latercera.com – 28 de mayo de 2014 – Chile

Salud apoya aumento de impuesto al tabaco para frenar edad de inicio del consumo

En medio de la discusión de la reforma tributaria, la ministra de Salud, Helia Molina, planteó ayer la necesidad de que suban los impuestos al tabaco, lo que llevaría a desincentivar el inicio del consumo de cigarrillos en la población.

Según informó la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) este año, en Chile el 41% de los adultos fuma, lo que convierte al país en la nación más fumadora de las Américas. En la población de entre 13 y 15 años, el 35,1% declara tener este hábito.

Consultada respecto de si es partidaria de subir la carga tributaria a estos productos, la secretaria de Estado aseguró que “estoy absolutamente (de acuerdo). Una de las evidencias fuertes que hay en el mundo es que, de los países que han logrado romper la curva ascendente de la prevalencia del tabaquismo, ha sido aumentando el precio sustantivamente. De esa manera, se frena el comienzo del tabaquismo en la gente más joven”.

Sobre si el ministerio hará este planteamiento formalmente en el Congreso, Molina aseguró que “damos nuestra opinión en términos de la salud pública. Ahora, en términos de la reforma tributaria, hay otros intereses también, así es que me imagino que se tendrá que discutir el tema”.

La Comisión de Hacienda de la Cámara aprobó, en abril pasado, el artículo II de la reforma, donde se establece un aumento de 12% del impuesto específico a estos productos.

No obstante, el senador y presidente de la Comisión de Salud de la Cámara Alta, Guido Girardi, dijo que en la discusión legislativa se harán cambios a la reforma tributaria, “lo que debe ser compensado por aumento de impuestos al tabaco en, al menos, un 20%”.

VISIONES

Guillermo Paraje, académico de la Escuela de Negocios de la U. Adolfo Ibáñez, explicó que un alza de 10% en el precio real del tabaco, “disminuiría el riesgo de iniciar el consumo en 3,5%”. Añadió que subir la carga impositiva a estos productos “es una herramienta de salud pública. No se trata sólo de recaudar, sino que de proteger a la población”.

Francisco Klapp, investigador de Libertad y Desarrollo, señaló que “podría avanzar en tabaco y alcoholes, en la forma en que ambos pagan el impuesto. ¿Por qué?, pues hoy el tabaco tiene un impuesto al precio y no depende de la cantidad de tabaco que se vende”. Agregó que en los países desarrollados se grava específicamente el contenido del producto.

En tanto, la compañía British American Tabacco, mediante un comunicado emitido cuando se aprobó el aumento en la Comisión de Hacienda, informó que la carga tributaria de los productos hoy asciende a 82,3% del precio que pagan los consumidores, “siendo ésta una de las más altas del mundo”.

Mientras, Sonia Covarrubias, vocera de Chile Libre de Tabaco, sostuvo que el país debe cumplir con el “convenio marco de control del tabaco, firmado en 2005, porque este hábito es considerado una epidemia a nivel mundial”.

El Minsal también presentó ayer un estudio que indica que 45 personas mueren por día en Chile debido al consumo. Ello representa un gasto del Estado por tratamientos de un billón de pesos anualmente.

Publicación original:

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/nacional/2014/05/680-579996-9-salud-apoya-aumento-de-impuesto-al-tabaco-para-frenar-edad-de-inicio-del-consumo.shtml

prensa-latina.cu – 28 de mayo de 2014 – Suiza

Aumentar los precios del tabaco para reducir el consumo

Ginebra, 28 may (PL) La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) considera que subir los precios del tabaco es la medida más efectiva para reducir el consumo, estimular el abandono y evitar que los jóvenes inicien el hábito de fumar.

En consonancia con el Día Mundial Sin Tabaco, a celebrarse el próximo sábado, el organismo sanitario internacional exhortó a los países a aumentar los impuestos sobre este producto.

"Aumentar los impuestos sobre el tabaco es la manera más eficaz de reducir el consumo y salvar vidas", afirmó Margaret Chan, directora general de la OMS. "Una medida decidida sobre la política fiscal relativa al tabaco golpea a la industria donde más le duele", aseguró.

Por su parte, Douglas Bettcher, director del departamento de prevención de las enfermedades no transmisibles de la OMS, señaló que los aumentos de precios son dos o tres veces más eficaces para reducir el consumo de tabaco entre los jóvenes que entre los adultos".

