Secondhand smoke

What's in this article? 

• What Is Secondhand Smoke?
• What Can You Do?

Emma's friend Megan lights up a cigarette every chance she gets — while she's cruising around with their friends on Friday nights, during breaks at the pizza place, before soccer scrimmages, even as she babysits her brother. Emma's worried — both for her friend's health and for her own. She's not sure Megan realizes how her habit could be affecting the health of the people she smokes around.
Everyone knows smoking is a bad idea. And by now you've probably heard that breathing in someone else's secondhand smoke is also hazardous to your health.

What Is Secondhand Smoke?

Secondhand smoke comes from both the smoke that smokers exhale (called mainstream smoke) and the smoke floating from the end of the cigarette, cigar, or pipe (called sidestream smoke).
It may seem pretty harmless, but secondhand smoke actually contains thousands of chemicals — from arsenic and ammonia to hydrogen cyanide — many of which have been proven to be toxic or to cause cancer (called carcinogens). High concentrations of many of these chemicals are found in secondhand smoke. In fact, secondhand smoke significantly increases a person's risk for:

• respiratory infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia)
• asthma (secondhand smoke is a risk factor for the development of asthma and can trigger attacks in those who already have it)
• coughing, sore throats, sniffling, and sneezing
• cancer
• heart disease

So secondhand smoke doesn't just impact a person in the future. It can cause problems right now, like affecting someone's sports performance or ability to be physically active.

What Can You Do?

Chances are, you know someone who smokes. Maybe it's your Grandma or the guy you hang out with at your job at the mall. Whether you smoke or you're regularly around someone who does, it's never healthy to breathe in tobacco smoke. Even occasional or short-term exposure can take a toll on the body.
If you smoke, try to quit. Quitting isn't easy because smoking is highly addictive. But plenty of programs and people can help you make the brave effort to becoming smoke free. And just consider the benefits: You'll look, feel, and smell better, not to mention you'll have more money saved to go out and show off the newer, healthier you! Who knows — maybe knowing that you're protecting the people you love by quitting will help give you even more willpower to kick the habit.
If you don't smoke, ask the smokers you know to observe these two practical habits:

1. Take all their smoke breaks outside — away from other people, especially kids and anyone who's pregnant. Smoke lingers in the air hours after cigarettes are put out. That means if a smoker is puffing away anywhere inside, other people are inhaling that smoke, too. Because smoke sticks to people and their clothing, when smokers come back inside, they should wash their hands and change their clothing, especially before holding or hugging children.
2. Never smoke in a car with other people. Even exhaling out the window does little, if anything, to reduce smoke exposure.

It's been scientifically proven that secondhand smoke is dangerous. So, hopefully the smokers in your life will be willing to take these simple steps.
Just as a person who smokes chooses to light up, nonsmokers have a choice, too — to walk away from other people's smoke at home, school, work, restaurants, even friends' and family members' houses. New laws are making it easier all the time for nonsmokers to lead smoke-free lives.
Taking a stand on secondhand smoke will keep you much healthier and possibly even help someone you love think twice about their own unhealthy habit, too.

How Can I Quit Smoking?

What's in this article? 

• The Difficulty in Kicking the Habit
• More Strategies That Work
• Physical and Mental Effects
• Slip-Ups Happen

 First, congratulate yourself. Just reading this article is a huge step toward becoming tobacco free. Many people don't quit smoking because they think it's too hard to do. They think they'll quit someday.

It's true, for most people quitting isn't easy. After all, the nicotine in cigarettes is a powerfully addictive drug. But with the right approach, you can overcome the cravings.

The Difficulty in Kicking the Habit

Smokers may have started smoking because their friends did or because it seemed cool. But they keep on smoking because they became addicted to nicotine, one of the chemicals in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. That means it increases the heart rate at first and makes people feel more alert (like caffeine, another stimulant). Then it causes depression and fatigue. The depression and fatigue — and the drug withdrawal from nicotine — make people crave another cigarette to perk up again. According to many experts, the nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.
But don't be discouraged; millions of Americans have permanently quit smoking. These strategies can help you quit, too:
Put it in writing. People who want to make a change often are more successful when they put it in writing. So write down all the reasons why you want to quit smoking, such as the money you will save or the stamina you'll gain for playing sports. Keep that list where you can see it, and add to it as you think of new reasons.
Get support. People whose friends and family help them quit are much more likely to succeed. If you don't want to tell your parents or family that you smoke, make sure your friends know, and consider confiding in a counselor or other adult you trust. And if you're having a hard time finding people to support you (if, say, all your friends smoke and none of them is interested in quitting), you might consider joining a support group, either in person or online.

More Strategies That Work

Set a quit date. Pick a day that you'll stop smoking. Tell your friends (and your family, if they know you smoke) that you're going to quit smoking on that day. Just think of that day as a dividing line between the smoking you and the new and improved nonsmoker you'll become. Mark it on your calendar.

Throw away your cigarettes — all of your cigarettes. People can't stop smoking with cigarettes still around to tempt them. Even toss out that emergency pack you have stashed in the secret pocket of your backpack. Get rid of your ashtrays and lighters, too.
Wash all your clothes. Get rid of the smell of cigarettes as much as you can by washing all your clothes and having your coats or sweaters dry-cleaned. If you smoked in your car, clean that out, too.
Think about your triggers. You're probably aware of the situations when you tend to smoke, such as after meals, when you're at your best friend's house, while drinking coffee, or as you're driving. These situations are your triggers for smoking — it feels automatic to have a cigarette when you're in them. Once you've figured out your triggers, try these tips:

• Avoid these situations. For example, if you smoke when you drive, get a ride to school, walk, or take the bus for a few weeks. If you normally smoke after meals, make it a point to do something else after you eat, like read or call a friend.
• Change the place. If you and your friends usually smoke in restaurants or get takeout and eat in the car, suggest that you sit in the no-smoking section the next time you go out to eat.
• Substitute something else for cigarettes. It can be hard to get used to not holding something and having something in your mouth. If you have this problem, stock up on carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, mints, toothpicks, or even lollipops.

Physical and Mental Effects

Expect some physical symptoms. If you smoke regularly, you're probably physically addicted to nicotine and your body may experience some symptoms of withdrawal when you quit. These may include:

• headaches or stomachaches
• crabbiness, jumpiness, or depression
• lack of energy
• dry mouth or sore throat
• desire to pig out

Luckily, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal will pass — so be patient. Try not to give in and sneak a smoke because you'll just have to deal with the symptoms longer.
Keep yourself busy. Many people find it's best to quit on a Monday, when they have school or work to keep them busy. The more distracted you are, the less likely you'll be to crave cigarettes. Staying active is also a good way to make sure you keep your weight down and your energy up, even as you're experiencing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Quit gradually. Some people find that gradually decreasing the number of cigarettes they smoke each day is an effective way to quit. However, this strategy doesn't work for everyone — you may find you have to stop completely at once. This is known as "cold turkey."
Use a nicotine replacement if you need to. If you find that none of these strategies is working, you might talk to your doctor about treatments. Using a nicotine replacement, such as gum, patches, inhalers, or nasal sprays, can be very helpful. Sprays and inhalers are available by prescription only, and it's important to see your doctor before buying the patch and gum over the counter. That way, your doctor can help you find the solution that will work best for you. For example, the patch requires the least effort on your part, but it doesn't offer the almost instantaneous nicotine kick that gum does.

Slip-Ups Happen

If you slip up, don't give up! Major changes sometimes have false starts. If you're like many people, you may quit successfully for weeks or even months and then suddenly have a craving that's so strong you feel like you have to give in. Or maybe you accidentally find yourself in one of your trigger situations and give in to temptation.
If you slip up, it doesn't mean you've failed, it just means you're human. Here are some ways to get back on track:

• Think about your slip as one mistake. Take notice of when and why it happened and move on.
• Did you become a heavy smoker after one cigarette? We didn't think so — it happened more gradually, over time. Keep in mind that one cigarette didn't make you a smoker to start with, so smoking one cigarette (or even two or three) after you've quit doesn't make you a smoker again.
• Remind yourself why you've quit and how well you've done — or have someone in your support group, family, or friends do this for you.

Reward yourself. As you already know, quitting smoking isn't easy. Give yourself a well-deserved reward! Set aside the money you usually spend on cigarettes. When you've stayed tobacco free for a week, 2 weeks, or a month, buy yourself a treat like a new CD, book, movie, or some clothes. And every smoke-free year, celebrate again. You earned it.

مرزا اسد اللہ خان غالب

مرزا غالب(1797-1869)اردو زبان کے سب سے بڑے شاعر سمجھے جاتے ہیں۔ ان کی عظمت کا راز صرف ان کی شاعری کے حسن اور بیان کی خوبی ہی میں نہیں ہے۔ ان کاا صل کمال یہ ہے کہ وہ ز ندگی کے حقائق اور انسانی نفسیات کو گہرائی میں جاکر سمجھتے ہیں اور بڑی سادگی سے عام لوگوں کے لیے بیان کردیتے ہیں۔غالب جس پر آشوب دور میں پیدا ہوئے اس میں انہوں نے مسلمانوں کی ایک عظیم سلطنت کو برباد ہوتے ہوئے اور باہر سے آئی ہوئی انگریز قوم کو ملک کے اقتدار پر چھاتے ہوئے دیکھا۔غالباًً ً یہی وہ پس منظر ہے جس نے ان کی نظر میں گہرائی اور فکر میں وسعت پیدا کی۔

مرزا غالب کا نام اسد اللہ بیگ خاں تھا۔ باپ کا نام عبداللہ بیگ تھا ۔ آپ دسمبر 1797ء میں آگرہ میں پیدا ہوئے۔ غالب بچپن ہی میں یتیم ہو گئے تھے ان کی پرورش ان کے چچا مرزا نصر اللہ بیگ نے کی لیکن آٹھ سال کی عمر میں ان کے چچا بھی فوت ہو گئے۔ نواب احمد بخش خاں نے مرزا کے خاندان کا انگریزوں سے وظیفہ مقرر کرا دیا۔ 1810ءمیں تیرہ سال کی عمر میں ان کی شادی نواب احمد بخش کے چھوٹے بھائی مرزا الہی بخش خاں معروف کی بیٹی امراءبیگم سے ہو گئی شادی کے بعد انہوں نے اپنے آبائی وطن کو خیر باد کہہ کر دہلی میں مستقل سکونت اختیار کر لی۔

شادی کے بعد مرزا کے اخراجات بڑھ گئے اور مقروض ہو گئے ۔ اس دوران میں انہیں مالی مشکلات کا سامنا کرنا پڑا ور قرض کا بوجھ مزید بڑھنے لگا۔ آخر مالی پریشانیوں سے مجبور ہو کر غالب نے قلعہ کی ملازمت اختیار کر لی اور 1850ءمیں بہادر شاہ ظفر نے مرزا غالب کو نجم الدولہ دبیر الملک نظام جنگ کا خطاب عطا فرمایا ، اور خاندان تیموری کی تاریخ لکھنے پر مامور کر دیا اور 50روپے ماہور مرزا کا وظیفہ مقرر ہوا۔

Mirza Ghalib

Mirza Ghalib

Dabir-ul-Mulk, Najm-ud-Daula Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan (Urdu/Persian: مرزا اسد اللہ بیگ خان), pen-name Ghalib (Urdu/Persian: غالب, ġhālib meansdominant) and (former pen-name) Asad (Urdu/Persian: اسد, asad means lion) (27 December 1797 – 15 February 1869), was a classical Urdu andPersian poet from India during British colonial rule. During his lifetime the Mughals were eclipsed and displaced by the British and finally deposed following the defeat of the Indian rebellion of 1857, events that he wrote of. Most notably, he wrote several ghazals during his life, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people. He is considered, in South Asia, to be one of the most popular and influential poets of theUrdu language. Ghalib today remains popular not only in India and Pakistan but also amongst diaspora communities around the world.

Family and early life

Mirza Ghalib was born in Agra into a family descended from Aibak Turks who moved to Samarkand after the downfall of the

Black rice bran reduces inflammation

Research claimed black rice may help soothe inflammation involved in allergies and other diseases.

Mendel Friedman and colleagues at the US Department of Agriculture`s Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California conducted the research, which became the focus of the latest episode in the American Chemical Society`s (ACS) award-winning podcast series, "Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions".

In previous research as well, the group identified several potential health benefits from eating black rice bran. Bran is the outer husk of the grain, which is removed during the processing of brown rice to produce the familiar white rice. Those experiments, which were done in cell cultures, hinted that black rice bran suppressed the release of histamine, which causes inflammation.

A diet consisting of 10 per cent black rice bran reduced inflammation associated with allergic contact dermatitis, a common type of skin irritation.

Men suffer more by cold than women: research

According to a new research, men really do suffer more than women when they get a cold.

The male immune system is less effective at fighting off infections than the female system and that means men feel worse when battling illness than women, researchers have shown.

Dr Ramona Scotland, of Queen Mary University of London, led a team which studied the immune systems of mice and rats given a host of different infections. They looked at the white blood cells in the lungs and stomach, which act as the body’s first line of defence against infection.

