Exposure to tobacco smoke may predispose girls to developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as adults, a Norwegian study showed.
Women who said they were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke as children were nearly twice as likely to have COPD as those who were not exposed (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.7), according to Ane Johannessen, PhD, of Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, and colleagues.
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Two common smoking cessation medications both appear to reduce activation in key areas of the brain associated with cravings and rewards, researchers say. In two fMRI studies, both bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) and varenicline (Chantix) reduced activation in the ventral striatum and medial orbitofrontal cortex, which was associated with reduced patient cravings, according to Arthur Brody, MD, of the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues; and Teresa Franklin, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues.
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A confession. I have a deep, dark secret. One that has haunted me for 13 years. Those who know me are aware of it – and have judged me accordingly – but I will have to live with it for the rest of my life. I smoked when I was pregnant with my daughter, Shaye, now 12.
I was reminded of this last week when I read that NICE – the NHS watchdog – were encouraging midwives to give mothers-to-be ‘breath tests’ at their first antenatal appointment to check their carbon monoxide levels.
The aim, they say, is to show mothers the toxins in their body – and the harm this can cause their unborn child. Hearing this news brought all the memories – and the guilt – flooding back and I prayed, yet again, that my disgusting behaviour had not damaged my child in any way.
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What improved health care has done for Indians since 1947, may soon be undone by tobacco. Read more
With Michigan’s workplace smoking ban set to take effect May 1, Bay City business owner Brian Ross hopes he can give cigarette smokers reason to celebrate. Read more