Teen Smoking Truth

Millions of teens smoke cigarettes every day, some start smoking as early as 11 years old. Why has teen smoking become a huge problem, why has there become such an increase in smoking? Statistics state that over 8,000 teens started smoking or had their first cigarette by the age of 13, while 3 million teens start smoking by the age of 16. Teens that smoke are 3 times more likely to use alcohol. 8 times more likely to smoke pot, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine, while 6 million teens continue to smoke even though they know the risks. A 2001 survey showed that 69.4% of teens smokers reported never being asked proof of age to buy cigarettes and 62.4% of teens being able to buy cigarettes even though the retailer knew they were under age.

Brazil Prohibits Smoking in Public Places

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has signed a law banning smoking tax free Bond cigarettes in public spaces. Smoking in all enclosed public spaces is forbidden in the new law, reported Xinhua. It also prohibits tobacco advertising such as posters or banners at sale places. Previously the ban was only imposed on TV, radio and billboards advertising. In addition, the law increases the taxes and establishes minimum prices over the tobacco products to discourage buyers. Cigarettes prices are expected to increase 20 percent in 2012 and 55 percent by 2015.Health warnings are also required on both sides of cigarette packs to alert consumers about the consequences of their smoking habit.

Smoking Ban in Parks

The Board of Clark County Commissioners on Wednesday indicated they will not support a ban on smoking in county parks. The Vancouver City Council voted in December to ban all smoking and tobacco use in city parks and recreation centers. The three county commissioners, however, said during a work session that they like a 2005 policy that declared outdoor recreation sites as voluntary tobacco-free zones. Signs are posted at designated areas — such as playgrounds and restrooms — but there’s no penalty for lighting up. Pete Mayer, director of Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation, said the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission recommended a smoking ban in 2010.

Outdoor Smoking and Tobacco Urge

Naomi Ohayon, a 52-year-old mother of four, smoked for over 30 years until she quit the habit — hopefully for good — a month ago. “I’d tried just about every stop-smoking discount Esse cigarettes program out there,” Ohayon said from her home in the southern city of Beersheva. “Once, I quit for three days, the other times I couldn’t stop at all.” Ohayon, who has asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), said she became increasingly motivated to kick the habit as her health deteriorated. “I couldn’t breathe. It was difficult to sleep. I desperately wanted to quit but I was addicted. But my oldest son begged me to quit, over and over, so I kept trying,” she said.