News

In brief

American smokers hit by price increase: This month saw the largest single increase in the price of cigarettes in American history as tobacco companies begin to feel the heat of compensation payouts. Wholesale prices have increased by an average of 7.6%, bringing the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to $1.87 (£1.17).

Murder charge against Dutch nursing home dropped: The Dutch Public Prosecutors Office has dropped a murder charge against a nursing home. The charge had been made after the relatives of a patient with Alzheimer's disease alleged that staff were intentionally allowing him to dehydrate (9 August, p 327).

Mental health services discriminate against African and African Caribbean users: A report from the mental health charity Mind shows that African Caribbean and African people are more likely than other ethnic groups to be diagnosed as having schizophrenia, be detained in locked wards, and be treated with higher doses of drugs.

New influenza virus strain detected in humans: An influenza virus–type A (H5N1)–known previously to infect only birds, has been isolated in a 3 year old boy who died in Hong Kong last May of Reye's syndrome during an acute respiratory illness. The World Health Organisation said that this is the only case to have been detected so far in a human being.

US sets up research centres to protect children's health: The first United States federal research centres dedicated to protecting the health of children from environmental threat have been set up.

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