An anti-tobacco advocacy group expressed fears of intensified marketing efforts to lure more Filipino smokers as the country’s 2 biggest cigarette companies, Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. and Fortune Tobacco Corp., announced their merger on Thursday. “With the merger of the two companies, we expect intensified marketing of their cigarette products that will now cut across the rich and poor markets,” Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) said in a statement. The multinational firm’s premium brand, Marlboro, is the best selling brand ... Jump to full article >>

When you’re actress Uma Thurman you want to be paid $4.5 million (can you blame her?) and to have veto power over nude scenes and publicity stills (smart girl). What you don’t want is your likeness used to hawk stuff like Preparation-H or Rolaids (again, can you blame her?). A contract snagged by TheSmokingGun.com for Thurman’s now-defunct next film, “Eloise in Paris,” set to start filming this week, reveals that the 39-year-old celeb has a lengthy list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to her film jobs. [caption id="attachment_3910" align="alignleft" w ... Jump to full article >>

It’s true, guys: you can be nagged to death. New research has found men in unhappy unions are much more likely to suffer a fatal stroke than satisfied spouses. Single guys have the same risk factor as those in miserable marriages – which is 64% higher than the risk for happily wedded men. The findings come from an analysis of four decades worth of data from more than 10,000 Israeli government workers – and it rang true in New York. “I believe it,” said Ed Wagner, 70, a retired corrections officer. “I think a woman could give a man a stroke in a heartbeat  ... Jump to full article >>

Actress Brittany Murphy had no illegal drugs in her system when she died Dec. 20, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said Thursday. The “Clueless” and “Sin City” star died at the age of 32 from multiple drug intoxication, pneumonia and iron deficiency anemia, the coroner’s office said earlier this month. UsMagazine.com said a full autopsy report released Thursday identified the substances in her system when she died as elevated levels of hydrocodone, acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine and L-methamphetamine. “It should be noted that the pattern of use ... Jump to full article >>

British American Tobacco boosted profits last year despite cigarette smoking declining and the recession forcing people to trade down to cheaper brands or rely on smuggled or counterfeit products. The multinational, which is the world’s second-largest tobacco firm after Philip Morris, is rewarding shareholders with a bumper dividend, up nearly 20%, after last year’s numbers were lifted by acquisitions and a weaker pound – allowing it to make more money overseas. Richard Burrows, who took over as chairman from Jan du Plessis at the end of 2009, said there were signs that the globa ... Jump to full article >>

U.S. dermatologists say the tanning industry uses misleading ad tactics similar to those used by smoking advertisers. Dr. David Jones, in private practice in Newton, Mass., and colleagues report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that their review of 2,000 advertisements from four large tobacco advertising image databases and 350 tanning advertisements found several shared strategies used. For instance, both tanning and smoking ads often mitigate health concerns. They sometimes recruit physicians as allies in reassuring the public that a particular brand had competitive heal ... Jump to full article >>

The 38-year-old Ada man says he doesn’t smoke cigarettes and avoids caffeine and alcohol. He’s even a marathon runner, despite having asthma and high blood pressure. But he knows his nightly habit could lead to lung disease or cancer. “I’m kind of stubborn,” Scrivner said. “I’m one of those people who thinks that won’t happen to me.” A new study finds that pipe and cigar smoke may be more harmful than once thought. While less harmful than cigarettes, researchers found pipe and cigar smoke decreases lung function and doubles the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary d ... Jump to full article >>

A showdown over a proposed statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places, such as restaurants and bars, may occur today. In the House, supporters of a ban are expected to make a motion to concur with a plan already approved by the Senate. Both sides of the issue said Wednesday there is a majority in the House to OK the Senate-approved bill, which would send the measure to Gov. Mark Parkinson, who strongly favors a ban. Opponents of a statewide ban continued to fight what was coming down the track. “This is not something you should cram down people’s throats,” said state Rep. Brenda La ... Jump to full article >>

Anti-smoking advocates including 17 senior legislators and political consultants are urging that laws be passed to ban donations or sponsorships from tobacco companies for Chinese events, such as expos, festivals and athletic events. The measure is expected to be enacted by the top legislature within a year. “The message will be conveyed to the coming two sessions to fuel the anti-smoking efforts,” said Wu Yiqun, deputy director of the Thinktank Research Center for Health Development, a Beijing-based nongovernmental organization, yesterday. The two sessions are the annual plenary m ... Jump to full article >>

Enthralled by the international impact Cuban cigars have in commerce and tourism, a bunch of renowned artists, musicians and sportspeople are attending the 12th Habano Festival underway in Havana. Invited by Grammy Award winner Chucho Valdes, Brazilian singer Ivan Lins and the Portuguese interpreter Mariza are among the musicians. Both Lins and Mariza will perform together at a special concert at the Havana Grand Theater. Other of the illustrious guests is Christopher Menaul, from Great Britain, a television and movie director who won the BAFTA Prize of the British cinema. The organizers are e ... Jump to full article >>

Although physicians still work long hours, the past decade has seen a sharp decline in the average number of hours they work each week, a new study finds. From 1976 through 1996, the average work week of doctors remained steady, but between 1996 and 2008, the average number of hours physicians spent at work dropped nearly four hours a week — from 54.9 to 51 hours a week. “After being stable at around 55 hours for decades, physicians’ hours have declined 7 percent in the past decade to around 51 hours a week,” said the study’s lead author, Douglas Staiger, professor of economics at D ... Jump to full article >>