Tobacco Control February 28th, 2009
American Lung Association Report Shows 2007 Shaping Up to be a Banner Year for Tobacco Control Policies.
Mid-Year Update Details Progress to Date in 2007;
7 States Significantly Strengthened Smokefree Air Laws, 8 Raised Tobacco Taxes
New York, NY (July 24, 2007)
In 2007, many states have taken strong action to protect their citizens from tobacco by making public places and workplaces smokefree, raising tobacco taxes, and passing laws to protect citizens from cigarette-caused fires, according to a report released today by the American Lung Association.
In the 2007 Mid-Term Update to its publication State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues or SLATI, the Lung Association summarizes state tobacco control laws enacted in 2007 on smokefree air, tobacco taxes, smoking prevention spending and fire-safety standards for cigarettes among other issues.
?In January 2006, the American Lung Association issued its Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge, urging all states to adopt strong smokefree air laws. The 2007 SLATI Mid-Term Report shows significant progress continues to be made. 22 states and the District of Columbia have laws fully protecting their citizens from secondhand smoke. We challenge policymakers in the remaining states to do the same,? said Bernadette A. Toomey, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.
Also in 2007, eight states have increased their cigarette taxes, already matching the total for all of 2006. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia have increased their cigarette tax at least once since 2002. ?We are encouraged that states continue to increase tobacco taxes, which makes cigarettes more costly. Higher cigarette prices deter young people from starting to smoke and help motivate adult smokers to quit,? said Toomey.
An increasing number of states have approved legislation setting fire-safety standards for cigarettes. Twelve states have approved this legislation in 2007, and three more states have legislation awaiting action by the governor. ?This legislation is vital in the fight to reduce the 700 to 900 deaths annually from fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials,? she added.
A PDF copy of 2007 SLATI Mid-Term Report is available online. This website is also the home of the online version of SLATI, which is updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in state tobacco control laws throughout the year.
About the American Lung Association
Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is ?Improving life, one breath at a time. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.
Ways to Quit Smoking February 10th, 2009
Let the Latest Technology Be Your AideThere are many ways to quit smoking today. Which one you choose would depend on many factors ? such as the degree of addiction, the quality of your quit smoking support, the products you use, your reaction to the withdrawal system and so on. The best way would always be the one that you find the easiest to implement within your lifestyle. The easiest way would normally be the latest available one - because it would have solutions to most of shortcoming of the previous methods.What Is The Latest In The Ways To Quit Smoking?The development of technology is moving at breakneck speed with everyday having something new to offer. When it comes to the different ways to quit smoking the laser treatment is one of the latest and most innovative one. The laser treatment involves three steps:
1. Step one ? the laser activates the meridian points the result of which is an almost instant reduction in the dependency on and craving for nicotine.
2. Stage two ? the laser acts on the appetite points the result which is suppressed hunger and prevention of weight gain.
3. Stage three ? the laser acts on the relaxation points which promote the release of endorphins into the blood. The result is that there are no withdrawal symptoms that usually accompany the quit smoking process.There are many advantages in using this method to kick off the smoking habit.
Check out three of the most important ones:
1. Natural and safe ? the laser treatment is one hundred percent natural. There would be no patches on your skin, no medication, no worrying about any medication side effects. Safe and natural ? that is what laser quit smoking treatment is.
2. High rate of success ? there are many ways to quit smoking and each have their rates of success. The laser treatment offers you a 90% success rate which is the best available today. You want to quit smoking, the LLLT or the low level laser treatment can help you.
3. Painless ? the LLLT is completely painless. No puncture marks, no withdrawal symptoms, no waiting. This is the most painless and easy way to stop smoking.
The downside of this treatment is that is quite expensive ? though it would definitely be less that what you would need to pay for cancer treatment if you continue smoking. Overall, this is one of the best ways to quit smoking available today.