A list of 10 healthy resolutions for the new year was released on Tuesday by the American Medical Association.

In an effort to encourage healthy lifestyles what better time of the year to start than with the upcoming new year

In a bid to encourage smokers to quit completely, the British government on Friday announced its plan to ban smoking in enclosed public places from July 1 of next year. It follows similar bans in the Irish Republic and Scotland and a ban in Wales that starts on April 2.

The places where smoking will be banned include offices, cinemas, factories, pubs and bars. However, the ban excludes outdoors or in private homes

A study conducted by British scientists has claimed that smoking increases children's risk of developing bladder cancer later in life. The research analyzed 429,906 people, 633 of them had the cancer.

The research team found that children exposed to second-hand smoke had a 38 percent higher risk of getting the disease later in life. It also found that for every five cigarettes smoked daily, there was an 18 percent higher risk of contracting the disease

A report made by New Zealand based medical researchers said Friday that laws should be passed to ban smoking while driving when children are present as passengers. According to evidence gathered, young children are extremely susceptible to respiratory illness from second-hand smoke, especially in such a confined space as the cab of an automobile.

The Wellington School of Medicine study reported in their findings that the amount of cigarette smoke found in a car with a smoker is equivalent to that of a smoky bar, even when the car windows are rolled fully down

A French parliamentary panel recommended the banning of smoking in offices and public areas, such as cafes and restaurants.

According to The Associated Press, a ban could result in fierce resistance from a public that is accustomed to lenient smoking laws