where a pack of cigarettes worth at least tens, far outstripped other not so "progressive" states

Smoking is harmful , and especially this pernicious habit is harmful to health in our country , in our time. Because that is where authorities declared smokers a real war.


First banned smoking at work, then - on the street in front of the building where you work. Then banned smoking in bars and restaurants ... A couple of years ago banned smoking in parks and on beaches, are now trying to ban smoking , even in your own home .


Federal and local chiefs in their struggle for ( smokers) health constantly improve tobacco taxes . Ostensibly to spend the money on the treatment of smokers themselves . In this process of taking money New York, where a pack of cigarettes worth at least tens, far outstripped other not so "progressive" states . But if you believe that taxes collected from smokers spent states and cities for their treatment ? I - no.


To further stimulate the smokers ' zabychkovat " last cigarette smoking in Washington wrestlers headed abstinentom Obama allowed insurance companies to raise the cost medstrahovok for smokers by 50 percent! It turns out that in relation to other categories of citizens smokers should pay more because a priori guilty .


All these prohibitions and penalties 's main objective - to destroy the American smokers (currently left in the country of about 50 million ) as a class. And judging by the authorities' determination , the lighter will not - will only get worse .


In this situation, it's time to really think about it, and whether it is time to quit smoking? Even inveterate smokers with years of experience after counting , what they cost in the new year this habit , you should consider ...


For those who intend to quit smoking (eg , according to sociologists, 70 percent ) offer a few tips from the American Cancer Society employee Thomas Glynn . Glynn , himself a former chain smoker , as they are called chain smokers, ten years ago, quit smoking ( sumel! ) and now advises anyone who tries to do it.
" First you need to choose a date - the day when you want to stop smoking - advises Glynn . - You can not even imagine how psychologically important for a smoker is your choice . As a rule, most smokers try to tie his attempt with the New Year , the beginning of a new month , birthday or any day of family celebration . Oddly enough , this reference point can help psychologically. At least the first few days, when the body used to the nicotine in revolt . "


Quit smoking - a difficult task . Several of my friends have managed to get rid of the addiction to cigarettes. Some of them were given the process easier , some harder. But almost everyone who wanted to quit smoking, managed to do it.


" Quit smoking today , when there was a lot more opportunities to help themselves in the transitional period - continues Glenn - much easier than a few years ago . The most important thing in this matter - to take a firm decision to develop a plan for their treatment , and follow it consistently . No matter how strong nicotine addiction, and the longer a person smokes , the higher it is , it can not be prevented from achieving the target. Having a clear plan of action and that all points of the plan - the main key to success . "


The overall strategy to combat smoking own can be quite broad. The first thing to bring to the problem of their loved ones and friends .


 First, if your determination to pursue the case falter , they are able to help and support you . Second, they can help with advice in planning the fight against smoking


By the way, when you make such a plan , and without its presence better not to start , try to eliminate from your daily schedule moments associated with smoking . For example, you used to smoke a cigarette on an empty stomach . Try to give up cigarettes, and in the morning to go straight to the bathroom. Believe me, a hot shower will help you. And if you're used to smoke a cigarette after dinner or lunch , try to replace it with a walk in the fresh air. And in this you can help your loved ones . Although at first everything will be given to you is very difficult. But you have to remember - you can get used to living without cigarettes.


"Chronic smokers should only be aware of - continues Glynn - that this problem they can not handle alone . In my experience, only 5 percent of smokers manage that. The rest have to use all kinds of help . This medication and drugs and all that sort of nicotine replacement patches , stickers , chewing gum, and it help of consultants from different social and health organizations. Use all the possibilities , the more that the current anti-smoking such assistance can be obtained free of charge . "
Glynn advises use to facilitate the task of hypnosis and acupuncture . A few years ago , such methods were in vogue . My friend was able to quit smoking programmer after a Chinese acupuncturist pierced his earlobe needles. But such cases - are rare. Much more often such attempts end complaints about meaningless spent time and money . Yes, and specific data on the effectiveness of such methods are not.


It is also questionable use of electronic cigarettes. And although their manufacturers claim that these cigarettes help to get rid of nicotine addiction , this is no scientific justification . Renowned medical journal Lancet finds that the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes can be equated to nicotine labels .
Skobeyn Martin , a psychologist from California , also insists that only need to quit smoking with the help of friends .
"You can even pre- announce his intention to as many friends and colleagues, - he says - this is another psychological crutch that will help you continue your efforts when your willpower not to be missed and fatally want to drag on his cigarette. Sense of obligation to answer for his words - could be decisive in your case . "


Particular attention should be given medical assistance. All kinds of patches , gum, pills even increase the chances of quitting by 20 percent. Sometimes help in choosing should consult a doctor , because the fight against nicotine addiction can lead to headaches and other unpleasant sensations.


Besides doctors you can always help consultants . Even telephone consultation in a moment of despair can help you. Quite a lot of such services in all cities of the country , and if you do not know who to call - there is one common room : 1-800-QUIT-NOW, by which you will always help .


Assistance in this matter can be obtained online smokefree. gov, where you can even enter into a dialogue (chat) with real-time consultant .


