Daily Tobacco News

Public Rejects Outright Smoking Ban in Pubs

LONDON, September 1/PRNewswire/ --

- 70% Oppose Total Smoking Ban; Only 5% Consider Ban a Health Priority

The public is in no mood to see smoking outlawed from Britain's pubs,
bars and clubs. Instead, most people support the introduction of restrictions
but they would stop a long way short of an outright ban. These are the
headline findings of a new survey into attitudes to smoking in public places
conducted by Populus for smokers' lobby group FOREST.

This is believed to be the first independent poll that has asked the
public to choose their preferred option for change from the four alternatives
set out in the Department of Health's consultation. None of these
alternatives gained overwhelming support, with less than a third favouring a
total ban and the Government's own proposal emerging as the least favourite:

- 29 percent are in favour of continuing the current voluntary approach,
with employers asked but not forced to make more places smoke-free

- 28 percent opt for an outright ban with no exemptions

- 23 percent want to see powers devolved to local authorities

- 18 percent favour the government's proposal to make all public places
smoke free except for membership clubs and pubs that do not serve food

Simon Clark, director of FOREST, said: "The poll shows there is no
enthusiasm for a total ban on smoking in all public places. While people are
unenthusiastic about the government's proposals, they are even less in favour
of a blanket ban, especially in pubs. This is consistent with all previous
surveys in which people have been offered a choice of smoking and non-smoking
facilities and better ventilation.

"The lack of support for any particular policy suggests that the
government should either leave well alone and concentrate on other more
important issues, or ministers should make sure that legislation defends the
interests of smokers and non-smokers alike.

"Ministers have said that legislation will respect and reflect public
opinion, so it is important that the intense pressure being applied by
unelected, unrepresentative health lobbyists to ban smoking in all public
places does not undermine their resolve. Ministers must not allow themselves
to be bullied."

The results of this latest Populus poll are consistent with five previous
surveys that have tracked the same question about smoking in pubs, clubs and
bars since January 2004. More than two thirds of people believe that smoking
should continue to be allowed to some extent in pubs:

- 46 percent favour mainly non-smoking pubs with smoking areas

- 16 percent favour mainly smoking pubs with non-smoking areas

- 5 percent smoking allowed throughout

- only 32 percent support a complete ban

This same question, when asked by the government's Office for National
Statistics (ONS 2004, published July 2005), produced almost identical
results: a resounding vote against an outright ban and in favour of a middle
way accommodating smokers and non-smokers.

Populus also asked people to imagine they were the government Minister in
charge of health policy and to rank in order of priority for improving public
health six measures that were referred to in the White Paper Choosing Health.

- The top two measures were cracking down on drug trafficking to reduce
the supply of illegal drugs (51 percent) and tackling binge drinking to
reduce yobbish behaviour (21 percent)

- These were considered to be much more important than measures tackling
sexual health (8 percent), road safety (8 percent) and childhood obesity (6
percent)

- Only five percent of the population regard restricting smoking in
public places to reduce the number of people who smoke as the leading public
health priority

Simon Clark added: "Banning public smoking to reduce the number of people
who smoke is low on people's list of priorities. Government should not use
legislation to force people to give up smoking."

The poll also found that:

- 73 percent of Britons feel that pubs should be allowed to offer a
choice of smoking and non-smoking facilities, with everyone free to choose
their preference

- 71 percent believe that owners of business premises should be allowed
to set their own smoking policy, taking into account the preferences of both
employees and customers

- 79 percent think that smokers should be allowed to smoke in some public
places, provided they don't inconvenience non-smokers

- 69 percent oppose the government using the law to force people to quit

Clark said: "Consistent with previous research conducted by both the
government's own researchers and independent pollsters, the British public
have repeatedly said that they want their elected representatives to keep a
sense of perspective when legislating on smoking in public places. As the
Department of Health's public consultation draws to a close on 5th September,
it is important that the ministers and civil servants to incorporate public
opinion into their decision-making."

Notes for Editors

1. Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,170 people across the UK by
telephone between 12 and 14 August 2005. Results have been weighted to be
representative of all adults.

2. 22 percent of the sample smokes daily, 6 percent occasionally. 22
percent are ex-smokers, while 49 percent have never smoked. These rates
accord with smoking prevalence rates for the UK as a whole.

