Oscar Pistorius murder trial begins, with South Africa transfixed

Picture

The murder trial of Oscar Pistorius begins today as South Africa prepares for what is expected to be a marathon legal battle that throws a spotlight not just on the world-famous double-amputee athlete, but on his homeland's criminal justice system and gun culture.

The trial, which has been compared to that of the OJ Simpson case in the United States 20 years ago, has led to the establishment in South Africa of a unique cable television channel dedicated to it.

The 24-hour channel, called The Oscar Pistorius Trial – A Carte Blanche Channel, launched on Sunday night with footage of the sportsman's girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot dead by him in the early hours of the morning on February 14 last year at his home. While the Olympian denies murder and says that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, the prosecution maintains that he intentionally shot her several times after an argument.

State prosecutors are expected to paint an unflattering portrait of Pistorius as reckless, hot-headed and obsessed with guns, and have lined up 107 witnesses for the trial, including Pistorius's ex-girlfriends Melissa Rom and Samantha Taylor, whose mother welcomed the end of their relationship. Erin Stear, who has denied reports she had an affair with Pistorius, will also take the stand, as will the former footballer Mark Batchelor, who has claimed that Pistorius threatened to "break my legs" because he was a close friend of Steenkamp, a law graduate, model and reality TV star.

Police have said they found unlicensed .38-calibre ammunition in Pistorius's house, while his Twitter account revealed he had boasted of going into "full attack recon mode in the pantry" after thinking an intruder was in his home.

The court will hear how, in one incident, Pistorius accidentally discharged a pistol under the table in a Johannesburg restaurant. He also put a bullet through the sunroof of a girlfriend's car in a fit of rage.

Pistorius will also come face to face with Steenkamp's mother, June, who made her feelings clear in a TV interview last year, recalling an incident in which Steenkamp phoned her from Pistorius's car. "She was afraid," June said. "She was so afraid. She said, 'Mummy, I'm in the car with Oscar and he's driving like a lunatic. Like a lunatic.' So I said, 'Will you just give him the phone?' She gave the phone to Oscar straight away. And I said, 'If you hurt my baby, I will have you wiped out.'"

Mobile phone records could be key during the trial, potentially indicating evidence of a fight. Steenkamp is said to have had her phone with her in the toilet when she was shot. Police have been trying to gain access to Pistorius's iPhone, which might contain evidence of a fight in the form of text messages.

Another key piece of evidence, according to experts, may be the blood-spatter analysis of the inside of the toilet cubicle, which could give an indication of Steenkamp's position when she was shot, including whether she was sitting on the toilet, or hiding behind the door, as prosecutors suspect.

Pistorius faces charges of murder, illegal possession of ammunition, and two additional counts relating to shooting a gun in public in two separate incidents before last year's Valentine's Day killing.

Criminal law experts believe that if the prosecution fails to prove premeditated murder, firing several shots through a closed door could bring a conviction for the lesser charge of culpable homicide, a South African equivalent of manslaughter covering unintentional deaths through negligence. Sentences in such cases range from fines to prison. They are left to courts to determine and are not set by fixed guidelines.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/oscar-pistorius-trial-begins

More on this story:

Oscar Pistorius bail hearing: Conflicting accounts
Oscar Pistorius accused of premeditated murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by South Africa prosecutors
Weeping Pistorius faces life in prison in shooting

Predators on Social Networks. Sexual Predators and Child Molesters Find Easy Prey

Social networking is all the rage. Various web sites have sprung up for the sole purpose of providing a place for users to express themselves, share with like-minded individuals, discover new things, and communicate with others. Even I have a Myspace profile and a LinkedIn profile. 

The concept of social networking has also been extended to other areas. For example, Youtube (also picked up by Google), provides users with the ability to express their creativity, network, rate their favorite video clips, etc. Some sites like Flickr, DropShots, or PhotoBucket provide users with the ability to post and share photos and family videos. 

The bottom line is that social networking is hugely popular and it is big business. Unfortunately, child molesters, sexual predators, and scam artists have discovered that these sites can also be exploited to find victims. 

There have been numerous instances of sexual predators and child molesters posing as children to network with young victims on MySpace.com. MySpace was also recently discovered to be compromised by attackers spreading malware on exploited profile sites. MySpace has taken steps and implemented security measures to minimize this problem, but users should still be cautious and aware. 

While not directly related to a social network, Craigslist, the popular regional classified listings site, was recently used by a predator to lure a victim to her death. After listing a job opening for a babysitter / nanny, and arranging a meeting with the potential nanny, the killer then murdered the prospective nanny. 

Photo sharing sites are used by thousands of families to post and share family photos. It is possible to restrict access and only let users you identify view the pictures, but many users are proud of their kids and their photographic skills and allow the general public to view the photos as well. Child molesters and sexual deviants can search through these sites and bookmark their favorite photos of young boys and girls. 

Follow these steps to use social networking sites responsibly and avoid becoming a victim: 

Be Skeptical. At least be cautious. The point of social networking is to find people who share your interests and establish a network of friends, but don't let down your defenses too easily. Just because someone claims to like the same music as you, or share a passion for scrapbooking, doesn't mean it is true. These new "friends" are virtual and faceless and you can't completely trust that they are what they say they are. 

Be Diligent. Knowing that the potential exists for scam artists or sexual predators to be lurking about, keep an eye on your profile and be diligent about who you allow to connect with your profile. For photo sharing sites like Flickr, check out the users who are marking your photos as their Favorites. If some stranger is marking all of the pictures of your 7-year old son as their Favorites, it seems a little creepy and may be cause for concern. 

Report Suspicious Behavior. If you have reason to believe that someone is a sexual predator or scam artist, report it to the site. If you look at the profile of the user marking your son's photos as their Favorites, you might find that they have marked hundreds of other young boy's photos as their Favorites. Flickr, and other such sites, should take action against this sort of suspicious behavior. 

Communicate. Parents who have children that surf the Web and frequent these social networking sites should communicate with their children. Make sure your children are aware of the threat, and that they are educated about how to use the Web safely. Make sure that they understand the risks and that they know they can talk with you about suspicious or malicious activity they encounter. 

Monitor. If you want additional peace of mind, or you don't fully trust that your children will stay within the guidelines you have laid out, install some monitoring software to watch their online behavior. Using a product like eBlaster from SpectorSoft, you can monitor and record all activity on a given computer and keep an eye on your children.
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/newsandeditoria2/a/socialpredators.htm

FIND WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS IN THE TEXT THAT MEAN:

• es el último grito / es muy popular
• con el único propósito
• lo esencial / el punto fundamental es
• pederasta
• depredador sexual, pedófilo
• estafador
• hacerse pasar por
• marcar como favorito
• pervertidos, depravados sexuales
• no bajes tus defensas/ la guardia
• estar al acecho
• vigilar
• asqueroso, repulsivo
• actividad maliciosa o sospechosa
• tranquilidad

Misuse of Girls’ Pictures On Social Networking Websites

Girls are uploading their pictures on social networking websites like Facebook, Orkut, etc, to be accessed by everyone. What is happening is that many people are taking those pictures and misusing them by creating fake profiles to defame the girls. On some, inappropriate messages about the girl are written. On others, the picture is altered with a nude body of someone else added to the face of the girl. 

Many webmasters of adult websites use girls’ pictures from social networking websites to promote their business, with things like, “these girls are available.” In reality, those girls don’t even know that their picture is on a website of such a nature. Pimps are also hovering on social networking websites, trying to find pictures of good looking girls for their business. Many prostitutes also use those pictures for personal gain. 

Many girls’ cell phone numbers are put on websites after being taken without their consent. Some websites have pictures along with the cell numbers. In reality, those pictures do not belong to the person whose cell phone number has been posted. The pictures have been taken from social networking websites. 

Below is some basic common sense that girls should follow. 

- Never upload your picture on social networking websites. If you have to use a picture, use a non-animate one. 

- If you have to share your picture with a relative, send it through e-mail. 

- If you are in an internet cafe, please make sure you are logged out. 

- Please use features such as ‘Ignore User’ and ‘Report Abuse’ if you ever get unwanted invites or messages. 

According to police Sub Inspector Ravindra Chavan, “Orkut users should not put up their photographs on the site. They should not reveal personal information in their profile. Also, no cell phone numbers or identity should be mentioned in the scrap book, as it is open to all.” 

Below are some real life stories of girls who went through a lot of misery because of photo tampering and fake profiles. 

- The father of a South Delhi school girl suffered from the fake profile of his daughter posted on Orkut that not only described the teenager as a ’sex teacher’, but also contained obscene photographs and her contact details. The teenager’s family had received the first call where the caller wanted to speak to the girl. Similar calls poured in later, the police said, adding all the callers referred to Orkut. Father of the girl lodged a complaint with the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences after his family started receiving calls following the appearance of the fake profile. 

- An air-hostess had moved a court here alleging that someone has opened an account in her name on Orkut wherein she is being described as a “sex struck woman”. The family had a harrowing time when two strangers knocked at their door a fortnight ago and told them the girl had invited them for sex, they added. Police said a case has been registered and investigations were on. The air-hostess claimed that act has lowered her reputation in the eyes of her family members and neighbors. She also said that she had written to the national commission of the women ministry against her criminal defamation, but no actions have been taken so far. 

