Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Smoking cessation offers measurable benefits for asthmatic patients
The Medical News
Asthmatic smokers may be able to reverse some of the damage to their lungs that exacerbates asthmatic symptoms just by putting down their cigarettes, according to research out of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
SOURCE
Airway Epithelial Changes in Smoking but not in Ex-Smoking Asthmatics
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009 Oct 1. [Epub ahead of print]
Broekema M, Ten Hacken NH, Volbeda F, Lodewijk ME, Hylkema MN, Postma DS, Timens W.
Asthmatic smokers may be able to reverse some of the damage to their lungs that exacerbates asthmatic symptoms just by putting down their cigarettes, according to research out of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.The research is published in the December 15 issue of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
"We found that exposure to cigarette smoke appears to increase the thickness of the epithelium, or lining, of the airways in the lung. This may be the underlying cause of the fact that smoking asthma patients experience more asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and phlegm production, compared to non-smoking asthma patients," said Martine Broekema, Ph.D., the lead author of the study.
Dr. Broekema and colleagues examined patients with asthma who were assessed each for the severity of their asthma and allergy, given questionnaires to determine the extent of their smoke-induced symptoms, and then underwent bronchial biopsies. Of the total of 147 patients, 66 never smoked, 46 were ex-smokers and 35 were current smokers.In addition to the changes in the epithelial thickness, Dr. Broekema found distinct differences between the current smokers and the ex- and non-smokers.
"In addition to the epithelial thickening, we found that cigarette smoke negatively affects levels of exhaled nitric oxide, making it an unreliable indicator of asthma severity in smokers," she said.
Current smokers also had more mucous-producing goblet cells in their epithelium and, the epithelial cell layer contained more mucus protein overall, when compared to never-smoking asthmatics. "These pathological findings were associated with the severity of phlegm production reported by the asthma patients, suggesting a causal relationship between the two. Smoking asthmatics also showed a distinct inflammatory profile in their lungs compared to never-smoking asthmatics, with a lower number of eosinophils and higher number of mast cells," said Dr. Broekema. "Furthermore, our data suggest that smoking cessation can reverse the thickening of the lining of the airways.
"To determine the role of exposure length on asthmatic lungs, the scientists divided the ex-smokers into two groups: those with fewer than the median 3.4 pack-year exposure and those with more than 3.4 pack-years.Interestingly, while they expected to find evidence of a dose-response effect between smoking and epithelial remodeling, no such association was apparent between the number of pack-years or duration of smoking cessation and epithelial remodeling.
"To our surprise, these two sub-groups of ex-smokers showed no difference in any outcome measure. These sub-analyses indicate that the amount of smoke exposure in the past does not influence our outcome measures," said Dr. Broekema. "This study shows again how important smoking cessation is for pulmonary health, and this appears to be especially true for asthmatic patients. The good news is that quitting appears to have a measurable benefit in these individuals."
SOURCE
Airway Epithelial Changes in Smoking but not in Ex-Smoking Asthmatics
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009 Oct 1. [Epub ahead of print]
Broekema M, Ten Hacken NH, Volbeda F, Lodewijk ME, Hylkema MN, Postma DS, Timens W.
ACT bans smoking in outdoor eating areas
-ABC News
The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed tough laws banning smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas.
Smoking is already banned in enclosed areas and the new laws will come into affect in 12 months.
Health Minister Katy Gallagher says it is a substantial step forward in reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
"In 12 months there will be no smoking in Canberra's restaurants, cafes and coffee shops," she said.
"Pubs and clubs however will be able to designate an outdoor smoking area of no more than 50 per cent of their outdoor space."
Ms Gallagher says food and drink will not be permitted in the designated smoking areas and people under the age of 18 will not be allowed in.
"This is protecting workers and members of the public from exposure to tobacco smoke," she said.
"Workers in the hospitality industry deserve the same protection that is provided to those working indoors."
The amended bill also bans smoking at all children's events.
