DECEMBER... 2004

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 22 December and 31 December 2004.

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 14 December and 21 December 2004.

AAP. Smoking on Bondi beach now banned. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Dec 17.
The smoking bans on Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches commenced on December 17.

Chapman S. Gone in a puff of smoke. Australian Financial Review 2004 Dec 16 p. 43.
Refers to research published in Preventive Medicine: Oakes W. Chapman S. Borland R. Balmford J. Trotter L. "Bulletproof skeptics in life's jungle": which self-exempting beliefs about smoking most predict lack of progression towards quitting? Preventive Medicine. 39(4):776-82, 2004 Oct. The AFR article is available from the Fairfax AFR News Store.

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 6 December and 13 December 2004.

The Smoke-Free Environment Amendment Bill passed through the NSW Upper House on December 7, 2004. Amendments negatived included proposals by the Australian Democrats to reduce the time of implementation. A total smoking ban in pubs and clubs will come into force in July 2007. A short chronology of the Bill:
1. 27/10/2004 Legislative Assembly, First Reading, Second Reading, Motion.
2. 16/11/2004 Legislative Assembly, Second Reading, Debate resumed from 27 October, In Committee, Motion.
3. 17/11/2004 Legislative Assembly, Third Reading.
4. 17/11/2004 Legislative Council, First Reading, Motion.
5. 17/11/2004 Legislative Council, Second Reading, Motion.
6. 18/11/2004 Legislative Council, Second Reading, In Committee, Motion.
7. 07/12/2004 Legislative Council, In Committee, Consideration resumed from 18 November. Bill reported from Committee with an amendment and passed through remaining stages.

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between December 2-5, 2004.

NOVEMBER... 2004

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 24 November and 1 December 2004.

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 16 November and 23 November 2004.

Click here to review an outline of stories in the media between 8 November to 15 November 2004.

Diethelm PA, Rielle J-C, McKee, M. The whole truth and nothing but the truth?: the research that Philip Morris did not want you to see. The Lancet Online 2004 Nov 11.

Wroe, D. Radical plan to stub out smoking. The Age 2004 Nov 11.

Chapman, S. Tobacco control in Australia: victims of our past success: guest editorial. NSW Public Health bulletin Vol 15, number 5-6 May-June 2004.
This hardcopy issue of the NSW PHB was released in November 2004 and focuses on tobacco control. The link is to the PHB archive and the online version for the May-June issue is expected to be released soon.

Click here to review stories in the media in the past week: 1 November to 8 November 2004.

Harris, T. Fireys crave self-quitting smokes. The Australian 2004 Nov 8. This article is available at the Newstext archive.
Citrate has been shown in overseas studies as the main ingredient that keeps cigarettes burning down to the butt. A report submitted to the federal government on self extinguishing cigarettes suggests that citrate should be removed from cigarettes to reduce their ignition propensity. Click here to review the report entitled "Reduced-Ignition Propensity Cigarettes, A review of policy relevant information".

Pyne, C. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Media release 2004 Nov 5 "Australia embraces world tobacco–control law"
Australia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on October 27, 2004 and was the 34th party to the FCTC. Pakistan ratified on November 3, 2004 and there are now 35 parties to the WHO FCTC. Click here for a chart showing the cumulative number of ratifications.

Pountney, M. Smoking link to muscle wasting. Herald Sun 2004 Nov 2.
Reports on animal research from Melbourne University that found cigarette smoke noticeably affects appetite and weight control.

2 Nov 2004: The Geneva University panel of inquiry into the matter of Professor Ragnar Rylander, a former associate professor of Geneva University's medical faculty and a consultant to the tobacco industry, made public the panel's findings on October 29, 2004. The inquiry confirmed previous suspicions about Rylander's links with the tobacco industry and that his epidemiological studies on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are marred by severe conflicts of interest. The University will provide an English translation in due course, however, click here to review the French version of the press release and click here to review the French version of the report. Click here to go to the website of M. Diethelm (the initial whistleblower with Dr Rielle), who is going to provide an unofficial English translation in a few days.

