Award for stop smoking service - Buxton Advertiser

Published on Thu Nov 04 08:46:29 GMT 2010

STAFF at the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service have scooped a national award.

The service was honoured at the Birmingham launch of 2011 No Smoking Day when it was presented with the award for Best Local Media Coverage of its activities for No Smoking Day 2010.

The service was also highly commended for ‘Best Use of the 2010 Break Free Theme’, a symbolic image of arms breaking free from a chain of cigarettes with the slogan “Break Free, We Can Help.”

The service was represented at the event by Stop Smoking and Alcohol Project Co-ordinator Judith Vincent, who received the awards from Under-secretary for Health Anne Milton.

Judith said: “It was a privilege to represent my colleagues at the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service at the awards night. The recognition the service received at the event is a tribute to the hard work they put in every day.”

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I can't stop smoking pot - Salon

Dear Cary,

I smoke marijuana every day. There are times when I don't smoke, but I've definitely smoked almost every day for several years. I'm an extremely functional smoker (stoner?) -- I'm in grad school, I have a part-time job, I have a good relationship with my family, I have a social life, etc. I usually smoke alone -- most of my friends don't smoke or only smoke occasionally. I usually wait until later on in the day to get high, but I'll sometimes smoke before I go to school/work/coffee/meet up with friends.

Smoking is relaxing, it's fantastic, I really love getting high. I don't do hard drugs -- I only smoke weed. I've researched the topic and I'm not overly concerned about the health ramifications. [To the people who are rushing to comment that marijuana is VERY HARMFUL (psychosis! cancer! we don't really have proof, but it's terrible for you! etc!) -- please don't waste your time.]

I have a history of depression -- it's genetic and occasionally situational. I'm not severely depressed -- but I definitely have depression that waxes and wanes. I'm sure that I'm partially self-medicating, but as medicines go, weed is a pretty good one. I'm definitely psychologically addicted to marijuana.

My family, employers and some friends would be shocked and upset if they knew how often I smoke. I come from a conservative/religious background and I feel guilty about the tension I've created between my public and private life. I doubt anyone would explicitly say it, but most people I know would prefer that I develop a drinking problem as opposed to being a stoner. More important, they'd prefer I not be addicted to any sort of substance.

I enjoy drinking -- but I enjoy smoking far, far more. When I can't get weed, I use alcohol as a substitute. I've started combining the two -- and my drinking has increased. Smoking weed is great, but having a few drinks and smoking is sometimes even better. I'm concerned that I'm developing a drinking problem. I'm pretty sure that I've flirted with developing a drinking problem in the past, but smoking weed has helped me avoid that. Should I stop drinking? Should I restrict my drinking? How concerned should I be about this whole situation?

I'd really appreciate your advice.

J.

Dear J

How concerned should you be? You should be very concerned. From what you say, it sounds like you're one of us, an addictive person who probably can't stop on his own and is headed for trouble. Look at what you're doing. You're substituting one drug for another. That's a sign. You're doing it every day. That's a sign. You can't stop. That's a sign.

If I were you, I wouldn't even bother to try and stop on my own. I'd just skip that futile step and get into a program.

I mean, sure, you're free to try. But here's the thing. We know an awful lot about this. There are so many of us addicts, and many of us are really smart. We know the ins and outs. We have a vast reservoir of knowledge, firsthand accounts, personal experience, medical data, psychological data, systems, programs, literature, societies, support groups, blogs, forums, meetings, specialists, retreats, rehabs, hospitals, books, tapes, movies ...

This is not some mysterious problem you just came up with. If you walk into the world and say, I'm an addict and I'm asking for help, you are going to be showered with help, perhaps more help than you want, and you are going to have the opportunity to get free of this thing and live well and happily without it.

So, frankly, I think you should just get into a program and skip all the intermediate steps of losing your job, losing your friends, crashing cars, being homeless, going to jail, etc. Why bother? Just get into a program now and stop before you really, really, really have a problem.

I'm speaking from experience. I used to smoke like you do. I hid it and felt guilty about it but I really, really loved it. And I didn't see anything wrong with it except that I was getting addicted to it. But eventually all the normal things happened to me that happen to most people who get addicted to things. I lost jobs, friends, lovers, places to live, clothing, self-respect, health, energy, dreams, reputation. You name it, I lost it. And I didn't have to. If I could have stopped earlier, I wouldn't have had to do that. Of course, there are reasons having to do with character why I didn't stop. And of course there is the fact that I just fucking didn't want to.

But, hey. It doesn't have to be that way. You could get into a program now.

So why not? Why not just say fuck it, it's clear where this is heading, and I don't have to go there.

It's going to be obvious to everybody else around you where this is headed. If you choose to keep going, you're going to be the only one pretending that you don't know where it's headed.

Once you're addicted to something, stuff starts to fall apart. Once you're addicted to something, you're no longer free, and you're no longer present. You're gone somewhere. You begin to lose your life.

That was when I stopped: when I became conscious that I was losing my life. But it took a long time. I was betraying my principles and hiding my real life.

The real damage was that I was losing my self, my soul, this innocent personhood to whom I had pledged myself, that I would be a good person, that I would not be a failure, that I would become good at writing and would be a person I could admire, that I would fulfill some kind of promise.

Where did that promise come from? Where did that inkling of virtue come from? You could call it what you like. You could call it the soul, or the divine, or just innocence, or God, or just moral consciousness, or just man's innate reason. There was a part of me that knew better. And I didn't listen to it for a long time.

But finally things got too bad.

So you could stop before things get there. You could just go to a marijuana addicts anonymous meeting and start listening to people's stories. Many stories start out as yours does. Things change over time. It is hard to maintain an addiction that is steady and does not cause deterioration or does not spread. I think that's because addiction changes your overall habits in life. It tends to take over. It undermines your reasoning and decision-making.

You've got something that you're lying about, that you can't control, that is making you feel guilty, and you don't have to do it.

So I'm going to make this quick because I'm going to the Giants World Series victory parade. You've obviously got a problem. These kinds of problems only get worse without intervention. So go get some help. Stop smoking pot and stop drinking. You'll be glad you did. You'll be re-integrated into your family and your social world, and you won't have to be hiding things, and you'll have more energy and clarity of mind as well.

And don't try quitting alone because that doesn't work. You're going to need help.

So that's my advice. You can stop. You really don't have to do it. You can change your life. And you'll be happier after you do.

Want more?

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UW-Stout peer pressuring students to stop smoking - UW Badger Herald

School officials at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the only tobacco-free campus in Wisconsin, met Nov. 2 to discuss ways to enforce the ban on tobacco products on campus, when currently the only enforcement measure is peer pressure.

Last year, students at UW-Stout approved a referendum to ban tobacco products on the campus, making it the first smoke-free four-year university in Wisconsin. Favorable votes were tallied at 55 percent of the students involved. The ban was planned to begin Sept. 1.

Doug Mell, a spokesperson for UW-Stout, said that this was the largest turnout for student voting ever on the campus.

Mell said the program is truly only voluntary at the moment. If anyone, student or faculty is seen using tobacco products someone just needs to remind them of the program and ask politely for the person to stop.

Mell said he believes the program is going well, but could be improved. He added both students and people who attended the meeting have reacted positively to the program.