"Toda política fiscal puede ser controvertida, pero esta es una subida de impuestos que todos pueden apoyar. En la medida en que aumentan los impuestos al tabaco, disminuyen la muerte y la enfermedad", indicó.

La agencia de Naciones Unidas estima que incrementar en un 50 por ciento los precios de los cigarrillos en todos los países reduciría el número de fumadores en 49 millones en los próximos tres años, lo que salvaría 11 millones de vidas.

En la actualidad cada seis segundos muere un individuo por causas relacionadas con el tabaquismo, fenómeno que además ocasiona gastos considerables para las familias, las empresas y los gobiernos.

Si no se adoptan medidas para 2030 el tabaco matará a más de ocho millones de personas anualmente, de las cuales más del 80 por ciento serán habitantes de países de bajos y medianos ingresos, destaca la OMS.

mgt/vm

Publicación original:

http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&idioma=1&id=2728831&Itemid=1

esmas.com – 28 de mayo de 2014 – México

85% de los cánceres de cabeza y cuello son debido al tabaco

El consumo de tabaco se relaciona con 85 por ciento de casos de cáncer de cabeza y cuello, alertó la División Médica de la empresa químico-farmacéutica Merck, de acuerdo con información de la agencia de Notimex.

Publicación original:

http://www2.esmas.com/salud/noticias/724562/85-canceres-cabeza-y-cuello-son-causa-del-tabaco/

prrecordgazette.com – 28 de mayo de 2014 – EEUU

Crusader out to warn of flavoured tobacco products

A teen on a mission to stomp out flavoured tobacco products in Alberta visited Peace River this past week.

Jianna Marin is an 18-year-old student from Llloyminister Comprehensive High School who has been pushing the provincial government to pass Bill 206, a bill to ban flavoured tobacco in Alberta. She spoke to Peace River High School students on May 21.

The issue, Marin said, is that flavoured tobacco products obscure the harmful realities of tobacco behind flavours like strawberry, mint or blueberry.

Several provinces including New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have some form of regulation in place regarding flavoured tobacco, according to the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for Control of Tobacco provincial status sheet.

Bill 206, a complete ban on all flavoured products would go a step further than any other province by adding menthol to the list.

“If it went through it would precedent setting,” said Marin.

Marin said she is confident the bill will become law. It has already been voted on and passed by the Alberta Legislature, but is awaiting proclamation.

Marin had formed the student group Lloyd Flavour Gone to help push the government to ban flavoured tobacco.

In 2012 Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne invited her to speak on behalf of Alberta’s youth at the launch of the Alberta tobacco reduction strategy.

She launched the group Lloyd Flavour Gone group after she and her mother noticed that lots of high school students, including those in sports were using tobacco products, the majority of which were flavoured.

A 2010-2011 youth smoking survey of Alberta high school students conducted by Health Canada showed flavoured cigarillos account for 35% and menthol cigarettes 28% of flavoured tobacco use amongst teens.

Of those flavoured tobacco users 94% use multiple types of flavoured tobacco.

She said the key part of the bill is the menthol ban.

“Any legitimate attempt to curb flavoured tobacco use among youth must include a ban on menthol,” said Marin.

Marin’s speaking tour has taken her to nine different high schools across the province since May 9. After her speech in Peace River she went back to Lloydminster to continue her studies.

“Most of the Lloyd Flavour Gone group stepped off a bit after the bill was passed,” said Marin.

“But with the uncertainty in the government I want to make sure that the bill doesn’t get forgotten and receives proclamation.”

adam.dietrich@sunmedia.ca

Publicación original:

http://www.prrecordgazette.com/2014/05/28/crusader-out-to-warn-of-flavoured-tobacco-products

wiscnews.com – 28 de mayo de 2014 – EEUU - Wisconsin

Tobacco compliance checks continue

Tobacco compliance checks are designed to tackle illegal sales of tobacco to minors and decrease youth tobacco use.

Checks will continue in 2014. They offer the opportunity for the community to join in the fight to protect youth from one of the most readily available and harmful substances available, officials say. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death.

The checks are part of the WI Wins program, administered by the South Central Wisconsin Tobacco Free Coalition. Retailers must do a good job in checking identification of buyers and ensuring that clerks do not sell to minors.

The community needs to be aware of the risk of new, addictive tobacco products, such as Snus, little cigars and tobacco wraps, officials say. Many of these new products are discreet, flavorful and less expensive than traditional products. These products are being pushed by the tobacco industry and targeted to teens, and it is very important they stay out of the hands of minors, the coalition says.

