A new national poll shows that most Americans believe electronic cigarettes are harmful to people’s health. The findings could bolster the Food and Drug Administration as it moves to regulate e-cigarettes for the first time.
Alcohol Ads Linked to Teen Alcohol Brand Choices
A new report in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that overall exposure to brand-specific alcohol advertising is a significant predictor of underage youth alcohol brand consumption, with youth ages 13 to 20 more than five times more likely to consume brands that advertise on national television and 36 percent more likely to consume brands that advertise in national magazines compared to brands that don’t advertise in these media.
Alarms raised on generic drug price increases
The Boston Globe reports that concerns about the soaring costs of prescription drugs have focused on new specialty treatments that can cost tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars per patient. But insurers, health care providers, and industry specialists are now raising alarms about a new potential source of rising prices: generic drugs. Insurers say they are seeing huge cost increases for some commonly used generic drugs, with prices surging 15, 25, and even 75 times what they were just two years ago.
Congress weighs giveaways to auto, trucking industries, snubs changes sought by safety groups
Associated Press reports that at a time of record auto recalls, safety advocates say the Republican-run Congress is snubbing their agenda and taking sides with the auto and trucking industries in favor of legislation that could worsen matters. For example, there’s no increase in the maximum fine of $35 million per violation that can be levied against automakers who don’t report safety defects and no increase in money for NHTSA to hire more staff to investigate potential safety defects and oversee automakers.
The Happiness Stand
The Center for Science in the Public Interest posted a video showing its new Happiness Stand that offered pedestrians an appealing brew of 10 spoons of sugar, water and flavoring.
Badger Gun Trial Decision Has Firearm Industry On Edge
A landmark lawsuit ruling in Wisconsin holding a gun shop liable for the shooting of two Milwaukee police officers could have national implications, reports NewsChannel 6 in Wisconsin. This ruling comes as tensions in Washington continue to brew over gun control. Some gun experts believe this decision is only going to add fuel to an already contentious debate.
India drug industry says U.S.-led trade deal will raise prices
Reuters reports that leaders of India’s $15 billion pharmaceuticals industry, a major supplier of affordable generics to the world, have joined public health activists in criticizing a new U.S.-led trade deal they say will delay the arrival of new cheap drugs. Industry executives said provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal struck earlier this month between 12 nations that shield new drug data from competitors would hurt their business in those nations.
Corporations improve reporting of political activity — with exceptions
The Center for Political Accountability and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School rated 500 companies on their political activities. The study found most companies are reporting more of their activities—with some exceptions.
How do companies value the injured body parts of their workers?
Injured workers are entitled to compensation for permanent disabilities under state workers’ comp laws. Pro Publica investigated how companies in Texas and elsewhere value the injured body parts of their workers and here’s what they found.
How US gun control compares to the rest of the world
If NRA claims about the efficacy of guns in reducing crime were true, the US would have the lowest homicide rate among industrialized nations instead of the highest rate. In The Conversation, John Donahue asks what the United States could learn about reducing gun violence from other nations in the world.
Corporations and Health Watch 