Good question! And it just dawned to me this morning as I was walking the dog on the beach. More often than not I find cigarette butts on the entryways to the beach, on the lookout platforms, on the sand itself… And those butts and filters are there to stay unless somebody kindly picks them up and removes them. They are similar to plastics in that both contribute to waste. So the solution to the first is easy: stop smoking! By quitting cigarettes you are helping in lessening waste products released onto the planet. And to help reduce the use of plastics, here are some tips passed on by Australian Ethical:

22 Tips To Stop Using Plastic

Plastic is bad for the environment on every level. Not only does it pollute waterways and create excess landfill, but plastic uses a ridiculous amount of resources just in order to be manufactured. In fact, it takes about 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture 102 billion plastic bags.

Each year, thousands of tonnes of excess rubbish is created in Australia alone, let alone the rest of the world. Even with more people recycling now than ever before, there are still plastics that cannot be recycled due to their chemical composition. It’s these types of plastics that we should all aim to avoid wherever possible.

There are so many easy ways to reduce the amount of plastic you can use. Here are just a few simple practices you can begin implementing to keep your conscience at rest.

1. Put down the glad wrap

Invest in some good, air tight storage containers that are both microwave and freezer safe. It’s a good idea to have multiple containers in a range of sizes to accommodate for all the different types of food you’ll be storing, as well as snack sized containers for lunch boxes and storing liquids, dressings, and so on. Phthalates in plastic wrap are really bad for you, so you’ll be doing yourself, your friends, and family a favour too. You can also get reusable wax-lined cloths that work the same way as glad wrap, and look great too – check out Honey Bee Wraps.

2. Use a great shaver

The plastic in disposable razors isn’t recyclable and doesn’t biodegrade, so they’re very difficult to dispose of. When you invest in a good electric razor, you’ll actually save money in the long run from not having to buy shaving cream, lotion, and replacement blades quite so often.

3. Say no to straws

They may seem small and harmless, but they accumulate incredibly quickly over the space of a night out drinking. If you have to drink with a straw, try to reuse it over the course of your night. Even better, invest in a reusable straw, like the stainless steel or glass ones from Dharma Straws. We’ve found the stainless steel ones are best, as glass isn’t the safest thing to carry around with you.

4. Go loose

Like buying packaged food in bulk, avoid buying pre-packed or pre-weighed fruits and vegies. You know the kind – cling wrapped bananas on foam trays and the like – unnecessary and wasteful. Instead, choose from the loose section and put them straight in the fruit basket or fridge when you get home.

5. Hit the deli

If possible, shop from the deli section in supermarkets. Pre-packaged meat is usually stored on plastic or styrofoam trays, while you can re-use the bags that are used to pack deli meat. If you smile and ask nicely, the deli staff will even put your produce in your own container – yes, really!

6. Have a bottle on hand

Plastic water bottles are one of the most consumed items in the world. Don’t help perpetuate the market for this ridiculously wasteful product; take your own drink bottle when you’re on the go. Water comes out of the tap for free, so why on Earth would you pay for it?!

7. Just BYO

Always take your own shopping bags to the supermarket or shops. These don’t have to be the canvas, environmentally friendly kind if you don’t have any. Even just reusing plastic bags from your own kitchen cupboard can still help to reduce waste. Bonus Tip: Recycle any soft plastics you do accumulate in the collection kiosks in Coles and/or Woolies.

8. Use a thermos or a KeepCup

If you regularly find yourself buying takeaway coffee, take your own clean thermos and avoid adding to the styrofoam rubbish pile. Cafe businesses usually appreciate not having to use their own stock, and the environment appreciates being cared for. Some cafe’s will even give you a discount!

9. Avoid individually wrapped products

Don’t buy food in pre-portioned packaging, buy in bulk instead! Instead of buying 15 mini packs of biscuits or chips for school lunch, buy a large single packet and portion it into those containers you bought back in point 1. Apply this theory to yoghurt, custards, and anything else that can be bought in a larger size. Every bit counts!

10. Natural scents

If you’re a big fan of the air freshener spray can, try to give it up and instead start burning scented candles, incense, or essential oils instead.

11. Grow your own!

Fresh herbs and salad leaves always come wrapped in plastic at the supermarket. Try growing your own herbs and salad leaves at home to enjoy fresh greens when you want!

12. Buy refills

Rather than buying a new product each time, start buying refills for your cleaning supplies. If you use one spray bottle a month then that’s 12 spray heads a year that you don’t need. Reuse your spray head wherever possible! This also applies to laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Always refill!

13. Choose glass over plastic

Glass is much more easier to recycle than plastic. If you have the option, buy products packaged in glass (or biodegradable paper or cornstarch) over plastic, which you’ll find is surprisingly common for food and drinks.

14. Ditch disposable plates

If you’re having a BBQ or party – don’t freak out – but avoid using disposable cups, plates, and cutlery. Use your glass plates and wash them. If you must use plastic plates, wash and reuse them as well.

