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August 12, 2009
First I want to give
thanks to God that my mom, who sadly smoked for many years of her life,
is one of the few who has lived to be a pretty healthy 75 year-old
today. So far this is one relative of mine the tobacco companies did not
kill.
But the real reason for
today's blog is the amazing news that Ohio judge, David Fais, has made
an incredible ruling. Because of his knowledge of the truth about
tobacco and the cost of American lives, he has ruled that the state of
Ohio can no longer use the $250 million that has been designated for
programs to stop smoking for any other purpose. The money would have
been used for Medicaid services, but he so rightly notes in his opinion
that
the use of the funds for anything other than its intended goal of
smoking cessation and preventing youth smoking, etc. "would result
in a substantial increase in tobacco-related premature death and disease
in Ohio,..."
I will pray for the other 49 states to
recognize this smart financial move and do the same. By simply placing
the funds designated for smoking education in the right hands all states
would benefit from a medical savings of million, probably billions.
God bless this judge and his wisdom.
Jacque Petterson
March 12, 2009
Did you know secondhand smoke causes
severe menstrual cramping?
My first husband, Neil, smoked pretty
much all the time, plus I worked with people who smoked. That was the
1970s. My cramps were so bad at times the room would begin to spin and I
would almost black out. I felt like I was in labor for three days every
month, but no tiny tot to enjoy when it was over. My doctor said when
Motrin came out with their over-the-counter pills I would have to take
the whole bottle to get the dosage he was giving me with the
prescription, which actually had little effect. (I do hope he was
kidding at least a little.)
Neil died of malignant melanoma when he
was 39 in1980. There have be studies that have shown his cancer can be
caused by smoking. Remember - smoking causes cancer. They are finding
through new studies every month more cancers and diseases caused by
smoking that are not listed on the cigarette packaging.
Sorry, I got sidetracked. Anyway, While
Neil was in the hospital that last month I noticed my cramps were much
milder and completely tolerable. I wondered what happened. Of course he
was not smoking in his last days. After he passed away the extreme
cramping did not return. I have since spoken with another women who
noticed the same after divorcing a smoking husband.
Here is a web page that notes a study
from the Harvard School of Public Health
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Smoking%2Bout%2Ba%2Bsource%2Bof%2Bpainful%2Bmenses.-a067832339.
Please protect yourself from secondhand
smoke.
Don’t miss my web site
www.Smoke-FreeHotels.com
for your traveling comfort.
Jacque Petterson
January 6, 2009
For many years now I have said out loud,
with most who heard me telling me I am "wrong", that the chemicals in
the smoke residue on the clothes of those of who smoke is a danger to
everyone who breathes it, especially children. I have been yelled at and
told I'm too extreme in making such statements. The last few weeks the
media has incredibly picked up on the research on what is now called
"third-hand smoke" that proves what I have been trying to proclaim.
What makes me the maddest is when I am
trying to protect children, especially infants and toddlers, and I have
been blatantly ridiculed. Because I know the facts from my own
experience and research I have a passion to protect the littlest ones
that can't speak for themselves. This means I have a difficult time
containing my anger and I find myself screaming at the top of my lungs
in the need to be heard. You can imagine how that goes over; NOT.
But, thankfully, researchers have done
the work and put the word out so we can begin the process of protecting
people (and pets) in the future from these floating toxins.
There is no doubt in my mind that we
need to work toward the day when it will be illegal to smoke and then go
near another living being until the smoke has been washed away from
skin, hair and clothing. The only problem here is the need to clear the
lungs of the smoke as it also causes harm when exhaled through the
breath.
Technically we need to outlaw smoking,
but I doubt that will happen in my life-time as I am almost 58 years
old. In the meantime it is going to be very important that we begin the
challenge of fighting for laws that prevent children from being exposed
to these chemicals to protect their developing lungs and hearts. This
has started with so many countries and states outlawing smoking in
vehicles when children are onboard. But we need to move beyond that and
use the "third-hand smoke" research to educate the public on the fact
that even putting a child inside a vehicle that has "been" smoked in is
just as harmful and needs to be stopped.
We have so much to do. I don't think I
will have the opportunity to rest in retirement as my passions will need
to evolve as we make progress.
Don’t miss my web site
www.Smoke-FreeHotels.com
for your traveling comfort.
