HEALTH | EDUCATION | WORLD | CHARITY
YAZEMEENAH ROSSI Active Lifestyle Ambassador for PTW
A Sticky Situation Street children and their GLUE addiction
Edition 5 Volume 2
CONTENTS Feature Interview YAZEMEENAH ROSSI
Revitalizing the essence SAUDI ARABIA
EDITORIAL
E-CIGARETTES
Sugar
Thunderstorm Asthma
MARI WHYTE
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in or m ja ct
n Dire e B t Ar
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to di
ia ief E h d h
Lo nd C g ira er a
Ch ound F
A VERY
STICKY
& SERIOUS SITUATION “What are the different ways we can tackle the problem of glue addiction and dependence that the children in our Rescue Centre come in with?” Beatrice Njeri, Eldoret Rescue Centre Manager
Thank you for your question Beatrice. For those unaware, ‘Glue’ abuse is a major part of the rehabilitation work for the children of the Rescue Centre in Eldoret, Kenya which is a project of Positively Transforming World. Many of the children who come to the Eldoret Rescue Centre are children living on the street. They are vulnerable to a who a whole array of issues including violence and sex abuse, trafficking and drug abuse. The children either present to the Rescue Centre on their own or are brought in by officials and police. For the Rescue Centre, helping these children rehabilitate and stay away from drug abuse is central to not only keeping them off the streets, but also rehabilitating them socially so that they can return to a good home, good family and live happily in their community.
Chirag Lodhia, Editor-InChief PTW Magazine Clinical Hospital Pharmacist
What is Glue Abuse? The World Health Organization refers to ‘Substance Abuse’ as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. The use of these can lead to ‘dependence syndrome’ where the repeated use of a substance enforces a strong desire to: take the substance, develop difficulties in controlling its use and urge the user of the drug to persist despite the harmful consequences. The user of the drug can begin to make taking the substance a more important priority than their normal activities and obligations.
Drugs like heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and opioids have been the focal-points of addiction issues along with alcohol and gambling in many countries; but for homeless youth and street children around the world, the most typically abused drugs have been off the mainstream media’s radar. A major group of substances abused are ‘inhalant solvent-based contact adhesives’, typically known as inhaled substances and glues, especially those containing the chemical toluene. These substances are also part of the category ‘volatile substances’ because they have vapours and gases.
How serious is the issue? To give an idea of the extent of the problem, in 2013, UNICEF estimated that the number of street children globally is at least tens-of-millions or higher, and some estimates believe the figure may be as high as 100 million. In 2013, the Society for the Study of Addiction released a systematic review and metaanalysis, (or to put simply, a very reputable study) that looked at the epidemiology of substance use among street children in resource-constrained settings. 22 countries were included in the study that estimated:
• 60% of street-children were substance-users and, • 47% of street children use inhalant substances, making it the most predominant substance used by these adolescents, followed by tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. PTW’s Rescue Centre in Eldoret, Kenya takes in children almost every week who live on the streets and have been exposed to the use of inhalant substances. Dr. Paula Braitstein explained to VOA News: “We live full time in Eldoret, most of us, and on a daily basis we see children and adolescents, even young children, walking around the streets of Eldoret with glue bottles essentially stuck to their noses. You see it really across Kenya and
many parts of Africa as you’re traveling. I’m an epidemiologist, and we’re very concerned about the health and wellbeing of these young people.” Although the problem is often seen as a pandemic of underdeveloped countries, this is not an isolated problem with more than 1,700 teenagers in Britain and Ireland dying from glue sniffing and paint-thinnersniffing between 1983 and 2000 per the European Union drugs agency. In America, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health believed in 2010 that there were 793,000 persons aged 12 or older who had used inhalants for the first time, of which 68.4% were under the age of 18.
