There's help if smokers want to quit

The Smoking Cessation Trust may be the best kept secret in Louisiana. And its executive director, Mike Rogers, would like that to change.
The SCT, which has been in operation for a year and a half, provides free medical, counseling and telephone support to some Louisiana smokers.


What it doesn't provide are funds to let people know the program exists.
"We have no advertising, and we can spend none of our dollars on advertising," Rogers said. "So, the only way we can get out there is if a provider or somebody we're working with — an insurance company, somebody with deep pockets — decides to publicize their participation with our program or our program in general. Then, you'll see an ad here or there."
The New Orleans Advocate reports SCT applies only to Louisiana residents who began smoking before Sept. 1, 1988. Still, Rogers said, it can help a lot of people.
"It is a serious addiction, and it's not an easy thing at all to quit," he said. "All of us know people who put it down and never pick it up again. That's not the norm, no matter how many of us think it is. It's a very hard addiction to quit.
The program arose from a class-action lawsuit that labored through the court system for 14 years until a 2011 judgment ordered tobacco companies to fund a 10-year program to benefit more than 200,000 smokers. After attorneys' fees, the money totals about $180 million that smokers can use to help themselves kick the habit, Rogers said.
So far, about 10,000 smokers have been approved for the services. Applications can be accessed online at SmokeFreeLa.org or by calling SCT Management Services at (504) 529-5665 or toll free, (855) 259-6346.
Those who qualify receive an ID card needed when they visit a physician, join a group cessation program or to obtain stop-smoking products from local pharmacies. Products available to those in the program include nicotine gum, nicotine patches and other smoking cessation medicines.
The program pays for the doctor visits and medicines, some of which may require a prescription and be a treatment protocol approved by the U.S. Public Health Service, Rogers said. Such products and services might cost smokers $3,000 a year at retail rates, though SCT can do it for less because it negotiates deals with providers.
The program runs through 2022, and if any money remains, the tobacco companies could petition the court for its return.
"Our goal would be to legitimately spend the entire amount for the people it was set up for and help as many Louisiana people to stop smoking as we can possibly get hold of," Rogers said. "There is not another opportunity for smokers that would pay for every bit of the treatment they desire."

Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/02/18/2959432/theres-help-if-smokers-want-to.html#storylink=cpy

Smoking flare closes part of Waikiki Beach

A popular stretch of Waikiki Beach was evacuated last night after a smoking military flare washed up on shore Wednesday night, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Honolulu Firefighters responded to the scene at about 7:25 p.m. near the Duke Kahanamoku statue.

Firefighters cleared a small area around the flare and closed one lane of traffic and part of the sidewalk on Kalakaua Avenue, said Fire Capt. Terry Seelig

Firefighters identified the item as a Navy flare and called federal firefighers, who arranged to take it away, Seelig said.

Smoking ban in cars with children: state intrusion or essential protection?

The controversial move to ban smoking in cars carrying children has won the backing of the health secretary. Jeremy Hunt says there is a compelling case for a ban on smoking when youngsters are in the vehicle – and the House of Lords has backed the Labour plan, despite opposition from the government. VoR's Brendan Cole leads a discussion.

Labour peers have tabled an amendment to the children and families’ bill detailing their proposal – which they say is about protecting children. Ministers have argued that the law is a blunt instrument and public information campaigns are preferable.

Nick Clegg says he does not support the ban saying he does not want to subcontract parenthood. Is the state going too far – most parents are unlikely to smoke in such an enclosed space, so is legislation necessary? And what does this mean for the state’s involvement in public and private space.

Brendan Cole is joined by: 

Dr Alan Stanton, Consultant Paediatrician of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Rod Liddle, journalist and broadcaster

Amanda Sandford, Research Manager at Action on Smoking Health (ASH)

Ian Dunt, editor of politics.co.uk

Soundbites:

Dr Alan Stanton: 

"Cigarette smoking is detrimental to children’s health to a major degree – in this country there are 9,500 extra hospital admissions because children are exposed to smoke and 200 extra cases of bacterial meningitis…. We haven’t won the battle –the ban in cars is useful support for parents."

Rod Liddle:

"There’s been an unpleasant professionalization of parenting, where it’s handed over to so-called experts and this is just the tip of the iceberg… I don’t know anyone who smokes in a car with kids so it seems to me utterly superfluous and insulting… This isn’t support for parents - this is parents being considered not adequate."

Amanda Sandford:

"It is justified to have restrictions on liberties when health is at stake. Children have no choice in whether they get into the car. Our mission is to reduce the harm caused by tobacco - it’s part of our mission to de-normalize smoking."

Ian Dunt:

"This is quite the coup. This is the state invading your private property and telling you what you can and cannot do. The next step will be banning smoking in houses… it’s a gross intrusion and it’s all a precursor to the final act of banning cigarettes altogether."
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