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The Funniest Anti-Smoking Commercials
Posted: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:42:13 +0000
Anti-smoking movements throughout the world have increased the intensity of their campagns to help people stop smoking. Many such anti-smoking groups use shock treatment to get people to quit, producing poignant advertisements graphically depicting the future effects of smoking, such as pictures of diseased gums and lungs. But others are taking a more humorous route. Here is a collection of some of the funniest anti-smoking ads from around the world:
The Marlboro Man is perhaps the most well recognized smoking icon the world over. Here are two spoofs on that theme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuh2w2sFRMI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7CJ7nPPKM8&feature=player_embedded
When all else fails… just stay focused on the positive..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JndtG8Y7yfw&feature=player_embedded
A smoking dog with a good point…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9hmGbK1HC8&feature=player_embedded
This clever advert is from India.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm5UyrEqGhQ&feature=player_embedded
We all know that smoking kills, but these adverts deliver the same message in an unusual way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_vwPIFydg&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uFmqynVSxE&feature=player_embedded
Smoking is stupid…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-xcAUlD0Ak&feature=player_embedded
Smoking is attractive… or is it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3POpdFlxWE&feature=related
Check out this funny nicorette commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAZYoGVM26Y&feature=player_embedded
And just when you thought it was safe to go the the zoo. Though it’s not a commerical; it shoud be…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gteEe1d-rQo&feature=player_embedded
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Hospitals tell their staff, “Light up, get fired”
Posted: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:24:43 +0000
With the number of public and private establishments prohibiting smoking on their premises, it comes as no surprise that a new anti-smoking trend has arisen and amassed many supporters: nicotine screening by employers, specifically those in the healthcare profession.
In September, 2007, Cleveland Medical Center, in an effort to provide a healthier environment for medics, patients and visitors, began a new hiring procedure which would set an example for other medical clinics in coming years- all recent employees of the hospital would be subjected to a nicotine test in order to remain on staff. Applicants who test positive for cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, are given the option to reapply for a position following 90 days- assuming that they have quit smoking. Recent hires who fail the drug screening are given 90 days to quit or face dismissal. To date, approximately 250 potential employees have been turned away. The ban does not apply to long-time employees.
With a nursing shortage at hand, many healthcare officials, such as Emory Healthcare, are apprehensive about the notion of refusing help from otherwise competent medical practitioners. But, says CEO Dr. Delos Cosgrove, job applications from qualified non-smoking nurses have been pouring in. In this day and age, he maintains, it just doesn’t make sense for somebody who smokes cigarettes to serve as a role model in the healthcare industry. It’s counterproductive to educate the community about the importance of sustaining a healthy body while employing the services of those who abuse their own.
In opposition to the anti-smoking ban are those who claim that an employer has no right to mandate its employees’ behavior outside of work. To discriminate against a worker based on a factor which has no effect on job performance is an infringement of his rights. The fact that the condemned behavior involves a legal substance adds all the more insult to injury. Nevertheless, it is legal in most states to refuse to hire cigarette smokers.
Among the list of hospitals currently following the anti-smoking ban include Tennessee Memorial Hospital, Gwinnett Medical Center of Atlanta, Georgia and Weyco, Inc., a medical benefits corporation in Okemos, Michigan. CEO Howard Weyers takes a common-sense stand against hiring smokers- it is simply too costly. Employees who smoke are more expensive to cover with healthcare insurance. In 2005, Weyers announced that all employees must submit to regular breath tests for nicotine. Employees found with nicotine in their system were allowed 15 months to quit and were expected to enroll in a smoking cessation course. Continued disobedience meant a fine of $50.00 per month- or discharge from service.
Sources:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/07/08/us.smoker.jobs/index.html#fbid=3Bkv6Pcf1Ij
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Cleveland+Clinic%3A+New+hires+must+be+nonsmokers.-a0193061640
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/07/20/smokers-need-not-apply/
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Agencies Certify that “Green” Means Green
Posted: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 01:06:40 +0000
One of the most influencial movements of the 21st century without a doubt has been the promotion of all things “green,” with special attention to energy and environmental conservation, utilization of renewable resources and improved air and water quality. But with manufacturers slapping their “green” logo on everything from air conditioning appliances to construction materials, how can one avoid being misled by fake assurances?