In 2013 UNICEF estimated that the number of street children globally is at least tens-of-millions or higher 60% of street children were substanceusers 47% of street children use inhalant substances
How do children abuse glue? These ‘glues’ are absorbed into the body by deep breathing through the nose and mouth and not just ‘sniffing’ despite the common phrase ‘sniffing glue’. Sometimes the drug is places in paper or plastic bags in which the user buries their head into the bag so that they can rebreathe exhaled air which may heighten the effects of the drug. This is known as ‘bagging’. The drugs can also be absorbed by ‘huffing’ an inhalant that has been soaked in a rag or cloth. By breathing the substance, the chemicals are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream from the lungs and quickly spread around the body to various organs including the brain. What is the problem with using glue? The consequences of such an activity can be short-term and long-term. The immediate effects of most inhalants are a rapid high that is like alcohol intoxication, with initial excitation followed by drowsiness, disinhibition, light-headedness and agitation. Some may also experience hallucinations and delusions. Typical symptoms to watch for include: • Slurred speech • Inability to coordinate movements • Euphoria • Dizziness Intoxication itself only lasts a few minutes and so users often repeatedly inhale for several hours over any given day, which can eventually lead to loss of consciousness and possibly death from overdose. Though the symptoms seem very unpleasant, users gain a pleasurable effect due to the depressing effect it has on the Central Nervous System that is likened to alcohol, sedatives and anaesthetic medications. The chemical toluene, commonly found in abused inhalants such as glue, paints and nail polish removers activate the brain’s dopamine system that provides a ‘rewarding’ sensation in the substance user.
The long-term consequences of abusing substances like glue are severe. A study of 43,000 Americans that used inhalants found that inhalant use was a precursor to the initiation of cigarettes, alcohol and almost all other drugs at younger ages and the use of inhalant substances correlated with a higher lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders including abuse of prescription drugs when compared with substance abusers without a history of inhalant use. Other social issues can arise from the dependence of inhalant substances including crime and theft, violence and antisocial behaviour that can also be financially costly to the users, their families and their wider community. Biologically, the long-term use of these inhalants causes the destruction of protective sheaths around nerve fibres in the body that are clinically like neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The neurological syndromes that come with the damage
caused by glues and other inhalants can physically damage the brain in areas controlling cognition, movement, vision and hearing and even lead to severe dementia. These inhalants are not just toxic to the brain but other organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver and in the case of inhalant use during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of developmental harm in the infant including reduce birth weights, occasional skeletal abnormalities, delayed neurobehavioral development and altered regulation of metabolism. For those who are chronic users of inhalant drugs and have become dependent on the drugs, stopping the drugs altogether can also have debilitating withdrawal effects including psychosis, aggression, muscle pains, headaches, hand tremors, insomnia and excessive sweating. Certain medications can be
used to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal but unfortunately, the body Cochrane shows that there is no evidence-based treatment for acute intoxication and withdrawal of these substances. Treatment of inhalation withdrawal and toxication focuses on supportive screening and treatment for neurological, cardiac, respiratory, renal and hepatic complications from the drug use. Whilst little studies have been documented, the most effective rehabilitation of inhalant abuse and long-term abstinence from the drug requires a multi-faceted approach including: • Time for detoxification: giving medical supervision, pharmacological aid and monitoring of previously mentioned organs and body systems of users whilst initially abstaining from the substances • Peer-patient-advocate systems: development of strengths and skills to prepare the user for
transition back into the community in a way that enables the user to feel positive, supportive and confident • Consideration for other substance dependencies: practicing good behaviour and avoiding other dependence-behaviours that may feed back into inhalant abuse • Screening for psychiatric or physical disorders: treatment of co-current conditions should be treated to achieve good health and prevent possible triggers for substance abuse • Family and social therapy: youth users of inhalants who come from dysfunctional families and social groups require contracting with parental reinforcement and support, and enrol into parent support and youth social skills programs to reduce chance of relapse; and strengthen family and community structure. • Regular medical and psychological check-ups throughout life
Without question, the most effective way to tackle inhalant abuse is prevention. This can be done by reducing the social acceptability of abuse in a dynamic and community-based approach by involving everyone in the community from family members, teachers, peers, schools and retailers. Given the prevalence of this issue in preteen years, evidence-based in-school primary prevention is key and must begin at an early age to strengthen the message to children. Of course, the other elephantin-the-room is that inhalant abuse does have a correlation with poverty, hunger, illness, low education levels, unemployment, boredom and feelings of hopelessness. It has been known for a long time that the combination of poor health and poor education has been central factor into the use and abuse of substances. Hence, prevention also requires these factors to be addressed to improve global outcomes that will require cooperation and support from community agencies, the private and government sectors on a foundation of strong education and family groups. A major component is the lack of recognition and understanding of the widespread issue, social stigma attached to the problem and lack of support. In low income countries,
there are minimal medical support services that help the poorest communities and lack of welltrained health practitioners and professionals to help communities. Dr Braitstein also explained to VOA News that researchers know why drug use is so widespread among street children. “The most common reasons were essentially peer pressure, the need to survive. A lot of children report using drugs to cope with cold, hunger, fear- just for pleasure- experimentation and courage.â€? The work of the Rescue Centre in Eldoret already works hard to tackle these problems and have their own educational programs to help tackle the issues being suffered by the children; but would benefit greatly by receiving more support from skilled volunteers and trained staff in Eldoret to help tackle this problem more successfully. â–
Yazemeenah
Rossi
More than 60 years of experience within a body that seems less than 30 years of age. We spoke to the inspiring lady taking the internet by storm and challenging the rhetoric of what growing old means.
