Content about Human behavior

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Almost half of all smokers try and fail to quit their addiction to nicotine products each year, according to a study released Wednesday.

A contributing factor to the high rate of failed quit attempts is the low use of nicotine-replacement therapies, the study found. That may be because of misperceptions around the health effects of NRTs.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An e-cigarette brand announced that its disposable e-cigarettes now are available at H-E-B and Meijer stores.

The company said that this marks Blu Cigs' transition from online sales to retail by being sold in all of H-E-B's 329 stores across Texas and Mexico, as well as Meijer's 196 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Each disposable e-cigarette equals about 20 to 30 traditional cigarettes, the company said.

ATLANTA — New graphic cigarette warning labels released last month by the Food and Drug Administration already appear to be having one desired effect: an increase in "quit smoking" queries to the national 1-800-QUIT-NOW smoking cessation line, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

The new labels aren’t even on cigarette packages yet — the labels will be implemented next year.

CHASKA, Minn. — Mr. Bubble, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year, has announced the launch of two new products: Mr. Bubble Fizzy Bubble Bomb and the Mr. Bubble Foam Soap twin pack.

Shaped like the Mr. Bubble character, the original Bubble- or Bubbleberry-scent Bath Bombs add bubbles and color to bath water. They are available in pink and blue. The mixed shelf display holds 12 fizzy Bubble Bombs. They have a suggested retail price of $1.49 each.

NEW YORK — It may have a goofy name, but start-up website HellaWella, HellaWella.com, 
is serious about promoting healthy living and all the good stuff that goes with it. Well, “serious” might be a little misleading, as the free website and weekly newsletter definitely is taking a fun, youthful approach to helping consumers discover the latest in health and wellness — and how to do so on the cheap.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour is making its way to Philadelphia next week.

The tour, which seeks to administer $14 million of free health tests nationally, will arrive at the Salvation Army Kroc Center of Philadelphia on May 19 and will offer free screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tests offered include total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index for adults ages 18 years and older, with no appointment necessary.


Max-Wellness, the unique health-and-wellness destination that made its debut in the Cleveland area in 2010, features “Max-Answers” information stations throughout the store. However, what really distinguishes these stations from typical mass-oriented information kiosks is their portability — the Web-based tablets can be picked up by a customer or Max-Wellness associate for use right at the shelf of interest.


Growing the health-and-wellness business remains a top priority for Sam’s Club as the warehouse club operator has identified those key categories as areas where it can demonstrate value, drive member loyalty and gain market share.


Sam’s has high expectations for health and wellness, along with food and consumables, as it looks to deliver on its brand promise of “savings made simple” and maintain the same-store sales momentum experienced throughout 2010 that culminated with a 2.7% gain in the fourth quarter.


ATLANTA — By 2020 or sooner, the entire nation could have laws banning smoking in all indoor areas of private sector worksites, restaurants and bars, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Thursday has found.

The projection is based on the rate at which states have been adopting comprehensive smoke-free laws. In just the past 10 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have enacted these laws, the CDC reported.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Four-in-5 menthol smokers would quit if the Food and Drug Administration banned mentholated cigarettes, according to a survey conducted this month with sponsorship from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

The survey found that smokers of menthol cigarettes — who are disproportionately African-American — feel “twice-addicted” to the menthol and the tobacco, while 74% of them said the menthol made inhalation easier, and 40% said menthol flavoring was the only reason they smoked.

WASHINGTON — Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

Reuters reported Friday that a committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration said in a report that banning mentholated cigarettes would benefit public health. Under legislation adopted in 2009, most flavored cigarettes already are banned.