OCTOBER... 2004

Click here for a brief synopsis of select media stories published during October 2004 in Australian newspapers.

Australia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on October 27, 2004 and as at this date, there are 34 parties to the WHO FCTC. Click here to see the updated status of the signatories and ratifications on WHO's website. Click here for a chart showing the cumulative number of ratifications.

Click here for an at a glance timeline of announcements of Australian smokefree laws for licensed premises.

AAP. Sydney set to extend smoking ban. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Oct 13.
Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said Sydney City Council would consider banning smoking in parks and community areas.

O'Malley, N. Pubs rocked by total ban on smokers. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Oct 13.
Smoking to be restricted to a single room, 25 per cent or less of total indoor area, in pubs and clubs from 1 July 2005. Gaming rooms expected to become smoking areas. Smoking indoors banned completely from 1 July 2007 with the only exemptions to be private rooms, functions, high-rollers' room at Crown Casino.

AAP. Smoking ban deadline 'too late'. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Oct 12.
NSW Premier Bob Carr announced that smoking will be banned from enclosed spaces in NSW pubs, clubs and other licensed premises from July 2007, with the bans being phased in gradually from July 2005.

SEPTEMBER... 2004

Leon let off . Media Watch 2004 Sep 27.
Media Watch presented the findings of an Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) investigation into radio FiveAA's announcer, Mr Leon Byner, cash for comment deals. One of Byner's personal sponsors was the Australian Hotels Association - AHA (SA). Byner failed to make this known to his listeners during three interviews that were conducted with representatives of the AHA. Click here to read the ABA news release "Radio FiveAA breaches disclosure and compliance rules".

Birnbauer, W. I helped tobacco firm destroy documents: lawyer. The Age 2004 Sep 26.
Shook Hardy & Bacon (SH&B) lawyer, Robert Northrip, under questioning in the US DOJ case stated that SH&B took over the responsibility for British American Tobacco's interests in Australia in the mid-1990s from David Schechter, a lawyer with BAT (United States).

AAP. Class action against tobacco giants thrown out. The Age 2004 Sep 24.
The NSW Supreme Court ruled out a class action by smokers seeking compensation. Click here for the ruling. Justice Virginia Bell found smoker and cancer sufferer Myriam Cauvin could not bring an action on behalf of other smokers.

Harding, A. US government opens racketeering case against tobacco industry. BMJ 2004 Sep 25.

Reuter. $400bn tobacco trial of the century. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Sep 22.
The US Justice Department case builds on lawsuits brought in the mid-1990s by the USA's state attorneys general, who accused tobacco firms deliberately deceiving the public about the risks of smoking since the 1950s.

Kaufman, M. Firms face $400 billion tobacco suit. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Sep 22.

Chapman, S. Why we must stamp on the burning butt. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Sep 20.
Opinion piece about fire safe cigarettes.

NSW follows Qld to stub out smoking.
Daily Telegraph 2004 Sep 8.
Reports that Assistant Minister for Health (Cancer) Frank Sartor is pushing for smoking bans in pubs, hotels and clubs to come into force in NSW by the end of 2006. The proposed policy is set to go before the NSW Cabinet by the end of September.

AAP. Mosman council bans al fresco smoking. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Sep 7.
On September 6, Mosman Municipal Council passed a motion to ban smoking within 20 metres of al fresco dining areas on public land.

Beattie, P. Queensland to introduce nation's toughest smoking bans. Media Statement 2004 Sep 6.
Peter Beattie announced that Queensland is aiming to be the first state to introduce comprehensive smoking bans in public places with new tobacco laws commencing 1 January 2005. From 1 January 2005, smoking will be prohibited on all patrolled beaches; within 10 metres of children's playgrounds; while standing within four (4) metres of all building entrances; and at all sporting venues administered by the Major Sports Facility Authority including Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (formerly QEII Sports Centre and ANZ Stadium), the Sleeman Centre, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville. Point of sale advertising will be banned from 31 December 2005 and from 1 July 2006 smoking will be banned in all indoor areas of liquor licensed premises; and in all outdoor areas, where food or beverages are served.