Chirag Lodhia, Editor-InChief PTW Magazine Clinical Hospital Pharmacist
Has maintaining a health and fitness lifestyle always been part of your life? Yes. Since childhood I have been fascinated by Nature, by the body and how it works; so, to be curious of how it works goes for me with taking care of it. Observing nature and see how we are the same, organic, and how our path is based on cycles, following them and going with the flow. We are not here to be stagnant; all of nature around us is moving, alive, impermanent; the planet itself is in perpetual movement, so for me moving is part of life. How has health changed throughout your life and how has maintaining your health inside and out changed throughout your life? I almost died when I born because of lungs complications, then all my childhood until 11 years old I have been very sick with chronic bronchitis. The homeopathic doctor who was treating me said to my family that this bronchitis will stop at puberty and it did. I also had a lot of neck pains for years, due to born back first, strong sinusitis, a small scoliosis, very weak ankles and wrists and a lot of skin allergies. These all slowly declined in my late 20’s. When you give attention to something in your body you can get results. A very important thing happened in my body when I was 28 and this has been the turning point in the way to cure myself; I realized that existed a deep connection between body and Spirit, a silent language that was in fact the higher self was asking for attention through “dis-eases”; it is when Yoga, Osteopathy, Naturopathy, psychology & symbolism and other technics came on my path.
Feature photograph taken by Hasse Nielsen All other photographs taken by Yzemeenah Rossi in the form of self portraits
I worked on the cell memory helped by these “soft” therapists and all my health problems disappeared totally. It has not been without pain but having understood the process, the connection of the spirit with the body I trusted it and I never been “sick” again. One day I realized that younger I was always sick simply because I was looking through doctors to get the attention I did not feel from my parents as when I was child I did not grow up with them until I was 11. But also, because non consciously at that time I was already looking to educate myself about health. Since that day, everything changed, I learnt to be in touch with my inner healer finding help on the path. When you understand that nobody heals you but yourself it is a total change in your life. Then, life brings the right people to help in the right time like by magic… I learnt the most about myself from the very hard time I had with my body.
Do you have any dietary rules that you follow or anything you particularly cut out of your diet? I have a varied diet, mostly vegetarian, with eggs and wild fish, a lot of healthy fat, nuts, fruits. I eat rarely meat unless it is from very good quality or wild game. I have a very little sugar intake. I don’t eat process food, never use microwave, cook fresh, no frozen. What is your favourite way to maintain your fitness? A little practice every day following my inspiration.
Yoga first thing in the morning and sometimes the evening before bed and meditation time. When outdoors I do some gentle body-weight exercises on the beach. I love hiking. Throughout your life how has stress affected you and how do you manage stress? My way to see life doesn’t give room for stress. I have the ability to disconnect from stressful situations by letting the Universe dealing with them. I noticed early in life that worrying doesn’t change anything; it is the contrary and that it is more positive to let go as things are changing all the time,
‘It’s similar to dealing with the passage of age. I’m just present with what I do and don’t worry about the time that is passing’.
