News in brief - Sept. 26, 2011

HPV shots may be reducible, study says

Fewer than three doses of the human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix may be as effective as a three-dose regimen to prevent cervical cancer, says a study published Sept. 9 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. At present, the vaccine is given in three doses over six months.

Researchers analyzed data on more than 7,100 women enrolled in the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Costa Rica Vaccine Trial. They found similar levels of protection against HPV16 and HPV18 among women who received one, two or three doses of the vaccine (www.jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/09/08/jnci.djr396.extract).

The study authors said it remains to be seen whether fewer than three doses will provide protection for longer than the four years that the study examined.

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Government proposes e-cigarette ban on airplanes

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Sept. 14 that the Dept. of Transportation wants to ban electronic cigarettes on aircraft.

The proposal calls for amending the airline smoking rule to prohibit e-cigarettes and similar products. The agency said it is taking the action to avoid confusion about whether its ban on tobacco products includes e-cigarettes. The proposal would apply to flights to and from the United States.

"Airline passengers have rights, and this new rule would enhance passenger comfort and reduce any confusion surrounding the use of electronic cigarettes in flight," LaHood said.

Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through Nov. 14 (www.regulations.gov).

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