Tobacco control
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This study assessed the impact of state media campaigns that prominently feature counter-industry messages on youth cigarette smoking, beyond the effects of price, secular trends, tobacco control efforts, and the national truth campaign. ⋯ Results highlight the value of continued state counter-industry campaigns.
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To study the prevalence of snus use and of smoking among Swedish schoolchildren from 1989 to 2003. ⋯ The high prevalence of snus use in Sweden not only reduces smoking rates among Swedish men, but suppresses smoking among boys as well.
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To assess differences in demographic and smoking characteristics between smokers who have and have not used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). ⋯ Smokers who elect to use NRT differ from non-NRT users in ways that predispose them to failure in cessation. Controlling for smoking rate and time to first cigarette does not eliminate these differences, even among light smokers. These differences must be considered when comparing the effectiveness of NRT among samples of smokers who self select their treatment and are likely to bias such outcome comparisons.
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International covenants establish a role for governments in ensuring the conditions for human health and wellbeing, which has been recognised as a central human right. International trade agreements, conversely, prioritize the rights of corporations over health and human rights. International trade agreements are threatening existing tobacco control policies and restrict the possibility of implementing new controls. ⋯ Trade negotiations provide an unwarranted opportunity for the tobacco industry to assert its interests without public scrutiny. Trade agreements provide the industry with additional tools to obstruct control policies in both developed and developing countries and at every level. The health community should become involved in reversing these trends, and help promote additional measures to protect public health.