Everyone is familiar with the recent smoking regulations that have affected smokers all over the world. In 2004 Ireland became the first country to prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces including restaurants and bars. In 2008 a small mountainous kingdom between India and China called Bhutan was the first to ban smoking and tobacco sales outright. Authorities celebrated the ban by igniting a bonfire of cigarettes in the capital city and hanging banners across the main thoroughfare urging people to kick the habit. Violators in Bhutan are fined $232 (more than two months’ salary) The Ban on tobacco has caused an increase in the illegal trade of tobacco products to Bhutan. No other country so far has banned smoking and tobacco outright.

Interesting Fact: The first modern, nationwide tobacco ban was imposed by the Nazi Party. Smoking was prohibited in every German university, post office, military hospital, and Nazi Party office. The Institute for Tobacco Hazards Research was created in 1941 under orders from Adolf Hitler. Major anti-tobacco campaigns were widely broadcast by the Nazis until the end of the regime in 1945.

[VIA]

A drink which aims to deliver the same fix as cigarettes is being launched in Britain to help smokers beat the cigarette ban in pubs.

The drink, called Liquid Smoking, has already proved a hit in the Netherlands where it has been on sale for a year.

Dutch suppliers United Drinks and Beauty Corporation, hopes the drink will be on sale here before Christmas as they aim to target the opposite end of the energy drinks market.

The manufacturers say it does not contain the drug nicotine, but rather a mix of roots from South African plants which is said to give “a slight energising effect, followed by a euphoric sense of calming and relaxation.”

It has less than 21 calories per 275ml can and would cost £1.50 in the shops.

Although there will be no lower age limit to buy it, the makers believe it should not be drunk by anyone under 15.

United Drinks Chief Executive Martin Hartman said: “The product we have developed has got similar properties to nicotine, so we are trying to help people out who are affected by the ban on nicotine People might use this instead of a cigarette or tobacco to help the cravings.

Read the full article >>>

A clip from the TV series Modern Marvels which airs on the History Channel. In this segment, they set out to find what’s really inside a cigarette, and it’s definitely more than meets the eye.