Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Smokers may face tougher bans - Yahoo! News UK

Isn't this going a bit far now? Why don't they just make smoking illegal? Oh, I know why, because although it costs the NHS £2.7 billion to treat smoking related illnesses, the government actually make almost 10 times that figure through cigarette taxes?

I don't really care to be honest. Last I heard, I thought it was supposed to be a 'free' society. What do i know!

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

totally agree chris. Its getting stupid.

I don't smoke but I don't think anyone who does it now thinks its good for them. The same way downing 5 pints isn't going to be good for me or eating at McD's two days in a row isn't going to be good for me but you know what? I'm an adult and i can make that decision.

Plus as you say the extra tax will have to come from somewhere so if they don't tax smokers then they'll tax something you do like... I would expect another hike in petrol duty and also drink.

5t.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I wish they'd ban smoking for a 20 foot or so radius outside shops. It's vile having to walk through the secondhand smoke of half a dozen puffers each time you walk in or out of a supermarket. I always try and hold my breath to prevent a lung full entering my nose. Yuk

Xx-IAN-xX

About time someone smoked the bunch of loons

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Do you know what, people with your sort of attitude really get up my nose! (excuse the pun! )
I see your point, but people are not put on this planet to make sure that YOU get everything that YOU want in life.

Smoking outside of a shop entrance does look nasty and I wouldn't let my workers smoke there.
But I just hate the whole 'Smoking bad, very bad.....but we will still sell them and claim lots of nice tax money from you!' attitude.

Xx-IAN-xX

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Twentieth-century chemists were extremely proud of themselves when they invented brand-new chemical compounds that could dissolve even the toughest dried-in grease in our ovens, make our laundry whiter-than-white, penetrate and plump out ageing skin cells, kill all known germs, and keep up odour-free all day long. Synthetic materials, like rayon and nylon, were all the rage, carpets were treated to make them virtually indestructible, and timber was sealed so that it would never rot. Alternatively, you could buy brand-new particleboard products made of wood fibre and held together with synthetic resin. Life was getting better and better for us all-or was it?
None of these products make you keel over gasping and wheezing on first exposure (except perhaps the over cleaner) but the toxins they contain have a cumulative effect with long-term exposure that scientists are still investigating today. They are only now finding out that cosmetics and personal care items containing parabens seem to be linked to breast cancer- although it is hardly surprising, since parabens mimic the action of oestrogen in the body. It was long thought that mercury could not leach out of fillings once they were in place, but autopsies are finding a direct correlation between the amount of mercury in the brain cells and the number of fillings that a person has in their teeth.
Dry-cleaning solvents containing perchloroethylene (perc, for short) are excellent at removing stains without damaging the fabric, but they have now been linked to cancer, liver and nervous system damage, infertility and hormone disruption.
What Is 'Natural'?
Maybe it is time to cut the chemistry and go back to nature in our quest for good health. But what does 'natural' mean? The truth is that it is virtually meaningless when used on a product label. By law, only a small percentage of the ingredients need to be 'natural' for this term to be used.
You will find some confusing phrases used on packaging. The term 'derived from natural coconut oil', for example, can actually refer to cocamide DEA, a foaming agent used in some shampoos, which is extracted from coconut oil by the addition of a solvent known as diethanolanine, which is widely thought to be carcinogenic.
What Is 'Organic'?
Can you trust the term 'organic'? Some manufacturers have played with the word in the past, for example claiming to use 'organic herbs' in a product that is otherwise entirely composed of synthetic chemicals. In theory, the unscrupulous could even claim that a toxic petrochemical preservative, such as methyl parabens, is organic, because it comes from leaves that rotted thousands of years ago to become crude oil, which was then used to make this preservative.
But, in fact, the organic market is controlled very carefully. Organic standards boards only grant organic status to those products that pass stringent testing procedures. To be on the safe side, look out for organic kitemarks and certification if a product claims to be organic. The companies recommended on this page are all trustworthy.
Personal Grooming

Toxins are eliminated through the skin via perspiration but they can also be absorbed though the skin via hair follicles and sebaceous glands (although not through sweat glands). You will not ever hear skincare manufacturers claiming that their products penetrate through the skin and into the blood circulation, because they would then be classified as drugs and subject to much more stringent testing and regulation. However, there is plenty of evidence that skin does absorb some ingredients from skincare preparations because they are turning up in our blood, urine, organs and tissues. Scientists often find phthalates in urine, parabens in breast tumours, and synthetic fragrances like musk xylene in human fat.
Avoid those 'antiperspirants' that prevent sweating altogether; opt for 'deodorants' that allow your body to shed the toxins in a sweat but prevent it smelling bad.