“Our partnership with both law enforcement and tobacco retailers... has been very positive. We hope for zero sales to minors in 2014,” said Jennifer Froh of WI Wins and the South Central Wisconsin Tobacco Free Coalition. “Every day, approximately 3,500 kids will try tobacco for the first time. Another 1,000 kids will become addicted. Treating tobacco-related diseases results in $96 billion in healthcare costs annually in the United States."

Tobacco retail clerks can be easily trained to check IDs by visiting www.smokecheck.org for more information. Retailers and clerks may use the site to learn about tobacco-compliance laws, complete state-required training, and receive customized certificates they can print out and pass on to employers.

This website teaches skills to ensure tobacco products are kept out of the hands of minors. When youth do not have easy access to tobacco they are less likely to choose to use these products, coalition members say.

Call 608-847-9373 with questions about WI Wins or the South Central Wisconsin Tobacco Free Coalition, which serves Adams, Juneau, Richland and Sauk counties.

Publicación original:

http://www.wiscnews.com/juneaucountystartimes/lifestyles/community/article_7ad505c3-4582-5454-b1dd-52b3ccc8a3ef.html

oxfamamerica.org – 28 de mayo de 2014 – EEUU

Hey Reynolds, North Carolina tobacco workers deserve decent workplaces

“Do you believe that Reynolds American tobacco, as a company, has a responsibility to guarantee freedom of association for workers in your supply chain?”

Oliver Gottfried is a senior advocacy and collaborations advisor at Oxfam America.

In a room full of Reynolds Tobacco shareholders, I asked this question of Tom Wajnert, the Chairman of the Board, at their Annual Meeting in North Carolina earlier this month. I stood up to make what I thought was a simple request: enable workers in the fields to utilize their right to join together as they please. This is a fundamental right, and has protected individuals and groups for years as they’ve bargained for decent workplaces, i.e. safer conditions, reasonable hours, better pay.

It was a small windowless conference room in Reynolds’ corporate headquarters and our small group of activists and supporters of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) were surrounded by dark-suited tobacco executives and shareholders. We came to represent the voices of the tens of thousands of farmworkers working outside in the already-oppressive early summer heat. We came to ask Reynolds to guarantee freedom of association for these workers and for a guarantee that workers who sign a card and ask for a raise do not face retaliation.

Unsurprisingly, Wajnert avoided giving a direct answer to my question. The room that day was not only filled with shareholders, but also activists and supporters of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC). We also asked for a guarantee that workers who sign a card and ask for a raise do not face retaliation.

Wajnert claimed that current laws already protect workers from retaliation for engaging in collective action. While this may be technically true, it conveniently ignores another truth – that farmworkers are exempted from the labor laws that protect most other workers in the US, including protection from retaliation for seeking better wages.

It was not like we expected a different response from Wajnert that day. For the last seven years, Reynolds has refused to recognize basic human rights for the workers who toil in the tobacco fields of North Carolina. But we were disheartened, as another growing season has begun in the American South, and thousands of workers and their families will once again be facing the same inhumane conditions.

Publicación original:

http://politicsofpoverty.oxfamamerica.org/2014/05/reynolds-north-carolina-tobacco-workers-deserve-decent-workplaces/

binghamtonhomepage.com – 27 de mayo de 2014 – UK

City Bans Tobacco Sales Near Schools

The City of Binghamton has passed a law prohibiting new tobacco retailers from locating near schools.

The ordinance bans new stores that sell cigarettes or chewing tobacco from opening within 500 feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school.

The law was passed unanimously last month by City Council and signed by Mayor Rich David.

David says children need to be shielded from the dangers of nicotine addiction.

"The context or premise of trying to limit new businesses from selling in close proximity to school is really part of the educational process and the protection of our youngest citizens," said David.

The new law does not affect existing businesses within the 500 feet radius.

binghamtonhomepage.co

Publicación original:

http://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/story/d/story/city-bans-tobacco-sales-near-schools/76731/2gYgdZwIwU6QKVCmQJuc1g

scoop.co.nz - 28 de mayo de 2014 – Nueva Zelanda

Palmerston North dairy proud to be tobacco free

World Smokefree Day is on Saturday, and the owners of Moshims Discount Dairy in College Street, Palmerston North, have no regrets about their decision to stop selling tobacco.

