Children and Third Hand Smoking

We all know that smoking cigarettes is very dangerous for our health. Well, a recently published report now points to the health dangers of third hand smoke, especially to young children.

Small children are very affected if they live near a person that smokes al the time. In the future they could have breathing problems. Adults have to take care of them al the time.

This new information on third hand smoke was published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. According to Hugo Destaillants, one of the co-authors of the study, “When residual nicotine reacts with ambient acid it forms carcinogenic tobacco specific nitrosamines or TSNAs. TSNAs are among the most broadly acting and potent carcinogens present in unburned tobacco and tobacco smoke.”

Nicotine is released as a vapor which collects and condenses on walls, carpets, drapes and furniture. That vapor can linger for months (as any non smoker can attest). Contact with TSNAs through inhaling dust or contact on skin through carpet or clothes can be very dangerous to young children, who play and crawl on the floor.

Scientists have been aware for years that smoke kind of sticks to surfaces that reacts with other chemicals. This means that opening a window or using a fan when smoking does not eliminate the danger as the residue clings to and follows the smoker inside.

The best way to assure that young children (and the rest of us!) are not harmed by third hand smoke is to keep their environment entirely smoke free.

Importers of Electronic Cigarettes Confront FDA

E-Cigarettes are smoked everywhere in the whole world. They contain no tobacco but they still can be dangerous for those that use them. Importers brought arguments that e-cigarettes are not bad. See who is right.

A federal appeals court has put on hold a lower court ruling allowing electronic cigarettes to be imported. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stayed a lower court order banning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from seizing the devices when they enter the country.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as "e-cigarettes," are devices that heat and vaporize small amounts of nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco. They contain no tobacco, however. The FDA had seized shipments of e-cigarettes beginning in 2008 as illegal drug-delivery devices.

The importers, Smoking Everywhere Inc. and Sottera Inc., had argued that the FDA lacked the authority to do so because of a 2000 Supreme Court ruling that the FDA lacked the power to regulate cigarettes and tobacco as drugs or devices.The lower court judge, Richard J. Leon of the U.S. District Court in Washington, granted a preliminary injunction last month barring the FDA from stopping e-cigarette imports.

Leon said he did not see an immediate threat to public health from the e-cigarettes. In appealing Leon's injunction, the FDA noted that nicotine is addictive and toxic. The agency also said that last year's federal law giving it the power to regulate tobacco products did not prevent it from regulating drug devices that deliver nicotine.

A panel of three appeals court judges temporarily stayed the lower court ruling in order to give them more time to consider the FDA's arguments that it should overturn Leon's injunction.

Great Tips to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop and keep them with you. Refer to them when tempted to light up. Even though your Camel brand has been next to you for so many years. You may wish to read a separate leaflet in this series called 'Smoking - The Facts'. This gives the reasons why smoking is so harmful and lists the benefits of stopping.

Set a date for stopping, and stop completely. (Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke less cigarettes than usual, you are likely to smoke more of each cigarette, and nicotine levels remain nearly the same. Therefore, it is usually best to stop once and for all from a set date.)

Tell everyone that you are giving up smoking. Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try to get other household members who smoke, or friends who smoke, to stop smoking at the same time. A 'team' effort may be easier than going it alone. Even though there are cigarette stores online where you can easier, be on the same position.

Get rid of ashtrays, lighters, and all cigarettes.

Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms. When you stop smoking, you are likely to get symptoms which may include: nausea (feeling sick), headaches, anxiety, irritability, craving, and just feeling awful. These symptoms are caused by the lack of nicotine that your body has been used to. They tend to peak after 12-24 hours, and then gradually ease over 2-4 weeks.

Anticipate a cough. It is normal for a 'smokers cough' to get worse when you stop smoking (as the airways 'come back to life'). Many people say that this makes them feel worse for a while after stopping smoking and makes them tempted to restart smoking. Resist this temptation! The cough usually gradually eases.

Be aware of situations in which you are most likely to want to smoke. In particular, drinking alcohol is often associated with failing in an attempt to stop smoking. You should consider not drinking much alcohol in the first few weeks after stopping smoking. Try changing your routine for the first few weeks. For example, don't go to the pub for a while if that is a tempting place to smoke and drink alcohol. Also, if drinking tea and coffee are difficult times, try drinking mainly fruit juice and plenty of water instead.

Take one day at a time. Mark off each successful day on a calendar. Look at it when you feel tempted to smoke, and tell yourself that you don't want to start all over again.

Be positive. You can tell people that you don't smoke. You will smell better. After a few weeks you should feel better, taste your food more, and cough less. You will have more money. Perhaps put away the money you would have spent on cigarettes for treats.

Food. Some people worry about gaining weight when they give up smoking as the appetite may improve. Anticipate an increase in appetite, and try not to increase fatty or sugary foods as snacks. Try sugar-free gum and fruit instead.

Don't despair if you fail. Examine the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time. It will make you stronger next time. On average, people who eventually stop smoking have made 3 or 4 previous attempts.

Important benefits from giving up smoking that come immediatelly

When a smoker gives up smoking means that he is getting his powers and energy back. His life is becoming better and the risk of having different diseases caused by smoking cigarettes is very low.

Reduced blood pressure-After 20 minutes, your blood pressure drops to a level close to that of when you had your last cigarette.

Reduced carbon monoxide levels-Within hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases. After 8 hours this level will be back to normal.

Increased oxygen levels-Within hours, the oxygen level in your blood increases. After just 8 hours, it will be back to a normal level. So that is why is very recommended that you at least try to give up smoking and see how great this is.

Improved smell and taste-After just 48 hours, your ability to smell and taste will be greatly enhanced. All of these are happening because when a person is smoking cigarettes all the time he is used with the smell of tobacco and tobacco doesnt allow you to feel the other smells so good.

Breathe easy-Within days, breathing and exercise becomes easier.

Reduced chance of heart attack-After 24 hours, your chance of heart attack decreases.

Increased energy levels-After 3 days, your bronchial tubes begin to relax and your energy levels will be increasing.

So follow my good advice and make the right choice.