15. Avoid disposable

In fact, just avoid disposable anything! If there’s a reusable version, always choose that one instead. And for the ladies – ahem – that means looking into beauties like the Juju cup.

16. Don’t throw away old toys

Recycle old plastic children’s toys. If they’re not broken, don’t throw them away. Consider giving them to a local op shop, daycare, or kindergarten instead. Search for a toy library in your area to borrow from or donate to.

17. Don’t throw away phones

Don’t throw away old mobile phones. Most post offices have a special bin for recycling all mobiles and their accessories. If you can’t find one, look carefully in the box of your new phone – there should be a special recycling postage bag included in which you can place your old phone.

18. Be handy

Always try to fix broken electronics instead of just replacing them. If an item is unfixable, dispose of it properly rather than just throwing it in with your general rubbish. Contact your local computer repair store to see if they can make use of any of the parts first.

19. Step away from the microbeads

Stop using body and skincare products that contain microbeads. These tiny beads are made from a plastic based substance and contribute to a lot of extra work at water treatment plants.

20. Substitute gum

Stop using chewing gum. Yup, this delicious mouth freshener is made from a rubber-type of substance that is not degradable. Hence all those gross, sticky gum patches you find on the road…

21. Avoid lighters

If you really need a lighter, stop buying plastic lighters. Instead, purchase a packet of matches or a refillable lighter that can be reused again and again.

22. Invest in cloth nappies

If you have kids, get rid of the disposable nappies and invest in a pair of good cloth ones instead. Even if you have to use extra products for sanitising when compared to plastic, you do have the option of using nontoxic laundry powders (that come in a cardboard box) that are easier to dispose of than plastic nappies are.

Let’s talk about willpower:

‘I don’t have enough willpower!’ is something we often hear around us, about any habits that we have and want to break, but don’t seem to have sufficient drive to do so. Lately, the news is that willpower is like a muscle – we can overuse it, and so it is suggested that it is a limited resource (Roy Baumeister).

Keeping that in mind, when we break a habit and want to stop smoking for example, we want to have something already in mind to put in its place, so that we are not surprised and standing in front of a choice that can take us down the old ways again, as this is the easiest. For example, if you get up and normally would have lit a cigarette with a coffee, have the juice and the jogging clothes ready to establish a new habit easily. Obama said that he only had 2 colour suits as he didn’t want to spend energy in making even that small a decision every day! What other decisions are there in a day that you could eliminate to allow more ‘willpower’ for more important ones?

Conclusion: give yourself the best opportunity to use your willpower wisely and for the things that matter to you. Hypnosis gives you the chance to establish new healthy habits – and a small healthy dose of willpower will help you to put and keep them in place!

Body language is the way we present ourselves to the world. We can be opening ourselves to others or we can be closing down communication, we can feel powerful or powerless and others can deduct that from our body postures. The good thing is that we also have some say in the body language we want to adopt, meaning that we can ‘fake it until we make it’. By quitting smoking and leaving cigarettes behind, you are already on the way to present a more confident persona, feeling stronger and more energetic to interact positively.

The more assertive your body language, the higher your levels of testosterone and the lower your cortisol, which relates to stress. This is a great incentive by itself to look at your body postures and aim to present yourself in the best light. According to Amy Cuddy, a practice of 2 minutes a day can work wonders on your behaviour and consequently confidence in yourself. Check out her TED talk here:

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

Cigarette smoke in the house? Who wants that? Often it’s not easy to clean the air around you once you stop smoking and quit those cigarettes. You ventilate, burn incense, buy expensive filtering devices and air fresheners. Yet, the easiest and most appealing air cleaners are houseplants, and some more than others. Here are 4 of the best ones – there are others and I will name them another time…Ah, and avoid plastic pots; also use chemical free potting soil if available. Dr. Josh Axe compiled this list according to a study:

” You may find this hard to believe, but chances are your indoor air is worse than the outdoor air you breathe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it’s often 2 to 5 times worse. (Sometimes, it’s 100 times worse. Yikes!) But take a deep breath, because expensive air filtration and ventilation systems aren’t your only options when it comes to mediating the problem. Scientists are finding another proven, practical (and quite frankly, way more eye-appealing and affordable) way to clean the air inside your home and office: houseplants.
For decades, plants’ air-scrubbing abilities have intrigued researchers. Many scientists have been interested in the best houseplants that remove pollution from indoor air. (It’s an area even NASA explored in the ’80s). And every year, it seems, more data emerges showing which plants are best suited to protect us from particular toxic compounds lurking in our indoor air. Let’s take a closer look.
________________________________________
The Best Houseplants that Remove Pollution
In August 2016, Vadoud Niri, a chemist from the State University of New York of Oswego presented his team’s findings on the best houseplants that remove pollution at the 252nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.
The findings of the unpublished study, built on previous work looking at the best houseplants that remove pollution. But his research looked at these common houseplants and investigated how each one has a knack for stripping particular volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, from the air. By testing in a sealed chamber, he was able to show the efficiency and the rate of simultaneous removal of VOCs by these plants. For each plant type, his team noted which VOCs the plants took up, how quickly they stripped VOCs from the air and how much of the VOCs were ultimately removed by the end of the experiment. (1
The researchers tested common houseplants known as natural air filters and eight common VOCs, and they found that certain plants were better at absorbing specific compounds. Dr. Niri shared his findings with me and I have to say, it’s compelling stuff. Looks like it’s time to pot up some new houseplants!