“We found that the females had around twice as many white blood cells than males which was a huge surprise,” a newspaper quoted her as saying. “For all types of illness, the female mice and rats were less sick than the male.

Driverless car in testing phase

Engineers have been testing the automobile around the Berlin.

The vehicle maneuvers through traffic on its own using a sophisticated combination of devices, including a computer, electronics and a precision satellite navigation system in the trunk, a camera in the front, and laser scanners on the roof and around the front and rear bumpers.

"The vehicle can recognize other cars on the road, pedestrians, buildings and trees up to 70 meters (yards) around it and even see if the traffic lights ahead are red or green and react accordingly," Raul Rojas, the head of the city s Free University said.

“In fact, the car’s recognition and reaction to its environment is much faster than a human being’s reaction.”

The scientists have worked on their research car, a Volkswagen Passat worth euro400,000 ($551,800) with lots of built-in special technology, for four years. Several other groups have also been working on such technology recently, which has been testing a robotic Toyota Prius in Nevada.

Dead whale washes ashore Karachi beach

The dead whale had been washed ashore by strong tides this morning.It weighs several tonnes and is 25-feet-long.

Curious onlookers gathered at the beach to catch a glimpse of the whale. However, the stench emanating from the mammal prevented many from coming too close.

Beach authorities have initiated efforts to remove the animal from the shore.

کراچی: سی ویو کے ساحل پر 25 فٹ لمبی مردہ وہیل مچھلی

 

کراچی میں سی ویو کے ساحل پر پچیس فٹ لمبی مردہ وہیل مچھلی آگئی لوگوں کا تانتا بندھ گیا 

کراچی کے ساحلی علاقے سی ویو پر مردہ وہیل کے آنے کی اطلاع تیزی سے پھیل گئی جس پراطراف کے مکینوں کے علاوہ شہر کے دیگر علاقوں سے لوگوں کی بڑی تعداد بیس سے پچیس فٹ لمبی اس مردہ مچھلی کو دیکھنے پہنچ گئی۔علاقہ مکینوں کے مطابق گزشتہ شب مردہ وہیل ساحل پر آگئی تھی جس کے باعث تعفن پھیل رہا تھا مردہ وہیل کی ساحل پر موجودگی کی اطلاع ڈیفنس ہاؤسنگ اتھارٹی کے متعلقہ حکام کو دی گئی جس پر ڈی ایچ اے کا عملہ موقع پر پہنچ گیا اورمردہ وہیل کو ٹریکٹر سے کھینچ کر منتقلی کا کام شروع کردیا                                       ۔

مقبوضہ کشمیر کی پہاڑیاں ایک سونامی کے باعث معرض وجود میں آئیں، امریکی ماہرین ارضیات کا انکشاف

امریکی ماہرین ارضیات نے کشمیر میں 25 کروڑ سال قبل سونامی آنے کا انکشاف کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ سونامی کے آثار گریل کی پہاڑوں میں پائے جاتے ہیں اور سرینگر کے مضافات میں کھنموہ اور زیون کی پہاڑیاں سونامی کے باعث معرض وجود میں آئی ہیں۔ 

مقبوضہ کشمیر کے ایک اخبار کی رپورٹ کے مطابق امریکی ماہر ارضیات 25 کروڑ برس قبل کشمیر میں سونامی پیدا ہونے کے اندازے کا اظہارکیاگیا ہے۔ کشمیر یونیورسٹی میں طلبہ اور اساتذہ کے ساتھ تبادلہ خیال کے دوران بوسٹن امریکہ کی میساچوٹس یونیورسٹی کے پروفیسر بروک فیلڈ نے کہا ہے کہ اس کے واضح اثار گریل کی پہاڑی گھاٹیوں میں پائے جاتے ہیں، جو سرینگر کے مضافات میں کھنموہ اورزیون کی پہاڑیوں کا سلسلہ ہے۔ پروفیسر بروک فیلڈ کے مطابق یہ پہاڑیاں ٹیکساس امریکہ میں پائے جانے والے کے ٹی بونڈری سیکشن کے ساتھ قریبی مشابہت رکھتی ہیں اور ممکن ہے کہ یہ پہاڑی گھاٹیاں بھی اسی انداز میں ٹیتھس نامی سمندر سے اٹھنے والی سنامی کے نتیجہ میں معرضِ وجود میں ائی ہوں گی جس طرح ٹیکساس میں ہوا ہے۔