[Evaluation of "Light" cigarette smoking and the knowledge and attitude of smokers about it in Tehran during 2005]

"Light" cigarettes [tar<15g, nicotine<1mg] have been in the market for more than four decades. In Iran as well as many other countries around the world, consumption of light cigarettes is on the rise because of persuading advertisements of tobacco companies about the fewer dangers and milder taste of these cigarettes. In fact, they encourage smokers to choose light cigarettes as an alternative to cessation of smoking. This was a cross-sectional study performed via questionnaires which were designed based on the WHO and IUATLD samples. Thirty volunteer health care workers were chosen from health centers of three educational universities in Tehran to carry out the study. Out of 3026 subjects who answered the questionnaires, 1321 persons [47.4%] smoked light cigarettes, 71.8% of females and 41.8% of males [P<0.001]. Among participants, 71% believed that health risks of light cigarettes were fewer than regular cigarettes. Also, 30.3% of smokers supposed that the chance of addiction to light cigarettes was lower than that to regular cigarettes. 42.9% of the smokers considered three light cigarettes as equal to one full flavored cigarette in terms of tar and nicotine content. The prevalence of light cigarette smoking is high in the studied population. Knowledge and attitude of smokers about the dangers and effects of light cigarettes are not right and need to be corrected

Effects of proper nutrition education on BMI reduction and changes on FBS, chol and TG rates of type 2 diabetic patients

In this study we have assessed the short-term effectiveness of diabetes education on BMI reduction, changes on [FBS, Chol, TG Rates] of type 2 diabetic patients in relation to proper nutrition. A sample of 125 diabetic patients was systematic randomly chosen. The method chosen for collecting the information [Data] was through questionnaires and laboratory tests [fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, TG] that was conducted before educational programmes and after constantly education, finally the FBS, Chol, TG and weight were compared. The study showed significant improvements in several aspects of research. This study has shown a high level of illiteracy amongst our patients, which is of course common in developing countries. Diabetics did not gain weight and their relatives lost weight after nutrition curriculum. The mean fasting blood glucose before education was 216.27 mg%, whereas it fell to a mean level of 178.39 mg% after education. The patients had significantly lower serum cholesterol after 7 month education [172 mg%], p = 0.005. The present study clearly demonstrate the great benefits of diabetes self-care education. Most of these studies and our own, have been short term. We conclude that diabetes education is appropriate achievable and worthwhile. The challenge remains as to how to continue benefit long term