More Reasons to Hate Smokers...

First off, let me just say that I've never even tried smoking in my life. Never have - never will. I grew up in a house where both of my parents smoked (thankfully, they have long since given it up), so naturally I hated it from the get-go. They never smoked in our house, but they did outside around us and whenever we were in the car.

We all know secondhand smoke is bad for us... and it is receiving more and more attention. Many places are passing laws that ban smoking in public areas such as restaurants and bars. However, we haven't seen that in our area (yet). This is a real shame. There isn't too awful much to do in Parkersburg and Marietta compared to bigger cities--so going to eat at restaurants and going to bars are popular pasttimes among people in this area.

Nothing annoys me more than someone who smokes around others. Its not only annoying and gross, but harmful. But just how harmful is it?

According to a review by Joaquin Barnoya, MD, and colleagues that was cited in the above article, the affects of second-hand smoke (even from brief exposure) on the heart are up to 90% as large as the affects of active, chronic smoking.

"The researchers say that the effects of passive smoke are numerous and interact with each other, increasing the risk of heart disease. Here are some of the heart hazards that the review linked to secondhand smoke:
— Increased blood clotting ability
— Increased blood vessel wall abnormalities
— Higher risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
— Lower levels of HDL "good" cholesterol (even in children)
— More buildup of LDL "bad" cholesterol in artery walls
— Higher blood levels of markers of inflammation that are inked to heart disease and blood vessel wall plaque buildup
— Increased source of cell-damaging free radicals
— Lower levels of antioxidants, which fight free radicals

Evidence about secondhand smoke's heart dangers has been growing since the mid-1980s, say the researchers.

"Secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease by [about] 30 percent, accounting for at least 35,000 deaths annually in the United States," they write."

And thats just the heart.

I don't know about you all, but I can't wait to see the day when I can walk into the Townhouse and actually breathe without breathing in ash from someone else's cancer sticks. If it were up to me, I would outlaw that nasty habit and be done with it.

Comments from either side?