Norwegian Officials Threaten Smokers

“Several breaches of regulations could, at worst, lead to pupils getting lower marks or orderliness. Employees will receive a verbal or written reprimand, and may ultimately lead to a so-called ‘personnel matter’,” says Gjert-Henrik Vedeler, local Norwegian Cancer Society advisor and consultative group leader. Over 3,000 employees and 9,000 students could be affected by the ban as early as the beginning of 2012 should politicians vote in favour of the body’s recommendations. Telling NRK he believes “it is a drastic measure”, Mr Vedeler thinks the move will be positive, however. Adding a sweetener, he continues, “All students and staff will be offered a programme tackling tobacco addiction, much like quit smoking course, and we hope those who need it will participate.

Dutch No-smoking Drive Takes A Hit

It’s getting surprisingly easy to light up in the Netherlands these days — cheap Kent cigarettes, that is. Even as the Dutch government hardens its famous tolerance policy on marijuana, it is taking an increasingly relaxed stance toward tobacco, bucking the trend in nearly every other developed country. Last year it exempted some bars from a smoking ban and now it has unveiled plans to reduce spending on anti-smoking advertising campaigns and end funding for health care programs to help people kick the habit. The Netherlands is also planning to cease funding its national center on tobacco control.

Only Dumb Kids Can Make Smoking Popular Again

Looking for more proof that America's overall masculinity level is now somewhere down around Switzerland's panty line, these days? Fewer than one in five Americans now are smokers model. Including girls, even. How can we fix this? One tobacco company has an idea: "cigarettes." The cigars of a new generation! With smoking being increasingly demonized in environments in which it used to be considered "cool," Big Evil Tobacco Company Lorillard needs a hot new product that will give smoking's popularity a shot in the arm, of cancer (and money). I guess the popularity of snus has not exploded as quickly as forecast? Haha. Lorillard is not messing with pansy mouth tobacco. Lorillard is successfully bringing back cigarettes by just being obstinate and continuing to sell more and more and more cigarettes, forever. Can this wacky strategy succeed?

Genetic Factors influence Addictiveness of Cigarettes

There might be a reason some people can quit smoking cold turkey, while others feel that the only place cold turkey belongs is on a sandwich. A recent study by the University of Colorado Boulder showed that genetic factors determine how difficult it can be to quit smoking. The study also said that these genetic factors are more influential now than in the past, but regardless, the genetics explain why some people just can’t quit. The study used adult identical twins who share an almost identical genetic structure, as compared with fraternal twins who do not. The study showed that adult identical twins are significantly more likely to quit smoking at the same time compared with fraternal twins.

Smoking Weed – Does Science Support Decriminalized Marijuana?

Few things are as controversial as the legalization of medical marijuana. Advocates claim it is safe and effective for treating a variety of health issues that may not respond well to conventional drugs. Opponents of decriminalized marijuana envision hordes of doped up druggies on the streets posing a danger to society and to themselves. Aside from individual opinions, what does the science say about medical marijuana? The Dangers of Marijuana There are quite a few studies warning of the dangers related to smoking marijuana. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana use can lead to anxiety, fear and panic. Because THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, binds to receptors in the areas of the brain that regulate balance, coordination and reaction time.