It is ironic that cosmetic companies pour so much research funding into the development of new products that help to disguise the signs of ageing (anti-wrinkle creams, hair-thickening shampoos and conditioners, firming body lotions) yet they use ingredients that some researches suspect of being carcinogens, neurological toxins, immune suppressants and hormone disruptors, so the net effect can be drastically ageing.
In the US , the Environmental Working Group tested 120 cosmetics products, including shampoos, moisturizers, foundations and lip balm, and found ingredients certified by the US Government as 'known or probable carcinogens' in each and every one. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration declared that consumers should be informed of the fact that many commercial shampoos, deodorants, perfumes, nail polishes, hand creams, hair dyes and bubble baths have not been safely tested, despite the fact that they commonly contain chemicals that disrupt the hormones, are carcinogenic and disrupt the nervous system. Here are some examples.
Phthalates
These are solvents found in fragrance and nail polish, as well as a substance added to plastics to make them more flexible. They have been linked to liver and thyroid damage, cancer, low sperm counts in men, miscarriages and birth defects. They are not easy to avoid, however, because they will not be listed on the ingredients label.
Parabens
Parabens (methyl, propyl and butyl) have all been linked to breast cancer (which can affect men as well as women, although less commonly) and they can also cause contact skin rashes.
DEA-Related Compounds
Topical application of DEA-related compounds (cocamide, lauramide and myristamide) has been linked to cancer by some experts.
Cetearth-12
An emulsifier called Ceteareth-12 may contain dangerous levels of carcinogenic ethylene oxide and dioxane.
Antiperspirants
These often contain aluminium salts that prevent the body from sweating. Aluminium build-up in brain cells has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Skin Irritants
Many cosmetic additives can be skin irritants, such as lanolin, glycerol and cetyl alcohol, which are found in a wide range of products.
Avoiding Harmful Chemicals
The best way to steer clear of harmful ingredients is to opt for organic brands of everything you apply to your skin, including body- and face-care products, makeup, soaps, sunscreen, toothpaste and all other toiletries. You should be able to find them in large chemists or department stores.
Mercury Fillings


Most British adults have at least one or two mercury fillings in their mouths, yet research shows that the average-sized filling contains 750,000 micrograms of mercury and releases around 10 micrograms a day. This vapour is inhaled and travels up to the hippocampus of the brain, which controls memory. People with Alzheimer's disease have mercury levels in their brain that are two to three times higher than those who do not. Low-level mercury exposure can damage the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, immune system, and just about every aspect of body function.
Replacing Fillings
Should you rush to have your mercury fillings replaced? Certainly not, say most experts. The process of removing fillings can generate much more mercury vapour as well as stray particles as your dentist drills into them with a high-speed drill. If you are worried that your fillings are damaging your health, find a specialist who will test your urine for heavy metal content. If your levels are high, seek out a dentist who specializes in amalgam removal and only have one or two fillings replaced at a time. A rubber dam should be used to prevent you swallowing any particles and a high-speed suction device should be in your mouth at all times. You may also be given a nose mask to stop you inhaling mercury vapour (if it is not offered, then ask for one). Some experts recommend that you undergo chelation therapy after filling removal to rid your system of any ingested mercury. If you ask your dentist, they will probably recommend that it's safer to leave mercury fillings in than take them out. Obviously, if a filling breaks or falls out anyway, that is the time to replace it with a safer (and more attractive) white alternative.
Household Cleaning Products


