FEB/MAR 2006
Volume 12 - No. 1
Research Activities at a Featured Program
Developing Countries
Research Needs
Newsletter Staff
Karen Saules
Editor
ksaules@emich.edu
Minden Shadle
Assistant Editor
Ryan Sexton
Assistant Editor
Publication & Communications
Ed Lichtenstein
Chair
ed@ori.org
Electronic Communications
Richard Brown
Chair
richard_brown@brown.edu
SRNT Newsletter
February/March 2006, Volume 12, Number 1
From the Editor
Dear SRNT Members,
Since the last issue of this newsletter, I've been finding myself, for one reason or another, spending time standing out in the cold with the various smokers in my life. This has occurred at various holiday parties, when I've elected to continue a conversation with someone who feels the need to smoke (and therefore must go outdoors), or sometimes I just feel the need to step outside for a minute when the house/office gets crowded and overheated, often finding myself in the company of smokers. Inevitably, the conversation turns to their desire to quit smoking and the reasons why they should do so. This occurs through no prompting of my own, other than by virtue of the fact that I am standing there, not smoking, while we are standing out in the cold having a conversation. While I spend time with many of these same people during warmer months, it is during these frigid Winter months when I find myself wondering more and more about the day-to-day realities (and complexities) of smoking behavior.
Robert West's talk in Orlando was particularly thought provoking in this respect, most notably his reflections about the extent to which addiction is a matter of "rational choice." Dr. West's new book, Theory of Addiction, was the impetus for this talk, and, upon arriving home from Orlando, I found a review copy on my desk. Paul Aveyard has agreed to review the book for us in the next issue of this newsletter. I suspect that many of you who were unable to attend Dr. West's talk may find this upcoming book review to be especially noteworthy. Related to my thoughts while "standing out in the cold", Dr. West provides some perspective on the curious but all too common disconnect between simultaneous smoking and stated intention to change - a disconnect that occurs in many non-smoking situations (including Dr. West's efforts to water his Yucca plant…but you'll have to read the book to know what I mean).
This issue of the SRNT newsletter brings you Joe Di Franza's summary of the nicotine research activities taking place at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, as well as Lori Keyser-Marcus' thoughtful review of Gilman and Xun's new edited book entitled Smoke: A Global History of Smoking. This book, despite some limitations, was selected as part of my efforts to attend to more global issues in the newsletter. In this same spirit, Wasim Maziak has provided us with a brief summary of the recommendations put forth by SRNT's Ad Hoc Committee on Developing Countries Research Needs. In a future issue, Dr. Maziak will also provide us with a report on the activities of his own program, the Syrian Center for Tobacco Studies. I welcome other suggestions and contributions to improve the newsletter's coverage of global issues.
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Karen's University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University Colleagues dining
at the Orlando Cornado Resort's Maya Grill. |
Finally, I would like to put it a little plug here for you to start considering people who might be good candidates to take over the role of SRNT Newsletter Editor once my term ends next Winter. This has been an invaluable experience for me, and I'd be happy to talk about it with any of you who might be considering transitioning into this position. The most important personal benefit that I've accrued from being in this role is having been able to develop many new relationship with a wide variety of SRNT members. If developing a stronger connection to SRNT and its members is something you'd like to achieve, this would be an ideal way to get there. Don't hesitate to contact me if you might want to consider this opportunity. I am raising this topic now not because of any sense of urgency, but because, thanks to having had Judith Gordon's help when I was assuming this role, I know that the transition will be relatively easy and seamless if we can think ahead and work together to make it happen.
As always, please do not hesitate to send me your suggestions, contributions, comments, letters, and feedback on both content and format. You are welcome contact me at ksaules@emich.edu, or by more-traditional methods, if you have any suggestions or would like to contribute to future issues.
Warm regards,
SRNT Newsletter is published quarterly by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (www.srnt.org). The newsletter is distributed electronically to members of SRNT. If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to the electronic mailing list, send e-mail to Bruce Wheeler at bwheeler@reesgroupinc.com .
Copyright 2006 SRNT: Permission to copy without fee all or part of any material without a copyright notice is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for commercial advantage. To copy material with a copyright notice requires specific permission; direct inquiries or requests to the copyright holder as indicated on the article.
Editorial correspondence: Karen K. Saules, Ph.D. Eastern Michigan University, Psychology Clinic, 611 W. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 USA, (734) 487-4988, fax (734) 487-4989, ksaules@emich.edu. Articles, letters, reviews, and proposals for columns are welcome.
Central office: 7600 Terrace Avenue, Suite 203, Middleton, WI 53562 USA, 608-836-3787, fax 608-831-5485, srnt@reesgroupinc.com.