Indoor Smokeless Cigarettes?

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Smoking, thank goodness, is banned in most public places because secondhand smoke is a known health hazard. So crowds of smokers hang out on the streets puffing away since they are banned from doing so indoors. Well, what if cigarettes were smokeless? One UK nightclub, celebrity hangout Chinawhite, in London's Soho district, is trying out these new smokeless cigarettes. Made in China, the manufacturer says the invention has no harmful side-effects because there is no smoke or tar.

How does it work? This six-inch white plastic stick uses a battery-powered atomizer to create realistic puffs of "smoke," while the tip glows red when you suck. It gives a smoker the smoking experience and the nicotine high without the use of tobacco. Each cigarette contains one filter, which provides enough nicotine for 350 puffs, or about 30 cigarettes.

The thing is though, it may be cutting down on secondhand smoke, but the smoker is still getting the nicotine. There's some talk that these e-cigs may even give the user more nicotine than an average cigarette. They're also a lot more expensive, around $208 for the starter kit, and you have to continue to buy replacement cartridges.

What do you think about these smokeless cigarettes? Since they create no smoke, do you think they should be allowed in places such as restaurants, bars, buses, meetings, public buildings, and airplanes?

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Light Cigarettes: Still Really BAD for You

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I have heard the query recently - "Are light cigarettes better for me?" Interesting question, but I'm fairly certain we all know the answer to that one.

NO - "Light" or "Low-tar" cigarettes are NOT better for you because they are still cigarettes, and they still contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, and other toxic chemicals. Inhaling these poisonous toxins causes emphysema, and many kinds of cancer including lung, bladder, kidney, cervix, throat, mouth, esophagus, pancreas and stomach and some types of leukemia (cancer of the blood). Smoking also causes wrinkles, makes your breath stink, stains your teeth and causes asthma and other respiratory problems. "Light" cigarettes are no different.

Here's the proof: A recent study performed in Turkey tested 62 adults in their 20s - 20 who smoked regular cigarettes, 20 who used light cigarettes and 22 who’d never smoked.

The researchers tested the participants coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), a measure of how well blood flow speeds up to aid the heart when it’s under increased demands. CFVR reflects the overall functioning of the network of small blood vessels that feed the heart.

Even before the test began, the researchers found that smokers already have poorer CFVR levels than non-smokers. After smoking a few cigarettes, their CFVR levels decreased even more.

What was the study's conclusion? The decrease in CFVR was virtually the same whether the cigarettes were "Light" or "Regular."

Fit's Tips: If you smoke and you're looking to quit, here are some tips for dealing with the cravings. You can also call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go to www.smokefree.gov for more info on how to quit. Quitting smoking is way too hard to do alone, so you my want to think about joining a support group.

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FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Indoor Smokeless Cigarettes?

Light Cigarettes: Still Really BAD for You