3. Office for National Statistics, Smoking-related Behaviour and
Attitudes, 2004 (published July 2005)

Source: FOREST

For comment, please call Simon Clark on +44-(0)7071-766-537 or +44-(0)7774-781840 or Neil Rafferty on +44-(0)7733-301721. For further information, or to arrange an interview, please call Harry Ronaldson on +44-(0)20-7612-8539 or e-mail: harry.ronaldson@kaizo.net

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American Lung Association Brings Better Indoor Air Quality to Dallas and North Texas

American Lung Association Teams Up With Faber Dewar

DALLAS, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, the American Lung Association(R) Health House(R) program has joined Dallas Home & Garden Show, September 9-11 at Dallas Market Hall, as part of the organization's ongoing efforts to improve indoor air quality.

Visitors to the American Lung Association Health House exhibit can tour a Health House display and learn simple, reliable methods to make the air inside their homes cleaner and healthier. In another first, carpenter and furniture maker Faber Dewar, from TLC's home improvement series Trading Spaces will be at the American Lung Association Health House exhibit to demonstrate inexpensive, practical techniques to improve air quality in any home.

"We invite homeowners to stop by to get their remodeling questions answered by Faber at our exhibit during the Dallas Home & Garden Show," said Steve Klossner, American Lung Association indoor air quality expert. "Faber will also be reminding folks of an important question we tend to forget when building and maintaining our homes, 'How will the choices we make affect the quality of the air inside?' "

Who: Faber Dewar, Trading Spaces' carpenter and furniture maker and
Steve Klossner, American Lung Association indoor air quality
expert.
What: Q and A with homeowners at the American Lung Association's Health
House booth at the Dallas Home & Garden Show. Media welcome.
When: Saturday, September 10, 11AM-Noon and 3PM-4PM
Where: American Lung Association Health House, exhibit space #286 at the
Dallas Home & Garden Show, Dallas Market Hall.
Why: To offer advice on how to improve the quality of the air we
breathe inside our homes.

"Many of us don't realize that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that the air we breathe at home may be two to five times more polluted, and occasionally more than 100 times more polluted, than the air we breathe outdoors," said Klossner. "Since many of us spend as much as 90 percent of our time indoors, this is a critical issue, particularly for the 60 million Americans who live with some form of allergies or asthma."

Exposure to indoor air pollutants -- smoke, dust, pet dander, mold and other pollutants -- can pose serious health risks and can contribute to respiratory disease, asthma and even lung cancer. "The good news," Klossner said, "is that you can significantly reduce, and even eliminate, many causes of indoor air pollution."

The American Lung Association's Health House exhibit at the Dallas Home & Garden Show, September 9-11, at Dallas Market Hall, will show area homeowners how. For more information about the Health House program, call 1-877-521-1491 or visit http://www.healthhouse.org/ .

The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years through programs of education, advocacy and research, and has long been a leader in the clean air movement. The American Lung Association Health House program, a national education program based in Minneapolis, Minnesota is raising the standard for healthier home environments through its national demonstration homes, training programs for consumers and builders, and educational partnerships and alliances. For more information about the American Lung Association's other programs and services, visit http://www.lungusa.org/ .

FACT SHEET

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Dallas Area Homes

The Dallas area is subject to high ozone levels which can impact
resident's health. Outdoor air pollution has an impact on indoor air
quality, since outdoor air gets inside homes through windows, air leaks
and ventilation systems. Approximately 99 percent of the debris in the
air circulating within homes is made up of the tiniest particles that can
bypass people's respiratory system defenses.

-- Control pollution at its sources. Do not allow smoking inside your
home. Test your home for radon, a radioactive gas that is the
second leading cause of lung cancer deaths. If the radon levels are
high, install a radon ventilation system. Check you home's smoke and
carbon monoxide alarms regularly. Replace batteries at least every
six months. If you are allergic to dust mites, slip a mite-barrier
mattress cover and pillow case on your bed and wash your bedding in
very hot water (130 degrees +).

-- Upgrade the air conditioner filter. Ordinary fiberglass filters
were originally developed to protect the home's heating and cooling
systems, not to significantly improve indoor air quality. Select
the highest efficiency filter that works with your furnace. Health
House guidelines require a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)
rating of 10 or higher, and recommends filters that are also
electrostatically charged. Run your air-handling fan continuously
and change the filter according to the manufacturer's instructions,
usually about every three months.

-- Keep humidity below 50% to control mold and dust mites. Humidistat
controlled dehumidifiers can supplement the drying capabilities of
air conditioning systems. Run bathroom and kitchen fans while
bathing and cooking. Sufficient ventilation is critical to keeping
humidity down below 50%. Clean up water spills, fix leaky pipes and
roofs, and dry affected areas immediately. Mold can grow in as
little as 24 hours.

