Tobacco-growing State Research Articles

Measurement of natural ambient gamma radiation levels and estimation of population dose in tobacco-growing places of Karnataka state

Abstract Karnataka state is the fourth largest tobacco-growing state in India and Mysore district has large tobacco cultivation. The fertilizers contain the primary nutrients NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium). This is also responsible for enhancing the gamma radiation level in rural areas of cultivated land of tobacco growing places, in addition to the natural gamma radiation. The aim and objectives of the present study consist of the measurement of the natural ambient gamma radiation dose level, and dose to the public. The natural ambient gamma radiation levels in some tobacco growing places of the Karnataka state were measured by a scintillation survey meter. The ambient gamma absorbed dose rate in cultivated and non-cultivated land varies from 34.8±0.3 nGyh-1 to 226.2±5 nGyh-1, with a mean value of 84.77±1.9 nGyh-1, and 26.1±0.3 nGyh-1 to 182.7±4 nGyh-1, with a mean value 58.82±1.2 nGyh-1 respectively. The indoor and outdoor gamma absorbed dose rate of the villages of the study area varies from 52.2±0.4 nGyh-1 to 234.9±4.5 nGyh-1, with a mean value of 100.89±2.3 nGyh-1, and 30.45±0.5 nGyh-1 to 165.3±3.5 nGyh-1, with a mean value of 63.19±1.3 nGyh-1 respectively. The annual effective equivalent dose rate of the study area varies from 0.293mSvy-1 to 1.344mSvy-1, with a mean value of 0.572mSvy-1. The indoor, tobacco leaves stored houses and the cultivated land shows higher gamma radiation dose rates than the outdoor atmosphere of the villages and non-cultivated land. The present study was able to establish a baseline data of Annual Effective Dose (AED) and assess gamma radiation dose rate of the study area. The results were presented and analyzed systematically from the radiation protection point of view.

Support for Tobacco 21 in a Tobacco-Growing State.

This study investigated the association between sociodemographic characteristics and public attitudes toward Tobacco 21 laws. Through a random telephone survey in 2017, 1,675 Kentucky adults were asked if they favored/opposed increasing the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age. Over half (57.9%) favored raising the minimum legal age for tobacco sales to 21 (95% confidence interval: [54.5, 61.2]). Multivariable logistic regression for weighted survey data was used to determine factors associated with support. In the adjusted analysis, older age, female sex, non-White, conservative political ideology (versus moderate), and support for a statewide smoke-free policy were each significantly associated with greater support for Tobacco 21. The results suggest multiple demographic and personal factors associated with support, even in a tobacco-growing state. Health care professionals, including nurses, must understand existing public attitudes to effectively advocate for tobacco policies in states with high tobacco use.

Tobacco-control policies in tobacco-growing states: where tobacco was king.

POLICY POINTS: The tobacco companies prioritized blocking tobacco-control policies in tobacco-growing states and partnered with tobacco farmers to oppose tobacco-control policies. The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, which settled state litigation against the cigarette companies, the 2004 tobacco-quota buyout, and the companies' increasing use of foreign tobacco led to a rift between the companies and tobacco farmers. In 2003, the first comprehensive smoke-free local law was passed in a major tobacco-growing state, and there has been steady progress in the region since then. Health advocates should educate the public and policymakers on the changing reality in tobacco-growing states, notably the major reduction in the volume of tobacco produced. The 5 major tobacco-growing states (Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) are disproportionately affected by the tobacco epidemic, with higher rates of smoking and smoking-induced disease. These states also have fewer smoke-free laws and lower tobacco taxes, 2 evidence-based policies that reduce tobacco use. Historically, the tobacco farmers and hospitality associations allied with the tobacco companies to oppose these policies. This research is based on 5 detailed case studies of these states, which included key informant interviews, previously secret tobacco industry documents (available at http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu), and media articles. This was supplemented with additional tobacco document and media searches specifically for this article. The tobacco companies were particularly concerned about blocking tobacco-control policies in the tobacco-growing states by promoting a pro-tobacco culture, beginning in the late 1960s. Nevertheless, since 2003, there has been rapid progress in the tobacco-growing states' passage of smoke-free laws. This progress came after the alliance between the tobacco companies and the tobacco farmers fractured and hospitality organizations stopped opposing smoke-free laws. In addition, infrastructure built by National Cancer Institute research projects (COMMIT and ASSIST) led to long-standing tobacco-control coalitions that capitalized on these changes. Although tobacco production has dramatically fallen in these states, pro-tobacco sentiment still hinders tobacco-control policies in the major tobacco-growing states. The environment has changed in the tobacco-growing states, following a fracture of the alliance between the tobacco companies and their former allies (tobacco growers and hospitality organizations). To continue this progress, health advocates should educate the public and policymakers on the changing reality in the tobacco-growing states, notably the great reduction in the number of tobacco farmers as well as in the volume of tobacco produced.

