Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Annotation - Eight

SIRS
St. Paul Pioneer Press
David Hanners
Jan 25, 1998
Tobacco's Effects Historically Given Little Media Coverage

The damage that tobacco and nicotine does to a person is incredible. And the fact that it is not publicized everywhere all the time is even more incredible. Tobacco companies have not been criticized enough. They need to let everyone know all the information about cigarettes and take the responsibility for what cigarettes do to people. The state of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have been trying to get reimbursed for the large amount of medical costs. They have been sueing large tobacco companies. Tobacco companies have artificially increased the amount of nicotine in their brand of cigarettes. When this was discovered, the government charged a company with a criminal case, yet the case was not publicized much at all. More situations like this need to be out in the public for people to see and understand.

Annotation - Seven

SIRS
United Press International
Peggy Peck and Edward Susman
Jan 30, 2004
Smoking: Habit Persists Despite '64 Report

Peggy Peck and Edward Susman describe the history of the use of cigarettes and how the tobacco company manipulated and still controls smokers. In 1964 the information was let loose into the world that should have changed peoples' smoking habits. It was well known that tobacco and smoking can cause lung cancer and other horrible diseases and symptoms. Everyone was aware of this fact. However, people did not stop smoking and about 450,000 lives are lost each year thanks to tobacco. Tobacco companies know all of the ways to get a person hooked on smoking. Nicotine is addictive, and it is one of the main ingredients in a cigarette. Also, in the 1960s cigarettes made the user look sexy and intelligent and happy. Ads glorified cigarettes. The amount of smokers has decreased over the past decades, but it is still too high.

Annotation - Six

Infotrac
Life Science Weekly
Editors from staff
Nov 23, 2004
Smoking Among University of Minnesota Students Declines

This article states facts about the amount of students from the University of Minnesota that smoke. In the late 1990s the smoking rates were much higher, at about 42%. That means out of all the students, almost half of them smoked cigarettes. Over the years, that number has gradually decreased to about 27%. That is still a high amount of students that smoke, but it is much better than the previous years. The most cigarettes are sold to eighteen to 24-year-olds, which is about the main age group that attends this university. Officials are attempting to have a public smoking ban at the University of Minnesota. Some students strongly support this idea, while others strongly disagree with it. One student explained that he thinks it is a waste of time and that people will quit if they want to on their own time. People that are for the smoking ban believe that it is extremely important to ban smoking to avoid the many health risks and dangers from secondhand smoke.

Annotation - Five

Infotrac
Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week
Editors from staff
Nov 6, 2004
Minnesota County Approves New Restriction on Smoking

The editors from the staff of Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week discuss the debate of a state-wide smoking ban. Hennepin County has already taken action on the ban. A smoking ban has been activated, and violators have a price to pay. Smokers caught in the non smoking area will recieve a misdemeanor. Putting a ban on smoking in a large county will put pressure on the state to go forward with a smoking ban. Commissioner Gail Dorfman thinks that the smoking ban is unnecessary and overcontrolling. Some agree with the idea that smokers have the right to smoke in public. Others feel strongly for a smoking ban to reduce all of the health risks and dangers that comes from secondhand smoke.

Annotation - Four

Infotrac
American Academy of Family Physicians
April 1, 2007
Caroline Wellbery
Smoking Ban Has Health Benefits for Bar Workers

A study was done on a large group or workers from a bar. Tests and surveys were given one month before the smoking ban was put into action. Many of the workers and respiratory and sensory problems. The ban was put into place and tests were taken on the workers one month after. Symptoms had drastically decreased and the bar workers felt more healthy. The workers with asthma were effected the most by the secondhand smoke. Results of the smoking ban showed that the bar was a healthier and cleaner environment. It was recorded that bartenders with asthma had the most improvements due to the smoking ban. Smoking bans should be put into action in more bars since there is evidence of drastic improvements in the health of people. Just one month of no secondhand smoke makes a huge difference in many of the symptoms from the smoke.

Annotation - Three

Infotrac
USA Today
John L. Indo
March 8, 2007
Ban Smoking at Public Institutions

The effects of smoking are discussed in this article. A ban on smoking at universities is now being decided on. John L. Indo explains the dangers of smoking at a university, and anywhere else in this case. Smoking is an extremely avoidable danger to everyone who smokes and everyone around people that smoke. It causes countless health problems. Smoking in a dorm is considered dangerous. There are a lot of flammable objects sitting in dorm rooms that could easily start on fire. Smoking can also easily damage electronics from the chemicals that are emitted from the smoke. Non smoking students should not have to constantly worry about the many health risks they have from the smokers in their dorm room. Also, they shouldn't have to wonder if they will come home to a burned down room or broken computer.

Annotation - Two

SIRS
Gannett News Service
Pamela Brogan
Dec 28, 2005
Smoking Bans Become More Popular to Curb Effects of Secondhand Smoke

In this article, Pamala Brogan discusses the horrible health risks of secondhand smoke. It causes many non smokers to develop heart disease, and/or lung cancer. Many bars and restaurants are beginning to ban smoking. A possible smoking ban in public places upsets many smokers, and some believe that the ban is discrimination against smokers. If more public places do put the smoking ban in order, it will save our economy billions of dollars in health costs and lost wages. One smoker suggests that the solution to this problem is that there should be smoking-only bars. This way smokers and non smokers can be separated. Many cities and states have put the ban in place and are enforcing it and many more are considering the ban.

Annotation - One

ProQuest
Science News
Nathan Seppa
Oct 14, 2006
Smoke Out

In this article, the effects of second hand smoke are described. Also the improvements from banning smoking in public and work places. Smoking was banned in public and work places in Scotland. Research was done in order to determine the difference the ban made. Workers from a pub had many tests done before the ban was in order. Wheezing, shortness of breath and eye irretation was commonly reported along with other minor symptoms. The pub workers were tested after one month of the ban, and after the second month of the ban. The health of the workers improved after only one month. By the second month, the pub workers were as healthy as could be. After the smoking ban, symptoms were almost instantly eliminated.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Favorite Place in the World

With the bright sun shining all day long and the warm sand between your toes, this will be your number one place to go. After walking down the short concrete trail through the forest, you will find yourself at a vast area of white, soft sand to relax at. People of all ages meet here daily for parties, barbeques, family gatherings and just for fun. Towels and chairs are spread out throughout the sand. The air smells of barbequed meat and laughter can be heard throughout the day. If you get too hot from bathing in the sun, you can take a dip in the clear-blue water just 100 yards down the sand. The water is warm from the sun beating down on it all day. You can see the soft ground of sand through the water easily. Kids float on plastic toys and they play catch with foam footballs and rubber frisbees. Others prefer to snorkle around and investigate deeper areas of the water. This place is great for relaxing in a warm, welcoming environment.