Wednesday 26 December 2007

I feel I know you: when two souls meet


When we meet someone and are attracted to him or her, we may feel it is looks, humour, intelligence that attracts us. Whilst those attributes may influence our decision-making, it is the soul that becomes excited as it resonates with the other person’s soul.

Looks, intelligence, smell and sexual attraction play a part as these are naturally and culturally defined attributes that we are conditioned to seek. These attributes, however, are superficial when we consider what is happening at the level of the soul.

Our personality is an expression of the soul. The soul is attracted not by looks, physical appearance, wealth or intelligence. Rather, the soul resonates with the soul vibration (personality) of the other person and it is this that excites us. When two souls resonate together it is a powerful, unstoppable force. The soul carries the personality and the personality carries all our experiences and feelings gained in present and past lives.

It may be that two souls have been together in a previous life or lives, or maybe two souls that are destined to share life or part of the soul’s journey and gain experience together. In this case, the souls may have experienced and learnt to love each other over many years, or there may be karma to be balanced. When we meet someone and instantly feel that we have fallen in love, it may be a reunion of souls or a meeting of purpose.

Destiny is a real and living entity. How often do we hear about two people meeting and they say it was a coincidence how they met. One of them might say

'I wasn’t going to that café. I only went there because someone else cancelled, and that is how we met'.

Think about how two people meet and they experience love at first sight. Prior to that meeting, what would have happened if they were late and didn’t connect with each other, maybe turned left instead of right, taken the bus instead of a taxi, gone to café A instead of café B. Stayed home instead of going out. There are many, many reasons why two people might not meet. Therefore, it seems that it is not unrealistic to suggest that perhaps it was no coincidence, rather, it was a meeting that was always meant to happen.

When we look into the eyes of someone we are attracted to and we feel overwhelmed, joyful, feel that perhaps we are in love, in fact this is not just appreciation of the other’s physical appearance or characteristics, but two souls (the eyes are the windows of the soul) connecting and telling us this very strongly.

Of course, it is possible to have sexual attraction, but this is a physical sensation. When the soul is excited, it surpasses any physical feelings because the soul operates at a much deeper level. For example, many people have experienced intense sexual desire often for the sexual desire and interest to lessen over time. This is not love at the level of the soul, it is a physical desire.
Physical and sexual attraction should not be disregarded as unimportant as there are many lessons that can be learned from being in a relationship with another person. But when two souls resonate together they are operating way beyond the level of physical or sexual attraction and it is for this reason that when two souls resonate harmoniously, there is a much greater likelihood of ongoing love and sexual harmony.

We are attracted, therefore, not to physical characteristics, but to the personality and all the feelings and emotions that are contained within it. Therefore, we shouldn’t worry about whether or not we’ll meet someone special, or if a present partner is right for us.

The soul will very forcibly let us know if we have met our destiny.
An extract from 'I feel I know you: When two souls meet' by Martin Lever. Due for publication in 2008.

Tuesday 20 March 2007

Fatawa: Smoking

Gulf Times
Friday, 16 March, 2007

Smoking

Smoking did not exist in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) yet we know that Islam forbids all things that are harmful to the body in general, along with anything that harms one’s neighbours or wastes money. We put before you the following evidence regarding the ruling on smoking so that you can discern for yourself whether or not it is halaal (permissible) or haraam (forbidden).

We do not advocate each individual making Islamic rulings on their own. Our aim in taking this approach is to give the reader an opportunity toreflect and consider the evidence for themselves, especially if they are smokers, because nothing is more convincing at times than one’s ownrationale.

