Lifelines

Chemical generation:

Up to 70 per cent of Irish smokers believe they are inhaling 40 times fewer chemicals than is the case. Cigarettes contain about 4,200 chemicals, yet most smokers estimate the number of dangerous substances they contain to be between one and 100. The other 30 per cent estimate that cigarettes contain between 100 and 500 dangerous chemicals. These are the results of a survey by a manufacturer of nicotine-replacement products; it also highlighted some of the chemicals - such as arsenic, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, polonium and ammonia - that cigarettes contain. The tar in cigarette smoke also contains carcinogens, and the carbon monoxide produced reduces the blood's capacity to carry oxygen, increasing the risk of heart disease. All of this to highlight the fact that nicotine-replacement therapy is now available free to those on medical cards.

Like mother, like daughter:

Mothers who drink milk are more likely to have daughters who also drink milk, according to a new study of 180 mothers and their five-year-old daughters. The three-month US study also found that high soft-drink consumption in mothers was also imitated by daughters. The latter trend is believed to compromise calcium intake by displacing milk in the diet. Fizzy-drink intake has also been linked to increased risk of bone fracture. The phosphoric acid in soft drinks has a negative effect on calcium metabolism. The study was carried out by researchers at Pennsylvania State University and reported in the Journal Of Nutrition.

Hay fever?:

Fans of Louise Hay, the best-selling author and popular-psychology guru, may want to take note of a workshop on her positive approach to living, at the Royal Marine Hotel in D·n Laoghaire, Co Dublin, on Sunday, September 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The one-day workshop, billed as a self-healing day, costs £65, including lunch. Call 01-2854382 or e-mail jtb@gofree.indigo.ie for more details.

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