AUGUST... 2004

Dalton, C. Daffodils or ciggies, take your pick. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Aug 17.
Opinion piece. Promoting cancer research is no recompense for selling fags. Click here for background information on which this opinion piece is based.

Chapman, S. Corporate responsibility is fast becoming a smoke-free zone. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Aug 5.
Opinion piece. The tobacco industry faces growing resistance to its attempts to cover up with spin.

JULY... 2004

US Judge, Gladys Kessler, awarded sanctions on 21 July 2004 against Philip Morris (Altria Group) for destroying documents in 2000. Click here to review the order that requires Philip Morris and the Altria Group to pay US$2.75 million. Kessler is also prohibiting 11 Philip Morris employees from testifying at the trial because they destroyed documents. Click here to view the memorandum opinion.

AAP. Business ethics forum sponsor dropped. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jul 18.

Click here to view a brochure prepared by Philip Morris Limited on smoking issues that is being distributed in Supermarkets in Western Australia in July 2004. Information is addressed under headings: "Smoking is addictive and dangerous", "Quitting greatly reduces your risk of diseases", "You should not assume that lower tar cigarettes are safer or better for you", "Children should not smoke" and "Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals".

Thomas, CH. Diesel fumes greater risk than smoke. Advertiser (Adelaide) 2004 Jul 14, p. 17.
Letter to the editor from the head of corporate affairs at Imperial Tobacco Australia.

Whinnett E. [Prime Minister] supports tough line on smoking. The Mercury (Hobart) 2004 Jul 7.

JUNE... 2004

Whincup P, Gilg JA, Emberson JR et al Passive smoking and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: prospective study with cotinine measurement. BMJ 2004 Jun 30.

AAP. Cigarette warnings pit Abbott against cancer campaigners. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jun 26.

AAP. Graphic warnings to plaster cigarette packets. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jun 25.

Abbott T and Worth T. Australia’s new tobacco warnings: among world’s largest. Minister for Health and Ageing and Parliamentary Secretary Joint Media release 2004 Jun 25.
Tony Abbott: “Cabinet has agreed to graphic warnings in colour and text warnings that will occupy 30 per cent of the front and 90 per cent of the back of cigarette packets. Tobacco companies must introduce the new packaging within 18 months of the regulations being gazetted.” Click here to view the 30/90 option. Click here for more information about the current government health warnings on cigarette packs. Click here to review evidence of the tobacco industry's efforts to delay and dilute warnings on cigarette packs.

Pollard, R. Cancer focus switches to survival rates, debt. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jun 24.

Wroe, D. Canberra enlists GPs in war on smoking. The Age 2004 Jun 24. .

Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J and Sutherland I. Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors. BMJ 2004 22 Jun
A preprint is available for the results of a study involving 34439 male British doctors. Information about their smoking habits was obtained in 1951 and periodically thereafter; cause specific mortality was monitored for 50 years.

Chapman, S. Take heed of Bacon's warning. The Australian 2004 Jun 21.
Opinion piece. Former Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon died on June 20 from lung cancer at 54.

Tanne, JH. Tobacco company fights order to turn over mystery memorandum. BMJ 2004 19 Jun v. 328 no. 7454 p. 1456
Brief news item about the Andrew Foyle 1990 British American Tobacco memorandum that describes document destruction practices. The document was quoted in an Australian court but has never been made public.

Horin, A. Shoes come second in smokers' homes. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jun 11 p. 3.
Reports that the Cancer Council of NSW commissioned David Collins and Helen Lapsley to conduct research into the economic costs of smoking. The study "The macroeconomic and distributional effects of reduced smoking prevalence in New South Wales" by William Junor, David Collins and Helen Lapsley was released on 11 June 2004. Click here to view the report.

Wroe, D. Warning plan for smokers under fire. The Age 2004 Jun 11.
Reports that the government plans to implement graphic health warnings, however, they will only cover one third of the front of the pack and 90 percent of the back, preserving company trademarks and brandings.

