Entry bubble Banned: Flavored Cigarettes

By: Jess | October 01, 2009 | Category: Health

no smoking signLast week cigarettes with candy and clove flavors were banned in the United States as the first step in the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

The reason for the ban was to get rid of flavored cigarettes, which may attract more kids and teens to begin smoking, leading to a lifelong habit. Companies that continue to ship the products in the country will be subject to punishment from the FDA. A phone number (1-877-CTP-1373) and website have been set up for people to report if they continue to see these products for sale.

I'm not a smoker, so this ban doesn't affect me on a personal level, but I want to know what you all think. Smoking is a personal issue for a lot of people, so please share your opinions on the new ban. (Please make sure to read our comment guidelines before doing so.)

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Entry bubble Tougher Tobacco Laws

By: Colleen | June 10, 2009 | Category: Health

The Senate is voting on a bill that would require larger health warnings on cigarette packs, ban candy flavorings and claims such as "light," "mild," and "low-tar," as well as place furthur restrictions on tobacco advertising.

The hope is that the bill will save millions of lives by deterring people from smoking and protect children by keeping them from ever trying cigarettes.

Others think this will add additional burdens to the FDA and hurt tobacco farmers. The Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act will require tobacco companies to disclose detailed information about their products' ingredients and will allow the FDA to require changes to protect public health.

Critics think this legislation just forces tobacco companies to make a "safer cigarette" rather than focusing on aiding people in quitting, or never smoking in the first place.

What do you think of the new legislation? Will it be helpful in saving lives?

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ban   cigarettes   colleen   fda   smoking   tobacco  

 

Entry bubble Yo, Happy New Year!

By: Nancy | January 01, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

If you and I were in the Philadelphia suburbs where I grew up, we'd be camped out right now in front of the TV, watching the Mummers Parade and discussing our New Year's resolutions.



I'd pull out my list and you'd laugh. I usually make 20 or 30 resolutions; I keep about half. Oddly, it's the same ones every year that I seem not to be able to keep:

  • I will stop consuming junk food like I'm an eleven-year-old boy on an "all you can eat" spree at the local 7-11.
  • My five block walk between the subway and my office will not constitute my only exercise for the day.
  • I will quit hiding my head in the sand and get better-educated about investing.

Yeah, I've got some tough work ahead of me. And I'm starting with USA.gov's special section devoted to helping us keep our resolutions. Whether you're aiming to drop some pounds like I am, or you're resolved to start digging out of debt, breaking habits like smoking or drinking too much or dealing better with stress, this is the place to start.

What resolutions do you keep making—and breaking—like I do?

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Entry bubble The Great American Smokeout

By: Colleen | November 19, 2008 | Category: Health

Tomorrow is smokingthe 33rd Great American Smokeout. The smokeout is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, and is designed to inspire smokers to quit for a day. The hope is that once someone sees they can go a day without smoking, they will continue down the path to quitting permanently.

Using tomorrow, November 20th, as your quit date allows you to feel the power of "strength in numbers," being one of the 44.2% of smokers who give up the habit—at least for the day. Many resources are available to aid you in your quest to becoming smoke-free. The American Cancer Society has a "Quitline" (1-800-227-2345) that you can call toll-free and speak to a trained counselor to receive free, confidential counseling on quitting.

Social media outlets such as Facebook and MySpace also offer support channels for those looking to quit. This way, you can easily seek the encouragement of friends and family and increase your chances of giving up smoking for good.

Think you're ready to quit? This survey will help you create a a quitting plan that works for you.

If you're a non-smoker that has a friend or loved one who smokes, it is important to encourage and be patient with those trying to give up smoking. Help them by coming up with alternative activities to smoking, like going on a walk, starting a new hobby, joining a book club, etc.

Has participating in the Great American Smokeout worked for you or someone you know? Do you have any tips for quitting that you can share?

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Entry bubble Smoke-free Establishments

By: Colleen | July 30, 2008 | Category: Health

no smokingDuring a recent trip home, I woke up one morning feeling different. It had nothing to do with the sunshine streaming though my childhood window or the buzz of suburbia's lawnmowers interrupting my slumber. No, I felt different because ... I stunk.

Some friends and I spent the previous evening at the local watering hole, and in the morning I was greeted by the stench of cigarette smoke—trapped in my fabulous recently cut hair and in the clothes I'd thrown in a pile on my floor. How quickly I forgot that even though many major cities (Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Los Angeles...) have banned smoking in all public establishments, many small towns and cities have yet to follow.

A quick shower and bottle of Febreeze later, my problem was solved. Unfortunately, it's not quite so simple to avoid secondhand smoke on a regular basis. Many business owners fear that prohibiting smoking will result in a loss of clientele and revenue. Although, since some cities' smoking bans have been in place effectively for a few years now, that argument is becoming less credible.

By now, most people are well aware of the dangers of smoking. For those looking to quit, there are many resources available to help you.

Want your town, city, or state to ban smoking? Write to your elected officials, and let them know your opinion.

A Gov Gab shout-out to office buddy, Walt, who is on his way to being smoke-free!

| View Comments [10] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ban   cigarettes   colleen   secondhand_smoke   smoke free   smoking