- It was one of those normal evenings when *****, a software engineer in Chennai, logged on to Orkut to unwind from work and catch up with friends. But one and a half minutes later, the evening turned shocking and miserable for her. What she saw was a cheeky scrap and forward to a profile that had her semi-nude photo in another girl’s profile, tagged as her sister who flagged joint hints of intimate advances and indecent invites. Her photo had been brazenly and easily tampered with. After many weeks of tension and repeated requests to Orkut, the ID was removed. She vowed never to be vulnerable again. 

http://www.chowrangi.com/misuse-of-girls-pictures-on-social-networking-websites.html

FIND EXPRESSIONS THAT MEAN THE FOLLOWING:

• hacer un mal uso, difamar
• disponible
• chulo, proxeneta
• merodear, rondar
• beneficio personal
• cerrar sesión
• álbum
• pasarlo fatal
• manipulación de fotos
• presentar una queja/ reclamación
• alegar
• acceder a
• desconectar del trabajo
• ponerse al día con los amigos
• descarado
• etiquetar
• descaradamente

Girls’ Cell Phone Numbers on Social Networking Websites

Girls are uploading their pictures and many leave their cell phone numbers and other personal information on social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter, Orkut etc, to be accessed by everyone. 

It is dangerous to leave personal pictures on social networking websites, or anywhere for that matter, because they can be misused if they fall into wrong hands. What is equally condemnable is girls leaving their personal information, including their cell phone number, on social networking websites.

One reason why girls face harassment on cell phones is because they take little precaution, if any, to make sure that their number is not available to strangers. Also, why do girls (and boys) need a cell phone in the first place? For idle gossip. Research, although questionable, has linked excessive cell phone use to brain cancer.

There are groups on social networking websites which invite girls to join and share their personal information, especially their cell phone number. Others ask for friendship. Girls are naive and trusting by nature. They start a friendship with anyone who may appear to be nice and sweet, and the next thing they know, they are headed for disaster.

In all fairness, some girls actually want this so called friendship to get boys to pay their cell phone bills. Other girls want to have a good time. This is a major problem. These so called friendships end up nowhere. Not one has ended in marriage. Girls should avoid visiting such websites and groups which needlessly ask for personal information.

Some people have made videos on YouTube with dirty music playing in the background with pictures of girls which looked like they were taken from Facebook. These girls are unaware. Also, anyone’s face can be added to anyone’s body to create a nude picture. Girls should remove their pictures and personal information from social networking websites.

http://www.chowrangi.com/girls-cell-phone-numbers-on-social-networking-websites.html

EU seeks 'ban on all currently available e-cigarettes' with video

EU wants all electronic cigarettes removed from shop shelves because they 'normalise the action of smoking'

NEW YORK – New York City's new ban on electronic cigarettes in public places is part of a growing national trend toward regulating the devices.

Thursday, council members in the nation's largest city voted to extend a ban on smoking traditional cigarettes in public places, restaurants, bars and in private office buildings to include e-cigarettes. New Jersey, Utah and North Dakota already ban the use of e-cigarettes where smoking is prohibited, while Los Angeles and Chicago also are considering such bans, officials said.

Supporters of the bills say e-cigarettes may cause people to start toxic addictions and may pose unknown health risks to the public. Opponents argue that they help people stop smoking and do not contain the same chemicals that make regular cigarettes dangerous.

"These are being touted as safer than cigarettes, but we don't really know that," said Councilman James Gennaro, who co-sponsored New York City's bill. "Just seeing people smoking things that look identical to cigarettes in subway cars, colleges and public libraries will tend to re-normalize the act of smoking and send the wrong message to kids."

He and others fear youngsters may take up e-cigarettes, become addicted to nicotine, and may even graduate to smoking traditional cigarettes without knowing the full health effects of their actions. Others agreed, with New York's ban passing by a 43 to 8 vote.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who backed the bill, is expected to sign it into law before leaving office. Several e-cigarette manufacturers have come out against these regulations saying the items should be reserved for adults but not banned in public places. "The states are grouping e-cigarettes with traditional cigarettes without understanding differences between the two and the positive benefits e-cigarettes can provide," said Rick Zhu, who in 2010 founded California-based Apollo Electronic Cigarettes. He argues that e-cigarettes are less expensive, produce little smell through the vapors emitted and allow people to control their habit by letting them regulate how much nicotine they take in with the items. 
Studies vary on whether e-cigarettes can be harmful, said Caroline Rickards, a physiology professor and scientist with the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She will be starting a $30,000 collaborative study on the acute health effects of e-cigarettes next month. While the devices don't have the same chemicals as traditional cigarettes, they do contain nicotine, which can elevate a person's blood pressure and heart rate, Rickards said. "New York is taking a conservative approach," Rickards said. "I just don't think there's been enough work done to understand what the long-term effect is if you have a lifetime of e-cigarette smoking." 

Watch the video and try to answer the following questions:

• What did NY city council vote last Thursday? 
• What does this imply? 
• What did Mayor Michael Bloomberg also try to ban? 
• What does LA already regulate? 
• What is LA considering? 
• What do advocates of the e-cigarette ban say? 
• What do those against the ban say? 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usanow/2013/12/20/e-cigarette-bans-considered-across-the-country/4143993/  

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Cigarettes

Smokers around the world enjoy their traditional tobacco cigarettes because it delivers a rich and satisfying experience regardless of the apparent risks. It’s been scientifically proven that prolonged use of traditional tobacco cigarettes can cause a plethora of health conditions ranging from arrhythmia, to deadly respiratory diseases, cancer, and even premature death. Many who try to quit tobacco smoking come to find that their cessation methods are hard to cope with leading to an agonizing withdrawal period in which some smokers come to the realization that they can’t live without smoking tobacco.