"Not only will our children and young people no longer be exposed to the effects of tobacco smoke but the [ban] will also reinforce the no smoking message, helping to reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking," Ms Gallagher said.
The Opposition supported the legislation in general but health spokesman Jeremy Hanson raised some concerns.
"My concern is this will force smokers onto pavements rather than in designated smoking areas," he said.
"If that happens then that will be a negative consequence."
The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed tough laws banning smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas.Smoking is already banned in enclosed areas and the new laws will come into affect in 12 months.
Health Minister Katy Gallagher says it is a substantial step forward in reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
"In 12 months there will be no smoking in Canberra's restaurants, cafes and coffee shops," she said.
"Pubs and clubs however will be able to designate an outdoor smoking area of no more than 50 per cent of their outdoor space."
Ms Gallagher says food and drink will not be permitted in the designated smoking areas and people under the age of 18 will not be allowed in.
"This is protecting workers and members of the public from exposure to tobacco smoke," she said.
"Workers in the hospitality industry deserve the same protection that is provided to those working indoors."
The amended bill also bans smoking at all children's events.
"Not only will our children and young people no longer be exposed to the effects of tobacco smoke but the [ban] will also reinforce the no smoking message, helping to reduce the likelihood of young people taking up smoking," Ms Gallagher said.
The Opposition supported the legislation in general but health spokesman Jeremy Hanson raised some concerns.
"My concern is this will force smokers onto pavements rather than in designated smoking areas," he said.
"If that happens then that will be a negative consequence."
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Newswatch Bags Four NMMA Awards
Written by Godfrey Azubike
Two Newswatch editors were among the award winners at the recent Nigeria Media Merit Awards' ceremony in Enugu
For a magazine that will be marking its 25th anniversary in two months time, Newswatch had long come to be noted for excellence and success. Winning laurels has become for it a feature of its existence and an attestation of its pre-eminent position as Nigeria’s leading newsmagazine.
On November 21, in Enugu, at an event marked to celebrate media excellence in Nigeria, Newswatch again proved its mettle by carting home four awards. The feat was accomplished by Chris Ajaero, assistant general editor, and Emmanuel Uffot, assistant editor. The duo won two awards each at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards, NMMA, held at the Nike Lake Hotel and Resort, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, that Saturday.
Ajaero won the Cecil King print journalist of the year prize as well as the Chevron Nigeria prize for Oil and Gas reporter. Uffot emerged tops in the Intercontinental Bank prize for Capital Market Reporter of the year and the Aviation Industry Reporter of the year category. They both got certificates of honour as well as cash prizes for their efforts.
Ajaero got additional laptop from Chevron, sponsors of the oil and gas award category. Taiwo Idowu of Chevron presented the gift to Ajaero. It was indeed a brilliant performance by the two Newswatch staff. The award has added to their trophy house. They both are past winners of the NMMA awards.
Ajaero first won the NMMA investigative reporter of the year in 2006, followed by the political reporter award in 2007 as well as five different DAME awards, a separate award body, while Uffot, who joined Newswatch in 2007, also clinched the Agric/Environment reporter in 2001 before later winning two DAME awards: Aviation reporter of the year 2003 and Capital Market reporter of the year 2004.
Other journalists also won laurels at the Enugu event. The roll-call began with the pronouncement of Olusola Fabiyi of Punch as winner of the Abubakar Imam prize for Newspaper Features Writer, followed by Lateef Ololade of Nationnewspapers who won the Entertainment Reporter award. Others include Lookman Ajisegiri of TELL, the news photographer of the year; Salif Atojoko of Broad Street Journal, the Money Market reporter of the year; Chukwuma Muanya of The Guardian, the newspaper reporter of the year; Shaun Igbalode of IT and Telecom Digest, the telecommunications reporter of the year and Stella Sawyer of TELL, the Agriculture Reporter of the year and female reporter of the year.
Sina Fadare emerged tops in the Culture and Tradition category; Kunle Solaja won the sport writer of the year while Chikodi Okereocha of Broad Street Journalwas voted the Education reporter and Industry reporter of the year, respectively. Like Ajaero, Okereocha also got a brand new laptop from British American Tobacco, sponsors of the industry category as well as a camera from MTN, for emerging the runners-up in the telecommunications category. In all, Broad Street Journal won eight awards while TELL got five.
TELL also won the newsmagazine of the year award while The Guardian, Channels TV and 93.7 Rhythm were adjudged the newspaper of the year, the Television Station of the year and Radio Station of the year, in that order.
Deji Badmus of Channels won the Cadbury Prize for TV reporter of the year; Ogundimu Olayinka of Silverbird carted home the Television Production of the Year prize; Seun Olagunju of AIT was voted the newscaster of the year while Momoh Kubanje of Radio Continental beat other contestants to clinch the Radio presenter of the Year Prize. Unfortunately, Kubanje, a star presenter, was not around to savour his moment of glory. He died few weeks to the NMMA event. A minute’s silence was held in his honour.
Apart from Newswatch’s four awards, the magazine was also nominated in two other categories. Sebastine Obasi, the magazine’s senior staff writer, and Anthony Akaeze, principal staff writer, were among the three nominees in the banking and finance and sport categories that were won by Solaja of Soccer Star and Raymond Mordi of Broad Street Journal.
Alade Odunewu, board chairman of NMMA, in his speech, said the NMMA awards were instituted to promote media excellence and foster unity in the country. He challanged journalists not to shirk their responsibility of holding government accountable to the people.
Tony Momoh, former information minister, who was the chairman of the NMMA award nominating panel, informed the audience that the panel that vetted the entries was inaugurated on May 12, and submitted its final report on July 14. The evaluation covered works published in 2008. Momoh enjoined journalists to always strive to improve on their performance to attain excellence.
The NMMA award night was the culmination of a three-day event that began a day earlier when the cream of Nigerian journalists landed in the town fondly called the “Coal City.” But things didn’t quite work out as planned, as the event could not begin as scheduled. The award presentation that was billed to commence at 6:00 p.m. could not start until some minutes past 10 p.m. The long delay was due to the absence of officials of the Enugu State govenment led by Sullivan Chime, the governor. For more than four hours, the audience was kept waiting.
Two Newswatch editors were among the award winners at the recent Nigeria Media Merit Awards' ceremony in EnuguFor a magazine that will be marking its 25th anniversary in two months time, Newswatch had long come to be noted for excellence and success. Winning laurels has become for it a feature of its existence and an attestation of its pre-eminent position as Nigeria’s leading newsmagazine.
On November 21, in Enugu, at an event marked to celebrate media excellence in Nigeria, Newswatch again proved its mettle by carting home four awards. The feat was accomplished by Chris Ajaero, assistant general editor, and Emmanuel Uffot, assistant editor. The duo won two awards each at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards, NMMA, held at the Nike Lake Hotel and Resort, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, that Saturday.
Ajaero won the Cecil King print journalist of the year prize as well as the Chevron Nigeria prize for Oil and Gas reporter. Uffot emerged tops in the Intercontinental Bank prize for Capital Market Reporter of the year and the Aviation Industry Reporter of the year category. They both got certificates of honour as well as cash prizes for their efforts.
Ajaero got additional laptop from Chevron, sponsors of the oil and gas award category. Taiwo Idowu of Chevron presented the gift to Ajaero. It was indeed a brilliant performance by the two Newswatch staff. The award has added to their trophy house. They both are past winners of the NMMA awards.
Ajaero first won the NMMA investigative reporter of the year in 2006, followed by the political reporter award in 2007 as well as five different DAME awards, a separate award body, while Uffot, who joined Newswatch in 2007, also clinched the Agric/Environment reporter in 2001 before later winning two DAME awards: Aviation reporter of the year 2003 and Capital Market reporter of the year 2004.