However, some UW-Stout students feel the ban is not successful and should be improved if it is to be present.

“It seems like a joke. Like we’re just trying to get our name out there,” said UW-Stout sophomore Kyle Reich.

Reich said he feels he sees more smokers than before, and the program is failing to control tobacco use.

Mell said advertising for the anti-smoking campaign is extremely prevalent on campus, and there are signs all over telling students about it on every door, in parking lots and posters in hallways.

Freshmen are made sure to know about the policy before enrolling at UW-Stout, as the welcome and preview materials include information, as well as reminders from admissions staff, Mell added.

Mell said he hopes student organizations and statements by students can help push the plan further.

“Students speaking to students have a powerful effect,” Mell said.

Mell added some people at the meeting suggested issuing citations as a future solution for violators.

“Other campuses are watching us. We’re breaking new ground here. We have to do this right,” Mell said.

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Classes to help stop smoking - Shore News Today

Classes to help stop smoking | General - Middle Twp. Gazette @import "http://shorenewstoday.com/plugins/content/jw_disqus/tmpl/css/template.css"; window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : 'YOUR APP ID', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Home Middle Township Middle Township General News Classes to help stop smoking Shore News Today Shore News Today Ocean CityCape MayWildwoodEHTMainlandDownbeach Main MenuShore News Today - HomeOcean CityUpper TownshipMiddle TownshipMiddle Township General NewsMiddle Township EventsMiddle Township Letters to the EditorMiddle Township BusinessSocially StrollingAdopt a PetClassifiedsPrint VersionCape MayWildwoodEgg Harbor Twp.MainlandBrigantineHamilton Twp.Galloway Twp.DownbeachPleasantvilleRegionalSportsPoliticsAround Our TownAdopt A PetHealth & FitnessClassifiedsContact UsAdvertisingSubscribeLoginSponsored LinksBlogsEasy Living14 Days Classes to help stop smoking Written by Staff Reports  Wednesday, 03 November 2010 11:07View Comments

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Center for Lifestyle Management has scheduled smoking cessation classes each Wednesday in November from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Thomas & Claire Brodesser, Jr. Cancer Center conference room on the ground floor of Cape Regional Medical Center. The fee for the classes is $25, with a refund of $15 if you attend all of the classes.

“It is hard to try to quit smoking because nicotine is a very addictive drug.  It may take two or three tries before finally being able to quit, but it can be done,” reads a statement about the program.

The Smoking Cessation Program at Cape Regional Medical Center includes education about risk factors for smoking, nicotine replacement alternatives, lung function testing, stress management; dietary concerns regarding weight gain and relapse prevention.

For more information, or to sign up for the program, contact Bonnie Kratzer, RN, at the Center for Lifestyle Management at 463-4043.

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Stop smoking figures rise - Wigan Today

Published on Wed Nov 03 09:54:21 GMT 2010

THE number of people managing to quit smoking in Wigan is on the increase.

Figures from Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare’s Stop Smoking Service revealed that it helped 3,530 people in the borough to stop smoking between April 1 2009 and March 31 2010.

The figure shows that 800 more people successfully managed to quit in 2009/10 than in the previous year.

The 2010 Local Health Profile figures show that in the Wigan, 26 per cent of the adult population smoke, which is more than the national average at 21 per cent.

However in 2003, the earliest figures held my Community Healthcare, 29.5 per cent of people in the borough smoked.

Figures provided by the borough’s Stop Smoking Service show that 43 per cent of all clients who set a date to quit, manage to stop smoking.

Stop Smoking Service Team Leader Nicola Ball said: “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing that you can do to improve your health. It’s really encouraging that more people in the borough are taking the decision to stop smoking.

“I know it’s not easy but thanks to the right help and support more and more people are managing to quit and are reaping the physical and financial benefits of being smoke free.

“You are four times more likely to quit for good if you have the support of the free NHS Stop Smoking Service.”

The Stop Smoking Service provides free specialist support with the aim of reducing smoking related mortality.

The service is able to support clients with long-term health conditions in the community and hospital and also provide specialist support to pregnant smokers.

The Stop Smoking Service has specialist midwives available to offer one-to-one support and advice on nicotine replacement therapy for expectant mothers throughout pregnancy.

The team can offer local, friendly support for people who want to stop smoking through a variety of means including one-to-one sessions, group sessions and by providing advice on nicotine replacement therapy.

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Quit Smoking Before You Start; Or, How to Stop Smoking - Suite101.com

A few centuries after dinosaurs became extinct, somewhere in the 1960’s, my fifth-grade science teacher turned his entire class against smoking in the most effective way I’ve seen to date. Every day, for the entire school year, he fed one cigarette to a glass jar filled with cotton balls. Within a week, those cotton balls weren’t white anymore. By June, all we ten-year-olds saw was a sickening black muck. Point made. That’s what would happen to our lungs after 9 months if we only smoked one cigarette a day. Leaving to our imaginations what could happen if we smoked more. Not one friend from the fifth grade ever smoked cigarettes.

On November 2, 200, Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Director of the United States Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), made available a release for consumers aimed at helping cigarette smokers end that habit. Dr. Clancy’s article, “Quitting Smoking, You Can Do It,” offers many resources for smokers who have tried to quit, and just couldn’t. Call it an addiction or habit, smoking cessation is not easy.

Though no easy endeavor, Dr. Clancy reports that chances of succeeding, to actually quit smoking, improve when you have help. As her article reports, “[t]obacco users who get counseling, combined with medication and other support, have a much better chance of quitting and staying tobacco-free.”

In this post-dinosaur era, support is growing. In fact, many medical and health plans, including Medicare, cover counseling for smoking cessation. In addition, several resources, including the AHRQ, make helpful information and resources available for smokers who want to kick the habit.

Dr. Clancy offers the following additional resource available on the Internet and by telephone: Smokefree.gov (real-time text messaging with a National Cancer Institute Counselor) or call 1-877-448-7848 to talk with a counselor.

In just a few days, November 18, the United States Great American Smokeout takes place – making this an opportune time to jump on the “no smoking” bandwagon and take advantage of the many resources intended to help smokers shed the costly habit. Dr. Clancy says that now is the best time to quit. Imagine that cotton jar. What do you think your lungs look like?

Imagine your pocketbook in this recession. Instead of running for a cigarette to calm recession-related stress, save that money, and inhale a long deep breath to soothe your anxiety. People who smoke a pack a day will save $1,800 a year.

Dr. Clancy reiterates fairly common knowledge. “Smoking is not only dangerous to your health, but also deadly. Almost one in every five deaths in the United States every year is from tobacco-related diseases. This equals an estimated 443,000 people, and thousands of nonsmokers die annually as a result of secondhand smoke.“

Here’s a daunting question? Which do you think kills more people each year, tobacco, car accidents, suicide, HIV, homicide or illegal drug use? The answer? Tobacco kills more people than all the rest combined – every year.

Set a date to quit. Let your family, friends and colleagues know your plans and ask for their support. Dispose of your cigarettes, and all the accompaniments, such as ashtrays. Create a smoke-free environment at home and do not let others smoke there either.

Medicines such as gum, patches, and lozenges help can help you fight the urge to smoke. Remember that your doctor also can prescribe supportive medications that enable you to step away from that cigarette. Many health insurance plans will cover these medications.

