News dall’estero_29 maggio 2018
The Shields Gazette, 25/05/2018
South Tyneside: Health board supports use of e-cigarettes to tackle smoking
South Tyneside health bosses have supported plans to help smokers kick the habit by promoting the use of e-cigarettes. The plans were heard at the area’s health and wellbeing board, led by South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm. Public health practitioner Wendy Surtees outlined plans and targets to reduce smoking in the borough from 18.5% to 5% by 2025. In practice, the council aims to have discussions with vaping stores about how they can support people who both smoke and vape to switch completely or engage in a quit attempt.
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/health-board-supports-use-of-e-cigarettes-to-tackle-smoking-in-borough-1-9181909
BBC, 28/05/2018
France: One million French smokers quit in a year amid tobacco control measures
France has seen a sharp fall in the number of people smoking daily, with one million fewer people lighting up in 2017 compared to 2016. The recent study found 26.9% of 18-75 yearolds smoked daily in 2017, compared with 29.4% in 2016. The study suggests the decline is likely due to France’s comprehensive strategy to tackle smoking. In recent years these measures have included plain, standardised packaging, reimbursements for people using tobacco substitutes, higher cigarette pricing and campaigns like the national tobacco-free month. France’s Health Minister, Agnès Buzyn, in particular welcomed the decline in smoking among those on low incomes, saying that “tobacco is a trajectory of inequality, it weighs particularly on the most disadvantaged and it gets worse”.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44282138
The Leader, 27/05/2018
Spain: Growing number of smokefree beaches
Villananitos beach in the Murcia region is the latest to be added to the growing network of smokefree beaches, as part of the regional program ‘Beaches without smoke.’ This program began in hospitals and is now being extended to beaches and sports centres across the whole of Spain. Police will not be able to impose sanctions on people who smoke on these beaches, as it is not prohibited by law, but posters will be prominently displayed showing the effects of tobacco. According to the Ministry of Health who are sponsoring the project, public spaces must move towards healthier conditions, to improve the environmental quality of beaches and the health of the population in the area.
China Daily, 29/05/2018
China: Cost-effective for insurance to cover stop smoking drugs
Shenzhen’s new tobacco control plan has outlined ambitious aims, including building a “tobacco-free city” by 2020, and maintaining the smoking rate in elderly populations at below 20%. In order to achieve this, the plan has suggested basic medical insurance should cover smoking cessation medications.
http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/29/WS5b0c9791a31001b82571cc6e.html
This Is Money, 28/05/2018
US: San Francisco to decide whether to ban flavoured tobacco
Voters in San Francisco are deciding if the sale of flavoured tobacco products should be banned. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has contributed nearly $12 million to the “No on Proposition E” campaign, which, according to Matthew Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, means the industry fears the ban could become a national trend. Supporters of the ban, which would prohibit menthol cigarettes, certain chewing tobaccos and vaping liquids with flavours like cotton candy, mango and cool cucumber, say it would help stop another generation getting hooked on nicotine.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/wires/ap/article-5780253/San-Francisco-decide-ban-flavored-tobacco.html
