Adolescent Girls On Diets More Apt To Become Smokers

Reason To Quit Smoking: Teenage girls who are dieting are almost twice as likely to start smoking regularly as girls who are not dieting, according to a new study of nearly 8,000 adolescents. With boys, cigarette availability rather than the desire to lose weight is a factor in the decision to give smoking a try. The study appears in the September/October issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion.

The researchers based their study on past evidence showing that body weight often drives people's decision to smoke one of the reasons people start smoking or do not try to quit might be because of the effect cigarettes could have on weight control.

Bookworm: Collection of Katrina editorials still poignant

Reason To Quit Smoking: Some anniversaries are worth celebrating. A 50th wedding anniversary is definitely reason for a big party. You have to agree that, today, even a 25th anniversary is a milestone.

Some events demand a more contemplative nod of acknowledgment. You note the date, silently remember, and move on. The book 1 Dead in Attic by Chris Rose is like that. It shouts "Remember us!" while it quietly, urgently nudges you forward.

Chris Rose says that, years ago, he was traveling with a friend on vacation, when they stumbled into a New Orleans watering-hole and were summarily ousted. Later, Rose says that another friend told him about a job at the Times-Picayune, and he fondly remembered his short time spent in the Crescent City.

More firms shut out smokers

Reason To Quit Smoking: Employees who smoke are fast becoming an endangered species as companies ban smoking on all corporate grounds, including parking and other outdoor areas where smokers once were allowed to gather. It's a radical change from just a decade ago, when smoking was tolerated even if frowned upon.

Tags: help quit smoking, stop smoking program, stop smoking help, ways to quit smoking

Tags: ways to quit smoking, stop smoking help, stop smoking program, help quit smoking