You may have to use a little more elbow grease when you throw out your toxic cleaning products.
In the US, 12 per cent of emergency calls to the Poison Control Centre are due to people ingesting household cleaning products. The damage they do if you accidentally swallow them is very clear, but it is less obvious what's happening when we inhale them or absorb ingredients through our skin. You will probably want to avoid products that contain the following substances.
Chlorine Bleaches
These are found in toilet cleaners, washing powders and dishwasher detergents, and they can create carcinogenic substances when broken down. If they come into contact with products containing ammonia, a gas called chloramine is formed that can cause severe respiratory reactions.
Optical Brighteners
These give the illusion of whiteness by attaching themselves to fabrics and reflecting bright light but they can cause severe skin irritation.
Butyl Cellulose
This is found in heavy-duty all-purpose cleansers and can be absorbed through the skin and lungs. Some experts think it causes liver and kidney damage. At low levels, it may be responsible for headaches, dizziness, nausea and fainting.
Anionic Surfactants
These are present in some cleaners and can be contaminated with carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Carpet Cleaners
These often contain butyl cellulose and may also contain perchloroethylene (the dry cleaning fluid).
Phosphates
These are used in washing powder to improve cleaning and soften the water but they pollute our waterways by encouraging the growth of algae that starve the water of oxygen, killing fish and plant life.
Oven Cleaners And Metal Polishes
Oven cleaners may contain 'lye', which gives off toxic fumes that can burn the skin and eyes. Metal polishes contain petroleum products that can damage the nervous system, kidneys and eyes.
Avoiding Toxins
The list goes on! To avoid any toxic nasties, always choose a reputable organic brand in the supermarket, or buy your cleaning products from a reputable organic source. You might also want to consider using some old-fashioned natural cleansing solutions (see below). They are often more effective than their modern chemical equivalents.

Add frankincense oil to an aromatherapy burner and inhale to help rebuild your energy levels and freshen the air in your home.


- Use vinegar in warm water to clean work surfaces, chrome, mirrors and glass.
- Polish furniture with beeswax mixed with a little lemon essential oil.
- Freshen the air with your choice of aromatherapy oil in a sprayer full of water.
- Clean your oven with bicarbonate of soda, hot water and stainless steel wool.
- Choose laundry soap instead of detergents and add half a cup of washing soda as a softener.
- Bleach white clothes in sunlight, or add soda crystals to your wash.
- To descale your kettle, cover the element with equal quantities of vinegar and water, bring to the boil and leave to soak overnight before scrubbing clean.
- To clean the toilet bowl, mix a paste of borax and lemon juice and leave for 20 minutes before scrubbing.
- For an effective cleaner for the bath, basin and tiles, mix baking soda, white vinegar, lemon essential oil and tea tree oil.
- To clean carpets or rugs, mix warm water, organic liquid soap, 1 tsp borax and a splash of vinegar. Sponge on, leave to dry and vacuum off.
In The Home


You have probably heard about the risks associated with paints, paint strippers, fuels, glues and permanent markers that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The fumes from these can cause nausea, headaches and drowsiness, and prolonged exposure has been linked with cancer. Next time you decide to redecorate your home, make sure that you choose organic, water-based paints, stains, sealants, thinners and markers, which emit only natural, pleasant fragrances.
Carpets And Cushions
Many carpets are treated with pesticides, fungicides and dyes that can give off vapours that we inhale or chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. The latex backing used on 95 per cent of carpets contains styrene, a suspected carcinogen, and carpets can also contain volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde, low levels of which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. The adhesive used for office carpets, known as 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PC), is thought to contribute to 'sick building syndrome'. The healthiest carpets are hessian-backed and not treated with pesticides; choose organic wool cotton or hemp without biocides (to deter mould) or stain protectors.
Watch out for polyurethane stuffing in sofa cushions, as some experts think it can give off toxic chemicals that you inhale while watching TV. Ideally, cushions should be stuffed with cotton or wool, but polyester fill is your next best option.
Woods
Synthetic urea formaldehyde resin is often used in manufactured woods (like MDF, particleboard or chipboard). Fumes continue to leak from these products for years, so it is best that you avoid manufactured woods.
However, some timber treatments can also be toxic, containing lindane (now banned, but could be found on older wood products and is linked to breast cancer), PCP (an organochlorine fungicide) and other insecticides and colourings. Opt instead for organic wood which has been treated with natural chemicals like beeswax and borax.
Fabrics

