Vaping becoming national epidemic

February 17, 2020

The Federal Drug Administration has declared the practice of vaping a national epidemic, and I agree. As a practicing pulmonologist, I have seen the devastating and longterm effects of tobacco smoking. E-cigarettes and vaping devices were introduced to the U.S. market in 2007. The initial claim that these devices were intended to help committed smokers to stop smoking has been found to be without merit. Moreover, these products have been purposely marketed to a younger population and now are used by increasing numbers of adolescence and teenagers. The claim that vaping is safer ...

Appreciation worth a day to celebrate

February 14, 2020

Today is Valentine’s Day. And while most of the thoughts of love and affection on this day are of the romantic variety, the truth is that a significant number of the population may not have a “significant other” with whom to celebrate. But Feb. 14 need not be for romantic couples alone. In fact, wouldn’t it be a great idea to show the people in your life just how much you care about them? That isn’t to say you need to kiss and hug everyone (please don’t unless that person is OK with it) or even say the words “I love you.” For family members, it can be as easy as ...

To boost economy, fight disease

February 12, 2020

To understand the health of an economy, look at the health of those who participate in it. About six in 10 U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease, such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease. These conditions, also called noncommunicable diseases, are expected to collectively cost the country $95 trillion by 2050. We can avoid this multitrillion-dollar tax — if we shift our focus from just treating these diseases to also preventing them from taking root in the first place. Chronic diseases take a staggering toll on the economy. The direct costs are obvious — most people ...

Impeachment meant to be rare

February 11, 2020

The impeachment experience provided a civics lesson opportunity. Media reporting did not do justice to that opportunity. My analysis does not depend on fact witnesses, but rather law, the constitution and the legal process. It is taken from the defense presentations of Ken Starr, Patrick Philbin and, to some extent, Alan Dershowitz. After 78 days of semi-secret hearings, the House committees proposed two articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of congress), which the full House approved along a narrow party line vote. Take the “obstruction of congress” ...

Pot push lives in labor la-la-land

February 7, 2020

While Lt. Gov. John Fetterman crusades on legalizing recreational marijuana, one poll released last fall suggests Pennsylvanians may not be eager to jump on the bandwagon. They’re right to be cautious. Lost amid the legalization hullabaloo is the chaos unfettered pot will wreak on labor practices, workplace litigation, employer liability, healthcare costs and more. I know. I’m an employer. Among the jobs my company offers are forklift operators, where drug-induced impairment is not just an inconvenience but a major safety hazard. In 2019, 50 percent of those to whom we offered ...

Greek engagement or estrangement?

January 31, 2020

By Kelly Lewis Surrounding the nearly $2 trillion university industrial complex is the $250 billion alcohol industry with alcohol marketing budgets in the billions openly celebrating the consumption of alcohol across college football, March Madness, spring breaks and in movies and television. Whether we like it, admit or desire it, alcohol is a spirited cultural institution in America. Most college freshman and sophomores are predominantly under 21 years old, the legal age for alcohol purchase and consumption. Across America we’ve criminalized underage drinking, severely ...