Most people are seeing the tax hike in Florida as a positive thing. Non-smokers feel that this is the best way to get smokers to give up their bad habit.
Taxes on cigarettes jumped by $1 per pack recently, and the general consensus is that now smokers will feel the pressure on their health AND their pockets. At this point, a carton of cigarettes costs about $23.50, which is a lot of money in times like these.
Most smokers are very aware of the fact that by quitting they would be helping their friends and family, but it is not that easy. Quitting is a huge task and can be extremely difficult.
It is important for non-smokers to remember that they need to be supportive, and that by attacking smokers they are not being all that helpful.
[Via: sunnewspapers.net]
Smoking has made it's way to the iPhone, with the so called "smoking simulator application," which is readily available in the AppStore.
The application combines the use of the touchscreen and microphone to create a really interesting effect.
Some feel that this application might be promoting smoking, and it was banned from the AppStore last year.
Basically the application shows a cigarette or a pipe with smoke billowing from it, and you can use your finger to manipulate the smoke.
Applications like this should not be banned, as this is just a bit of childish fun. But with the panic around smoking these days, it is more than likely that similar applications will be banned. Still, it's quite a treat to watch, and really impressive use of technology, and I'm glad to report that it's back in the AppStore!
[Via: mashable]
The LSU Health Sciences is putting on an exhibit "Not a Cough in a Carload" to show how tobacco companies used to advertise to attract new smokers.
By the beginning of the 20th century there was already research to show that smoking was harmful to health. But tobacco companies were on their toes, and they immediately launched a campaign to counter this data.
Deidra Woodson, worked on hanging up the ads for the exhibit, and she did not fail to miss the irony of the friendly doctor holding a pack of cigarettes in one of the advertisements. These kinds of images were used make people feel that smoking was safe and healthy.
But the creators of the exhibit found that there was no evidence that doctors ever supported or endorsed this habit. It was rather the stars of Hollywood that signed deals to promote cigarettes as early as the 1920's. The exhibit even holds a deal signed by Sylvester Stallone in 1983…
[Via: shreveporttimes.com]
At a press conference on Friday, when asked about Obama's smoking habits press secretary Robert Gibbs gave a fairly vague answer about the president's smoking habits. Though smoking is prohibited in the White House, it has been concluded that Obama may sneak a smoke here and there.
Obama applauded Congress at a briefing about the new bill, giving the Food and Drug Administration the right to control tobacco production, which is when the question of his smoking habits was also brought up.
When asked about whether he had managed to quit, the president answered, "You know, I have, but what I said (in an earlier interview) was that, you know, there are times when I've fallen off the wagon."
Gibbs's answere was much the same, "I think the president would likely tell you, as I think many –- anybody would that has smoked or been addicted to smoking – that it is a lifelong struggle."
Of course, those who have a bit of empathy can understand this problem and are not taking offence to the fact that the president might be a smoker. This should be taken as an example, that even a man this powerful may not have the might to quit. Neither the president or the average smoker should be demonized or have his or her freedom to choose taken away from them.
[Via: Chicago Sun-Times]
The New York Times' City Room recently decided to test yet unregulated e-cigarette. In New York City, the laws on smoking are fairly strict so this was the place to try things out.
As the smoke released by this fake cigarette is fairly realistic it got some fairly negative reactions on the subway.
It seemed that only smokers themselves accepted the cigarette warmly. The e-cigarette seemed to be a way to start up some conversation, with smokers asking questions like, "Are you trying to quit smoking?" Most smokers recognize the product right from the start.
Many are curious about the price of the product and whether it contains real nicotine. There are also questions about how the smoke is created, and what to do when you run out of nicotine.
It was found that the best place to use this product is in bars as it is not all that visible, only the imitation embers can be seen when the smoker inhales. The smoke has no smell and just evaporates into the air, so if the bartender is not paying attention probably will not notice what you are doing.
But it is interesting to see the negative reactions of the average passerby, there is quite a stigma associated with smoking and even if one uses a prop like the e-cigarette (which is environment friendly) they will still be ostracized.
[Via: NY Times Blogs]
