elalmeria.es - 31 de Agosto de 2013 - España

 Las ventas de tabaco caen un 4,5% en el primer semestre del año en la provincia

A través de las 223 expendedurías de tabaco con las que cuenta la provincia almeriense, se han comercializado 33,4 millones de unidades en el primer semestre del año, entre cigarrillos, cigarros, tabaco para liar y para pipa; esto supone un 4,5% menos que en el mismo periodo del pasado ejercicio. De acuerdo a los datos proporcionados por el Comisionado para el Mercado de Tabacos, dependiente del Ministerio de Hacienda y Administraciones Públicas, las ventas de tabaco en Almería, en sus distintos segmentos, suman 96,4 millones de euros desde enero hasta el 30 de junio, lo que supone un 1,47% menos. 

En lo que va del 2013 no ha habido ninguna provincia que haya obtenido cifras positivas en ventas. Respecto al producto más demandado, los cigarrillos a través de cajetillas de 20 unidades, en la provincia se han comercializado 19,3 millones, lo que supone un 11,67% menos que de enero a junio del año pasado. En este sentido, Almería ocupa el puesto 22 en cuanto al descenso de ventas por unidades en España, siendo Cádiz el lugar en que más han bajado (-26,26%) y La Rioja (-5,43%) donde menos. La caída del comercio de cajetillas de cigarrillos ha supuesto la correspondiente bajada en la recaudación, que se traduce en un -5,71%, pasado de los 87,6 millones de euros obtenidos en el primer semestre de 2012 a los 82,6 millones en los seis primeros meses del presente ejercicio. 

Por zonas, las ventas de cajetillas en las zonas turísticas y fronterizas han sumado 1, 8 millones de cajetillas, con una variación negativa respecto al mismo periodo de 2012 del 11,3% menos. Las ventas en el resto de la provincia han sido de 17,4 millones de cajetillas, un 11,7% menos que en el año 2012.

Publicación original:
http://www.elalmeria.es/article/almeria/1592877/las/ventas/tabaco/caen/primer/semestre/ano/la/provincia.html

biobiochile.cl - 30 de Agosto de 2013 - Chile

Consumo de tabaco disminuye en jóvenes chilenos entre 15 y 29 años según estudio

El ministro de Salud, Jaime Mañalich, junto al director del Instituto Nacional de la Juventud (Injuv), Nicolás Duhalde, dieron a conocer este viernes en la Universidad Andrés Bello los resultados de la Séptima Encuesta de la Juventud, informando la disminución del consumo de tabaco de un 58% a un 49% entre jóvenes entre 15 a 29 años.

A casi seis meses de vigencia de la Ley del Tabaco que debutó el pasado 1 de marzo, se dio a conocer la caída en consumo de este en los jóvenes desde la encuesta anterior realizada en 2009.

El ministro Mañalich manifestó respecto de la encuesta que “nos da una luz de esperanza, ya que por primera vez en el sentido que muestra un quiebre en la tendencia constante del aumento de consumo de tabaco en la generación que hoy tiene menos de 25 años”.

Por su parte, Nicolás Duhalde dijo que “la Séptima Encuesta de Juventud nos entrega buenas noticias, puesto que el consumo del tabaco entre jóvenes de 15 y 29 años descendió de un 58% en 2009 a un 49% en 2012. Diagnóstico que refleja los buenos resultados el trabajo hecho por el Gobierno y la sociedad en materia de prevención”.

Entre los datos entregados, destacaron que adicionalmente se realizó una consulta telefónica a más de mil jóvenes para complementar los datos entregados por la consulta principal, en la cual dijeron que hubo una disminución en el consumo de drogas lícitas (alcohol y tabaco) de un 78% en 2009 a un 64% en 2012.

Otros datos son que al 76% de los consumidores entre 18 y 29 años, les gustaría dejar de fumar, mientras que el 74% ha intentado dejar el cigarrillo y un 49% manifiesta que no le gustaría seguir fumando, pero que les costaría mucho.

En tanto, el 58% de los jóvenes afirma estar de acuerdo con la prohibición de fumar en bares, pubs y discotheques.

