-
-
New Antismoking Signs Are Almost Visible Through the Haze
In a country where one in four people smoke, and where doctors light up in hospital hallways and health ministers puff away during meetings, it was a telling sign that a decade of halfhearted public campaigns against tobacco may finally be gaining traction.
Last May, the municipal government banned cigarettes in schools, railway stations, office buildings and other public places. Chinese athletes are no longer permitted to accept tobacco company sponsorships. Cigarette advertising on billboards will be restricted during the Olympics. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has declared that the Games will be “smoke free.”
About 350 million of China’s 1.3 billion people are regular smokers, more than the entire population of the United States, and even though 1.2 million people die each year from smoking-related causes, there is a widespread belief that cigarettes hold some health benefits. A cigarette in the morning is energizing, many smokers will declare, and even when confronted with scientific reason, they will cite Deng Xiaoping, an inveterate smoker who lived to 92, and Mao Zedong, who lived to 82.
Health care workers are not exactly the best role models: more than half of all Chinese medical professionals smoke, and a 2004 government survey of 3,600 doctors found that 30 percent did not know that smoking could lead to heart disease and circulation problems. (Unlike cigarettes in much of the world, Chinese brands carry no health warning on labels, although that is scheduled to change in 2011.)
In a country where one in four people smoke, and where doctors light up in hospital hallways and health ministers puff away during mee... more -
Anti-smoking vaccine on trial
Swedish scientists begin human trials on a shot intended to stop nicotine reaching the brain.
The experts behind the vaccine say it will eliminate the nicotine highs that smokers relish and therefore help tobacco addicts to quit but some have their doubts it will be that simple. Swedish scientists begin human trials on a shot intended to stop nicotine reaching the brain. ... more -
Employers ponder tough tactics to halt smoking
Howard Weyers tried the "carrot" approach by giving his employees incentives and encouragement to quit smoking. But when that didn't work, he resorted to the stick. A big stick.
Weyers, owner of a health care benefits administrator in Lansing, Mich., gave his 200 employees an ultimatum in 2004: Quit smoking in 15 months or lose your job. He refused to hire smokers. Ultimately, he extended his smoking ban to employees' spouses and monitored compliance through mandatory random blood testing.
Weyers' method, while effective, wouldn't fly in California because the state has laws that prohibit employers from making hiring or firing decisions based on employee participation in a legal activity.
About 45 million Americans, 4 million of whom live in California, smoke cigarettes despite more than three decades of public efforts to encourage people to quit.
California, on both the state and local levels, has been at the forefront of anti-smoking efforts with laws to ban smoking in public places. A law went into effect in January that prohibits drivers from smoking when children are in the car. Still, smoking costs the state an estimated $8.6 billion in direct medical costs and $7.3 billion in lost productivity a year, according to the California division of the American Cancer Society.
In addition to lost work hours, employers have a vested interest in getting their workforce to kick the habit, given that they pay a large portion of health care costs and are the main source of health insurance for more than half the population. Howard Weyers tried the "carrot" approach by giving his employees incentives and encouragement to quit smoking. But when that didn't w... more -
Is Brazil's anti-smoking campaign too harsh?
As released by the Health Ministry on May 27, 2008. Brazil launched a series of new hard-hitting anti-smoking advertisements, showing 10 images of the health risks involved with tobacco use.
Do smokers deserve a little more respect? As released by the Health Ministry on May 27, 2008. Brazil launched a series of new hard-hitting anti-smoking advertisements, showing ... more -
Wrinkles give you smoking
Japanese vending machines may soon start counting wrinkles, crow's feet and skin sags to see if the customer is old enough to smoke.
-
Cool kids can help not-so cool kids to avoid smoking
According to a new study published today, having the cool kids talk to their peers about the dangers of smoking reduced the amount of youngsters starting to smoke by almost 25%, reports Reuters.
The results were published in the Lancet journal and highlight the use of 'a different approach' to their research, asking students to nominate fellow pupils who they deemed as 'influential or leaders' who were then asked to 'spread the anti-smoking message.'
A health researcher involved in the University of Bristol study commented: "The important thing this shows is that young people can help each other from taking up the addictive habit of smoking...If the programme was taken up widely it could cut the recruitment of new smokers significantly."
According to a new study published today, having the cool kids talk to their peers about the dangers of smoking reduced the amount of ... more -
Japanese schoolkids need a 'taspo' to buy cigarettes
Even though Japan has a legal smoking age of 20, schoolchildren in need of a nicotine fix have always had an easy option, vending machines.
But now the Japanese authorities have come up with a nifty way to ensure no underage smokers can get their nicotine fix from cigarette vending machines, by issuing a "taspo" (short for "tobacco passport") age-verification cards, which must be scanned at newly installed smart vending machines before a purchase can be made.
The integrated circuit-embedded cards can also act as an electronic money function that lets customers buy stuff with one easy swipe.
Even though Japan has a legal smoking age of 20, schoolchildren in need of a nicotine fix have always had an easy option, vending mach... more -
Legislature narrowly approves smoking ban, exempts casinos (IOWA)
DES MOINES — The Legislature approved a statewide ban on indoor smoking Tuesday that supporters said would save countless lives, boost public health and protect thousands of Iowa workers.
The bill heads to Gov. Chet Culver, who has pledged to sign it into law. That means thousands of bars, restaurants and other public facilities will become smoke-free by July 1. DES MOINES — The Legislature approved a statewide ban on indoor smoking Tuesday that supporters said would save countless lives, boost... more -
Should cigarette counters be banned?
Under new proposals set out by the government, displaying cigarettes in shops could soon become illegal in a bid to discourage children starting smoking as well as hopefully cutting the amount of smokers in the UK.
According to the BBC, Ministers are also considering tighter controls on vending machines in pubs and restaurants, with the public also getting to voice their opinions over the coming months.
Should there be stricter control over the sale of cigarettes, or are the Association of Convenience Stores' thoughts that the the move would be "ineffective" true? Under new proposals set out by the government, displaying cigarettes in shops could soon become illegal in a bid to discourage childre... more -
Should people have to buy a permit to smoke cigarettes?
A proposal put forward today could see a ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone who does not pay for a government smoking permit.
Speaking about the proposal, Lord Darzi, the health minister appointed to oversee NHS reform, said that "many smokers would be helped to break the habit if they had to make a decision whether to "opt in."
One of the paper's writers, Julian Le Grand has spoken to reporters about his proposal that he believes is a fine example of 'libertarian paternalism,' where the government "would leave people free to make their own decisions but it would "nudge them" in the right direction."
According to initial reports the permit might cost a small amount, maybe £10, but could be made difficult to acquire if application forms are sufficiently complex.
I don't think people should have to pay for a permit to smoke, you don't have to have a permit to buy a drink, so why should smoking be any different?
A proposal put forward today could see a ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone who does not pay for a government smoking permit. ... more -
Smoking Can Still Kill You Ten Years After You Quit
The smoking boom of the 1950's, 1960's and 1970s is starting to take it's toll on older Americans many of whom quit smoking years ago. this article focuses on the rise of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that used to be thought of an old man's disease now its killing an equal amount or more women.
I think many think that once you quit smoking your lungs will repair and things will be all good if you don't get hit with cancer, but the specter of all those cigs can hang with you forever and destroy your life down the road.
It is time to quit smoking if you already haven't. ... more -
I'm Still Here
Friend of a friend made this, and quite well I might add for high school video class!
-
related topics
Anti-Smoking
Contributors (82)
Anti-Smoking