Bromeliad
The bromeliad plant scored very well at removing six out of eight VOCs studied. The tropical plant stripped more than 80 percent of each of those compounds out of the air within a 12-hour timeframe. Dr. Niri says this is one of the best houseplants to have in the home or workplace.
Importantly, it helped rid the air of toluene, a toxic solvent that even at low levels can lead to tiredness and weakness. Paraffin candles, the most popular type of candles burned inside homes and offices, have been shown to emit toluene and benzene. Benzene is a carcinogenic solvent found in automobile exhaust. (I don’t recommend burning candles in the home, but if you do, stick to unscented beeswax.) (2, 3) This plant was most effective at removing benzene, with a 92-percent removal rate within 12 hours.

Dracaena
Acetone, that nasty, stinky VOC found in nail polish remover, can trigger headaches, dizziness, eye irritation and central nervous system damage. (4) (Rethinking getting those nails done?) While all of the plants tested removed acetone from the air, dracaena was a superstar, removing 94 percent of the chemical from the air. Acetone isn’t limited to nail salons, though. It also off gasses from particleboard, household cleaners, rubber cement and paint. (5)
That’s why Dr. Niri says he’s interested in doing further real-world testing to see if placing plants in nail salons could serve as a cost-effective way to help protect workers and customers from toxic emissions in nail salon settings. In fact, the inspiration for this study occurred when he and his wife walked into a nail salon — and he had to walk out immediately due to the overwhelming air pollution. (6)

Spider Plant
While the spider plant isn’t very good at sucking up benzene and toluene, it’s better at cleaning the air in other departments. This plants removed more than 80 percent of the ethylbenzene, p-Xylenes, o-Xylene and acetone from the air in chamber testing.
Ethylbenzene is a toxic solvent found in inks, paints, fake rubber and pesticides. It’s also commonly injected into the ground during fracking operations, and increasingly winding up in people’s drinking water near these operations. (7, 8)
Xylenes have the power to trigger dizziness, memory problems, fatigue, tremors, breathing problems and even kidney damage. These VOCs are found in paint thinners, in printing and cleaners. (9, 10) Dr. Niri’s testing found the spider plant ranked top in removing ethylbenzene (62 percent removal rate), p-Xylenes (92 percent removal rate) and o-Xylene (93 percent removal rate).

Jade Plant
Jade plant, commonly known as “friendship tree,” really could be a great pal when it comes to the gift of clean air.
This plant removed more than 80 percent of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-Xylenes and o-Xylene. And in the 70-percent range, it did an OK job of pulling acetone out of the air. Of all the plants tested, this was the best houseplant for removing toluene pollution from indoor air. It removed a whopping 91 percent from the air.

Recently I came across an article pointing out some of the benefits of having a salt lamp in your home. What are these lamps, and why are they especially beneficial when you quit cigarettes? You come across them either in a lamp form with a lightbulb already installed, or hollowed out with the space to light a tealight candle. Find out more, according to Dr. Josh Axe at draxe.com :

‘What on Earth is a Himalayan salt lamp? Himalayan sea salt is believed to be composed of dried remnants of the original, primal sea dating back to planet Earth’s creation. I’ve talked before about the health benefits of Celtic sea salt and Himalayan salt, but what if I told you that there are actually lamps made from Himalayan salt?

It’s true! They’re called salt lamps or salt rock lamps, and yes, they’re actually made from pink Himalayan salt and are able to light your surroundings — but they’re really not bought for their moderate lighting abilities. There are major claims that a Himalayan salt lamp does much more than provide you with a pretty glow. Himalayan salt lamp benefits supposedly include decreasing air pollution, negative ions and electrosmog caused by electronic devices in addition to symptom reduction for people suffering from from asthma, allergies and other illnesses.

What Is a Himalayan Salt Lamp and Does It Work?

Real Himalayan salt lamps are actually solid blocks of Himalayan salt that have been hand-carved. Deep underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan, located on the western edge of the Himalayan Mountains, are the only source of true Himalayan pink salt. The color of Himalayan salt lamps ranges from a light pink to a pinkish orange with the hue a result of the mineral concentration. Within the hollowed-out center of this block of salt is a light bulb that emits both light and heat. A salt lamp is not a lamp at all if it doesn’t have the light and heat source within it. Without that, it’s just a block of salt.

