Who still smokes? | Why does it matter?

The number of smokers in the U.S. has dropped to an all-time low, but that figure doesn’t tell the whole story. About 500,... [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 1 February 2019 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Editor's note The number of smokers in the U.S. has dropped to an all-time low, but that figure doesn’t tell the whole story. About 500,000 Americans still die each year from smoking, making it the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. Kenneth E. Warner, dean emeritus of the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, analyzes smoking patterns among various groups to provide a detailed look at [who still needs help to stop smoking](. When it comes to the subject of slavery in the U.S., research has shown that the average textbook distorts what took place. Tiffany Mitchell Patterson, a social studies scholar at West Virginia University, offers insight into how students – or anyone really – can get a[more accurate picture of slavery](, including hearing directly from freed slaves themselves. University of Virginia education professor Derrick Aldridge writes about why it feels so strange to be watching the Super Bowl in Atlanta, a city thought of by many as the nation’s “Black Mecca.” The city has made much racial progress over the past century. So why is it rolling out a red carpet for a league that [refuses to let its players peacefully protest]( the killings of unarmed black men and women? Lynne Anderson Senior Health + Medicine Editor Top stories A man at a recovery center in Youngstown, Ohio, smokes a cigarette, June 15, 2017. David Dermer/AP Photo [Who’s smoking now, and why it matters]( Kenneth E. Warner, University of Michigan For those who don't smoke cigarettes, the dangers may seem distant. Yet smoking still kills millions each year. A new study suggests that e-cigarettes might curb this public health tragedy. Textbooks often do a poor job when it comes to teaching students about slavery in the U.S. Dusan Pavlic from www.shutterstock.com [3 ways to improve education about slavery in the US]( Tiffany Mitchell Patterson, West Virginia University A former social studies teacher lists three ways educators and others can better understand the difficult subject of slavery in the US, including a way to hear directly from freed slaves themselves. During Super Bowl LIII, will Atlanta’s long struggle for racial equality be highlighted or glossed over? Peter Ciro/flickr [Super Bowl LIII and the soul of Atlanta]( Derrick P. Alridge, University of Virginia The country's 'Black Mecca' is hosting the Super Bowl. With the NFL's national anthem controversy still lingering, this creates an undeniable paradox. Science + Technology - [Salt doesn’t melt ice – here’s how it actually makes winter streets safe]( Julie Pollock, University of Richmond When it snows, it pours – but why do municipalities treat the roads with salt? A chemist explains how salt affects water and ice. - [Facebook is a persuasion platform that’s changing the advertising rulebook]( Saleem Alhabash, Michigan State University After 15 years of Facebook, the ways brands use it for marketing and advertising have changed – right alongside the way people make decisions as they scroll through a never-ending feed of information. Health + Medicine - [Measles: Why it’s so deadly, and why vaccination is so vital]( Paul Duprex, University of Pittsburgh A measles outbreak is causing major concern in a Washington county where only 22 percent of children are vaccinated against the disease. A vaccine expert explains the risks. - [What is frostbite? An ER doc explains]( Jeremiah Escajeda, University of Pittsburgh Layering on winter gear is annoying. But with temperatures reaching minus 50 in some parts of the country, it is essential to protect your skin from frostbite, which can happen in minutes. Economy + Business - [Belichick versus McVay: An age-old question of leadership]( Megan Gerhardt, Miami University Even though young leaders and old leaders may have different approaches, one isn't necessarily better than the other. But in order to succeed, a leader better be able to bridge generational divides. Environment + Energy - [Steaming lakes and thundersnow: 4 questions answered about weird winter weather]( Scott Denning, Colorado State University An atmospheric scientist explains why water can do some strange-looking things at very cold temperatures, and what's different about snowfalls on Mars. Ethics + Religion - [Why Muslim women wear a hijab: 3 essential reads]( Kalpana Jain, The Conversation For Muslim women, the hijab is not simply about religion. They may wear it for a variety of reasons. On World Hijab Day. women – Muslim and non-Muslim, are invited to experience this head covering. Politics + Society - [Odds of military coup in Venezuela rise every day Maduro stays in office]( Clayton Besaw, University of Central Florida A coup seems so imminent in Venezuela that people are debating whether Maduro's overthrow would be good or bad for Venezuelan democracy. But history suggests a coup may be less likely than it seems. From our International Editions - [European colonisation of the Americas killed 10% of world population and caused global cooling]( Alexander Koch, UCL; Chris Brierley, UCL; Mark Maslin, UCL; Simon Lewis, UCL No records of the size of Native American populations before 1492 and the arrival of Europeans survive. A new study has found answers. - [Uganda’s ban on sports betting was the right thing to do]( Victor Odundo Owuor, University of Colorado There's a strong case to ban gambling as it's rapidly becoming a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. - [Air pollution may be affecting how happy you are]( Peter Howley, University of Leeds New research in China adds to the evidence of a direct link between air pollution and happiness. Today’s quote [“SpaceIL’s Beresheet – Hebrew for “In the Beginning” – will become the first privately funded mission to launch from Earth and land on the moon, and the first spacecraft to propel itself over the lunar surface after landing by “hopping” on its rocket engine to a second landing spot.”]( [First private spacecraft shoots for the moon]( John Horack The Ohio State University [John Horack] [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. 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