 |
|
Should all hospitals be smoke free?
April 30, 2003The recent decision by the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast to build seven smoking rooms for patients and staff at a cost of £500,000 provoked condemnation from many sources. In this week's BMJ researchers argue that these resources might have been better used to implement a smoking ban and expand smoking cessation activities.
The value of hospitals making a clear statement on public smoking can be seen from a recent study showing that total workplace bans would have an effect equivalent to an almost doubling of the price of cigarettes in the United Kingdom. Other considerations include protection of other patients and staff from exposure to second hand smoke, and a reduction in the risk of fires and in cleaning costs.
Some will argue that bans on smoking in hospitals will not work because of opposition by staff or patients, yet studies confirm that smoking bans can work in NHS hospitals if designed and implemented appropriately.
But should hospitals go further and actively help patients to quit smoking either before coming into hospital or during and after their stay?
The potential benefits are considerable, say the authors. One trial found that 90% of patients who received counselling and nicotine replacement six to eight weeks before surgery either ceased or reduced smoking, were less likely to experience postoperative complications, and to need secondary surgery.
Another review found that behavioural interventions with patients admitted to hospital were associated with higher quit rates for at least a month afterwards.
Given this evidence, it is arguable that resources expended on smoking rooms might be better used to fund a concerted effort to implement a smoking ban and to expand smoking cessation activities, say the authors. Hopefully other hospitals facing a similar situation will act differently in the future.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
But should hospitals go further and actively help patients to quit smoking either before coming into hospital or during and after their stay?
The potential benefits are considerable, say the authors. One trial found that 90% of patients who received counselling and nicotine replacement six to eight weeks before surgery either ceased or reduced smoking, were less likely to experience postoperative complications, and to need secondary surgery.
Another review found that behavioural interventions with patients admitted to hospital were associated with higher quit rates for at least a month afterwards.
Given this evidence, it is arguable that resources expended on smoking rooms might be better used to fund a concerted effort to implement a smoking ban and to expand smoking cessation activities, say the authors. Hopefully other hospitals facing a similar situation will act differently in the future.
British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Smoking Current Events and Smoking News RSSCritical Recommendations Unveiled to Respond to National Public Health Crisis: Deep-Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Three critical recommendations from a national workshop have been released to address deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), a growing public health problem estimated to affect nearly 1 million Americans each year.
Osteoporosis drug improves healing after rotator cuff surgery
Tears in the shoulder's rotator cuff, a common sports injury, are painful and restricting. Surgery to repair the damage is successful for pain management, but in many patients it does not result in full recovery of function due to poor healing.
Anti-depressants bring higher risk of developing cataracts: UBC-Vancouver Coastal Health research
Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased chance of developing cataracts, according to a new statistical study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and McGill University.
Program could help teens control asthma
An asthma program specifically tailored to teens could help those in rural areas manage their disease and avoid potentially fatal complications, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.
Major depression more than doubles risk of dementia among adults with diabetes
Adults who have both diabetes and major depression are more than twice as likely to develop dementia, compared to adults with diabetes only, according to a study published in the recent Journal of General Internal Medicine.
30 years later, what killed the dinosaurs is revisited
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, paleoceanographer Richard Norris is one of 41 scientists presenting evidence that an asteroid impact really did kill off dinosaurs and myriad other organisms 30 years after the theory was first proposed.
Hormone replacement therapy linked to increased lung cancer risk
Women aged 50 to 76 who take estrogen plus progestin may have an increased risk of lung cancer, according to a new study published in the pre-print online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
CT scan is cost-effective in screening for LAM among women with collapsed lung
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that it is cost-effective to do CT scan screening of non-smoking women, ages 25-54, who come to the emergency room for the first time with a collapsed lung in order to diagnose and treat those with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM.
Battling a Biceps Injury
People who suffer from injuries to the distal biceps tendon may benefit from earlier surgical intervention and new surgical techniques, according to a review article published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS).
Childhood obesity prevention should begin early in life, possibly before birth
Efforts to prevent childhood obesity should begin far earlier than currently thought-perhaps even before birth-especially for minority children, according to a new study that tracked 1,826 women from pregnancy through their children's first five years of life.