1. Allah Ta’ala states in Soorah Al-’Araaf Aayah 157: He has allowed forthem all good and lawful things [at-tayyibaat] and forbids for them all evil and unlawful things [al-khabaa-ith]... Smoking is of the harmful and evil and unlawful things.
2. Allah Ta’ala states in Soorah Al-Baqarah Aayah 195: And do not throw yourselves into destruction... Smoking causes or contributes to a host of illnesses such as throat, mouth and lung cancer, tuberculosis, emphysema,respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, heart disease, and the listgoes on...
3. Allah Ta’ala states in Soorah Al-Israa Aayah 26-27: But spend not wastefully of your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the shayaateen (devils). Smoking is a waste of money and of the deeds of Shaitaan (Satan).
4. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in an authentic hadith: Laa darara wa laa diraar Let there be neither harm nor reciprocating harm. Smoking harms the smoker and the one who is next to him and it is a waste of money.
5. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in a hadith (mutafaqun‘alaihi) agreed upon by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim: Allah hates that you squander wealth. Smoking is a waste of wealth that is hated by Allah.
6. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in another hadith (mutafaqun ‘alaihi): The example of a righteous companion and the evil companion is analogous to the seller of perfumes and the blacksmith... The smoker is an evil companion who blows fire.
7. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said in a third hadith(mutafaqun ‘alaihi): My entire ummah (nation) is excused except the mujaahireen (open public sinner). The smoker is an open sinner whose sinis inexcusable unless he abandons his open sinful display.
8. If a person was to burn money we would say to him or her "Are you nuts!Haraam!" So how about the one who spends hundreds of riyals on smoking?!
9. Is it really a part of good religion or morals or plain sensitivity and good taste to disturb and harass people with your cigarette or pipe smoke and pollute their clean air?! You must know that polluting the air is as bad as polluting drinking water.
10. Have you ever asked yourself if smoking will be put on your scale of good deeds or the scale of wrong and evil deeds?!

So what do you think the ruling on smoking is? Halaal or haraam?

Brother or Sister Muslim Smoker...Ask Allah for help and be determined to quit smoking. Whatever someone drops for the sake of Allah, He will surely help him. Be patient and remember that Allah is with the patient. Make supplication (du’aa) to Allah with the utmost sincerity especially after the adhaan and the salaatand any other time.

Say: O Allah make it clear to me that smoking isuseless and wrong and give me the strength to shun it and make itloathsome and hateful to me, Aameen.

The Islamic Ruling

Smoking in all its forms [i.e. cigars, cigarettes, pipes, water pipes,etc.) is haraam (forbidden) and working in a factory that produces cigarsor cigarettes and the like is also forbidden and therefore any earnings from such work are also haraam and constitute unlawful provisions.

Buying,and selling cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc. is also forbidden as is renting retail space to someone who will sell cigarettes from that place is also forbidden (haraam). All of this is co-operation in sin and enmity which isexpressly forbidden in the Qur’an and the authentic sunnah. All forms of smoking are clearly filth and the one who is afflicted with it muststruggle to the utmost to rid themselves of this filthy habit.

The above is a summarisation of the Islamic ruling related by Shaykh AbdulAziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdur-Rahman Ibn Baz and Shaykh Muhammad As-Saaleh Al-’Uthaimeen (rahimahullah) and the Permanent Council of Fiqh in SaudiArabia and is agreed upon by the majority of Islamic scholars worldwide.

A small minority of scholars say that smoking is allowable while some haveruled it as detestable. The evidence of the harmfulness of smoking and theclear principles of Islam based upon the absolute proofs within the Qur’anand the authentic Sunnah, some of which was related above, clearly supportthe position of tahreem (being haraam) as the strongest and correctruling.

Source: Gulf Times

Monday 12 March 2007

Hookah use - new tobacco trend of the 21st century

Health & Science - Monday 12 March 2007
Carries Many of the Same Health Risks as Cigarette Smoking. American Lung Association Report Spotlights New Trend, Mistaken as Harmless

March 8, 2007 NEW YORK , NY

The emergence of trendy hookah bars in the United States masks the serious risk to health from hookah use, according to theAmerican Lung Association’s new report, An Emerging Deadly Trend –Waterpipe Tobacco Use, released today. Hookah bars are growing in popularity in the U.S. especially among 18-to 24-year-olds, becoming thefirst new tobacco use trend of the 21st century. The Lung Association report warns that this trend is thriving on the widespread, but mistaken, belief that hookah use is harmless.

