Read the Full Newswise Article

Several university systems already have tobacco bans in place, while other systems seek to do the same. The California state system plans to bar tobacco use beginning in 2013 and the University of Missouri hopes to be smoke-free by 2014.

The move toward campus-wide bans has received generally positive reception, however, some faculty and students are concerned with the legal implications of such a move.

Read the full Associated Press article.

The University at Buffalo public health researchers followed 1,000 adult smokers in the U.S. in an attempt to determine if recent quitters increased their fruit and vegetable consumption or if smokers who ate more fruits and vegetables were more likely to quit. The researchers found that regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, the highest fruit and vegetable consumption group was three times more likely to be successful at smoking cessation after 14 months than the lowest consumption group. The higher consumption groups also smoked less cigarettes per day, started to smoke later in the day and had a lower dependence on nicotine.

Possible explanations for the findings include increased fiber intake, the feeling of a full stomach and fruits and vegetables not enhancing the flavor of cigarettes as some other foods do.

Read the full Newswise article.

The author of the study, Chi Pang Wen, a professor at the National Health Research Institute and China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan, suggests that exercising provides a distraction from focusing on the urge to smoke. In addition, the physical activity improves overall health and increases life expectancy. Up to 5.6 years, on average, can be added to an ex-smoker’s life by being active 30 minutes a day.

Read the full NPR article.

Many public places have laws against smoking in public, such as bars and schools. However, research has shown that secondhand smoke from inside cars can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous than smoke-filled public places. Even if the car window is open, exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to breathing problems and allergy symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges parents to ban smoking in their homes and cars.

Read the full USA Today article.

The report noted that while counseling programs and medication can double or triple smokers’ chances of quitting, most who tried in 2010 didn’t use either nor did they seek a doctor’s advice.

The CDC said that the high percentage of smokers who want to quit signals a step in the right direction, but stressed the need for health care providers to offer more smoking-cessation programs, many of which have only recently become available under certain health insurance plans.

Read the full article at The Wall Street Journal.
Most Smokers Want to Quit, Only a Fraction Actually Do

Lung Cancer may want a return to the days of smoke-filled restaurants and office buildings, but you have the power to make the future smoke-free by not smoking or if you do smoke, by quitting. You can also encourage loved ones to do the same. Let’s not turn back the clock, as lung cancer wants to do in the video, but look forward to saving lives through cancer prevention and early detection.

We welcome your comments on this PSA series and want to know what you think about cancer prevention and early detection. In case you missed them, check out “Out of Work” featuring all the preventable cancers and “Self Examination” focused on breast cancer. The long form PSA, “Preventable Cancer Support Group” is also available for you to watch and share.

Follow the link below to read the full  New York Times article.

Never Too Old to Quit

Weight lifting may help smokers quit

1. Join the #2PreventCancer Campaign
The Foundation’s #2PreventCancer Campaign encourages individuals to take simple, everyday steps to reduce their cancer risk. Sharing these smart choices with others, no matter how big or small, is a great way to help promote the cause. We believe that together, we can support one another on our journey to living smart, healthy lifestyles—even just one tweet or Facebook status update at a time. To get started, visit our site at 2preventcancer.org.

2. Check the Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog Regularly
The Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog features the latest cancer related news, updates and other health information, ranging from delicious recipes to important and lifesaving information from cancer prevention and early detection researchers and physicians.

3. Educate Yourself About Preventable Cancers
Research suggests that only five percent of cancer is hereditary. That means the lifestyle choices we make, the foods we eat, and our physical activity levels, all have a direct impact on our overall cancer risk. The Foundation focuses our resources on the types of cancer that can be prevented through lifestyle changes and early detection and treatment. The likelihood of developing lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical, skin, oral and testicular cancer can be greatly reduced by staying informed and proactive in your health choices.

4. Be Conscious of the Big 4: Eat Healthy, Exercise Daily, Get Screened, Stop Smoking
These four, easy-to-remember categories have a big impact on cancer prevention. Be sure to keep them in mind every day.

5. Learn About Specific Cancer Awareness Months, Initiatives and Programs
In addition to the Foundation blog, our Web site is not only a great resource for information about the preventable cancers and cancer risk reduction but it also details the Foundation’s efforts through research, community outreach and education to prevent cancer or detect cancer early when it is most treatable.