In the News November 29th
Tuesdays News at a glance:
Drafting A Sheffield Council ‘Smokefree’ Consultation Response – English Stop-Smoking Services: One-Year Outcomes – Experts in Bullshit – New Study Shows the Blatant Bias in Modern-Day Tobacco Control Research – New Leader – Another Bid to Ban Smoking: Consulting the Public – Intense Desire Requests Calderdale Council to Review Vaping Policy – NSP Daily Digest
Drafting A Sheffield Council ‘Smokefree’ Consultation Response
Dick Puddlecote
It seems that another daft council is proposing to waste taxpayer cash on illiberal, incoherent, unenforceable and pointless outdoor smoking bans, this time it’s Sheffield.
Council chiefs are considering whether to ban lighting up outside hospitals and other NHS buildings, universities, council offices and leisure centres – and they are seeking the public’s views on the proposal.
Seeking the public’s views, did they say? That sounds right up our street, I reckon.The consultation can be found here and only consists of six questions, so let’s have a bash at it, eh?
English Stop-Smoking Services: One-Year Outcomes
Linda Bauld et al, IEJRPH
The UK is a global leader in stop-smoking support—providing free behavioral support and cessation medication via stop smoking services (SSS) without charge to smokers. This study aimed to explore the client and service characteristics associated with abstinence 52 weeks after quitting. A prospective cohort study of 3057 SSS clients in nine different areas of England who began their quit attempt between March 2012 and March 2013 was conducted. Important determinants of long-term quitting were assessed through quit rates and multivariable logistic regression. Our results showed that the overall weighted carbon monoxide validated quit rate for clients at 52 weeks was 7.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.6–9.0).
Experts in Bullshit
Grandad, HeadRambles
What exactly is an expert?
Legiron got me thinking on this topic this morning so I decided to look up the definition of the word.
The definition as given by Google is “a person who is very knowledgeable about, or skilful in a particular area.“
Not very helpful really?
The problem with that definition in the modern world is that most experts are self-defined. “I am an expert” they cry without any sort of yardstick or qualification. For example I have a good knowledge of a great many subjects and in some I would possibly class myself as having an expertise, but only informally. I would never stand up in court and proclaim myself to be an expert witness for example. I could claim I was an expert in scribbling shite on the Interweb, and possibly some would agree, but what exactly does that mean? Could I teach the subject? No. Could I pen a scientific treatise on the subject? No. Are there people out there who would consider me not to be an expert? Millions.
New Study Shows the Blatant Bias in Modern-Day Tobacco Control Research
Michael Siegel, TobaccoAnalysis
A new study published online ahead of print in the journal Tobacco Control purports to demonstrate that a smoke-free bar and restaurant law implemented in San Paulo, Brazil in August 2009 resulted in a 11.9% decline in the heart attack death rate for the first 17 months after the law was in effect (through December 2010).
The paper used a time-series analysis to compare the monthly rate of heart attack deaths prior to the smoking ban to the rate after the ban was implemented. The baseline period was January 2005 through July 2009. The implementation period was August 2009 through December 2010. Thus, the researchers had data for approximately 5 1/2 years before the ban and for 17 months after the ban.
A Billion Lives – Demand Film
Coming to a Cinema near You – Reserve your tickets Now!
Tues, Dec 6th
Odeon Panton St, London – Odeon Edinburgh
Mon, Dec 12th
Odeon Streatham, London – Odeon Liverpool, Switch Island – Odeon Gateshead – Odeon Dudley – Odeon Brighton
Tues, Dec 13th
Odeon Richmond
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HySWrMvgQEs]
New Leader
Vapers In Power
Vapers in Power is a single issue party which aims to give a voice to vapers. We don’t expect to win many votes or any seats but we do strive to effect change by raising awareness of the issues amongst vapers and legislators. Our manifesto is here. Our constitution is here.
We need a new leader. Could it be you?
Another Bid to Ban Smoking: Consulting the Public
Paul Barnes, Facts Do Matter
Thanks to Dick Puddlecote for reminding me about some more shenanigans from “public health” – this time in Sheffield. I had spotted this in my feed last week from Simon Clark but sadly work and my everyday life got in the way of putting finger to key.
Council chiefs are considering whether to ban lighting up outside hospitals and other NHS buildings, universities, council offices and leisure centres – and they are seeking the public’s views on the proposal.
Why am I not at all surprised about yet another attempt to impose draconian measures on an already heavily ostracised group? After all, it isn’t as if Sheffield Council have more important things to worry about is it?
Intense Desire Requests Calderdale Council to Review Vaping Policy
IntenseDesire
Intense Desire is based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. The heart of the Calder Valley & indeed the Pennines. Recently there has been a lot of publicity surrounding a discovery by The Freedom Association of the complete lack of understanding and ignorance towards vaping by the majority of the Uk’s local Governments. The Freedom Association highlighted Calderdale Council, our local council, as one of the nations worst offenders.
On Monday the 14th of November at 6pm Andy Fielden & Geoffrey Fielden from Intense Desire attended the Calderdale Council Cabinet meeting to formally request a review of the reported inadequate policy on Vaping.
Speaking on behalf of Intense Desire Geoffrey Fielden submitted the following statement to the cabinet. “*A startling new survey by libertarian group The Freedom Association has found that most British local councils are ignoring the Governments official advice on electronic cigarettes.
Full interview is released w. @Clive_Bates on lunacy of #FDA deeming regs with @slsatel from @AEI Gr8 job! https://t.co/ckHHyUYOhz
— Brent Stafford (@brentstafford) November 28, 2016
Call to Action
Changing how YOUR Council sees vaping
Vapers in Power
There is only one council in the entire country with a decent attitude towards vaping.
Thanks to the work of Freedom to Vape we now know that the vast majority of councils lump vaping in with smoking, against the advice of both Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.
Visit Nicotine Science & Policy for more News from around the World