"Contrary to what many beginning users may think, hookah tobacco use carries many of the same risks as cigarette smoking, including beinglinked to lung cancer and other lung diseases," said John L. Kirkwood,President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Hookah tobacco use isnot a safe alternative to cigarettes. "Hookahs, also called waterpipes, are relatively new to the United States .

Hookah tobacco use, however, is an ancient form of tobacco use thatoriginated in Persia and India. The hookah heats specially - made tobacco,and then passes the smoke through a bowl of water. The smoker then draws this tobacco smoke through a mouthpiece connected to the pipe by a rubberhose. Existing research warns that hookah smoking poses the same or similar health risks as cigarette smoking. The report also looked at the existing research behind hookah use, and finds some disturbing results: Because a typical smoking session lasts 40 to 45 minutes, versus five to 10 minutes to smoke a cigarette, exposure to dangerous chemicals isincreased with hookah use.

Teens were eight times more likely to experiment with cigarettes if they’dever used a hookah. "The fact that hookah use also increases the chances that kids will start smoking cigarettes should be of great concern to policymakers and thegeneral public," said Kirkwood.

The American Lung Association recommends several ways to help slow this trend in the report, including increased research on all aspects of hookahuse, smokefree workplace laws that cover places where hookahs are used, andculturally appropriate cessation products and services to help addictedhookah smokers quit.

"The misperceptions surrounding hookah use mean that more young adults will risk their lives smoking what they believe is a safer product, said Kirkwood . "We need to better understand and reverse this dangerous trend."

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lungdisease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of andtreatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, theAmerican Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time."

For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, visit www.lungusa.org
In the UK, for information on how to quit smoking tobacco, cigarettes or shisha pipes, contact your local Stop Smoking Service on 0800 169 0169 or visit http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/

Information in Arabic is available from: http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/downloads/Arabic.pdf

Sunday 11 March 2007

Chlamydia prevalence on the increase



Your Silent Friend

Chlamydia prevalence is on the increase with as many as 1 in 9 young people infected. 70% of women and 50% of men who have chlamydia, have no symptoms. This means that it is easily passed on without your knowledge.

Most women who are infected with chlamydia will have no symptoms but some may notice:

  • A change in the normal discharge from the vagina
  • More frequent or painful peeing
  • Pain during sex
  • Bleeding between periods or irregular periods

Men are more likely to notice symptoms, but some may have no symptoms at all. Those with symptoms may have:

  • Discharge from the penis.
  • Pain or burning when peeing
  • The eyes can become infected with chlamydia and if they do, both men and women may experience painful swelling and irritation

You can get chlamydia in the following ways

  • Penetrative sex (where the penis enters the vagina or anus)
  • Oral sex (from mouth to the genitals or genitals to the mouth)
  • Mother to baby during birth
  • Occasionally by transferring the infection on fingers from the genitals to the eyes

Diagnosis & Treatment
Chlamydia tests are often taken by using a pee sample, although samples may be taken from any infected place such as the cervix for women or the urethra (pee tube) for men. These are sent to a laboratory for testing and the results are usually available within a week. If the test is positive, the treatment for chlamydia is usually a simple one-off course of antibiotics.

You should avoid all sexual contact for at least one week after being treated. Check with your nurse, doctor or clinic. If you can, you should let anyone that you have had sexual contact with in the last 3 to 6 months know that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and that they need to be checked out and possibly tested. Staff at the clinic will offer you as much support as you need to do this.

A woman can pass on chlamydia to her baby if she has it at the time of birth. If this happens though, both baby and mother can be treated with antibiotics after birth.
In women, if not treated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, fertility problems, ectopic pregnancy (where the baby grows outside the womb) and chronic pelvic pain.

The more times that you get chlamydia the higher your chances of not being able to have a baby (even if treated) and the more people you have sex with, the more likely you are to get it. If left untreated, there is evidence to suggest that chlamydia may affect men's fertility as well.

