A new study suggests that mothers who smoke during their pregnancy could put their children at risk of having delusions, hallucinations or other psychotic symptoms.
A survey of 12-year olds in the UK showed that those whose mothers had smoked were about 20% more likely to face such issues. The link was even more pronounced at 84%, if the mother smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day.
Though further study of the issue is required, scientists are saying that this could possibly be due to tobacco exposure in the womb affecting the development of the child's brain.
Cardiff, Nottingham, Bristol and Warwick universities took part in this research project, which is part of an extensive study known as the Avon Longitudal Study of Parents and Children looking at how genetics and the environment affects health.
Dr Ken Checinski of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said, "The findings are compelling, but we must not jump to conclusions. The results need to be replicated in other studies now to be sure. However, we already know that smoking during pregnancy is linked to a number of others risks, such as low birth-weight and complications."
In a nutshell, yet again nothing is 100% proved, but that doesn't mean governments around the world can stop their witch hunt against smokers…
[Via: BBC]
According to a new British study the smoking cessation drug varenciline (Chantix) does not increase the risk of suicidal tendencies or depression.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently mandated that a "black box warning" be carried by the drug's packaging, which would indicate to users that by using the drug they were at risk of experiencing "serious neuropsychiatric symptoms." This includes changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts and behavior as well as attempted suicide.
In this study, 660 men and women aged 18 to 95, who had been prescribed a product to aid smoking cessation between September 2006 and May 2008. Prescriptions included vareniciline, the antidepressant bupropion (Zyban) or nicotine replacement products, like patch, inhaler, gum, tablet or lozenge. Patients were followed over the period they were on the prescription and three months after they were off the last prescription.
The study reported that there was no clear evidence to show that varenicline or bupropion increased self-harm, suicidal thoughts or depression. But the researchers did add that "the limited power of the study means we cannot rule out either a halving or a two-fold increased risk."
Leaving the hopeful quitter without any real answer, it would be wonderful if there truly was a drug that could help smokers quit, or at least make the battle easier. Smokers should be given more information about smoking cessation than on the dangers of smoking, because this is what is truly productive.
[Via: ajc.com]
Researchers have recently stated that smoking bans in public places can reduce heart attack rates by about 36%, further supporting the effectiveness of smoking restrictions.
Widespread bans on smoking are encouraged in enclosed public places, to help improve general public health.
The author of the study James Lightwood of the University of California, San Francisco, said in a statement, "This study adds to the already strong evidence that second-hand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100 percent smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public."
Data was pooled from 13 studies on the smoking bans that have taken effect in the United States, Canada and Europe.
The researchers claimed that as soon as smoking restrictions were put in place, heart attack rates would fall immediately.
He said, "A well-designed smoking restriction law can significantly reduce heart attacks in the community and has a beneficial impact on public health."
Strangely (or not), no one talks about the freedom. If you were reading these studies without thinking, you would think that all those people who lived in the 70' and 80' are dead by now. Stupid…
In the past, most believed the words of the tobacco executives that smoking was not addictive and that cigarettes did not contain carcinogens. Today, the FDA controls tobacco products, but Americans and the rest of the world has not learned its lesson. It should not be forgotten that the people who protect us from tobacco should not be followed blindly either.
It was announced recently that the Food and Drug Administration would be banning the sale of fruit and candy flavored cigarettes. Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, "These flavored cigarettes are a gateway for many children and young adults to become regular smokers." She went on to say that this ban will "break that cycle of addiction for more than 3,600 young people who start smoking daily."
The problem is that children will go to great lengths to get themselves in trouble. If they are not experimenting with cigarettes, it is in their nature they will get addicted to something else. Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard are the nation's biggest tobacco companies, and they do not even sell flavored cigarettes. Most flavored cigarettes have long been off the market. Most major producers of tobacco only use menthol in their cigarettes, and this is the only flavor that has not been banned. Go figure.
[Via: townhall.com]
The implementation of the law to end the display of tobacco in shops in Scotland has gotten over its first hurdle.
Cigarette vending machines would also be banned and a new registration scheme will be introduced for retailers under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill.
According to Scottish ministers this is an important step in tackling the smoking-health related problems that Scotland is facing.
The bill has been attacked on several sides, with the Tories voting against it and the Tobacco Retailers Alliance also raising some questions. It is felt that this law will cost shops a lot of money, which is the last thing small businesses need in this time of economic crisis.
However, it is more than likely that this legislation will go through. Public Health Minister Shona Robison says: "Some 15,000 children and young people start to smoke each year in Scotland and the potential impact on their health is frightening."
It is felt that the displays in shops are also a form of advertising and that they draw our attention to cigarettes. Yeah, sure. This will help… bankrupt small shops, only.
[Via: BBC]