There are many watchdog organizations that endorse those companies that properly meet environmental standards. Their symbols are often recognized around the world and enable the consumer or contractor to easily spot out the truly “greenworthy” commodities. Here is a rundown:
Green Seal is a private, non-profit agency which certifies various products, manufacturers and establishments as being environmentally sound. Although they impose a fee for their services, their credibility is recognized throughout North America.
The EcoLogo program began as a Canadian governmental standard, but is now regarded as one of the most strictest, scientifically-based environmental certifications around the globe. EcoLogo is authorized by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN).
All timber products carrying the Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC) seal have been harvested without the use of clear-cutting, but rather with careful consideration for the preservation of forestry. Other products which bear their seal include building materials made of recycled wood.
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) certifies indoor air quality standards and issues certification for materials such as recycled fiber, biodegradable products and organic produce. The SCS also guarantees compliance with forestry and water preservation requirements.
LEED Green Building Certification System ensures that all building structures have met the approval of environmental specifications, such as water and energy preservation, air quality and waste management.
The Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA) certifies that paper products have been bleached without the use of chlorine, a process with produces dioxin- a carcinogenic ingredient found in commodities such as coffee filters, toilet paper rolls and paper which is used to manufacture cigarettes.
Energy Star is a governmental agency which awards its logo to manufacturers which meet national standards for energy efficiency. A range of products, including electronics, appliances, home improvement and plumbing equipment carry their seal of approval.
Sources:
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/green-logo-shopping-hardware-store
http://www.greenbiz.com/business/research/report/2005/05/27/verifying-environmental-product-claims
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Obama: Still Smoking After All These Years
Posted: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:38:32 +0000
Following a widely publicized medical exam, President Barack Obama received some sobering advice from White House doctors: Switch to a low-cholesterol diet, step up the exercise routine, come back for a colorectal screening, and… quit smoking!
Yes, it’s true- the self-proclaimed harbinger of “Change” is human, after all. President Obama admits to occasionally falling “off the wagon,” but insists that he is 95% cured of his smoking addiction. (In political-speak, it is also possible to be 95% pregnant, and the definition of the word “is” is still up for debate.)
Nevertheless, I feel a little clarification is in order here…
It’s true that the anxiety of withdrawal symptoms can make every waking moment unbearable for a smoker who’s trying to quit. So, by saying that he is 95% cured, Mr. Obama either spends 95% of his day smoke-free, or 5% of his day awake.
And then there’s Michelle Obama’s declaration that she would not support her husband’s run for presidency unless he quits smoking. So, does that mean Michelle is only 95% in favor of being First Lady?
But to be fair, there are many reasons why Obama may have a hard time kicking the habit.
Perhaps by not giving in to his wife’s demand, he is tapping into a primal male need to assert his dominance (all 5% of it).
Maybe Obama just needs a little break from all the stress. After all, he’s got a to worry about: from healthcare reform to the war in Afghanistan, the BP oil spill to the looming House of Representatives election. Adding fuel to the fire, he even recently received the heartbreaking news that he’s been effectively dumped by “Obama Girl” Amber Lee Ettinger.
C’mon, let’s cut the guy some slack!
Add to this his declining popularity within the US and the reported observation that the President has few friends in high places. If he’s going to be aloof, he might as well be cool.
One could even say that perhaps President Obama is afraid that quitting his smoking habit might endanger his figure.
And maybe the Commander in Chief needs a smoke or two to help himself stay alert.
At the very least, he can be comforted by the fact that with each pack of cigarrettes he purchases, the tax money goes to fund health care, and these days, he needs every cent he can get.
