8-11 September 2011 13^th Conference Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Antalya, Turkey

A panel session on e-cigarettes chaired by Prof J-F Etter was very well attended, and showcased considerable new research as well as previous research by Health New Zealand Ltd.. These devices cannot be tested by the same machine modes used for tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes are smoked differently, by continuous puffing for say 15 puffs. Conclusion: Light regulation that permits sale obtains greatest benefits and minimizes harm. E-cigarettes are here to stay.

Since this conference, the UK cabinet’s unit on behavioural insights in its first annual report has recommended adoption of e-cigarettes. - ML

14 June 2011 Earthquake

Thank you again to all who sent Are you OK messages.

Another earthquake 6.3 on the Richter scale, centred only about 5 Km from our office in Lyttelton occurred at 2.40 pm yesterday.

There were no injuries or fatalities in Lyttelton but further damage of a minor scale. Office is in disarray but systems are undamaged.

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May 31, 2011 NZ Herald, Auckland. For link to the Health New Zealand research see Home page

Smokers given hope of safe cigarette

By Martin Johnston

The maker of Marlboro cigarettes has bought the rights to a tobacco-free "cigarette" which a New Zealand researcher says will not kill its smokers.

The purchase by Philip Morris International follows rival British American Tobacco's moves to develop a safe alternative to tobacco.

The Philip Morris device - a nicotine pyruvate inhaler invented in the United States - underwent initial testing in 2009 by Health NZ and the Christchurch Clinical Studies Trust.

Christchurch public health physician and Health NZ managing director Dr Murray Laugesen, who also conducts research on electronic cigarettes, said the device would give those addicted to nicotine a safe option.

"It's the best product so far that can rival a cigarette. If it was in the market already at the right price it would outclass cigarettes. In 10 puffs it delivers sufficient nicotine like a cigarette."

He said the device was likely to become "a life-saving smoking substitute" which smokers would be happy to adopt.

"The nicotine pyruvate inhaler-cigarette has potential as a rapid, safe and pleasant way for smokers to obtain nicotine."

He welcomed Philip Morris buying the rights to the device. "They've got the global capability to market it and the deep pockets required to develop it," Dr Laugesen said yesterday.

HOW IT WORKS

* Liquid nicotine and pyruvic acid mix in a chemical reaction to form nicotine pyruvate.
* Pyruvic acid used as an aerosol to carry the nicotine to the lungs.
* It occurs naturally in the human body.
* Device powered by inhalation - no heating.
* Prototype shaped like cigarette but larger.
* Will be miniaturised for sale.
* Inventor expected commercial sales by 2015.

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28 February 2011 Earthquake

Thank you to all our colleagues and friends who have sent good wishes and messages of concern. This is very much appreciated at this time. Several have sent offers of accommodation at a safe distance – thank you.

Health New Zealand Ltd office sustained a severe 6.3 quake on 22 February 2011 which felt about twice as severe as the 7.1 quake experienced on 4 September 2011. The epicentre this week was 5 Km deep below the Lyttelton tunnel, and only 4 Km away.

Our sympathies lie with the families of those killed – ((the final toll was 181)) in a city of about 350,000. Lyttelton’s historic stone buildings are mostly irreparable, many homes have red stickers on the door – they can’t live in their own home anymore, but this 130 year-old timber building has survived virtually unharmed.

This second big quake created havoc in the office, though it did not damage office computers. Productivity for the next several weeks will be slower, as the after shocks are centred close by.

Contracts and clients are all outside of Christchurch, and some are off-shore, so work continues.

– Murray Laugesen

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8 January 2011

Kent Infina cigarettes permit nicotine weaning

Smokers have failed to taper their nicotine intake in the past, because almost all cigarettes contained an excess of nicotine which kept them addicted. However there is one brand which can assist because its nicotine yield is extremely low (even though its nicotine content is high.).

Kent Infina cigarettes, sold in limited quantity from specialist shops, yield only 0.1 mg nicotine and 1 mg tar from this cigarette.

Generally speaking, light cigarettes do not lower harm as smokers oversmoke them to obtain sufficient nicotine (compensatory smoking). However with nicotine at only 0.1 mg yield oversmoking will not yield satisfaction, compensation will not be possible, and smokers will soon give up trying.

On 2 July 2010, we asked Maori Affairs Committee to require measurement of nicotine content and labeling of the packets to show nicotine content. www.healthnz.co.nz/News2010.htm

The submission is link is given here: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/MaoriAffairs2010NicotineContent2Jul.pdf

For the website update, see www.healthnz.co.nz/NicotineinCigarettes.htm