Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: NYCHA FREE SMOKING CESSATION SESSION

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: NYCHA FREE SMOKING CESSATION SESSION: New York City Housing Authority is starting a Smoking Cessation Program in housing projects. This program which is a pilot program is desi...

NYCHA FREE SMOKING CESSATION SESSION

New York City Housing Authority is starting a Smoking Cessation Program in housing projects. This program which is a pilot program is design to help housing tenants who want to stop smoking.and stay smoke free. The pilot program is part of New York City Housing Authority (Healthy Homes Program) to support public housing residents working to promote the environmental health of their homes. .NYCHA  is committed to improving access to information and resources that help residents who want to quit smoking.

Four NYCHA residents now know how to help their friends and neighbors stop smoking through training offered by the American Lung Association the resident joined three NYCHA employees in learning how to support smokers who want to quit.  They now are qualified to lead support groups that will meet for eight weeks sharing information on nicotine addiction and maintaing participant' motivation and commitment to quitting smoking.

Ms. Johnson and the other three resident-Micheal Eaddy From Red Hook West Houses, Doris McLaughlin from Oceanside Apartment at Queens, and Charlene Williams from Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx- will meet with residents in different parts of the city to impact as many people as possible.
 
" In low - income communities, many people don't visit the doctor often enough, " Ms. Johnson said "so it is very important to be proactive for people to preserve their health."

According to the American Lung Association, more than 392,00 People die from tobacco-caused disease every year int he United States, meaning it the leading cause of preventable death.  Smoking causes and contributes to heart disease Stroke, diabetes, emphysema, and lung and other cancers.  No matter how long someone has been smoking, quitting reduces the risk of developing these illnesses and improves overall health immediately.

And while smoking may not be visible as it used to be as the public smoking laws that were put in place over the past 10 years.  Ms. Johnson see a specific population at her development that she thinks could use some outreach. " you can't leave the building without seeing our younger population right there smoking " she said.
Quitting also can save money smoking a pack a day in New York City costs more than $4000 a year. Residents who want resources to help them stop smoking can call 311 or go to www.nyc.gov and search for "NYC Quits."

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Reference
the housing Authority Journal January/February 2014

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: BLACK HISTORY MONTH:  AFRICAN AMERICAN PIONEERS IN HEALTH CARE   William Edward Allen, Jr.  was born August 14, 1903 , in Pensacola, Florida, just eig...

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

 AFRICAN AMERICAN PIONEERS IN HEALTH CARE  

William Edward Allen, Jr. was born August 14, 1903, in Pensacola, Florida, just eight years after the x-ray was discovered. As a radiologist, researcher, professor, and philanthropist, Dr. Allen was a significant influence in the field of radiology during its development in the 1930s. He focused his skills on shaping radiology as a science and as a profession and on increasing access to education and scientific careers for other African Americans.

Dr. Allen attended Howard University and earned his B.S. degree in 1927 and his M.D. in 1930. By the time he completed his residency at City Hospital No. 2 in St. Louis, he had organized one of the nation's first approved training schools for African American x-ray technicians at St. Mary's Infirmary.

In 1935, one year after the American Board of Radiology examinations were established, he became the first African American certified x-ray technician. By the late 1930s Allen had established one of the first approved residencies in radiology for minorities. He also became a founding member of the National Medical Association's Commission on X-Ray and Radium.

Several months before the United States entered World War II, Allen volunteered for active military service. However, since there was no place in the segregated military for a African American radiologist, he accepted assignment as a battalion surgeon. When a military hospital staffed by African American medical officers was established at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, Allen became its chief of x-ray service, training medical officers. He also established the first and only African American Women's Army Corps School for x-ray technologists. In 1945 he was elected to fellowship in the American College of Radiology.

After the war, Dr. Allen returned to Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis and established yet another school for x-ray technologists, which eventually gained international recognition. In 1949 the National Medical Association (NMA) radiology section was born, and Allen served as its first chairman.

Dr. Allen's career followed the emerging fields of radiology and radiation oncology with his later research focused on nuclear medicine and radiation therapy in prostate tumors and cervical cancer.

Dr. Allen taught for many years at St. Louis University Medical School and gained the rank of emeritus professor at the Washington University School of Medicine. He has developed scholarships for students from Haiti, Nigeria, Liberia, and South Africa to study radiology.

