Shaming smokers makes it harder to quit, study claims
8/01/10 National Post
Years of anti-smoking laws and campaigns have amounted to a public shaming of smokers that could make it harder for them to quit, a group of researchers argue in a new report. There is an "urgent" need for governments to revisit their anti-smoking policies, the academics say, suggesting that the stigma around smoking could lead to patients hiding their tobacco use from doctors, and feeling desperate about ever kicking the habit. The policies run counter to how other addictions are treated by the public-health field, they argue.
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Study Says Even One Cigarette Harmful
http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/13624October 25, 2009
This article tells us about a new study that shows that smoking a single cigarette is deadly!
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An "arterial stiffness" increase of 25% after smoking one cigarette? Sounds pretty serious. Maybe they should be banned.
On the other hand, a study in the July 2009 Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that subjects having a breakfast of corn flakes and milk suffered a 160% greater change in another important heart disease measure, Flow Mediated Dilation, than those breakfasting on simple water.
The water group showed a decrease of 1.33% while the KillerKornFlakers showed a decrease of 3.46%. (From private communication with study authors). The Corn-Chompers' decrease was 160% greater than the Water-Woozlers.
But before we ban Killer Korn Flakes, let's look at another statement in the article: "Stiff—or rigid—arteries can lead to cardiac issues because vessel resistance is increased and the heart has to work harder, which can lead to heart disease and stroke risk"
If we take a kid off cigarettes that's obviously a good thing. But what if he signs up for the track team? Won't that also make his heart work harder and lead to heart disease and stroke risk? Or is that OK because it's a sport? Heck, at least it's not football - how many kids end up paralyzed or with permanent brain damage or other such problems playing football every year? How the Q did that EVER get allowed?
Sure, there are other factors involved in all these things, some of them pretty important (such as the track kids measurements at rest being improved while regular smokers may keep them at undesirable levels) but for some strange, arcane, mystical, supercalifragilistic reason, something makes me think that this "One Cigarette Is Deadly" study may just possibly be biased a bit toward producing and promoting a certain desired perception.
Call me crazy.
Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"
