Big quittersIrish smokers appear more determined to kick the habit in the New Year than their European counterparts, according to a survey by a company who manufacture nicotine-replacement products.
Up to 20 per cent of Irish smokers intend to give up smoking on January 1st compared with 11 per cent of Italians and 12 per cent of English people. In a similar survey four years, only 10 per cent expressed an interest in stopping.
Fighting festive temptation
The pressure to drink alcohol increases at this time of year and such pressure can be particularly difficult for recovering alcoholics. ANEW (Able and New Women) is a support group specifically for women with alcohol dependency. ANEW meetings are held throughout the country. Tel: 046-9021279 or email frnugent@iolfree.ie for details.
New Hep C vaccine tested
A new vaccine for Hepatitis C is being tested for the first time in human beings. Three different strengths of the vaccine will be tested for safety and effectiveness at St Louis University in the US. The successful development of such a vaccine would be a major step in combating the disease. It is estimated that Hepatitis C affects 170 million people worldwide, leading to about 10,000 deaths per year.
Crohn's and refrigerators
The emergence of Crohn's disease in the second half of the 20th century - the same time that domestic refrigerators became widely available - was no coincidence, suggest researchers writing in The Lancet medical journal. Certain types of bacteria that can survive in refrigerated food may be implicated in Crohn's disease, they say. Crohn's disease is thought to be caused by environmental factors (diet, lifestyle, smoking) among genetically susceptible individuals.