Jacque Petterson
September 11, 2008
Although our office building does not
allow smoking by city ordinance there is no "law" to stop someone from
smoking outside and then walking through the hallways filling the air
with the residual chemicals. These chemicals are just as harmful to our
lungs and hearts as standing next to someone while smoking. It takes up
to 30 minutes for the air to clear.
One company on our floor has had an
employee off and on for about a year that smokes and then fouls the air
for everyone. Unless I just happen to see her I often find I am in need
of my inhaler or Prednizone for survival for no other reason than I had
to walk to the ladies room.
About two years ago the owner of that
company came to me to discuss her concerns about the doors to the
building being left open on Saturday mornings for our (and other)
clients' appointments. She felt vulnerable and that her safety was at
risk while working in her office. She wanted the security of know that
she could work alone and feel safe with the doors to the building
securely locked.
Today, after a trip to the ladies room
and having to wear a mask to breath because the smoke was so heavy in
the hall and restroom I walked to her office and asked to speak to her.
I reminded her of that conversation and that my response was that her
safety was more important than our convenience and I would spread the
word to keep the doors locked.
I then began to explain about how her
employee's smoking was affecting my health. She jumped in before I could
finish saying, "thank you", that she was noticing that every time the
employee came into her office she started coughing really hard.
I have sent her a great deal of
information about the legalities of requiring employees not smoke while
on the job. She plans to make that a new policy.
We need this kind of action in all
companies to protect the health of all employees.
Don’t miss my web site
www.Smoke-FreeHotels.com
for your traveling comfort.
Jacque Petterson
September 10, 2008
Over the years I have heard more
concerns about the danger of meningococcal disease. Older teens are
dying within days of contacting the disease. It appears to be nothing
more than a bout of the flu, so what parent would think to have them
tested or run to the emergency room. These teens always seem to be in
great health otherwise.
Years ago while doing research on
secondhand smoke issues for another reason I came across concerns that
tobacco smoke had a direct link to these deaths. The bottom line
appeared to be the smoke reduced the teen's immunity system, leaving
them vulnerable and at risk.
Today I read a new study that confirms
what I had learned earlier. This
study done in London, England notes, "Contact with smokers is
associated with increased risk of MD in adolescents."
If you are between the ages of 15 and
19, or have children in this age range, it is advisable to keep them
away from secondhand tobacco smoke at all times.
The sad part about this is that most
people will see this suggestion as over-the-top and not something they
would even discuss with their teens. I will be seen as a crazy lady with
an agenda. My first comment would be, Why take the chance? But
invariably most will, and many will continue to die unnecessarily.
Don’t miss my web site
www.Smoke-FreeHotels.com
for your traveling comfort.
Jacque Petterson
September 4, 2008
The tobacco companies have
done their absolute darndest to convince the world that smoking bans
will harm businesses. And year after year, as the bans become the norm
around the country, they are proven wrong.
The most recent data from Arizona, using the tax
receipts from restaurants and bars, has shown there has been no impact.
In fact, as is the norm, receipts are up. We see this in almost every
situation, with little exception.
Of course there has been the really small town with
a lot of smoking residents that stopped going out to eat when the ban
took place. The percentage of those who smoke in these towns is high and
they can then wipe out a business with their lack of concern about the
health of others.
But when it comes to cities and states where the
average resident has a higher education there has been no anomaly.
Boston and the state of Maine are the latest to recognize the
exceptional benefits of smoke-free air, the huge impact on the health of
the employees and the growing demand by the non-smoking masses. The
surge to clean up the air in the outdoor dining areas has blossomed.
The smoking few are going to complain. They have
had it so good for so long. No inconvenience for their habit and
pleasures with no consequences for the devastation they cause. Until
these folks are forced to quit for health or other reasons they will
continue to be convinced no one is being harmed. Drugs do that, you
know.
My hats off to the cities and states that continue
to clean up the air we breathe.
Don’t miss my web site
www.Smoke-FreeHotels.com
for your traveling comfort.
Jacque Petterson
Previous Posts
September 3, 2008
I admit up front that I am a very
conservative Republican. I am definitely outside the norm when it comes
to those working on smoking issues. I have come to love my left-wing
Democrat colleagues for all the incredibly hard work they do to counter
the horrors brought about from tobacco.
I am
personally excited to see John McCain and Sarah Palin on our ticket and
wish them the best. BUT... I must note my extreme disappointment in
their choices to accept money from tobacco companies.
It is not only the tobacco companies that
bother me, but any company. I do not believe any politician can truly
represent "the people" when they are receiving funds from companies they
may have to say "No" to someday. It makes it very unlikely that a "No"
will ever happen.
