Jul 20, 2012
Are You a Smoker?
Did you know that, as of last year, an estimated 19.2 percent of U.S. smokers were black women? Though as a group we represent the lowest percentageof youth/teen smokers, and though we are far less less likely to smoke while pregnant than white women (Latino women have both groups beat, with a very low 6.5 percentage of pregnant smokers), there’s still a significant number of us out here, struggling to kick the habit. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 70 percent of smokers have some desire to quit, but that black smokers have the most difficult time doing so.
Though discussions about blacks and smoking often mention targeted marketing as a predominant reason why we pick up the habit, there are likely as many reasons for blacks to smoke as there are for any other cultural group. Social and emotional factors are also in play, such as growing up in a household where smoking occurred or using cigarettes as a stress reliever. Dr. Ernest Levister Jr., a columnist with Blackvoicenews.com, notes that regardless of cost, quitting takes a great deal of outside support:
The wake-me-up, pick-me-up, after dinner, stress relief smokes turn into must-have coping strategies, helping black women get through life’s daily dramas. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services understands this behavioral and physical addiction connection. As a result it recommends both “social” and “chain” smokers be treated aggressively with the help of a doctor or certified smoking cessation specialist. Free clinics are available through your local social services agency.
In an Essence.com article last year, writer Danielle Moodie-Mills talked about her own struggle to quit smoking. She noted a preference for menthols:
… Men generally have higher rates of smoking than women, except when it comes to menthol cigarettes. An estimated 85 percent of African-American women smokers puff on menthols — the highest rate among all smokers in the United States…. My experience was not unique, as statistics indicate. But I’ve often wondered if I would have developed a smoking habit that lasted well into my twenties if the “sweet minty” cigarettes weren’t on the market.
Are you or have you ever been a smoker? Were menthols your type of choice? If you successfully quit, how did you kick the habit?
Did you know that, as of last year, an estimated 19.2 percent of U.S. smokers were black women? Though as a group we represent the lowest percentageof youth/teen smokers, and though we are far less less likely to smoke while pregnant than white women (Latino women have both groups beat, with a very low 6.5 percentage of pregnant smokers), there’s still a significant number of us out here, struggling to kick the habit. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 70 percent of smokers have some desire to quit, but that black smokers have the most difficult time doing so.
The wake-me-up, pick-me-up, after dinner, stress relief smokes turn into must-have coping strategies, helping black women get through life’s daily dramas. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services understands this behavioral and physical addiction connection. As a result it recommends both “social” and “chain” smokers be treated aggressively with the help of a doctor or certified smoking cessation specialist. Free clinics are available through your local social services agency.
… Men generally have higher rates of smoking than women, except when it comes to menthol cigarettes. An estimated 85 percent of African-American women smokers puff on menthols — the highest rate among all smokers in the United States…. My experience was not unique, as statistics indicate. But I’ve often wondered if I would have developed a smoking habit that lasted well into my twenties if the “sweet minty” cigarettes weren’t on the market.
Khloe Kardashian Shoe Fetish!
Khloe opens the doors of her LA home to expose her shoe fetish to Elle Magazine! Check out her closet, can you say shoegasim over and over again!!!
Peek-a-boob: Svelte Ciara flashes skin in slashed vest revealing sports bra beneath
Even covering up her cleavage and keeping her pins from show, Ciara couldn't resist a cheeky flash of flesh to onlookers. The 26-year-old was seen leaving a nail salon in West Hollywood wearing a slashed vest top that allowed her sports bra to peep through the sides. The Austin native stepped out in a bold hawk print top, complete with stars on the wings, polishing off the look with fitted tangerine trousers.
Keeping it real: Ciara shunned heels in favour of flip-flops sandalsBling-tastic! Tulisa overdoes it with the gold jewellery as she wraps up the final day of X Factor bootcamp
She recently dyed her hair platinum blonde, and has been showcasing her new look in an array of brightly-coloured outfits ever since. But it would now appear Tulisa Contostavlos is matching her jewellery to the colour of her locks. The 24-year-old singer stepped out fashioning a bling-tastic array of gold chains and pendants as she wrapped up the final day of X Factor bootcamp in Liverpool earlier today.
Showing off her post-Ibiza tan in a pillar-box red playsuit, Tulisa accessorised her outfit with a gaudy gold chain, gold hoop earrings and a chunky Chanel pendant. The former N-Dubz star completed her look with a fierce pair of spiked red and beige platform heels. nTulisa was treating herself to a meal at Liverpool's Panoramic Restaurant after filming wrapped for the bootcamp stage of the current series of The X Factor.
And it would appear the singer is feeling confident about her choice of acts this year after she posted a cryptic message on her Twitter page. She wrote: 'U know when u get that overwhelming feeling that EVERYTHING happens 4 a reason..I get it all the time..but 2day its pretty intense ; ).'
Last year, Tulisa mentored X Factor's winning group, Little Mix, making history when they became the first band ever to be crowned champions of the show. The star has had plenty to celebrate of late. Not only did she enjoy a sun drenched couple of days in Ibiza to mark her 24th birthday, but she also settled her lawsuit against ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards after he leaked a video of her performing a sexual act online.
Enviable legs: Tulisa showed off her tanned and toned pins in a pair of leather hotpants at bootcamp earlier this week
Top mentor: Tulisa with last year's winners of The X Factor, girl band Little Mix
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