Salt is hygroscopic, which means it attracts water molecules to itself. Being the big hunk of salt that it is, a Himalayan salt lamp is believed to work by attracting the water molecules. This water vapor can also carry indoor air pollutants like mold, bacteria and allergens. Once the water vapor comes in contact with the salt lamp, the pollutants are believed to remain trapped in the salt. Since the lamp is heated, the salt dries out and is able to continue the cycle of attracting water vapor and pollutants, releasing the water vapor back into the air but holding on to the health-hazardous pollutants.

Just looking at the glow of a Himalayan salt lamp can be calming, which is therapeutic in and of itself, but what about the other health claims? To date, there aren’t any scientific studies focusing specifically on Himalayan salt lamp benefits. However, there is good reason to believe that a real Himalayan salt lamp may provide some health benefits given the other salt research out there as well as many encouraging user testimonies.

According to the Lung Institute, salt (in general) has the following health properties: (1)

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Loosens excessive mucus and speeds up mucociliary transport
• Removes pathogens (ie., airborne pollen)
• Reduces IgE level (immune system oversensitivity)

Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits

1. Air Purification

Out of all of the possible Himalayan salt lamp benefits, air purification is often the quintessential goal for most buyers. Air-purifying house plants are often bought for this reason as well. There is not doubt that cleaner air in your home is better for your health.

… a Himalayan salt lamp by its salty nature is able to easily attract water vapor to it. With this water vapor often comes indoor air pollutants, including allergens, mold and bacteria. When the water hits the heated lamp, the salt traps the pollutants but releases the water vapor. This cycle repeats while the lamp is on and warm. By removing pollutants from the air, the salt lamp leaves you with cleaner, healthier air.

2. Reduction in Electromagnetic Radiation and Airborne Infections

So many things around us nowadays release electromagnetic radiation in the form of unhealthy positive ions — things like your cell phone, computer and television, just to name a few.  This electromagnetic radiation (EM), aka electrosmog, may be invisible but is believed to cause some serious long-term effects. Constant exposure to EM radiation is known primarily to cause fatigue, increase stress and weaken the immune system.

An awesome way to increase exposure to negative ions is to spend more time in nature, especially around water. Himalayan salt lamps are said to emit negative ions in small amounts and cancel out positive ones. By neutralizing electromagnetic radiation, they may help reduce the negative health effects of harmful electrosmog. Balancing positive and negative ions also may help reduce airborne infections. (4)

3. Eases Asthma and Allergy Symptoms

Himalayan salt is now used in inhalers to bring relief to asthma and allergy sufferers. Salt therapy is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. COPD is a debilitating and degenerative lung disease characterized by the restriction of airflow in and out of the lungs. According to the Lung Institute, “Some people have found salt therapy to be an effective option for relieving symptoms of lung disease, resulting in easier breathing.”

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated highly impressive salt therapy benefits, including helping: (5)

• 85 percent of mild and moderate asthma cases
• 75 percent of severe asthma cases
• 97 percent of chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis cases

Salt therapy for breathing problems is said to have begun with Siberian salt mine workers in the later 1800s who had a surprisingly small number of respiratory problems compared to people around them with less salty professions. Nowadays, you can find salt caves at various spas, and this salt cave experience is also trying to be re-created with the invention of salt pipe inhalers. Salt lamps are another smaller-scale way to bring the salt cave experience (and hopefully the health benefits) home. (6)

4. Mood Booster and Sleep Promoter

Another possible health benefit of the Himalayan salt lamp is a reduction in anxiety symptoms. According to color therapy as well as general human enjoyment, the warm pinkish to orange glow of the salt lamp is a calming and happy presence in a room. Additionally, as a real piece of nature, Himalayan salt gives off negative ions like a waterfall (but in much smaller amounts). Since Himalayan salt lamps release negative ions into the air, they can help reduce anxiety and also encourage a relaxing atmosphere for sleep. (7) Many people like to keep salt lamps in their bedrooms for their calming effect.

Why are negative ions so great? You can’t taste, smell or see them, but they’re some impressive molecules. Once negative ions reach the bloodstream, they’re believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping alleviate depression, relieve stress and boost daytime energy. (8)

Stress is all around us these days. Being 24 hours on standby through our phones and emails and social networking sites, and being told from every marketing corner what we have to eat, do, dress, say, to be ‘successful’ and ‘happy’, definitely does not help! So, cigarettes does not help either – what does then? One of the things you can do straight away is look at the food you eat. Here are 7 foods that can help dealing with stress. They have been selected by Maria Marlowe from mariamarlowe.com

7 Anti-Stress Foods
Dark Leafy Greens
Kale – stress fighting food
Dark leafy greens contain high levels of magnesium, a critical mineral for managing stress. Stress depletes your body of magnesium, and this can lead to headaches, anxiety, and restlessness. You won’t feel the results of eating greens instantaneously, so be sure to keep them in daily rotation to reap the benefits.

