Menthol cigarettes ban – why?
The banning of menthol-flavoured cigarettes and tobacco in the Republic of Ireland has been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Dr Angie Brown, medical director of the IHF, says this ban will contribute to reducing adolescent smoking levels in Ireland. “There has been good research which demonstrates that young people are often introduced to smoking with menthol cigarettes, as they find them less harsh and irritating to the throat due to the menthol and therefore more palatable,” she says. “Unfortunately, that is a way they get introduced to regular smoking.”
She points out that menthol cigarettes may also be more addictive and therefore more difficult to give up.
“It seems that menthol affects the receptors in the brain and nicotine levels, making them potentially more addictive. Furthermore, the cigarette companies have consistently targeted women with these products, so we welcome the government’s decision to ban them.”
For support and advice on quitting smoking, call the National Smokers’ Quitline on 1800 201 203 or visit www.quit.ie.
One of the simplest things you can do to protect your skin from UV rays is to cover it with clothes. Choose clothes that cover as much skin as possible. For example, wear a shirt with a collar, three-quarter length sleeves and three-quarter length trousers. Some fabrics give better UV protection than others however:
Linen, cotton and hemp let less UV rays through.Dark clothes block more UV rays than light coloured clothes.Denser weaves let less UV rays through than light weavesUPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothes block UV rays from passing through.Clothing that doesn’t offer much sun protection:Stretch fabrics, wet fabrics and old threadbare fabrics ultraviolet protection factor
Outdoor workers most at risk
Stripping off shirts in hot weather isn’t a good idea – unless you have lathered yourself in high factor sun cream.
Outdoor workers like farmers are most at risk of developing skin cancer, so the Irish Cancer Society says “be wise” this summer to prevent sun damage.
Take extra care if you:
Have pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans.Have naturally red or fair hair.Have blue, green or grey eyes.Have a large number of moles (50 or more).Burn easily or have a history of sunburn.Have already had skin cancer.Have a close family member who has or had skin cancer.Follow this SunSmart Code to reduce the risk.Seek some shade.Slip on some clothes.Wear sunglasses.Use sunscreen.Know the UV index.When choosing your sunglasses go for wrap-around ones and make sure they give UV protection. Look out for: European Standard EN1836 or British Standard BS 27241987.
Chemicals on farm and skin cancer risk
Some chemicals that are used on the farm make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If used incorrectly they can lead to sun burn, which increases your risk of skin cancer. Make sure you read safety instructions before using any chemicals on the farm.
Flu vaccine
available free to more people
It has been announced that influenza vaccines will be available without charge to all children aged 2-12 and all at-risk groups this autumn.
“A resurgence of COVID-19 during the coming flu season could present a significant challenge to the delivery of healthcare services in the coming winter,” Minister for Health Simon Harris said in May.
“That is why an expansion of the seasonal influenza vaccination programme for winter 2020/21 is necessary.”
Outdoor activities are often a great way to spend your leisure time (even during COVID-19 restrictions), but they have their own set of unique fire risks that should not be underestimated, according to the Health and Safety Authority.
A barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable experience, but it’s all too easy to be distracted so, to avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions:
Never barbecue on a balcony.Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.Ensure the barbecue is on a flat site, well away from the house/apartment, trees or shrubs. Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. Never leave the barbecue unattended. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies. Never barbecue in parks, wildland areas, or any site in close proximity to vegetation, trees etc.Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move.Saint John of God Hospital has published a resource booklet for carers to help them mind their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 350,000 families provide care in the home for adults and children and this new resource aims to supply these carers with tips for maintaining their wellbeing during this extraordinary period.
For many of those caring for loved ones at home, there are added pressures and anxieties, as many of the supports and services previously available to them are suspended.
The resource covers a number of helpful topics, including tips for family and friends of someone with a mental health difficulty, tips for carers, a toolkit for carers to mind their own mental health, mindfulness practices and a list of community and online supports available.
The booklet, which has been compiled by the psychology department in Saint John of God Hospital, is available to download for free at www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie
Dementia carers –
online support
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has launched a new online support group for family carers of people with dementia to help alleviate the increasing pressure points on family carers, such as loneliness, social-isolation, fear, stress and anxiety, during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Each online support group will be a manageable size so people can support each other and carers can log on whenever they want, meaning that this support is available 24/7.
A support group will last for 20 weeks. People with dementia and their family carers who want to avail of this new service please email onlinesupportgroup@alzheimer.ie to fill out an electronic form or call the Alzheimer National Helpline: 1800 341 341.
Blood bike Leinster gets free fuel
Applegreen plc, the Irish roadside convenience retailer, are supporting Blood Bike Leinster by providing free fuel to their volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blood Bike Leinster operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering a confidential specialist medical logistical service to the HSE hospital groups, medical centres and hospices, primarily in the Leinster region. The Blood Bikes are now handling essential logistics in the fight against COVID-19 by providing transport for tests kits between test centres and the laboratories.