The electronic cigarette aims to solve this problem by giving smokers an alternative means of enjoying a tobacco cigarette without actually having to smoke one. Many may be skeptical by the claim that rechargeable electronic cigarettes can replace traditional tobacco but these devices are known to garner critical acclaim for their ability to deliver an uncompromising experience that rivals their conventional counterpart. Below, we’ve taken a look at the advantages and disadvantages that come with electronic cigarettes.

Advantages of Using An Electronic Cigarette

There are a number of benefits to using an electronic cigarette over a traditional tobacco cigarette including:

• A Lack of tar, ash, and smell 

Electronic cigarettes, unlike tobacco products utilize e-Liquid for operation in lieu of tobacco and leaves. Electronic cigarettes, therefore, fail to have the ashy residue that comes with traditional tobacco but also fail to produce tar in the smoker’s lungs leading a cleaner, healthier experience. Even the smells and odors that plague traditional smokers are nonexistent with e-Cigarette smokers as the vapor is clean and odorless.

• Excellent Alternative to Other Smoking Cessation Products 

Nicotine is one of the main components of tobacco cigarettes that leads it to be an addictive habit for many to break. Despite being a product of e-Liquids, nicotine in electronic cigarettes are concentrated and contain virtually half if not less than their traditional tobacco counterparts. Using an electronic cigarette doesn’t just mean that you’re using a healthier and cleaner alternative but also drastically reducing your nicotine content as well.

For those trying to quit altogether, electronic cigarettes have been proven to be more reliable at helping smokers quit than patches or gums. Many smokers who are allergic to patches find solace in being able to curb their dependency on tobacco cigarettes by using a cigarette-like device.

• Flexibility 

Traditional tobacco cigarettes come in a variety of flavors but can only be enjoyed one at a time and never in packs with different flavors. Electronic cigarettes have the flexibility to have variable amounts of nicotine strengths and flavors (with some companies offering packs of cartridges or cartomizers in special mix and match packs).

• Cost-effective 

The main draw that many smokers look toward when transitioning from traditional tobacco cigarettes is that they have the potential to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. By using an electronic cigarette, cartomizers and cartridges cost $2 and less over traditional cigarette packs that are priced at a bare minimum of $5 each. With proper maintenance and upkeep, electronic cigarette users can keep their devices running strong for years to come.

A Few Disadvantages

There aren’t many disadvantages of using an electronic cigarette but there a few notable problems. For instance, there haven’t been any concrete studies truly guaranteeing electronic cigarette’s efficacy as tobacco substitute. Adding to that, nicotine is still a potent chemical used in electronic cigarettes and despite being of low concentrations what’s to stop electronic cigarettes from being just as addictive as traditional tobacco cigarettes which could potentially put a dent in the claim of it being a definitive smoking cessation device. Furthermore, the fact that it’s electronic leads many to question the reliability of a cigarette that requires power.

Obviously, electronic cigarettes have a few complaints and issues that have yet to be taken care of in the short term. That being said, it’s safe to say that there are tremendous benefits to be had when using an electronic cigarette. If you’re looking for a cleaner alternative that gives you the option to kick if not limit your smoking habit, consider giving electronic cigarettes a try today!

 http://www.cigtec.com/health-blog/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electronic-cigarettes/     

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Smoking Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are commonly known as E-cigarettes or E-Cig. They work actually by the help of the battery and can be used as normal cigarette. In electronic cigarettes atomization of nicotine takes place. It gives same feelings as given by normal smoking. 

Following are the advantages and disadvantages of smoking electronic cigarettes. 

Advantages: 

1. Healthier Alternative: 

The most important benefit of electronic smoking is that it has less adverse effects on health as compared to ordinary cigarettes. It is only made up of nicotine and some other material, which are used to just enhance the taste. Harmful material like tar, arsenic, acetone, and carbon mono oxide are not present in e-cigarettes. More over smoking e-cigarette does not result in yellow fingers and yellow teeth. 

2. No Passive Smokers: 

The other important benefit of e-smoking is that, people sitting around smokers are not affected. E-cigarettes do not emit smoke. It has vapors which vanish away in the air. 

3. Safety: 

There is no need of match stick or lighter to light up electronic cigarettes. It simply reduces the risk of accidental fire, due to burning of cigarettes. They actually do not have real flame while smoking. Simply a red light appears during smoking. 

Disadvantages:

1. Difficult To Inhale: 

Electronic cigarettes are difficult to inhale. Smokers have to suck it very strongly to attain the required level of nicotine. The smoker therefore requires stronger suction to produce the aerosol. This strong suction may lead towards lungs damage. 

2. Question ingredients:

Most of the companies add some harmful chemicals in it. They are dangerous for smoker health. Like diethyl glycol which is anti freezing agent. This chemical may lead to respiratory problems. Nitrosamine can cause cancer. If the cigarette breaks accidentally, the users will be exposed to these harmful components.

http://www.medicopk.com/2013/08/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-smoking-electronic-cigarettes/  

The Pros and Cons of E-Cigarettes. Is the Electronic Cigarette a Safe Stop Smoking Aid?

