Tim McAfee, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, Clinical and Behavioral Sciences:   As a family physician dedicated to helping people quit tobacco, I am deeply concerned about the 35% cut to state tobacco programs in the current Washington Senate budget bill. Last year, the state tobacco program was cut 43%, far deeper than most other programs. This year’s original proposal for a $1.00/pack tax increase devoted 20% of the tax revenue to the State Tobacco Prevention an... [More]

Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager, Tobacco:   Lung cancer remains the leading cause of death in men and women in the US, and over 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Quitting smoking is the single best way to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer and those who quit sooner rather than later further reduce their risk of developing this devastating illness. A recent study printed in the British Medical Journal (Parsons, A. BMJ.com) gives smokers who develop lung cancer new ... [More]

Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager, Tobacco:   In a controversial decision yesterday that will likely cause considerable confusion in smoke-free venues, US District Court Richard Leon issued an order to lift the FDA ban on the importation of electronic cigarettes. The words of the judge were harsh, stating "This case appears to be yet another example of FDA's aggressive efforts to regulate recreational tobacco products as drugs or devices” and "[the FDA’s] tenacious drive to maximize its... [More]

Ryan Crawford, Quit Coach Supervisor, Service Delivery:   It’s Tuesday, January 5th. By the time I finish work, it’s completely dark in Seattle and the traffic is thinning. I bolt uphill on foot to Capitol Hill, where I’m about to meet strangers—I’m hoping for five, maybe six. I’m the last one to arrive at the Gay City Health Project, so I blush when I walk through the doors and all faces turn to me. More than five, more than six. There are twelve! These men and the two other facili... [More]

Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager, Tobacco:   With recent news that RJ Reynolds (maker of Winston Cigarettes) has acquired Niconovum AB, a Swedish-based nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) company, for approximately $44 million, as well as news that Philip Morris is in negotiation with Ruyan, the Chinese company that makes the N-Joy Electronic Cigarette, it is clear that Big Tobacco is in transition. One could speculate that Big Tobacco is trying to find product lines that are more... [More]

Janice Milliman, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   Speck, the 14-year-old son of famous singer John Mellencamp, came up with a creative way to help his dad quit smoking. Although his heart is in the right place, Speck unfortunately might be in for a big disappointment. According to the Associated Press, Mellencamp promised to quit smoking if 1,000,000 people joined the Facebook group titled "1,000,000 to join, my dad john mellencamp will quit smoking." Mellencamp, a long-time ... [More]

Ken Wassum, Senior Product Manager, Tobacco:   The slight increase in smoking prevalence detected by the National Health Interview Survey is cause for concern but probably not alarm. The upward trend was small (less than 1%) but it should definitely give us pause. Smoking prevalence has reduced over the years due to a number of factors. The increasing cost of smoking from excise taxes and price increases, as well as smoke-free indoor air restrictions, have both led to reductions in smok... [More]

Aimee Schiefelbein, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   "I think I want to quit but my parents and all of my friends smoke. I just don't know how I am going to do it because they won't quit." As a Quit Coach, this is something I hear often from teenagers. Furthermore, the teen I am talking with usually has ambivalence about quitting in the first place, as many don't relate to the long-term health impact or have incentive to quit in the first place. A recent study by the University of ... [More]

Janice Milliman, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   What do cereal and tobacco manufacturers have in common? Walking down the grocery store cereal aisle can be a challenge, especially with kids in tow. Brightly colored cereal boxes with toys and other freebies grab their attention. Cereal manufacturers developed creative and effective ways of marketing toward their most important audience: kids. Unfortunately, tobacco manufacturers are using some of the same tactics to lure kids into... [More]

Janice Milliman, Quit Coach, Service Delivery:   The recent death of Patrick Swayze raised much media attention and discussion of a little known and very deadly cancer: pancreatic.  For me, it also brought back bad memories. My good friend, Jim, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2007.  Unfortunately, he did not survive long, and lost his battle 2 months later. I felt such grief and compassion upon learning of Mr. Swayze's death.  I wondered if he suffered the extrem... [More]