The new health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act requires new health plans to offer improved access to counseling aimed at smoking cessation. Medicare now covers 5.5 million smokers. As of January 1, 2011, Medicare will be required to cover counseling to help those smokers quit at no cost to the smoker, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with a tobacco-related illness.

As the proven number one cause of disease and death, smokers are learning that their actions affect not only themselves, but those around them, including damaging the health of non-smokers. My grandmother died of emphysema and she never smoked a day in her life. I’ll admit that I’ve been tempted, and then I picture those black, mucky, sticky-gunk of formerly perfectly white cotton balls, after only one cigarette a day, for nine months.

My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Williams, is a hero. It’s not too late to ask for help and be your own hero. No one in their right mind says it’s easy to walk away from that cigarette with your name on it, but it can be easier if you ask for help. And if you know someone who plans to stop smoking, you too can make a big difference by offering support.

“It’s never too late to quit,” says Dr. Clancy. Not as long as you have the breath to do so.

"Quitting Smoking: You Can Do It." Navigating the Health Care System: Advice Columns from Dr. Carolyn Clancy, November 2, 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/cc/cc110210.htm

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Runners hold fun run vs smoking - ABS CBN News

MANILA Philippines – Aimed at encouraging chronic smokers to stop smoking through running, the 1st Kick the Habit Fun Run unfolds on November 14 around the Newport City commercial and residential complex near Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

“With 17 million smokers in the country, we hope that our event will raise public awareness of this pressing health issue and encourage them to quit by running,” said race organizer Ronald delos Reyes during Tuesday’s PSA forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

Joining him in the session sponsored by Shakey’s, Pagcor and Outlast battery was co-promoter and Blue Magnet Marketing Solutions marketing director Rommel Bobiles, himself a smoker who used to consume at least 6 packs of cigarettes a day.

“Thanks to running, we’re now down to much less than that daily,” said Bobiles. “And eventually, we want to ultimately quit and kick the habit.”

Bobiles said he teamed up with Delos Reyes “because we believe that running is an ideal vehicle for our advocacy in urging many Filipinos to give up their nicotine fix.”

Unlike other road races, participants in the men’s and women’s 3K and 5K races will not be going for winning times.

Instead, runners will be paired off with smokers, who will be coaxed to end their respective races since their arms are tied to each other.

“Every smoker who wants to quit needs the support of friends and family for him to be able to reach the goal towards a smoke-free life,” both Delos Reyes and Bobiles said. “This is something we want to promote with the 1st Kick the Habit Run.”

There will also be a group category for runners who can form a team of four members each, they added.

A celebrity who credits running for kicking the cigarette habit is actor-magician Bearwin Meily, who will also be joining the event, Delos Reyes said.

He said those interested can still register at the North Face store at the SM North Annex, R.O.X at Bonifacio High Street in the Fort in Taguig City, all Fitness First branches, and Time Depot at the SM Mall of Asia.

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Taxing smokers helps them give up - Newstalk ZB

New research by Auckland University says more Maori, Pacific and low income smokers are ditching the habit following the rise in excise tax in April

More evidence that taxing smokers heavily is forcing them to give up.

It comes in new research by the Auckland University's Centre for Tobacco Control Research.

It says more Maori, Pacific and low income smokers are ditching the habit following the rise in excise tax in April.

A survey's found that 65 per cent of participants had tried to stop smoking since then, double the quitting rates reported in a national survey, which found that about a third had tried to quit in the last year.

The survey also found people weren't switching to loose tobacco, as has happened with previous price hikes.

The KiaOraMai Awesome Service Awards salute those in business who have looked after you like family.

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Acupuncture found helpful in quitting smoking - Taiwan Today

The Department of Health's Bureau of Health Promotion is registering success using acupuncture to help university students stop smoking.

A survey of college students by bureau revealed that 7.5 percent are smokers, with 13 percent of males and 2 percent of females smoking. You Bo-cun, director of the bureau's Office of Health Education, said the bureau is promoting smokeless campuses to reduce the smoking rate among young people.

Graduate student Chan Chian-chih at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology started smoking while still in middle school. He enrolled in a quit-smoking class after being bombarded by the school nurse's lectures on how one should give up the bad habit.

"It's weird. By around the fourth week, I suddenly couldn't stand the smell of smoke anymore!" After eight weeks, plus acupuncture treatment and avoidance of invitations from friends, he has successfully kicked a multiyear smoking addiction.

Chan used to smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, going through seven to eight packs a month. However, after the acupuncture treatment, he started to feel revolted by the smell of tobacco, and began to reduce his use. Shocked at the result, Chan felt in increasingly better spirits thereafter, and gained several kilograms.

Today, he no longer takes the treatment, but still massages acupuncture points in his ears. "The ear treatment has no side effects, and I suggest that anyone who wants to quit should give it a try," he said

Over the past year, the Bureau of Health Promotion has teamed up with the Ministry of Education to run smoking prevention programs at 31 university campuses. Over 700 students have enrolled in 24 classes, in addition to other programs offered. Of these, 110 have successfully quit smoking, and 400 have cut their cigarette use in half.

(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times Nov. 2.)

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Weight-loss, stop-smoking seminars at JCC - Edison Sentinel

Weight-loss, stop-smoking seminars at JCC

The Hypnosis Counseling Center will present a set of workshops Nov. 11 for smoking cessation and weight loss at the Edison JCC, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison. Each one-hour workshop includes hypnosis exercises, discussion and an optional CD for $18, which assists in reinforcing immediate results and longrange success. The workshops can be taken individually or as a set.

The smoking cessation workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs to 7:30, and the weight-loss group will continue from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30. Barry Wolfson, who holds a master’s degree in counseling and has 25 years of proven success in the art of hypnosis, will lead each workshop.

The cost per workshop is $45. Registration begins immediately, and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For registration or further information, call 908-996-3311.

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More Women Than Men Try To Give-Up Smoking With Women Prioritising Quitting ... - Medical News Today (press release)

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
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A new online surgery launches as part of a nationwide campaign to support people to quit smoking. In particular, there are an estimated 3 million women in the UK who want to quit smoking,[3,4] with more than ever trying to quit,[5 ]but the majority are still likely to relapse without expert support.6 The national awareness campaign is supported by Pfizer Life with the charity QUIT® and involves well-known TV doctor and women's health spokesperson, Dr Sarah Jarvis. People can seek information and arrange a free independent, confidential consultation with a GP via the Quit With Help website, from 1-7 November 2010.

A new survey reveals women smokers' complex dependence on cigarettes and that confusion around health risks may be hindering their efforts to quit. The survey of 240 women smokers suggests their number one priority for the year is to quit smoking, above improving their career and having a happy relationship. It also indicates that nearly half consider stress as great a barrier to quitting as their addiction to nicotine. In addition, around one in three rely on cigarettes to get through the day and almost a quarter feel weight concerns prevent them from giving up cigarettes.[1]

The survey suggests women who smoke are confused about some of the health risks associated with cigarettes and at least a quarter are unaware that smoking increases premature ageing and wrinkles. Although the majority of respondents understand the link to lung cancer and mouth/throat cancer, almost half are unaware of the risk of stroke, despite this being doubled in heavy smokers.[7] Few are aware of the increased risk of cervical cancer and over 40% are unaware that smoking causes low birth weight in babies.[1]

"One hundred and forty women die every day from cigarettes,[8] so we need to work together to help women quit smoking. Although more women than men try to quit smoking every year, women can face a greater struggle and their success rates are slightly lower than men.[5] This may be partly explained by women's emotional dependence on cigarettes and the fact they often start smoking at a young age.[9-11] Tailored support can be particularly useful for women who want to quit smoking. Do ask for expert advice if you want to quit as there are a number of ways we can help. Ring Quitline 0800 00 22 00, emailstopsmoking@quit.org.uk or visit the Quit With Help website," Amanda Carmichael, Director of Operations, QUIT®.

