According to the Center for Disease Control, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of men and women in the United States. More than 200,000 die each year in the U.S. from lung cancer, and smoking is known to be the cause of almost all these deaths (80-90%).
Meanwhile, here in Miami we're a fun vacation town -- and there's lots of people here who enjoy their smoking habit. You may be one of them.
So, Miami - do you know the signs of lung cancer?
Lung cancer can hit smokers and non-smokers alike. Did you know that you can be a victim of lung cancer from secondhand smoke? Here are some things to watch out for (and here's a scary fact - for some, there are no early warning symptoms at all):
- Shortness of breath.
- Coughing that doesn't go away.
- Wheezing.
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Repeated respiratory infections (e.g., bronchitis or pneumonia).
It's one thing to voluntarily smoke and put yourself at risk. Stop it! However, if you are employed here in Florida or otherwise forced to be near secondhand smoke, then the law may be very different for you.
Smokers Are Welcome in Miami
In Miami, for example, current law requires all restaurants, including those with bars attached to them, to be 100% smokefree. However, if the establishment is a freestanding bar, earning 10% or less of its income from food (in other words, around 90% from alcoholic beverages, etc.) then there are NO smoking restrictions. Here in Miami, you are also free to smoke in hotel rooms and motels, too.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
If you or someone you care about is exhibiting any of these symptoms listed above, get to a doctor and have things checked out. You can't be too careful when it comes to something as dangerous as lung cancer.
By on November 16, 2010 11:25 AM
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