Multiple Streams Approach to Tobacco Control Policymaking in a Tobacco-Growing State

Smokefree policies (SFPs) have diffused throughout the US and worldwide. However, the development of SFPs in the difficult policy environment of tobacco-producing states and economies worldwide has not been well-explored. In 2007, Tennessee, the third largest tobacco producer in the US, enacted the Non-Smoker Protection Act (NSPA). This study utilizes the multiple streams model to provide understanding of why and how this policy was developed by triangulating interviews with key stakeholders and legislative debates with archival documents. In June 2006, the Governor unexpectedly announced support for SFP, which created a window of opportunity for policy change. The Campaign for Healthy and Responsible Tennessee, a health coalition, seized this opportunity and worked with the administration and the Tennessee Restaurant Association to negotiate a comprehensive SFP, however, a weaker bill was used by the legislative leadership to develop the NSPA. Although the Governor and the Tennessee Restaurant Association's support generated an environment for 100% SFP, health groups did not fully capitalize on this environmental change and settled for a weak policy with several exemptions. This study suggests the importance for proponents of policy change to understand changes in their environment and be willing and able to capitalize on these changes.

LOCAL SMOKE-FREE ORDINANCES ARE PASSING IN TOBACCO-GROWING STATES

Ferketich et al. studied demographic factors associated with the passage of clean indoor air ordinances in Appalachian communities.1 Based on reported lack of progress at the local level despite strong public support for clean indoor air laws, they recommended that efforts be focused on the state level instead. This conclusion goes beyond the data that they present and does not consider the power of the tobacco industry in state-level politics.2–6 Additionally, recent experience in South Carolina,7 a state Ferketich et al. included in their research, shows that strong progress on local clean indoor air ordinances is possible even in an Appalachian, tobacco-growing state. South Carolina's weak state clean indoor air ordinances passed in 1996 with an assumed preemption clause pushed by cigarette manufacturer lobbyists and hospitality industry allies that halted clean indoor ordinance progress for a decade. However, between May 2006 and January 2008, local advocates, supported by national tobacco control technical assistance and funding, challenged this presumed preemption by passing clean indoor air ordinances in 12 localities, two of which were sued under claims that state preemption did not allow local clean air ordinances. In March 2008, the state Supreme Court ruled that local clean indoor air ordinances were not preempted; since then, advocates have passed 21 more local clean indoor air ordinances. The passage of these local clean indoor air ordinances as of May 2010 has been recognized as the highest number of strong local ordinances passed in any US state for two years in a row.8 Cigarette manufacturing interests responded with an effort to pass explicit state preemption. During the 2007 and 2008 legislative session, 11 neutral to strong clean indoor air bills were introduced; three were co-opted to include weak clean indoor air provisions and preemptive language as a result of tobacco manufacturer lobbying. Tobacco control advocates stopped all weak bills with preemption and convinced legislators to delay state laws, which could become vehicles for preemption.7 The trajectory of South Carolina clean indoor air ordinance progress provides a strong counterpoint to Ferketich et al.'s conclusion that there is a lack of motivation among tobacco control advocates at the local level in tobacco-growing states and that clean indoor air ordinance efforts should focus at the state level. Developing clean indoor air laws at the state level without strong local support provides an opportunity for cigarette manufacturers to preempt more comprehensive local activity, where tobacco manufacturers have less sway.3,9 In contrast, developing the capacity of local advocates can result in a strong smoke-free movement through local smoke-free ordinance adoption.

Smoke-free legislation and charitable gaming in Kentucky

Objective:To determine the effect of municipal smoke-free laws in Kentucky on gross and/or net revenues from charitable gaming activities. Between January 2000 and June 2007, 13 Kentucky communities implemented smoke-free...

School Tobacco Policies in a Tobacco‐Growing State

ABSTRACT: This study examined factors associated with tobacco‐free policies and tobacco cessation in schools serving children in grades 6 to 12 in a tobacco‐growing state using a cross‐sectional telephone survey of school administrators from public and private middle and high schools (N = 691), representing 117 of the 120 Kentucky counties. Trained health department staff contacted 1028 schools; 691 (67%) participated in a phone survey, which lasted an average of 19 minutes. Variables of interest were indoor and outdoor smoking policies, fund‐raising in Bingo halls, provision of cessation and prevention programs, owning or leasing a tobacco base, if the school received money from tobacco companies, type of school (public vs private), and school setting (urban vs rural). Only 20% of Kentucky schools reported comprehensive tobacco‐free policies. Urban area schools were nearly twice as likely to have a tobacco‐free campus than rural schools. Schools that did fund‐raising in smoky Bingo halls were 30% less likely to have tobacco‐free school policies. While few schools had a tobacco affiliation, those that received money from tobacco companies or grew tobacco were nearly 3 times as likely to provide cessation resources, compared to schools without tobacco affiliation. Rural schools were less likely to be tobacco free and provide cessation services. School‐related, off‐campus, extracurricular events might be considered as an element of tobacco‐free school policy. Schools with tobacco affiliation may provide more cessation resources due to the increased prevalence of tobacco use in these areas.

