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This section offers news briefs on relating to addiction as of June 2016. It announces the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules 2014 in India. It reports the prescription drug monitoring to be introduced in Victoria to prevent overdoses, as well as the ruling by the Texas Supreme Court upholding a state Supreme Court decision to impose a special tax on cigarette makers.

ABSTRACT Aims To examine the role of national wealth in the association between family affluence and adolescent weekly smoking, early smoking behaviour and weekly smoking among former experimenters. Design and Participants Data were used from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children ( HBSC) study conducted in 2005/2006 in 35 countries from Europe and North America that comprises 60 490 students aged 15 years. Multi-level logistic regression was conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods ( MCMC) to explore whether associations between family affluence and smoking outcomes were dependent upon national wealth. Measurement Family Affluence Scale ( FAS) as an indicator for the socio-economic position of students. Current weekly smoking behaviour is defined as at least weekly smoking (dichotomous). Early smoking behaviour is measured by smoking more than a first puff before age 13 years (dichotomous). Weekly smoking among former experimenters is restricted to those who had tried a first puff in the past. Findings The logistic multi-level models indicated an association of family affluence with current weekly smoking [odds ratio ( OR) = 1.088; 95% credible interval ( CrI) = 1.055-1.121, P < 0.001], early smoking behaviour ( OR = 1.066; CrI = 1.028-1.104, P < 0.001) and smoking among former experimenters ( OR = 1.100; CrI = 1.071-1.130; P < 0.001). Gross domestic product ( GDP) per capita was associated positively and significantly with the relationship between family affluence and current weekly smoking ( OR = 1.005; CrI = 1.003-1.007; P < 0.001), early smoking behaviour ( OR = 1.003; CrI = 1.000-1.005; P = 0.012) and smoking among former experimenters ( OR = 1.004; CrI = 1.002-1.006; P < 0.001). The association of family affluence and smoking outcomes was significantly stronger for girls. Conclusions The difference in smoking prevalence between rich and poor is greater in more affluent countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims To investigate whether differences in gender-income equity at country level explain national differences in the links between alcohol use, and the combination of motherhood and paid labour. Design Cross-sectional data in 16 established market economies participating in the Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GenACIS) study. Setting Population surveys. Participants A total of 12 454 mothers (aged 25-49 years). Measurements Alcohol use was assessed as the quantity per drinking day. Paid labour, having a partner, gender-income ratio at country level and the interaction between individual and country characteristics were regressed on alcohol consumed per drinking day using multi-level modelling. Findings Mothers with a partner who were in paid labour reported consuming more alcohol on drinking days than partnered housewives. In countries with high gender-income equity, mothers with a partner who were in paid labour drank less alcohol per occasion, while alcohol use was higher among working partnered mothers living in countries with lower income equity. Conclusion In countries which facilitate working mothers, daily alcohol use decreases as female social roles increase; in contrast, in countries where there are fewer incentives for mothers to remain in work, the protective effect of being a working mother (with partner) on alcohol use is weaker. These data suggest that a country's investment in measures to improve the compatibility of motherhood and paid labour may reduce women's alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss aspects of the medical prescription use of opioid (PO) and PO-related harms in population heath. They highlight several factors contribute to the PO dependence including socio-demographic, education and socioeconomic status. The authors cites the impact of PO-related harms and the availability of clinical PO use guidelines in the healthcare system.