LATEST NEWS

Teen girls who smoke likely to be fatter as young adults

15/12/08:  Teenage girls who smoke are more likely to be fatter young adults, according to a new study from Finland. The University of Helsinki study of over 4000 twins published in the the American Journal of Public Health shows smokers of more than ten cigarettes a day were more than twice as likely to become overweight, their young adult waist sizes an average 1.34 inches larger than nonsmokers' waists.   See  study abstract    See how smoking is linked with obesity in girls - and stunts boys. March 2008 study abstract 

"Smoker's acne face" a bad look
September '07: Study in British Journal of Dermatology identifies smoking-related acne and shows women aged 25-40 who smoke are four times more likely to have acne.  See  ASH media release 24/9/07    See  study and pic

Adolescent smoking link with obesity
23/5/07: Smoking in adolescence is linked with later abdominal obesity - especially for females, says a study presented to a world obesity conference. The Finnish study of over 5000 twins found smoking was a significant obesity predictor, even after socioeconomic and other variables were accounted for.  See  study abstract

Smoking is a heartbreaker - even for the young at heart   
17/4/07: Though young adult smokers may appear healthy, smoking causes significant harm to their hearts, says a Polish study in Chest journal. Regular smoking apparently harms the heart's ability to relax between beats, reducing its pumping capacity.   See  ASH/National Heart Foundation media release 17/4/07      See  study abstract 

Smoking is NOT sexy  
Another tobacco PR myth exposed - by this March 2005 survey from Glaxo Smith Kline. 

Clear the air for better learning
US research shows passive smoke - even a small amount - shaves points off kids' IQ, harming their reading. maths and reasoning abilities.

USEFUL INFO AND RESOURCES

Health effects of smoking
See brief summary from The Cancer Council NSW - and note that the evidence is growing all the time!  

View our Slideshows. 
See especially Tobacco in Australia (a good general introduction to the issues) and Behind the Smokescreen (on movie smoking and children). Also on passive smoking and kids: Car & Home: Smoke Free Zone.

How smoking can change your face
Good  interactive photo-graphic game  where you can use a photo on the site or upload your own pic and then modify it the way smoking can.

Ghetto Science on smoking
Check this 3 minute  YouTube video  shot in Sydney in which a young American conducts a simple but powerful experiment. Good how it doesn't talk down to you - though it's a bit thoughtless how he flicks the cigarette away. And we DON'T recommend you try it for yourself - unless you want to get the stuff in YOUR lungs, or get hooked on it.

OxyGen
Is a web site created and funded by the South Australian Smoking and Health Project, Smarter than Smoking Project (WA) and Quit Victoria to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle choices and provide information on the impact of tobacco.

View the award winning Australian campaign adverts here.

Smoking in movies  
Great Cancer Council NSW  webpages with links to taking action - including current campaign:  



Project Moving Target
Innovative Canadian program for school students, encouraging independent thought on tobacco issues and Big Tobacco deception. Based on the book You Are the Target by Georgina Lovell.

Cancer Council NSW
Resources for students in NSW.

Cancer Foundation of WA
Resources for students in WA. 

Tobacco-control Resource Center Fact Sheets
Fact sheets on tobacco advertising, economics of tobacco, the nurse's role, second-hand smoke, prevalence surveys, product regulation, tobacco smuggling, youth and cigarettes.

Cigarette litter is trashing Australia
Almost 50% of urban litter is caused by cigarette butts and packets. After 9 years, tobacco litter is still a major polluter of our streets, parks and waterways, according to Clean Up Australia.

Tobacco giant's resource for schools (not)
Warning: Don't be fooled by a school resource on smoking commissioned by the world's largest tobacco company.

ON THE "LIGHTER" (OUCH!) SIDE...

Tobacco rapped:  listen to this anti-tobacco industry rap from Sydney group Men With Day Jobs at indy site  Back Pocket Records  - go to Track 12 "The Truth Will Make You MAD!" to hear the verse and chorus. The title came from a tobacco-free youth slogan.

Try our ASH crossword no.2    
Here's a fun and informative way of getting familiar with tobacco issues, with our website, and with some other relevant sites. A useful educational tool!  Or try our earlier ASH crossword

Satire:  Licensed to Kill
For a satirical approach, have a look at this new "cigarette company", launched online in the US, to draw attention to government collusion in the formation and operation of tobacco companies, and to the nature of the industry behind the global epidemic of tobacco-related death and disease. The "brand" is the brainchild of Essential Action, a corporate responsibility groups based in Washington DC. 

Why smokers are victims
Think smoking is cool and nonconformist? Think again.... An edgy little niche campaign targeted at street media and aiming to challenge youth. What's your reaction? Let us know at staffords@ashaust.org.au 

 Page last updated on 16/12/08