Although the majority of women smokers surveyed were aware of free NHS help,[1] most rely on willpower alone when trying to quit, without seeking professional help.[3] Unfortunately, only 3% of smokers who quit smoking in this way will be smoke free after a year.[6] There seems to be reluctance among many women smokers to seek medical advice, with a YouGov survey showing a quarter consider the doctor a last resort, and the general assumption among 87% of respondents that smoking is simply a lifestyle choice rather than something which could be discussed with a healthcare professional.[2]

It is the same however for men and women. If they are determined to quit, seeking medical support from a healthcare professional or NHS Stop Smoking Service is proven to dramatically boost their chance of beating cigarettes by at least double.[12]

Dr Sarah Jarvis explains, "If you're thinking of quitting, don't be afraid to ask for help or visit here for friendly tips and advice. Even if you've smoked for years and been unable to quit before, a conversation with a stop smoking expert can help with the mental and physical battle, increasing your chance of a successful quit attempt.[12] The sooner you stop smoking, the sooner you'll notice the benefits to your health and skin."[13]

Visitors to Quit With Help website, will have the chance to chat confidentially to a GP, including Dr Jarvis, from 1-7 November 2010. (See details below for availability).

Notes

About Quit With Help

- Quit With Help is currently running a nationwide TV and print advertising campaign, involving real smokers who have successfully managed to quit. The campaign's aim is to help smokers who want to quit increase their chance of success by seeking expert help, whilst providing online information and advice.

- To have a confidential, instant conversation about quitting smoking with a doctor online, including Dr Sarah Jarvis, visit the Quit With Help website. GPs will be available from 1-7 November from 12-3pm and 5.30-10.30pm.

- Women visiting the site can also uncover the benefits of quitting and see out how smoking can prematurely age them and affect their looks.

About quitting smoking

- The majority of smokers start as teenagers[11] and can become addicted within a year.[14] Around half of these young adults will be smoking at the age of 60, with one in two lifetime smokers likely to die prematurely from smoking-related diseases.[9,14]

- Addiction to nicotine is the main reason smoking is hard to quit.9 With every inhalation, nicotine releases 'feel good' chemicals in the brain, which drive the physical and psychological dependence on cigarettes and can cause withdrawal effects and cravings when smokers try to quit.[15]

- Latest NHS Stop Smoking statistics reveal that more women than men tried to quit smoking last year (393,805 women versus 363,732 men).[5]

- NHS Stop Smoking Services helped nearly 200,000 women to quit last year5 and have saved 70,000 lives since their launch in 2000.[16]

References:

1. Pfizer commissioned survey by ICM Research, Oct 2010

2. Pfizer commissioned survey YouGov Plc Nov/Dev 2009

3. Lader D. Smoking related behaviour and attitudes, 2008/09. London: Office for National Statistics, 2009, p33, p17 See here.

4. Office for National Statistics. Population Estimates June 2010 (20% of female population over 16 = 5.2 million smokers, 66% of whom want to quit = 3.4 million)

5. Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2009 - March 2010. See here.

6. Parrott S, Godfrey C, Raw M et al. Guidance for commissioners on the cost effectiveness of smoking cessations interventions. Thorax 1998;53:S2-S37.

7. Smith PEM. Smoking and stroke: a causative role. Br Med J 1998; 317: 962-3

8. Peto R et al. Mortality From Smoking In Developed Countries 1950-2000 (2nd edition: updated June 2006), p499

9. World Health Organization. Women and the tobacco epidemic: challenges for the 21st century. Geneva: WHO, 2001.

10. Action on Smoking and Health: Essential Information On Young People And Smoking. Aug 2010

11. Office for National Statistics Social Survey Division. Living in Britain. Results from the 1998 General Household Survey

12. NHS Stop Smoking Services. Service and monitoring guidance 2009/10

13. Action on Smoking and Health. Stopping smoking: the benefits and aids to quitting. April 2010

14. Nicotine Addiction in Britain. A report of the Tobacco Advisory Group of The Royal College of Physicians 2000

15. Peters MJ et al. The pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation. Med J Aust 2202;176:486-490

16. NHS Choices. Your Health, your choices. See here.

Source:
Pfizer
QUIT®

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10 Reasons to Give the Electronic Cigarette a Try - WooEB

Los Angeles 11/01/2010 02:10 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Have you been wondering why people are switching to electronic cigarettes -- or E cigarettes -- especially long-time smokers who have tried many other methods to quit traditional cigarettes? Customer surveys indicate that there are actually many reasons smokers are finding it easy to stop "smoking" and start "vap-ing." Here are 10 benefits found by satisfied E-cigarette customers.

No Ashtrays
Since E-cigarettes do not burn any combustible material, they do not create ashes or cigarette butts that require an ashtray. A simple kit, usually no bigger than a cigar box, holds all of the materials you need to recharge, refresh and clean electronic cigarettes. Starter kits usually come with handy carrying pouches that resemble regular cigarette holders.

No Personal Odor
Unlike regular cigarettes that create a "tobacco smell," an E-cigarette will not leave your breath smelling of smoke or produce unpleasant odors that can cling to your clothing, draperies, upholstery or carpets.

No "Smokers Cough"
E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a controlled water vapor which does not include tar and other carcinogens produced by regular cigarettes that cause mucus buildup and shortness of breath. Many long-time smokers report that their "smoker's cough" clears up after a few months once they have switched to E-cigarettes.

Fewer Restrictions
You can almost ignore the "No Smoking" signs and light up an E-cigarette in any environment you choose since it does not smell, create secondhand smoke or generate ashes or involve combustible material. Of course, you may have to explain to those around you that you are not violating any ordinances and be prepared to cease "vap-ing" if so directed.

No Tobacco Tax
E-cigarettes are not subjected sudden tax hikes that lawmakers can impose on commercial cigarettes, so the price is more stable.

Spend Less
In side-by-side comparisons with commercial cigarettes regarding consumption vs. cost, E-cigarettes wind up costing $2.00-$3.00 per pack, a considerable savings. Besides the cost-per-pack analysis, many smokers find further savings by buying in bulk or taking advantage of memberships, buying clubs and special promotions.

Feel Better
Smokers who switch to E-cigarettes say that they experience increased lung capacity which has made them feel more vigorous, vital and youthful.

Cut Down or Eliminate Cigarettes
Many E-cigarette users find that they can reduce or sometimes totally eliminate their desire for regular cigarettes and can gradually reduce the amount of nicotine their E-cigarette produces, effetively weaning them off the chemical addiction without having to give up the physical habit of smoking.

