Ex Smokers Smoke E-Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are picking up steam -- and not surprisingly, especially among smokers. That is the main message that comes from a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. About 40% of individuals reported they had heard of e-cigarettes, and awareness was highest among smokers. What's more, smokers seem to be among the most likely to use e-cigarettes.

Contraband Cigarettes In Kenya

Authorities are sounding alarm over increased sale of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes in Kenya. Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Agency says cigarettes are rapidly becoming the most illegally traded product in the region, while health experts warn a health crisis could be looming. “Cigarettes themselves are dangerous but the counterfeit ones are more dangerous,” says Vincent Kimosop, executive director of International Institute for Legislative Affairs, who actively fight growth of the contraband in Kenya.

Smoking Vaccineand Nicotine Addiction

Smokers could one day be immunized against nicotine so they gain no pleasure from the habit, according to researchers in the US. They have devised a vaccine that floods the body with an antibody to assault nicotine entering the body. A study in mice, published in Science Translational Medicine, showed levels of the chemical in the brain were reduced by 85% after vaccination. Years of research are still needed before it could be tested on people. However, lead researcher Prof Ronald Crystal is convinced there will be benefits.

Beaumont Became Smoke-Free Campus

Beaumont Hospital will become a tobacco-free campus from tomorrow – 4 July – as the hospital moves to create a healthy, clean and safer environment for patients, staff and visitors. The move to go tobacco free across the campus follows extensive work by a multidisciplinary steering committee and working groups. The policy was designed in response to the ongoing concern about the harmful effects of tobacco use and smoking in a healthcare environment. According to a statement released by Beaumont in advance of the change, "the HSE Corporate Plan (2008-2011) recognizes the need for a shift towards prevention and better self care in respect of tobacco. Research and experience shows that this requires ongoing health awareness, illness prevention and health promotion initiatives as well as population health strategies.