-- Don't run ductwork through vented, unconditioned spaces. Ductwork
can become contaminated as well as draw in contaminated outdoor air.

-- Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to rid your home of pests. IPM
controls pests with the lowest hazard to people, property and the
environment by first reducing sources of food, water and shelter for
pests in homes. Use the least polluting protections against pests,
like physical removal, barriers and traps, before pesticide
treatments. If pesticides are necessary, use spot treatments rather
than area-wide applications.

Source: American Lung Association

CONTACT: Jackie Renner, Communications Consultant, +1-612-859-2626, or
at show, Cindy Johnson, Marketing Communications, +1-612-310-5717, both for
American Lung Association

Web site: http://www.lungusa.org/
http://www.healthhouse.org/

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Blue Cross Stop Smoking Services Experience Spike in Requests

EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Calls to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's BluePrint for Health(R) stop-smoking line increased dramatically after the new cigarette prices took effect on August 1.

BluePrint for Health enrolled 420 people in the first two weeks of August, compared to 254 people in the last two weeks of July -- a 65 percent increase.

"The surge in demand for smoking cessation services is exactly why Blue Cross advocated so strongly for a significant increase in the price of cigarettes," said Dr. Marc Manley, executive director of the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross. "This demonstrates the strong and almost immediate impact that price increases have on helping people beat a powerful addiction. It's a good reminder that this policy is about improving the health of Minnesotans."

The experience of other states shows that a 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes results in a 4 percent decline in smoking rates. Michigan's cessation quit line experienced nearly six times the number of calls after its 75-cent increase went into effect in 2004.

Although a strong correlation exists between the increased cost of cigarettes and the surge in interest for cessation services, other factors likely contributed to the increased interest. Peter Jennings' death earlier this month generated extensive media attention and discussion about the dangers of smoking. The large number of Minnesotans who live in areas with smoke-free restaurants and bars also contributes to an environment that supports people's efforts to quit smoking.

"The events of August demonstrate why it's so important to combat health risks at multiple levels," added Manley. "When good health policies are in place, like tobacco price increases, and messages about the dangers of tobacco use become part of our community understanding, we're able to take significant steps toward improving health."

Minnesota's 75-cent price increase is projected to prevent 54,700 kids from becoming smokers and help 26,300 adults quit smoking. The long-term health care cost savings in state from these declines is estimated at $1.10 billion.

Those who get help in their efforts to quit smoking are four to seven times more likely to be successful than those who try to quit on their own. The BluePrint for Health stop-smoking program is available to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members at no charge and can be accessed at 1.888.662.BLUE (2583). The Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco (MPAAT) also offers QUITPLAN(SM) stop-smoking services, which are available at no charge to all Minnesotans who do not have coverage for cessation services through their health plan. For more information or to enroll in QUITPLAN services, call 1.888.354.PLAN (7526) or visit http://www.quitplan.com/ .

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

CONTACT: Karl Oestreich of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota,
+1-651-662-1502

Web site: http://www.quitplan.com/

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China Joins the Global War on Smoking

BEIJING, Aug. 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- China, the world's largest consumer and producer of tobacco, has ratified an international treaty aimed at curbing tobacco-related diseases and deaths. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was ratified on Sunday by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Chinese state media reported.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )

Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, welcomed the announcement and congratulated China on what he called a landmark decision. ''This is perhaps the clearest indication yet that the world is increasingly committed to addressing the global tobacco epidemic,'' he said.

''Ratification of the FCTC by China could not have come at a better time,'' said Dr Henk Bekedam, the WHO Representative in China. ''This allows China to truly join global and regional efforts to curb smoking. Many lives will be saved, public health will be strengthened, and the economy will benefit as well.''

The Chinese Government estimates that there are 350 million smokers in the country. About 60% of Chinese men and 3% of women smoke. It also appears that the number of children and young female smokers may be increasing significantly.

Tobacco kills 1.2 million Chinese each year. In the mid-1990s, tobacco use cost the Government US$ 6.5 billion annually in health-care costs alone.

More than 75 countries have now ratified the Convention, including other major tobacco-manufacturing countries such as India and Japan. The Convention became international law in February 2005, after the required ratification by 40 countries.

China must now register its ratification with the United Nations in New York before ratification is officially recognized. Ninety days after the ratification is accepted by the United Nations, the Convention becomes binding international law for China.

