Studies suggest smoking bans reduce heart attack rates

[Stark]

Holy fucking christ.

You can cut back.

You can reduce for money reasons, but not to protect your family.

But you can't just quit because it 'doesn't work'.

It's hilarious.

[FSTargetDrone]

Anyway, how many more studies do we need? We're long into the area of merely picking at various details now, effectiveness of bans and such on reducing health problems. It's been well established for decades that smoking is inherently harmful and that there is no safe amount of smoking.

What I find most offensive about smokers is, aside from the air pollution and filth generated from butts and ash, society as a whole gets to cover the costs in treating them, eventually. And so much of this nonsense can be avoided if people simply didn't smoke.

[Darth Wong]

I've tried patches; didn't work. I've tried the gum; tasted like shit and didn't work. As my ex-smoker wife demonstrated, sheer will power seems to be the only sure route. As for counseling, I can barely take enough time off for dental appointments with my workload and the necessity to remain employed. I'll have to get this monkey off my back myself, if that's my goal.

I'm actually looking at step 3, an "electronic cigarette" nicotine vaporator, as an option to cutting back. It seems, for me at least, that the habits, paraphernalia, and rituals around smoking are equally strong bonds as the nicotine itself.

IF cessation is your goal? Are you actually trying to prove that you're not just weak-willed but also stupid?

[Kuja]

I hesitate to weigh in on bashing Choc here, because he may actually be on the right way to quitting. Nicotine creates both a physical and mental addiction, after all, and for some people it may be easier to try and tackle things in stages than all at once, hence things like patches, pills, etc.

In Choc's case (and others like him) it can be possible to fool yourself. Quitting cold turkey can be a scary thought, but if you keep repeating the idea "I'm not quitting, just cutting back for [reason]/[reason]/[reason]" could help set your mind at ease and actually help you do so. Once that's done, and your physical dependency is reduced, a person can take the step of quitting altogether.

Of course it goes without saying that quitting, full stop, is the best goal, but well, sometimes a person needs a different path to get there.

[Darth Wong]

I hesitate to weigh in on bashing Choc here, because he may actually be on the right way to quitting.

IF quitting is his goal. Apparently, he is not entirely convinced that it's something he should strive to do.

[Kuja]

IF quitting is his goal. Apparently, he is not entirely convinced that it's something he should strive to do.

Yep. And ultimately, that's what it boils down to. Either you want to quit, or you don't.

[FSTargetDrone]

Electronic cigarettes were mentioned. Apparently these are being not-so-subtly marketed as a "safer" way of smoking. I'm seeing these starting to be advertised in the local shopping malls in their own little kiosks here in the US.

Apparently people are interested in this too, no surprise:

Released: September 24, 2009

Electronic Cigarettes Find Fans, but Most Want Regulation

Zogby Poll of Americans Finds Many Think ECigarettes should be available, But Most Want FDA Involvement

UTICA, New York - A strong majority of Americans want to see electronic cigarettes regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (59%), but nearly half (47%) say the smokeless devices should be an option available to people trying to quit smoking, similar to patches, gum and lozenges currently on the market, and that number increases to 57% among those who have heard about ecigarettes prior to taking the poll.

The Zogby Interactive poll of 4,611adults was conducted August 28-31 and carries a margin of error of +/- 1.5 percentage points. Margins of error are higher in sub groups.

In the hunt for a safer cigarette, electronic cigarettes, often referred to as ecigarettes, are becoming a popular option among those either trying to quit or who are looking to replace standard tobacco smokes with an alternative that manufacturers claim to be safer. Ecigarettes vaporize a solution often containing nicotine, but there is no smoke, just odorless water vapor, and produce almost no dangerous carcinogens.

Almost half of all respondents (48%) say they have heard of electronic cigarettes. About a third of those polled (35%) say that because electronic cigarettes produce no smoke, they should be allowed in places where smoking is currently prohibited, while about half (46%) say they should not.

Men who have heard of ecigarettes are far more likely than women who have heard about them to say they should be an option available to people trying to quit smoking (65% vs. 49%), and only one percent of those polled say they have used an ecigarette, but 16% overall say they would try one if they were given a chance, and 81% say they would not. First GlobalsTM those age 18-29, are the most likely age group to say they would try an ecigarette if given the chance (25%) compared to just 8% of those 65 and older who say the same. Respondents who are single (23%) are almost twice as likely as those who are married (12%) to say they would try it.

Methodology: Zogby International conducted an online survey of 4,611 adults from 8/28/09 thru 8/31/09. A sampling of Zogby International's online panel, which is representative of the adult population of the US, was invited to participate. Slight weights were added region, party, age, race, religion, gender, education to more accurately reflect the population. The margin of error is +/- 1.5 percentage points. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.