Look Cool
Remember how glamorous those old movie stars with their elegant cigarette holders seemed, especially compared to the inglorious image of smokers these days? E-cigarettes are fashioned to recreate that sense of savoir-faire with their stylish, sleek designs and glowing LED tip in modern electric blue or traditional cozy orange.

"Spread the Word"
You may well make a lot of new friends as curious people -- especially other smokers -- want to ask you about about the benefits of E-cigarettes, so you will be soon be making your own list of reasons for switching.

More info on http://www.new-smoke.com

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Mums-to-be get a smoking warning - Burton Mail

WOMEN in South Derbyshire are ignoring health warnings by smoking during pregnancy, new figures reveal today.

A survey by the Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) showed that during 2008-09 the number of mums-to-be refusing to kick the habit was ‘significantly worse than the national average’.

Derbyshire's Director of Public Health, Dr David Black, said: "We know smoking during pregnancy is a challenge for us and is much more likely in young mothers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"We are working very hard with maternity services, midwives, GPs and others and have a dedicated stop smoking service for pregnant women to give them the help and support they may need.

"We have worked very hard to make sure that we fully record information on smoking in pregnancy, which means our data is very complete so we know exactly how we are doing and how best to plan our services.”

Overall, nearly 15 per cent of women who gave birth across England during the same period said they smoked during pregnancy.

But there was better news on other fronts, with South Derbyshire outperforming the national average for the number of deaths from lung cancer in 2006-08 and cancer registrations in 2005-07.

Figures released for East Staffordshire showed that it was also ‘significantly better’ than the national average in these groups.

The Department of Health commissioned the research, which was led by the London Health Observatory.

This was on behalf of the APHO, which represents 12 public health groups.

Dr Black said: “Smoking is the biggest cause of death in England, accounting for between one in six and one in 10 deaths.

“What this data shows is that the proportion of deaths caused by smoking in Derbyshire is lower than the average for England.

“Derbyshire has been operating stop smoking services for 10 years and we work with other organisations, including schools, to help people not to start smoking, to reduce the availability of counterfeit and smuggled tobacco and to create smoke-free environments wherever possible.

“Partly as a result of all this work, we can see that deaths in Derbyshire due to smoking are falling and are below the average for England.

“Statistics show that smokers who seek support from Derbyshire Stop Smoking Services and other NHS stop smoking services have a lot of success giving up smoking.”

* Anyone thinking about quitting smoking should telephone Derbyshire Stop Smoking Services on 0800 085 2299.

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Can I Ask My Boyfriend's Pals to Stop Smoking? - FrumForum

Writing in the Globe and Mail, David Eddie hears from a reader who’s trying not just to get her boyfriend to stop smoking, but all of his friends too.  The reader writes:

I have been dating someone for seven months, and I enjoy spending time with his friends and family.

But the whole group smokes, including my boyfriend when he’s with them, and I don’t. It’s gotten to a point where I’m left alone inside while they go outside to smoke in a little group, or if I go outside, I have to stand off to the side.

They also smoke in the car, albeit with the windows open, but we usually take road trips together. I don’t have an allergy or asthma, and I grew up with a family that smoked, so I don’t feel like saying anything that could prompt a “smug non-smoker” reaction. But if I don’t, I fear it’s going to have a serious effect on my relationship with my boyfriend because I’m going to want to go out with them less. He has agreed to not smoke when we are all together, but I don’t know if I have the right to ask them to change their habits. What should I do?

Eddie responds:

I think your way is clear with your boyfriend’s smoking fiends – oops, I mean, friends. First of all, you’re well within your rights to ask them to refrain from filling the vehicle with their fumes on road trips. Res ipsa loquitur: the thing speaks for itself. Or, to use more contemporary terminology: Duh! Even with the windows open, it’s a pretty closed environment, and their right to smoke ends where the tips of your pristine pink lungs begin.

I don’t know how they’ll wind up servicing their habit on the road – pull over, go down in the ditch, smoke and jump back in, maybe – but that’s their problem. …

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Patriots to promote Lung Cancer and Stop Smoking Awareness Sunday - Patriots.com

As part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's season-long 'Kick Cancer' initiative and in partnership with Brigham and Woman's Hospital, the Patriots will promote lung cancer awareness and stop smoking awareness at the October 31 game versus the Vikings. Fans will receive fun flags, information about lung cancer awareness and hear special messages from LB Rob Ninkovich about lung cancer prevention during the game.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (October 29, 2010) - As part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's season-long "Kick Cancer" initiative, and in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Patriots will promote lung cancer awareness at the October 31 game at Gillette Stadium versus the Minnesota Vikings.

"Through the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, we have teamed up with our local hospitals to help raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening and prevention," said Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft. "While one of our primary goals is to draw attention to women's cancers that are difficult to detect and screen, our hope throughout the season is to raise awareness for all cancers and to stress the importance of regular screenings to all of our fans. For Sunday's game, we are focusing on a cancer that is almost entirely preventable, yet is a disease that kills more Americans than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. We are proud to partner with Brigham and Women's Hospital this weekend to promote the lung cancer prevention."

New England Patriots Charitable Foundation "Kick Cancer" partner Brigham and Women's Hospital will be at Gillette Stadium Sunday distributing 40,000 fun flags promoting smoke-free living and featuring information about lung cancer. Brigham and Women's Hospital will also host locations throughout the stadium where Patriots fans can receive literature about lung cancer and stopping smoking.

During the game, Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich will appear in a public service announcement on the stadium's video screens encouraging Patriots fans to quit smoking. He joins fellow linebacker Gary Guyton, kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Zoltan Mesko as Patriots players who have filmed public service announcements asking Patriots fans to help "Kick Cancer."

Ninkovich was glad to be Sunday's "Kick Cancer" representative. "My grandmother had lung cancer and she never even smoked," he said. "She got it from second hand smoke and being around it her whole life. She got through it and she beat it, but it's something that is really hard to go through and it's hard to beat. I would say if you have a history of any type of cancer in your family, you should go get checked out."

The Patriots' "Kick Cancer" initiative will continue throughout the season as the Patriots aim to raise awareness about cancer through messages to fans and the distribution of educational material at home games in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital - the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For more information about the "Kick Cancer" initiative, including resources and information about cancer prevention and screening, visit www.patriots.com/community.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION "KICK CANCER" GAME SCHEDULE:
October 31 ........................... Minnesota Vikings......................... Lung Cancer and Stop Smoking Awareness
November 21 ....................... Indianapolis Colts ........................ Childhood Cancer Awareness
December 6 ......................... New York Jets.............................. Colon Cancer Awareness
December 19 ....................... Green Bay Packers....................... Prostate Cancer Awareness
January 2 ............................. Miami Dolphins............................. Kick Cancer Celebration with Survivors and Caregivers

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NYC Sees The Benefits When People Stop Smoking - News Aura

New York City Smoking

New York City has seen a decline in the number of smoke related deaths, as numbers of smokers in the city have dropped. Cardiovascular disease is down 27%, cancer is down 9%, and respiratory disease is down 12%.

Health Department Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley says “Smoking still kills more than 7,000 New Yorkers each year, and thousands more will suffer smoking-induced strokes, heart attacks, debilitating lung diseases and cancers. It’s never too late to quit smoking. We want to help smokers to do just that.”