More Smoking Current Events and Smoking News Articles
 |
The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method by Allen Carr (Author) A new edition of the revolutionary bestseller, with four million copies in print. Allen Carr’s innovative Easyway method—which he discovered after his own 100-cigarette-a-day habit nearly drove him to despair—has helped millions kick smoking without feeling anxious and deprived. That’s because he helps smokers discover the psychological reasons behind their dependency, explains in detail how to handle the withdrawal symptoms, shows them how to avoid situations when temptation might become too strong, and enables them to stay smoke-free. Carr discusses such issues as nicotine addiction; the social “brainwashing” that encourages smoking; the false belief that a cigarette relieves stress; the role boredom plays in sabotaging efforts to stop; and the main reasons for failure. With... |
 |
Hide-it, Zippo Lighter Style Smoking Pipe This pipe looks like a Zippo lighter. You can put it in a purse or handbag. No one will know. |
 |
Smoking Food: A Beginner's Guide by Chris Dubbs (Author), Dave Heberle (Author) Everything you need to know about home smoking. In Smoking Food, Chris Dubbs and Dave Heberle assure us that smoking is an art, not a science, and they fearlessly reveal that art's essentials—and how simple they can be. They explain how to choose the best fuels (you can use corncobs!), how to build smokers from old refrigerators and cardboard boxes, and, of course, how to smoke everything from turkeys to turtles. Their advice is as ingenious and cost-conscious as any given by Alton Brown. Aware of the needs and wants of the modern cook, they include low-sodium preparations, alternatives to preservatives like sodium nitrite, and thoughts on safely handling meat. With more than one hundred recipes and tips for making brines, marinades, cheeses, appetizers, soups, and main dishes,... |
 |
Small Brown Shiny Pipe for Tobacco Smoking by Rollingforce Shiny brown pipe. Black case. 3.5 inches. |
 |
Mastering the Craft of Smoking Food by Warren R. Anderson (Author) Here is an exceptionally complete guide to making real smoked food at home that tastes far better than commercially made products. |
 |
Charcoal Companion CC6002 Apple Wood Gourmet Smoking Chips by Charcoal Companion Wood smoke adds to the mystique of outdoor cooking and gathers people around the fire. Adding wood chips and chunks to the grill boosts the flavor of any grilled food. On charcoal grills wood chips can be used directly on the hot coals. Wood chunks can even be used instead of coals. On gas grills add smoky flavor with the use of a smoker box for smoking wood chips. The delicate favor of Apple Wood Chips is a great compliment to fish, vegetables, and yes, grilled fruit. |
 |
Smoking (My Health) by Alvin Silverstein (Author), Virginia B. Silverstein (Author), Laura Silverstein Nunn (Author) FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Explains exactly how smoking harms the body and how to break the habit, or avoid it altogether. |
 |
Brand New in Box Classic Tobacco Smoking Pipe by Rollingforce This is a beautiful smoking pipe. It is detachable into three pieces for easy cleaning. The pipe includes replacement auxiliary rubber rings, which are used to seal the detachment and one filter. This is the perfect gift for yourself or a beloved pipe smoker. Very old style, vintage type pipe. Small holes in bowl head allow for even smoke distribution with no need for a screen. Anti clog mouth peace will ensure you are ready to smoke at a moments notice! |
 |
LifeSign QuitKey Smoking Cessation Computer by LifeSign QuitKey alters your smoking routine and eases you off cigarettes gradually. QuitKey reminds you when to smoke and when not to smoke. Step by step. Hour by hour. One day at a time. The QuitKey approach to quit smoking culminates 20 years of research. It was developed and proven effective with grants from the National Institutes of Health and builds on the enormous success of LifeSign, a first generation smoking cessation computer that uses the same gradual reduction technology. QuitKey works in two stages. Stage 1 (7 days): You smoke at your normal rate and use the QuitKey smoke button to record every cigarette you smoke. QuitKey uses this information to form your personal quit plan. Stage 2 (14 to 34 days): QuitKey helps you follow your quit plan by prompting you when to... |
 |
Meat Smoking And Smokehouse Design by Stanley Marianski (Author), Robert Marianski (Contributor), Adam Marianski (Contributor) Most books on smoking just give some elementary information and then are filled with recipes; this book is the reverse, scholarly information and theory as it applies to smoking meats and a few recipes that will get one started. While various recipes usually get the spotlight, it is the authors’ opinion that the technical know-how behind preparing meats and sausages is far more important. There is a section with some basic recipes, but after reading the book one should be able to create his own recipes without much effort. The book explains differences between grilling, barbecuing and smoking. The sections on smokehouse design include over 200 construction diagrams and photos that cover most known methods: masonry, portable, wood, concrete, and drum smokers. After reading this book a... |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |