smoking issue

Malaysia Scaling New Heights in anti-smoking Fight

kadypam — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:26:46 +0000

MALAYSIA is on the verge of becoming the leading anti-smoking encouragement role model for the Asian region. The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) gave this assurance at the recent Regional Workshop on Tobacco Control and Sustainable Development organized by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

Malaysia understands the harmful effects of tobacco use not only on smokers but also on the public. The country has taken seriously the World Health Organization’s findings that two people die each minute from tobacco-related diseases in the Western Pacific region.

Quite alarming is the fact that a third — or 430 million — of the world’s total smokers are found in the region. Malaysia is complying with the three-pronged measures of phasing out tobacco growing, increasing tobacco tax and restricting smoking in public areas.

In its efforts to phase out tobacco growth, the country has introduces alternate crops like kenaf, jatropa and sweet potato and rearing of sheep, goats, cattle and fish.

People who are finding it difficult to leave smoking can take Chantix. Manufactured by Pfizer, Chantix has helped thousands of smokers get over this deadly addiction.

Marriages can break because of Smoking

kadypam — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:03:45 +0000

What if you hate puff but after some years of marriage you come to know that your wife smokes? Addiction to smoking almost cost a young woman her two-year-old marriage. The woman’s husband, a non-smoker, has brought his errant wife back from her parental home on the condition that she must not smoke again.

The smell of cigarette smoke emanating from different corners of the house regularly after their son’s marriage disturbed and surprised his parents as no one else in the household smoked. The matter got worse when she was caught red handed and the husband left her wife at her parent’s home refusing to accept her until she quits the deadly habit.

Yielding to her entreaties and believing her words that a proper de-addiction treatment has rid her of the habit, the husband has accepted her back. The woman has pledged to accept divorce without seeking alimony should she start smoking again.

Such cases are rare but smoking should be avoided as it is a very unhealthy addiction. Chantix is a wonderful drug for patients who are eager to quit smoking.

Graphic ad on Cigarette Packs can decrease consumption

kadypam — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:52:15 +0000

Death related to smoking is a challenge for the entire world. Countries all over the world are looking forward to take harsh steps to decrease smoking cessation. One more idea which has come up in recent times is to have a graphic design on cigarette pack showing the harmful effects on the lungs and the stats of death due to smoking.

The entire world is witnessing a noteworthy anti-smoking campaign these days. Many smokers in European countries have left smoking by taking anti-smoking pills like Chantix. Let’s join in this effort to make the world a cigarette free zone.

Earlier also steps like increasing taxes on Cigarettes have helped and this seems like another good way to curb smoking. Promoting campaigns that can help people get over smoking. Inspiring people to get over smoking by taking medicines like Chantix can help world become a better and healthier place for us and the next generation.

TV Ads for Smoking Drug Chantix Resume Despite Suicide Side Effect

kadypam — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:25:38 +0000

After pulling all advertisements for Chantix earlier this year amid concerns about increased suicide risks, Pfizer has re-launched a national TV campaign for their stop smoking drug.

Chantix (varenicline tartrate) was once considered the most promising drug in Pfizer’s pipeline of new medications, which has been proven effective at helping people quit smoking. After the drug was approved by the FDA in 2006, it quickly became a top selling drug, with annual sales of $883 million in the first full year it was on the market

As a number of reports surfaced of users committing suicide, attempting suicide or experience sudden aggressive behavior, concerns emerged about Chantix side effects and whether the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

In November 2007, the FDA initiated a review of emerging safety questions about Chantix after identifying at least 39 Chantix suicide deaths and nearly 500 reports of suicidal thoughts. At that time, Pfizer was not providing any warnings on the label or in advertisements about the potential Chantix suicide side effects.

Earlier this year, Pfizer did add information to the warning label about the potential psychiatric side effects of Chantix. Around January 2008, they also decided to halt all television advertisements for Chantix.

FDA regulations require pharmaceutical companies to disclose possible side effects concerning their medications in all advertisements and promotional materials. This is required so that doctors and consumers are able to fully evaluate the risks and benefits of any treatment.

Last month, Pfizer generated some controversy by running television advertisements during the Olympics which did not mention the potential suicide side effects of Chantix. The ads were designed to increase sales of the stop smoking drug by directing viewers to a Pfizer website, MyTimeToQuit.com. However, because the drug was not specifically named during the 60 second commercials, Pfizer was not required to disclose the potential risks by the FDA and they chose not to provide that information to consumers.

According to an article in Forbes, Pfizer will return to a branded campaign in the new Chantix advertisements, which are 90 second ads. Approximately 40 seconds of the advertisement will be used to educate potential consumers about the potential Chantix side effects, and to warn against using the drug if they experience suicidal thoughts, behavior or agitation.

A number of Chantix lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of people who took their own life or suffered severe injuries from a suicide attempt or unusual aggressive behavior while taking the drug. The lawsuits claim that Pfizer failed to adequately warn about the potential side effects which allegedly resulted in these injuries.

Source: http://www.aboutlawsuits.com

Increasing Tobacco Tax? Is it the Solution?

kadypam — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:56:25 +0000

Numerous efforts have been made by different anti smoking groups to increase tax on tobacco to fight the ills of smoking and to decrease its consumption. There have been views like the younger generation is getting rapidly affected because of cheap availability of cigarettes and an increase in income level.

But the real question is can this really help? Tax on tobacco is already very high but has it helped the number decrease anyways. The idea of further increasing taxes is not going to solve the problem. The only thing that can help is awareness. Promoting campaigns that can help people get over smoking. Inspiring people to get over smoking by taking medicines like Chantix. Making them believe that they have the will power to do it.

Although studies have proved that higher taxes can lead to a decrease in the number of smokers but it isn’t a permanent solution. Some level of smoking will still continue and since it is an addiction sooner or later people will come to the same level no matter what the price is. So let us unite in the effort to help or friends, relatives, colleagues or fellow human being in getting over this horrible addiction.