I have written about how Big Tobacco buys its way into political decisions before in this blog (see Big Tobacco In Control Of Denver International Airport). 

Here is the most recent example: As lawmakers are considering raising taxes on cigarettes, Philip Morris’ parent company Altria Group suddenly feels a strong urge to give - to both big parties, by the way. 

- Franc Tausch, PhD, CCHT

Altria Group, which owns Philip Morris, maker of cigarette brands such as Marlboro, Benson & Hedges and Basic, gave more than $100,000 to the Republican and Democratic parties in recent weeks.

The contributions come as the Spitzer administration is considering raising the state’s $1.50-per-pack excise tax on cigarettes. Budget experts have noted New Jersey charges $2.57, and groups like the American Cancer Society want a $3 charge.

Additionally, several counties, including Albany, Rockland, Tompkins and Onondaga, have over the past few years discussed raising from 18 to 19 the minimum age at which tobacco can be purchased.

Altria gave $10,000 to the Onondaga County Republicans as lawmakers there are revisiting a so-called Tobacco 19 bill that passed in 2006 but was vetoed by then-County Executive Nicholas Pirro. The company also gave $10,000 to the Erie County Republicans.

"A state tobacco tax increase is one of our highest priorities, and the tobacco industry obviously smells it coming," said Peter Slocum, vice president for advocacy with the Cancer Society.

There are no limits on donations to so-called housekeeping accounts. The money is not supposed to be spent on specific candidates, but critics say the state’s laws are so loose the funds can benefit individual politicians.

Here’s a look at some of the latest political contributions by Altria, the parent company of cigarette producer Philip Morris, or its affiliates.

Friends of Assemblyman Tedisco: $500Conservative Party of NYS: $10,000

Erie County Republican Committee: $10,000

NYS Senate Republican Campaign Committee: $25,000O

Onondaga County Republican Committee: $10,000

Monroe County Democratic Committee: $9,500

New York State Republican Committee: $10,000

Democratic Senate Campaign Committee: $30,000

Source

Earlier this month, drug maker Pfizer updated the labels for its stop smoking drug "Chantix" ("Champix" in Europe), warning that users should be monitored for suicidal behaviour, depression, and other potential serious side effects.

Only a few days later, yet another suicide is added to the string of fatal tragedies allegedly connected to the highly controversial drug.

Please also read my 3 related blog entries: Smoking Cessation: Another Suicide Blamed On Stop Smoking Drug Chantix , and Stop smoking drug’s side effects may be worse than thought , and Smoking Cessation: FDA Releases over 5,000 Chantix Complaints .

- Franc Tausch, PhD, CCHT

A widow claimed yesterday that a drug designed to help smokers quit may have played a role in her husband’s suicide.

Father-of-two Wayne Marshall, 36, was found hanged shortly after completing a 13-week course of Champix, which it is feared may have depressive side effects.

His death is the second in the UK to be linked to the newly-licensed drug.

Mr Marshall’s widow Emma said he was prescribed the drug by his GP last August to help him quit his 20-a-day habit, but quickly went downhill, cutting himself off from his family and friends.

Mrs Marshall, 28, said she believed the drug had played a part in his death and has reported the case to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, MHRA.

"I don’t want anybody to go through what myself, his children and his family and friends are facing," she said. "It is horrendous.

"People need to think about going on this drug, particularly if they have a history of depression.’

After her husband’s inquest, Mrs Marshall, a distribution coordinator, discovered Champix has been linked to depression.

"I don’t understand how he went downhill so quickly," she said. "He was not the type of person who needed picking up but his whole personality changed. He closed himself off completely from everybody.

"These tablets did seem to be working. It was just his moods."

He had finished the drug course a week before she last saw him, but had started smoking immediately.

"He was more positive than when I saw him previously," she said. "Never ever could I have dreamt he would have done something like that."

Last October, TV editor Omer Jama, 39,was found dead at his home in Bolton.

He slashed his wrists weeks after starting a course of Champix. Mr Jama had just booked a foreign holiday and had no history of depression.