Among its provisions, the treaty requires China to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship on radio, television, print media and the Internet within five years. It also prohibits tobacco-company sponsorship of international events and activities. Chinese state media reported that China is to ban all tobacco-vending machines, including in self- administered Hong Kong and Macao.

''We know that implementing the Convention will not be easy, as smoking is an ingrained habit in China,'' said Dr Omi. ''But the Government has made clear its commitment to take action. The positive impact of this move will be felt by generations and generations to come.''

Tobacco Fact Sheet

Global

-- Smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of death.

-- Tobacco claims 4.9 million lives a year, and if the present consumption
patterns continue, the number of deaths will increase to 10 million by
the year 2020, 70% of which will occur in developing countries.

-- There are an estimated 1.3 billion smokers and half of them (some 650
million people) are expected to die prematurely of a tobacco-related
disease.

-- At the current rate, the number of smokers will rise from 1.3 billion
today to 1.7 billion by 2025.

Western Pacific Region

-- Tobacco kills more than 3000 people each day in the Region.

-- The Western Pacific has one third of the world's smokers, the highest
percentage of male smokers and the fastest increase of smoking among
children and young women.

-- Smoking is the leading cause of death in Japan, and is responsible for
20% of all cancers.

China

-- About 60% of men and 3% of women smoke. The government has reported
there are about 350 million Chinese smokers.

-- China is the world's leading consumer and producer of tobacco products.

-- The tobacco market is dominated by the China National Tobacco
Corporation (CNTC), which is a government monopoly.

-- CNTC's sales account for one-third of the global market, or about the
same market share as the three largest multinational tobacco companies
combined, but most of its sales are within China.

-- China, the United States of America and India, are the world's largest
tobacco producers.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

-- The Convention, which was negotiated under the auspices of WHO,
provides protection from tobacco for the first time by setting
international standards on tobacco price and tax increases, tobacco
advertising and sponsorship, labelling, illicit trade and second-hand
smoke.

-- The treaty entered into force on 27 February 2005. For countries that
ratify after 30 November 2005, the Convention becomes binding 90 days
after ratification.

-- Countries that sign the treaty will be obliged to ban advertising and
sponsorship promoting tobacco products, forbid sales to minors, force
companies to print larger health warnings on cigarette packs, use
taxation to reduce consumption, and clamp down on smuggling.

-- The WHO FCTC has the potential to save over 10 million lives a year.

For more information, please contact:

Tobacco Free Initiative, Special Focus, Coordinator, Mr Burke Fishburn
Pacific Regional Office in Manila
Tel: +63-2-528-9894
Email: fishburnb@wpro.who.int

Dr Wu Yanwei in Beijing
Tel: +86-10-6532-7189
Email: wuy@chn.wpro.who.int

Photo: NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

Source: World Health Organization

CONTACT: Dr Wu Yanwei of WHO, +86-10-6532-7189 or wuy@chn.wpro.who.int

Web site: http://www.who.int/

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Health Charities Ask Hennepin County Board to Measure Economic Impact of Secondhand Smoke Law on Entire Community, Not Just Bars and Restaurants

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The leaders of three of Minnesota's most prominent health improvement non-profit organizations today urged the Hennepin County Board to add community health impact to its planned review of the County's new secondhand smoke.

Last month, the Hennepin County Board called for a study of the new secondhand smoke law, focusing on changes in restaurant and bar sales since the law went into effect March 31, 2005. In a letter delivered to Hennepin County Board members today, leaders of local chapters of the American Cancer Society (ACS), American Lung Association (ALA), and American Heart Association (AHA) asked that additional economic and public health data be gathered to measure the impacts on the entire community, not just bar and restaurant owners.

The health leaders urged the Board to consider the impact the law will have on other economic issues, such as worker absenteeism and retention, facility maintenance costs, and employee and employer health care costs. They point to a detailed analysis released last week by the national Society of Actuaries (SOA), which found that direct medical costs and indirect costs, such as lost wages and costs related to disabilities, amount to nearly $10 billion every year. The Board study, as originally discussed, would not include any broader economic impacts considered by the Society of Actuaries. A link to the entire SOA report can be found here: http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/areas-of-practice/life- insurance/research/economic-effects-of-environmental-tobacco-smoke-SOA/

"The Board represents all citizens," said Peggy Drenckhahn, executive director of American Lung Association of Minnesota. "Therefore, it only makes sense to consider the costs that all citizens bear from secondhand smoke, not just the costs to bar and restaurant owners."