Where can I get more information?

http://www.condomessentialwear.co.uk/

If you think you may have chlamydia, contact your local NHS sexual health clinic (also known as a GUM clinic) and make an appointment. It's easy and completely confidential.
For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic.

Saturday 10 March 2007

Combining cannabis and tobacco - NRT can help quitters

Drug agencies report that the majority of cannabis in the England is smoked and combined with tobacco i.e. in a ‘joint’, although exact figures are hard to come by, and there is very little research in this area.

Research tends to focus on America and the USA experience where tobacco is not used.

Evidence of the link between smoking cigarettes and ill health has been documented for more than 50 years. Wynder and Graham's (1950) study of 650 men with lung cancer found that 95% had been smoking for 25 years or more. In 1951, Sir Richard Doll and Sir Austin Bradford Hill's study examined 5,000 patients in British Hospitals, of which 1,357 men with lung cancer, 99.5% were smokers.

Global research since that time irrefutably states the considerable negative impact of smoking cigarettes on health and life expectancy, with one in two smokers dying from the affects of smoking, and overall 106,000 people dying last year alone in the UK.

There is no completely safe tobacco and around 80% of the health risks come from inhaling the smoke. Bronchitis, chronic pulmonary disease, carbon monoxide and lung cancer all come from inhaling the smoke, while also reducing the amount of vitamins in your body (ASH,2006). Also, from a deprivation perspective, if two parents smoke cigarettes and cannabis, it is likely they will be spending in excess of £3,500 a year on cigarettes (if purchased legally), plus up to £1,500 a year on cannabis. This raises fundamental child poverty issues in cases where a family is existing on benefits or other low income.

Smoking cannabis ‘joints’ should really be seen as the same as smoking a large cigarette, in that it is harmful to health. In some ways the public perception of this issue is the same as in the early days of smoking, in that the health impacts were not taken seriously by either health professionals or the public, and took many years to filter down into society's consciousness.


The negative effects of smoking cannabis on mental health and memory has been well documented, while it is interesting to note that the effects of the tobacco in ‘joints’ has been almost entirely ignored, it is therefore time to combine what we know of the affects of each drug in combination. There is a lot of evidence linking mild and mild-to-moderate cannabis use with schizophrenia, loss of short-term memory, anxiety and depression.

While the general population is aware of the health impact of smoking, it appears that certain sections of the community view the use of cannabis as benign and its use is seen as acceptable and normalised amongst certain sections of the population. This perception should be challenged, not least because of the development of new, hybrid forms of cannabis (e.g. super-skunk’) which contain much higher THC content than traditionally encountered in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.

Those who use cannabis in this form and want to quit have access to behavioural support through specialist services; although support is sketchy and many do not know it is available.
These clients have had no recourse to medical interventions like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), as in cigarette use, with ‘cold turkey’ or reduction technique being the only options.

Nicotine Addiction and Cannabis Use

The physically addictive part of a cigarette is nicotine, which is more addictive than either heroin or crack cocaine. However it is relatively harmless, the dangerous parts of a cigarette are tar, carbon monoxide, plus the 4000+ chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic.

The majority of cannabis users are addicted to often very high levels of nicotine without probably being aware, as one large cannabis joint is equal to approximately 5 to 12 cigarettes, but this is difficult to measure exactly as all are individually rolled. There is also strong psychological addiction associated with cannabis use. Simply put, you get 5- 12 times the amount of nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and the 4000+ additional chemicals.


Furthermore cannabis is smoked differently from cigarettes, usually with no effective filter and cannabis burns at a higher temperature than cigarettes, damaging the delicate structure of the lungs, and joints are generally inhaled more deeply and held in the lungs for far longer than a cigarette.

Cigarettes are notoriously difficult to give up with only a 2- 3% success rate for those quitting without support, mostly due to the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Using NRT (or Zyban) on prescription as an aid to quitting plus behavioural support, is nearly five times more successful than going it alone in the long term.

