August 2021
Misinformation, attacks from NGOs obstruct tobacco harm reduction in LMICs
Misinformation and attacks from well-funded international non-government organizations are among the key obstacles to the adoption of tobacco harm reduction (THR) and mitigation of deaths from smoking in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), according to health policy experts. Representatives from countries like India, Ukraine, Kenya, and Mexico enumerated the factors that are hindering LMICs from...
Europe: Parliament draft report pushes for tax hike on all tobacco products
A draft of a new report from the European Parliament’s Beating Cancer Committee does not distinguish between cigarettes and novel tobacco products on key points, signalling a tighter position on tobacco control, with some lawmakers already mobilising to challenge this. Once passed, the report by the BECA committee will serve as the institution’s position on...
England: Smoking responsible for twice as many cancers in most deprived groups
Smoking is responsible for nearly twice as many cancer cases in lower income groups compared to higher income groups, according to new estimates by Cancer Research UK. Over 11,000 cases of cancer were linked to smoking in the lowest income group, compared to around 6,000 in the highest. Decades of glitzy packaging and marketing by the...
BATNF clinches two awards at the West Africa Innovation Awards
July 29, 2021 was a day of honour for the British American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation (BATNF) as it clinched two awards for excellence in sustainability, namely ‘Best Sustainability in Agriculture’ and ‘Best Sustainability in Youth and Economic Development’ at the West Africa Innovation Awards held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The West...
India: Why Parliament needs to take up the pending amendments in Tobacco Control Laws
The government must take note of the views of experts and make laws on tobacco products more stringent. The unprecedented rise in the number of deaths due to the diseases caused by tobacco consumption is adding to the woes of the government in general and the Union Health Ministry in particular as the spending of...
July 2021
WHO reports progress in the fight against tobacco epidemic
Many countries are making progress in the fight against tobacco, but a new World Health Organization report shows some are not addressing emerging nicotine and tobacco products and failing to regulate them. Increased adoption of WHO-recommended tobacco control measures More than four times as many people are now covered by at least one WHO-recommended tobacco control...
Tobacco wars: Proposed R22 for a pack of smokes a ‘laughable’ attempt to dodge taxes, says BATSA
The SA Tobacco Organisation's proposed R22 for a pack of 20 cigarettes will not cover taxes, according to British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA). BATSA has issued a statement hitting out at the proposal - citing a study that shows it is not economically viable to sell cigarettes below R26.55 per pack. BATSA...
Progress on tobacco fight, but new nicotine products pose increasing threat
While many countries are making progress in the fight against tobacco use, a new World Health Organization (WHO) report shows some are failing to address the problem of emerging nicotine and tobacco products. Compared with 2007, more than four times as many people -- some 5.3 billion -- are now covered by at least one...