These 5 Signs Warn You That Cancer Maybe Starting Inside Your Body. 

What made you decide to try the e-cigarette?

You can smoke them virtually anywhere. Many say they will help you quit smoking, a plus for people with COPD who often struggle with smoking cessation. Others are skeptical and afraid to try them. The FDA would like to regulate them as medical products. The e-cigarette industry feels that the FDA has no substantiated reason to do so. There's a lot of talk going on about e-cigarettes, so before making a decision to use them, learn the facts about their pros and cons. 

What are E-Cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes for short, are battery-powered devices filled with liquid nicotine (a highly addictive chemical) that is dissolved in a solution of water and propylene glycol. Many of them look like real cigarettes, with a white cylindrical tube, brown filter, and red-glowing tip. Others come in less conspicuous, darker colors.

How Do They Work?

Often termed "vaping," when you take a puff on the end of the e-cigarette tube, a battery heats up the nicotine, which creates a vapor that is then inhaled into the lungs. The end result is a sensation of smoke in the mouth and lungs without really smoking. 

The Upside to E-Cigarettes

Unlike tobacco products, there are no current laws in effect prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Case in point, I work in a hospital and a fellow nurse smokes them right there in the nursing station. 

Here's what current research says about the positive aspects of this product: 

In a study of 40 tobacco-dependent smokers, researchers concluded that smoking e-cigarettes alleviated the desire to smoke (after abstaining from smoking overnight), was well-tolerated, and pharmacologically more like a Nicorette inhaler than tobacco. 

Another study of 50 smokers who wanted to reduce the health risks associated with smoking, but not quit completely, concluded that the Eclipse brand of e-cigarettes dramatically decreased the consumption of cigarettes without causing withdrawal symptoms. In addition, when participants smoked Eclipse, the nicotine concentrations in their blood remained fairly stable and their desire to quit altogether remained intact. However, the study concluded that because the Eclipse increased carbon monoxide concentrations in the blood, it may not be a safer choice of cigarette. On the other hand, it caused few, significant adverse events. 

In a case study series, the e-cigarette was found to help three study participants -- who all had a documented history of repeated failed attempts at smoking cessation using professional smoking cessation assistance methods -- quit smoking and remain abstinent for at least 6 months. 

During an online survey conducted in 2010, researchers polled visitors of websites and discussion forums dedicated to the use of the e-cigarette and smoking cessation. Of the 3,587 participants, 70% were former smokers, 61% were men, and the median age was 41 years. On average, participants used the e-cigarette for approximately 3 months, drew 120 puffs/day, and used 5 cartridges/day. Almost all of them used cartridges that contained nicotine. Ninety-six percent said that the e-cigarette helped them quit smoking, while 92% said that it made them smoke less. A majority of the participants said the e-cigarette helped them fight cravings, cope with withdrawal symptoms, and avoid relapsing on cigarettes. 

The Downside of E-Cigarettes

If you are a savvy (perspicaz, agudo) consumer, both positive and negative aspects of the product you are considering should be scrutinized before you purchase it. The e-cigarette is no exception. Take a look at what some of the research says about the negative aspects of the e-cigarette: 

A 2010 research paper published in Tobacco Control suggests that the e-cigarette lacks important regulatory factors, such as essential health warnings, proper labelling, clear instructions on how to use them, and safe disposal methods. The authors of the study also found that some of the e-cigarette cartridges leaked, which could cause toxic exposure to nicotine. However, the authors suggested that it is possible that if the e-cigarette were used as a short-term bridge to smoking cessation, the benefits might outweigh the risks. 

On their website, the FDA states that states that "E-cigarettes may contain ingredients that are known to be toxic to humans, and may contain other ingredients that may not be safe." They also suggest that because e-cigarette manufacturers are not required to submit clinical study data to them, the public has no way of knowing "whether e-cigarettes are safe for their intended use, what types or concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals are found in these products, or how much nicotine they are inhaling when they use these products." The FDA is also concerned that the marketing efforts of e-cigarettes may increase addiction to nicotine, especially in young people, encouraging them to experiment with real tobacco products. 

The Best Way To Quit Smoking

How you choose to quit smoking is a matter of personal choice. The best method is the one that works for you. With this in mind, doing whatever it takes to be successful -- and safe -- is how many people ultimately approach it.

