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The effect of state cigarette tax increases on cigarette sales, 1955 to 1988.

We evaluated the effect of state cigarette tax increases on cigarette sales in the 50 states for the years 1955 to 1988. State cigarette tax increases were associated with an average decline in cigarette consumption of three cigarette packs per capita (about 2.4%). Larger tax increases were associated with larger declines in consumption. Raising state cigarette taxes appears to be an effective public health intervention that can reduce cigarette consumption and its associated health consequences.

Fish Consumption Patterns and Blood Mercury Levels in Wisconsin Chippewa Indians

Methylmercury is a known neurotoxin at high blood levels (> 400 micrograms/l) and is thought to cause neurologic symptoms at substantially lower levels in susceptible adults and infants. Given that levels of methylmercury in fish in northern Wisconsin lakes can be high (> 1 ppm, FDA standard) and Chippewa Indians take large amounts of fish from these lakes, the extent of their exposure to methylmercury was investigated. Using tribal-maintained registries, 465 Chippewa adults living on reservation were selected randomly and were invited to participate; 175 (38%) participated in the study. In an effort to characterize nonrespondents, 75 nonrespondents were selected randomly and were followed up aggressively. An additional 152 volunteers who were selected nonrandomly also participated in the study. Subjects completed a questionnaire about fish consumption patterns and had blood drawn for mercury determination. Sixty-four persons (20%) had blood mercury levels in excess of 5 micrograms/l (i.e., upper limit of normal in nonexposed populations); the highest level found was 33 micrograms/l. Fish consumption was higher in males and the unemployed. Blood mercury levels were highly associated with recent walleye consumption (p = .001). Methylmercury levels in some Wisconsin Chippewa were found to be elevated, but were below the levels associated with adverse health effects. We recommend a continuation of efforts to limit exposures in this high-risk population.

Impact of a smoke-free policy on prisoners in Wisconsin, United States

Correspondence to : Dr G Pezzino, Wisconsin Division of Health, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53703-3041, USA. Abstract Objective -To assess the impact of re strictive smoking policies in prisons on prisoners9 smoking attitudes and beha viours. Design A prospective observational study was carried out in a smoke-free prison and in a prison where smoking was allowed. Prisoners completed a question naire at the time of release. Smokers who declared that they would not smoke after leaving prison were followed up by tele phone or letter 2-4 weeks later. Subjects-31 ? prisoners leaving the smoke-free prison and 289 leaving the comparison prison after a stay of three or more days. Main outcome measure The likelihood that smokers leaving each prison were contemplating (planning or considering) to stop smoking. Among those contem plating stopping smoking, self reported smoking status was ascertained 2-4 weeks after release. Results Smokers leaving the smoke free prison were about three times more likely than their counterparts in the comparison prison to contemplate stopping smoking (21% 7%, < 0 001). Adjustment of the data for potential confounders did not change the results. Over 80 % of those from both prisons who were contemplating stopping continued to smoke or resumed smoking within two weeks of release. Conclusions Smokers leaving a smoke free prison seem to have a higher desire to stop smoking. This may provide an opportunity to target these often hard to-reach smokers with smoking cessation programmes and may increase the like lihood of success in their future attempts to stop smoking. Without support, most of these people will never try to stop smoking or will soon resume smoking.