Image Sources:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/habdelra/3224870293/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamf/943627520/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/2503307783/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lanbui/3396651645/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/citizenactionny/4032225473/in/set-72157622509974587/
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Smoking Cessation Gets Natural
Posted: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:14:09 +0000
Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult achievements to accomplish- most smokers try at least once, and most fail. While many smokers prefer to slowly wean themselves off tobacco using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), others opt for a more holistic methods while going “cold turkey.” Still others might choose to incorporate natural remedies into NRT. Either way, alternative medicine may offer many smokers the tools they need to break their habit.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy which involves the meticulous application of micro-thin needles on various points of the body by a licensed practitioner. By triggering the body’s natural endorphins, acupuncture produces a pleasant sensation and provides relief from pain and anxiety. Many find the effect helpful in overcoming withdrawal during the first few months after quitting smoking.
Similar to acupuncture, acupressure is a form of massage therapy which utilizes key pressure points of the body, typically on the ears and hands. Firm, gentle pressure on the earlobes or fingertips can ease the tide of strong cravings in as little as two minutes- a handy means for combating stress while stuck in traffic, eating out at a restaurant or attending a meeting.
Stop smoking herbal remedies are available in the form of sprays, tablets, teas and even zero-nicotine patches. Herbs such as chamomile, Valerian and skullcap combine to alleviate cravings, boost immunity and rid the body of toxins.
Regular aerobic work-outs provide stamina and peace of mind, while a nutritious diet stabilizes blood-sugar levels as the body adjusts to the sudden depletion of nicotine. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps to remove many years’ worth of poisonous residue from the lungs, as would a good detox program. For cravings, suggestions include eating snacks ranging from salty, sugary to alkaline. Another tip- occupy the hands and mouth simultaneously by chewing on a cinnamon stick or a stick of hard licorice.
Many have managed to quit smoking through hypnosis- a behavioral therapy which puts the mind into a state of deep relaxation while providing subconscious stimuli. Smokers seeking hypnotherapy treatment can either go to a trained therapist or do it themselves via a hypnotherapy CD.
Sources:
http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/quitsmokingalt#s5
http://www.naturalhealthlifestyles.com/smoking-cessation.html
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How Much Does It Cost to Smoke an E Cigarette?
Posted: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:57:24 +0000
Current smokers who are considering making the switch to an e cigarette may be interested to know how the cost of the Green Smoke™ electric cigarette compares to their tobacco smokes. At a time when budgets are being stretched pretty tight, e cigarette users can reap significant savings over their tobacco cigarettes.
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At the beginning, e cigarettes users need to purchase a starter kit. Currently, a basic starter kit from Green Smoke with five cartridges and a rechargeable lithium battery is just over a hundred dollars. Each additional cartridge costs $3 and is comparable to a regular pack of tobacco cigarettes. Today, tobacco cigarettes cost about $5 per pack, and in some areas, such as New York, they’re reaching as high as $12 -$14 dollars!
To see these figures another way. Someone who smokes a pack a day will shell out about $1,800 yearly just on their smokes (and that’s if their only paying $5 per pack). On the other hand, with the Green Smoke e cig, the same pack-a-day smoker would spend about $1,000 on nicotine cartridges. Even when adding in the price of the starter kit, it represents a savings of a few hundred dollars in the first year alone.
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Seeking a Kinder, Gentler American Cigarette
Posted: Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:15:40 +0000
What’s in a cigarette? A lot more carcinogens than you might realize- especially if your brand of choice is made in the U.S. of A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that American-made cigarettes have a higher level of nitrosamines (TSNA) than cigarettes manufactured in Australia, Canada or the U.K. This announcement arrived on the heels of a recent groundbreaking study which tested the amount of TSNA present in cigarette butts and urine samples of smokers from the aforementioned countries. And the results? Regardless of brand, American-manufactured cigarettes scored 3 times higher for traces of tobacco-specific nitrosamines than any of the other tested products.
Phillip Morris USA, manufacturer of one of the top-selling brands of cigarettes nationwide, explains that TSNA levels are affected by special blends of tobacco and a specific curing process, both of which are required to produce the characteristic flavor which most Americans prefer.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids spokesman Danny McGoldrick hopes that the FDA will use this information as their guideline while setting a new standard for permissible TSNA levels in tobacco products. Says McGoldrick, even a marginal decrease of TSNA is bound to produce fewer deaths and cancer-related illnesses.
