winnable Battles, or click here for information about the tobacco control targets.

top

International

Antismoking messages and intention to quit — 17 countries, 2008–2011
According to a recent study released in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), awareness of mass-media anti-smoking messages significantly increases the odds that current smokers intend to quit. The study analyzed cross-sectional data from 17 countries in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) to determine the relationship between awareness of antismoking messages and intent to quit smoking. In 14 countries, intent to quit was significantly associated with awareness of mass-media messages as compared to no awareness of messages. Findings of this study suggest mass-media antismoking information, such as the CDC's Tips from Former Smokers campaign, can help reduce global tobacco consumption. Click here to read the study findings in the MMWR.

top

Back to Table of Contents