troubles will change too if we set them “free; if we hold on them, it is harder to let change happening. Resistance brings sufferance. When I lived in cities, Paris and NYC I selected very carefully the place where I lived, creating a sanctuary, to have what was important for me to be at peace: nice view, light and quietness. So, It’s very rare that I’m under stress. Even if stressful or difficult situations arise I live in the moment and just respond to how my body is in the moment without fear. I like to live in the flow. It’s difficult to explain this process of being. It’s similar to dealing with the passage of age. I’m just present with what I do and don’t worry about time passing. This is important to what I do and it comes from
spiritual thinking. Even when I am in a difficult situation I always look for the positive side of it knowing that there is a deeper purpose at work. It’s about trust and faith having in mind that there is a bigger picture, that I the Higher Self in a way took control, putting me in a stressful situation to learn something. I let go and move on with the universe because everything is always changing. It’s another way to approach life. I always noticed that when something that seemed negative has happened to me, it brought me to greater and bigger things in life and so no need to stress. Always look for the “hidden Gift”.
What is health to you? Health is a state of balance with great energy, happiness, peace. It is the ability of the body to repair itself and I trust without doubt that the healing process is at work even through “disease” to get in balance again. As a grandmother with two children, a lot of people, old and young, are in disbelief that it is not possible to maintain themselves the way you have inside and outside; how do you feel about this? Move, get out of your coach, eat properly, be moderate, ask for help if you are don’t feel good, be humble, , be curious about who you are and how you function, look at the world outside of your own and it will show you things for yourself to integrate especially on what you don’t like in others; it is our way of projecting on others our unknown own negativity within, our shadow, to return to ourselves and see how somewhere inside we are un balance and to transform it. It is like we use the outside world as a screen where we project a movie of our inside world in order to be able to see it. Health is about being friend with our shadow. The most important part of all is to have a good spirit, to look for good sides of difficult situations or in people around you and first to look for the good in yourself. Be tolerant of others. Be kind to yourself. Love and cherish yourself because you are a miracle and nobody will care better than you for yourself. It cannot come from the outside it comes from within. About ageing…only ageing brings maturation and it’s the only way to be able to learn, develop, grow our consciousness of ourselves and the Universe we live in. The Divine. I really appreciate my ageing process. I feel better and better learning more and more how to respect my body with age.
graphy is lling and photo e d o m r u yo f o ars, Much ugh your 60 ye ro th ; re tu a n in nment mostly with and the enviro re tu a n , d rl o w has the nged? noticeably cha e place I has changed in th t en nm ro vi en e w Sure th se; it is different no el re he yw er ev d e same was child an e there is always th ur at N is e er th re but whe powerful energy. y can re st looking at the sk ju es ti ci in es im Somet connect us. h my life anged a lot throug ch s ha ld or w cell e Th es. When the first gi lo no ch te h it w especially y children years ago I told m 30 t ou e m ca e phon and send od if we could take “wouldn’t it be go erything h the phone?”. Ev it w os de vi d an photos is not the e. My home beach m ti e th l al s me ge an ch other level sadly so an n O . as w ce on same as it currence ged, such as the oc an ch t no ve ha gs thin around r hand mentality of war. On the othe ss brought ng, too much exce vi ol ev is m is er consum e world to connect with th ed ne e th le op ring the pe to ral decades ago du ve se d te ar st It . ly different istic way. ’t happen in a real dn di it t bu ’s 60 at of end consumerism is th nd ou ar y lit ta en m Today the ning many g a house and ow in ir qu ac t ou ab w t it’s no here to live and ho w ce oi ch a ng vi have things, but ha people my age who d an s nd ie fr e om to to live .S erything supposed ev n ow to rd ha ey’ve worked really ointed because th pp sa di e ar s es in not fully give happ materials and are g in as ch e lif r ei th d to spent and what they ha ve ha ey th t ha w h back to satisfied wit em. We have to go th in ta ob to h ug go thro iness. simplicity for happ
one at humanity will Do you think th s tain themselve in a m to rn a le day you nment the way and the enviro have? it to find that way as le op pe r fo h is w I ng ble. Beyond anythi makes life enjoya h in respect, trust, fait t ou ab is it l; ia er mat d not the Divine. We di an the Universe and but to have a hum nt de ci ac by re he come ted to us to be connec up is it ; ce en ri pe ex r life, to live fully ou with the source of le; easant way possib pl t os m a in y ne jour s and ithout taking risk but this don’t go w dy And this too nobo s. ar fe nd yo be g goin rs or don’t rely on othe d will do it for you, ess. Amazement an in pp ha ur yo r fo things rtant keys. gratitude are impo e? change your lif
How much do you try to change your life? What’s something you want to change in your life for 2017? I am curious and always looking to learn more about life itself that fascinates me so this makes me change gradually regarding my discoveries. I don’t decide to change, I Just follow the flow and new things arrive. It is an ongoing process of a whole life as everything is impermanent. A permanent discovery of new sides of me. In 2017 I would like to be less “lazy”, to be able to put myself every day regularly at work to write a book about my life process. I know it will come in its time but I have also to engage myself in that process and days are passing very fast.
