Tobacco smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disease in Australia. It accounts for approximately 15,500 deaths each year and losses to the Australian economy of $31.5billion a year.

The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2013 is: Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. The ultimate goal for the day is to contribute to protect present and future generations not only from the devastating health consequences, but also against social, environmental and economic scourges of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Evidence shows that comprehensive advertising bans lead to reductions in the number of people starting and continuing to smoke. Statistics show that banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce tobacco demand.

Even though smokers are much better informed today about the health effects of smoking – many continue to ignore the risks with around 2.8 million Australians still smoking daily.

Smoking and exposure to smoke (passive smoking) can damage your lungs, and stop them from working properly.

People with asthma who smoke have more frequent asthma attacks, have more severe asthma, and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. The type of inflammation in the airways that is caused by smoking means they don’t respond as well to preventer medication, and so need higher doses to control their asthma.

But Asthma Australia warns that it is not only smokers with or without asthma that are affected.

Children with asthma who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to have poor asthma control and more likely to need admission to hospital.

World No Tobacco Day is an annual event where smokers across the globe are encouraged to quit smoking and to stay quit.

Quitting is difficult, and most people make several attempts before they quit for good. It is usually easier with the right support and information, which can be available from your local Asthma Foundation, doctor, pharmacist, or QUIT on 131 848, or visit quit.org.au

In partnership with QUIT, Asthma Australia has launched an Asthma and Smoking resource which is now available through the Asthma Australia website.

Asthma Foundation health educators across each state and territory can be contacted on 1800 ASTHMA. 

Sources – World Health Organisation – www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2013/en/index.html

This issue provides a summary and report of the 2013 National Asthma Conference in Canberra as well as an interesting article titled Changing the healthcare system. 

View the latest issue here.

• Current asthma research, management and policy
• Innovation and excellence in asthma community care and self management
• Work being undertaken by Asthma UK and the potential for partnership and global activity

Asthma Australia has published a post conference communique which can be accessed by clicking here.

Yet research continues to probe the cause of the cough, sneeze and runny nose in the hope of shortening the length and severity of this most common of winter ailments.

The impact of asthma

[People with asthma] aren’t necessarily more prone to colds, but their asthma tends to make cold symptoms worse. Dr Alan Hampson, chair of the Influenza Specialist Group, says: “There’s evidence that [people with asthma], particularly those with certain types of asthma, are more susceptible to respiratory infections with viruses including the flu and common cold.”

Professor John Upham, director of the Lung and Allergy Research Centre at The University of Queensland, is part of a team researching the immune system in asthmatics with a weakened immunity to many viruses, including the common cold.

He says the latest research reveals white blood cells in people with asthma make less of special virus-fighting proteins called cytokines. “This goes part way to understanding why some people with asthma become so unwell after minor virus infections,” he says. “A relatively innocuous virus can make a person with asthma so sick that they spend time in hospital.”

Read the whole article on news.com.au

Images of The Asthma Foundation WA’s hot air balloon flying high over Perth were a pretty sight for motorists heading to work this morning.

But its launch on World Asthma Day was a timely reminder that asthma sufferers cannot be complacent about their condition.

Read the rest of the article and see the photos here:

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/high-time-to-control-asthma/story-fnhocxo3-1226636784217

Further to this post, Asthma Australia’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee would like to add the following:

Monteleukast (Singulair) is a highly effective and usually very safe preventer medication for children with asthma.

The Therapeutic Drugs Administration – the Commonwealth body responsible for regulating medicines in Australia – has reminded doctors prescribing this medication that a very small percentage of children taking this tablet may become emotionally unstable sometimes with depression and thoughts of suicide. Other uncommon side effects which are rarely noted include sleep disturbance, hallucinations and tremor (shaking). These effects are reversible once the medication is ceased.

Doctors should make parents aware of these issues in a discussion about whether the drug should be prescribed. All medication for asthma has potential side effects and Asthma Australia advises parents whose children are starting any treatment to be aware of possible problems and to discuss these with their doctors.

Again it is important to stress that the vast majority of children taking this drug will have no issues. Asthma medication in appropriate doses is generally very safe and and small risks are outweighed by the improvement in quality of life that occurs with control of the child’s asthma.

For more information about asthma, contact your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)

Asthma Australia’s position on the media reports is:

Singulair is a very safe drug and is excellent for controlling asthma and allergic rhinitis in some children. Like all drugs, it does have potential side effects and these have to be weighed up against potential benefits. It would be important that health practitioners inform parents about the possibility of behavioural side effects and that if they occur the drug needs to be stopped.

If you have concerns, the best advice is to speak with your doctor regarding asthma, your medications and side effects.

For more information about asthma, contact your local Asthma Foundation: 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)

If you need crisis support call Lifeline 13 11 14 now (24 hour Telephone Crisis Support)

If life is in immediate danger call 000

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

To read the media article click HERE

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by a virus and mainly spreads from person to person through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking, and by touching a person’s hands, surface or object.

The flu virus infects your respiratory system such as the nose, throat and sometimes your lungs. It differs from a cold as symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle aches develop suddenly and last about a week. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can cause complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis which require hospitalisation. Sometimes these complications can lead to death.

Flu can also make some underlying medical conditions worse. There is a need to get vaccinated every year because the viruses circulating in the community continually change and immunity from the vaccine does not last a long time. It is especially important that people at risk be vaccinated each year.

4 things you might not know about the flu shot!

1. There is no live virus in the flu shot.
2. The composition of the vaccine changes every year.
3. The flu shot is safe for pregnant women at all stages of their pregnancy.
4. CSL Fluvax^® is not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

For more information information on the flu vaccine, visit the Department of Health and Ageing information page.

The report, Geographic distribution of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalisations in Australia: 2007-08 to 2009-10, shows that asthma hospitalisation rates were also higher in some Queensland coastal areas, in the south-east corner of South Australia and in the southern part of Western Australia.”

Read the full media release and report here: http://www.aihw.gov.au/media-release-detail/?id=60129542828

Listen to an interview with Asthma Australia’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee Chair Dr Simon Bowler here: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2013/s3725208.htm