November 21, 2013: Great American Smoke Out Day

Photo Credit: chicagohealthonline.com

 

The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
 

This year, we’re celebrating quitters and their supporters with a series of fun characters designed for social sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. We’ve also got lots of other resources and information to help you quit for good.

 

Read more on American Cancer Society

Graphic Anti-Smoking Warnings Change Cigarette Taste

Photo Credit: David Dairey

In the months since graphic anti-smoking warnings have appeared on Australian cigarette and other places abroad, packaging in smokers have complained that the cigarettes don’t taste as good as they did before the health warnings.

 

According to The New York Times, “More than seven months have passed since Australia imposed one of the world’s toughest laws for tobacco warning labels, swapping iconic packaging for graphic images of mouth ulcers, cancerous lungs and gangrenous limbs. And though experts say it is too soon to know what impact the law has had on tobacco use, one thing is certain: Smokers think the cigarettes taste off. Complaints started to roll in about the flavor of cigarettes almost immediately after the law went into effect on December 1.”

 

US Launches New Batch of Graphic Anti-Smoking Ads

Photo Credit: CDC

 

US health officials launched a hard-hitting offensive on Thursday aimed at slashing the numbers of smokers across the country, following the success of a similar campaign last year.

The new campaign encourages smokers to kick the habit with a series of advertisements spotlighting the wrenching personal stories of individuals battling smoking-related illnesses or diseases.

 

READ FEATURE ARTICLE: ABC 6 On Your Side

 

 

 

E-cigarettes primarily used to quit tobacco: study

Photo Credit: Kenzo Tribouillard, AFP/Getty Images

The findings just published show nearly 76 percent of respondents started using e-cigarettes as a complete alternative to smoking, while 22 per cent stated they had started using the devices for other reasons, such as stopping smoking (seven per cent), for health reasons (six per cent) and to avoid smoking restrictions (three per cent).

 

Eighty-six percent of those surveyed confirmed they had not smoked cigarettes for several weeks or months since using the e-cigarette, and that the amount they smoked had decreased dramatically.

 

 

FULL FEATURE ARTICLE: Chicago Tribute (Health section)