Parks are lively, filled with color from nature, complete with benches, sidewalks, and playgrounds where children laugh and exert excessive amounts of energy in the open, fresh air. The key of that sentence being, fresh air.

Communities around the world are recognizing the damaging effects secondhand smoke presents to others, especially to children who are growing and developing. The ability to live life without breathing in potent toxins emitting from the combustion of cigarettes and cigars is a right municipalities are beginning to grant; not through indoor smoking bans - but in ones that extend into the environment outside of businesses, restaurants, and even extending into private homes and vehicles. Continue Reading

"The British Medical Association said that the confined environment in automobiles exposes drivers and passengers to 23 times more toxins than a smokey bar."

Many areas of the world currently have bans preventing smokers from lighting up in restaurants and bars, on public sidewalks and plazas, in some condos and multifamily housing units, and in public transportation vehicles. Some communities have banned the use of cigarettes in private vehicles where children are present. In the United States, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, and Oregon current prohibit smoking in vehicles with more bans proposed across the country.

The number of toxic chemicals emitted due to the combustion process that occurs when cigarettes burn cause a variety of health problems including crippling lung diseases and cancer. Eliminating some 4,000 toxic chemicals and at least 40 known carcinogens from the air and surfaces is aimed at protecting those who do not smoke, including the youngest population of the world. Continue Reading

Oxygen is not a flammable gas, however, it is an accelerator.

What does that mean?

With more oxygen in an area, the risk of a fire becoming large quickly increases. Our atmosphere is comprised of approximately 21% oxygen. Fire safety standards are tested with this same amount of oxygen to factor in the quickness clothing, furniture, or decor will catch fire and burn. For those with oxygen in their homes, this risk is increased due to the added oxygen present through liquid and gas tanks. Continue Reading

Have you noticed that you smoke more when you are stressed?

Every person has a different definition of stress. For one person, they might see normal life responsibilities as stress while another doesn't. As unique as each person is, so are stressors. The top five stressors are; money and finances, jobs or careers, family and children, health, and relationship with a significant other. Finding healthy ways to cope with changes in those key five areas will help reduce stress levels and will keep you from smoking more -- which actually increases stress responses in the body. Continue Reading

What once was a beautiful white smile is now dim and yellow.

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Multiple tobacco companies have released dissolvable tobacco products that look, taste, and smell like candy.

Dissolvable tobacco products are not necessarily new, as they have been around for a few years. Addressing their style, shape, flavors, and marketing brings heightened concern to some professionals amidst Big Tobacco claiming these products are an alternative to smoking in a ban-heavy world.

For tobacco maker, R. J. Reynolds and others, the introduction to dissolvable tobacco products has brought a new audience to their deadly products. Snus, Strips, Sticks, and Orbs have become a common purchase as an alternative to cigarettes. The packages are designed to resemble candy and gum alternatives, donning a tagline, "Anytime, anywhere." Which leaves some to question the intended target audience.

The advertisement on the right shows a young girl smiling behind R. J. Reynolds' Camel orbs, sticks, and strips. The age of the girl in question begs the question, "Are these products geared towards teen and young adults?" Some professionals believe so.

Dr. Leslie Kohman, the Medical Director of the Upstate Cancer Center believes the main purpose is to hook kids on nicotine, gradually increasing the content of the nicotine products used encouraging a new age of adult smokers. Continue Reading

Tobacco companies knew for over 40 years that cigarettes contained a radioactive substance, Polonium-210, a new study of historical documents revealed.

Scientists from the University of California in Los Angeles reviewed 27 documents released by tobacco companies that were not previously analyzed. The findings are shocking.

The study's lead author, Hrayr Karagueuzian said the companies' level of deception surprised him.

Tobacco companies knew of radioactive properties found in cigarettes as early as 1959. Not only were they aware of the dangers, they tested and found that snakes developed lung cancer as a result of exposure to Polonium-210. Continue Reading

Approximately 90 per cent of lung cancer cases are attributed to smoking. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals and more than 40 known carcinogens. It stands to reason that most lung cancer cases are caused by smoking tobacco cigarettes given their toxicity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, September 15, 2011, that during the years 2006-2008, the lung cancer rates amongst women dropped 2 per cent nationally. Interestingly, however, the number of new cancer cases reported in the western states including California and Nevada fell as much as 4 per cent during the same time period.

For men, the West provided the same average decrease in new lung cancer cases of 4 per cent. Maybe the West has something going with their heavy regulations and bans that stretch beyond public space into vehicles and multifamily housing units. Continue Reading

Grandparents have a unique relationship with grandchildren that is founded on love, support, and respect. Seldom are grandparents in a disciplinary roll, which makes communication more fluid and focused, especially important when it comes to discussing poor choices and health effects of any given activity.

Grandparents are key influencers on a child's sense of identity. The intergenerational connection between grandparent and grandchild could provide the support and encouragement for one child to decline the offer to try tobacco products down the road. Celebrate Grandparent's Day by discussing the ill effects of smoking. Continue Reading

According to a news release August 29, 2011 by the European Society of Cardiology, Women who smoke suffer increased damage to arteries over their male counterparts.

Researchers utilized ultrasound to assess the carotid arteries of men and women in Finland, Sweden, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. The study was comprised of 1,893 women and 1,694 men.

As presented, the study concluded that atherosclerosis, a thickening of the arterial walls, was present in both genders of smokers. However, for women, the thickening of the arteries in the neck that carry oxygenated blood to the brain was more than five times greater than in men.

The association of atherosclerosis and smoking was independent of other risk factors including:

• cholesterol
• obesity
• age
• blood pressure
• social class Continue Reading