Beyond economic impacts, the health leaders also urged Board members to consider health impacts of the protections. Specifically, the letter urged Commissioners to consider three health-related questions: 1) Has the law successfully removed lethal toxins and carcinogens from Hennepin County restaurants and bars? 2) What will be the long- and short-term public preventative health impacts of removing these pollutants from restaurants and bars? 3) If the law is rolled back, what will be the health impact on people who have heart diseases, asthma, bronchitis, or are pregnant?

"When this issue was originally debated, health improvement was the primary reason our leaders gave for their support," said Shannon Guernsey, advocacy manager, American Cancer Society, Midwest Division. "That issue is every bit as important today as it was the day the original vote was taken, and this analysis need to reflect that fact."

The letter comes as Hennepin County staff are in the process of designing the analysis that will ultimately be presented to the Board. It is not yet known when the study will be presented to the Board.

"To make balanced decisions, the Board needs balanced information," said Peter Ries, vice president, Twin Cities Metro American Heart Association. "If the study only includes bar and restaurant sales, it effectively says they are more important than the general public. We want the Board to consider all of the impacts of the law, not just one."

AHA, ALA and ACS are part of a broad coalition of community organizations supporting secondhand smoke protections in Minnesota. The coalition is backed by 73 percent of Hennepin County residents who, according to a recent survey conducted by the Melman Group, favor the ordinance.

Source: American Lung Association of Minnesota

CONTACT: Robert Moffitt of ALAMN, +1-651-269-7561

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China's Top Legislature Ratifies Global Tobacco Treaty

Advocates Claim Major Victory as Largest Tobacco Market in the World Deals Blow to Giant Tobacco Corporations

BOSTON, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- China's top legislature has ratified the global tobacco treaty -- formally known as the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Once China's ratification is complete, 65% of the world's population will live in states that have ratified the global tobacco treaty. Health and corporate accountability advocates say China's ratification of the global tobacco treaty will be a major step forward for the first global health treaty. China is expected to finalize ratification by November, the deadline to participate in the treaty's first enforcement meeting early next year.

"Giant tobacco corporations have identified China as a major expansion market. China's ratification of the global tobacco treaty sends a strong message to Philip Morris/Altria and other transnational tobacco corporations -- it is no longer business as usual for Big Tobacco," says Corporate Accountability International Executive Director Kathryn Mulvey. "This treaty will save millions of lives, in China and around the world. We are counting on China to follow through with its commitments by implementing and enforcing strong national policies to protect current and future generations from tobacco addiction."

The global tobacco treaty bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, including the tobacco industry's most effective and deadly icons like the Marlboro Man. In a country with over 320 million smokers and one- fourth of the world's tobacco-related deaths each year, ratification will be a major victory for public health and a major blow to the tobacco industry. The treaty also protects health policy from tobacco industry interference.

News of China's ratification comes two weeks before the release of Corporate Accountability International's Global Tobacco Treaty Action Guide: Protecting Health Policies from International Tobacco Industry Interference. The Action Guide is designed to support NGOs and government officials in countries where corporations like Philip Morris/Altria are trying to derail the ratification or implementation of the tobacco treaty. Next week, Corporate Accountability International also plans to release a report detailing political interference by Philip Morris/Altria and British American Tobacco (BAT) around the world.

China, like the US, opposed some of the global tobacco treaty's most important measures during the negotiating process. "China's ratification is a major step forward -- indicating that the world's largest country is ready to be bound by this groundbreaking public health and corporate accountability instrument. Now it is time for the US to act. We are calling on our government to get aboard this fast-moving train, to ratify this treaty and protect people's lives," says Mulvey.

The Bush Administration signed the global tobacco treaty in May 2004, but has not yet submitted it to the US Senate for ratification. The US has a long history of signing but not ratifying important international humanitarian agreements.

Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations -- like Nestle, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria -- to stop abusive actions. Corporate Accountability International, an NGO in Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), played a key role in development of the global tobacco treaty -- formally known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals (NATT) includes more than 100 NGOs from over 50 countries working for a strong, enforceable global tobacco treaty. For more information visit http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/.

Source: Corporate Accountability International

CONTACT: Bryan Hirsch of Corporate Accountability International, +1-617-
695-2525; or David Lerner of Riptide Communications, +1-212-260-5000

Web site: http://www.stopcorporateabuse.org/

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CAER Receives $100,000 Grant from Virginia Tobacco Commission

LYNCHBURG, Va., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) received a major boost towards its efforts to bring innovative ideas to Region 2000 businesses. (Region 2000 consists of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties and the cities of Bedford and Lynchburg.) It was approved for a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission at their board meeting last week. Representative Kathy Byron provided key support for the CAER's request to the Commission's Special Projects committee.