Asimismo, del total de encuestados, el 33% expresa que ahora puede asistir a pubs o discotheques porque prefiere lugares libres de humo, mientras que el 45% le da igual si puede o no fumar.

De las personas jóvenes que consumen tabaco, el 52% son varones y el 47% mujeres.

Publicación original:

http://www.biobiochile.cl/2013/08/30/consumo-de-tabaco-disminuye-en-jovenes-entre-15-a-29-anos-segun-encuesta.shtml

bdnews24.com - 1 de septiembre de 2013 - Bangladesh

All out for tobacco law

The government will work out rules within two months to implement the recently passed tobacco control law, Health Secretary MM Neazuddin has said.

He said a ‘comprehensive plan’ was underway to strictly implement the amended law. “We’ll not let anyone to get round it and exploit any loopholes”. 

Neazuddin was opening a five-day training program on ‘tobacco control leadership’ organized by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, USA in the coastal resort town of Cox’s Bazar. 

Parliament on April 29 passed the tobacco control law raising penalties for its violation. 

Under it, smoking in public places will invite a Tk 300 fine while industries will have to print pictorial health warning covering half of the space on both sides of the tobacco pack.

The revised 2005 tobacco control law also bans activities of the tobacco industries under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) and advertise directly and indirectly – some provisions that anti-tobacco campaigners have long been demanding. 

The law has also recognized smokeless products like ‘zarda’ and ‘gul’ as tobacco products and widened the definition of public places to include parks, restaurants and private organizations.

It, however, retained the provision of designated smoking zones in public places that campaigners say is contrary to the WHO’s Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The government says it worked out the law keeping in mind the FCTC that it ratified long ago.

The training aimed at developing understanding of the need for tobacco control in the region brought together policymakers, police and fire service officials, NGOs, activists and journalists together. 

Publicación original: 

http://bdnews24.com/health/2013/09/01/all-out-for-tobacco-law

europeanvoice.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - Alemania

German MEPs want vote delayed, but NGOs fear this could doom proposal.

Centre-right German MEPs are pushing for a delay in the European Parliament vote on new European Union tobacco restrictions, scheduled for 10 September, according to Parliament sources. 

Several centre-right lawmakers including German MEP Herbert Reul have asked for a delay in the vote, saying there is not enough time to review the proposal after MEPs return from their summer break next week. 

Another reason given for a delay is that many German MEPs will be absent because of the upcoming German election. There is also apprehension about what political impact the vote could have just ahead of the German poll, scheduled for 22 September. 

Publicación original: 

http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2013/august/bid-to-delay-tobacco-vote-until-after-german-election/78081.aspx

thejakartaglobe.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - Yakarta

Activists Protest Tobacco Forum in Bali

Several academics, doctors and nongovernmental organization activists gathered in Bali on Sunday to petition the government to halt the World Tobacco Asia Forum, slated to be held in Nusa Dua next year.

The forum showcases tobacco products and provides an opportunity for industry professionals in the Asia Pacific region to network.

“We disapprove of the forum and we do not want it to be held in Bali or anywhere in Indonesia,” said Putu Ayu Swandewi Astuti, a lecturer for the school of public health at Udayana University in Bali.

“We have managed to gather nearly 186 signatures, with supporters coming from several countries including India, the Netherlands and Australia,” she said.

Putu noted that Indonesia was the only country among 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Group of 20 that had not ratified the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Publicación original: 

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/activists-protest-tobacco-forum-in-bali/

taipeitimes.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - Taipéi

Convenience stores violate tobacco law
More than 60 percent of stores in the nation have been found to violate the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法) and sell tobacco products to minors, according to a latest report published by the Consumers’ Foundation.

The legally recognized age in Taiwan is 20 years old.
The report, commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said betel nut stands and convenient stores were the most common offenders, adding that among convenience stores, OK-mart was the worst offender, with 57.1 percent of its stores selling tobacco products to minors.

