WIS News 10 of the midlands reports: High-Dose Chemo Fails Against Small Cell Lung Cancers

WEDNESDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- High-intensity chemotherapy does not improve the survival rate of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a new Swiss study concludes.
Testing on 140 patients in a randomized trial showed no statistically significant differences in survival rate or tumor size between groups receiving either standard or high doses of chemo over a three-year period. The findings were published online April 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

-- Kevin McKeever
SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, news release, April 8, 2008

From the editorial page of The State: Time of the essence for cigarette tax debate

By BRAD HUTTO and JOHN MATTHEWS - Guest Columnist
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill to increase South Carolina’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax. Our cigarette tax is only 7 cents per pack and has not been raised since 1977. The national average for state cigarette taxes has climbed to $1.11 per pack and will continue to increase as four states enact additional increases this year. We must address this life-saving legislation as soon as possible.
South Carolina ranks 45th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. South Carolina currently allocates $2 million a year for tobacco prevention, which is just 8 percent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation. It would take only a few pennies of our cigarette tax increase to fund prevention programs on a recurring basis. In addition to saving lives by reducing smoking-caused heart disease, lung cancer and other diseases, studies show that the best programs have saved as much as $3 in smoking-caused health costs for every dollar spent on tobacco prevention.
We urge our fellow senators not to wait any longer to pass a significant cigarette tax increase. We have the opportunity to save our kids from the ravages of tobacco addiction. What better message could we send to our constituents back home?

The State reports Genetic link tied to smoking addiction:

WASHINGTON --Scientists have pinpointed genetic variations that make people more likely to get hooked on cigarettes and more prone to develop lung cancer - a finding that could someday lead to screening tests and customized treatments for smokers trying to kick the habit.

April 2nd is Kick Butts Day - A Nationwide Celebration

Kick Butts Day (www.kickbutts.org) is the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids' annual celebration of activism that empowers youth to speak up and take action against tobacco use at more than 2,000 events from coast to coast. With an adult smoking rate of 22%, a youth smoking rate of 19% and 13% of pregnant women smoking, tobacco is taking a terrible toll in South Carolina. But by taking measures, such as increasing the state cigarette tax, eliminating secondhand smoke from workplaces, preventing tobacco use initiation among youth and promoting cessation – the toll can be significantly lowered

The State reports: Columbia on track to curtail smoking

Columbia City Council, buoyed by a state Supreme Court decision Monday, will press ahead this week on activating a dormant 2006 ordinance that would prohibit smoking in public buildings.
Mayor Bob Coble said he asked the city’s attorney to brief the seven-member panel Wednesday on a ruling that upholds a municipal ordinance that bans smoking in Greenville’s restaurants and bars.