Many quit attempts fail where the user smokes both cigarettes and cannabis. The user often stops smoking cigarettes, but cannabis consumption goes up to compensate for the nicotine carvings. Often, the smoker doesn’t understand that the nicotine addiction is being maintained whilst combining nicotine with cannabis. Thus, the physical withdrawal symptoms never go away, and are often further exacerbated.

Withdrawal symptoms from cannabis smoked and combined with tobacco has similar challenges to that of cigarettes, while in some cases the withdrawal symptoms can be more extreme than that of giving up smoking cigarettes, using NRT can help relieve some of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and it provides an opportunity to break the link between cannabis and nicotine.

The use of NRT is sometimes recommended for withdrawal symptoms by FRANK, the UK national drugs helpline, while the majority of front line drug agencies and public are unaware that it could be helpful.

A minority of cannabis users may be aware of the benefits of NRT but are reluctant to seek out support from their GP or local Stop Smoking Services, while the majority of Smoking Cessation staff don't have the experience or confidence in working with this client group and probably would require additional training.


Usage of Cannabis

Figures from the ‘The Home Office, Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2004/2005 Crime Survey’, state that for that year, 29.7% of 16-59 year olds reported using cannabis, and 23% of 16- 24 year olds. Overall drug misuse generally was higher amongst men (IPCP: LAA People Project: Key findings to date, October 2006). Other research has made a link between cigarette and cannabis use potentially leading to the use of other stronger substances, i.e. the gateway effect.


Cannabis and the law

Cannabis is illegal; it's a Class C drug. If you’re caught with cannabis the police will always take action.

Possession Information in this section from FRANK: www.talktofrank.com

If you’re caught with even a small amount of cannabis on you, you can be arrested. What the police will do depends on the circumstances and how old you are. Usually, you’ll get a warning and the police will confiscate the drug and if you’re under 18, your parent or guardian will also be contacted.

The police are more likely to arrest you if: you are blatantly smoking in public and/or have been caught with cannabis before. If you continue to break the law, you can end up with a criminal record which could affect your chances of getting a job. It could also affect whether you can go on holiday to some countries.

The maximum penalty for possession is two years in prison plus an unlimited fine.

Supply

Dealing is a serious offence. In the eyes of the law, this includes giving drugs to friends. People who grow cannabis in their homes or carry large amounts on them also risk being charged with intent to supply.

The maximum penalty for supply is 14 years in prison plus an unlimited fine.

Did you know?

Drug driving is as illegal as drink driving. You could go to prison, get a heavy fine or be disqualified.

Allowing people to take cannabis in your house or any other premises is illegal. If the police catch someone smoking cannabis in a club they can prosecute the landlord, club owner or person holding the party.

Using cannabis to relieve pain is also an offence. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for.

To speak to a friendly advisor, call FRANK on 0800 77 66 00
Article by George Gallagher (Islington PCT Smoking Cessation Advisor) and Martin Lever (Public Health Consultant).

Water or shisha pipe smoking: The health effects

Is smoking a water pipe harmful to my health?
by Neda Hormozi, Hammersmith & Fulham Primary Care Trust's Stop Smoking Coordinator

Using a waterpipe (otherwise known asshisha; hookah pipe) to smoke tobacco poses a serious potential health hazard to smokers and others exposed to the smoke emitted. Smoke that comes from a waterpipe contains numerous toxins known to cause diseases including lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and problems during pregnancy [i].

Smoking a waterpipe verses smoking a cigarette.

Smoking any substance, in any form, including:

  • manufactured cigarettes
  • hand-rolled cigarettes
  • pipes and cigars
  • herbs
  • waterpipes (otherwise known as shisha; hookah) is harmful to your health.

A waterpipe smoking session may expose the smoker to more smoke over a longer period of time than occurs when smoking a cigarette. Typically, waterpipe smoking sessions last 20 – 80 minutes, during which time the smoker may take 50 – 200 puffs. The waterpipe smoker may therefore inhale as much smoke during one session as a cigarette smoker would inhale consuming 100 or more cigarettes [ii]. Chronic respiratory problems including symptoms of bronchitis were reported at a younger age among shisha smokers than among cigarette smokers.

