For Future Lungs NY

It’s a blessing that the field of medicine is highlighting preventative care rather than letting diseases become critical or, in some cases, terminal. Even so there are advancements being made on the treatment end as well. In spite of this acknowledgement, there is only so much that medical staff can do without the support of enforced policies ensuring regulatory measures such as laws and restrictions on accessibility. Policies such as restrictions on smoking and access to in

What is an article on a sleeping disorder doing on a platform dedicated to lung health? It turns out there’s plenty of overlap. Respiratory health is impacted by many factors. Some, like smoking, are in our control. Others, like our pre-existing respiratory conditions, may not be. Despite this, it’s just as worthwhile to identify and then keep these conditions in check. This article intends to acknowledge that there are other dangers to keep in mind in regard to respiratory h

Cigarette smoking has declined in the United States, but nicotine use among young people has not disappeared. Instead, it has shifted into newer forms, especially through vaping and e-cigarette products. This shift is concerning because vaping is often perceived as a lower-risk alternative to smoking, despite the presence of nicotine in many products and growing evidence of possible health consequences. The NYC Department of Health has reported that vaping is over three times

Whether in private life or public life, and regardless of profession, everyone should have practical, life-saving skills such as CPR and first aid. Many people pursue certification courses, now available to the general public through organizations such as the American Red Cross, to strengthen these skills. Among these skills, naloxone administration is especially important. In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 217 people die each day from opioid overdoses, which it ha

Many teens truly don’t understand the implications of addiction. It is common for them to think nicotine is only dangerous because it's a gateway to cigarettes or lung problems. However, the issues aren’t confined to just that. Nicotine affects brain development and causes addiction to happen faster than expected. They use phrases such as “it’s just nicotine” or “it’s not that bad since it’s not a cigarette”, especially with the seemingly harmless fruit-flavored marketing sch

Why study Zyns? While I was volunteering at a hospital one Saturday morning, a man in his 60s—who was on so many sedatives he could hardly tell me his name—gave me one request: to run to the convenience store across the street and grab a pack of cinnamon Zyns for him. Of course I did not get them for him, but this was just another instance, from students in Bobst Library to 20-somethings in bagel shops, of someone being addicted to nicotine alternatives. So that begs the ques

Throughout history, humanity has always had a natural pull towards products such as tobacco and other recreational pastimes. Tobacco, for instance, the plant grown in the Americas prior to European colonization, was often used in shamanistic rituals, ceremonies, and as a medicine. The Europeans introduction to tobacco was the beginning of a larger shift, which over time, rose in popularity and is currently used as the primary substance in cigarettes. Cannabis, or the hemp see

The conversation about the detrimental effects of smoking becomes more frequent by day. While many know smoking as a carcinogen, many are not aware of other diseases that come with smoking. This paper will look into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) a progressive lung disease that many are not aware of. What is COPD? COPD is caused by long-term exposure to irritating smoke, fumes, dust, or chemicals. The leading cause? Cigarette smoke. Overall, cigarette smoking

The risks of smoking are often described from the perspective of the user: “It’s bad for you .” What does not get as much attention is what one smoking does to others. It’s far easier than many people realize to suffer from smoke-related medical issues without ever having smoked, all due to the poor choices of others. The CDC estimates a death toll to the tune of 2.5 million as a result of health complications related to secondhand smoke exposure. That’s 2.5 million people wh

It’s the newest epidemic among adolescents of the 21st century and it isn’t stopping any time soon. Walk through any school hallway, bus stop, or social media feed and I assure you the same message will be presented over and over again: “Vaping is safer than smoking. ” It’s a claim that sounds reassuring as it is intended to target current smokers who are looking for a safer or better alternative for a habit that is already so difficult to break. But what we aren’t accounting