Today we have non-smoking sections. In some states no public building including Bars allow smoking. In Ontariao it is all public building except Bars. Society has determined that this is a problem and people are fighting against it. Yet, the Magazines all have the ads and target our youths. So, until society decides that it is good for them to have this problem addressed then it will remain.
Getting on the soapbox...:soapbox:
One of the things that gets me is that there's a lot of talk about smoking being bad for you, but...not a whole lot of talk about alcohol being bad for you. Before I go on, let me state that I do not find "social" drinking to be bad per se, but rather drinking to get drunk, etc. (I do find it ridiculous to drink for courage as well).
Like cigarettes, alcohol can be addictive. We're all familiar with AA. Long term, too much alcohol can lead to liver failure. Short term, alcohol leads to impaired judgement
The following is taken from
here:
Blood Alcohol Changes in Feelings
Physical and Mental
Concentration and Personality
Impairments
0.01 Ā 0.06 Relaxation
Thought
Sense of Well-being
Judgment
Loss of Inhibition
Coordination
Lowered Alertness
Concentration
Joyous
0.06 Ā 0.10 Blunted Feelings
Reflexes Impaired
Disinhibition
Reasoning
Extroversion
Depth Perception
Impaired Sexual
Distance Acuity
Pleasure
Peripheral Vision
Glare Recovery
0.11 Ā 0.20 Over-Expression
Reaction Time
Emotional Swings
Gross Motor Control
Angry or Sad
Staggering
Boisterous
Slurred Speech
0.21 Ā 0.29 Stupor
Severe Motor
Lose Understanding
Impairment
Impaired Sensations
Loss of Consciousness
Memory Blackout
0.30 Ā 0.39 Severe Depression
Bladder Function
Unconsciousness
Breathing
Death Possible
Heart Rate
=> 0.40 Unconsciousness
Breathing
Death
Heart Rate
The following quote comes from
here
"The study by the federally supported Task Force on College Drinking estimated that drinking by college students contributes to 500,000 injuries and 70,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape. Also, 400,000 students between 18 and 24 years old reported having had unprotected sex as a result of drinking. "
The following information comes from
here:
Traffic crashes,traffic crash fatalities, and alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities, United States, 1977-2000.
Col 1: Year
Col 2: Traffic crashes
Col 3: Traffic crash fatalities (a)
Col 4: Alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities (b)
Col 5: Percent of all traffic crash fatalities (b/a)
2000 37,526 41,945 13,050 31.1
1999 37,140 41,717 12,547 30.1
1998 37,107 41,501 12,663 30.5
1997 37,324 42,013 12,870 30.6
Age-adjusted death rates* of liver cirrhosis by sex: death registration States, 1910-32, and United States, 1933-99.
Year Both-sexes Males Females
1999 9.9 14.0 6.3
1998 9.5 13.4 6.1
1997 9.7 13.6 6.2
1996 9.8 13.9 6.2
1995 10.0 14.4 6.2
By the time they reach the eighth grade, nearly 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink, and over 20 percent report having been ĀdrunkĀ (1). Approximately 20 percent of 8th graders and almost 50 percent of 12th graders have consumed alcohol within the past 30 days (1). Among 12th graders, almost 30 percent report drinking on 3 or more occasions per month (2). Approximately 30 percent of 12th graders engage in heavy episodic drinking, now popularly termed ĀbingeĀ drinkingĀthat is, having at least five or more drinks on one occasion within the past 2 weeksĀand it is estimated that 20 percent do so on more than one occasion (2).
Alcohol and Sleep in Those Without Alcoholism
Alcohol consumed at bedtime, after an initial stimulating effect, may decrease the time required to fall asleep. Because of alcohol's sedating effect, many people with insomnia consume alcohol to promote sleep. However, alcohol consumed within an hour of bedtime appears to disrupt the second half of the sleep period (7). The subject may sleep fitfully during the second half of sleep, awakening from dreams and returning to sleep with difficulty. With continued consumption just before bedtime, alcohol's sleep-inducing effect may decrease, while its disruptive effects continue or increase (8). This sleep disruption may lead to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. The elderly are at particular risk, because they achieve higher levels of alcohol in the blood and brain than do younger persons after consuming an equivalent dose. Bedtime alcohol consumption among older persons may lead to unsteadiness if walking is attempted during the night, with increased risk of falls and injuries (3).
Alcoholic beverages are often consumed in the late afternoon (e.g., at "happy hour" or with dinner) without further consumption before bedtime. Studies show that a moderate dose1 of alcohol consumed as much as 6 hours before bedtime can increase wakefulness during the second half of sleep. By the time this effect occurs, the dose of alcohol consumed earlier has already been eliminated from the body, suggesting a relatively long-lasting change in the body's mechanisms of sleep regulation (7,8).
The adverse effects of sleep deprivation are increased following alcohol consumption. Subjects administered low doses of alcohol following a night of reduced sleep perform poorly in a driving simulator, even with no alcohol left in the body (9,10). Reduced alertness may potentially increase alcohol's sedating effect in situations such as rotating sleep-wake schedules (e.g., shift work) and rapid travel across multiple time zones (i.e., jet lag) (9). A person may not recognize the extent of sleep disturbance that occurs under these circumstances, increasing the danger that sleepiness and alcohol consumption will co-occur.
Percent who drink beverage alcohol, by gender, 1939-2000. Year Both Sexes Men Women
2000
64 - -
1999 64 - -
1997 61 - -
1996 58 - -
1994 65 70 61
Compare that to the number of smokers (
here )
In the United States, an estimated 25.9 million men
(27.1 percent) and 22.8 million women
(22.2 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. About 4.1 million teenagers ages 12 through 17 are smokers. The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show...*
Among non-Hispanic whites, 26.5 percent of men and 23.6 percent of women smoke.
Among non-Hispanic blacks, 29.0 percent of men and 21.3 percent of women smoke.
Among Hispanics, 24.7 percent of men and 13.3 percent of women smoke.
Among Asians / Pacific Islanders, 17.9 percent of men and 9.9 percent of women smoke.
Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 41.7 percent of men and 38.1 percent of women smoke
I think it's a bit funny that there is a bit of public outrage over cigarette smoking, yet little talk about alcohol. Advertisers may not directly advertise to childern...they don't need to. Drinking is so prevalent in our society that it is the norm. Compare 64% of the population who drinks alcohol to 27% who smoke cigarettes. If people in general are stupid already, drinking will only make them more stupid. Among my age group (college/graduate school), it is common to hear how great alchohol is, and how it is necessary to have alcohol to have fun. Then there's the folks who drink alcohol so that they can be more confident. "I'm not drunk enough to dance/sing/etc." Uh huh. Perhaps you have heard of something called personal responsibility? What a society we live in when confidence comes from outside, not within. Liquid courage indeed...courage to be a drunken driver, sexual predator, courage to free oneself from responsibility. As a martial artist, I do not want to do anything that will take away from my ability to defend myself or others. Hmmm...perhaps alcohol does this? Naw...it must be alright because everyone's doing it. But wait, most people are "stupid"....
Getting off soapbox, and awaiting public fury....
PS., yes I know there are studies saying that moderate drinking is beneficial to one's health, see my above statement about social drinking
:cheers: :drink2tha :drinkbeer