In 2017 I would love to see the end of wars, but I wonder if this will ever happen? unfortunately… For myself in 2017 I am training more for acting. I am 61 without any cosmetic surgery which is a great advantage for me in Hollywood I’ve been told. There is more and more demand for people who look and feel real. I really feel comfortable facing the camera and be on the roll and act for movies. I really love science fiction. What was shown 50 years ago in science fiction is relevant now so it’s a way to be part of history. I’ve been very inspired and touched by one movie called “Dune”: a movie based on a desert planet. Others are the 5th Element, ‘In Her Skin’, Ex Machina, “Lucy”…. I also love psychological thrillers, fairy tale, adventure, mystery…
How important has education been to you throughout life and now in your later years? Mother of 2 at 20, I never been at University but Learning and education always been part of my life and are still very important to me at my age. Now we have the internet and google. We can just type topic we want to know and discover more about. Before we had to buy and pay and search for the information. It’s great to go to school and university and learn but there’s still something essential that’s missing from this, which is how the school of Life brings the knowledge of our basic human essentials need, the functioning of the human body in wholeness- not just medical. This should be part of education in childhood.. I grew up from the country/ beach side where it was no electricity and running water until I was 10. We were directly connected to nature. I have memories of when I was young and used to wash in the river… my whole life I end my shower by cold water which connect me to my younger self. We are far to know and use properly the fascinating creative power of the Spirit through imagination. Ancestors where story tellers, giving that knowledge through tales, making the listeners connecting with the energies of the Great Archetypes common to all humans. This has been lost in recent society.
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Thunderstorm
Asthma
how we can deal with it?
It isn’t often that developed countries experience health epidemics short of a natural disaster that trigger over 1900 calls to ambulance workers. However, that is exactly what happened with the thunderstorm asthma epidemic that occurred in Victoria, Australia 5 months ago. But what exactly is thunderstorm asthma and how can we treat it? Thunderstorm asthma is thought to occur with sudden changes to the weather. Rapid variations to temperature, humidity and wind during thunderstorms cause pollen and other allergen particles to be released and distributed through the air. If these particles burst, tiny allergen particles can be inhaled and can reach the small airways of the lung.
This can trigger an asthma attack, which can be fatal. Anyone can experience thunderstorm asthma; however most people who are affected have a history or predisposed risk of asthma, pollen allergies or hayfever. It is important to note the signs of asthma, which include: • chest tightness • wheezing • a dry cough • shortness of breath. These symptoms may not be present all the time, and not all of them are needed for a
Jeenal Patel Health Editor Clincial Pharmacist
diagnosis of asthma. The best management of thunderstorm asthma is to prevent it from occurring, and it doesn’t require a statewide asthma thunderstorm to end up in an environment that can trigger asthma. If you have a previous diagnosis of asthma, it is important to discuss the potential occurrence of thunderstorm asthma and other possible triggers with your local doctor and include this in your asthma management plan. Remember to use a preventer medication every day if it has been prescribed by a doctor, and carry a reliever medication at all times. Furthermore, if you have a previous diagnosis of hay fever, it is beneficial to visit the local doctor to discuss how to manage
hay fever and possible risk of asthma symptoms, and if medication management is required. Thunderstorm asthma is particularly common in spring, where pollen allergen particles are likely to be in the air. If possible, staying indoors on windy and thunderstorm days can prevent symptoms from occurring. However, if you do notice symptoms of asthma, or if someone’s condition is rapidly declining, it is important to seek urgent medical care. â–
Mari Whyte Personal Training Warrior for PTW What led you into personal training? I’ve loved keeping fit all my life. When growing up in the country-side, there wasn’t much to do unless you walked, ran with your dog, or rode a bike - my passion for fitness and training has always been there. I also love helping people and connecting with them. Helping others through their struggles is something I love to do and help them achieve goals and aims. Working with them through the ups and downs.