Try an easy and healthy Smashed Kale Salad.

Chia seeds – stress fighting food
Chia seeds are a good source of magnesium, a critical mineral for managing stress and mitigating depression. Plus they contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which provide anti-inflammatory benefits to the brain, resulting in less stress and anxiety. In fact, some doctors and researchers believe the growing epidemic of depression and anxiety in our population has something to do with our diet, including widespread omega-3 deficiency.

Add chia seeds to your morning smoothie.

Avocado – stress fighting food
Creamy avocados are high in stress-busting B-vitamins, which support healthy nerves and brain cells. In fact, some studies suggest feelings of depression and anxiety may be linked to B Vitamin deficiency.

Nuts
Nuts, including almonds, cashews, and walnuts contain zinc, a mineral that plays a crucial role in modulating the way the brain and body respond to stress. They’re also a good source of stress-busting magnesium.

Try a Cashew Sour Cream.

Dark Chocolate
There’s no mistaking the feel good rush we feel after biting into a piece of dark chocolate. That’s because it boosts our serotonin levels, which also boosts our mood and makes us feel happier. In addition, studies indicate polyphenols found in cocoa can reduce stress.

Opt for dark chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa (85% is even better!) and a gentler natural sweetener such as coconut sugar. Better yet, add pure cocoa or cacao powder to your smoothie, like this stress-busting Serenity Smoothie.

Green Tea
Having a cup of green tea instead of the usual frap not only gives your body a break from high levels of caffeine – population studies indicate it reduces stress, too. (Note there is still caffeine in green tea, just less, and it tends to be gentler on the body). Other studies have singled out theanine, an amino acid found in the tea, for promoting relaxation and anti-stress effects.

Beans
Chickpeas – stress fighting food
Beans, like chickpeas, black beans, and cannellini beans, provide high levels of folate, a B Vitamin that has been scientifically shown to reduce and relieve stress by regulating mood. They’re also a good source of B6, which supports the central nervous system and may aid in the reduction of fatigue.

Try a Tuscan Kale & Cannellini Soup.

Sugary foods are the next best thing most of us grab for when we decide to stop smoking. Each cigarette contains about roughly 20% of sugar – the tobacco companies are the 2nd biggest sugar consumer after the food industry. So, no wonder if you go for it when you gathered up all your will power and put a stop to smoking! You didn’t count with the hidden beast! How do you deal with this obstacle? There is an easy solution: Hypnosis. Hypnosis takes care of this habit as well, so that when you emerge from a session as a non-smoker, you are equipped with options that keep you from gravitating towards the ‘sweets’. The link provided to an article that Gary Taubes wrote for the New York Times back in 2011 – ‘Is Sugar Toxic?’ – will give you more insight into the problem of sugar in our lives these days, and help you gain more clarity in this subject:

This is generally a bad time of the year for our emotions: they tend to be just up there with the increased pressure of finding the right presents, negotiating the increased traffic on the roads and frenzy in the shops, ensuring we have all the necessary ingredients for a variety of meals, wanting to finalize all our jobs for the year, and dealing with the unforeseen events in our personal lives… And what if you are alone over this period, no family waiting, on a business trip, stranded somewhere, after a personal tragedy? Then it can even get worse! So what can we do to ensure depression doesn’t get the better of us? Personally, I believe in preparing myself: being ready for when the blues might strike, having strategies in place and, of course, acknowledging that it is ok to feel that way and that ‘it too, will pass’!
So, what are YOUR strategies? What have YOU got in place that helps you over the bumps? Funnily enough, most of the strategies suggested to deal with depression are fantastic to help you with letting go of the smoking habit too. Go figure…
You might want to see this short video and draw your own conclusions:

A holistic look at depression – more than just taking your meds!

A while back I came across this article, and I was surprised at the content. I always thought the rolled cigarettes would be safer and less full of chemicals than your factory made ones! Well, not according to Dr. Karl! And this is what he found:

Dr Karl › Dr Karl’s Great Moments In Science
Cigarettes: roll your own vs factory-made

