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EDUCATION AND DEBATE: Joshua Carlyle, Jeff Collin, Monique E Muggli, and Richard D Hurt British American Tobacco and Formula One motor racing BMJ 2004; 329: 104-106 [Full text]

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Japan Tobacco Inc. and motor sports

Hiroshi Kawane, 1-2 Ajinadai-higashi, Hatsukaichi City, 738-0052, Japan   (12 July 2004)

F1 also encourages cessation of smoking.

Brian P Gardner   (18 July 2004)

Doctors must advocate for prohibition of tobacco advertising in the community

Joey Q N Le, Jo-Hua Chen   (26 July 2004)

Japan Tobacco Inc. and motor sports 12 July 2004
Hiroshi Kawane, professor The Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima College of Nursing, 1-2 Ajinadai-higashi, Hatsukaichi City, 738-0052, Japan Send response to journal: Re: Japan Tobacco Inc. and motor sports	Tobacco sponsorship of motor sports is an efficient way to reach boys and young men[1]. Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT), the world's third largest tobacco producer, had been advertising Mild Seven (one of JT's best- selling brands) in Formula One. Now they found another way to promote smoking. JT has made a couple of mobile home-style trailers named "SmoCar" [2]. They say smokers can enjoy a smoke in these special trailers even if smoking is not allowed in public places. "SmoCar 2" traveled to event locations throughout Japan, such as the classic-car race event in Gunma prefecture and "The 37th Tokyo Motor Show 2003 �\ Passenger Cars & Motorcycles" in Chiba prefecture last year[3]. JT claims that "SmoCar" has been developed as part of the company's initiative for increased co- existence between smokers and nonsmokers in public spaces. I think second- hand smoke combined with exhaust gas from "SmoCar" become a hazard to health of nonsmokers around the car[4]. Hiroshi Kawane The Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima College of Nursing References [1]Carlyle J, Collin J, Muggli ME, Hurt RD. British American Tobacco and Formula One motor racing. BMJ 2004;329:104-106.(10 July) [2]Japan Tobacco Inc. "SmoCar." http://www.jti.co.jp/JTI/tobacco/smocar/index.html(accessed 12 July 2004) [3]Japan Tobacco Inc. JT launches second mobile smoking space "SmoCar 2." http://www.jti.co.jp/JTI_E/Release/03/no23.html(accessed 12 July 2004) [4]Kawane H. Slow progress on convention. http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/328/7450/1220(accessed 12 July 2004) Competing interests: None declared
F1 also encourages cessation of smoking. 18 July 2004
Brian P Gardner, Consultant Surgeon in Spinal Cord Injuries Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 8AL Send response to journal: Re: F1 also encourages cessation of smoking.	The BMW Williams F1 Team promotes smoking cessation. The logo of NiQuitin CQ is prominently displayed at the side of the cockpit. Smoking cessation at any age confers considerable benefit. Doll et al showed gains of 3, 6, 9 and 10 years of life when smoking ceases at age 60, 50, 40 and 30 respectively (1). 28% of men and 25% of women in England smoke (2). The Williams Team has been at the forefront of F1 innovation since 1980, a dominance reflected by their achievement of 9 of the 23 constructors titles since that time. Their innovative stance in turning from seeking sponsorship by tobacco companies to obtaining it from those seeking to reduce smoking should be recognised and applauded as by doing so it might persuade other F1 teams to follow their lead. Reference 1 Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J, Sutherland I. BMJ 2004: 328:1519-33 Reference 2 Statistics on smoking: England, 2003. Statistical Bulletin 2003/21 November 2003. Competing interests: None declared
Doctors must advocate for prohibition of tobacco advertising in the community 26 July 2004
Joey Q N Le, Medical Student, Med IV Macarthur Ambulatory Care Service, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, NSW Australia, 2560, Jo-Hua Chen Send response to journal: Re: Doctors must advocate for prohibition of tobacco advertising in the community	Sir, In light of reports of alarming numbers of tobacco related deaths in developing countries [1,2], it is clear that as medical professionals, we must be advocates for the prohibition of tobacco advertising and cessation of tobacco usage. While many western countries are in phase three or four of the tobacco epidemic [3], maintaining the falling uptake of smoking by young men is very important [4]. Conversely, in developing countries in phases one and two of the tobacco epidemic, prevention of smoking uptake in young men should be a priority if we are to avoid an epidemic of smoking related disease [5]. Since young people "males in particular" are most likely to commence smoking [6], and that tobacco sponsorship of motor sports remains an efficient way of reaching boys and young men [7], it is imperative that the prohibition of tobacco sponsorship and advertising in sport is a priority. Given the global coverage of Formula One, prohibition of tobacco sponsorship of all teams and at all races would be an ideal situation, an area of policy that the Federation Internationale De L'Automobile (F1's governing body) is in the process of implementing by 2006 [8]. It is in keeping with their existing statements on sustainable energy, climate change, and road safety/accident prevention9 as a matter of global social responsibility. In Formula One, 13 of 18 races in 2004 races occur in Western countries. Some governments of host nations have already prohibited the advertising of tobacco (such as Canada and Belgium) during motor races, while others have not. Governments of countries in the latter half of the tobacco epidemic are well placed to lead the way in prohibition of advertising and should implement bans across all forms of motor sport. As health care professionals, we are uniquely placed as both advocates to our patients and advocates to our governments. The more people we support to quit smoking, the greater the acceptance of smoking diminishes in the broader community. -- References 1. Dobson R. Annual tobacco deaths in poor countries to reach 7 million by 2030. BMJ 2004;329:71 2. Asma S, Mensah GA, Warren CW. Henson R. Tobacco use and the cardiovascular disease epidemic in developing countries: global crises and opportunity in the making. Ethnicity & Disease. 2003;13(2 Suppl 2):S81 -7. 3. Lopez AD, Collishaw NE, Phia T. A descriptive model of the cigarette epidemic in developed countries. Tobacco Control. 1994; 3; 242- 247. 4. Charlton A. Changing patterns of cigarette smoking among teenagers and young adults. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 2001 Sep. 2(3):214-21. 5. Tamim H, Musharrafieh U, Almawi WY. Smoking among adolescents in a developing country.Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2001 Apr. 25(2):185-6. 6. Carlton A, While D, Kelly S. Boys' smoking and cigarette-brand- sponsored motor racing. The Lancet. 1779;350(9089) 15. 7. Carlyle J, Collin J, Muggli ME, Hurt RD. British American Tobacco and Formula One motor racing. BMJ. 2004; 329: 104-106. 8. FIA Official Press Release The 2003 Belgian Grand Prix http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2002/291002- 01.html 9. FIA Mobility http://www.fia.com/mobility/Policy Competing interests: None declared