The American Lung Association does not agree. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Norman Edelman adamantly reminds the public what decades of research have proven- that the only way to effectively prevent tobacco-related deaths is to stop smoking. Any attempt on the part of the FDA to suggest a “safe” cigarette formula casts serious doubt as to where their principles lie- with progressive health care, or with the tobacco tycoons.
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-06-04-cigarettes-cancer_N.htm
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/19/6/1389.abstract
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Cigarettes in New York: The Price Tag Gets Heavier Yet Again
Posted: Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:26:10 +0000
New York has long been associated with exorbitant living expenses, astronomical mortgages, expensive take-outs, and…taxes. So it is little surprise that a proposal recently issued by Gov. David Paterson increases taxes on cigarettes by $1.60 a pack. The legislation which went into effect on July 1st, brings the total amount taxes on a pack of cigarettes to $5.85 per pack adding an estimated $440 million to state coffers. Depending on the neighborhood, a pack of cigarettes in New York could cost as much as $11.00, currently the most expensive in the country.
According to a 2006 report by the New York State Department of Health, statistics suggest that increasing the price of cigarettes will benefit the community in several ways. First, the added revenue will boost the economy by closing a 9 billion dollar budget gap, retrieving several millions which were lost due to tax evasion in the cigarette black market and providing aid to the state’s healthcare.
Second, higher cigarette prices means fewer smokers and lower incidences of cigarette-related illnesses and deaths. Studies prove that in increase of 10% on the price of cigarettes leads to a 7% reduction in teen smoking and a 3-5% reduction in adult smoking. Simply put, they can no longer afford their habit (Conversely, smokers who obtain low-tax or tax-free counterfeit cigarettes have very little incentive to quit smoking.)
Opponents of the new bill aren’t so optimistic. Says David Sutton of a parent company of Phillip Morris, not only will the new tax hike fail to accumulate the extra $440 million- it will instead put the money right into the pockets of cigarette black marketers, as research indicates that cigarette tax hikes lead to a lower percentage of legally purchased cigarettes.
Cheap smokes, which may be found for as low as $3.00, are not that difficult to obtain- their availability is evident by the prevalence of the Indian reservation cigarette trade, various internet cigarette vendors and, most troubling, street gangs which frequently have “turf wars” over illegal sales of tax-free cigarettes. Instead of aiding the community by providing more funds for Health Reform, it is feared that the escalating taxes on cigarettes will only increase its value on the streets and result in a new wave in street crime.
Bill proponents are also counting on a newly designed, more modern tax stamp- fashioned in such a way as to impede counterfeiters. In the works is also a proposal that Indian tribes be required to apply sales tax to all cigarettes sold to non-Indians- a move that has provoked an angry reaction from many Indian reservation vendors.
Sources:
http://blacksmokenyc.wordpress.com/the-underground-economy/
http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/economy/cigarette_tax/index.htm
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“PACT” Tells Cigarette Manufacturers to Get Packing
Posted: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:35:15 +0000
Earlier this week, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act or P.A.C.T. went into effect, representing a decisive win for anti-tobacco groups. The legislation, signed in March of this year, strikes a blow not only to the tobacco industry at large, but also to numerous internet-based tobacco vendors.
Until recently, smokers have been able to avoid paying high cigarette taxes by purchasing cigarette cartons online, either from the southern states, where the tax is lower, or from Native American reservations, which are tax-free. PACT has changed all that by making it a Federal offense to ship tobacco through the U.S. Postal service, with a few exceptions. FedEx, UPS and DHL have voluntarily agreed to comply. All internet vendors of tobacco products will be required to affix a “tax stamp” before delivery of merchandise. Merchants shipping out of state must abide by their customer’s residing state tax laws. Proof of age will be required in order to accept a delivery, in a move which many hope will curtail underage smoking.
