Story Archives of 'smoking'

Research on cigarette addiction has long held that it takes years to develop the nicotine habit. But new research indicates that the symptoms of addiction - withdrawal, cravings, and failed attempts at quitting - can appear within the first week of smoking. That's even more cause for tobacco-prevention programs to keep kids from picking up the habit in the first place.

Here in New Hampshire, 20.5 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes. Last year, the state ranked dead last in the country for spending on tobacco prevention programs, with zero dollars spent on prevention, and it looks like New Hampshire will earn that dubious distinction again this year due to budget constraints. It's alarming, given that some scientists have found evidence of changes in the brain of novice smokers after just one dose of nicotine.

Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott spoke about the research with John Rennie, editor-in-chief of Scientific American, which published the new findings in its May issue.

Read a preview of the Scientific American article "Hooked from the First Cigarette"

(Photo by Juan Jackson)

The 189-156 vote came after about 3 hours of debate and several attempts to amend the measure to avoid an outright prohibition.

In New Hampshire, an estimated 440 million dollars a year is spent treating the diseases caused by smoking. It would seem reasonable that doctors and other health care professionals would be leading the charge to help smokers quit. But a new study finds that many of them are overlooking some simple steps that could make a big difference.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Jon Greenberg has more.

The CDC's guidelines for health care professionals
New Hampshire's Tobacco Program

The city of Keene is marking the first anniversary of its smoking ban for restaurants.
The past year hasn't been a completely smooth transition, but now restaurant owners and diners seem to have adjusted to the city law, as Carolyn Martin of the Keene Sentinel reports.

State efforts to fund anti-tobacco efforts have hit a new snag. The Executive council voted to table a 2.6 million dollar contract with High Point Communications to launch a statewide campaign to publicize the perils of smoking.