HPV, Throat Cancer and Heart Attacks

A new study by the University of Texas suggests that a common sexually transmitted virus already linked to <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cancer/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Cancer." class="meta-classifier">cancer</a> may also cause cardiovascular disease. <br />
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Women infected with the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/humanpapillomavirushpv/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="Recent and archival health news about human papilloma virus (hpv)." class="meta-classifier">human papillomavirus</a>, or HPV, are two to three times as likely as uninfected women to have had a <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/heart-attack/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Heart attack." class="meta-classifier">heart attack</a> or stroke, according to a report published on Monday in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Arizona

A new Tobacco tax will fund $130 million dollars for kids in Arizona.<br />
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Continuing to ban smoking indoors, outdoors, senior housing, multi family dwellings and inside cars with small children, does not make tobacco a solid revenue stream.&nbsp; In fact, all Arizona has done is create new social programs that everyone will pay for in the next few years. <br type="_moz" />

Walmart

Wal-Mart is substantially rolling back coverage for part-time workers and significantly raising premiums for many full-time staff members. <br />
<p>In addition, any new employees who average 24 hours to 33 hours a week will no longer be able to include a spouse as part of their health care plan, although children can still be covered.<br />
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Wal-Mart&rsquo;s new health offering will require many employees who smoke to pay a significant penalty. They will be required to pay an extra $10 to $90 each pay period &mdash; $260 to $2,340 a year &mdash; if they want health coverage.<br />
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No other group was singled out but smoker’s, we believe that is discriminatory.</p>
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Tobacco Company Wins Lawsuit

The jury in Lee County Florida ruled in favor of big tobacco companies Thursday in the first of Lee County&rsquo;s 150 trials seeking damages for cigarette-related health problems.&nbsp; The plantiff quit smoking two decades ago when he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.

Norway

&quot;Politicians are criticising the government&rsquo;s anti-smoking law amendments for being too draconian and undemocratic.&quot;<br />
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The minister of health wanted to implement an outdoor smoking ban and one for senior housing&nbsp; The Conservative, Social Democrats, Christian Democrats are against any further smoking bans.<br />
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Hopefully they will rethink the indoor smoking ban.<br />

Denver Airport

There are four smoking lounges at the Denver Airport:
<ul class="altList">
<li>The <a href="http://www.flydenver.com/fooddetails?TYPE=RESTAURANT&amp;URI=tcm:8-1211">Aviator’s Club Smoking Lounge</a> is located on the west side of Jeppesen Terminal, Level 6</li>
<li><a href="http://www.flydenver.com/fooddetails?TYPE=RESTAURANT&amp;URI=tcm:8-521">Mesa Verde Smoking Lounge</a> is on A Gates, Mezzanine Level</li>
<li>B Gates <a href="http://www.flydenver.com/fooddetails?TYPE=RESTAURANT&amp;URI=tcm:8-1213">Aviator’s Club Smoking Lounge</a> is located on the mezzanine level, center core</li>
<li>C Gates smoking lounge, <a href="http://www.flydenver.com/fooddetails?TYPE=RESTAURANT&amp;URI=tcm:8-649">Smokin’ Bear Lodge</a> is in the center core</li>
</ul>
Very civilized, now why don’t the other airports have them?<br type="_moz" />

More Tobacco Restrictions

<p>&quot;Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg this week to request an update on regulatory action that would&nbsp;subject newer tobacco products entering the market to the Tobacco Control Act.&quot;</p>

Fair to Who?

<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">The Main Street Fairness Act being pushed through Congress would require out-of-state sellers to collect sales taxes on Internet purchases.&nbsp; Is this fair?&nbsp; Not now, not during a recession with high unemployment.&nbsp; Congress should be passing bills that create jobs not put people out of business.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />
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Australia

A new study published in Australia indicates when a hefty cigarette tax is implemented smokers quit,&nbsp; Howeveat last just for a little while and then goes back up.<br />
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Perhaps they stock up on cigarettes before the new tax, eventually they run out and are forced to purchase cigarettes at the new price.&nbsp; Bet they didn’t ask that question.<br type="_moz" />

Hospitals Are Now Suing

<p class="indent">The hospitals in Missouri, which were seeking more than $455 million in damages, claimed the industry&rsquo;s actions boosted spending for <font style="color:black; background-color:Red;"><font style="color:black; background-color:Red;"><font style="color:black; background-color:Red;">unreimbursed</font></font></font> and uncompensated tobacco-related health care.</p>
<p class="indent">The tobacco companies denied any responsibility for patient-care costs at the hospitals or any financial losses by the hospitals. A state-court jury in St. Louis sided with the cigarette makers.</p>