The American College of Radiology presented Dr. Allen with a gold medal in 1974. He has received the highest awards available from institutions such as Homer G. Phillips Hospital, Howard University, the St. Louis Chapter of the NAACP, the American Cancer Society, and the National Medical Association.

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

• Allen WE. Pneumothorax, A Radiographic Study. J Natl Med Assoc. 1934 Feb;26(1):6–9.[PMC free article] [PubMed]
• Allen From Capt. William E. Allen, Jr. J Natl Med Assoc. 1942 Jul;34(4):164–164.[PMC free article] [PubMed]
• ALLEN WE., Jr Medical writing; information for authors. J Natl Med Assoc. 1948 Jan;40(1):18–23. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=4022

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: CVS BAN SELLING CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: CVS BAN SELLING CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS: Today CVS CEO Larry Merlo release the news that they will ban selling all cigarette and tobacco products in their national stores.  CVS w...

CVS BAN SELLING CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Today CVS CEO Larry Merlo release the news that they will ban selling all cigarette and tobacco products in their national stores.  CVS who are said to lose an estimate of 2 billion dollars of revenue.    CVS Larry Merlo states by October 2014 consumers will not be able to buy cigarettes or any other tobacco products in any of their 7,600 location.  

Without saying tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States.  The governments say tobacco kills more than 480,000 American each year.   More than half individuals suffer from more than one chronic disease making it clear to Merlo prevention is key to reducing this outcome.  Merlo feels this is the right position even though they generate 2 billion in tobacco and related sales.  This move will position future growth and opportunities for CVS to play a bigger role in our evolving health care system. 

CVS one of the leading stores when asked “Why they decided to make this change?  The answer provided by CEO Larry Merlo was this was his efforts to promote healthier Living.  The CEO states he looking not only at short term success but long term success. They have been evolving into more of a healthcare company.  They have 26,000 pharmaceutical and nurse practitioners, who are helping millions of patients across the country every day to manage conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes all condition whole effects are worsened by the impact of smokers.

As a person who understands the effect Cigarettes and other tobacco product effects our communities I say great I always wondered why we just didn’t stop selling cigarettes if we wanted to decrease the effects it was having on the population.  Instead of increasing the price believing that would decrease the physically need of the cigarettes.  

President Obama thanked CEO Larry Merlo for taking this step to reduce tobacco related death cancer, and heart disease, which will as also bring down healthcare cost. As a person who has long relative who have lost their lives to tobacco related  illnesses I also would like to give CVS a thumbs up for leading this cause.

Do you Think Cigar smoking is safer than cigarette smoking?

 Guess what it is not and according to the CDC you may be putting yourself at higher risk.  Increase of purchasing cigar can be linked to not just smoking cigars but also using cigars to smoke marijuana.  Which is done by taking the inside of the tobacco out of the cigar and replacing it with marijuana?

Here are some facts you should know about cigar smoking;-

• A cigar is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or in a substance that contains tobacco (as opposed to a cigarette, which is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in a substance that does not contain tobacco).^1,2
• The three major types of cigars sold in the United States are large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars.^1,2

• Small or little cigars are about the same size as a cigarette and often include a filter.³
• Historically, cigar smoking in the United States has been a behavior of older men, but the industry’s increased marketing of these products to targeted groups in the 1990s increased the prevalence of use among adolescents.³
• The use of flavorings in some cigar brands and the fact that they are commonly sold as a single stick has raised concerns that these products may be especially appealing to youth.^3,4,5
• Cigar use is higher among youth who use other tobacco products or other drugs, such as alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants, than among youth who do not use these products.³

*Percentage of U.S. market for cigar products6
Large cigar   Cigar that typically contains at least on half ounce of aged, fermented tobacco (i.e., as a pack of cigarettes) and usually takes 1 to 2 hours to smoke  94%  AND A short (3 to 4 inches) and narrow cigar that typically contain about 3 grams tobacco and usually does not include filter Cigarillo Note: These two categories are now combined in the calculation of market share.
Little cigar A small cigar that typically is about the same size as a cigarette and usually includes a filter 6%

• In 2012, overall cigar industry sales were up 0.4% from 2011.⁶

Cigars contain the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarettes and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.^1,4

