About 90% of all lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. Smoking kills 7 million people a year, speeds aging, destroys the heart and cardiovascular system, and leads to asthma and COPD. But cigarettes don’t just wreak havoc on the human body; they also wreak havoc on the environment through deforestation, pollution, and littering. [1] [2]
A survey released by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that more people in the U.S. use opioid painkillers than tobacco, highlighting the tragic opioid crisis gripping the country. [1]
Adult smokers in the U.S. are kicking the habit at a rate that researchers haven’t seen in 20 years. The rate of smoking fell to 15% in 2015 due to the biggest 1-year decline in 2 decades.
The rate fell 2 percentage points from 2014, when approximately 17% of adults in a large national survey said they had recently lit up. The last time Americans kicked the habit at that pace was from 1992 to 1993, when the smoking rate dropped 1.5 percentage points, said Brian King of the CDC.
Researchers point out a correlation between saturated fat consumption and lung cancer, suggesting that people who eat a diet high in saturated fat (found in butter and beef) have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than those who eat a low-fat diet. Smoking increases the risk even further. [1]
From terror attacks in London and Manchester, to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty, and the Grenfell Tower fire: bad news has dominated in recent months. But there are inspiring stories that are important too. Get a fuller picture with our top 20 positive developments from April to June
The post What went right? April to June 2017 appeared first on Positive News.
In July 2007, a law came into effect that banned smoking in enclosed public places in the UK. Ten years on, the number of smokers has fallen by nearly 2 million
The post 10 years on from ban, the number of UK smokers falls to a record low appeared first on Positive News.
Ten years to the week since the introduction of the smoking ban, the number of UK smokers is at a record low. Here are 5 positive health impacts sparked by the ban
The post 5 ways the UK’s health benefited from the smoking ban appeared first on Positive News.
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill into law on June 24, 2017 officially making medical marijuana legal for patients with certain debilitating diseases. [1]
Ben Pollara, the executive director of Florida for Care, said:
“This is a good day for sick and suffering Floridians. The signing of this law provides a framework for the future of our state’s medical marijuana system and while it is far from perfect, it will begin providing access to patients.”
Research suggests that women in Spain had significantly fewer premature or underweight babies one year after a nationwide ban on smoking
The post Reduction in early and underweight babies in Spain linked to smoking ban appeared first on Positive News.
On May 10th, the Conseil d'Etat, the highest administrative court in France, decided to ask for clarifications from the European Union Court of Justice regarding the recent EU Tobacco Products Directive. The directive would require larger health warnings, banning packs with under 20 cigarettes, banning characterizing flavors like menthol or vanilla, standardizing the shape of all packs, and heavily regulating the sale of e-cigarettes. Beyond the obvious restriction of freedom of choice, when does this regulatory action cross the line to restricting free speech?
