According to a new survey Americans are reaching for a smoke more often, as stress caused by a slowing economy, shrinking retirement accounts and rising unemployment rates are causing many smokers to light up more or to avoid quitting.
Nearly 25% of smokers say that ever since they have been worrying over the economy they have been driven to smoke more daily. Another 13% of smokers state that they have delayed giving up smoking.
Cheryl Healton, the president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation, said in a statement, "The turbulent global stock markets have caused virtually every American a certain level of stress. Those who also struggle with an addiction to tobacco products are at an increased disadvantage as they contemplate quitting, or feel the urge to smoke more cigarettes."
So not only have smokers gotten the short end of the stick with smoking bans but now the stress of a wayward economy is putting the most weight on their shoulders.
[Via: Reuters]
Recently released research results show that women who smoke during pregnancy are much more likely to have babies with a cleft lip or palate.
This study has been found to be unique, as the women did not report their smoking habits, instead their nicotine levels were measured, which is a much more reliable of verifying whether a person has been smoking. Blood was taken from about 500 pregnant women.
Gary. M. Shaw, research director at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California, said, "This research is the first time we've been able to measure something - in this case nicotine - and determine the risk of smoking during pregnancy for oral-facial birth defects."
Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of March of Dimes said, "The message to women is simple and clear. Don't smoke during pregnancy or even if you are considering becoming pregnant."
This is where the doctor is wrong, as the message is not clear, there is a lot of conflicting information surrounding the effects of smoking during pregnancy. If experts had a solid and clear standpoint, women would probably take the message more seriously.
[Via: March of Dimes]
Researchers in Canada have found that marijuana may contain more toxins than tobacco smoke. Ammonia and hydrogen cyanide is found at much higher levels than in tobacco smoke.
David Moir and his colleagues have conducted extensive studies on the composition of chemicals in both tobacco smoke and marijuana. There are about 50 toxins in tobacco smoke that can cause cancer, while the research on marijuana has not been as extensive.
The researchers used smoking machines in this study to mimic the smoking habits of marijuana smokers. Ammonia levels were found to be significantly higher in marijuana smoke. But the levels of hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and other aromatic amines were found to be 3-5 times higher in the marijuana smoke. According to researchers this finding is important because the "information for public health and communication of the risk related to the exposure to such materials."
For smokers the conclusion is that there is actually something worse out there than smoking tobacco.
[Via: Science Daily]