School Tobacco Policies in a Tobacco‐Growing State

This study examined factors associated with tobacco-free policies and tobacco cessation in schools serving children in grades 6 to 12 in a tobacco-growing state using a cross-sectional telephone survey of school administrators from public and private middle and high schools (N = 691), representing 117 of the 120 Kentucky counties. Trained health department staff contacted 1028 schools; 691 (67%) participated in a phone survey, which lasted an average of 19 minutes. Variables of interest were indoor and outdoor smoking policies, fund-raising in Bingo halls, provision of cessation and prevention programs, owning or leasing a tobacco base, if the school received money from tobacco companies, type of school (public vs private), and school setting (urban vs rural). Only 20% of Kentucky schools reported comprehensive tobacco-free policies. Urban area schools were nearly twice as likely to have a tobacco-free campus than rural schools. Schools that did fund-raising in smoky Bingo halls were 30% less likely to have tobacco-free school policies. While few schools had a tobacco affiliation, those that received money from tobacco companies or grew tobacco were nearly 3 times as likely to provide cessation resources, compared to schools without tobacco affiliation. Rural schools were less likely to be tobacco free and provide cessation services. School-related, off-campus, extracurricular events might be considered as an element of tobacco-free school policy. Schools with tobacco affiliation may provide more cessation resources due to the increased prevalence of tobacco use in these areas.

Tobacco use prevention and cessation policies in manufacturing facilities in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky.

To assess workplace tobacco use prevention and cessation policies in manufacturing facilities and explore factors associated with tobacco policies and practices in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky. Cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design. Telephone survey of Kentucky manufacturing facilities. A total of 437 human resource managers (77% participation rate). Telephone interviews by trained local health department staff to assess indoor and outdoor smoking policies, sale of cigarettes on company property, and provision of cessation and prevention programs. Nearly seven in 10 manufacturing facilities had a written smoking policy, but only 43% banned indoor smoking. About one-fourth of companies reimbursed for cessation treatment and/or provided cessation resources. Companies with unions were more likely than those without unions to provide cessation resources but were also more likely to allow indoor smoking. Although large companies had more than two and a half times the odds as small companies to have a written smoking policy, they were more likely to allow cigarette sales on company property. Despite the importance of smoke-free policies in the workplace, most manufacturing facilities surveyed allowed indoor smoking and few helped smokers quit. Companies with unions were more likely to cater to their smoking employees. Manufacturing facilities provide an opportunity to protect large numbers of adult workers from the hazards of secondhand smoke and to provide quit assistance for smokers.

Cigarette smoking in Kentucky: progress toward year 2000 objectives and reduction of smoking-attributable mortality.

Progress toward state and national Year 2000 Objectives for reduction in smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable mortality were analyzed for Kentucky, a major tobacco-growing state. Phone survey data indicated a 0.6% annual decrease in smoking prevalence from 1985 to 1992. This decrease is not sufficient to achieve state or national Year 2000 Objectives. As in other studies, an inverse relationship between education and smoking was found. The results also indicate that 23% of the state's deaths are attributable to smoking. Until there is a greater decline in smoking prevalence in Kentucky, the state will continue to experience an excess of smoking-attributable deaths each year compared to most other states.

Tobacco-free schools in a tobacco-growing state

Tobacco-free schools in a tobacco-growing state

Demographic and Educational Differences in Smoking in a Tobacco-Growing State

National studies have documented an excessive rate of cigarette smoking in black men; however, a 1987 survey conducted in two urban areas in South Carolina documents a high rate of smoking in young white men with fewer than 12 years of education (67%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 58.3, 75.7). Differences in smoking rates by educational level were significant only for those younger than 40. Young blacks were less likely to smoke and smoked fewer cigarettes than whites. As a result, the population burden of cigarettes in young black men with fewer than 12 years of education was only 27% of the burden carried by their white peers. Television, physicians, and radio were all seen as likely sources of health information to prevent heart disease, but newspapers were less likely to be cited by those younger than 40 or by those with fewer than 12 years of education. Reported physician counseling for smoking cessation did not differ significantly by race, sex, or educational level of the patient, but reported counseling was higher for individuals with a personal history of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio [OR] = 2.32, CI = 1.27, 4.25) and somewhat lower for the elderly. We highlight the population burden of cigarettes, a predictor of the eventual disease burden attributable to smoking, as a useful priority measure for smoking intervention efforts.