Did you know that there are benefits when you decide to give up smoking? For starters, there are a lot of hazardous factors that may cause death and can’t be prevented such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, accidents, and diseases that are not 100% treatable, apart from all of this factors, cause of death will be prevented when you stop smoking. Once you quit smoking. More years will be added to your life. Most people know about all of the harmful effects of smoking but sometimes especially when you have been doing the habit almost half of your life, the compulsion to smoke is really very, very irresistible. Even if we know all the benefits that we would get once we stop smoking, quitting is really not that easy. It’s always easier said than done.

The good thing is even if you’re having a hard time quitting the smoking habit; it will be a good start to acknowledge the fact that smoking is bad for your health. This acknowledgement may lead to the possibilities of taking steps to gradually stop smoking. Even if you haven’t officially committed yourself at least you’re open to the idea of quitting to smoke.

There are a lot of ways to stop smoking. All you need is a lot of determination and self-discipline. Finding out about all the health problem’s and diseases that smoking can cause you might be a helpful step for stopping. Smoking may cause cervical cancer in women, for pregnant moms this can cause premature birth, low birth weight, and also miscarriages. It may be the cause of impotence for smoking men, other health problems include strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, pulmonary diseases and osteoporosis, brittleness of the bones which results to higher susceptibility to fractures. Your taste, sense of smell and breathing will also be affected by smoking.

Physiological and physical dependence to smoking is caused by the nicotine in tobacco or cigarettes. You might be determined to stop but the desire to smoke will always be stronger making it very hard to resist. It is explained to be a complex form of smoking addiction. Unpleasant withdrawal effects are experienced when smoking is stopped and sometimes it becomes the reason for continuing the habit all over again. Breathing secondhand smoke may also cause potential health risks. Non-smokers who are living with people who smoke will increase their risk of having lung cancer and heart diseases by 25%.

Think of all the benefits you will gain when you stop smoking for good. First of all, it will be granted the pleasure of living a longer life and improve the quality of your health. You’ll have more money to save and because smoking is the cause of damage and wrinkled skin, you will start to look better too.

Support and encouragement from family and friends will make it much easier for you to stop smoking especially smokers who seek professional help. They will have much higher chances of successfully quitting to smoke than smokers with willpower to depend alone.

Short URL: http://www.newsaura.com/?p=1091

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Smart Herbs and Teas Announces Smoking Cessation Herbal Tea Blend to Help ... - RedOrbit

Posted on: Saturday, 30 October 2010, 00:00 CDT

Jeanie and Malva Cadle of Smart Herbs and Teas have developed a popular all-natural herbal tea blend that eases the cravings of cigarette addiction, while cleansing the body of nicotine that cost just 30 cents per cup. Smokers can call (866) 331-9404 for consultations. Purchases can be shipped for a small fee.

Oakland, CA (Vocus) October 29, 2010

Smart Herbs and Teas’ Smokers Herbal Tea Blend reduces cravings for nicotine, helps clear congestion, and stimulates the immune system Unlike nicotine supplements, like gums and patches, which prolong nicotine addiction, Smart Herbs and Teas medicinal tea blend for smoking cessation helps the body cleanse itself of nicotine and other toxins.

“Nicotine substitution methods do not work and are a waste of time and money,” said Jeanie Cadle. “Our all natural, organic, medical tea blend helps the body get rid of nicotine, while reducing cravings and helping the body heal itself.”

Marva and Jeanie’s blend contains sage, mullein, red clover, and marsh mallow. Sage is an antibiotic that helps fight infection and contains antioxidants that keep free radicals from damaging tissue and cells. Mullein is a calming, anti-inflammatory herb that helps the respiratory tract and lungs. Mullein is often used for cold, cough, asthma, and bronchitis. Red clover also helps relieve cough, colds, and bronchitis. Marsh mallow strengthens the immune systems, relieves inflammation, and helps protect the mucus membranes of the lungs and intestines. It also helps slow the aging process

“You can brew our Smoker’s tea blend or smoke it,” said Marva Cadle. “People use it as a substitute for tobacco, sometimes blending it with tobacco to wean themselves off.”

The smoking cessation medical tea blend costs $4.50 per ounce plus shipping fees. An ounce of the tea blend yields about 12-15 cups of tea.

For more information about Smart Herbs and Teas’ products and services or to subscribe to their newsletter, contact Jeanie or Marva Cadle toll-free at (866) 331-9404, visit their shop located at 3639 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610, or view their website: http://www.smartherbsandteas.com.

About Smart Herbs and Teas
Smart Herbs and Teas is a family owned and operated business that specializes in herbal tea blends for health and enjoyment. They create custom medicinal tea blends from over 150 high quality, organic herbs and teas they house in their Oakland, California shop.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebstop-smoking/tea/prweb4716984.htm

Source: prweb

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Do you want another reason to stop smoking? - About - News & Issues

Smoking cigarettes has long been known to have detrimental effects on the body, contributing to problems such as heart disease and lung cancer. Do you need yet another reason to kick the cigarette habit? How about the health of your bones...

Research has also shown that smoking cigarettes has significant effects on the bones that make up your skeleton. This is important for all of us, but will become even more important if you should ever have a fracture of your bone. Then, you could be in trouble...

Related: How To Stop Smoking | How To Speed Bone Healing

Photo ? Yvan Dub?

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Want to stop smoking? Become an early bird - msnbc.com

New York — Night owls may be more likely than early birds to smoke, and less likely to kick the habit over time, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that among more than 23,000 twin pairs followed for up to 30 years, those who described themselves as "evening types" -- usually alert at night and bleary-eyed in the morning -- were more likely to be current smokers and less likely to quit over time compared with morning people.

In line with that lower quit rate, night owls who smoked were also more likely to fit the diagnostic criteria for nicotine dependence than their early-bird counterparts.

The findings, reported in the journal Addiction, do not necessarily mean that there is something about being a night person that raises smoking risk.

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One possibility is that nicotine, which is a stimulant, tends to keep smokers up at night, according to lead researcher Dr. Ulla Broms of the University of Helsinki in Finland.

However, she told Reuters Health in an email, "We primarily believe that it is more likely that evening persons are more prone to initiate smoking and have greater difficulty quitting smoking."

Whether that is in fact the case, and the underlying reasons for it, are not yet known, Broms said.

One potential explanation, she noted, is that evening types are more likely to stay out late at bars and restaurants, where smoking is common (or was during the study period). Such surroundings can reinforce current smoking and thwart quit efforts.

In addition, Broms and her colleagues write in their report, evening types could be more prone to addiction and pleasure-seeking behavior than morning people. Aspects of the brain's dopamine and opioid systems, which are involved in reward-seeking and addiction, might be related to both a person's tendency to be a night owl and to smoke.

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The findings are based on data from a long-running study of Finnish twins born before 1958. In 1975, 1981 and 1990, participants were asked about their current smoking habits; during the 1981 survey, they were also asked about their tendency to be evening or morning types.

Overall, 30 percent said they were "clearly" morning types -- being "morning bright and evening sleepy." Ten percent said they were clearly evening types ("morning sleepy and evening bright").

The rest of study participants said they were to "some extent" either a morning or evening person.

