Snuffing out smoking in those with HIV June 3, 2010

ST. LOUIS -- While researchers have done a good job documenting health problems associated with the high prevalence of smoking among Americans who have HIV/AIDS, it's now time to focus on how to get these smokers to kick the habit, Saint Louis University School of Public Health research finds.
Of the 1.1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS, between 40 and 60 percent are smokers – which is two to three times the rate of smokers in the general population.
Jenine K. Harris, Ph.D., study author and associate professor of community health at Saint Louis University School of Public Health, examined the kinds of research conducted on smoking and HIV/AIDS from 1980 to 2008. Her research was published online ahead of print on May 13 in the American Journal of Public Health.
She found the vast majority of the research – 237 of the 272 published articles – looked at the relationship between smoking and HIV/AIDS. However, fewer than 2 percent of the articles examined the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing or reducing smoking among those living with HIV/AIDS.
"The accumulation of nearly two decades of discovery research leaves little doubt that smoking is a widespread problem and a major modifiable risk factor for disease and death in people living with HIV/AIDS," Harris said.
Researchers don't know the best strategy to help those with HIV/AIDS quit or not start smoking. Typically, specialized smoking cessation programs that target certain populations can be effective.
However, few studies have examined targeted smoking cessation programs for those who have HIV/AIDS. One study found that a standard smoking cessation program would not help 86 percent of smokers who have HIV/AIDS.
Harris says it's time for researchers to connect the dots between the health problems associated with HIV and smoking and effective ways to help those with HIV quit smoking....................

Listen listen folks !!what Dave saids , just google if you don´t what Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is


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Smoking ban in cars carrying children backed by majority of public

Three-quarters of Britons want smoking in cars carrying children to be banned, according to a poll.

Many doctors already support such a ban. Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, last week caused controversy when he said that parents who smoked in front of their young children were "committing a form of child abuse".

A YouGov poll for the UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) found 74% support for banning anyone from smoking in a car in which children are on board, with 10% against and 11% undecided. The faculty, which represents public health specialists in the NHS, academia and local government, said that although politicians may be concerned about legislating to curb behaviour in "private space", adherence to seatbelt laws shows people would accept it. Second-hand smoke can be 27 times more toxic in a car than a smoker's home, it says in a report published today.............

FDA acts against 5 electronic cigarette distributors

FDA acts against 5 electronic cigarette distributors
Agency cites unsubstantiated claims, poor manufacturing practices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued warning letters to five electronic cigarette distributors for various violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices.....

Good that you quit

this thread is called smoking cessation group ,tks