“Caution! This product contains a known carcinogen.” Words similar to these are plainly written on numerous food packages urging buyers to beware. A “so what,” attitude seems to prevail in our nation as many shoppers disregard the “This product contains” warning.

In the 1950s and 1960s we watched as famous stars died of cancer – Humphrey Bogart at age 56 in 1957, commentator Edward R. Murrow at age 57 in 1965 and Nat King Cole at age 48 in 1965. As they died we remembered their trademark cigarette.

Then in 1964, after many years of smoking and becoming thoroughly hooked on nicotine, the nation was warned that cigarettes might cause cancer.

The Report of the Advisory Committee to Surgeon General Luther L. Terry on January 11, 1964 highlighted adverse health consequences of tobacco use and affirmed that smokers have a 70 percent increase in mortality over nonsmokers. This news reportedly hit the nation and the world like a bombshell.

In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed a ban on television advertising for cigarettes, but the Federal Trade Commission’s cigarette report for 2007-2008 stated that every year tobacco companies spend billions on advertising and promotions. However, most of the advertising is done in magazines and newspapers. In 2012, cigarette ads in magazines came back with a vengeance.

But there are other “skull and cross bone” concerns beyond cigarettes. The Web reports, “For years researchers have implicated Bisphenol A (BPA) as a cause of cancer, obesity diabetes and more,” wrote Elizabeth Kolbert on www.MotherEarthNews.com.

BPA is found in the lining of most canned foods and drinks, including Coke and many others. Not only that, plastic bottles that are not marked BPA free contain this dangerous chemical. Thousands are ignoring the skull and crossbones: according to Web report newswatch.nationalgeographic.com, “In 2011 Americans spent $21.7 billion on bottled water.”

Even the food supply is not safe. Many foods are full of toxins from pesticides. A Web report from Organiclivingforall.com claims “Pay the farmer now, or pay the doctor later.” Why? Because some of the fertilizers used in farming contain radiation or sewage sludge.

This organization lists 12 foods that should be eaten organically: apples, celery, collard, spinach and kale greens, peaches, strawberries, domestic blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, cherries, potatoes, imported grapes and lettuce.

“Pesticides tend to persist in the environment for a very long time and often contaminate sources of fresh water. And they are associated with a host of health issues, including disruption of mental and physical development, cancer, and weakening of immune systems,” reports www.foxnews.com.

Finally, there is the consumption of sugar-free breath fresheners to be concerned about. It seems we’re in a chewing gum revolution. Packages warn “contains aspartame,” but chewing gum sales are booming.

Aspartame has been linked to cancer, seizures and strokes. Also, neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s Disease and Alzheimer’s dementia are being linked to this artificial sweetener. During digestion, aspartame releases aspartate, a neurotransmitter used by the neurons in the brain.

A Complementary Medicine Association study shows some of the adverse reactions to aspartame. In normal amounts aspartate, an amino acid, is a necessary chemical in the brain. But the blood to brain barrier cannot discern the amount that is needed from too much, so these neurotransmitters from aspartame can build up undetected until a toxic level is reached. In excess, aspartate can cause poisoning and death to neurons.

I have been delivered from sugar-free breath fresheners. Before I was set free my little niece would tell me, “Your car always smells like mint!” She knew that I would bring out the gum for a treat. I read about the hazards of sugar-free chewing gum, and went on a crusade to get rid of every artificial sweetener in my life. Parsley is the new ticket, with a little ground cloves on the side for my breath. Organic fruits are better for treats.

Nearly 41 years ago I became a chain smoker, totally ignoring the skull and crossbones. Now I’m much more health conscious, and I haven’t smoked since 1971. I hope something in this article will inspire you to make a change in your lifestyle for the better.