Broms' team found that evening types had the highest rates of smoking at all three surveys. In the 1975 survey, 43 percent were current smokers, versus 27 percent of morning types. In 1991, those figures were 35 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

Smoking rates among "somewhat" morning types were slightly higher than those of full-fledged morning types, but lower than those of "somewhat" evening types.

When the researchers accounted for several other factors -- including age, self-reported drinking habits and participants' scores on a measure of depression symptoms -- evening types showed a three-fold greater chance of being a current smoker at any point compared with morning types.

In addition, among participants who were smokers in 1981, evening types were 27 percent less likely than morning types to have quit by 1990.

Night owls also showed higher rates of nicotine dependence, as measured by a standard questionnaire given to a sub-group of heavy smokers between 2001 and 2005: 73 percent of current evening-type smokers were nicotine-dependent, versus 48 percent of morning-type smokers.

One of the limitations of the study is that people's tendency to be evening or morning types was measured only once. Broms said that future studies should look at whether changes in those patterns over time are related to smoking habits and quit rates.

If the tendency toward night owlish-ness does in fact have some effect on quitting, there could be practical implications, according to Broms. Evening types who are aiming to stop smoking could try changing their sleep-wake habits to see if that aids their quit attempt.

Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

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Local group Nappy Roots works with Metro Health to help teens stop smoking - WHAS 11.com (subscription)

(WHAS11)  The Metro Health Department has launched a new campaign using text messages as a way to get teens to stop smoking; and they’ve recruited members of the group Nappy Roots to help spread the word.

Nappy Roots group members B-Stille and Clutch stopped by the WHAS11 studios on Thursday to give us more information about this campaign.

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Pharmac says stop-smoking drug will be closely monitored - Radio New Zealand

Updated at 1:29pm on 28 October 2010

Drug-buying agency Pharmac is to fund another treatment to help people quit smoking.

The smoking cessation treatment known as Champix will become available next week on prescription for adults.

The move is part of a multi-product agreement between Pharmac and the drug firm Pfizer.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie says Champix will be part of Medsafe's Intensive Medicines Monitoring programme, because of safety concerns.

Dr Moodie says anyone wanting to go on Champix should have first tried other simpler treatments, such as nicotine replacement therapy, Zyban, and nortriptyline.

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

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Smokers blow £2M NHS cash - Hartlepool Today

THE cost of treating patients for smoking-related illnesses in Hartlepool topped £2m in just 12 months, new figures have revealed.NHS Hartlepool last year footed a bill totalling £2,228,219 for hospital admissions of adults aged over 35 for conditions linked to smoking.

But Hartlepool, where an estimated one in three adults smoke, leads the way nationally for helping people quit.

Last year Hartlepool's Stop Smoking Services persuaded 1,934 people to give up cigarettes by holding clinics in community centres, pubs, and children's centres across the town.

Carole Johnson, health improvement lead for NHS Hartlepool, said: "Smoking rates and deaths from respiratory disease in Hartlepool are higher than the national average and the town has a high incidence of lung cancer, particularly among women.

"Hartlepool has an extremely successful Stop Smoking Service. Once again for 2009-2010 Hartlepool achieved the highest four-week quit rates in the country.

"Overall in Hartlepool there has been a steady decline in smoking prevalence."

The PCT added it was doing a number of things to tackle smoking in the town, including helping pregnant smokers to quit and a training programme for staff who work with children and families on the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Dr Katie Elmer, consultant chest physician at the University Hospital of Hartlepool, said smoking is a major cause of early death in the town and warned admissions for chest conditions are expected to rise during winter.

She said: "The biggest thing anyone can do to improve their health is to give up smoking."

Figures for smoking-related hospital admissions were released by the Association of Public Health Authorities Observatories (APHO), a public health intelligence organisation.

The cost for neighbouring North Tees primary care trust, which covers Billingham, was £4,017,653, while County Durham PCT, which covers Peterlee and east Durham, reached £11,493,469.

The figures come as the APHO publishes tobacco profiles for the North-East detailing levels of illness and avoidable death caused by smoking.

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Anxiety Disorders Make It Harder to Stop Smoking - Medscape

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Tenants must stop smoking or leave apartment complex - Mid Columbia Tri City Herald

Residents at Keewaydin Plaza and Sunnyslope Homes in Kennewick have until Sept. 1, 2011, to crush their smoking habit or vacate their apartments and duplexes under rules adopted Tuesday by the Kennewick Housing Authority board.

The new smoke-free rule takes effect Feb. 1, requiring current residents to sign new leases agreeing to the rule by March 1.

But current residents will be allowed to take advantage of a grace period until Sept. 1 if they sign an exemption that will allow them to smoke in their rooms until then. After that, though, they will have to quit the habit or move.

Housing board members also agreed to establish designated smoking areas at Keewaydin Plaza, Sunnyslope Homes and Mitchell Manor -- the authority's three properties in Kennewick which provide about 150 public housing units.

Tuesday's decision came after the five-member board weighed the desire to have a smoke-free policy with concerns of residents who protested being forced to quit smoking.

"This is going to be hard for a lot of our elderly people," said Debbie Hathaway, who lives in the 66-unit high-rise Keewaydin Plaza at Washington Street and 6th Avenue.

"We are being isolated and mistreated simply because we are handicapped," added Caroline Aldridge, a former resident of Keewaydin Plaza who said as a former smoker she sympathizes with those who still have the habit.

Board member Laurie Tufford said she had heard the concerns and wanted to make the smoke-free rule as easy on the residents as possible.

"This has really caused some havoc at Keewaydin. They are very passionate about this," Tufford said.

Jack Robinson, a Keewaydin Plaza resident, suggested the board declare all units smoke-free except those occupied by smokers.

Then when the smokers leave on their own it could declare those units smoke-free.

"It might take a year or two or five, but eventually you'd have everything smoke-free," he said.

Christopher Webb, who sits on the board as a resident of Sunnyslope Homes, said he would support a smoke-free rule if the board would help residents by designating smoking areas or helping them find other housing.

Board president Amy Ward, who is executive director for Tobacco Free Benton-Franklin Counties, supported having designated smoking areas.

"(Without it) we would be encouraging people to break the rule," she said.

Ward said public housing agencies in Walla Walla, Franklin and Umatilla counties already have smoke-free policies.

"We are the doughnut hole," she said.

But Ward did not support the motion to establish the smoke-free policy with designated smoking areas and the six-month grace period. She abstained, while the four remaining board members voted for it.

Board member Tom Moak proposed the grace period, saying it wasn't right to force elderly and disabled residents to go outside in the middle of winter for a smoke.

Home smoking ban in works

Residents of Keewaydin Plaza and Sunnyslope Homes in Kennewick would be banned from smoking in their homes if the Kennewick Housing Authority decides today to proceed with new rules.

The authority board is to meet at 1:30 p.m. in the community center at Sunnyslope Homes, 1915 W. Fourth Place, in Kennewick to consider adding the smoke-free policy to its lease agreements, effective Feb. 1.

About half the tenants in the 66-unit Keewaydin Plaza signed a petition protesting the smoking ban. Tenants who refuse to sign the new lease would be required to move out within 30 days.

Kennewick housing residents may face ultimatum: Kick the habit or get kicked out

KENNEWICK — More than two dozen residents at Keewaydin Plaza on Sixth Avenue in Kennewick are protesting a proposed ban on smoking at the 65-unit public housing facility, saying it would force evictions for those who can't give up the habit.