And most importantly - do not give up . Do not give up. Even if your first attempt to quit smoking ( such as , according to Glynn , more than half ) brought no results - not discouraged . Try to figure out what went wrong , and a month later to repeat this experiment . Water, as they say, wears away the stone . What can we say about cigarettes .

In Brussels, the debate about electronic cigarette

In Brussels to discuss new Directive on tobacco control . She promised to approve by the end of the year, but still can not reach a consensus . Heated debate is electronic cigarette whether to attribute it to other tobacco products, or single out a separate partition? Currently indisputable data on the health hazards of smoking electronic cigarettes do not, however , European lawmakers consider: leave the product without adjustment is impossible.

electronic cigarettes

Particularly discouraging anti-smoking activists that electronic cigarettes are reusable nicotine cartridge, and not used as disposable items. One is full of nicotine cartridges is more than two hundred cigarettes. In the market there are also cartridges with different flavors.e cigarette supplies wholesale
In conventional cigarettes European officials have decided to restrict the nicotine content , and to prohibit menthol , and a variety of sweet flavors that appeal to young smokers. The question whether to impose the same restrictions and for electronic cigarettes?

"balanced and responsible" limiting the use of electronic cigarettes

Vice President and Minister of Health and Social Government of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga Services, considered the measure to limit the use of electronic cigarettes is " balanced and responsible ."

   So the minister has spoken after the hit by the Ministry of Health and the regions according to the Inter-Territorial Council of the National Health System ( NHS) to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes on health , school and dependent on government institutions and on public transport , as reported by the Government of Cantabria.

   Sáenz de Buruaga has spoken in favor of a common national position and regulation , to be articulated by appropriate legislative amendment and, in his opinion, should be adopted to the " earliest possible date " to " delineate clearly a phenomenon and rapidly expanding use . "

   Buruaga Saenz , who represents Cantabria in Council Interterritorial , revealed " the ability to anticipate and answer from the Ministry of Health ," which will serve to prevent the proliferation of diverse and heterogeneous regional regulations in the NHS .

   According to the minister , state government must take responsibility reconciling the principle of " caution " that is essential to public health , that of "prudence " , since there is still no conclusive scientific evidence on the effects of electronic cigarette on the health of individuals and non - users - and that is still at the expense of its regulation in the area of ​​the European Union.

   In this regard, he has described as " balanced , responsible and sensible " the proposal by the Minister and ratified Wednesday by state government to limit the scope of the prohibition to health , school , centers run by the public administrations, especially services to the public , and public transport , which undoubtedly , he added, is in the best interest of the child and protection of those areas or other sensitive groups.

   "Although we have not closed the door to that fact , so far it has been decided not to go beyond the regulation of these products in the European Union is definitely concrete" , explained the minister . To advance in this regard , a discussion with the parliamentary groups on whether to extend the prohibitions of snuff and go to electronic cigarette strengthening scientific evidence appears.

Health wants to ban electronic smoking in enclosed public spaces

Those who had changed the electronic cigarette snuff to avoid going outside to smoke should also get used to using it (' vaping ') outdoors. The Ministry of Health today will propose to the regions equate these devices as a product of snuff over and apply the same regulation. That will prevent ' vaping ' can in enclosed public spaces. Although not themselves cigarettes, may not be used or in the office, or at a restaurant , much less in hospitals or schools.

The e- cigarettes or electronic cigarettes have a very similar appearance to conventional cigarettes . Work with a small electric heater that heats a liquid and generates steam to suck . But this is not just innocent steam water. These devices are loaded with cartridges with or without nicotine , camouflaged with different flavors ( mint, vanilla , strawberry, snuff .. ) and other chemical ingredients. Some of them can be toxic , as has already been reported to the FDA, the U.S. Food and Drug . The World Health Organization (WHO ) also advises against using " until there is data showing that they are safe, effective and of acceptable quality products ."

Warnings sale

Is the intention of the department heads and shows Ana Mato electronic cigarette legal limbo that has proliferated with a market increasingly flourishing since the entry into force restrictions snuff . With communities, today discuss how this policy should be to regulate not only consumption but also for sale.

Among other measures , Health wants the packages include warnings about the risks that may involve health , that nicotine is addictive , it can not be considered a substitute for snuff nor as a medication to help you quit smoking . Probably the regulation places the ministry also reaches the outlets. Now you can buy from pharmacies kiosks, herbalists and the increasingly ubiquitous : exclusive shops that add a touch of glamor to the sale of electronic cigarette.

Catalonia and Andalusia , for

Minister Ana Mato had betrayed his intention to regulate these electronic devices as a product over snuff . And two communities , Catalonia and Andalusia have also announced their intention to put some control to end the loophole if it did before the European Union in all countries.

The National Committee for Smoking Prevention ( NPTC ) has called on Health and the regions that are " ambitious " in its regulation. This organization brings together all the scientific societies related problems snuff ( cardiologists, pulmonologists , oncologists ... ) recalled that the electronic cigarette impunity ' threatens progress against snuff . "

The NPTC has developed a document that recalls that these devices contain nicotine and that " have not proven ' efficacy for smoking cessation . On the contrary , it can induce " a dangerous normalization of smoking ." Also, remember that vapor electronic cigarettes can contain toxic substances harmful to health " and should not be used in enclosed public spaces ," insists the document.