Flavored cigars replacing cigarettes in popularity among teens

They come in colorful packages with exotic flavors like pineapple, double apple and strawberry. Now, after the federal ban on flavored cigarettes four years ago, flavored cigars are now all the rage, especially among younger smokers.

"One thing that the cigarette company learned long ago is the earlier you can get someone hooked on your product, the longer they will become a lifetime user of your product," said Pulmonologist Dr. Thomas Kunelis.

"It sounds like a safe alternative. It really isn't," he continued.

Back in 2009, the FDA banned flavored cigarettes, hoping to stop the appeal to younger smokers, especially teens. In the four years that followed, smoking cigarettes has gone down in younger age groups, according to federal data. However, tobacco companies have filled that gap with flavored cigars, which are not subject to the same laws.

"(Tobacco companies) direct their packaging and marketing and their location where they sell it to the person more likely to use it. They're not going to put it right next to the Geritol," said Kunelis.

CBS 5 checked out a variety of valley stores that sell cigarettes. In all of the stores, from gas stations to supermarkets, hidden cameras found cheap flavored cigars next to or near soda and candy.

"We call them power walls. It's where all of the tobacco is stored," said Christian Stumpf with the American Lung Association of the Southwest.

Stumpf says the power walls can be very effective.

"These are something that kids' eyes gravitate to. (Teens) are starting on cigars now. They're starting on whatever is cheapest. Some of them may not ever touch a cigarette. But they still are using the cigars," he continued.

In fact, federal data shows loose tobacco and cigars now makes up more than 10 percent of all tobacco sold in the United States. In 2000, it was just three percent.

Right now, the FDA is looking at making similar legislation preventing the sale of flavored cigars. Stumpf said he hopes the decision is made soon. "We're saying, 'FDA, look. You need to step up here and put the same regulations that you put on cigarettes,'" he said.

The decision could come down as early as October. However, if the same decision is made, it could take months before the ban takes effect.

Source: http://www.wfsb.com/story/23499540/flavored-cigars-replacing-cigarettes-in-popularity-among-teens

U.S. will spend up to $273M in tobacco-related research to reduce smoking deaths

The U.S. government plans to spend as much as $273 million over the next five years on tobacco-related research in a bid to help reduce the number of deaths from smoking.

The Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health said on Thursday they have awarded an initial $53 million to 14 institutions to conduct research that could help the FDA shape tobacco product regulations. In 2009 the agency was given authority to regulate cigarettes, cigarette tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco, though not pipe tobacco, cigars or e-cigarettes. The law allows the FDA to expand its authority to all tobacco products but it must first issue new regulations. Those are in development and no date has been announced for their publication. On Thursday the American Academy of Pediatrics and 14 other public health organizations, including the American Lung Association and American Heart Association, sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to pressure the FDA to issue the new rules. "More than two years ago, FDA announced its intent to take this action, yet no progress has been made," the letter said. "This delay is having very real public health consequences." In July the FDA said it may place restrictions on menthol cigarettes following a scientific review that showed the products are likely to be more addictive than regular cigarettes. The agency is seeking public comment on whether a limit could be set on the amount of menthol in cigarettes. The public health organizations, in their letter, note that while cigarette use fell 33 percent between 2000 and 2011, e-cigarette use is rising, as is the use of cigars by young people. And while the FDA has the authority to stop the use of candy and fruit-flavors in cigarettes, it cannot stop their use in cigars or e-cigarettes. "According to national surveys, 17.8 percent of high school boys currently smoke cigars," the letter said, "and each day more than 3,000 kids under 18 years old try cigar smoking for the first time." Source: http://medcitynews.com/2013/09/u-s-will-spend-273m-tobacco-related-research-reduce-smoking-deaths/

FDA, NIH Create 14 Centers For Tobacco Research

The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health are awarding millions in funding to create 14 centers to conduct research on tobacco products.

Officials said Thursday that the agencies have awarded up to $53 million for fiscal 2013 for the Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, mostly at universities around the country. The centers can eventually receive more than $273 million over the next five years for research on marketing of tobacco products, adverse health consequences, ways to reduce addiction and toxicity, economics, policies and communications, as well as so-called modified risk tobacco products and electronic cigarettes — battery-powered devices made of plastic or metal that heat a liquid nicotine solution, creating vapor that users inhale.

The federal agencies said the centers will help shape regulations on tobacco products with the aim of protecting the public health and reducing the death and disease caused by tobacco use. “The FDA is committed to a science-based approach that addresses the complex public health issues raised by tobacco product regulation,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement.

Among the multi-year grants is more than $18 million for researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond to study methods for evaluating modified risk tobacco products and other tobacco products. VCU’s work will include research in engineering, clinical behavior and randomized control trials to study the effects of tobacco products. “It’s not always clear how best to regulate the vast array of tobacco products that are out there, especially the newer ones like electronic cigarettes,” said Thomas Eissenberg, professor of psychology and director of VCU’s Clinical Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory. “We at VCU have absolutely no preconceived notions about these products. The whole basis behind science-based regulation is that we need to let the data guide us when it comes to regulating novel tobacco products.”

The 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act gave the federal government authority, for the first time, to regulate tobacco products, including the ability to ban certain products, regulate marketing, reduce nicotine in tobacco products and block labels such “low tar” and “light.” The law also gives the FDA authority to evaluate tobacco products for their health risks and lets the agency approve ones that could be marketed as less harmful than what’s currently for sale. In addition to VCU, the network includes the American Heart Association, the University of Maryland, Georgia State, the University of California-San Francisco, the University of Vermont, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Penn State, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, Ohio State and two centers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Source: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/09/19/fda-nih-create-14-centers-for-tobacco-research/

Health poll cites obesity, youth tobacco as problems in Fond du Lac County

A recent public opinion poll on healthy living indicates that childhood obesity and tobacco use by youth are ongoing problems in Fond du Lac County.

The purpose of the poll funded by the Centers for Disease Control’s Community Transformation Grant initiative and Transform Wisconsin, was to evaluate public support for county and regional efforts to promote healthier places to live, work and play. The poll was conducted by Live54218, 5 Counties for Tobacco-Free Living, Healthiest Manitowoc County, Community Action for Health Living, Shawano Pathways, and re: THINK!.

Among the Fond du Lac County findings:

• 93 percent of those surveyed favor taking steps to ensure kids can walk or bike to school.

• 90 percent think childhood obesity is a serious problem in Wisconsin.

• 83 percent favor schools buying local fruits and vegetables.

• 78 percent support funding for tobacco prevention.

• 71 percent agree youth tobacco is a concern.

Fond du Lac’s coalition has been working with local property managers to explain the benefits of apartments going smoke free and offering assistance with smoke-free signs and advertising.

There was significant agreement about the need to protect kids by investing in tobacco prevention, promoting tax parity that ensures flavored tobacco products are taxed at similar rates as cigarettes, and expanding smoke-free environments, according to a press release from the surveying groups.

In all counties surveyed, a majority of respondents also agreed that schools, community groups and local health departments should be major players in the battle against childhood obesity.

The poll was funded by the Centers for Disease Control’s Community Transformation Grant initiative and Transform Wisconsin.

Source: http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20130919/FON0101/309190134/Health-poll-cites-obesity-youth-tobacco-problems-Fond-du-Lac-County?nclick_check=1