Dyer, C. Secret smoking documents finally to go on the web. BMJ 2004 5 Jun v. 328 no. 7452 p. 1335
Reports that the University of California, San Francisco Kalmanovitz Library will be providing electronic access to British American Tobacco documents. Working with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, the Library will release the first million documents online in September 2004. Click here to view background data about the project.

AFP. Choc-flavoured cigarettes. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jun 3.
Reports on a news story published in the Independent by reporter Marie Woolf "Smoked out: how a tobacco giant plans to strike back, Outrage as BAT tests cigarettes laced with chocolate and vanilla". The results of British American Tobacco additives research was published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, Supplement 1, 2004.

Reuters. Judge: BAT must turn over key document in $280b tobacco case. Fox News 2004 Jun 1.
Reports that a US judge has ordered British American Tobacco (BAT) to produce a 1990 memorandum written by an outside lawyer named Andrew Foyle advising the company on its document retention policy by Friday, 4 June 2004.

Chapman, S. Australia: a career in cancer promotion? Tobacco Control 2004 Jun.
Reports on British American Tobacco's (BAT) attempts to recruit undergraduates at university career days in Sydney.

MAY... 2004

Kelton, G and Anderson, L. Ban to keep smokes off the shelf. The Advertiser May 31.
Reports that the South Australian government are planning to tighten their tobacco control legislation.

AAP. 'Wee week' targets kidney disease. The Age 2004 May 30.
Reports on a push to boost kidney health awareness. Health groups want kidney disease warnings put on all cigarette packets.

Kaufman, M. Smoking is worse than you thought. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 29.
US Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, released a new report on the "The Health Consequences of Smoking" revealing that smoking causes a much wider range of diseases than had previously been thought.

Kaufman, M. Tobacco far more toxic, report finds. The Age 2004 May 29.
US Surgeon General, Richard Carmona, released a new report on the "The Health Consequences of Smoking" revealing that smoking causes a much wider range of diseases than had previously been thought.

AAP. Pollution damages sperm DNA. The Age 2004 May 25.
Reports that exposure to pollutants like fertilisers, pesticides and cigarette smoke can not only damage a man's fertility but is also likely to impair the health of his future children.

AAP. Health groups push tobacco warnings. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 26.
Story about graphical health warnings on cigarette packs.

AAP. Smoking ban study plan for Bondi. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 19.
Waverley Council is going to investigate the legalities and enforcement of a smoking ban on Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte beaches.

Fraser, A and Crawford, B. Councils resisting beach smoke ban. The Australian 2004 May 19.

AAP. Bondi may ban smoking. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 18.
Waverley Council will consider a plan to ban smoking on Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches.

AAP. Manly bans beach smoking. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 18.
Manly Council has banned smoking on beaches, setting the example for other coastal councils.

Parnell, S. Smokers facing a battle for footpath. The Courier Mail 2004 May 18.
Reports on the State Tobacco Law Review discussion paper to be released on 1 June 2004.

Wroe, D. Tobacco ad campaign angers MPs. The Age 2004 May 17.
Reports on British American Tobacco Australia's campaign to lobby against graphical health warnings on cigarette packs.

Dick, T. Smoking on beach may be next to go. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 17.

Knight, A. Doctors debate smokers' rights to surgery. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 May 6.

APRIL... 2004

Estimated mortality from secondhand smoke among club, pub, tavern and bar workers in New South Wales, Australia The NSW Cancer Council commissioned James L. Repace from Repace Associates to investigate the risks from passive smoking for bar workers.

Birnbauer, W. CSIRO job for tobacco defender. The Age 2004 Apr 25.
Reports on the appointment of Ms Donna Staunton, former CEO of the Tobacco Institute of Australia, as director of communications at the CSIRO.

Editorial. Smoking and surgery: an ethical dilemma. The Age 2004 Apr 6.
Opinion regarding an editorial published in the Medical Journal of Australia: "Smoking cessation and elective surgery: the cleanest cut" by Matthew J Peters, Lucy C Morgan and Laurence Gluch. MJA 2004; 180 (7): 317-318.

Munro, I. Push to stop destruction of evidence. The Age 2004 Apr 5.
Reports on a proposal in Victoria that would enable executives who destroy documents to protect their companies from legal action to be charged with a criminal offence.

