September 
2014
Issue 2


E-cigarettes 101
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The Cloud That Surrounds E-Cigarettes

Written by Deb McClellan, Community Operations Manager, Live Well Winona

 

Ok, it's not often that I get my undies in a bundle.  No really, the older I get the less I let the little things bother me.  But after I heard Erin Simmons from the American Lung Association speak about the various types of tobacco use that are available to consumers, it made me scratch my head and say "why?".

  

Just to be totally honest, I will confess.... for a short period of my life I was a smoker.  Call me dumb (ok, stop), because I never started until I was 26 years old.  Then one day my daughter looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said "Mommy, why do you smoke?" That hit me hard. It was a question I couldn't truthfully answer.

 

So, with personal stuff aside let's flash forward 30 years, after hearing what Ms Simmons had to say.  The education she delivered was down right SCARY.  Prior to her talk, I didn't really know of the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes, hookahs (heck I didn't even know what that was) and the marketing of chewing tobacco, nor did I know the Public Health concerns associated with them.

   

Allow me to share just a portion of what I learned:

 

1) Due to lack of regulation, there is NO control over what chemicals are going into these products, specifically e-liquid.  Nor are there any packaging restrictions. No child proof containers.

2) E-liquid is being marketed in flavors such as "gummy bear" and fruit flavors that appeal to youth.

3) Just a small amount of the e-liquid can POISON your child.

4) The devices that are used can be recharged using a USB port. You might think it's a portable drive on your child's computer, but it may be an e-cigarette in disguise.

5) Taste testing is allowed in some locations.

 

Whether you are a user thinking it's safer and less addictive than cigarettes, or a parent who is unaware of the growing use by youth and young adults, you should be aware that a CDC study found use among middle and high school students more than doubled between 2011 and 2012 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.  I invite you to click the American Lung Association - Lethal Lure or  Sampling articles to review additional information and to help clear the cloud! 

30-Day Challenge by The Connection

Dr. Sara Borchardt of The Connection is encouraging the Winona community to participate in The Liberated Body 30-Day Challenge. The Connection offers chiropractic care and is in support of renewed health and vitality within the community. This free challenge asks participants to remove things from their daily lives that are potentially prohibiting their body's healthy range of movement. It encourages participants to eliminate patterns, habits, and objects that restrict full movement. The challenge includes activities such as, "Stop Bullying Yourself" which includes daily actions to make you aware of your breathing and your autopilot resting positions. Overall, the challenge encourages you to pay closer attention to yourself and your body. Through the improvement of daily habits, this challenge helps its participants to create healthier lifestyles in simple ways. Follow the challenge through the month of October at facebook.com/theconnectionwinona.

 
Staying Safe in Our Community
Written by  Emily Weber, SMU Intern, Live Well Winona

In wake of recent incidents within the Winona area, our community could benefit from a simple reminder about staying safe. Although there are many benefits to taking self defense classes and purchasing devices such as pepper spray and whistles, there are much easier and attainable ways to staying safe. The most important thing is to trust your intuition. If something doesn't feel right, it most likely isn't. 

Some other simple, but important tips are:
  • Be aware of your surroundings, where you are and where you could go if needed. 
  • Do not be afraid to be rude if you feel uncomfortable; you are not obligated to anything or anyone.
  • Make sure a friend knows where you're going and plan a ride home. 
  • Put emergency numbers in your phone such as: 
           - Winona Police Department 507-457-6302
           - Winona State Security 507-457-5555
           - Saint Mary's Campus Safety 507-457-1703
           - In emergencies call 911

With these simple reminders, we can stay safe and continue to go out and enjoy our community.

GET INVOLVED
Mark your calendar!
BALANCE YOUR HEALTH

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