World Health Organization: Public Health Rules Needed to Curb E-Cigarette Risks

by Katie Weatherford, Center for Effective Government Contrary to industry advertising, a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) finds that electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic nicotine delivery systems pose significant public health hazards because of toxins emitted from the devices. The agency recommends that countries adopt e-cigarette rules to prevent misleading marketing of the products and to […]

Q: Is hookah or water pipe smoking a safe alternative to cigarettes?

By Sanjay Gupta, MD A: Absolutely not. In fact, as Daniel Neides, MD, medical director of the Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic points out, hookah smoking “may actually be worse than smoking.” Hookahs are water pipes in which charcoal is used to heat up flavored tobacco. An ancient form of smoking that originated in the Middle East […]

The Health Claims Of E-Cigarettes Are Going Up In Smoke

Jasper Hamill, Contributor | Forbes The sales pitch of electronic cigarette manufacturers seemed too good to be true. Could nicotine addicts around the world really get their fix whilst dodging the health risks of puffing away on cancer sticks? Sadly for smokers and “vapers”, the answer is far from clear. Over the past week, new evidence […]

Letter to the Editor: Stop glamorizing the role of tobacco in baseball

Chris Hansen, Washington | The Washington Post Just weeks after the early death of beloved baseball star Tony Gwynn from cancer likely caused by chewing tobacco, and just days after World Series-winning pitcher Curt Schilling told the world he attributes his cancer to years of chewing tobacco, The Post irresponsibly leads an article about the Washington Nationals with the portrayal […]

St. Paul OKs ordinance targeting sale of cheap cigars

Article by: PAUL WALSH and KEVIN DUCHSCHERE , Star Tribune staff writers Over the objections of retailers, St. Paul has approved an ordinance that targets the sale of inexpensive cigars that appeal to young smokers. The ordinance, passed unanimously Wednesday by the City Council, sets a minimum price of $2.10 each for single cigars, whether sold individually or in packs up to four; […]