What does health mean to you? Health means many things: wellbeing, quality of life and happiness. What is your favourite type of exercise and accompanying breakfast? My favourite exercises would have to be a Sumo Deadlift, Barbell Squats, Barbell Bench press and cable crunches on the machine for core. My favourite breaky would always be before my weight training oats in water cooked in the microwave. Then adding 1 ‘Nana’, cinnamon, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 scoop (20g) choc protein powder with a tsp of coffee, all mixed in to make one big bowl of yummy goodness!
How important are health and education to you? So important! our health and education standard within the social media and in general is quite off. It’s only recently in the last couple years good health information has really started to get out there; in schools and workplaces; the office within adults education is very important. We almost need to re-learn a lot about health misconceptions than what we were taught at an early age and also learn from the growing evidence and studies that are debunking old theories about what is healthy and what is optimum for health. It’s very important to stay on top of the latest information and medical trials.
Why did you become a volunteer for PTW through your career as a P.T? Because I love volunteering and I love helping people through fitness training and education to leave them feeling 100 times better than when they arrived and empowered! Simple as that!
What is 1 thing you’re going to do over the next year to improve your health? 1 thing for me to improve my overall health is to get more sleep! yes sleep is so important - running around after my own business and a few other odd jobs getting in 5-6hrs of sleep
a night is not ideal at all for our body. Our bodies just can’t recover in time thus making us sick and weakening our immune system. What is 1 thing you’re going to do over the next year to improve your education? I’m always improving my education. I’m not formally studying but I listen to podcasts daily, read books and reference off my piers of powerlifters, nutritionists, physios,
naturopaths, sports specialists, bodybuilders and more. I also do a lot of my own research on the wonderful inter-webs. I will never stop educating myself as I love it and feel empowered by the knowledge. ■ Follow Mari on Instagram
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia first steps toward an economic and cultural reform Ariane Duchesneau, House of Commons of Canada Constituency Assistant Val d’Or, Québec, Canada
At the beginning of the year, Saudi Arabia launched his first renewable energy program to end oil use. The announcement was made to the World Future Energy Summit in January and represent a major investment of $50 billion U.S. It is not only a big step toward a greener planet but it is also a sign that ways of thinking are beginning to change across the world. Saudi Arabia is the champion of crude oil: it is the largest exporter of petroleum and it possesses 18% of the world’s petroleum proven reserves. Over the past 50 years, the country had an important economic growth through the oil reserve resulting in a high income by capita, a positive balance of trade and no public debt. Necessary, these fast growth conditions lead to an important pressure on the natural resources of the country. Today, after signing the Paris agreement in November 2016 lately but fully,
Saudi Arabia is taking the means of its ambition. Due to the decrease in oil prices, the country is looking for another way to generate revenues. The renewable energy program is related to the ambitious plan of the young deputy crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al-Saud and is a part of a broader reform, called Vision 2030. The Kingdom has recognized that the increase of carbon in the atmosphere is made by the human activity and if nothing change, Saudi Arabia will become uninhabitable. Vision 2030 is proposing to invest in infrastructures for a post-oil economy to decrease the addiction Saudis have developed on oil. Even before the crash of the oil price in 2014, Saudi Arabia was already seeing the need for an urgent reform: the fiscal’s policy and the economic structure had become unsustainable.
deputy crown prince
Mohammad Bin Salman Al-Saud
Apart from the economic aspect, the Saudi reform is hiding a pledge for a social change. It contains a land for cultural and entertainment projects. Even though it seems trifling, we must remember that cinemas are banned in the Kingdom, and women are not allowed do
to sport. Paradoxically, Saudi Arabians are big fan of Western media and culture. Hollywood movies and western tv series are common at home, and the country is the biggest user of YouTube in the world, measured per capita. Vision 2030 might bring new opportunities for
women as well: there is an opening for the possibilities for women to practice a sport and to play a bigger role in the economic development of the country. Unfortunately, there is still no progress for women on the streets, as they don’t have the right to drive a car and no suggestion of this changing soon. â–
see what local hero Allah Alhamrani feels about progress for women in Saudi Arabia
adult women need to have a “male guardian’s” permission to do things like work or travel, a severe restriction on their freedom.