The funds will be used over the next year to establish the CAER organization and plan its research facilities, for reactivation and launch of a wireless test and research site, further development of partnerships with local businesses, Virginia Tech, and other Virginia research universities, and identification and pursuit of federal R&D funding opportunities for applied research initiatives.

The CAER was organized in late 2004 through the efforts of the Region 2000 Technology Council and the Region 2000 Economic development partnership. Seed funding was provided by the Region 2000 Regional Commission.

The CAER's mission is to foster the growth of high potential industry in the region by assisting them in adopting innovative technology from Virginia's leading research universities and federal labs.

CONTACT: Bill Guzek, Project Director of CAER, +1-434-847-1447, or bguzek@caer.us

Source: Center for Advanced Engineering and Research

CONTACT: Bill Guzek, Project Director of CAER, +1-434-847-1447, or
bguzek@caer.us

Web site: http://www.r2ktech.org/

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UST Participation In Prudential Conference Available Via Web

GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UST Inc. (NYSE:UST) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vincent A. Gierer Jr. and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company President Murray S. Kessler will present at the Prudential Equity Group Consumer Conference Sept. 8, 2005 at 11:15 a.m. The audio portion of the presentation will be webcast live at http://www.ustinc.com/. The webcast will be archived for 60 days.

UST Inc. is a holding company for its principal subsidiaries: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and International Wine & Spirits Ltd. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is the leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products including Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal and Husky. International Wine & Spirits Ltd. produces and markets premium wines sold nationally through the Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Conn Creek and Villa Mt. Eden wineries, as well as sparkling wine produced under the Domaine Ste. Michelle label.

Source: UST Inc.

CONTACT: Media: Michael G. Bazinet, +1-203-622-3549, or Investors: Mark
A. Rozelle, +1-203-622-3520, both of UST Inc.

Web site: http://www.ustinc.com/

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Alliance One Announces Quarterly Dividend

DANVILLE, Va., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of Alliance One International, Inc. (NYSE:AOI), at its meeting held August 25, 2005, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share. The dividend will be payable September 23, 2005, to shareholders of record on September 9, 2005.

Brian J. Harker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are making excellent progress with the company's global integration and now anticipate the related annual cost savings to significantly exceed our earlier estimate of $60 million. We are fully committed to the long term goals of building a stronger company and reducing debt. However, the immediate cash costs of integrating our operations, now combined with the adverse market conditions we are facing in Brazil, led the Board to conclude that it is prudent to reduce our dividend at this time."

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Alliance One's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from current expectations and projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward- looking statements: changes in the timing of anticipated shipments, changes in anticipated geographic product sourcing, political instability in sourcing locations, our ability to implement cost savings initiatives, currency and interest rate fluctuations, shifts in the global supply and demand position for tobacco products, and the impact of regulation and litigation on Alliance One's customers. Additional factors that could cause Alliance One's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Alliance One's (previously DIMON Incorporated) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") which are available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov/).

Alliance One International, Inc. is a leading independent leaf tobacco merchant. For more information on Alliance One, visit the Company's website at http://www.aointl.com/.

Source: Alliance One International, Inc.

CONTACT: Ritchie L. Bond of Alliance One International, Inc.,
+1-434-791-6952

Web site: http://www.aointl.com/

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Illinois: Mural Art Steers Away from the Streets and Towards the Gallery for Charity

Five Mural Artists join GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) Nicotine Gum to Raise Awareness About the Dangers of Smoking - Voting in National Art Competition Begins Today

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- "Graffiti" or mural art has long been known for its presence on city streets, but recently the creative minds behind the graffiti have begun to look more towards the mainstream art world.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW099 )

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, marketers of Nicorette(R) nicotine gum, has enlisted professional commercial mural artists in five neighborhoods to help spread quit-smoking messages to African-American communities with a program called MyCityMyArt.

"The MyCityMyArt program delivers the kind of positive, pro-health activity and message we want to be spreading to African-American youth," said Rev. Jesse W. Brown, Jr., executive director of the National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery. "Unfortunately, the inner city is still an important marketplace for cigarette manufacturers, as they must constantly find new users for their products."

Each artist created a quit-smoking themed mural to be entered into a nation-wide competition. The murals from the five cities: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, are posted online at http://www.mycitymyart.com/ for the public to view and vote for their favorite mural.

