The distinction between smoking, which is just a habit, and nicotine addiction often becomes blurred in the article by Schultz and colleagues1 and in the responses to it. That health professionals avoid this trap of convenience is important. Viewing smoking as addictive, which most of the population superficially does, plays directly into the hands of smokers’ rights advocates and their claims that smoking bans are discriminatory. Remembering that smoking is

Canals, Bikes, Lions, a Leopard, and 5 Days of Living Dangerously (The Netherlands, Tanzania and Kenya) We just crossed over the north coast of Egypt on the way to Tanzania.he safari itself surpassed my jaded (having already done one unguided [essentially not permitted here] in South Africa) expectations. In large part this was due to the eye and knowledge of our driver/guide, Tito. Highlights included seeing many lions (including 2 matings- very brief and business-like; I’d

In British Columbia, as elsewhere in the world, we have become increasingly protected against the dangers and nuisance of secondhand smoke in many settings, including at work and in public. Ironically, for those of us living in multi-unit dwellings, be it as renters or owners, one setting in which there remains virtually no protection is where we spend the most time—in our homes. In 1964 Surgeon General Luther Terry made clear the immense dangers of smoking, yet two genera

Barbados, Dominica and Martinique We are heading home after 19 very enjoyable days in the Lesser Antilles, our first times in that part of the Caribbean. Most of the Lesser Antilles, including the very mountainous (no possible runway for jumbo jets) “nature island” of Dominica, and the French Overseas Department of Martinique, consist of an arc of volcanic islands (Montserrat in 1995 being the most recent eruption). Limestone Barbados, with its rolling hills, is among the exc

Stromatolites, Dugongs, Quokkas, Kookaburras, and Cockatoos For anyone who hasn’t guessed, add koalas and kangaroos! We are heading home from six weeks off, spent mostly in Western Australia, after 10d in Malaysia, and now six days between Sydney and Newcastle before taking the nonstop home (only 14hrs!). To be honest, we’ve had a mixed experience.

Maddening Medinas, Tasty Tajines, Gorgeous Gorges (and Gastrointestinal Grumblings) - Morocco! Dec 2009. For anyone who doesn:t know or didnt guess, we are in Morocco! I write this at the very large "oasis" pool of the 5flr, 500room Mazagan Beach Resort which opened last wk complete w Africa:s largest casino and a Gary Player designed golf course (tho claims to be environ friendly!) where we are spending our final 2days in fantasy-Morocco as JC recovers from the latest of our