Virtual tea day for motor neurone awareness
June is National Awareness Month for Motor Neurone Disease and 21 June is MND Global Awareness Day. Because of COVID-19, it is not possible for the support organisation to hold its usual fund-raising events that support those with this disease, so they are holding a new event – Drink Virtual Tea for MND – on this date.
“A chat over a cup of tea with loved ones can lift the lowest of moods and we all know how much we need a lift at the moment,” says Roisin Duffy, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) CEO.
“We would love you to be part of Drink Virtual Tea for MND. Throughout June, we’re asking the nation to join with us as we raise a cup (and a few euros) for MND. Despite social distancing we can still be together.
“Whether it be a cup of tea during your Zoom chat, a hot cuppa in the back garden with friends (all social distancing of course), or a keep cup in the park, we would love you to join us for Drink Virtual Tea for MND,” Roisin added.
The IMNDA provides essential services to more than 400 families across Ireland affected by this disease.
To organise your very own Drink Virtual Tea for MND event in or around 21 June, all you have to do is visit imnda.ie and register your Virtual tea event. For more information just email fundraising@imnda.ie
If you can’t host a virtual tea event, you can still make a tea donation – visit imnda.ie to find out how or just text MND to 50300 and donate €2. IMNDA will receive a minimum of €1.80.
Did you know?
Hot weather speeds up the effects of alcohol so alternating alcoholic drinks with water or fruit juice is important.You should drink more than eight glasses or 2.5l per day during hot weather especially if taking physical exercise.Vitamin D can help build resistance to respiratory infections, including COVID-19 according to researchers from Technological University Dublin and Trinty College DublinIf someone near you experiences cardiac arrest and you are able to perform CPR compression you can double or treble a person’s chance of survival Some medications like antibiotics, acne preparations, heart tablets and antidepressants can make skin more sensitive to the sun.•Samaritans has launched a new, free Self-Help app to encourage people to be kind to themselves and look after their emotional wellbeing. Visit selfhelp.samaritans.org Mind Hacks by Helplink (mindhacks.ie) is an online platform that provides video and podcast content, from national and international sources, around the topics of mental health & emotional wellbeing. Read more
COVID mental health crisis
Treatment limbo for those with private medical insurance?
Menthol cigarettes ban – why?
The banning of menthol-flavoured cigarettes and tobacco in the Republic of Ireland has been welcomed by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Dr Angie Brown, medical director of the IHF, says this ban will contribute to reducing adolescent smoking levels in Ireland. “There has been good research which demonstrates that young people are often introduced to smoking with menthol cigarettes, as they find them less harsh and irritating to the throat due to the menthol and therefore more palatable,” she says. “Unfortunately, that is a way they get introduced to regular smoking.”
She points out that menthol cigarettes may also be more addictive and therefore more difficult to give up.
“It seems that menthol affects the receptors in the brain and nicotine levels, making them potentially more addictive. Furthermore, the cigarette companies have consistently targeted women with these products, so we welcome the government’s decision to ban them.”
For support and advice on quitting smoking, call the National Smokers’ Quitline on 1800 201 203 or visit www.quit.ie.
One of the simplest things you can do to protect your skin from UV rays is to cover it with clothes. Choose clothes that cover as much skin as possible. For example, wear a shirt with a collar, three-quarter length sleeves and three-quarter length trousers. Some fabrics give better UV protection than others however:
Linen, cotton and hemp let less UV rays through.Dark clothes block more UV rays than light coloured clothes.Denser weaves let less UV rays through than light weavesUPF (ultraviolet protection factor) clothes block UV rays from passing through.Clothing that doesn’t offer much sun protection:Stretch fabrics, wet fabrics and old threadbare fabrics ultraviolet protection factor
Outdoor workers most at risk
Stripping off shirts in hot weather isn’t a good idea – unless you have lathered yourself in high factor sun cream.
Outdoor workers like farmers are most at risk of developing skin cancer, so the Irish Cancer Society says “be wise” this summer to prevent sun damage.
Take extra care if you:
Have pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans.Have naturally red or fair hair.Have blue, green or grey eyes.Have a large number of moles (50 or more).Burn easily or have a history of sunburn.Have already had skin cancer.Have a close family member who has or had skin cancer.Follow this SunSmart Code to reduce the risk.Seek some shade.Slip on some clothes.Wear sunglasses.Use sunscreen.Know the UV index.When choosing your sunglasses go for wrap-around ones and make sure they give UV protection. Look out for: European Standard EN1836 or British Standard BS 27241987.
Chemicals on farm and skin cancer risk
Some chemicals that are used on the farm make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If used incorrectly they can lead to sun burn, which increases your risk of skin cancer. Make sure you read safety instructions before using any chemicals on the farm.
