Health Costs of Smoking and Prop 29

Smoking causes 5-6 million avoidable deaths annually worldwide.  One in 5 men and 1 in 20 women who die after age 30 die of smoking-related causes.  

These distressing numbers should be enough to galvanize the California voters who will decide to accept or reject the California Cancer Research Act, commonly called Proposition 29 (or Prop 29).  If Prop 29 passes, the money raised through new taxes on cigarettes will support research into smoking-related diseases.

Nipping the Cancer Drug Counterfeit Problem in the Bud

The problem faced by cancer patients in the western countries is that of shortages and not counterfeit.  However, there was a recent scare of counterfeit Avastin almost entering the supply chain through Canada.  

Yesterday's passing of a bill co-sponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (R-CO), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is designed to nip this problem by toughening up penalties.