Andrew Reiff

International

Summary- Tobacco could kill 1 billion by 2100

The World Health Organization has released a new study in which they said that deaths from tobacco use could reach one billion by the end of the century if nothing is done about it. It is estimated that world governments bring in around one hundred billion dollars worth of smoking taxes but spend less than one percent on anti-smoking advertising and other influence. The WHO is calling tobacco a worldwide health epidemic and pointed out that its use is fastest in third world countries and those that are still growing. Even a representative from one of the largest cigarrette companies explained that the best course of action for a smoker concerned about his health would be to quit.

Opinion-

I truly belive that smoking is one of the worst inventions of our time. It has cost smokers billions of dollars that could have been better spent, and it has ruined millions of lives because of lung cancer and other diseases. However, this is the United States of America, and to ban smoking altogether would probably severely infringe on the rights of others. So maybe banning smoking would not go down here.

Summary- Train stunt kills engineer

A Romanian train driver leapt aboard a runaway engine to stop it after having left the brake off in a station but was killed when the stunt backfired, railway police said Wednesday.
Ioan Colceriu, 55, was at a train station in the central town of Odorheiu Secuiesc, when he realized he had forgotten some papers in the station office. He went to fetch them but forgot to put the hand brake on the engine. When the engine moved off without him, the driver flagged down a taxi and chased it for 3.7 miles before catching up with it. He jumped aboard the moving engine but slipped and fell under its wheels, railway police said. The engine traveled another 26 km until it was stopped by rail workers.

Opinion-

I think that was a really stupid thing to do. Sure this kind of stuff works in movies but not in real life. Also, the guy was 55 years old! He shouldn't be jumping off of the curb, let alone onto a moving train from a taxi cab! But it is truly a shame that the guy had to die for his stupidity. Many of us make mistakes that may be more idiotic than that but don't die. Let us learn from this lesson, children. :p