‘Back when I was in my 20s, I foolishly took what is probably the most dangerous and addictive drug known to the human race — the one that kills more people than any other drug. Yup, for a few years, I stupidly smoked cigarettes.
I thought that by smoking roll-your-own cigarettes, or ‘rollies’, rather than factory-made, I was taking a healthier (or at least, less harmful) pathway. I was so wrong.
Here are some stats for you.
Half of the people who smoke cigarettes will die from a smoking-related disease. In Australia, that works out to about 15,000 deaths per year. None of these deaths had to happen. Various cancers, heart disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease are smoking’s preferred method of dispatch. Cancers were the number one cause of smoking-related deaths, killing just over half of male and female smokers. About three quarters of these cancers were lung cancer.
In the Australian financial year of 2004-2005, smokers spent over 750,000 days in hospital — leading to hospital costs of about $670 million.
To summarise; tobacco causes about 90 per cent of all drug-related deaths, and about 11 per cent of all deaths.
Now we’re all familiar with the neat geometrical sticks of cigarettes when they’re factory-made. But rollies, which are made with loose fine-cut tobacco and cigarette papers, are usually fairly messy.
The smoking of rollies rather than factory-made varies from country to country. The popularity of rollies in the smoking population ranges from about 58 per cent in Thailand, 39 per cent in New Zealand, 28 per cent in the UK, 24 per cent in Australia down to only 7 per cent in the USA.
And why do people smoke rollies? Again, it varies around the world. But in general, there are three main reasons. First, they’re cheaper, second, you feel more independent and ‘cool’, and third is the belief that roll-your-own tobacco is more ‘natural’, and therefore ‘safer’ or ‘less harmful’ than factory-made cigarettes.
Unfortunately for the (usually poorer) people who tend to smoke rollies, they are both less natural and more harmful. In factory-made cigarettes, the additives make up about half-a-per cent of the dry weight of the tobacco. But in the rollies, the additives are about 18 per cent of the dry weight. In other words, rollies have about 38 times more additives than factory-made ciggies.
These additives include sweeteners, such as honey, sugar or dextrose. Maybe it’s just a coincidence that these sweeteners make rollies smoother for new smokers, such as children. But some of the other additives include chemicals with less-than-wholesome names such as propylene glycol, trans-benzaldehyde, phenylcarbinol and ethyl butyrate. Another factor in the health risk of rollies is that they are usually thinner, so that you have to suck harder, which increases how much tar lands in your airways.
We’re not too sure why, but a Norwegian study of 26,000 smokers showed that rollies were associated with higher, not lower, risks of lung cancer. And other studies consistently show a two-to-three times increased risk of cancers of the oesophagus, mouth, pharynx and larynx directly linked to rollies.
The way that the tobacco companies get around this is by totally ignoring the facts.
‘Big tobacco’ is now changing the image of rollies from low-cost and down-at-heel to ‘cool’, ‘better tasting’ and ‘natural and organic’. They don’t mention the 38 times more additives.
But there is good news — no matter what kind of cigarettes you smoke.
If you quit smoking before middle age, you reduce the risk of lung cancer by 90 per cent. Within two to five years of giving up smoking, your risk of heart attack and stroke drops significantly. And after 15 years of not smoking, your risk of stroke is the same as if you had never smoked.
But all this ignores an inherent contradiction — or in plain English: something that doesn’t make sense. On one hand, overwhelmingly around the world, it is official government policy to discourage smoking. But on the other hand, we allow companies (that exist only to make a profit) to sell dangerous addictive drugs to the public, which directly kill half of those who get addicted.
Why can’t we just tell the cigarette companies to simply butt out?’
Tags: lung-cancer, smoking
Published 22 July 2014
© 2014 Karl S. Kruszelnicki Pty Ltd

“Is electromagnetic radiation really safe?” This is a question we probably pose to ourselves frequently, whenever we are buying a new phone, when we use the microwave oven, when we spend hours in front of the computer or other screens, when we have a bad night’s sleep… Dr. Josh Axe reviewed this issue and here follows some information that I believe can throw some light onto this question. As he says:

“Chances are you’re probably sitting in an electromagnetic field (EMF) at this very moment. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences describes EMFs as invisible areas of energy, often referred to as radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and various forms of natural and man-made lighting.

Electromagnetic radiation may surround us in modern everyday life, but what is it? And is it actually safe? While some forms of electromagnetic radiation are known to be harmful, other forms are more controversial. We’ll discuss the different types and the science surrounding safety below.

A basic point to remember is that EMFs come from all sorts of things, including your microwave, cell phone, cordless telephones, smart meters, TV and radio broadcasts, computers, power lines, fitness tracking devices, routers, and, of course, ultraviolet waves, x-rays, and gamma rays. We are practically bathed in EMFs at all times. (1)

What Is Electromagnetic Radiation?

There are electric fields that develop through variances in voltage, and there are magnetic fields that develop from the flow of electric current. The higher the electric field or the greater the magnetic field, the stronger the electromagnetic radiation. You can have an electric fields without a current; however, if there is a current, the magnetic field will vary in how much power it uses, whereas the electric field will be constant.

OK — so if that is confusing, let’s look at it this way: If you are traveling with your cell phone on using a navigation tool, it’s going to create a higher electric and magnetic field because it’s working harder to maintain a strong connection the whole time you are traveling — another reason your battery may run out more quickly. It is using way more energy to produce (find and maintain) a signal. The problem is, that when this type of energy is high and near your body, it may cause damaging microwaves and free radicals within the body.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

This category of electromagnetic radiation includes low- to mid-frequency radiation, which is generally perceived as harmless due to its lack of potency.

