B. C. Govt Gets Ready To Fight Off Smoking Addiction

With its free quit smoking program, the government of British Columbia (B.C.) is boosting up its fight against nicotine addiction. According to news sources, the government of B.C. is expecting a huge participation in its anti-smoking program. Large numbers of smokers choose to quit smoking in the New Year and hence the B.C. Health Ministry is anticipating that orders for prescription –based pills or nicotine-replacement therapies — such patches or gum will increase this month and till keep pouring in till March.

 

The B.C. government started the anti-smoking program in the month of September, 2011. However, according to the government, it was happy to see that it was able to fill above 161,453 orders.

 

Conventionally, the B.C. government has not provided for the expenses of maximum quit smoking therapies. But in accordance with the anti-smoking program, people are entitled to receive free, 12 week supply of prescription-based quit smoking medicines or a free supply of patches/gum for one time on a yearly basis.

 

The B.C. government pays for the cost of stop smoking medicines such as bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (sold as brand names chantix and champix). According to a disclosure by the government, around 23,752 people from Vancouver have filled quit smoking orders till now.  

 

Source: timescolonist.com, Date: 13^th January 2013 

 

Quit Smoking Services Are Encouraging Gateshead Smokers to Stop Smoking

An array of quit smoking services in Gateshead are offering motivation as well as help to smokers who are looking forward to stop smoking.  A quit roadshow will be held at the Asda Metrocentre from Thursday till Saturday. Then this show will be organized at the Metro station interchange, West Street, from Tuesday, February 5 until Saturday, February 9.  Smokers will receive tips on how to stop smoking with ease.

People who stop smoking with the assistance of NHS Stop Smoking Service are four times more prone to quit smoking for ever.  

Carole Wood, the Director of Public Health for Gateshead reveals that a majority of smokers consider quitting smoking in the New Year. Hence, it is the best time to raise consciousness on this issue.

Source: chroniclelive.co.uk, Date: 22^nd January 2013

Ireland`s Health Minister Stresses On The Need To Quit Smoking

Soon after the report findings by Irish Cancer Society has revealed details on the rising cancer rate in underprivileged communities, James Reilly, the health minister of Ireland, is gearing up to teach people from low income categories about the hazards of smoking addiction.

James Reilly makes it apparent that the Irish Cancer Society report has discovered an increase in cancer rates due to smoking. So, according to him, to lower cancer rates, it is essential to teach people about the things that can facilitate cancer. 

According to James Reilly, teacher should take up active role and teach children that addiction to nicotine is capable of causing cancer. However, the Irish health Minister has stated that children should not keep this information to themselves but they should also pass on the knowledge to their parents. He adds that parents should ensure that they never lit cigarettes as this may influence their children also.

Reilly reveals that the society will soon formulate a five year plan to assist the influenced areas and induce alertness on the advantages of choosing a healthy lifestyle pattern.   

Source: http://topnews.net.nz/, Date: 22^nd January 2013

Smoking Ban In England Lowers The Number Of Children Suffering From Asthma

According to a latest finding by researchers, the number of children afflicted with severe asthma was considerably reduced after the implementation of the smoke-free law in England. The researchers carried out a study and found that one year after the law stopping smoking in public places had been enacted; the number of children suffering from asthma problems was lowered by 12%.  

 

Researchers from London-based Imperial College began the study by analysing NHS statistics dating back to April 2002. According to the study authors, evidence gathered from the study points out that a larger number of people are showing preference for smoke-free homes.  

 

The study revealed that a year before the implementation of the smoking prohibitions in the year 2007, the number of children who were afflicted with asthma and admitted to hospital was increasing by over 2%.  

The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics.  

 

Source: www.bbc.co.uk,Date: 21^st January 2013

US States Use Little Money For Funding Quit Smoking Programs

 A latest report discloses that a majority of state governments in the US use very little amount of money they collect on a yearly basis from legal litigations with cigarette manufacturers or tobacco taxes to fund programs that can help people trigger off smoking cessation.

The American Lung Association reports that in the 2013 financial year, the American states spent just $462.5 million on quit smoking as well as smoking prevention programs that are aimed at helping smokers stop smoking. According to the Association, the amount used by the US states is just 10 percent of the spending levels suggested by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

According to a specific report "State of Tobacco Control 2013" by the American Lung Association, some of the US states collect $25 billion per year, from payments delivered under a 1998 consensus with tobacco manufacturers and state taxes levied on tobacco-based products.  

 

News sources reveal that Alaska and North Dakota are the only two US states that invest close to the sum recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Erika Sward, the assistant vice president of American Lung Association, discloses that some of the US states use up most of the money in their common budgets.

 

Paul Billings, the senior vice president of American Lung Association states that the central and state policymakers should begin implanting policies and funding programs that are effective are lowering the use of tobacco products.

 

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com/, Date: 16^th January 2013

Exercises Can Help Reduce Cigarette Intake

Adrian Taylor, a professor from the University of Exeter, carried out a study to find out how physical activity can be helpful for cutting down on cigarette intake. He undertook the study by enrolling 99 people from Devonport and Devonport. After a period of eight weeks, he found that around 20 percent of the smokers who got help from the services tried to quit smoking, in comparison to 6 percent who didn’t get any help.

As the study ended, it was seen that some of the participants increased physical activity more than others and it proved to be useful for smoking cessation.  

Now, several health services are considering physical activity as an effective help for smokers who are looking forward to quit smoking successfully.  

 

Source:thisisplymouth.co.uk, Date: 18^th January 2013   

Acupuncture Can Make It Possible For Smokers To Quit Smoking

A latest study reveals that acupuncture can be effective for stop smoking. The study also makes it apparent that smokers who stop smoking with the assistance of acupuncture therapy are thrice more prone to achieve success after a period of six months to one year.

 

The physician Dr Richard Halvorsen performs acupuncture in Broadgate Spine & Joint Clinic and he uses acupuncture therapy to help people quit smoking. News sources disclose that Dr Richard Halvorsen merges alternative treatments with conventional medical procedures to formulate a treatment plan that is particularly suitable for each and every individual. 

 

The new research highlights that acupuncture can be effective for stop smoking. Acupuncture is widely used for treating a range of other medical conditions such as back pain, infertility, headache and illness.

Source: http://www.prleap.com/, date:  11^th January 2013