Around 40 per cent of cotton grown in the USA is genetically modified; huge amounts of agro-chemicals are used on the crops.
We spend hours every night surrounded by bed linen, and during the daylight hours our skin is in constant contact with our clothes, so it makes sense to think about the chemicals that are used in the manufacture of fabrics.
Synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and rayon, are produced using a wide range of chemicals, and more than 35 different herbicides and pesticides are used in the growing of conventional cotton crops. If you want to avoid these you should opt for organic cotton or hemp, which is grown without the use of any man-made chemicals. All the dyes are plant or mineral based, and no heavy metals or harmful chemicals are used in the dyeing or finishing processes of these natural organic fabrics.
Fires
Finally, it is important to make sure that any oil or gas fires are checked regularly by a qualified engineer to ensure they are functioning correctly and are not slowly poisoning you when in use. It is less common nowadays but you still read in the newspapers about cases of people dying in their sleep while a faulty heater pumped out carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.
Insecticides


None of us want our homes to be overrun by ants, our clothes to be eaten by moths or our barbeques to be ruined by a plague of mosquitoes but, when you think about it, sprays or powders that cause insects to drop dead in their tracks cannot be doing us much good either.
Non-Toxic Bug Control
Fortunately, there are plenty of natural, non-toxic ways of dealing with common bugs in the home and garden. Try the following and see for yourself.
- The herb tansy, planted in the garden, will deter ants. Indoors, pile dried mint, chilli powder or borax at strategic points.
- Finely ground eggshells deter slugs in the garden and act as a fertilizer as well.
- Cockroaches, moths and rodents all hate sage, so tie bunches around the home.
- Burn citronella candles to deter mosquitoes when you're sitting outside on a summer evening.
- Instead of moth *****, use pieces of muslin soaked in cedarwood, camphor or lavender oil and place around the house, especially in wardrobes.
- If your cat or dog brings home fleas, vacuum the carpets and soft furnishings and wash what you can in boiling water. Spray tea tree and eucalyptus oils diluted in water onto furniture and carpets. Comb through the animal's coat with a mixture of olive oil, mint eucalyptus and tea tree oil, squashing or drowning fleas you comb out, then shampoo with a mild baby shampoo with a few drops of tea tree and eucalyptus mixed in.
- For people with asthma associated with dust mite allergies, it's best to remove some things within the home, such as wall-to-wall carpets and over-stuffed soft furnishings. To neutralize dust mites in these areas, just make a cup of very strong black tea, put it in a sprayer and spray on problem areas. (Obviously, this is not ideal on cream sofas!)
- To get rid of aphids (eg. greenfly and blackfly), spider mites and scale mites, steep two garlic cloves in a litre of water for 24 hours, then spray all over the affected plants.
- Is there is an ants' nest in your garden? If so, just pour boiling water over them. Pure lemon juice works as well but it's better to save it for use in detox drinks and recipes.
- To keep wasps away from a picnic or any outdoor meal, half-fill a glass with fruit juice and secure a paper lid over the top- hold it in place with a rubber band. Pierce a hole through the paper with a pencil. Wasps will crawl through, attracted by the scent of the juice, but will not be able to get out again.
Scented outdoor candles can deter insects and produce attractive flickering light as well. The Air We Breathe