Revolting. Safer? Color me skeptical for the moment until there are actual, in-depth studies. Also, I can just imagine what kind of electronic and plastic waste is going to be generated which is worse than paper!

Addendum:

Here is a picture of one of these devices from the Wikipedia article:



Aw, what the hell, according to the Wiki article:

Health issues

The health effects of using electronic cigarettes are currently unknown.

Some electronic cigarette companies claim that the harmful material produced by the combustion of tobacco in traditional cigarettes is not present in the atomized liquid of electronic cigarettes. Some have also marketed electronic cigarettes as a way to curtail an addiction to nicotine. Despite these claims, a number of regulatory agencies have issued warnings regarding the health effects of these products. The recently-formed Electronic Cigarette Association aims to eliminate unsubstantiated health claims made by electronic cigarette companies, and those companies that wish to participate in the association must agree to refrain from making such claims.

Various findings

Food and Drug Administration (USA)

In May 2009, the US FDA's Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis tested the contents of cartridges by two vendors. Diethylene glycol and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) were detected in some of the cartridges tested. Further concerns were raised over inconsistent amounts of nicotine delivered when drawing on the device. In July 2009, the FDA issued a press release discouraging the use of electronic cigarettes and repeating previously stated concerns that electronic cigarettes may be marketed to young people and lack appropriate health warnings.

The FDA's May 2009 study was reviewed in July 2009 by scientific consulting firm Exponent, Inc., in a report commissioned by the manufacturer of one of the electronic cigarettes tested by the FDA. Some of the criticisms in Exponent's report are poor standards of documentation and analysis and failure to perform relevant comparisons to FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy products, which Exponent claims contain TSNA levels comparable to those of e-cigarettes. The study concludes that the FDA's claims of potential adverse health effects were not supported by the study.

National Institute of Health (USA)

Studies have shown that when smokers use vaporized nicotine for either supplemental or smoking cessation reasons, the vaporized nicotine produces similarly addictive and psychological effects as cigarettes. However, a report published by the US National Institutes of Health found that participants of the studies who used the inhaler alone did not meet ICD-10 or DSM-IV criteria for dependence on the substance (dependence symptoms in subjects who used the inhaler concurrently with real cigarettes are believed to be caused by dependence from the real cigarettes).

Health Canada

On March 27, 2009, Health Canada issued an advisory against electronic cigarettes. The advisory stated "Although these electronic smoking products may be marketed as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco products and, in some cases, as an aid to quitting smoking, electronic smoking products may pose risks such as nicotine poisoning and addiction."

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization proclaimed in September 2008 that it does not consider the electronic cigarette to be a legitimate smoking cessation aid, stating that to its knowledge, "no rigorous, peer-reviewed studies have been conducted showing that the electronic cigarette is a safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy."

Health New Zealand

The presence of trace amounts of TSNAs in electronic cigarette vapor was previously documented in an analysis done by the Health New Zealand medical journal in October 2008. However, unlike the FDA study, the Health New Zealand study conducted detailed quantitative analysis and concluded that carcinogens and toxicants are present only below harmful levels. Overall the product tested was deemed a "safe alternative to smoking."

Electronic Cigarette Association

The Electronic Cigarette Association is a trade association made up of electronic cigarette producers, distributors and retailers, whose aim is to speak on behalf of the electronic cigarette industry, especially in response to health concerns, and to help institute industry standards. The group was formed in 2009 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.. Its president and spokesman is former United States congressman Matt Salmon. Since the group formed, Salmon has issued several public statements via YouTube in response to FDA press statements.

Legal status by region

Due to the relative novelty of the technology and the possible relationship to tobacco laws and medical drug policies, electronic cigarette legislation and public health investigations are currently pending in many countries.