Safe to Use, or Just Blowing Smoke? The Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes Electronic Electronic cigarettes, cigarettes, also also known known as as e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes, have have been been gaining gaining popularity popularity since the creation since the creation of of this this modern modern device device in in 2003. 2003. These These devices devices consist consist of of aa battery, battery, usually usually lithium-type, lithium-type, and and an an atomizing atomizing compartment. compartment. Inside Inside the the atomizing atomizing compartment, compartment, the the liquid by applying applying energy liquid is is aerosolized aerosolized by energy and and generating generating heat heat to to aa coil coil encircling encircling the the wick; wick; this this action action led led to to the the term term “vaping” “vaping” to to describe the process of smoking smoking such such aa device. describe the process of device. The The aerosolized aerosolized liquid liquid is is typically typically made made of of substances such as as propylene propylene glycol, glycol, glycerol, glycerol, substances such distilled flavoring, and and nicotine. nicotine. Many Many distilled water, water, flavoring, options options exist exist for for the the level level of of nicotine nicotine as as well well as The e-cigarette’s e-cigarette’s popularity as the the flavor. flavor. The popularity is is rising rising and and marketed marketed as as an an option option to to either either quit or as as aa healthier healthier alternative quit smoking, smoking, or alternative to to smoking smoking in in general. general. But But the the question question remains: remains: is is itit actually actually safer safer than than aa normal normal cigarette? cigarette? One One benefit benefit of of e-cigarettes e-cigarettesisisthat thatthey theydo donot not contain and therefore therefore do do not not contain contain tobacco, tobacco, and contain
Alyssa Bolter, Physician Assistant Student Chicago, IL, USA
components of of regular cigarettes such components regular cigarettes such as as tars, oxidants, oxidants, gasses, gasses, and and carbon carbon monoxide. monoxide. tars, There are There are also also options options that that do do not not contain contain the the highly-addictive stimulant: However, highly-addictive stimulant: nicotine. nicotine. However, this does this does not not mean mean vaping vaping liquid liquid is is free free from from dangerous and and possibly possibly cancerous cancerous substances. substances. dangerous In 2009, In 2009, initial initial lab lab tests tests were were conducted conducted by by the the USA Federal Drug Administration (FDA) USA Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in two in two leading leading brands brands of of e-cigarettes e-cigarettes and and aa variety of of 18 variety 18 cartridges cartridges for for these these cigarettes. cigarettes. These studies These studies found found detectable detectable levels levels of of toxic toxic chemicals, including including an an ingredient ingredient used used in in chemicals, antifreeze of antifreeze of cars. cars. At At high high temperatures temperatures of of the the cigarettes, propylene propylene glycol glycol in in the the vaping cigarettes, vaping fluid fluid decomposes and and can can form form propylene propylene oxideoxide- aa decomposes potential cancer-causing potential cancer-causing agent, agent, or, or, carcinogen. carcinogen. Propylene glycol glycol and Propylene and glycerin glycerin both both decompose decompose to form to form the the chemicals chemicals formaldehyde formaldehyde and and acetaldehyde, which which are are known known carcinogens. carcinogens. acetaldehyde, Other carcinogenic have Other carcinogenic compounds compounds have been found found in been in e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes, but but those those trace trace amounts are are much much lower lower than than levels amounts levels found found in in conventional cigarettes. cigarettes. conventional
?
But the question remains: is it actually safer than a normal cigarette?
Since about 80 percent of individuals who start smoking during adolescence will continue to smoke in adulthood, the lack of change in nicotine-product use is cause for worry.
Diacetyl, a buttery-flavored compound added to many food products, has also been found in some e-cigarettes with flavors. While it has been deemed GRAS (Generally Safe for Consumption) by the FDA, diacetyl can cause a serious and irreversible lung disease commonly known as “popcorn lung� when inhaled. Another FDA study in 2014 discovered that aerosol from e-cigarettes with a higher voltage contained higher levels of formaldehyde, and a review of studies also found that levels of toxins in e-cigarette aerosol varied considerably within and between brands.