The European Medicines Agency last month ordered improved warnings to patients over the twice-daily prescription medicine following reports it could lead to depression.

Figures from the MHRA show one patient has taken his life while on the drug, two others have attempted suicide and there have been 60 other "suicidal-type suspected adverse reactions" reported.

An MHRA spokesman said Champix, which is made by Pfizer, was being closely monitored. He said: "Giving up smoking can be very stressful. The side effects are suspected. It does not necessarily mean the drugs caused the reaction."

Source

Alright, folks, these are ‘Franc’s MUST READ Quotes Of the Week’!

The first quote comes from a German IT company owner, after firing 3 employees because their non-smoking was causing disruptions, and they were threatening to disturb the peace after requesting a smoke-free environment:

“I can’t be bothered with trouble-makers. (…) it’s just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It’s time for revenge. I’m only going to hire smokers from now on.” (*1) 

No, I did not make that up…

And it gets even better: Benjamin Kemball, president and CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada, that country’s tobacco industry leader, gifts us with his quote.

In a press release that reads like it was written as a tribute to the world’s foremost philanthropical company, we learn about the countless blessings that ITC has bestowed upon mankind in the last 100 years.

Among those, their committment "to the highest standards of social responsibility"!! (Nope - I did not make this one up either). Unfortunately, ITCs entire statement of it’s own goodness and achievements is waaaaay too long to place here.

However, Kemball also shares about the challenges a humble conduit of death and disease has to deal with:

“Even after one hundred years of passion and innovation, the future is still filled with challenges which Imperial Tobacco Canada will meet with success. To do so, we must continue to understand and identify the needs of adult Canadian smokers and deliver on their expectations.” (*2)

If you are not completely speechless, feel free to comment on any of these.

- Franc Tausch, PhD, CCHT

Sources (*1), (*2)

Wow! East coast supermarket chain Wegmans will stop selling cigarettes, once they run out of their current stock! How cool is that?!

Danny and Colleen Wegman decided to put their customers health before their own profits. And, as we all know, cigarettes sales can make up a big chunk of a store’s business.

I encourage all readers of my blog to contact their supermarket’s executive management and ask them to follow the Wegmans’ example.

- Franc Tausch, PhD, CCHT

Starting next month, Wegmans Food Markets will no longer sell cigarettes.

The family-owned business with 70 stores in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, made the announcement yesterday to employees.

"We have come to this decision after thinking about the role smoking plays in people’s health," the company’s top executives, Danny Wegman and his daughter, Colleen, wrote.

"We certainly respect a person’s right to smoke, but we believe there are few of us who would introduce our children to smoking."

The company said in a release it has stopped ordering tobacco supplies and will sell its remaining inventory until Feb. 10. Signs will be posted in stores.

Health advocacy groups such as the American Lung Association of New York applauded Wegmans’ decision "for its commitment to public health and for placing the well-being of its customers above profit by halting sales of cigarettes."

Source

Happy New Year!

The following countries and US states have smoking bans, effective January 1st, 2008

GERMANY: 8 states institute smoking bans in bars/restaurants.
FRANCE: Bar/restaurant smoking ban.
AUSTRALIA:Smoking ban in cars with kids goes into effect in Tasmania.
PORTUGAL: Weak restaurant smoking ban.
CANADA: Alberta’s near-total smoking ban.
IRAN: Strict smoking ban (went into effect Dec. 22, 2007).

In the United States
CA: Smoking ban in cars with kids.
CO: Statewide ban extends to casinos (with Denver International Airport in the hands of Big Tobacco, DIA remains exempt. See my comment from December 18, 2007).
IL: Statewide ban.
MD: Baltimore smoking ban
MO, KS: Kansas City suburbs’ smoking bans, pressuring Kansas City itself.
TX: McKinney, Sugar Land and Fort Worth restaurant smoking ban.

Additionally, for MD & WI: $1/pack cigarette tax hike goes into effect, raising tax to $1.77 in WI, and $2 in MD.

- Franc Tausch, PhD, CCHT