Content about Smoking

June 21, 2011
FDA unveils final cigarette warning labels

The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday morning unveiled the nine graphic health warnings mandated by the Food and Drug Administration to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday morning unveiled the nine graphic health warnings mandated by the Food and Drug Administration to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement.

The warnings represent the most significant changes to cigarette labels in more than 25 years and will affect everything from packaging to advertisements. The warnings are required to be placed on all cigarette packs, cartons and ads no later than September 2012.

June 10, 2011
Forest announces availability of Daliresp

A drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by Forest Labs will be available by the middle of this month, Forest said Thursday.

NEW YORK — A drug for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by Forest Labs will be available by the middle of this month, Forest said Thursday.

Daliresp (roflumilast) recently received approval from the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.

Forest said Daliresp, a daily oral tablet, is the first and only approved drug in its class, known as selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors.

April 22, 2011
CDC: Half of all states have smoke-free worksites, restaurants and bars

By 2020 or sooner, the entire nation could have laws banning smoking in all indoor areas of private sector worksites, restaurants and bars, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday has found.

ATLANTA — By 2020 or sooner, the entire nation could have laws banning smoking in all indoor areas of private sector worksites, restaurants and bars, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday has found.

The projection is based on the rate at which states have been adopting comprehensive smoke-free laws. In just the past 10 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have enacted these laws, the CDC reported.

March 24, 2011
FDA extends NDA review for Novartis' COPD treatment

The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

March 24, 2011
Give me cigarettes or give me health: 82% of menthol smokers would quit if FDA banned menthol cigarettes, GSK survey finds

Four-in-5 menthol smokers would quit if the Food and Drug Administration banned mentholated cigarettes, according to a survey conducted this month with sponsorship from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Four-in-5 menthol smokers would quit if the Food and Drug Administration banned mentholated cigarettes, according to a survey conducted this month with sponsorship from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

The survey found that smokers of menthol cigarettes — who are disproportionately African-American — feel “twice-addicted” to the menthol and the tobacco, while 74% of them said the menthol made inhalation easier, and 40% said menthol flavoring was the only reason they smoked.

March 18, 2011
Report: Menthol-flavored cigarettes could be latest banned tobacco product

Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON — Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

Reuters reported Friday that a committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration said in a report that banning mentholated cigarettes would benefit public health. Under legislation adopted in 2009, most flavored cigarettes already are banned.

March 17, 2011
Study: Significant decline in pack-a-day smokers

Between 1965 and 2007, the number of people with a pack-a-day habit significantly declined, as did the number of people who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day, according to a study in the March 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

CHICAGO — Between 1965 and 2007, the number of people with a pack-a-day habit significantly declined, as did the number of people who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day, according to a study in the March 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

March 15, 2011
U.S. COPD Coalition, COPD Alliance join Drive4COPD campaign

Two organizations focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder have joined Drive4COPD, an organization founded by drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim that seeks to raise awareness of the disease.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Two organizations focused on chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder have joined Drive4COPD, an organization founded by drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim that seeks to raise awareness of the disease.

Drive4COPD announced that the U.S. COPD Coalition and the COPD Alliance had joined the campaign, which now includes 40 associations and companies. The U.S. COPD Coalition adds another 38 organizations.

March 4, 2011
5 OTC remedies for American health care

The Obama administration on the official White House website identifies “5 Important Numbers on Health Reform.” These include:

  • Zero. The amount consumers would have to pay for premiums, co-insurance or co-payments on any preventive services;

  • Fifty. The number of states that now offer insurance options to all people, regardless of any pre-existing conditions;

  • One million. The number of doughnut-hole rebate checks mailed to seniors under Part D as of August 2010;

March 1, 2011
Forest gets nod for COPD drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by Forest Labs, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made by Forest Labs, the agency said Tuesday.

February 14, 2011
Pa. health dept. helps smokers quit in the name of love

The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday announced it would be distributing free nicotine replacement therapy kits beginning on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, to help Pennsylvanians who want to give up tobacco “in the name of love.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Friday announced it would be distributing free nicotine replacement therapy kits beginning on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, to help Pennsylvanians who want to give up tobacco “in the name of love.”

Under the Quit for Love campaign, the kits will be available through the state's Free Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for approximately six to eight weeks, or while supplies last.

February 2, 2011
Drive4COPD achieves record

A coalition of companies, celebrities and health organizations has achieved its goal of screening 1 million Americans for risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — A coalition of companies, celebrities and health organizations has achieved its goal of screening 1 million Americans for risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Drive4COPD announced the milestone Wednesday, saying its aim was to change how COPD is addressed in the United States; Drive4COPD identified those at risk through its COPD Population Screener.

