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Herefordshire: Shops supplying illicit tobacco forced to close
Two shops with a history of criminal activity have been forced to close after illegal tobacco was found hidden on the premises. An operation involving police, trading standards and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service found large amounts of smuggled non-duty paid tobacco were hidden in sophisticated compartments.
A specialist trained tobacco search dog was used in the operation and the two shops have been closed for three months after magistrates granted the closure orders. West Mercia Police said both premises have a long history of criminal activity concerning the sale and supply of non-duty paid alcohol and tobacco and the employment of illegal immigrants.
There have been five successful applications in the last 12 months in Herefordshire to close retail premises involved in the sale and supply of smuggled or contraband tobacco.
Source: Stourbridge News, 15 October 2019
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Writing in OnLondon, Catherine Max, discusses the impact of cigarette butts and other forms of waste on London’s sewer system.
“Recent storms and resulting flooding, such as in Finsbury Park, are reminders that our drainage system is largely Victorian. It wasn’t built for a population of nine million, let alone one which merrily discards cooking fat, cigarette butts, wet wipes and cotton buds in sinks, toilets and gutters, with rarely a thought for the consequences. London’s sewers now overflow on average once a week.”
“Good design usually engenders respect for the environment, but the need for comprehensive behaviour change is urgent. Londoners may have spotted the “What begins on our streets can end in our seas” #BinTheButt posters from Keep Britain Tidy, in partnership with local councils and environmental service providers. These point out that cigarette butts contain micro-plastics and chemicals harmful to marine life and make a direct visual connection between our street drains and the ocean.”
Source: OnLondon, 15 October 2019
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The Cancer Atlas, 3rd edition, a comprehensive global overview of cancer around the globe, concludes that progress in the fight against cancer is not only possible, but achievable. The report was produced by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Cancer is the leading or second-leading cause of premature death (under age 70) in 91 countries worldwide. Based on expected population growth and aging alone, the number of global cancer cases is expected to increase by 60% in 2040. More widespread distribution of health behaviours such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are likely to make that number considerably larger.
The 3rd edition highlights the fact that tobacco causes more preventable cancer deaths than any other risk factor. In 2017 alone, smoking was responsible for an estimated 2.3 million cancer deaths globally, accounting for 24% of all cancer deaths. There are still 1.1 billion smokers worldwide. Progress in tobacco control legislation over the last decade means 1.5 billion people in 55 countries are now protected by smokefree legislation.
Source: Scienmag, 16 October 2019
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A Michigan judge on Tuesday blocked the state’s ban on flavoured e-cigarettes about two weeks after it took effect.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer had ordered the state ban in September, declaring that teenagers’ use of e-cigarettes, known as vaping, was a public health emergency.
Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens of the Michigan Court of Common Claims said that vaping was a public health concern, but agreed with the retailers that there was likely no basis for the Governor to use her emergency powers. According to Stephens, the data cited by the Governor in ordering the ban had been available since at least February, undercutting the claim that it was emergency.
Stephens’ ruling is a preliminary injunction, meaning it will remain in effect while the retailers and the state continue to litigate the dispute.
Michigan is one of several states, including Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, that have moved to restrict sales of flavored e-cigarettes on the grounds that they pose a health risk to teenagers. A New York court earlier this month blocked that state’s ban from taking effect.
Source: Reuters, 15 October 2019
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Writing in the Malay Mail, health commentator Jo Furnival discusses Malaysia’s proposed vaping restrictions.
“Malaysia is pushing for strict laws on the sale and use of vapes, shisha and e-cigarettes but evidence suggests stricter vaping laws are likely to be counterproductive.
“In the wake of several vaping related deaths in the United States, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said: “There will be more enforcement efforts to curb its accessibility.” So-called “vaping illness” has, at the last count, claimed the lives of 26 people in the US (at the time of publication).
“It is absolutely right that lawmakers should be monitoring the situation closely and governments should be applauded for taking this seriously. However, knee-jerk, punitive reactions could end up causing more harm than good. What we do know is that heavy-handed regulation neither helps smokers nor meets public health objectives. Rather, what has shown to be effective, is making alternatives to smoking easily accessible.
“E-cigarettes have been shown time and again to be a credible and comparatively safe alternative to smoking. Their availability in the UK, and promotion by public health, likely contributed to the reduction of smoking rates from 20.4% in 2012 (around the time vaping became mainstream) to 16.1% in 2016. The US has seen a similar trend. Recent research funded by Cancer Research UK has found that vaping can double a smoker’s chances of quitting.
“Proponents of the e-cigarette ban in Malaysia say it will protect the health of children, but it’s already illegal to sell to individuals under 18 years of age. The World Health Organisation has recently suggested that e-cigarettes are a gateway for young people to start smoking.
“Not only is this dangerous but the theory has been widely debunked. In June this year, research published by UK tobacco control charity, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), found that vaping remains uncommon among young people and is almost exclusively confined to current or past smokers. Most teen vaping is experimental and short-lived.
“If the Malaysian government and health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, truly want to drive down smoking rates, they should assume a leadership role in promoting vaping products as a safer alternative to cigarettes.”
Source: Malay Mail, 15 October 2019
ASH Fact Sheet: Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain, 2019
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For more information call 020 7404 0242, email [email protected] or visit www.ash.org.uk
ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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