Other journalists also won laurels at the Enugu event. The roll-call began with the pronouncement of Olusola Fabiyi of Punch as winner of the Abubakar Imam prize for Newspaper Features Writer, followed by Lateef Ololade of Nationnewspapers who won the Entertainment Reporter award. Others include Lookman Ajisegiri of TELL, the news photographer of the year; Salif Atojoko of Broad Street Journal, the Money Market reporter of the year; Chukwuma Muanya of The Guardian, the newspaper reporter of the year; Shaun Igbalode of IT and Telecom Digest, the telecommunications reporter of the year and Stella Sawyer of TELL, the Agriculture Reporter of the year and female reporter of the year.
Sina Fadare emerged tops in the Culture and Tradition category; Kunle Solaja won the sport writer of the year while Chikodi Okereocha of Broad Street Journalwas voted the Education reporter and Industry reporter of the year, respectively. Like Ajaero, Okereocha also got a brand new laptop from British American Tobacco, sponsors of the industry category as well as a camera from MTN, for emerging the runners-up in the telecommunications category. In all, Broad Street Journal won eight awards while TELL got five.
TELL also won the newsmagazine of the year award while The Guardian, Channels TV and 93.7 Rhythm were adjudged the newspaper of the year, the Television Station of the year and Radio Station of the year, in that order.
Deji Badmus of Channels won the Cadbury Prize for TV reporter of the year; Ogundimu Olayinka of Silverbird carted home the Television Production of the Year prize; Seun Olagunju of AIT was voted the newscaster of the year while Momoh Kubanje of Radio Continental beat other contestants to clinch the Radio presenter of the Year Prize. Unfortunately, Kubanje, a star presenter, was not around to savour his moment of glory. He died few weeks to the NMMA event. A minute’s silence was held in his honour.
Apart from Newswatch’s four awards, the magazine was also nominated in two other categories. Sebastine Obasi, the magazine’s senior staff writer, and Anthony Akaeze, principal staff writer, were among the three nominees in the banking and finance and sport categories that were won by Solaja of Soccer Star and Raymond Mordi of Broad Street Journal.
Alade Odunewu, board chairman of NMMA, in his speech, said the NMMA awards were instituted to promote media excellence and foster unity in the country. He challanged journalists not to shirk their responsibility of holding government accountable to the people.
Tony Momoh, former information minister, who was the chairman of the NMMA award nominating panel, informed the audience that the panel that vetted the entries was inaugurated on May 12, and submitted its final report on July 14. The evaluation covered works published in 2008. Momoh enjoined journalists to always strive to improve on their performance to attain excellence.
The NMMA award night was the culmination of a three-day event that began a day earlier when the cream of Nigerian journalists landed in the town fondly called the “Coal City.” But things didn’t quite work out as planned, as the event could not begin as scheduled. The award presentation that was billed to commence at 6:00 p.m. could not start until some minutes past 10 p.m. The long delay was due to the absence of officials of the Enugu State govenment led by Sullivan Chime, the governor. For more than four hours, the audience was kept waiting.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Nigerians smoke 93 million sticks of cigarettes yearly
-Yekeen Nurudeen
“I was so happy when I visited BAT on invitation in Ibadan and they said they produce 93 million sticks of cigarettes yearly. But when I asked them which country they export them to, they said it is consumed in Nigeria,” the former minister stated.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) also said that eight million people die yearly of tobacco-related diseases worldwide.
While receiving an award as the WHO Man of the Year 2009 on tobacco control, Modibbo said he was surprised when the British American Tobacco (BAT) Company told him that it produces 93 million cigarettes, which Nigerians consume yearly.
“I was so happy when I visited BAT on invitation in Ibadan and they said they produce 93 million sticks of cigarettes yearly. But when I asked them which country they export them to, they said it is consumed in Nigeria,” the former minister stated.Presenting the award on behalf of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, the son of Prof. Wole Soyinka, said globally about eight million poeple die of tobacco-related diseases.
Soyinka noted that the reason the company was allowed to establish in the country had been defeated, as the organisation had not been able to employ up to 900 people so far, adding that farmers were finding it difficult to pay for the machines provided to them by the tobacco firm.He lamented that the tobacco company was driven away from its home country only to relocate to tNigeria to kill its youths.
