ASH Presentation to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee 19th June 2012
Dr Ross Morgan, and Dr Angie Brown made a presentation to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on 19^th June, following on from the Committee’s invitation for submissions on “Changes in lifestyle can prevent approximately one third of cancers.  How does Government and Society respond to this challenge?

 www.thetribe.ie Launched – A new website for young people

ASH Ireland today launched a new website, The Tribe, www.thetribe.ie specifically designed to engage with young people on smoking and tobacco related issues. (Launch-12pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 at 41a Blackberry Lane, Rathmines - the offices of Cawley Nea)

This interactive website, will deal with health, environmental and addiction issues, as well stressing the many other downsides to smoking, such as drying of the skin (wrinkles) loss of hair quality, damage to teeth, loss of fitness and nicotine poisoning of young people who work in the tobacco fields in developing countries.

Dr Angie Brown, of ASH Ireland and Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation said today, “We are very aware that young people do not engage effectively with websites, which are designed for adults. The new website, which we had evaluated by young people’s focus groups, is specifically designed to meet the needs of young people. We have provided information, together with a range of videos and pictures, which highlight the many issues and dangers associated with tobacco and smoking. The Tribe idea, is essentially a ‘tribe against big tobacco’ and all this big industry stands for; including massive profit, aggressive marketing of a killer product and a major influencer of governments all around the world”.

At today’s launch transition year students from Drimnagh Castle secondary school, who had reviewed the website presented their assessment on the possible impact of www.thetribe.ie.

Jason Nolan, transition year student at Drimnagh Castle said, “ www.thetribe.ie is accessible and very helpful for people of my age group and school goers; as there is a lot of smoking in the vicinity of schools. I was also taken aback with some of the statistics; I learned, for example, that most people who die from lung cancer are smokers”.

Cameron Hazel, another transition year student from Drimnagh Castle said, “I was particularly taken by the information on ‘big tobacco’, the enemy as they are referred to on www.thetribe.ie . I also learned a lot about how ‘big tobacco’ continually try to influence governments, who are health focused and want to change the laws and make smoking less attractive and less normal”.

The website, www.thetribe.ie was designed by Cawley Nea/TWEA, Dublin.

 Students from Drimnagh Castle School with Dr Angie Brown

Canada: Memo shows tobacco company knew smoking was deadly in the ‘80s,

10th May 2012An internal memo showing that Imperial Tobacco has known cigarettes to be addictive since the 1980s has been entered into evidence in Quebec’s $27 billion class-action lawsuit against Big Tobacco.

In the memo, Bob Bexon, Imperial Tobacco’s former director of Marketing Research and Development, admits that the only thing keeping tobacco companies in business is the addictiveness of cigarettes.

Imperial Tobacco lawyer Suzanne Côté had argued against the document being introduced as evidence on the grounds that it was not pertinent and based on hearsay.

This document strikes a major blow to Canada’s three tobacco industry giants — including Imperial Tobacco Ltd — who are on trial in Quebec Superior Court in the largest class-action lawsuit in Canadian history. All three tobacco companies on trial had publicly denied that smoking was addictive and dangerous until June 9, 2000.

Press Statement from ASH Ireland , Monday 30th January 2012

Scottish Research strongly supportive of ASH Ireland campaign to have smoking banned in cars transporting children under 16 years

A paper published in the British Medical Journal earlier this month entitled “Secondhand Smoke in Cars: assessing children’s potential exposure during typical journey conditions” again highlights the serious health risks to children who are transported in cars in which adults smoke.

The research on which the published article is based, found that concentrations of fine particle matter (PM_2.5) in cars where smoking took place were high - and in all cases exceeded the W.H.O. guidelines. PM_2.5 is a toxic substance. The report also found that the concentrations of toxic substances were strongly associated with the number of cigarettes smoked.

The report went on to say that exposure to PM_2.5 “at the levels reported is likely to be harmful to respiratory health and measures to remove or reduce this exposure within the confines of vehicles should be considered both in terms of individual responsibility and via legislation”.

