Quit Smoking with the Help of Smokefree.gov

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Smokefree.gov (http://www.smokefree.gov) provides free, accurate, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking. The site was created by the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute.

Smokefree.gov has a variety of resources to help you stop smoking, including a step-by-step quit smoking guide, a wide range of information sources related to smoking and quitting, free text messaging and mobile app services and much more.

National Cancer Institute smoking cessation counselors are available to answer smoking-related questions in English or Spanish, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) to learn more.

There are also state-based tobacco cessation "quitlines" available by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitlines are staffed by counselors trained specifically to help smokers quit and the service is completely free.

An interesting interactive map of smoking trends by state is at www.smokefree.gov/map.aspx. Based on data from the 2009-2010 timeframe, the map shows smoking rates, average pack prices, work bans, restaurant bans and other information by state. We're doing pretty well here in California! Based on 2009 data, California had the 2nd lowest adult smoking rate in the U.S. at 12.8%, Utah was by far the lowest at 9.8%. rounding out the "Low 5" were Massachusetts (14.9%), Washington (14.9%) and Rhode Island (15%).

The national average in 2009 was 20.6%. The Top 5 smoking states were Kentucky (25.6%), West Virginia (25.5%), Oklahoma (25.4%), Mississippi (23.3%) and Indiana (23.1%).

Million Hearts Initiative to Prevent a Million Heart Attacks and Strokes in 5 Years

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CDC recommends ways to reduce the threat of strokes

Million Hearts’ goal to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes in five years

Every 6 seconds, someone in the world dies from stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asks Americans to take immediate action to reduce their risk for stroke.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year, about equivalent to the total population of Eugene, Ore., or Savannah, Ga. 

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. You can greatly reduce your risk for stroke through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

“Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and while that is a statistic to some, it’s a life abruptly changed for the person who suffered the stroke and the person’s family,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.  “We can do so much more to prevent strokes and the new Million Hearts initiative offers opportunities for individuals, providers, communities, and businesses to apply tools we have readily available today to reduce strokes and heart attacks.”

Among the actions available today to reduce stroke and heart attacks, Million Hearts seeks to improve clinical care by helping patients learn and follow their ABCS:

  • Aspirin for people at risk
  • Blood pressure control
  • Cholesterol management
  • Smoking cessation

Less than half of Americans who should be taking an aspirin a day are taking one; less than half of Americans with high blood pressure have it under control. Only 1 in 3 Americans with high cholesterol is effectively treated, and less than a quarter of Americans who smoke get help to quit when they see their doctor.

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Spring is Around the Corner Here in Ventura County!

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We are nearing that transition period between winter and summer, otherwise known as SPRING! Spring begins on March 20th and this latest work of Camarillo artist Chuck Trunks he calls "To My Surprise" captures some of the spirit of that transition. See his other work on Conejo Valley Guide by clicking here.

And with the coming of spring of course we have a lot of fun things to do around Ventura County. Here are some links for you to explore:

EASTER FUN

EARTH DAY (APRIL 22ND) EVENTS

FRESH PRODUCE AT 2 DOZEN LOCAL FARMERS' MARKETS

LACE UP FOR AN UPCOMING 5K OR 10K!

UPCOMING EVENTS WITH A COST OF $0

Latest Work of Chuck Trunks Entitled "Twurfer Dude"

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Chuck Trunks is a Camarillo artist who prefers to spend time on his art rather than on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all the other social networks out there. He's not the kind of guy messing around with an iPhone in his spare time. But he does recognize many of us are that way, including "Twurfer Dude" below, who is obsessed with surfing and tweeting.

For more of Chuck's work on Conejo Valley Guide, click here.

Here are some local surf classes and activities for those looking to emulate Twurfer Dude:

Ventura Surf School

Surfclass.com (Ventura)

Surfing L.A. Surf School (Malibu, Ventura)

Rent a "Surf Bike" at Ventura Boat Rentals

Ventura Surf Club

Malibu Makos Surf Club

Ventura Makos Surf Club

Over 120 Local Summer Camps (some with surfing!)

Or just cool off in a local community pool!

Swine Flu Outbreak Information and Updates

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We have been reporting daily H1N1 (Swine) Flu tallies and updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization since 4/27/09 and will continue to do so until they stop reporting the stats.  On 7/24/09, the CDC announced it will no longer report individual H1N1 flu cases by state but will continue reporting hospitalizations and deaths. But we will continue reporting tidbits of information as we obtain it.

The Ventura County Health Care Agency H1N1 Hotline is 805.981.5390 and operates Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm. Visit the VC Public Health website at www.vchca.org/ph/swineflu for more information.  H1N1 and seasonal flu shots are now widely available to all individuals in Ventura County.

Update 4/30/10: WHO H1N1 update 98 on 4/30/10 reports at least 17,919 deaths as of 4/25/10 (66 in latest week).

Update 4/23/10: CDC finally realized last week no one cares anymore about H1N1 flu stats. But the WHO is still reporting. Its H1N1 update 97 on 4/23/10 reports at least 17,853 deat

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Outlawing Trans Fats and Fast Food

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NOTE FROM CONEJO JOE:  THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON JULY 31, 2008 BUT WILL TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW, 1/1/10.

Last week Arnold signed AB 97, the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law, which outlaws trans fats from restaurant foods by 1/1/10 (with the exception of baked goods, which get a year reprieve to 1/1/11).  This makes California the first state in the nation to enact such a ban and makes use of trans fats a misdemeanor punishable by fines ranging from $25 to $1000 per infraction.

This is not so bad given trans fats, mostly liquid oils made into solid fats like shortening and margarine by partially hydrogenating them, are bad for you!  Consumption of trans fats as we know is linked to heart disease and related ailments.  No doubt this will make it more costly to eat out.  But think of all the savings in medical expenses down the road!  Not to mention, maybe it will create more jobs...for Trans Fat Cops!

McDonalds has stopped using trans fats by switching to Canola Oil blends.  Hot Dog on a Stick uses soy

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Boney Mountain Looks Great Year-Round but Even Better in the Spring!

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These pictures were taken in years past by local photographer Nancy Lehrer.  Take a look at the 2825 foot tall Boney Peak in Point Mugu State Park today, after the recent rains, and you'll see its timeless beauty.  For a vigorous, 5 hour round-trip workout, pack a lunch and hike up to the peak with friends...but bring sunscreen and lots of fluid!  Andy pack your camera because you're gonna get some amazing 360 degree views of Newbury Park, Camarillo, Channel Islands and the Pacific. 

For more of Nancy's work, visit her photo blog at www.inancy.wordpress.com.