January 26, 2011
Smoking may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer

Smoking before menopause, especially prior to giving birth, may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of developing breast cancer, according to a report in the Jan. 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

CHICAGO — Smoking before menopause, especially prior to giving birth, may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of developing breast cancer, according to a report in the Jan. 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

January 5, 2011
Cessation shelf is smokin’

PITTSBURGH — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration last year initiated programs that will breathe new life into sales of smoking-cessation products. The surgeon general issued a report titled “How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease,” and the FDA will be mandating that tobacco manufacturers have smoking-is-bad-for-you messages on packaging. 


December 14, 2010
Smoking prevalence among teens may rise, study finds

The very substantial decrease in teen smoking that began in the mid-1990s has come to a halt among younger teens in the United States, and some evidence of a possible increase in their smoking was observed this year, announced researchers that were part of the "Monitoring the Future" study on Tuesday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The very substantial decrease in teen smoking that began in the mid-1990s has come to a halt among younger teens in the United States, and some evidence of a possible increase in their smoking was observed this year, announced researchers that were part of the "Monitoring the Future" study on Tuesday.

December 10, 2010
COPD now No. 3 leading cause of death among Americans

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WASHINGTON — Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third-leading cause of death in the United States, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics released the report Friday, which showed that COPD became the third-leading cause of death in 2008, but it was expected to reach that rank in 2020. COPD is a collective term for such respiratory diseases as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, and affects around 24 million Americans.

December 7, 2010
FDA studies effectiveness, benefits 
of long-term smoking-cessation therapy

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration is exploring the benefits associated with the long-term use of nicotine-replacement therapy products, a factor expected to both extend the amount of time a person avails themselves of the smoking-cessation therapy, as well as increase the success rates for quit attempts. 


December 7, 2010
Smoking among children, teens with diabetes on the rise

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the use of tobacco products among young diabetics is on the rise, and many haven't been counseled by their healthcare providers to not smoke or stop smoking.

PASADENA, Calif. — A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the use of tobacco products among young diabetics is on the rise, and many haven't been counseled by their healthcare providers to not smoke or stop smoking.

November 16, 2010
COPD patients express hardships in new GSK study

Patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease said the illness prevented them from living life...

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. Patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease said the illness prevented them from living life to its fullest, according to research conducted by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.

 

November 10, 2010
Health officials cracking down on smoking with graphic tobacco control strategy

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control...

WASHINGTON The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control strategy that includes proposed new bolder health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. Once final, these health warnings on cigarettes and in cigarette advertisements will be the most significant change in more than 25 years.

 

November 4, 2010
CDC study reveals smokeless tobacco use trends

According to new data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that covers...

ATLANTA According to new data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that covers use of smokeless tobacco in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam released Thursday, the rates of smokers who also use smokeless tobacco, including chew tobacco and snuff, range from 0.9% in Puerto Rico to 13.7% in Wyoming.

October 29, 2010
Target launches anti-smoking campaign with American Cancer Society

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is launching a month-long anti-smoking campaign in connection with the American Cancer Society's 2010 Great American Smokeout to support guests and team members in their efforts to quit smoking.

October 27, 2010
GSK Consumer Healthcare applauds FDA's workshop on NRT products

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Thursday commended the Food and Drug Administration for holding a scientific...

PARSIPPANY, N.J. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Thursday commended the Food and Drug Administration for holding a scientific workshop this week that focused on the risks and benefits associated with the long-term use of nicotine-replacement therapy products.

 

September 27, 2010
GSK Consumer Healthcare to FDA: Smoke out smokeless tobacco products

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is urging the Food and Drug Administration to remove smokeless tobacco products...

PARSIPPANY, N.J. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is urging the Food and Drug Administration to remove smokeless tobacco products from the market.

September 23, 2010
'Smoking Sucks,' but quitting doesn't with new cessation lollipops

Kicking the habit never tasted so good....

WEST HILLS, Calif. Kicking the habit never tasted so good.

Three Lollies, the maker of PreggiePops and QueasyDrops, has launched Smoking Sucks lollipops for those looking to quit smoking. The new line of smoking-cessation pops are formulated with essential oils and amino acids, including L-tryptophan, which is a naturally occurring amino acid that some sources believe may help with cravings when people are attempting to quit smoking, Three Lollies said.

The pops are available in wintergreen, pineapple and cinnamon varieties.