New research debunks the belief that cutting down on cigarette smoking can buy you time. The study, published in the current issue of Tobacco Control, found that heavy smokers who halved their daily cigarette intake had the same overall mortality rates as people who continued to smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day. Lead researcher Kjell Bjartveit, an epidemiologist for Norway's National Health Screening Service, says that believing you can lower your risk of death and disease by reducing intake is "nonsense," and health educators and doctors who promote the idea need to reassess the tactic. "The message is: If you want to do something with your cigarette smoking, quit entirely."
New research debunks the belief that cutting down on cigarette smoking can buy you time. The study, published in the current issue of Tobacco Control, found that heavy smokers who halved their daily cigarette intake had the same overall mortality rates as people who continued to smoke 15 or more cigarettes per day. Lead researcher Kjell Bjartveit, an epidemiologist for Norway's National Health Screening Service, says that believing you can lower your risk of death and disease by reducing intake is "nonsense," and health educators and doctors who promote the idea need to reassess the tactic. "The message is: If you want to do something with your cigarette smoking, quit entirely."
Expect a hectic week on Wall Street with a slew of new data due out on the health of the economy. Headlining this week are two key housing market reports, as well as a new government estimate for economic growth in the third quarter.
AP - President Bush, under pressure to change direction in Iraq, said Tuesday he will not be persuaded by any calls to withdraw American troops before the country is stabilized.
AP - Pope Benedict XVI began his first visit to a Muslim country Tuesday with a message of dialogue and "brotherhood" between faiths, and Turkey's chief Islamic cleric said at a joint appearance that growing "Islamophobia" hurts all Muslims.
AP - Ethics reform, a higher minimum wage and more money for stem cell research are the top items on the Senate agenda next year, incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press.
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