The largest concern of e-cigarette use is in regards to adolescents. The US Surgeon General states that the main draw of youth and young adults using e-cigarettes is the flavor. Vaping liquids come in a variety of flavors, including bubble gum, cherry, grape, and other candy-like option. Data collected in 2013-2014 from the FDA’s PATH study states that 81% of youth who have ever tried an e-cigarette chose a flavored product the first time. And about 40% of the youth in the united states who smoke choose to use flavored cigarillos or cigarettes, despite restrictions on flavored cigarettes. While the use of other nicotine-containing
products decreased between the years 2011 and 2015, sharp increases occurred in the use of e-cigarettes and hookahs (with e-cigarettes being the most commonly used product), resulting in no change at all in wide nicotine-product use, suggesting that it is not having a significant impact on reducing nicotine use. Since about 80% percent of individuals who start smoking during adolescence will continue to smoke in adulthood, the lack of change in nicotineproduct use is cause for worry.
About 40% of the youth in the united states who smoke choose to use flavoured cigarillos or cigarettes, despite restrictions on flavoured cigarettes.
Surgeon General has concluded that e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless, and can contain harmful and potentiallyharmful chemicals. In regards to the use of e-cigarettes as a form of smoking cessation, only one randomized trial has been done among smokers who want to quit. The trial, which was conducted in New Zealand, contained 657 smokers who were either assigned to use 16 mg nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, or 21 mg nicotine patches. A follow up six months later revealed that the rate of smoking cessation did not differ significantly. By group:
This trial does suggest that e-cigarettes might have similar efficacy to the nicotine patch for smoking cessation. However, the quit rates observed were less than in most clinical trials, which could suggest selection bias or other issues in the study. Additionally, a different randomized trial of 300 smokers who were not intending to quit compared two strengths of e-cigarettes with a placebo no-nicotine e-cigarette and also found no differences in quit rates. Another consideration for e-cigarettes is secondhand emissions. While e-cigarettes do not contain smoke, they do expose others to chemicals within the vapor that is expelled. Studies have found formaldehyde, as well as other carcinogens such as benzene and tobacco-specific nitrosamines coming from e-cigarette vapor. Evidence on the subject of e-cigarette safety is conflicting, though
data seems to show e-cigarettes as being a “better” alternative to a traditional cigarette in people already smoking. However, the U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless, and can contain harmful and potentiallyharmful chemicals. The only sure way to cut down exposure to these toxins is to cease smoking of all nicotinebased products and live a healthier lifestyle. Many safe and medically-sound methods for smoking cessation exist, including nicotine-replacement products and prescription medications. Resources to quit smoking can be found by visiting your medical provider, or at websites such as Lung.org, quit the NHS-UK website and the Australian’ Government’s quit-smoking online coach and support service
Revitalizing the Essence of Reading During our schooldays were are exposed to a variety of reading materials. Reading at school was typically related to the content of each lesson and left only for those years of high school or college. Yet, how often have we tried revisiting these books? Many would argue against the value of revisiting school books, however; it does not mean that we should argue the idea of reading itself!
There are many reasons why reading can play a key role in our own personal development. Some books are full of knowledge, where the writer has taken the otherwise difficult task of researching and making sense of information in our world. Instead of exhausting time in reading through piles of archive documents, it’s as easy as taking out that one book which contains all. Some books can help improve our ability to think logically whilst other can help to inspire creativity. They can broaden our mind with new vocabulary and improve our own ability to communicate. For others, books can be an emotional attachment to seek comfort in and give a sense of belonging and understanding. Reading of course is not limited to the English language; and of course, reading can also be the key to learning second languages. Bearing these thoughts in mind, there are many reasons to keep reading culture alive! Reading is for everyone and can be something that excites you. It does not have to be a story book. It can Prashneel R. Goundar Fiji National University Lecturer Nadi, Fiji
be the words of people before us who inspire positivity in the world or the electronic news paper keeping us informed about the world and teach us something new to then help us make our own words worth listening to! â–