Not only have these artists agreed to help GSK Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) nicotine gum in spreading its quit-smoking message, but they have teamed up with children's charities in each city to give lessons in mural art.

Each artist helped lead an art class with children from the charities to enlist them to create their own creative quit-smoking themed art. Mural designs created by the children are posted on the Web site, and GSK Consumer Healthcare has donated $7,500 to support each charity's art education programs.

"Urban murals have previously been used by the tobacco industry to market their products, so we think it's about time we used this vehicle to help the community;" said GSK Consumer Healthcare's Vice-President, Smoking Control, Bill Slivka. "MyCityMyArt is part of our commitment to helping people tap into their inner strength to quit smoking. For many quitters, quitting is a process measured by the little things that help end their relationship with cigarettes. One of these murals or an email with a child's design may inspire a smoker to think about quitting."

Research has shown that African-Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease from smoking, with smoking being the leading cause of death among African-Americans. According to the 1998 U.S. Surgeon General Report, African Americans are 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than Caucasian men.

MyCityMyArt aims to help educate the community and smokers about being prepared for the challenges of quitting smoking. Many quitters are not aware that success is much more likely when the person quitting seeks support and uses clinically proven products such as Nicorette(R) nicotine gum. GlaxoSmithKline's quit-smoking products and their related Web sites have a wealth of information about quitting smoking for adults. The art lessons also included information for the children about the risks of smoking and what they can do to keep from starting the deadly habit.

The five professional murals can be viewed online and judged by the public at http://www.mycitymyart.com/, starting August 22. The same Web site features galleries of the children's art and includes options to send your favorite mural designs to friends and family.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) and Commit(R), as well as many medicine cabinet staples, Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R) and Tums(R). GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare continues to develop innovative products to help all smokers find their best support system and achieve their goal of being cigarette free.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW099
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN15
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

CONTACT: Jennifer May of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare,
+1-412-200-3729, Jennifer.l.may@gsk.com; or Rhys Ryan of Porter Novelli,
+1-917-709-9326, rhys.ryan@porternovelli.com, for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare

Web site: http://www.mycitymyart.com/

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Profile: 60

Pennsylvania: Mural Art Steers Away From the Streets and Towards the Gallery for Charity

Five Mural Artists join GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) Nicotine Gum to Raise Awareness About the Dangers of Smoking - Voting in National Art Competition Begins Today

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- "Graffiti" or mural art has long been known for its presence on city streets, but recently the creative minds behind the graffiti have begun to look more towards the mainstream art world.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW101 )

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, marketers of Nicorette(R) nicotine gum, has enlisted professional commercial mural artists in five neighborhoods to help spread quit-smoking messages to African-American communities with a program called MyCityMyArt.

"The MyCityMyArt program delivers the kind of positive, pro-health activity and message we want to be spreading to African-American youth," said Rev. Jesse W. Brown, Jr., executive director of the National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery. "Unfortunately, the inner city is still an important marketplace for cigarette manufacturers, as they must constantly find new users for their products."

Each artist created a quit-smoking themed mural to be entered into a nation-wide competition. The murals from the five cities: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, are posted online at www.mycitymyart.com for the public to view and vote for their favorite mural.

Not only have these artists agreed to help GSK Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) nicotine gum in spreading its quit-smoking message, but they have teamed up with children's charities in each city to give lessons in mural art.

Each artist helped lead an art class with children from the charities to enlist them to create their own creative quit-smoking themed art. Mural designs created by the children are posted on the Web site, and GSK Consumer Healthcare has donated $7,500 to support each charity's art education programs.

"Urban murals have previously been used by the tobacco industry to market their products, so we think it's about time we used this vehicle to help the community;" said GSK Consumer Healthcare's Vice-President, Smoking Control, Bill Slivka. "MyCityMyArt is part of our commitment to helping people tap into their inner strength to quit smoking. For many quitters, quitting is a process measured by the little things that help end their relationship with cigarettes. One of these murals or an email with a child's design may inspire a smoker to think about quitting."

Research has shown that African-Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease from smoking, with smoking being the leading cause of death among African-Americans. According to the 1998 U.S. Surgeon General Report, African Americans are 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than Caucasian men.

MyCityMyArt aims to help educate the community and smokers about being prepared for the challenges of quitting smoking. Many quitters are not aware that success is much more likely when the person quitting seeks support and uses clinically proven products such as Nicorette(R) nicotine gum. GlaxoSmithKline's quit-smoking products and their related Web sites have a wealth of information about quitting smoking for adults. The art lessons also included information for the children about the risks of smoking and what they can do to keep from starting the deadly habit.

