Tobacco Addiction

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A short period of exercise reduces smokers’ interest in cigarettes.

• Alcohol Abuse: Exercise Resets Circadian Rhythms
• UK Gov. Says Exercise Doesn’t Compensate for Binge Drinking

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Imperial Tobacco Canada knew for decades that cigarettes caused cancer, that second hand smoke was harmful and that filters didn’t work – but they weren’t telling and they made sure things stayed quiet by destroying a mountain of research study evidence.

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British researchers found no strong evidence that links Chantix to an increased risk of suicide or self harm, despite an FDA advisory against the medication.

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• Suicide: Army Suicides Spike in July

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Researchers at Brigham Young University say that while cutting back on smoking helps a bit, that smoking even an occasional cigarette each day still does considerable harm.

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Smokers have twice the likelihood of wound healing complications after surgery, but those who abstain from tobacco for 4 weeks prior to an operation can eliminate this elevated risk.

• Over-Prescribing: Using Opiates after Minor Surgery Ups Addiction Risk
• Medication for Alcoholism: New Drug Helps Heavy Drinkers Cut Down
• Parkinson's Drugs: Married Father Sues Over Addiction to Gay Sex

© photo: World Economic Forum

The billionaires Bill Gates and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg have combined $500 million to help governments around the world to curb tobacco addiction. The task at hand couldn't be on a grander scale. If nothing is done against global tobacco use, by the end of the century, 1 billion people will have died of their addiction, Bloomberg says.

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Tobacco activists are critical of legislation that will ban flavored tobacco - but exempts the biggest selling flavored tobacco product from the ban

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• Final Push For Mental-Health Bill

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Like a modern gold rush, researchers race to develop the first and best vaccine to help smokers quit.

• Teen Substance Abuse: 75% of American Teens Using Drugs or Alcohol
• Researchers Find a Potential ‘Cure’ for Alcoholism
• Quick and Easy Online Intervention Helps Problem Drinkers Cut-Down by 30%

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Smoking bans are causing people to drive farther, to bars in jurisdictions that allow public smoking.

• Benefits of Quitting Alcohol: 20 Things People Realize When They Quit Drinking
• Relapse: Study: MRI Scans Can Identify Relapse Risk
• Alcohol and Sleep: How Alcohol Disrupts Sleep Quality

© Photo: Stephen Dowling

People with a certain gene expression on chromosome 15 get more pleasure from smoking, are more likely to get addicted, and are far more likely to get lung cancer and heart disease.

• Heavy Drinking Increases the Risks of 6 Types of Cancers, by as Much as 700%
• Reduce Cancer Incident Rates by 35% By Reducing Societal Binge Drinking.

© Photo: AMagill

Activists and scientists have criticized UCLA for accepting 6 million in research funding from tobacco company, Phillip Morris.

• Teen Drug Use: Teen Marijuana Use on the Rise
• Sedentary Teens: Teens Spending 7 Hours or More a Day in front of a Screen
• Teen Binge Drinking: Authoritative Parenst Protect Teens from Binge Drinking