Smoking a water-pipe as a social activity

Water-pipe smoking is often social and two or more people may share the same water-pipe. Additional dangers not associated with cigarettes arise from infectious disease including tuberculosis and hepatitis, with pipe-sharing [iii].

For further information on how to quit smoking tobacco, cigarettes or shisha pipes, please contact your local Stop Smoking Service on 0800 169 0169 or visit http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/

Advice in Arabic is available from: http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/downloads/Arabic.pdf

Quotations

“Most people misleadingly believe shisha does not contain tobacco and that when they smoke they inhale herbal products … It is the added flavours that make them feel they are smoking herbs, while they are actually taking in tobacco … Smoking from a shisha pipe is far more dangerous than cigarette smoking because the amount of nicotine can not be measured due to packing differences’ (The Khaleej Times, Arab Emirates, 4th June 2006).

'The risks to people who smoke shisha appear to be as great, if not more pronounced, than from smoking cigarettes' (Respiratory, July 2006) .

Refs
[i] World Health Organisation (2005) Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke: Health Effects, research needs and recommended actions by regulators.

[ii] Knishkowy et al (2005) Waterpipe Smoking: An Emerging Health Risk Behaviour PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 1 July 2005, pp. e113-e119

[iii] Knishkowy et al (2005) Waterpipe Smoking: An Emerging Health Risk Behaviour PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 1 July 2005, pp. e113-e119

Friday 9 March 2007

Lovely legislation - England goes smokefree on July 1st

Lovely Legislation

From July 1st 2007, smoking in enclosed public places will be prohibited. This represents one of the most important post-war public health acts and follows the lead taken by Ireland and Scotland.

Why ban smoking in public places?

Smoking is now the principal avoidable cause of preventable illness and premature deaths in the UK. Smoking kills over 120,000 people in the UK a year - more than 13 people an hour. The UK Government has set new targets for health improvement. One of the targets is to reduce cancer deaths. Another is to reduce heart disease deaths. Cancer and heart disease are the two most common fatal diseases in this country. Smoking is a major cause of cancer and heart disease.

Most non-smokers are not exposed to levels of second-hand smoke sufficient for them to incur significant extra risk, many thousands are, such as those living with smokers or working in particularly smoky atmospheres for long periods of time. Several hundred people a year in the UK are estimated to die from lung cancer brought about by inhaling second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke almost certainly also contributes to deaths from heart disease - an even bigger killer than lung cancer.

Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause illness. Asthma sufferers are more prone to attacks in smoky atmospheres. Children, more vulnerable than adults and often with little choice over their exposure to tobacco smoke, are at particular risk.

Children whose parents smoke are much more likely to develop lung illness and other conditions such as asthma than children of non-smoking parents. The Royal College of Physicians has estimated that as many as 17,000 hospital admissions in a single year of children under 5 are due to their parents smoking. They also estimate that up to 25% of cot deaths might be caused by mothers smoking. Women who smoke while pregnant are likely to reduce the birthweight, and damage the health, of their baby.

What is second-hand smoke? downloaded from: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

Secondhand smoke is simply other people’s tobacco smoke and is also known as passive smoke or ‘environmental’ tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke consists of side stream smoke from the burning tip of the cigarette, and mainstream smoke exhaled by the smoker. Side stream smoke typically makes up nearly 85% of the smoke in a smoky environment. This type of smoke contains a much higher concentration of toxins, such as hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide and acrolein, than mainstream smoke. Secondhand smoke contains a cocktail of over 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are toxic and harmful including more than 50 known carcinogens such as benzo(a)pyrene, chromium, vinyl chloride, and benzene.

