You probably don’t put much thought into the energy that makes your computer run, your microwave work, or your lights turn on. In fact, you probably struggle to remember how many times and ways you use energy in a day. Our easy access to energy stands in stark contrast to the daily struggle experienced by billions. These people lack access to any kind of modern energy and are also the poorest on the planet. They rely on archaic fuels, such ... Jump to full article >>

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THE Department of Health said parents should avoid smoking at home to spare their children from the effects of second-hand smoke. “If your child is frequently getting sick, experiencing headaches, having difficulty in breathing, runny nose, cough and colds, ear infections or allergies, don’t look far. The problem may be right in your home and it may even emanate from parents,” DOH-Tobacco Control Program head Anthony Roda said in a ... Jump to full article >>

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San Francisco – where composting is compulsory and plastic bags are banned – has passed the first law in the US requiring retailers to display the amount of radiation given off by mobile phones. The city’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, hailed the law as a victory for the public’s right to know what their mobile phones are doing to them even though some critics say there is no significant scientific evidence that they are hazardous to healt ... Jump to full article >>

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Health advocates say Kentucky’s bleak budget has one bright spot — it funds a long-sought program to help people on Medicaid stop smoking,Lawmakers allocated $1.5 million a year for the next two fiscal years that, combined with additional federal matching money, will give Medicaid officials about $11 million for the program. “We’re thrilled it finally got the funding,” said Amy Barkley of the Campaign for Tobacco Fre ... Jump to full article >>

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I’ll bet you had a lot of hits on your chocolate health benefits story. My survey of the news spin cycles finds that the three that always make health claims are chocolate, red wine and coffee. Decades ago, it was claimed smoking was good for you because it “exercised” your lungs. Tomorrow they’ll be claiming oil-flavored seafood caught in the Gulf of Mexico is good for you because you can get more gas in your engine. Ple ... Jump to full article >>

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A tobacco tax loophole in President Barack Obama’s children’s health insurance program cost the government more than $250 million in its first year, public health officials say. The loophole allowed companies to avoid huge tax increases on loose rolling tobacco by relabeling their product as pipe tobacco. The simple marketing twist lets companies pay $2.83 per pound, rather than the $24.78 per pound levied on rolling tobacco. That pro ... Jump to full article >>

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