When you are in an area with a lot of traffic, you know all about it. The air smells poisonous- and it is. Traffic emissions contain benzene (linked to leukaemia), carbon monoxide (makes you tired, causes memory loss, can cause chest pain and miscarriage), diesel particles (linked to circulatory disease and lung cancer), petrol (may damage the nervous system and lungs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (linked to reproductive problems and cancer) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (which may affect the circulatory and immune systems, the skin, lungs and eyes). You are breathing in even more of these chemicals while sitting in your car than out in the street, because the air pumped in for heating and air conditioning systems is at ground level where the exhaust fumes are pumped out.
Do you think that you would be better off moving to the country instead? Well, the air there can be full of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers. These contain carbamates (which some experts think disrupt the nervous system and can cause rashes and fatigue at low levels), organochlorines (which are thought to build up in the fat cells and over the long term can cause weakness and tremors), organophosphates (high levels are fatal and low levels are linked to skin rashes and fatigue) and pyrethroids (linked to nervous system damage and respiratory system irritation).
Should you just stay indoors? Well, according to the Environmental Protection Agency in the US , indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoors. So you can't win, or can you?
Combatting The Problem


So what can you do, given that the average human needs to breathe between 8,000 and 10,000 litres of air a day to stay alive? Well, you can open the windows and ventilate your house as much as possible. Houseplants can reduce the levels of formaldehyde, benzene and other contaminants in the atmosphere as they absorb them as a source of food. Palms, bamboo and peace lilies are particularly good decontaminants.
Outdoors, try to choose routes that are tree-lined, or where there are a lot of plants, because the process of photosynthesis removes some harmful gases from the atmosphere and produces more oxygen. Take particular care when exercising outdoors as you are breathing in huge lungfuls of air and your circulation is speeding it rapidly round your system. Cyclists are advised to wear masks for riding in town and in the countryside.
Don't panic, however. If you have a respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema, you might consider moving to a less polluted part of the country, but airborne toxins are pretty endemic and traces are found in tests on people who like on some of the UK 's most remote islands.
Concentrate on avoiding the toxins that you can do something about- in the products you buy. Read labels carefully; if there is a long string of complex chemicals, give those products a miss. Choose natural ingredients, such as essential oils, herbs and sea salts, and look for certified organic brands. You can't avoid all the toxins in modern life, but if you try not to ingest them voluntarily, you will be taking a huge step towards looking after your health.


Best hold your breathe a little longer

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

But why, people choose not to smoke, but then have to inhale it anyway. I chose to give up 13 years ago and have no choice when walking through shop and pub doorways. Move along a few feet and show some consideration.

If people want to smoke let them, but also let those who don't exercise the same choice

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Please see my post again!

David Lock

Going to my country local sitting by the log fire and having a pint and a *** was a real pleasure for me. Smoke went up the chimney and it didn't seem to upset anyone. Then the bloody government stepped in

dl

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Not everyone has the same view though, some do see the doorway as the new smoking room and there should be some give and take, just my excuse to make a point - don't be offended I'm not having a go at you personally

rbaz

iTrader: (1)

Agreed
Shouldn't be allowed to smoke anywhere near a hospital too make them walk off the premises including the car parks. If they have a shelter for smokers it shouldn't be anywhere near the buildings.
Why should the people that dont smoke have to walk through it for the minority some even inhale before they walk inside then exhale into the building when I was in and out of hospital when my daughter was born it drove me crazy (was in France) I just pushed them out the way which went down well we had to walk through it all to leave with her too

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

That's exactly it. I gave up smoking nine years ago because it was expensive and made me smell horrible but I didn't actually realise just how bad that smell was until I gave up. Smokers just don't understand how horrible it is for non-smokers to have to breathe in their secondhand smoke because you are immune to the smell. I didn't when I was a smoker, in fact I hated the anti-smoking brigade with a passion and thought that they were just out to spoil my fun. I didn't realise until I gave up just how strong the smell of cigarette smoke is.

All I ask is that the smokers move away a bit and keep their smoke to themselves and not force me to have to inhale it to get into a shop. It's even worse when someone exhales just as they walk past you and you get a lung full

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

I think all non smokers are big gayhers and carpet munchers.

Scoobychick, your cards are marked

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Well said that man!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Yeah but at least we don't smell

SwissTony, your cards are nicotine stained

Leslie

It is an unpleasant habit and I say that as an ex smoker from 13 years ago. I certainly think that non smokers should be able to get away from it so there is some good in restricting it in defined areas to an extent.