The invisible killer

Evidence shows that ventilation cannot control exposure to secondhand smoke:

• We know that 85% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless
• Secondhand smoke is made up of gases and microscopic particles
• Research has shown that to remove the risks of secondhand smoke, an enclosed premises would need wind tunnel-like rates of ventilation.
• Ventilation can actually distribute secondhand smoke throughout buildings

Dramatic reduction in exposure to secondhand smoke

• Irish hospitality workers experienced significant reductions in the levels of both levels of airborne pollutants and levels of carbon monoxide concentrations (70% decrease) during the first 6 weeks after the introduction of a smokefree policy in Ireland
• Levels of carbon monoxide decreased by 45% in non-smoking Irish bar workers one year after the legislation was introduced
• Before smokefree legislation was in place, 68% of Irish workers reported having over 21 hours of secondhand smoke exposure per week. This changed to 70% of workers reporting no exposure to secondhand smoke at work
• In a survey of 104 hospitality workers in New York, subjects reported an 89% decrease in exposure to secondhand smoke at work as a result of the Clean Indoor Air Act; this was confirmed by cotinine tests of the workers. Cotinine is an indicator of exposure to tobacco smoke
• A report issued on the third anniversary of New York’s smokefree law showed that New Yorkers' exposure to secondhand smoke had declined by 50% overall

Measurable improvement to workers’ health

• A Dundee University study showed bar workers’ lung function increased by as much as 10% just two months after smokefree legislation was introduced. Those showing secondhand smoke-related symptoms fell from 80% to fewer than half
• The Journal of the American Medical Association documented a significant improvement documented in respiratory health among bartenders after the passage of the Californian smokefree workplace legislation

Marked decrease in air pollution

• A Global Study of Irish Pubs found the level of air pollution inside Irish pubs in smokefree cities was 93% lower than the level in pubs in cities where smoking is permitted
• A Global Air Monitoring Study of 1,212 indoor workplaces in 24 different countries found that the level of indoor pollution was 89% lower in places that were smokefree compared to those where smoking was observed

Smoking and inequalities

Smoking more than any other identifiable factor contributes to the gap in healthy life expectancy between those most in need, and those most advantaged. While overall smoking rates have fallen over the decades, for the least advantaged they have barely fallen at all. In 1996, 12 per cent of men in professional jobs smoked, compared with 40 per cent of men in unskilled manual jobs.

Such differences are reflected in the impact of smoking on health. A higher rate of smoking among people in manual jobs is matched by much higher rates of disease such as cancer and heart disease. Between 1991 and 1993, among men aged 20 to 64 in professional work, 17 in every 100,000 died of lung cancer, compared with 82 per 100,000 in unskilled manual work. For the same period and age group, among professional workers, 81 per 100,000 died from coronary heart disease compared with 235 per 100,000 in unskilled manual jobs.

The close link between smoking and health inequalities was highlighted again in the Acheson Report, an independent inquiry into health inequalities chaired by Sir Donald Acheson. The report concluded that the relatively stable rate of smoking in the least advantaged groups suggests that simply intensifying current approaches would not be sufficient to tackle the problem.

In addition to these emerging challenges, there are longstanding problems that need fresh approaches. We also need to focus specifically on tackling inequalities in health. Although on average we are living healthier and longer lives, health and life expectancy are not shared equally across the population. Despite overall improvements, there remain big – and in some communities increasing – differences in health between those at the top and bottom ends of the social scale. Some parts of the country have the same mortality rates now as the national average in the 1950s (Choosing Health).

I’m a smoker, what should I do?

The best way to protect your family and others from secondhand smoke is to give up smoking. For anyone considering stopping there is plenty of help and support available. Call the free NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 for practical advice, including a free information pack on how to stop smoking and the different options available.

To find about the local NHS Stop Smoking Service nearest you, phone the NHS Smoking Helpline free on 0800 169 0 169 or in the following ways:

• Web: http://www.gosmokefree.co.uk/

• Mobile: text ‘GIVE UP’ and your full postcode to 88088
• In person: ask at your local GP practice, pharmacy or hospital