The five professional murals can be viewed online and judged by the public at www.mycitymyart.com, starting August 22. The same Web site features galleries of the children's art and includes options to send your favorite mural designs to friends and family.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over- the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well- known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) and Commit(R), as well as many medicine cabinet staples, Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R) and Tums(R). GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare continues to develop innovative products to help all smokers find their best support system and achieve their goal of being cigarette free.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW101
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN14
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

CONTACT: Rhys Ryan, Porter Novelli, +1-917-709-9326,
rhys.ryan@porternovelli.com; Jennifer May, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare, +1-412-200-3729, Jennifer.l.may@gsk.com

Web site: http://www.mycitymyart.com/

-------
Profile: 60

California: Mural Art Steers Away from The Streets and Towards The Gallery for Charity

Five Mural Artists join GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) Nicotine Gum to Raise Awareness About the Dangers of Smoking - Voting in National Art Competition Begins Today

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- "Graffiti" or mural art has long been known for its presence on city streets, but recently the creative minds behind the graffiti have begun to look more towards the mainstream art world.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW100 )

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, marketers of Nicorette(R) nicotine gum, has enlisted professional commercial mural artists in five neighborhoods to help spread quit-smoking messages to African-American communities with a program called MyCityMyArt.

"The MyCityMyArt program delivers the kind of positive, pro-health activity and message we want to be spreading to African-American youth," said Rev. Jesse W. Brown, Jr., executive director of the National Association of African Americans for Positive Imagery. "Unfortunately, the inner city is still an important marketplace for cigarette manufacturers, as they must constantly find new users for their products."

Each artist created a quit-smoking themed mural to be entered into a nation-wide competition. The murals from the five cities: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, are posted online at http://www.mycitymyart.com/ for the public to view and vote for their favorite mural.

Not only have these artists agreed to help GSK Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) nicotine gum in spreading its quit-smoking message, but they have teamed up with children's charities in each city to give lessons in mural art.

Each artist helped lead an art class with children from the charities to enlist them to create their own creative quit-smoking themed art. Mural designs created by the children are posted on the Web site, and GSK Consumer Healthcare has donated $7,500 to support each charity's art education programs.

"Urban murals have previously been used by the tobacco industry to market their products, so we think it's about time we used this vehicle to help the community," said GSK Consumer Healthcare's Vice-President, Smoking Control, Bill Slivka. "MyCityMyArt is part of our commitment to helping people tap into their inner strength to quit smoking. For many quitters, quitting is a process measured by the little things that help end their relationship with cigarettes. One of these murals or an email with a child's design may inspire a smoker to think about quitting."

Research has shown that African-Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease from smoking, with smoking being the leading cause of death among African-Americans. According to the 1998 U.S. Surgeon General Report, African Americans are 50 percent more likely to develop lung cancer than Caucasian men.

MyCityMyArt aims to help educate the community and smokers about being prepared for the challenges of quitting smoking. Many quitters are not aware that success is much more likely when the person quitting seeks support and uses clinically proven products such as Nicorette(R) nicotine gum. GlaxoSmithKline's quit-smoking products and their related Web sites have a wealth of information about quitting smoking for adults. The art lessons also included information for the children about the risks of smoking and what they can do to keep from starting the deadly habit.

The five professional murals can be viewed online and judged by the public at http://www.mycitymyart.com/, starting August 22. The same Web site features galleries of the children's art and includes options to send your favorite mural designs to friends and family.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) and Commit(R), as well as many medicine cabinet staples, Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R) and Tums(R). GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare continues to develop innovative products to help all smokers find their best support system and achieve their goal of being cigarette free.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW100
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN13
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

CONTACT: Rhys Ryan, Porter Novelli, +1-917-709-9326,
rhys.ryan@porternovelli.com; or Jennifer May, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare, +1-412-200-3729, Jennifer.l.may@gsk.com

Web site: http://www.mycitymyart.com/

-------
Profile: 60

Georgia: Mural Art Steers Away From the Streets and Towards the Gallery for Charity

Five Mural Artists join GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare and Nicorette(R) Nicotine Gum to Raise Awareness About the Dangers of Smoking - Voting in National Art Competition Begins Today

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- "Graffiti" or mural art has long been known for its presence on city streets, but recently the creative minds behind the graffiti have begun to look more towards the mainstream art world.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050824/NYW097 )