Category — Health

Wouldn’t it be great if we could detect which people were more likely to develop lung cancer? Or even if we could tell if they had no risk at all?

Well hopefully we’ve got a few steps closer to finding this out. A formidable medical survey has been conducted in Singapore and Shanghai. It has found that people with higher levels of the chemcial NNAL in their blood stream were 43% more likely to get lung cancer.

The chemical NNAL can be measured from a urine sample. It’s purpose is thought to metabolise tobacco in the body.

This test doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable to smoke if you’re found to have a low risk. There are plenty of other ways to die from smoking including: heart disease, emphysema,and other cancers.

Read the full story and audio file here

A discovery has been made, reported by New Scientist, in the future a pill could be used to lessen the damaging effects of smoking tobacco.

28 molecules have been found in abnormal cells with smokers airways. If the moleculed can be fixed then a heavy smoker’s health could be restored to that of a non smoker. Maybe even helping them smoke without any damage at all.

The restoration of these microRNAs could help mitigate some of the damaging effects of smoking.

This could well be the beginning of the end for identifying smokers most at risk from smoking.

Read more about the new pill discovery here

Tobacco firms are employing sneaky marketing ploys to target the teenage girl market. Silk Cut have come under scrutiny for applying a “Super Slim” message to their cigarettes. This faux branding doesn’t stop there. They will release their superslims in new packaging which resembles a perfume box. It’s pretty sick to be honest. Although with tobacco advertising restrictions it’s hardly surprising. It even makes sense to create an almost viral effect where the news is documented on The Independent. No such thing as bad publicity comes to mind.

It’s not the first time tobacco companies have tried to link smoking to weight loss. There’s always been a worry that giving up smoking leads to weight gain. These thought processes need to be broken. Although it’s true you’re more likely to a gain a few pounds from quitting… it’s much more important to think of the benefits:

• You’ll have a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease
• You won’t smell of ciggies
• Your sense of smell and taste will be heightened
• You’re more likely to attract love interest!
• More money in the pocket

For those that still think smoking is cool should have a look at the lovely ingredients in Silk Cut’s cigarettes. Mmmm mmmm.

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Recent news states that Amy Winehouse has got the lung disease, emphysema. This is said to be caused by her cocaine abuse and smoking cigarettes. Her dad is said to be campaigning to help keep her from smoking and getting back into anything harder.

Her father has said:

I want people to understand – even if they give her one cigarette, they’re causing her harm

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.

Lets hope that she does manage to keep on the straight and narrow but with “Blakey” soon to be released from prison who knows. He’s said to be making sure that Amy gets back to full health. It’s the least he can do considering it was him that got her into heroin!

Amy Winehouse Official Site