Vocabulary

quit smoking / smoking cessation: dejar de fumar
less conspicuous: menos vistosos / menos atractivos
take a puff: hacer una calada
the upside to...: el lado positivo de... / la ventaja
current law: ley/ legislación vigente
withdrawal symptoms: síntomas de abstinencia
adverse events: reacción adversa
smoking cessation /aids assistance methods – ayudas/ métodos para dejar de fumar
remain abstinent- mantener la abstinencia, permanecer abstinente
poll: sondear / sondeo
former smoker: ex fumador
fight cravings- combater el ansia, el deseo
cope with withdrawal symptoms- hacer frente, afrontar los síntomas de abstinencia
avoid relapsing on ... evitar recaer
The downside to... : la desventaja, el aspecto negativo
safe disposal methods: métodos de eliminación seguros
harmful chemicals: productos químicos dañinos

http://copd.about.com/od/quittingsmoking/a/E-Cigarettes.htm  

Before You Puff an E-Cigarette

This morning on CTV News Channel, I discussed the dangers of e-cigarettes and it got me a flurry of "feedback," mostly from those who have quit smoking using them. 
E-cigarettes are small, handheld devices that may or may not look cigarettes, but they are puffed and a vapour is exhaled. The vapour is created by a liquid that doesn't smell like cigarettes or create "smoke." In fact, you can get it in all kinds of candy flavours. In Canada, in theory, the liquid does not contain nicotine, but anyone with a computer, smart phone, or access to a cross border shopping trip knows that the liquid containing nicotine isn't hard to get. And it is way cheaper than cigarettes. 

My concern is twofold: 
These tools are being used as a stop smoking aid, but they could be delivering more nicotine than you bargained for, along with other unknown substances. Since they weren't designed to help you quit, they are unregulated, and therefore there is no way to know how much nicotine there is compared to what you may be currently using. Some liquids have been reported to contain formaldehyde and other toxic or carcinogenic substances. 

These puffing sticks are perceived as cool, harmless, and fun by teens who have never smoked and may have no desire to. If they pick one up at a party, they could be inhaling nicotine and an addiction that they haven't bargained for.

Let me be clear: I am not against e-cigarettes; they may be a great tool! And, as a non-smoker, I am happy to sit next to any e-cig so I am not inhaling second-hand smoke. Are there any benefits? If they were regulated, there could be; it would then be a measurable way to reduce nicotine and have some assurance of purity.

What I do want is for parents to know these things exist and that they are another thing that their kids are playing with.

I'd also like to encourage every smoker out there to quit smoking however they can. It is the very first thing I say in my book

"...if you are still smoking, you have heard all you need to know to convince you to quit. Following the process of Ace Your Health will help you improve your health but if you smoke, you will always be playing catch up. There is nothing that you can do from a health perspective that will overcome the damage you are doing by smoking."

You deserve a tool that has some oversight for efficacy and safety. That doesn't mean don't use e-cigs; it means, don't use them blindly. Push for regulation so you KNOW you are moving in the right direction.

Vocabulary

flurry: aluvión

quit: dejar de

handheld devices: dispositivos portátiles

puff: calada

a stop smoking aid: una ayuda para dejar de fumar

along with: juntamente con

bargain for sth: prever, tener en cuenta, negociar

second-hand smoke: humo ajeno (fumador pasivo)

encourage sb to do sth: animar, alentar a alguien para que haga algo

overcome: superar

oversight: supervisión, control

 http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/theresa-albert/e-cigarette-risks-nicotine-_b_3853518.html  

E-cigarettes: helping smokers quit or glamorising a dangerous habit?

Supporters say vaping aids the fight against smoking. Critics say it normalises smoking and adds to the global e-waste problem.

Electronic cigarettes are to be classed as medicines, meaning doctors will be able to prescribe them to smokers trying to quit.

Smoking is cool again. At least, electronically. The electronic cigarette (e-cig, vapouriser, fake fag, digital cancer) is, if you believe the adverts and scare stories in the press, the new black.

No longer happy with the adverse health effects of smoking analogue traditional cigarettes, a large swathe of smokers are hanging up their lighters and picking up little metal sticks loaded with a battery, a metal coil, propylene glycol, glycerine and nicotine.

In one year, its use has doubled. In 2012, there were around 500,000 vapers in the UK. Now there are 1.2 million.

The ubiquity of the digital cigarette is undeniable. As a new convert to vaping – a reference to the smoke-like vapour the unit emits when you suck on it, I seem to find them everywhere. People use them in offices, in bars, on public transport. And, although some quizzical looks are thrown when you puff out a cloud of smoke, faces calm once people realise you're not smoking an actual cigarette.

Since England's smoking ban in 2007, smokers have had to duck out of buildings to get their nicotine fix. Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) estimates that two thirds of the UK's 10 million smokers would like to quit. Medical advice varies from GP to GP, but mine suggested I give e-cigarettes a go after its cousin, the inhalator – a plastic tube filled with a nicotine-soaked sponge – made me feel I was sucking on a tampon.

From 2016, the electronic cigarette will be classed as a medicine. This means it will be regulated by the MHRA and doctors in the NHS will be able to prescribe it to help smokers cut down or quit.

Yet this seeming official acceptance of vaping cannot quell fears that it is not only normalising smoking, but glamorising it. Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus chuffed on one at the Golden Globes and celebs are papped walking out of bars with them. Advertised as the healthy way to smoke and seeing a gap in the market, companies are now being acquired by tobacco manufacturers that want a stake in the £200m industry.