Forms of non-ionizing radiation include:

• Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)
• Radiofrequency (RF)
• Microwaves
• Visual Light

Source examples include:

• Microwave ovens
• Computers
• House energy smart meters
• Wireless (Wi-Fi) networks
• Cell Phones
• Bluetooth devices
• Power lines
• MRIs

Ionizing Radiation 
This type of electromagnetic radiation includes mid- to high-frequency radiation which can, under certain circumstances, lead to cellular and or DNA damage with prolonged exposure.

Forms of ionizing radiation include:

• Ultraviolet (UV)
• X-Rays
• Gamma

Sources of ionizing electromagnetic radiation include:

• Ultraviolet light
• X-Rays
• Some gamma rays (2)

According to the World Health Organization (3):

• The time-varying electromagnetic fields produced by electrical appliances are an example of extremely low frequency (ELF) fields, which generally have frequencies up to 300 Hz; our electricity power supply and all appliances using electricity are the main sources of ELF fields.
• The frequencies of intermediate frequency (IF) fields range from 300 Hz to 10 MHz; computer screens, anti-theft devices and security systems are the main sources of IF fields.
• Radio frequency (RF) fields include frequencies frequencies of 10 MHz to 300 GHz; radio, television, radar and cellular telephone antennas, and microwave ovens are the main sources of RF fields.

Key Electromagnetic Radiation Points

• Mobile telephones, television and radio transmitters and radar produce RF fields, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These fields are used to transmit information over long distances and form the basis of telecommunications as well as radio and television broadcasting all over the world.
• Microwaves are RF fields at high frequencies in the GHz range. In microwaves ovens, we use them to quickly heat food.
• The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses both natural and human-made sources of electromagnetic fields.
• Ionizing radiation such as X-ray and gamma-rays consists of photons which carry sufficient energy to break molecular bonds. Photons of electromagnetic waves at power and radio frequencies have much lower energy that do not have this ability.
• Wavelength or frequency usually describes EMFs more specifically as non-ionizing.

EMF Comparison Chart

The National Cancer Institute provides a handy chart to help you understand the levels of EMFs.

Courtesy of http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet

As you can see on the left side of the chart, power lines and computers are lowest with the cell phone and microwaves being higher, but all are in the non-ionizing radiation range. It is the ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays cause by diagnostic radiation and therapeutic radiation that move into the more damaging ionizing radiation levels. (4)

Is Electromagnetic Radiation Dangerous? 

Now that you have a little knowledge of what EMFs are, let’s establish some awareness about some specific dangers that may be around you. The World Health Organization notes that low frequency and high frequency electromagnetic waves affect the human body in different ways.

Cell Phones

Have you ever noticed your cell phone getting really hot when you are driving your car? When your phone is in high use, including when you’re using a GPS location finder or talking while your car is moving, your phone is doing a lot of working to keep up. The harder it has to work, the more cell-damaging microwaves it is putting out into the atmosphere, right near your body.

If you think this doesn’t affect you, think again. Researchers conducted two separate studies, one on a  38-year-old vegetarian woman and another focusing on a healthy 21-year-old woman. Both carried cell phones in their bras for a number of years. What do you think happened? You guessed it; an aggressive breast cancer developed in the exact spot where the cell phone was carried. Now, I think it is fair to point out that the Susan B. Komen website lists cell phones as one of the factors that DO NOT cause breast cancer. But, since we do not have enough research at this point, carrying cell phones on the body is probably not the best choice. (5, 6)

Microwave Oven

The World Health Organization reports that microwaves are high frequency radio waves that are “part of the electromagnetic spectrum” much like light — visible radiation. Microwaves ovens are typically designed so that the microwaves are only produced when the oven is on and the door is shut; however, older, less-cared-for microwave ovens could seep, so checking to make sure it is in good condition can be helpful. This is important since the energy created by microwaves can be absorbed by the body and caused free radicals to form in tissues. However, this thermal damage requires long exposures at high power levels, “well in excess of those measured around microwave ovens,” WHO notes.

What about the microwaves and how it affects the food that is being cooked? Harvard Health Publications noted that the best way to preserve nutrients is by using a cooking method that is shorter. So basically, the less amount of time needed to cook a food, the more nutrients it will retain. This claim states that microwaved cooked food is fine, though more research is needed. (7, 8, 9 ) I personally don’t opt for microwaved food.

Wi-Fi

What about Wi-Fi? A relatively newer technology, some organizations deem it safe while others say it’s posing a public health threat. Technically, Wi-Fi works in the range of 2.4 GHz frequency, the same as a microwave oven. So as noted above, it may require a lot of exposure to yield negative results.

