iChoices
Wellness is a Lifestyle
Tobacco Intelligence
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in both Alabama and nationwide. 480,000 people die prematurely every year from using this drug. Using tobacco increases the risk of also using illegal drugs, drinking in excess, and having firearm-related incidences. Also, smoking has been proven to cause a variety of diseases, such as heart disease or any type of cancer. Click here for additional information on tobacco intelligence.
Five Reasons Why E-cigarettes Are Not Safe
- E- cigarettes are a growing trend to substitute cigarettes. They look like battery operated devices and modeled to look and feel like cigarettes. Use an atomizer to heat liquid from a cartridge until it becomes an aerosol, which produces nicotine, ultra fine particles and low levels of carcinogenic and otherwise toxic materials. Burns, body-scarring blasts and explosions have been documented as a result of their use.
- E-cigarettes present special dangers to children. Because they are available in flavors such as cotton candy, bubble gum, chocolate, etc., this makes them appealing to kids and suggests a new route for teenagers that are conventional smoking and have nicotine addictions.
- Nicotine poisoning is a serious risk. Pure nicotine is deadly poison. A fatal dose of nicotine for an adult is between 50 and 60 milligrams; a fatal dose for children is less. E-cigarettes contain 18mg to 24mg per unit. As many as 51% of those calls to poison control centers involved accidental poisoning of kids under the age of 5.
- E-cigarettes are not a proven Nicotine Replacement Therapy. They are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Researchers are finding adverse effects such as diminished lung function, airway resistance and cellular changes, regardless of whether or not they are currently or ever smoke cigarettes.
- E-cigarettes are currently not regulated. As currently marketed, people who buy them do not know what they are really getting. E-cigarettes should be taxed, regulated, controlled, and treated just like cigarettes.
Did You Know That Secondhand Smoke Is Dangerous?
In Alabama, more than 820 adult non-smokers die each year from exposure to secondhand smoke. It causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke and has immediate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and causes coronary heart disease. Children who live in homes where people smoke may get sick more often with coughs, wheezing, ear infections, bronchitis or pneumonia. Keeping a smoke-free home and car can help improve your health, the health of your children and the health of your community.
As of January 2015, there are 27 communities with 100% smoke-free cities in Alabama (9 of which include restrictions on electronic cigarettes). 100% smoke-free/tobacco policies protect ALL people from secondhand smoke.
Visit adph.org for more information on Alabama smoke-free/tobacco-free policies and visit the Smokefree Alabama facebook page for more information
Help For Smokers And Other Tobacco Users
Everyone knows quitting is hard and many people try several times before they quit for good. But they do succeed. There are many good reasons for quitting: you will feel better, you will have more energy and will be able to breathe easier, the people around you, especially children, will be healthier, and you will have more money in your pocket.
There has never been a better time to quit especially with the new year that is approaching!
When you're ready to quit, we can help.
Healthy Steppers!
Let's Congraulate And Highlight Our Dedicated Steppers From November!
Annette Bell
Cassandra Glover
Arlene Judy
Anetha Robinson
Michelle Patterson
Join our Walking Club every month, especially these months with all of the holiday food and parties!
CONTACT US
Email: ichoices@adph.state.al.us
Website: http://www.adph.org/workforce/Default.asp?id=6237
Location: RSA Tower, Suite 1010
Phone: (334) 206-7941