Vapour liquid comes in flavours from chocolate to piña colada, leading schools in the US to ban it because they fear it will act as a gateway drug to the real thing.

"Smokers are addicted to the nicotine but it is the smoke that kills them. "Nicotine is often part of the solution rather than the problem, and we know that nicotine replacement therapy combined with skilled support makes smokers four times more likely to quit successfully."

For a smoker, the benefits are clear. You can feed – or wean yourself off (desenganchar)– your addiction to nicotine. You don't have to inhale the 4,000-7,000 toxins a regular cigarette sends down your throat. It's cheaper. A unit costs a little more than a packet of cigarettes and refills are just over a pound each and claim to have as much nicotine as 20 smokes.

You don't lose the social aspect of cigarette smoking either. Variations in nicotine doses and tastes seem to be an easy topic of conversation .

There are downsides.

Legal experts say it's up to employers to make their own policy decision as to whether or not to allow vaping at work. "Employers have an obligation to provide a safe place of work," says Bonner. "The long-term health implications of the e-cigarette are not yet known, and it has even been suggested that they may not currently meet appropriate standards of safety and quality."

A University of Sterling and Cancer Research UK report on the trend raises questions about the safety of some of the doses of nicotine in some models as well as the propylene glycol used to suspend it.

The report also addressed the issues of corporate power and tobacco companies' actual commitment to harm reduction through their exploration of the e-cigarette market. They have long been trying to push low-tar and "safer" cigarettes. As the cigarette market deteriorates, does their recent investment maintain rather than reduce harm?

"I know a few people who never smoked cigarettes but are now hooked on e-cigs," says Mohammed, a 30-year-old sound engineer. "I've done a few Bengali weddings and even the women are puffing away. It's a cool thing to do."

What happens to discarded e-cigs and refills is also a concern as they contribute to the volume of global e-waste. "How soon will these products end up on the shores of Africa and Asia?" asks Michael Jones of the United Nations' Safe Planet campaign.

The fact remains that we may be moving away from tobacco, but, as long as we have nicotine, we're just finding new ways of dosing up with the drug we're addicted to. And as long as there is demand, someone is going to supply.

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/e-cigarettes-smokers-quit-glamorise-smoking

http://www.theguardian.com/society/shortcuts/2013/nov/24/vaping-smoking-e-cigarettes

E-cigarettes to be stubbed out for under-18s

E-cigarettes to be stubbed out for under-18s 

Under-18s in England are to be banned from buying electronic cigarettes, the government has announced. 

Experts say it is not yet known what harm the tobacco-free devices could inflict and that their contents could be damaging young people's health. 

An estimated 1.3m people in the UK use e-cigarettes which were designed to help smokers quit. 

Ministers also plan to make it illegal for adults to buy traditional cigarettes for anyone under 18. 

While smoking rates have fallen to their lowest ever level, experts fear the electronic substitutes could be encouraging teenagers to take up the habit. 

The battery-powered devices, which can be bought online and in some pubs, chemists and newsagents, deliver a hit of addictive nicotine and emit water vapour to mimic the feeling and look of smoking.

The vapour is considered potentially less harmful than cigarette smoke and is free of some its damaging substances such as tar. 

"We do not yet know the harm that e-cigarettes can cause to adults, let alone to children, but we do know they are not risk free," Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, said. 

"E-cigarettes can produce toxic chemicals and the amount of nicotine and other chemical constituents and contaminants, including vaporised flavourings, varies between products - meaning they could be extremely damaging to young people's health." 

Katherine Devlin, president of the Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association, welcomed the changes in the law, saying they had been asking for it "for years". 

"It's high time that it was mandated in law so that it can be robustly enforced," she added, pointing out that product labelling made it clear e-cigarettes were not for under-18s. 

Anti-smoking charity Ash also welcomed the changes, but chief executive Deborah Arnott called for a retail licensing system that would mean cigarettes could be legally sold only in shops, not in car boot sales or markets. 

No EU ban

The UK currently has few restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes, despite moves in some countries to ban them.

Restrictions have recently been mooted in Scotland and Wales. A Welsh government spokesman said on Sunday it "fully" supported a ban on e-cigarettes for under-18s and was considering how such legislation could be introduced in Wales. 

In Northern Ireland, the NI Chest Heart and Stroke charity is pressing the health minister to introduce a similar ban. 

The law change for England will be introduced in Parliament this week as an amendment to the Children and Families Bill. 

Labour said the policy on banning cigarettes for children was a "watered-down version of a policy that Labour called for last year" and that buying cigarettes for children should carry the same penalty as buying alcohol for underage drinkers. 

But it said restricting the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s was a "sensible step". 

From 2016, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is expected to license e-cigarettes as a medicine in the UK. 

This will bring them in line with nicotine patches and gum, and allow the agency to apply rules around, for example, the purity of the nicotine in e-cigarettes. 

MEPs have rejected calls for a blanket ban on the sale of e-cigarettes across the EU. However, under a compromise deal, strict limits will be placed on the amount of nicotine they contain, and individual EU member states will be able to introduce a national ban if they see fit. If three or more member states chose that path, it could trigger an EU-wide ban. 

