15 May 2008
[Issue 379]
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Air pollution, tobacco smoke triggers tuberculosis: new study
EXCERPT:
A toxic gas (carbon monoxide) present in air pollution and tobacco smoke plays a significant role in triggering tuberculosis infection, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
The study showed that CO triggers Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, to shift from active infection to a drug-resistant dormant state. This is called latency, a global problem that results in tuberculosis escaping detection and treatment, and which contributes to overall tuberculosis transmission.
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200,000 TB deaths are due to beedi smoking
Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), 14 May 2008
EXCERPT:
An estimated 100 million people - mostly the poor and illiterate - smoke Beedi in India and 200,000 tuberculosis deaths are due to these hand-rolled cigarettes, a health ministry report released here Monday said.
The report, for the year 2004-05 and termed as the first analytical, scientific and systematic study on the trend, said Beedi smoking was more harmful than cigarette smoking.
"In India, Beedi smoking contributes substantially to death from tuberculosis," said Health Secretary Naresh Dayal.
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Slum-dwellers commit to give up tobacco use
Dainik Amar Ujala, 15 May 2008
EXCERPT:
Nadwa slum-dwellers behind Lucknow University participated in an awareness programme organized jointly by Asha Samajik Vidyalaya with support from Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC) of CSM Medical University. Professor (Dr) Rama Kant explained the life-threatening health hazards of tobacco use, diagnosed tobacco-related health hazards in the communities on-spot and using posters encouraged people to quit tobacco use and choose health and life. 23 people who were using tobacco registered for the TCC.
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Tobacco control policies should be enforced: Prof Rama Kant
Dainik Aaj and Voice of Lucknow, 15 May 2008
EXCERPT:
The Cigarette and other tobacco products Act (2003) and the provisions of the global tobacco treaty to which India is a party (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) should be implemented. Noted tobacco control advocate Professor (Dr) Rama Kant was addressing an interactive sessions with slum-dwellers behind Lucknow University. He said unless people take responsibility of being an equal partner in enforcing public health and social justice policies, the corporations will continue reaping profits. He also encouraged those in the audience who use tobacco, to quit. More than 20 people resolved not to use tobacco and sought help from the tobacco cessation clinic of CSM Medical University.
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Jointly brought to you by the Tambakoo-Kills youth team supported by:
Indian Society Against Smoking (ISAS), Abhinav Bharat Foundation (ABF), Asha Parivar, Citizen News Service (CNS) and Tobacco Cessation Clinic of CSM Medical University
Email: Tambakoo.Kills@gmail.com
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