Cigarettes and tobacco blog.

THE HEART Foundation is one of the leading advocates of banning smoking in all public outdoor areas. Foundation cardiovascular health director Julie-Anne Mitchell said secondhand smoke could have serious effects on the health of non-smokers. "The evidence shows that exposure to secondhand smoke in some outdoor areas is almost as risky as exposure in enclosed indoor areas," she said. "The Heart Foundation advocates for smoking-free areas in places such as playgrounds, sporting fields, shopping centres and outdoor dining areas.

There are numerous benefits to banning smoking in outdoor areas, particularly for children. "It demonstrates that the majority of the public expect to be able to go outdoors and enjoy outdoor living without secondhand smoke; it reduces litter (from cigarette butts) and for people who are trying to quit, it strengthens their resolve." Blacktown Council has banned smoking in children's playgrounds but does not have bans in place at sports fields, outdoor dining areas, parks or its pools. Ms Mitchell said if the council strengthened its no-smoking policy to include those areas, it would be a step towards helping the population improve its health. Blacktown councillor and Cancer Council regional chairwoman Kathie Collins said she "absolutely" supported widening the council's no-smoking areas. "I will be looking at that very closely this year. Other councils are on their way to introducing no smoking in all their areas. "Blacktown's health figures are simply the worst and that hasn't changed since the '80s. If we can reduce smoking and obesity we will be a healthier society."

A report has revealed that English TV personality Simon Cowell has been taking medical help to leave the smoking habit. Initially it seemed to be untrue as Cowell, 52, is self confessed lover of cigarettes and finds solace after having it. However, the news is true, confirmed his family members. They told that Cowell has been into smoking since he was eight years old and now his smoking habit has gone so far that he smokes 15 cigarettes a day. It was the right time for him to try and leave the habit, said Simon’s mother.

She with other family members influenced him to leave the habit as they have hereditary lung cancer problem and they did not want Cowell to be the next in the list. Cowell made it a New Year resolution to leave smoking. He is currently taking the medical help from top doctors in Chelsa, London. It is reported that his smoking treatment also includes hypnotism which would help him to get from 15 a day habit. His family told that whenever they used to ask Cowell to leave smoking. He used to give explanation that he remains quite stressed due to work and it makes him busy.

His mother did not deny that he remains occupied with his work, but also made him clear that work is no excuse to smoke. So, he has to leave smoking keeping his family medical conditions in mind. One of the family insiders told, “Simon’s mother and some of his closest friends have been nagging him for some time about trying to stop smoking. His grandfather Robert was a heavy smoker who died of lung cancer. His father suffered a heart attack”. For now, Simon is not having any health issue, but with age and amount of work stress he takes would surely affect him, said Simon’s mother.

A curious development took place today. Rather a subtle one. But when it comes to watching central banks, the subtleties are often worth noting. I’m assuming all readers know that the head of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is out. The question is, “What’s next?” Strangely enough the answer is, “Nothing”. I wrote the other day that Thomas Jordan would be appointed as the next head of the SNB. Wrong. Jordan was made “Acting” head of the SNB. At first I thought this was just a formality and that Jordan would soon get the final approval. After all, he was the logical candidate, and someone has to run the place, right? He has the credentials.

He appears to have been a significant factor in setting policy. He knows where the bathroom is, and knows who does what at the SNB (he’s been there 15 years). However, I learned today that Mr. J is not the shoe-in I thought he was. The new Swiss Federal President, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, said this: "It could take several weeks and potentially months before the cabinet appoints a successor for Philipp Hildebrand." Months? Did she really say months? Does she not understand that the markets hate uncertainty? That there is a fair bit at stake here? She does not offer a reason for the long delay, but continued: “The Federal Council had no legal duty of supervision.

The National Bank is independent.” By this she means that the political side of the equation has nothing to say about the activities of the SNB. That’s true, but then why should it take a period of months before the leadership at the SNB is re-established? In odd twist, Ms. Widmer-Schlumpf also happens to be the Swiss Finance Minister (go figure). One can safely assume that she understands the risks associated with a delay. By itself, it causes uncertainty. This elevates the risk of a market test of the 1.2 peg. That risk could be avoided with a rapid appointment of Jordan and a reaffirmation of the independence of the SNB. So why is she taking the risk?

The answer is that there is opposition to the continuation of the independent status of the SNB. Widmer-Schlumpf can’t do what she wants to because of that opposition. What the hell does that mean? A few thoughts: What appears to be coming up for discussion in Switzerland is the independence of the central bank. Who does it report to? Who controls it? What are its powers? What checks are there in the system? These are very weighty questions. It’s understandable that this could take months. While Mr. Jordan may ultimately get the nod and become the true boss at the SNB, it's likely that the SNB will be be subject to new rules and oversight when he finally does gets that title.