"I think it sucks. I'm a smoker. This is not fair at all," said Sheila Wolf, who has lived in the Kennewick Housing Authority's high-rise apartments for four years.

Wolf, who uses a wheelchair to get around, is one of 30 people who signed petitions objecting to the proposed change in the lease agreements that would take effect Feb. 1.

Spain says 'Adios' to smoking in bars, cafes

Spain, famed for its smoke-filled bars, corner cafes and restaurants, set the stage Wednesday for a tough new anti-smoking law that will rid the country of its dubious status as one of Western Europe's easiest places to light up.

The bill passed by parliamentary commission calls for transforming all bars and restaurants into no-smoking zones, bringing Spain in line with the European Union's strictest anti-smoking nations and many U.S. states that bar smoking in enclosed public places. It's expected to pass the Senate and become law on Jan. 2.

The law also will make Spain a tougher place to smoke than many other European countries where bars and restaurants are still allowed to have smoking sections, and will prohibit smoking in outdoor places such as playgrounds and the grounds of schools and hospitals.

Library staff call former boss 'bully'

Danielle Krol's exit from the Mid-Columbia Libraries was welcomed by some of her current and former staff.

"She was a visionary and I give her credit for bringing the library out of the Dark Ages, but she was a textbook bully," said Ann Reeves, who worked for 21/2 years under Krol in staff training.

"She had the board convinced she had everything going well, but it was all about control. Staff was forbidden to speak to any board member," Reeves said.

Social service agencies seeing increased demand

People working in social services in the Tri-Cities are seeing a rising demand despite the relatively stable local economy.

They also are seeing government funding cuts for welfare programs and reductions in charitable giving, leaving more and more people falling through the cracks even as the Tri-Cities remains one of the only places in the country seeing consistent job growth.

Directors of three local agencies told the Columbia Basin Badger Club on Friday the statistics are disheartening, especially when they're seeing less money invested in prevention programs that could save society costs in the long-term.

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One-in-four women smoking while pregnant - ChronicleLive

Oct 27 2010 by Helen Rae, Evening Chronicle

NEW figures show almost one-in-four women in the North East smoke while pregnant. Health Reporter Helen Rae reports.

A SHOCK report reveals pregnant women in the region are much more likely to smoke than those in the South.

Illustrating the link between smoking-related diseases and Englands poorest communities, a survey by the Association of Public Health Observatories found that 23% of women in the North East smoked while they were pregnant in 2008/09, compared with 4% in Richmond, Surrey.

The worst affected areas in the region included South Tyneside, County Durham and Sunderland.

Martyn Willmore, performance improvement delivery manager at Fresh North East, said: The statistics do not surprise me as this is an issue that must be addressed.

It reflects the higher smoking rates among women compared to men up to 23% of women in the North East smoke and 17% of men.

Midwives play an important role in helping drive down smoking rates in pregnancy and we need to ensure theyre educating women about the dangers smoking poses to their unborn child and that they are pushing the stop smoking message. We also need to ensure pregnant women are given the appropriate help and support through our stop smoking services.

Overall, nearly 15% of women who gave birth across England in the same period said they smoked.

Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems including premature birth, low birth weight, cot death, childhood asthma, miscarriage and breathing problems in the first six months of life.

Kerry Lynch, public health specialist at NHS North of Tyne, said: Work is ongoing with our partners in maternity services and stop smoking services to help pregnant women quit smoking and we have free specialist support from our stop smoking pregnancy specialists.

When a pregnant woman smokes, the baby is subjected to the same effects and the same harmful chemicals.

Breathing in other peoples smoke can also have implications.

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Trend of smoking among students stable- Survey - Ghana News Agency

Trend of smoking among students stable- Survey     

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Smoking among Junior High School students has not increased over the years, though more needs to be done to reduce the trend among young smokers, a study by Ghana Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), said on Tuesday.

The survey therefore recommended the use of the media to uncover, expose and inhibit tobacco consumption and its harmful effect and the tobacco industry.

Disseminating the findings of the 2009 survey at the Lekma Cluster of Schools in Accra, Mrs Edith Wellington, Focal Person on Tobacco Control of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the GYTS is a school-based tobacco specific survey, which focuses on adolescents between 13-15 years.

Ghana first participated in the multi-country initiative in 2000, repeated it in 2006 and in 2009.

She said the survey was aimed at documenting and monitoring the prevalence of tobacco-use.

It assessed learners' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes related to tobacco-using behaviour, as well as smoking cessation and environmental tobacco smoke.

On prevalence students who ever smoked was 8.9 per cent as compared to 11.5 per cent in 2006 and 14.6 per cent in 2000.

The survey noted that 38.8 per cent boys and 28.8 per cent girls in 2009, and 40.8 per cent boys and 29.1 per cent girls in 2006 were of the view that people who smoke have more friends while 12.8 per cent boys and 11.6  per cent girls in 2009 taught that those who smoke looked more attractive compared to 15.2 per cent boys and 13.1 per cent girls in 2006 and 17.9 per cent for boys and 16 per cent for girls in 2000.  

On access to and availability of cigarettes, Mrs Wellington said in 2009, 35.5 per cent of current smokers indicated they usually smoked at home and that it was significantly lower than the 40.8 per cent of current smokers in 2006 and  24.4 per cent in 2000.

There was however a significant difference across the three surveys in terms of the availability of cigarettes. 

In 2009, 26.9 per cent of current smokers usually bought their cigarettes in a store, while in 2006 34.3 per cent had their cigarettes from stores and in 2000 49.3 per cent purchased their cigarettes in a store.

In 2009, close to nine out of 10 pupils who currently smoked cigarettes, and eight out of the 10 in 2006, reported that they wanted to stop smoking at the time of the survey. However, in 2000 92.5 per cent wanted to stop smoking.

Majority of pupils in the three surveys had tried to stop smoking during the past year. Similarly, a higher percentage of current smokers at the time of the survey reported that they had ever received help to quit the habit.

Ms Sophia Twum- Barimah, Communications Officer of the World Health Organisation (WHO) who spoke on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international health treaty spearheaded by the organisation said it was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2003.

The adoption of the treaty followed a process of two years of negotiations with governments, non-governmental organisations and interested persons and provided governments with a supportive environment so that tobacco control interventions could be implemented at national levels.

The aim of the FCTC she said was to reduce smoking and other forms of tobacco use, which is responsible for innumerable illnesses and deaths.

She said the treaty requires governments to "develop, implement, periodically update and review comprehensive multi-sectoral national tobacco control strategies, plans and programmes", relating to price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, protection from exposure to tobacco smoke and regulation of the contents of tobacco products.

According to Ms Twun Barimah, Ghana has signed and ratified the WHO FCTC but was yet to enact legislation, even though a Tobacco Control Bill has been drafted and been reviewed many times.

This notwithstanding, she said  Ghana has been involved in tobacco control having recognised that the spread of the tobacco epidemic is a global problem with serious consequences for public health.

Tobacco use is rising steadily especially among the youth and there is also evidence of a rise in the incidence of non-communicable diseases like cancers and strokes as well as hypertension have all been linked to its use, she said and called for concerted efforts to stem the tide.

GNA

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