'Irresponsible adults' 

Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK, with around 100,000 people dying each year from illnesses linked to the habit. 

Experts want to crack down on the number of young people smoking by bringing the law in line with restrictions on the sale of alcohol. 

The new rules on adults buying cigarettes for under-18s could be in force by the autumn and may mean anyone caught buying cigarettes for a child could be given a £50 fixed penalty notice or a fine of up to £2,500. 

"We must do all we can to help children lead a healthy life," public health minister Jane Ellison said. 

Some 41% of 15-year-olds who smoke say they usually buy their cigarettes from someone else, rather than from a shop, according to Department of Health figures. 

Analysis (Richard Warry- BBC News)

Electronic cigarettes mimic the effects of real cigarettes, producing a vapour that is potentially less harmful than cigarette smoke and free of some of its damaging substances, such as tar. 

The vapour does often, however, contain nicotine, the addictive substance that provides the "hit" in cigarette smoke. 

The jury is still out about just how safe e-cigarettes are, and nobody knows what their long-term impact is on health. 

There are plans to licence e-cigarettes as an aid to quitting smoking from 2016, but at present they are not available on the NHS, unlike other smoking cessation aids such as nicotine patches. 

Because they are not regulated, the contents of e-cigarettes can vary. Some have been found to contain toxic chemicals which are also found in tobacco, and have been linked to cancer. There is also only sketchy evidence that e-cigarettes help people to give up smoking.

VOCABULARY

be banned from + ing: prohibirle algo a alguien
quit: dejar de
make it + adjective + for somebody to do something
encourage somebody to do something: animar/ alentar a alguien para que haga algo
take up: comenzar a, iniciarse en
a hit: calada / chute
tar: alquitrán
let alone: mucho menos
flavourings: sabores
It's high time: Ya es hora de
retail license system: sistema de autorización de venta al público
car boot sales: mercadillos de aparcamientos
currently: actualmente
a watered down version: una versión más suave/ descafeinada
bring them in line:poner a la par
a blanket ban: prohibición general
if they see fit: si lo consideran oportuno
trigger: desencadenar
crack down on something: tomar medidas severas contra/ luchar contra
a fixed penalty notice: aviso de sanción
a fine: multa
long term impact: impacto a largo plazo
aid to quitting smoking/ cessation aids: ayudas para dejar de fumar
nicotine patches: parches de nicotina
sketchy evidence : pruebas vagas
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-25900542  

VAPING VS. SMOKING

VAPING VERSUS SMOKING

Most people are not aware of significant differences between vapor and smoke. When comparing vaping (electronic cigarettes) and smoking (cigarettes), it is important to begin with a basic explanation of the difference between vaporization and combustion.

Vaporization is the conversion of a solid or liquid into a gas (vapor). When boiling water turns into steam, this is an example of vaporization. With e-cigarettes, a vapor is formed when the atomizer (battery-operated heating element) slightly heats the liquid nicotine solution, converting it into a fine mist. The mist resembles a puff of smoke, but it is little more than water vapor.

Combustion is the act or process of burning that involves a chemical reaction between one or more substances and oxygen. With cigarette smoking, tobacco is burned, creating smoke and other harmful products of combustion. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and nonsmokers. The vapor produced by e-cigarettes provides a physical sensation and flavor similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, yet does not involve smoke. E-cigarettes do not burn or use any type of combustion. Rather, they vaporize a solution of water, flavoring, propylene glycol, glycerin, and liquid nicotine (nicotine free liquid is available). 

Aside from the nicotine, all the ingredients in the liquid solution are considered safe for use in food products. Propylene glycol and glycerin, which are the ingredients used to create the vapor, are both commonly used food additives. The vapor created by these ingredients are very similar to the mist created by fog machines.

The liquid solution of e-cigarettes vaporizes at a much lower temperature (40 to 65 degrees Celsius according to the FDA testing) than the temperature of combustion with cigarette smoking. Cigarettes typically burn at temperatures that range from around 600 degrees Celsius when smouldering to more than 900 degrees Celsius at peak puff temperatures.

Vaping e-cigarettes rather than smoking cigarettes offers many benefits:

Produces a vapor - not smoke, ash, or other harmful combustion products

Nearly odorless - does not create any smelly, lingering smoke

Smoke-free - does not create second-hand smoke to harm smoker or non-smokers

Saves money - generally costs less than cigarettes

Battery powered atomizer - does not need fire or involve burning

E-cigarettes are a smoking alternative that reduce the health effects of harmful smoke and combustion products associated with burning cigarettes. While formal studies have not looked into the health benefits of using e-cigarettes, comments from users who have switched from cigarettes include: feel better, cough is gone, shortness of breath is gone, better sense of taste and smell, don't smell like an ashtray anymore, sleep better, no more wheezing, better lung capacity, and have more energy.

http://www.bubblews.com/news/503197-vaping-vs-smoking