Flu vaccine
available free to more people
It has been announced that influenza vaccines will be available without charge to all children aged 2-12 and all at-risk groups this autumn.
“A resurgence of COVID-19 during the coming flu season could present a significant challenge to the delivery of healthcare services in the coming winter,” Minister for Health Simon Harris said in May.
“That is why an expansion of the seasonal influenza vaccination programme for winter 2020/21 is necessary.”
Outdoor activities are often a great way to spend your leisure time (even during COVID-19 restrictions), but they have their own set of unique fire risks that should not be underestimated, according to the Health and Safety Authority.
A barbecue should be a safe and enjoyable experience, but it’s all too easy to be distracted so, to avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions:
Never barbecue on a balcony.Make sure your barbecue is in good working order.Ensure the barbecue is on a flat site, well away from the house/apartment, trees or shrubs. Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. Never leave the barbecue unattended. Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies. Never barbecue in parks, wildland areas, or any site in close proximity to vegetation, trees etc.Ensure the barbecue is cool before attempting to move.Saint John of God Hospital has published a resource booklet for carers to help them mind their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 350,000 families provide care in the home for adults and children and this new resource aims to supply these carers with tips for maintaining their wellbeing during this extraordinary period.
For many of those caring for loved ones at home, there are added pressures and anxieties, as many of the supports and services previously available to them are suspended.
The resource covers a number of helpful topics, including tips for family and friends of someone with a mental health difficulty, tips for carers, a toolkit for carers to mind their own mental health, mindfulness practices and a list of community and online supports available.
The booklet, which has been compiled by the psychology department in Saint John of God Hospital, is available to download for free at www.stjohnofgodhospital.ie
Dementia carers –
online support
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has launched a new online support group for family carers of people with dementia to help alleviate the increasing pressure points on family carers, such as loneliness, social-isolation, fear, stress and anxiety, during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Each online support group will be a manageable size so people can support each other and carers can log on whenever they want, meaning that this support is available 24/7.
A support group will last for 20 weeks. People with dementia and their family carers who want to avail of this new service please email onlinesupportgroup@alzheimer.ie to fill out an electronic form or call the Alzheimer National Helpline: 1800 341 341.
Blood bike Leinster gets free fuel
Applegreen plc, the Irish roadside convenience retailer, are supporting Blood Bike Leinster by providing free fuel to their volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blood Bike Leinster operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering a confidential specialist medical logistical service to the HSE hospital groups, medical centres and hospices, primarily in the Leinster region. The Blood Bikes are now handling essential logistics in the fight against COVID-19 by providing transport for tests kits between test centres and the laboratories.
Virtual tea day for motor neurone awareness
June is National Awareness Month for Motor Neurone Disease and 21 June is MND Global Awareness Day. Because of COVID-19, it is not possible for the support organisation to hold its usual fund-raising events that support those with this disease, so they are holding a new event – Drink Virtual Tea for MND – on this date.
“A chat over a cup of tea with loved ones can lift the lowest of moods and we all know how much we need a lift at the moment,” says Roisin Duffy, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) CEO.
“We would love you to be part of Drink Virtual Tea for MND. Throughout June, we’re asking the nation to join with us as we raise a cup (and a few euros) for MND. Despite social distancing we can still be together.
“Whether it be a cup of tea during your Zoom chat, a hot cuppa in the back garden with friends (all social distancing of course), or a keep cup in the park, we would love you to join us for Drink Virtual Tea for MND,” Roisin added.
The IMNDA provides essential services to more than 400 families across Ireland affected by this disease.
To organise your very own Drink Virtual Tea for MND event in or around 21 June, all you have to do is visit imnda.ie and register your Virtual tea event. For more information just email fundraising@imnda.ie
If you can’t host a virtual tea event, you can still make a tea donation – visit imnda.ie to find out how or just text MND to 50300 and donate €2. IMNDA will receive a minimum of €1.80.
Did you know?
Hot weather speeds up the effects of alcohol so alternating alcoholic drinks with water or fruit juice is important.You should drink more than eight glasses or 2.5l per day during hot weather especially if taking physical exercise.Vitamin D can help build resistance to respiratory infections, including COVID-19 according to researchers from Technological University Dublin and Trinty College DublinIf someone near you experiences cardiac arrest and you are able to perform CPR compression you can double or treble a person’s chance of survival Some medications like antibiotics, acne preparations, heart tablets and antidepressants can make skin more sensitive to the sun.•Samaritans has launched a new, free Self-Help app to encourage people to be kind to themselves and look after their emotional wellbeing. Visit selfhelp.samaritans.org Mind Hacks by Helplink (mindhacks.ie) is an online platform that provides video and podcast content, from national and international sources, around the topics of mental health & emotional wellbeing. Read more
COVID mental health crisis
Treatment limbo for those with private medical insurance?
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