New results from the annual “Monitoring the Future” study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that marijuana use by teens increased in 2010, reversing a 10-year decline. Some 21 percent of high school seniors said they had smoked marijuana in the last 30 days, while 19.2 percent reported smoking cigarettes – the first time pot use has eclipsed tobacco since 1981. Ream more »
Women who smoke heavily during pregnancy tend to have daughters who start menstruating months earlier than the daughters of women who did not smoke during their pregnancy.
Previous studies have found evidence that women who start menstruating early may be at higher risk of health problems later in life. Early menstruation has been tied to a number of health risks, including heart disease, breast cancer and even lung problems such as asthma. Earlier periods have also been associated with earlier sexual activity and use of substances such as cigarettes and alcohol. Ream more »
The Ministry of Health has reiterated their call to retailers who sell tobacco that they must have a license by September next year.
In clarifying the new tobacco decree that was recently passed in cabinet, ministry spokesperson Peni Namotu says registration begins next month.
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Electronic cigarettes could be showing up on more convenience-store shelves soon. That’s because an appeals court ruled Wednesday that electronic cigarettes should be treated like tobacco products when it comes to Food and Drug Administration oversight.
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Plans are afoot to reduce the tobacco production in Sri Lanka by 5% per year starting 2011, said Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Prof Carlo Fonseka.
Addressing a media awareness workshop on reporting drug-related matters he said that this plan will be implemented from next year as per a request from the Buddhist clergy.
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Massachusetts ranks 37th in the nation when it comes to funding anti-tobacco efforts, and tobacco control specialists in Berkshire County — where the smoking rate is above the statewide average — say the state’s financial strain is impacting smoking cessation and prevention efforts.
“This is the life we live now,” said Joan Rubel, project coordinator of the Northern Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership at Berkshire AHEC. “I think what’s in place in the state is an infrastructure at a very low level of tobacco cessation and prevention work.”
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TOBACCO Industry and Marketing Board chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri has assured tobacco farmers that there will be enough hessian bags and tobacco wrapping paper for this year’s tobacco whose harvesting has just started in some provinces.
Dr Matibiri said suppliers of the hessian bags and wrapping paper were importing the material, but was quick to add that this would not affect their capacity to meet demand. Ream more »
Philadelphia has more smokers under 18 than any other large U.S. city, according to a recent study by the city’s Department of Public Health.
The council voted unanimously for a bill hiking fines for selling tobacco to under-18s to a maximum of $2,000 per violation, from $300.
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A local group and a state group are joining forces to change a law so that cities can adopt tobacco ordinances that are tougher than state law.
“During the past year, there has been this new effort to restore the local control,” said Jane Jones, Muskogee Against Tobacco program coordinator. “This is the next step towards improving the health of our communities.”
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Well it seems that all the Prop 19 hoopla, Showtime’s Weeds, HBO’s Bored to Death, High Times, and the assortment of other pot-friendly media making the rounds may finally be affecting the kids in America.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse released a survey Tuesday showing that this year 21.4% of high school seniors reported using marijuana in the last 30 days, compared to 19.2% who reported smoking cigarettes.
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