Publicación original: 
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/09/02/2003571171

10news.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - EEUU

Smoke and tobacco-free policy goes into effect at UC San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Starting Sunday, those at UC San Diego who wish to smoke will have to go off-campus as a smoke- and tobacco-free policy went into effect in all campus areas.

The policy was instituted in advance of the University of California policy requiring all schools in the UC system to be smoke-free by Jan. 1, 2014.

Under the policy, the use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products will be strictly prohibited in all indoor and outdoor spaces, including parking lots, private residential space and the Medical Center campuses. All UC facilities owned or leased are covered by the policy.

Sale and advertising of tobacco products is also prohibited in all university-owned and occupied buildings.

"A smoke- and tobacco-free campus will contribute positively to the health and well being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors," UC San Diego chancellor Pradeep Khosla said. "Thank you in advance for your support to create a healthier environment at UC San Diego."

The university smoke-free policy can be viewed online at http://smokefree.ucsd.edu.

Publicación original: 

http://www.10news.com/news/smoke-and-tobacco-free-policy-goes-into-effect-at-uc-san-diego-09012013

nytimes.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - EEUU

The Hazard of Free-Trade Tobacco

Give thanks to Malaysia for heading off, at least temporarily, an American effort to weaken the ability of countries to impose stiff rules on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products within their own borders. The Malaysian proposal to preserve that ability led to a stalemate at a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade meeting in Brunei last week and forced the deferral of the issue to future meetings.

The United States and 11 countries bordering the Pacific Ocean had been engaged in the latest round of negotiations over a treaty intended to lower tariffs and other barriers to commerce. One of the issues was whether tobacco should be included in such a treaty or “carved out” so that health considerations could take precedence over expanded trade. The issue pits health advocates against the tobacco industry and other commercial interests.

On public health grounds, tobacco ought to be excluded from whatever rules are designed to increase trade in agricultural products. Reducing trade barriers to tobacco, a uniquely dangerous product, would serve to increase tobacco consumption and lead to many additional deaths on top of an already high total. Tobacco killed an estimated 100 million people in the 20th century and is projected to kill 1 billion people in this century unless strong action is taken to mitigate the damage. A carve-out from trade rules is only one tactic, but it could save millions of lives, especially in developing countries vulnerable to the industry’s pressure.

The United States, which in advance of the meeting had favored a relatively strong proposal to protect a nation’s tobacco control measures from being challenged as violations of trade agreements, offered a weaker proposal in Brunei. The American proposal simply refers to other international agreements that allow exceptions for public health and requires health officials from the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership countries to consult each other before making trade challenges. It would not prevent the challenges from moving forward.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a strong advocate of tobacco control in this country and abroad, rightly denounced the American proposal as “weak half-measures at best.” The proposal leaves the door open for multinational tobacco companies to challenge legitimate tobacco control measures, as they already have in several countries in recent years.

Malaysia countered by proposing a complete carve-out of tobacco control measures that would protect a country’s ability to set its own rules for marketing, advertising, banning or taxing various tobacco products, among other control measures. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and several other medical and patient advocacy groups, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, applauded the Malaysian proposal. It would protect countries from the burdens and costs of fending off trade challenges and from potentially stiff financial penalties if they lose. And it would remove the danger that some countries might not enact strong tobacco control measures in order to avoid any possibility of challenges.

American trade officials need to toughen their stance when Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations resume. They should be siding with the public and those concerned about public health, not the makers of products known to be lethal and highly addictive.

Publicación original:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/opinion/sunday/the-hazard-of-free-trade-tobacco.html?_r=0

deccanchronicle.com - 2 de septiembre de 2013 - India

No more tobacco on trains

Thiruvananthapuram: ‘Toilet smokers’ in trains beware! The state railway police is launching a drive against this menace in trains and will conduct aw­areness programmes against tobacco use.

Widespread complaints against tobacco use in trai­ns, especially inside toilets, general compartments, near the doors and passages between bogies, prompted the railway police to lau­nch the drive against the social menace. As a prelude to the drive, the railway police will carry out a reality check in trains

Publicación original: 

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130902/news-current-affairs/article/no-more-tobacco-trainsspx

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