Specifically accepting money from tobacco
companies tells me Senator McCain and Governor Palin have no clue how
serious is the death and destruction experienced, not only in the U.S,
but around the world from tobacco use. The explanation is always about
the "choice" to smoke. The problem with this is the lack of "choice"
everyone else has to avoid their smoke, the lack of "choice" of children
losing parents and the lack of "choice" for spouses lost. Not to mention
the lack of "choice" when we pay for the high cost of covering their
health problems.
Freedom is not always a simple statement.
It depends on whose freedom we choose to honor. We are finally learning
that the freedom to breathe trumps the freedom to smoke. We just have to
find a way to make our politicians, especially the Republicans,
understand this.
I am going to vote for them because their
belief system regarding other issues most closely resemble mine. In the
meantime I pray they will be willing to listen to the those who have
dedicated their lives to the education and reform of the problems we all
face daily due to the death and destruction caused by tobacco and
secondhand smoke. I believe Mr. McCain has already shown some
willingness to do so. We will see.
Jacque Petterson
Blog June 10,
2008:
My husband and
I have a duplex investment property owned through our IRAs. Because I
managed apartment communities for many years I had always wanted a
rental property I could manage "my way". The need for smoke-free housing
is so acute I felt it was time to make at least two smoke-free
apartments available in San Antonio.
Of course
there is the benefit of less maintenance and protecting the health of
the residents (they love it), but I also found a future reward. If we
want to sell we can get top dollar. I have
already received a call from one man looking to invest in our area, but
most specifically wanting a smoke-free property. He noted the lack of
need to renovate because the walls, floors, cabinets and appliances are
fresh and clean and wants the smoke-free leases already in place.
Last week a friend of ours who is
purchasing a rental property through his IRA contacted me about getting
the forms needed to make his new property smoke-free.
Moral of this story?
Smoke-free rentals are not only in demand by the renters, but buyers as
well. If you would like more information about smoke-free multi-family
homes, see my web site at
Smoke-Free Housing Consultants.
Jacque Petterson
_________________________________________________________________________________
February 7, 2007
Ask most people who smoke if they care about
the harm their smoke does to those around them. The answer ninety
percent of the time is, "No". That is a clear indication of the drugs
hold on the person. No drug user wants to think there is anything wrong
with their drug use, and like a drunk that says he can drive the idea
that it may harm others is nonsense to them.
I come from a long line of alcoholics. I
currently have alcoholic relatives, both sober and not sober. Only one
that I know of died from the disease of alcoholism. Anyone want to guess
what killed most of the rest of them? Smoking! From emphysema to cancer
to heart disease.
My first husband was an alcoholic who
smoked. He sobered up four years before he died of cancer at the age of
39. At that time I had no concern for his smoking, only fearing the
alcohol would get him again. Our ignorance of the dangers of tobacco
cost him his life.
One 24 year-old currently sober member of
our family began smoking as a pre-teen and has stated without hesitation
that quitting smoking was much harder than quitting drinking or any of
the other serious illegal drugs he has used. He just realized the
life-threatening dangers to his health made it a necessity.
Tobacco, in all forms, is known to be the
most addictive and deadly drug on planet earth, and yet Alcoholics
Anonymous refuses to include tobacco as a drug in their program. In
order to be considered "clean and sober" in A.A. it is not acceptable to
continue to use marijuana or any other drug. Even addictive use of legal
prescriptions is not accepted. Here is the link to their list of "Other
Than Alcohol"
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/en_pdfs/p-35_ProOtherThanAlcohol.pdf.
The word tobacco or smoking is no where to be found. Yet, tobacco, the
drug that I believe kills more alcoholics than any other drug included
in their program, continues to be an accepted mood altering addiction.
We have many friends in A.A. that have
recently been diagnosed with smoking-related illnesses. One with asthma
who has finally quit, one with throat cancer struggling for survival,
another is fighting for air every minute of every day now and is
terrified to see a doctor, and another that continues to smoke while on
chemo even though it restricts his ability to overcome his prostate
cancer.
If anyone believes tobacco does not
change ones behavior they need to think again. Within three to six
months of complete elimination of smoking or chewing tobacco the
personality of the user changes dramatically.
I ask Alcoholics Anonymous to rethink
their sobriety list and include tobacco in all forms. Please, before it
kills so many more of your members.
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