Harper, T. Stay with big cigarette - pack warnings [letter to the editor]. Australian Financial Review 2004 Apr 2, p. 79.
Response to Imperial Tobacco's Peter Richards letter (Opinion, March 31) that new, larger graphic warnings on cigarette packs need to be based on concrete research. Harper points out that such research has been undertaken and it shows the proposed warnings are effective with smokers. Available from the F2 Network News Store.

MARCH... 2004

Richards, P. A good story goes up in smoke [opinion by Peter Richards, Imperial Tobacco]. Australian Financial Review 2004 Mar 31, p. 63.
Response to the proposal by the federal government to implement graphical health warnings on cigarette packets. Available from the F2 Network News Store. Simon Chapman's response: At last, some plain-talking from the tobacco industry. Imperial Tobacco's Peter Richards (AFR 31 March p63) says the proposed new pictorial warnings are "repugnant". Peter, mate, that's the whole point! Some people think it's more ethical to show smokers what gangrene of the foot caused by peripheral vascular disease actually looks like, or tell them that 8,000 Australians a year develop age-related macular degeneration (blindness) from smoking. Do 99.5% of your customers know that? Richards and his ilk want more "stakeholder consultation" to continue what his industry has been doing since the 1960s when they began their efforts to keep smokers in the dark by opposing health warnings to put their shareholders profits before public health. Every brand will cop the same range and size of warnings. Lets hope they all suffer the same loss of sales that Canada has shown occurs when governments stop pandering to this deadly industry. Click here to read a history of the tobacco industry's efforts to oppose tobacco pack warnings.

Hills, B. Tobacco's giant fight to stop one man talking. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Mar 31.
Reports on the latest development in the court case Sharon Y. Eubanks (US DOJ) v Nicholas Basil Cannar.

US Department of Justice BAT Australian Documents Ruling. US DOJ 2004 Mar 30.

Mickelburough, P. Survey backs puff-free pubs. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 29.
Reports on research conducted by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer. The results show strong public support for bans on smoking in bars, nightclubs and gambling venues.

Giles, T. Smoking plans scuttled. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 22.

Teutsch, D. Free help urged for poor smokers. Sun Herald 2004 Mar 14.
Reports that ASH Australia supports the concept of targeted government subsidisation of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Nader, C. Tobacco firm packs in health alerts. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Mar 12.
Reports on Philip Morris' plans to insert health warnings leaflets inside cigarette packs. Philip Morris deny that the inserts are a strategy to discourage the Federal Government from implementing graphical health warnings.

Royall I, Beveridge J. Tobacco firm plans warning. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 12.
Reports on responses to the proposal by Philip Morris to insert leaflets into cigarette packs warnings smokers. Notes the leaflets have already been implemented in Philip Morris products in some overseas markets.

AAP. Smoke warning leaflets spark row. Nine MSN 2004 Mar 11.
Reports on a proposal by Philip Morris to insert leaflets into cigarette packs warnings smokers.

Bid to butt out tobacco warnings. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 11, p. 32. This article is available at the News Corporation archive. Reports on the 'Enough is Enough' campaign instigated by British American Tobacco to encourage smokers to oppose graphical health warnings on cigarette packs.

Scammell, M. Responsibility makes a comeback. The Age 2004 Mar 8.
Scammell comments on the issue of personal responsibility. Simon Chapman's response: So Michael Scammel was "refreshed" to hear a racing car driver whining about efforts to reduce speed, a footballer making jokes about pack rape, and a politician giving comfort to the tobacco industry for its decades of lies about smoking [Age: Opinion March 8]. Where do you get these people? And can someone please buy him a thesaurus? It would be "refreshing" (used four times) to see him use a different word for his peculiar excitements.

Harvey A, Jenkins S. Single cigs sold for 50c. Sunday Telegraph 2004 Mar 7.
Reports on an investigation by the Sunday Telegraph into single cigarette sales by retailers.

Pountney, M. Anger as movie stars light up. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 5.
Reports on smoking incidents in films.

