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European News Bulletin
Globalink's European News Bulletin follows below.
Robert Weissman
Essential Information | Internet: rob@essential.org
EUROPEAN NEWS BULLETIN - EU9823 15 JUNE 1998
CONTENTS:
EUROPE - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
DENMARK: Smoking restrictions at schools.
GERMANY: Fast growth for Lekkerland.
GERMANY: Palm shops sold.
NORWAY: No funds to tobacco-related research.
SPAIN: No attention to non-smoking areas.
SPAIN: Philip Morris Spain 1997 results.
SPAIN: Tabacalera/Cortefiel launch e-commerce.
SWEDEN: Six out of ten prefer smokefree outlets.
UK: A call for a more effective UK public policy on smoking cessation
and the use of nicotine replacement therapy.
EASTERN EUROPE - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
KAZAKHSTAN: Philip Morris against kids' smoking.
RUSSIA: Anti-smoking campaign in Moscow.
RUSSIA: Macedonian cigarettes to be made in Tula.
INTERNATIONAL - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
USA: Cigarette smoking and hearing loss - the epidemiology of hearing
loss study.
USA: Hefty setback for tobacco industry in US.
EUROPE - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
DENMARK: Smoking restrictions at schools.
Statistics published in the newspaper Berlingske Tidende (XSL),
30 May 1998, indicate that smoking is banned at 41% of Danish
schools, and that in 92% of schools there are some kinds of
restrictions on smoking. Approximately 98% of comprehensive schools
have introduced smoking regulations. About 33% of schools with 8-10th
forms are smoke-free, compared with about 20% in 1995. Among private
schools, 60% are smoke-free. In public comprehensive schools, 14%
of students are smokers, compared with 10% of students at private
schools.
Source: Berlingske Tidende (XSL) 30 May 1998 p.2
Language: SWEDISH¨No. 06637871
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
GERMANY: Fast growth for Lekkerland.
Group turnover of German Frechen-based Lekkerland Deutschland GmbH
& Co KG grew by 50% in 1997. The specialist wholesaler generated a
turnover of DM 6.8bn and is aiming at more than DM 8bn for 1998.
Tobacco products accounted for about DM 2.5bn of the DM 8bn.
Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FA) 03 Jun 1998 p.23
Language: GERMAN No. 06637555
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
GERMANY: Palm shops sold.
On the 1 June 1998 the Swiss Basle-based Oettiger/Davidoff group
took over the 14 German tobacco shops of Dusseldorf-based Eduard
Palm Vertriebs GmbH from Distrigit Management AG.
Source: Handelsblatt (HT) 29 May 1998 p.19
Language: GERMAN No. 06638170
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
NORWAY: No funds to tobacco-related research.
The Norwegian Cancer Association (Kreftforeningen) has joined an
international campaign that aims to stop financial support to
researchers financed by the international tobacco industry.
Kreftforeningen's secretary-general, Lilly Christensen, says the
association grants some NOK100mn (US$12.8mn) a year to research.
According to Christensen, the international tobacco industry grants
several billion NOK to research every year but Kreftforeningen has
no idea of how much of the money is channelled to Norway. She has
highlighted one case that came to their attention: a research group
that had obtained funds both from Kreftforeningen and Philip Morris
put forward a report stating that passive smoking was not hazardous
to health.
Source: Dagens Industri (DI) 27 May 1998 p.52
Language: NORWEGIAN No. 06636837
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
SPAIN: No attention to non-smoking areas.
According to a study prepared by Consumer magazine, Spanish smokers
continue to smoke in prohibited areas in nearly half of the workplaces
visited in Barcelona, Valencia and Murcia. Smokers continue to smoke
in one out of every three non-smoking areas. It seems that in 66% of
these cases, smokers were not asked to refrain from smoking by their
colleagues. According to the survey smokers in Valencia are the worst
offenders, they continue to smoke in prohibited areas such as in
libraries, universities, city hall, train and bus stations, and the
airport. Hospitals were the only places where the no-smoking policy
was observed.
Source: Levante (ZDE) 30 May 1998 p.47 Language: SPANISH No. 06636992
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
SPAIN: Philip Morris Spain 1997 results.
The Spanish tobacco subsidiary of the US multinational Philip Morris,
Philip Morris Spain, made a Pta 42,690mn turnover in 1997 (a 55%
increase on 1996 figures) obtaining a net profit of Pta 6,273mn
compared to Pta 2,948mn registered in 1996. Philip Morris Spain
increased its market share by 2.79% to 24.51% through its three
main brands Marlboro (the brand has 15.83% of the cigarette market
representing an increase of 16%), L&M (12.21%) and Chesterfield
(7.29%). The company holds the second position in Spain, although
far from its competitor Tabacalera, which has a 53.36% market share
(its leading brand Fortuna has 31.23% of the cigarette market).
Sales of American tobacco in Spain in 1997 increased by 7.87% to
53,831mn cigarettes and sales of Turkish tobacco increased by 9.68%
to 24,343mn cigarettes.