Five years ago, owners Nazmeen Ismail and her husband Imtiyaz Bakshi made the decision not to sell tobacco. Contrary to some beliefs, being tobacco free has not impacted on sales at their dairy. In fact, being tobacco free has given Nazmeen peace of mind.

She said: “It feels much safer not having tobacco in the shop, considering at times there might be some $8000 – 10,000 worth of stock sitting in the cupboard alone, and being mindful of the small profit gained from selling tobacco.”

Nazmeen and Imtiyaz have replaced tobacco with some very sought after items such as Himalayan creams and ayurvedic items (alternative medicine), which are expensive to source on the net.

Imtiyaz said: “For the same amount of money a retailer invests in tobacco, you can purchase other products that won’t kill people.”

The dairy is also close to a school which was a further reason for them not to stock and sell tobacco.

MidCentral Public Health Smokefree Health Promotion Advisor Julie Beckett said: “With World Smokefree Day (WSFD) coming up on 31 May it’s a great time to highlight champions in our community such as Nazmeen and Imtiyaz. Their dairy became tobacco free in 2009, well before the ‘power walls’ of tobacco displays were banned, and they haven’t looked back.

“Being tobacco free supports people who are trying to quit and have recently quit, by reducing the temptation of knowing tobacco is available. They have effectively replaced tobacco with feel good products, which also have a higher mark up than tobacco. It’s retailers like Nazmeen and Imtiyaz that will get Aotearoa Smokefree by 2025.”

In the latest ASH year 10 survey the MidCentral region had the lowest rates for youth smoking in the country. While there are many measures in place to reduce the prevalence of smoking, the banning of tobacco displays, along with more shops refusing to sell tobacco, will go a long way to denormalising smoking.

Many other retailers and cafes in the MidCentral district have also become smokefree. Why not celebrate World Smokefree Day, 31 May and support your favourite local smokefree café with a coffee. Members of the local smokefree coalition, Tobacco Free Central, will be having morning tea at the Tomato Café on the corner of George and Main Streets, Palmerston North at 10am Friday 30 May.

For local support to quit smoking, please contact Te Ohu Auahi Mutunga – smoking cessation providers available throughout the MidCentral region (06) 357 3426 or toam@tewakahuia.org.nz or call the Quitline on 0800 778 778.

Publicación original:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1405/S00157/palmerston-north-dairy-proud-to-be-tobacco-free.htm

huffingtonpost.com - 26 de mayo de 2014 – EEUU

Many Smokers Are Unaware Of These Tobacco Truths

Truthful statements about the health effects of cigarette smoking may come as a surprise to many smokers, a new study suggests.

Smokers in the study were presented with statements about the dangers of smoking that a federal judge in 2006 ordered to be placed on cigarette packaging and ads, but which the tobacco industry is appealing. The statements include information such as how the tobacco industry deliberately pumps in more nicotine to make tobacco more addictive. More than a third of the smokers said that the information was new to them.

Some were so angered by the statements that they said they were motivated to quit, the study found.

Publicación original:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/27/smokers-tobacco-truths_n_5397319.html?ir=Healthy+Living

themoscowtimes.com - 26 de mayo de 2014 – EEUU

Toward a tobacco-free society

In the past 50 years, we've made progress combating the health consequences of smoking. But, unless we continue to fight against tobacco use, 5.6 million of today's children will die early from smoking, according to this year's report from the acting U.S. Surgeon General, the nation's doctor.

Smoking remains the most preventable cause of chronic disease and death. Decreasing tobacco use and limiting youth access to tobacco are part of the RiverStone Health Board of Health's public health policy agenda.

We know strategies that work. Multiple studies show that raising tobacco taxes decreases tobacco use. Data from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids indicates that every 10 percent increase in the cost of tobacco products results in a 7 percent decline in youth smoking and a 4 percent total decline in smoking.

The World Health Organization is using World No Tobacco Day, May 31, to advocate increasing tobacco taxes. In Montana, the tax on a pack of cigarettes is $1.70. But 15 states have taxes of more than $2.

Increasing tobacco taxes produces results that extend beyond increasing state revenue and reducing tobacco use. It also decreases Medicaid spending and health care costs associated with diseases caused by smoking, and it reduces secondhand smoke, a natural byproduct of burning tobacco, which harms bystanders.

As a society, we need to move toward making the next generation tobacco-free. Raising tobacco taxes is one way to do it.

Clair R. Oakley

Publicación original:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/mailbag/toward-a-tobacco-free-society/article_63f55b1b-bf8a-5f38-98dd-25f9cc697e28.html