Health Effects

• Regular cigar smoking is associated with an increased risk for cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), and/or oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth, throat).^1,2
• Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth loss.²
• Heavy cigar smokers and those who inhale deeply may be at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.^1,2
• Heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.^1,2

Current Cigar Use

Adults*

Percentage of U.S. adults who were current cigar users† in 2012:⁷

• 5.4% of all adults in the United States
• 9.1% of adult males in the United States
• 2.0% of adult females in the United States
• 7.6% of African American adults
• 7.9% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults
• 1.7% of Asian American adults
• 4.2% of Hispanic adults
• 5.5% of White adults

High School Students

Percentage of U.S. high school students who were current cigar users† in 2012:⁸

• 12.6% of all students in grades 9–12
•   8,4% of female students in grades 9–12
• 16.7% of male students in grades 9–12

• Cigar use among high school males (16.7%) is approximately double that of high school females (8.4%) and similar to cigarette use among high school males (16.3%).⁸
• During 2011–2012, cigar use increased significantly among non-Hispanic Black high school students to 16.7%; there were no significant changes for non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and other racial/ethnic groups.⁸

Middle School Students

Percentage of U.S. middle school students who were current cigar users† in 2012:⁸

• 2.8% of all U.S. students in grades 6–8
• 2.4% of female students in grades 6–8
• 3.2% of male students in grades 6–8
•  During 2011–2012, there were no significant changes in cigar use among male or female middle school students or for any racial/ethnic group.⁸                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Overall

• In 2012, an estimated 13.4 million people (or 5.2% of people 12 years of age or older) in the United States were current cigar users.⁷

NOTES:
*Adults are defined as persons 18 years of age or older.
†Current cigar use is defined as smoking cigars on 1 or more of the 30 days preceding the survey.

Marketing Information

In 2012, cigar sales in the United States by major cigar manufacturers showed:⁶

• Altadis USA (products include Dutch Masters and Backwoods brands) with 10% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos and 19.7% of the U.S. market share for little cigar 

• Cheyenne Internation with 15.4% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos
• Lane Limited (products include Winchester and Captain Black) with 5.3% of the U.S. market share for little cigars
• Middleton (products include Black & Mild brand) with 10% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos
• Prime Time International with 3.1% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos and 19.7% of the U.S. market share for little cigars
• Swedish Match (products include White Owl and Garcia y Vega) with 7.8% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos
• Swisher International (products include Swisher Sweets and Swisher Little brands) with 16.8% of the U.S. market share for large cigars and cigarillos and 52.5% of the U.S. market share for little cigars
• Marketing efforts promote cigars as symbols of a luxuriant and successful lifestyle. The following marketing strategies all contribute to the increased visibility of cigar smoking in society:^1,3
  • Endorsements by celebrities
  • Development of cigar friendly magazines (e.g., Cigar Aficionado)
  • Images of highly visible women smoking cigars
  • Product placement in movies
  
  
  In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission mandated that cigar packaging and advertisements must display one of the following five "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING" text-only labels on a rotating basis:⁹
  • Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers Of The Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.
  • Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer And Heart Disease.
  • Tobacco Use Increases The Risk Of Infertility, Stillbirth, And Low Birth Weight.
  • Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes.
  Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk Of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers              References
• 1. National Cancer Institute. Cigars: Health Effects and Trends. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1998 [accessed 2013 Nov 6].
  2. American Cancer Society. Cigar Smoking. Atlanta: American Cancer Society [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, 2012 [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  4. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The Rise of Cigars and Cigar-Smoking Harms                 Washington: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  5. King BA, Tynan MA, Dube SR, Arrazola R. Flavored-Little-Cigar and Flavored-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students. Journal of Adolescent Health 2013 (published online head of print on October 23, 2013) [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  6. The Maxwell Report: Cigar Industry in 2012. Richmond (VA): John C. Maxwell, Jr., 2013 [cited 2013 Nov 14].
  7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2012 National Survey on +Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students–United States, 2011 and 2012. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2013;62(45):893-7 [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  9. Federal Trade Commission. Nationwide Labeling Rules for Cigar Packaging and Ads Take Effect Today. Washington: Federal Trade Commission, 2001 [accessed 2013 Nov 14].
  For Further Information
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  Office on Smoking and Health
  E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
  Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO
  Media Inquiries: Contact CDC's Office on Smoking and Health press line at 770-488-5493.