Source: Expansion (EXN) 02 Jun 1998 p.8 Language: SPANISH No. 06637716
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
SPAIN: Tabacalera/Cortefiel launch e-commerce.
The Spanish tobacco company Tabacalera and the retail chain
Cortefiel have entered into a joint venture to create a company
called ViaPlus in order to market their products electronically
in Spain. ViaPlus, 75% and 25% owned by Tabacalera and Cortefiel
respectively, will spend Pta 4,150mn placing 1,000 terminals in
tobacconists (with over-15m2 free space), Cortefiel establishments,
supermarkets and locations which attract a high volume of custom.
In an attempt to corner the market and reduce competition, Via
Plus intends to increase the number of terminals scheduled to
be installed in Madrid, Catalonia and Balearic Islands (50%),
Valencia and Murcia (20%),north of Spain (10%), both Castillas
and Extremadura (10%) and Andalucia (10%) as soon as possible.
ViaPlus, through the logistic division of Tabacalera (the main
logistics section in Spain), will deliver the products acquired
by the client within a short space of time and at a fixed price
of Pta 1,000. With a 30-40 strong work-force, ViaPlus will be
able to cut costs by 30%. Terminals will be rented from NCR,
which has also designed, produced and developed the technology
employed by the terminals. A catalogue with a wide range of
products is expected to be completed in three years time.
Source: Expansion (EXN) 02 Jun 1998 p.3
Language: SPANISH No. 06638200
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
SWEDEN: Six out of ten prefer smokefree outlets.
The results of a survey carried out by the county council of
Jonkoping in Sweden revealed that six out of ten people are in
favour of totally smoke-free restaurants and 86% prefer eating in
the smoke-free section of restaurants. In addition, 9% of smokers
are in favour of smoke-free restaurants and cafes.
Source: Jonkopings Posten (XTM) 27 May 1998 p.05
Language: SWEDISH No. 06636840
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
UK: A call for a more effective UK public policy on smoking cessation
and the use of nicotine replacement therapy.
A study by an expert panel, which included three ASH Board of
Management members, has produced a report in which they argued that
the evidence on the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy
(NRT) is now so compelling that present restrictions on its
availability should be lifted. The report notes that more than one
in every four people in the UK smoke. Smoking related illness often
leads to premature death and the costs to the National Health Service
(NHS) of treating smoking related illness is approximately L1,700
million per year. In addition, the highest levels of smoking are
associated with the most disadvantaged members of society, yet these
smokers are the least successful in giving up smoking. Therefore,
those with the least resources suffer more from the adverse effects
of smoking than any other group. Citing evidence from the Health
Education Authority that smoking cessation interventions are very
cost-effective in producing population health gains. The report also
cites research which has shown that NRT has been found to double
the chances of a successful smoking cessation attempt and increases
smokers' chances of giving up smoking sooner. The report proposed
some of the following:
- Tobacco addiction should be taken as seriously as drug or
alcohol addiction - combating tobacco addiction represents a
major opportunity to improve the health of the nation.
- NRT should be made available on prescription - in particular,
this will improve access to effective smoking cessation
interventions for those in lower income groups and will help
address the Government's concerns about current health inequalities.
- Clinical guidance should be issued to healthcare professionals -
patients who smoke should be actively identified. The recommendation
to stop smoking should be made to all patients who smoke, and the
use of NRT encouraged.
ASH emphasised the role of NRT as a cost-effective health intervention
by highlighting research showing that the typical median cost to
society of 310 medical interventions was around L17,000 for each life
year gained but for smoking cessation with NRT (gum) the cost was
L2,849, including advice from the GP - about six times as effective.
ASH Director, Clive Bates, urged the Government to include substantial
measures to help smokers stop - including improved access to NRT -
in the forthcoming White Paper on tobacco.
(For further information about the report contact Interscience Axiom
on 0181 355 6595.)
Source: London, Interscience Axiom June 1998; The Independent
10/6/98 pp4,9; The Guardian 10/6/98; ASH press release 09/6/98
EASTERN EUROPE - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
KAZAKHSTAN: Philip Morris against kids' smoking.
The US-based tobacco producer Philip Morris has undertaken a
public relations initiative by launching an anti-smoking campaign
aimed at preventing underage smoking in Kazakhstan. Throughout June
1998, 5,000 posters containing anti-smoking messages will be
distributed to schools in Kazakhstan, where, according to official
data, one out of six children smokes. The President of the Almaty
Tobacco Company (ATK), owned by Philip Morris, Mark Duerst, claimed
that the anti-smoking campaign was a part of the company's plan to
become a model investor in the country. (Ed's note: The campaign
could also been seen as an attempt by Philip Morris to convince
its critics that it is not interested in selling cigarettes to
teenagers - although the evidence in internal tobacco industry
documents released as a result of US litigation indicates otherwise.)
To date, Philip Morris has invested US$ 228 mn in the modernisation
of ATK.
Source: The Moscow Times (ZTE) 28 May 1998 p.10
Language: ENGLISH No. 06637278
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
RUSSIA: Anti-smoking campaign in Moscow.
In a move which can be seen as a public relations victory for the
tobacco industry, tobacco companies Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds (USA),
Rothmans (UK) and Reemtsma (Germany) have joined the Government of
Moscow to launch an anti-smoking campaign aimed at reducing smoking
among teenagers in Moscow. The campaign is scheduled to run from the
5th of June to the 5th of July, before the World Youth Games. The
motto of the anti-smoking campaign is: "Smoking? There is no time
for it!".
Source: Interfax-AiF (ACA) 01-07 Jun 1998 p.9
Language: RUSSIAN No. 06637977
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
RUSSIA: Macedonian cigarettes to be made in Tula.
By the middle of June 1998, the Russian tobacco wholesaler Tabakopttorg
plans to install two production lines worth over US$ 1 mn for the
production of cigarettes under licence of the Macedonian company
Macedoniatabak (sic). It is expected that the new factory, with a
projected capacity of 1.2 bn cigarettes per year, will be located
in Tula. Locally produced Macedonian cigarettes could, however,
retain a competitive advantage compared with Russian or Bulgarian
cigarettes due to their low release price of about RUR 1.1
(US$ 0.18) per pack. At present, the release price of Russian
filtered cigarettes is some RUR 1.2-1.7 (US$ 0.2-0.28) per pack.
Source: Kommersant-Daily (XFL) 03 Jun 1998 p.10
Language: RUSSIAN No. 06637521
Source: Information Access Company 11/6/98
INTERNATIONAL - SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
USA: Cigarette smoking and hearing loss - the epidemiology of hearing
loss study.
Hearing loss is estimated to affect 30% to 35% of adults aged 65
to 75 years in the United States, yet little is known about the
aetiology of this disorder. Cigarette smoking may affect hearing
through its effects on antioxidative mechanisms or on the vasculature
supplying the auditory system. An association between cigarette
smoking and hearing loss among adults has been found in some clinical
studies. A population-based, cross-sectional study evaluated the
association between smoking and hearing loss. Subjects were 3,753
adults aged 48 to 92 years based in Wisconsin, USA (the average age
of the subjects was 65.8 years, and 57.7% were women). The results
revealed that overall, 45.9% had a mild or greater hearing loss.
Forty-six per cent of participants were non-smokers, 39.3% were
ex-smokers, and 14.7% were current smokers. The number of pack-years
of smoking ranged from 0 to 250, with an average of 34.9 pack-years
among current smokers and 28.2 pack-years among ex-smokers. Current
smokers reported smoking an average of 17.5 cigarettes per day.
Smoking patterns varied greatly by age, with few older people
reporting being current smokers. In age-specific analyses, smoking
history was associated with hearing loss in all but the oldest age
group. In each age group (48-59; 60-69; 70-79; 80-92), the prevalence
of hearing loss was higher among current smokers than non-smokers.
After adjusting for age, history of cardiovascular disease, alcohol
consumption, occupational noise exposure, and education, current
smokers had an increased risk of having a hearing loss compared
with non-smokers (odds ratio (OR), 1.69). This relationship remained
for those without a history of occupational noise exposure and in
analyses excluding those with non-age-related hearing loss. There
was weak evidence of a dose-response effect. Non-smoking participants
who lived with a smoker were more likely to have a hearing loss
than those who were not exposed to a household member who smoked
(OR, 1.94). The study concluded that the data suggested that
environmental exposures may play a role in age-related hearing
loss. If longitudinal studies confirm these findings, modification
of smoking habits may prevent or delay age-related declines in
hearing sensitivity. (Author abstract.)
Source: JAMA 1998; 279(21): 1715-1719 03/6/98
USA: Hefty setback for tobacco industry in US.
In the US the tobacco industry was dealt a severe blow when a
Florida jury ordered the tobacco company Brown and Williamson
(Brown and Williamson is a US subsidiary of the BAT tobacco company
in the UK) to pay $500,000 in compensation and $450,000 in punitive
damages to the daughter of an ex-smoker. This is only the second
time in recent years that a court has ruled against the tobacco
industry in an individual case. Stocks fell sharply with investors
worried the decision could prompt a flood of similar cases. Until
recently juries have held that individuals were aware of the risks
and responsible for their own decisions. But the climate of opinion
has changed since the publication of internal industry documents
which show that the companies knew of the dangers of smoking while
publicly denying them. After 11 hours of deliberation the six member
jury found that the company was negligent for failing to adequately
warn Roland E Maddox, who died of cancer aged 67 last year, of the
dangers of smoking. The jury also found that Lucky Strike cigarettes
are defective and unreasonably dangerous and that Brown and Williamson
conspired with other cigarette companies to fraudulently conceal
health risks from the public. Brown and Williamson said it was
'shocked' by the verdict. A spokesperson for the company added:
"There is nothing Brown and Williamson did or could have done that
would have in any way influenced Mr Maddox's decision to smoke."
Source: The Times 11/6/98; The Independent 11/6/98; Financial Times
11/6/98; Wall Street Journal (Europe) 11/6/98; International Herald
Tribune 11/6/98
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