Dr Brian Maurer, Chairperson of ASH Ireland said today, “this report, which was conducted by staff at the University of Aberdeen in conjunction with the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital again highlights the serious risk to children in cars with smoking adults. This research confirms previous findings in Ireland, in the United States and in Britain. We again ask Minister Reilly to immediately introduce legislation which will protect children from exposure to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in cars. I raised this matter with the Minister on his appointment last April and he indicated that he would look positively at this proposal, which has the support of 79% of Irish people, and those involved in healthcare in this country.”

ASH Ireland also wishes to draw your attention to additional evidence in support of the introduction of such a ban.

• “We recently reported that one in seven Irish children is exposed to SHS while travelling to school by car, which has significant negative respiratory health effects.” Second Hand Smoke Exposure In Cars and Respiratory Health Effects in Children (Tobacco Free Research Institute, Dublin, October 2009).

• “It is well established that children raised in smoking households have increased risks of levels of asthma, ear and lung infections” (Dr Elizabeth Secord, Asthma specialist, Michigan, USA, January 2008).

• “Second-hand tobacco smoke exposure is a substantial problem that causes increased rates of pneumonia, otitis media, asthma, and other short and long term paediatric conditions”. American Academy of Paediatrics Centre for Child Health Research, September 2006.     

• “Tobacco smoke pollution which is easily inhaled deep into the lungs poses a serious health hazard for children and because of the cars small cabin space contributes to concentrated exposure”, Professor Geoffrey Fong, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, N.Y. (September, 2008).

Ends

For contact: ASH Ireland, 01-6599451

Young Communications, 087-2471520

Sad reality of the ‘1 in every 2 statistic’ illustrated in new HSE QUIT TV advert  

7th November 2011

The HSE today begins broadcast of a new QUIT campaign television advert and online film that exposes the sad reality of losing a loved one to a tobacco related disease. Since its launch in June of this year, the QUIT campaign has been focusing on one key fact – that 1 in every 2 smokers will die of a tobacco related disease. This new phase of the campaign uses real people to bring that fact to life, in the words of those left behind.

Pauline Bell from Wexford is a mother of two. Three years ago her husband George died from a heart attack at 48 years of age. George was a heavy smoker. Pauline has volunteered to tell her and George’s story as part of the QUIT campaign. She talks about what a great husband he was, how ‘he loved his cigarettes, but never thought that at 48, that would be his time to go’, and how she, her children and their family has been affected by his loss. She hopes to inspire others to quit – for their own health, and to prevent other families experiencing what they have been through.

Dr. Fenton Howell from the HSE outlines why the HSE has taken this approach to the QUIT campaign: ‘Evidence from all over the world has shown the impact that real-life, personal stories, like Pauline and George’s, can have on smokers’ drive to quit. We spoke in detail to Irish smokers before we started this campaign, and they told us that this ‘1 in every 2’ statistic was powerful, and that using real-life stories to illustrate it would motivate them to stop smoking. We’re very grateful to Pauline and her family, and all the other people who are bringing this campaign to life by telling their stories - they are central to the meaning and success of this campaign.’

The new tv ad and the 3 minute short film of Pauline’s story can be viewed on HSE.ie and facebook.com/HSEquit.

Results to date for the QUIT campaign show that the 1 in every 2 statistic has hit home with smokers in Ireland, with many choosing to get help and support for their Quit attempt online and in person. Over 5,000 people have signed up for online QUITplans since the campaign started in June, nearly a 300% increase on the same period in 2010. Visits to www.QUIT.ie have increased 170%, and calls to the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203 and referrals to our Smoking Cessation Clinics increased by 50% compared to last year. The HSE’s You can QUIT Facebook page was created for this campaign, and has over 13,500 Likes to day, with many of them choosing to share their experiences and seek support from each other.

Fenton Howell welcomed these positive results, but said that ‘there are about 1 million smokers in Ireland and unfortunately, 1 in every 2 of those smokers will die of a tobacco related disease. Look around you - we all know someone who will be affected by a tobacco related illness. Our campaign is helping people to try to quit, and ultimately aims to save lives’.

‘Quitters can double their chance of success if they use supports such as the QUIT.ie website, the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203, medications or free HSE Smoking Cessation Clinics. ‘I would encourage those who are thinking about quitting, or are currently in the process of quitting, to get some support. There are 1 million former smokers in Ireland and in all my years working in this area, I have never met anyone who regretted quitting.’

Dr. Fenton Howell concluded: ‘You can QUIT, it’s never too late to try, or try again. Check out our QUIT.ie website, call the Quitline, join a smoking cessation course, visit your GP or pharmacist, talk to your dentist or join us on Facebook – the help will help.’

3 min SHORT FILM - http://youtu.be/YvZUPV18-hI  
30 sec TV ad - http://youtu.be/ARPI5TK4koc  


If you want help to QUIT smoking:

Call the National Smokers’ Quitline 1850 201 203
Visit www.quit.ie  
Join www.facebook.com/HSEquit
Contact your local HSE smoking cessation counsellor
Talk to your GP, Pharmacist or Dentist

Also

Quit Smoking Consultant Clinic
St James’s Hospital
For appointment Email: skeogan@tri.ie
or Phone: 01 5111 250
For further information contact
Professor Luke Clancy at info@tri.ie

Comments made by Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization in an Address to the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Sixty-second session in Manilla, Philippines on 10th October 2011

"Big Tobacco’s efforts to subvert the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have reached new heights. Tactics that were previously covert are now out in the open and extremely aggressive.

The high-profile commercial and investment arbitrations targeting Uruguay and Australia are deliberately designed to instil fear in other countries wishing to introduce similarly tough tobacco control measures.

Numerous other countries are being subjected to the same kind of aggressive scare tactics. It is hard for any country to bear the financial burden of this kind of litigation, but most especially so for small countries.

I urge all these countries to stand firm together. Do not bow to pressure.

Big Tobacco can afford to hire the best lawyers and PR firms that money can buy. Big Money can speak louder than any moral, ethical, or public health argument, and can trample even the most damning scientific evidence. We have seen this happen before. It is horrific to think that an industry known for its dirty tricks and dirty laundry could be allowed to trump what is clearly in the public’s best interest"

Link to full address by DG WHO: http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2011/wpro_10_10/en/index.html  

Further Information on Westlife’s link with Tobacco

Westlife recently indicated they were not aware of the tobacco sponsorship of a concert they were to play in Jakarta, Indonesia. However, we now place on this website some other material which has been used by the tobacco industry in joint sponsorship with Westlife at other concerts. One shows Westlife in a joint poster with the Peter Stuyvesant brand of tobacco.

http://www.ninegiftshop.com/cigarette_cases/cigarette_cases_details.asp?pid=CC002089  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westlife-Cigarette-Money-Case-29221606-/270751492254  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Westlife-Cigarette-Money-Card-Box-Case-Holder-New-/180519301401#ht_3611wt_1141  
http://www.amazon.com/CREDIT-CARD-HOLDER-CIGARETTE-CASE/dp/B003HNGEES  

You may wish to contact Westlife in regard to the association of their brand with the tobacco industry.

Last weekend The HSE launched a major media campaign designed to encourage smokers to quit. The campaign is based on the well established fact that 1 in every 2 smokers will die from a tobacco related disease.

People who wish to quit are asked to visit http://www.quit.ie  or

call the National Smokers Quitline on 1850 201 203.

The campaign is being supported by a range of health groups including ASH Ireland.
Further details on…. http://www.ash.ie/News/Latest_News/Navigation.html

At the launch of the HSE Quit campaign were friends and neighbours Michelle Delves and Marian Kilty from Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

The Revenue Commissioners have recently established a dedicated Freephone Line where members of the public can report details or concerns re smuggled cigarettes.  The availability of smuggled cigarettes not only affects the economy of this country and represent a significant health risk, they also help to support organised crime.  The confidential freephone is at 1800 295 295.

For current tobacco control news click on http://www.ash.ie/News/National_News/Navigation.html

YOUTH NEWS - Congratulations to Jerry Moran, Aoife Musgrave and Donie O'Sullivan who were awarded the ASH Ireland prize at the BT Young Scientists on 11th January 2008 at the RDS, Dublin for their project "An investigation into a possible link between smoking and the inability to taste PTC".  They are from Colaiste na Sceilge, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry.

Prof. Luke Clancy, presented the ASH Ireland Special Award to three pupils from Colaiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal at the BT Young Scientists Exhibition at the Royal Dublin Society for their project 'Ag Caitheamh Tobac agus Emphysema'.   January 2007