* In Australia, the sale of electronic cigarettes containing nicotine is illegal.
* In Austria electronic cigarettes are considered medical devices, and nicotine cartridges medicinal products. Therefore electronic cigarettes need to be CE-marked, and nicotine cartridges registered as medicinal products, before either can be legally sold.
* In Brazil electronic cigarettes sales, importation or advertisement of any kind are forbidden. Anvisa, the Brazilian health and sanitation federal agency, found the current health safety assessments about e-cigarettes not to be yet satisfactory to make the product eligible to be approved for commercialization.
* In the Czech Republic, electronic cigarette use is currently unrestricted. Advertisment as well.
* In Denmark, electronic cigarettes are legal, however nicotine cartridges are currently under a temporary ban while they undergo review by Danish health authorities.
* In Canada, compliance of electronic cigarette use with public smoking bans is currently under review. In March 2009, Health Canada called for the immediate cessation of imports, sales, and advertising of electronic smoking products containing nicotine, and advised Canadians not to purchase or use any electronic smoking products. Under the Food and Drugs Act, electronic smoking products containing nicotine require market authorization before they can be imported, marketed, or sold. No market authorization has been granted for any electronic smoking product.
* In Finland, cartridges containing nicotine are illegal to sell, or to purchase with intent to sell, but are not illegal to purchase from overseas sources for personal use only.
* In Hong Kong, the possession or the sale of electronic cigarettes is illegal.
* In Malaysia, electronic cigarettes are considered medical devices, and nicotine cartridges medicinal products. They can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy with proper prescription.
* In The Netherlands, use of electronic cigarettes is allowed, but advertising is forbidden pending European Union legislation.
* In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has ruled that cartridges containing nicotine fall under the requirements of the Medicines Act, and cannot be sold except as a registered medicine.
* In South Africa, electronic cigarette use is currently unrestricted.
* In the United Kingdom, electronic cigarette use is currently unrestricted.
* In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers electronic cigarettes to be a nicotine delivery system, subject to its approval. The agency is currently investigating electronic smoking devices, and has blocked a number of import shipments of electronic cigarette products to the country.

[FireNexus]

The presence of tobacco-specific nitrosamines is a matter of concern, but not surprising. TSNAs are responsible for a lot of the carcinogenic oomph of cigarettes, and all of the carcinogenic oomph of smokeless tobacco products like Chew or snuff. These compounds occur when nicotine and related compounds are heated (smokeless tobacco is cured with heat), so the e-cigarette's use of heat elliminates a lot of its "safety".

One of the most important groups of carcinogens in tobacco and tobacco smoke is the tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These carcinogens are formed from nicotine and related compounds by a nitrosation reaction that occurs during the curing and processing of tobacco. They are called tobacco-specific nitrosamines because they are found only in tobacco products (and possibly in some other nicotine-containing products). Thus the tobacco-specific nitrosamines are present in both "smokeless" tobacco products such as oral snuff and in cigarette smoke. They are the most prevalent strong carcinogens in "smokeless" tobacco products, occurring at much higher levels than in any other marketed product designed for oral use. They are among the most important carcinogens in cigarette smoke, along with combustion products and other carcinogens.

Among the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) are the most carcinogenic. NNK and its metabolite 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) are potent systemic lung carcinogens in rats. Tumors of the nasal cavity, liver, and pancreas are also observed in NNK- or NNAL-treated rats. NNN is an effective esophageal carcinogen in the rat, and induces respiratory tract tumors in mice, hamsters, and mink. A mixture of NNK and NNN caused oral tumors when swabbed in the rat oral cavity. Thus, considerable evidence supports the role of tobacco-specific nitrosamines as important causative factors for cancers of the lung, pancreas, esophagus, and oral cavity in people who use tobacco products.

Nicotine is bad for you, and when heated it breaks down into products that are even more bad for you. The only thing to do is not pick the habit up. If you fucked that up, you have to just stop consuming nicotine, in any form, by any means necessary if you want to prevent the negative health effects.

[cosmicalstorm]

Interestingly that may be why you see so many people start to over-eat when they quit smoking - they're exchanging one "high" for another.

Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. When you remove the supply of it, the appetite returns and when you're used to having it suppressed you don't know how to deal with it when it comes back.

That's one of the reasons young women often start smoking: it helps them lose weight.

I believe smoking actually causes the bodies metabolism to increase by ~10% aside from the fact that it also suppresses the feeling of hunger.

[Mayabird]

Interestingly that may be why you see so many people start to over-eat when they quit smoking - they're exchanging one "high" for another.

Nicotine is an appetite suppressant. When you remove the supply of it, the appetite returns and when you're used to having it suppressed you don't know how to deal with it when it comes back.

That's one of the reasons young women often start smoking: it helps them lose weight.

I believe smoking actually causes the bodies metabolism to increase by ~10% aside from the fact that it also suppresses the feeling of hunger.

It's an appetite suppressant and a stimulant. It makes the heart rate and blood pressure increase, which leads to the corresponding metabolic rise and then the anorexic model sucking on her smokes like her self-worth depends on it.

[Shroom Man 777]

It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, hence the stimulation of stuff like heart rate and blood pressure, the vasoconstriction (blood vessels tightening), AND the lowering of gastrointestinal functions.

In short, its a drug.