According to him, WHO takes the issue of tobacco seriously as the organisation is doing all it can to reduce the supply and demand of the product. He, however, lamented that the company is lobbying the National Assembly to kill the bill banning smoking in the country.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Africa still threatened by tobacco, cancer epidemic
By Olayinka Oyegbile
Despite recent enactment of laws to ban smoking in public places in some countries across the African continent, a new report ‘Global Voices: Rebutting the Tobacco Industry, Winning Smoke free Air’ has raised alarm that 90 percent of Africans are exposed to second hand smoke; a situation in which a non-smoker is made to inhale tobacco smoke thus contracting cancer.
According to the report, which was released at a Media Summit at the seventh African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer, AORTIC, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, efforts to curb smoking on the continent are being threatened by “the tobacco industry’s aggressive efforts to stop public health interventions.”
It added that the tobacco industry is using several tactics to hold back legislation and convince African governments that tobacco was important to economic activity.
The report added that the industry was opposed to increase of taxes on cigarettes and implementation of smoke free laws by arguing that it will result in loss of revenues for government and job losses for the populace.
Opposition by tobacco industry
However, the report argued that increase of taxes on cigarettes would lead to decrease in the consumption of the commodity on the continent by about 60 percent. It said this has been proved in South Africa where its consumption has fallen by one-third since taxes were raised in 1993. It estimated that, by 2010, smoking will kill about six million people worldwide. Out of this, 72 percent would be from low and middle income countries, which are in Africa and Asia.
Speaking at the launch, Otis Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, said “For the first time in history, we have the tools in hand to prevent a pandemic. Recent date suggests that, with current trends, more than half the region of Africa will double its tobacco consumption within 12 years. Smoke free public places are one example a low-cost and extremely effective intervention that must be implemented to protect health.”
The report acknowledged that, although smoke free laws have been passed by some countries, implementation is a big challenge while ignorance of the harm caused by second hand smoke is widespread. According to it, in Abuja “Fifty five percent of school students are not aware that second hand smoke is harmful to health, and only one percent of Nigeria’s population is protected by strong smoke free laws.”
SOURCE
Despite recent enactment of laws to ban smoking in public places in some countries across the African continent, a new report ‘Global Voices: Rebutting the Tobacco Industry, Winning Smoke free Air’ has raised alarm that 90 percent of Africans are exposed to second hand smoke; a situation in which a non-smoker is made to inhale tobacco smoke thus contracting cancer.
According to the report, which was released at a Media Summit at the seventh African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer, AORTIC, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, efforts to curb smoking on the continent are being threatened by “the tobacco industry’s aggressive efforts to stop public health interventions.”It added that the tobacco industry is using several tactics to hold back legislation and convince African governments that tobacco was important to economic activity.
The report added that the industry was opposed to increase of taxes on cigarettes and implementation of smoke free laws by arguing that it will result in loss of revenues for government and job losses for the populace.
Opposition by tobacco industry
However, the report argued that increase of taxes on cigarettes would lead to decrease in the consumption of the commodity on the continent by about 60 percent. It said this has been proved in South Africa where its consumption has fallen by one-third since taxes were raised in 1993. It estimated that, by 2010, smoking will kill about six million people worldwide. Out of this, 72 percent would be from low and middle income countries, which are in Africa and Asia.
Speaking at the launch, Otis Brawley, the chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, said “For the first time in history, we have the tools in hand to prevent a pandemic. Recent date suggests that, with current trends, more than half the region of Africa will double its tobacco consumption within 12 years. Smoke free public places are one example a low-cost and extremely effective intervention that must be implemented to protect health.”
The report acknowledged that, although smoke free laws have been passed by some countries, implementation is a big challenge while ignorance of the harm caused by second hand smoke is widespread. According to it, in Abuja “Fifty five percent of school students are not aware that second hand smoke is harmful to health, and only one percent of Nigeria’s population is protected by strong smoke free laws.”
SOURCE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)