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Low level exposure to Benzene causes lower blood cell counts

A new study found that white blood cell counts were lowered in workers exposed to less than 1 ppm of the chemical benzene (part benzene per million parts air).

3 Dec 2004

Two out of every three Americans know someone stricken by lung cancer

Two out of every three Americans know someone stricken by lung cancer, yet more than half of Americans don't realize that lung cancer is among the most lethal of cancers, according to a nationwide survey conducted on behalf of The Lung Cancer Online Foundation.

3 Dec 2004

Red meat consumption is an independent risk factor in the development of inflammatory arthritis

A chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

2 Dec 2004

Smoking habits during pregnancy may cause genetic instability in the foetus

The Spanish Pediatrics Association has recently awarded the Pediatrics laboratory at the University of Navarre for a research into tobacco and foetal genetic instability.

2 Dec 2004

Student nurses need better understanding of people living in poverty

Nursing students need a broader understanding of how social conditions influence the health of people living in poverty if they are to provide sensitive care, and more importantly, work toward community and policy solutions to poverty, says a new study done in part by the University of Alberta.

1 Dec 2004

Small social circles tied to heart disease death in women

Women with suspected coronary artery disease and smaller social networks die at twice the rate of those who have a larger circle of social contacts, according to a new study.

1 Dec 2004

Unemployment can be deadly

Being unemployed can up your risk for an early death, according to study of 875 female and 1,309 male twins.

29 Nov 2004

Tobacco companies target U.S. immigrants

Tobacco companies have engaged in three distinct marketing practices aimed at gaining U.S. immigrants as customers, according to an analysis of major tobacco industry documents.

29 Nov 2004

Lighter air more than doubles COPD patients’ endurance

It certainly makes sense: COPD sufferers have varying degrees of serious breathing difficulties, which keeps them from almost any kind of exercise, especially in advanced stages. So maybe “lighter than air” air would be easier to breath, reduce shortness of breath and perhaps even allow them to do some exercise with all of its physical and mental benefits.

29 Nov 2004

Tobacco giant penetrated Asian markets via smuggling and political influence

British American Tobacco (BAT)'s strategy for global expansion combined complicity in smuggling with high level political influence across Asia, new research reveals.

29 Nov 2004

Tougher action needed to stop cigarette sales to children

Retailers should be licensed to sell cigarettes, and the licence revoked if they are caught selling tobacco to children, the Australian Medical Association (WA) said today.

29 Nov 2004

New research into nicotine addiction

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded a $2.1 million contract to Perlegen Sciences, Inc., to investigate the human genome for DNA variations and candidate genes associated with nicotine addiction.

24 Nov 2004

Cancers of the head and neck cause over 2,700 deaths per year in England and Wales

Cancers of the head and neck cause over 2,700 deaths per year in England and Wales. Smoking and drinking cause most cancers of the mouth, lip and tongue (oral cavity), throat and voice box.

24 Nov 2004

BMA calls for safeguards on ID cards

Responding to yesterday's Queen's Speech (Tuesday 23 November 2004), Mr James Johnson, chairman of the British Medical Association, warned that legislation to introduce national ID cards must not lead to vulnerable groups being denied access to the NHS.

24 Nov 2004

Genetic defect boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco

A genetic defect, which slows the liver's capacity to clear nicotine from the body, boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco, finds research in Tobacco Control. The effects are particularly strong in new, young smokers, the study shows.

24 Nov 2004

Smoking killed almost 5 million people around the world in 2000

Smoking killed almost 5 million people around the world in 2000, reveals research in Tobacco Control. Over half the deaths were in smokers aged 30 to 69.

24 Nov 2004

Risk of a blocked vessel stroke increases nearly twofold in young women with a history of stroke

Young women with a family history of stroke in their parents or siblings may be at increased risk for stroke themselves, according to a new report.

23 Nov 2004

Nearly two-thirds of smokers are not concerned about developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of smokers are not concerned about developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), America’s fourth ranking cause of death even though more than half of them (55 percent) experience at least one of the symptoms of COPD a minimum of once a week.

18 Nov 2004

The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough

Commenting on the proposals in today's English Public Health White Paper, local hospital consultant and Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Peter Maguire, said: "The passive smoking proposals, whilst welcome, do not go far enough to protect the health and lives of all workers.

16 Nov 2004

BMA welcomes smoke-free plan

Commenting on today's (16 November 2004) White Paper on public health for England, BMA Chairman, Mr James Johnson, welcomed the fact that John Reid had gone a long way to making enclosed public places smoke-free but said he had not moved far enough.

16 Nov 2004