Also included in the bill is a move to make cigarettes less enticing to the consumer. Words such as “light,” “mild,” “medium” or “low” are to be stricken from cigarette packaging, under the premise that they misguide the consumer. Indeed, a recent study proves that 90% of smokers and non-smokers alike believe that low-tar cigarettes are less hazardous than their full flavor counterparts. David Hammond, behavioral researcher at University of Waterloo, Canada, would like to see that ban extended to words such as “slim” and “smooth.”
Tobacco manufacturers have reluctantly removed any illegal wording from their packages, but they have cleverly instituted a solution: color branding. By associating certain colors with flavor varieties they have ensured that smokers will easily be able to identify their brand of choice. Phillip Morris USA has resorted to inserting notes inside cigarette packages, illustrating the “new look” and product title for consumers.
Says David Hammond, a better alternative would be to ban any sort of decor or color scheming on all cigarette containers, opting instead for a “plain wrap” type of packaging, a move which is being employed in more than 40 countries.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. warns the FDA that removing their right to identify cigarette packaging by color scheme will create confusion in the entire industry, from assembly line to store counter, as it would become impossible to distinguish one brand from another.
Finally, the FDA, having been granted permission to monitor all tobacco products, hopes to lower the nicotine level in cigarettes from the current amount per smoke- 1-3 milligrams- to what they hope will be a safer, less addictive level, .5 to 1 milligram. While many anti-tobacco activists favor the “cold turkey” approach to smoking, there are also those who would like to see smokers switching to smokeless tobacco or lower risk forms of recreational nicotine, such as the nicotine gum or the e-cigarette, an electronic device which closely mimics the cigarette while emitting a safe, non-odorous vapor instead of smoke.
Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/22/health/main6606333.shtml?tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/internet/
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The Body’s Recovery from Quitting Smoking: Five Years & Onward
Posted: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:21:42 +0000
Nearly twenty-five years ago, history was made when Dr. Joel Cooper conducted the world’s first ever successful lung transplant. Says Dr. Cooper in a Fox News report, if everybody in the entire world were to suddenly stop smoking, there would be a 70% reduction in lung transplant surgery in a matter of only twenty years.
While a 1994 U.S. Department of Health Report states that an ex-smoker’s risk of developing lung cancer will never be equal to that of a lifetime non-smoker, there are still some seeds of hope:
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, five to fifteen years’ cessation from smoking is enough time for the body to reverse most of the damage caused by cigarette smoking:
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By the end of fifteen years, an ex-smoker’s risk of suffering from a stroke or heart attack is equal to that of a non-smoker. Chances of dying from lung cancer are half of those of a smoker, but plummet to 13% by the 30-year landmark. Precancerous tissues are replaced by healthy cells. Odds of developing cancer of the mouth, throat or esophagus are also 50% lower than those of a smoker.
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The odds of dying from respiratory disease are reduced by 18% within ten years of quitting smoking, but at fifteen years revert to those of a lifetime non-smoker.
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Smokers are 2-5 times more likely to die from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (ballooning of the abdominal aorta) than those who have never smoked; An ex-smoker of at least 15 years will have reduced his chances by half.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., is caused by long-term cigarette smoking. While the disease is irreversible, chances of being diagnosed with COPD become equal to those of a non-smoker following several years’ abstinence from cigarettes.
Researchers disagree as to approximately how many years of life are lost to smoking; some say 10 years, while others claim that the average smoker dies 25 years prematurely. However, all agree that giving up smoking reverses your fate by adding years back to your life. The catch is that the amount of years credited to your “account” decreases with age, meaning that the longer you put off quitting, the shorter your life expectancy.
Sources:
AMA and Archives Journals (2008, May 7). Much Of The Increased Risk Of Death From Smoking Reduced Within Several Years After Quitting. Science Daily. Retrieved June 22, 2010,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080506163932.htm
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_10_13x_guide_for_quitting_smoking.asp
http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/education/benefits.aspx
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229761,00.html
http://www.happynews.com/living/smoking/fast-lungs-recover-quitting-smoking.htm
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