On the flip side, Environmental Health Trust warns of the dangers of electromagnetic radiation, saying it contributes to a person’s toxic body burden. The organization points to research showing that that the protective barrier of the brain — the blood-brain barrier — is compromised due to wireless electromagnetic radiation. Several studies suggest wireless radiation pokes holes in this protective barrier, causing more toxic toxic compounds to reach the brain. (10)

Doctors and organizations have also voiced concerns over Wi-Fi technologies in schools, where students and teachers often experience heavy electromagnetic radiation exposure throughout the entire day. Stephen Sinatra, MD, an integrative metabolic cardiologist and co-founder of Doctors for Safer Schools, says the heart is sensitive too and can be adversely affected by the same frequency used for Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) at levels a fraction of federal guidelines (less than 1 percent) and at levels that have been recorded in schools with Wi-Fi technology.

Dr. Sinatra says children in high-tech classrooms have complained of the following symptoms:

• dizziness
• racing heart or irregular heartbeat
• weakness
• anxiety
• fatigue
• feeling faint
• difficulty concentrating
• chest pain or pressure (11)

Power Lines

When it comes to power lines, the American Cancer Society states that the levels of electromagnetic radiation greatly lowers as you move further away from the lines. The strength of the lines are highest when you are underneath them, but usually it’s the same frequency as some appliances in your home. If a power line is positioned across home and you are concerned, you can measure its strength using a gaussmeter. If you are not happy with what you find, you can move or ask the power company to bury the lines, though underground lines may not make a difference.

Regardless of the source, it may not be as much of a problem as you think, but it is definitely best to take precautions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that various frequencies are regulated. For example, EMFs from “cell phones, power lines, smart meters and other wireless devices is regulated by a combination of other state and federal agencies.” (12)

4 Major EMF Dangers 

1. Electromagnetic Radiation May Cause Cancer

Although much more research needs to be done, there are reports that EMF sources, include cell phones, Wi-Fi routers and microwaves, could cause cancer. One such report studied childhood leukemia and noted that EMFs may put children at high risk for damaging carcinogens. Another study’s results were inconclusive. The bottom line is more independent study is needed. (13, 14)

Preliminary results of a large, $25 million government study released in 2016 found that cell phone radiation could increase the risk of malignant gliomas in the brain and schwannomas of the ear. (Schwannomas are rare tumors that in nerve sheath.) The study found a dose-response effect. That means the higher the dose, the higher the risk. The results backed up previous research suggesting cell phone radiation could increase the risk of gliomas. Acoustic neuromas have also been linked to cell phone use. (15)

Otis W. Brawley, MD, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, called the results of this rat study “good science” and released this statement:

The NTP report linking radiofrequency radiation (RFR) to two types of cancer marks a paradigm shift in our understanding of radiation and cancer risk. The findings are unexpected; we wouldn’t reasonably expect non-ionizing radiation to cause these tumors. This is a striking example of why serious study is so important in evaluating cancer risk. It’s interesting to note that early studies on the link between lung cancer and smoking had similar resistance, since theoretical arguments at the time suggested that there could not be a link. (16)

In 2011, the World Health Organization listed cell phone radiation as a 2B carcinogen, meaning it’s possibly carcinogenic to humans. Since cell phones have only been in wide use since the 1990s, epidemiological studies looking for long-term risks from cell phone exposure could be missing certain threats that may not be surfacing in humans yet. (17)

2. Electromagnetic Radiation Affects Brain Function

Studies are being conducted to see if cell phone use affects our brains. Even though the EMFs from cell phones are considered low, studies have concluded that there is an effect on the brain. Dr. Nora D. Volkow, a lead researcher with the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that there are “changes in brain glucose metabolism after cell phone use.”

The Environmental Working Group conducted studies using focus group with cell phones attached to their heads. The studies varied the stimulus with periods of time when cell phones were off as well as turned on. Though the study has not provided enough information to confirm major issues, it concluded that brain glucose increased when the phones were on for a period of time. This could cause inflammation in the brain, leading to illness. (18)

3. Electromagnetic Radiation May Fuel Dementia

Studies were conducted in a lab to see what happens when subjects are exposed to cell phone radiation. The results suggest electromagnetic radiation could cause symptoms of dementia. In addition to damaged DNA, which can cause cancer, the studies indicated that neurons in the brain experienced damage linked to memory loss and negatively affected learning capabilities.

What’s even more shocking is that this damage occurred just two hours after exposure to cell phone radiation. Researchers found the radiation seemed to poke holes in the barrier between the circulatory system and the brain, allowing toxins to make their way into the brain. This is pretty scary. (19)

4. Electromagnetic Radiation Could Cause Loss of Antioxidant Defenses

Cell phone usage may cause the loss of antioxidants in our saliva. Saliva is critical for many reasons, including its purpose to fight pathogens. Saliva is actually one of our first defenses against microbial infections. Studies show that talking on a phone for up to an hour can lead to a 25 percent lower level of salivary antioxidant levels. (20)”