Parnell, S. Smoking ban looms for all venues. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 5.
Reports on a review of Queensland's smoking laws.

AAP. Rise in women smokers 'ignored'. Herald Sun 2004 Mar 5.

The tobacco industry has instigated a campaign to oppose graphical health warnings on cigarette packets. Click here to view the posters and click here to view protest letters that smokers are encouraged to sign. The Enough is Enough campaign has been used as a strategy by the tobacco industry in the past. Click here to view a 1992 corporate affairs industry document.

FEBRUARY... 2004

Benns, M. Good-looking guerillas push smokes. Sun Herald 2004 Feb 29.
Story about unconventional strategies being used by tobacco companies to "sell" cigarettes. This article is available at the Fairfax publications News Store.

Chapman, S. Cool as can be, until deadly reality behind the myths is revealed. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 25.
One man's pain is a sad reminder of decades of deceit over the appalling effects of smoking op ed by Simon Chapman.

Darby, A. Bacon laments life of smoking. The Age 2004 Feb 24.
Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon has inoperable lung
cancer and resigned from Parliament on Feb 23. He acknowledged that smoking is "a stupid, stupid habit". "I have not listened. I have kept smoking. I now accept that I am in large part paying the price for that stupidity. The message from me to everyone is please, don't be a fool like me. Don't keep smoking. And if you are young and you haven't started, don't start."

Altmann, C. and Saunders, M. Bacon declares war on cancer. The Australian 2004 Feb 24.

The confession of a Premier with a death sentence. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 24.

AAP. 'Don't smoke' implores Bacon, forced to quit with
cancer. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 23.

Shtargot, S. and Nicholls, S. Victoria may outlaw cigarette displays. The Age 2004 Feb 20.
Reports the Victorian government will consider banning the display of cigarette packets in response to NSW's plans.

Nicholls, S. Out of sight: the bright lure of cigarette packets. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 20, p. 1.
Assistant Health Minister, Frank Sartor, announced plans to restrict the display of tobacco products in retail stores. The proposal is to hide the cigarette packets under the counter. This article is available at the Fairfax publications News Store.

Jacobsen, G. After a long drag, Sartor vows to stub out smoking at the hotel bar. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 19, p. 3.

Burton, B. Cigarette packs to feature graphic images. BMJ 2004 Feb 14 v 328 (7436): 366.
The Federal Government released a regulation impact statement (RIS) for comment on the proposed graphical health warnings on cigarette packs. Click here to review the RIS. Click here for the Cost-Benefit Analysis of proposed new health warnings on tobacco products and other documents available on the Treasury site.

Stewart, H. BAT admits longstanding fear
of health lawsuits. The Guardian 2004 Feb 11.
UK story reporting that British American Tobacco has been preparing to defend itself against litigation since the mid 1980s.

Coultan, M. and Sexton, E. Politics at a price. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 7-8, p. 40.
Story about political donations. SMH graphic (was not published in the online version) lists British American Tobacco as donating $125,000 to the Liberal Coalition and $26,000 to the Australian Labor Party. This article is available at the Fairfax publications News Store.

Editorial. Smokers in the picture. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 4, p. 10.
Opinion piece on graphical health warnings on cigarette packs. Scroll down the page as it is the second item.

Noble, T. Cigarette makers forced to put smoking disease images on packets. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Feb 3, p. 3.
The Federal Government released a regulation impact statement (RIS) for comment on the proposed graphical health warnings on cigarette packs. Click here for the announcement by Trish Worth. There are 14 new graphic warnings proposed to be placed on the front and back of packs. Click here for examples of the proposed images revealing the display options.

JANUARY... 2004

Bradley, M. Mild cigarettes no safety against cancer
death. Sydney Morning Herald 2004 Jan 10, p. 6.
Reports on research findings published in the BMJ that smoking low tar cigarettes does not reduce the risk of lung cancer, and smokers are at higher risk than non-smokers. Click here to review the paper by Jeffrey E. Harris et al. entitled "Cigarette tar yields in relation to mortality from lung cancer in the cancer prevention study II prospective cohort, 1982-8".