Smoking is a personal choice and that should remain, the better way to reduce the habit perhap's is to have a positive programme of education for children about the negative side of the habit with no punches pulled. That could go for all drugs.

If I had known the dangers of smoking when I was young I would never have started it.

Les

Jerome

Is it really that big an issue to have to walk past a few people smoking in a doorway? How often are you walking in an out of shops where this happens? Maybe you just need to stop shopping in Primark...

I gave up smoking recently and agree about how awful cigarettes smell, but there comes a limit to how far you restrict people without an all out public places ban.

Just about any public place entails getting an occasional whiff of a cigarette. It's becoming less and less of an issue every year though.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I agree with the education thing but the problem is that young people always think they know best, I know I certainly did. I think they're far more likely not to smoke if it's deemed to be seriously uncool. I was aware of the dangers when I was 15 and first started, but decided in my naivety that I'd worry about the consequences if and when they happened. At age 15 middle age, let alone old age seemed a very, very long time away

My 70 year old Dad who smoked 60 a day all his life up until the '80s now has a heart and lung condition as well as a host of other health problems that really do affect the quality of his life. His consultant said that most of them, if not all, could be attributed to his years of smoking. His health was fine until he reached his early sixties and he was always a very young and active old bloke. It just goes to show that it can catch up with you eventually. I just hope that I stopped smoking in time although I suspect not.

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

so you admit you are a carpet muncher

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Well, at least she doesn't have ciggy breath now, just fishy!

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

smokers corner

stilover

They should make smoking illegal.

Pubs are so much nicer now I don't have to breath in some ******* second hand smoke. But walking around town the other week, the number of times I walked through a smoke cloud, or had someone walking in front of me smoking away, and me smelling it. Disgusting.

Ban smoking altogether.
Ban children out of Pubs. I want a pint in piece.
Ban **** drivers off the road.
Ban Gay men from kissing in public.
Ban X-Factor, BB, and any other reality Sh!te programs.
Ban Lady Gaga from the Radio & Music channels.
Ban Cheese.

rbaz

iTrader: (1)

Bit OTT isnt it
Why ban cheese

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

Smoking is 100% linked to lung cancer & one of the very few things that irrefutably (sp?) will kill you quicker than "normal" if you carry on doing it. I don't mind you ******* killing yourself as it's your choice however anything that will limit me breathing in your poisonous fumes has to be a good thing

TX.

SJ_Skyline

I recently turned down a job at one of the big tobacco companies. Fantastic job and remuneration package but the bottom line was the fact that it was a tobacco company which employed dubious tactics around the manufacturing (alledged child labour) and selling (disinformation through political lobby) of its products. It's just a matter of time before smoking is banned in a western country - be it Finland who are currently trying to ban it, or another. It will be interesting to see where the EU fall on it - in favour of banning or with the French and their Gauloise...


And for the record, cheese (rotted bovine lactation) should be banned along with marmite

richs2891

Some interesting points here - I can see what Scoobychick means by having to walk past smokers etc and its gross etc and I dod agree with her to some extand - but I'm a believer than a few nasty things / germs etc are good for us - helps build up the immune system.
I would like to see employers for example making smokers smoke around the back of a building as nothing looks worse in my opinion than a load of smokers huddled around the front entrance - have a cig and it cant be good for business.
I cant see how removing branding from packets will help at all, Why does not the goverment do its usual trick add to the price of them say £1 a pack and then claim they have done lots to reduce the number of smokers and still gets lots of nice tax from it.
Just stay away from adding lots to petrol !

Richard

Prasius

iTrader: (1)

Just hike tax on the stinking horrible littering things so they're £15 a packet and the weak willed addicts will continue to buy them - and the rest of us can live longer enjoying all the things they then pay for.

RA Dunk

They have done this already


The Government (Comedy Central) will need to make the tax bucks back somehow if they stop smoking all together, Alchohol, petrol and just about any other thing the working man enjoys will be used to make up the excess

bigsinky

well i have gone a month without them. not struggling at all, which seems strange to me. i have to say it really doesn't bother me at all. gets me to thinking i wasn't a real smoker but i really enjoyed my smoke after a meal.