In the year 2000, Chinese inventor and pharmacist Hon Lik had a bad dream. In that dream, he
was coughing and wheezing, and was close to drowning. Suddenly the turbulent waters around him
vanished into a fog. Little did Hon know that the nightmare would lead to something important – the
invention of electronic cigarettes. The creation of electronic cigarettes would not only affect Hon’s life
but the lives of the people around him.

Like other middle-aged men in China, Hon is no stranger to smoking. His father suffered because of
it and so did Hon. He was addicted to nicotine just like 60 percent of Chinese men but he couldn’t
kick the habit. He smoked as soon as he woke up in the morning, between lectures at the university,
during lunch break and while working.

Hon would ordinarily consume three packs a day. Aware of smoking’s ill effects, he developed the
first electronic cigarette in 2003. Not surprisingly, his father was the first to use his new product. But it
was too late to save the old man who eventually succumbed to lung cancer.

Hon knew he would be next unless he changed his ways. That fear convinced him of the importance
of electronic cigarettes that were introduced in China the following year.

While Hon is credited as the inventor of the modern electronic cigarette, this gadget was first
described way back in 1963. The idea was patented by Herbert A. Gilbert who wanted to make
a smokeless cigarette without any tobacco to give smokers a safe alternative to smoking. Gilbert
sought to do this by substituting tobacco and paper with “heated, moist flavored air.”

Unfortunately, the time was not right for the invention of e-cigarettes. Due to limited technology, there
was no way to manufacture this novel concept. To top it off, tobacco was not generally viewed as
dangerous at that time so the idea died and faded into obscurity.

Thanks to Hon, the dream is now a reality. Owing to the growing popularity of e-cigs, Hon’s company
Golden Dragon Holdings became Ruyan (which means resembling smoking) Group (Holdings) Ltd.
and began exporting electronic cigarettes in 2005.

Today, these devices are found almost everywhere. Ruyan alone – which is now called Dragonite
International Limited – has sold over a million units. In the United States, the Electronic Cigarette
Association said sales of e-cigarettes have mushroomed from $10 million to $100 million in just a
year.

There’s also a wide variety of flavors to choose from at different dealers and online shops. There are
traditional types like menthol and Marlboro to fun flavors like chocolate, mint and apple, coffee and
vanilla. Indeed, smoking has come a long way thanks to the electronic cigarette. If you’re a smoker
and want to experience a better way to smoke, the electronic is the way to go. Grab one today and
experience a new high in smoking.

Instead of protecting the public from their dangerous products, cigarette companies came up
with ingenious ways to market their brands. One of this involved the creation of a so-called “safe”
cigarette. They did this by producing filter-tipped cigarettes that supposedly removed or reduced the
harmful by-products of tobacco smoke.

As early as 1958, a scientist working for Philip Morris believed that this idea could turn the bad
publicity hounding cigarettes into another gold mine. Cigarette filters were created in response to the
growing evidence that heavy smoking led to lung cancer and other ills.

By using these so-called filters, Philip Morris could continue marketing “safe” cigarettes and trounce
competitors at the same time. Thus, the myth of “safe” filtered cigarettes was born.

The ruse worked for a while and soon other tobacco companies followed Philip Morris and developed
their own filtered-tipped products. From a measly one percent share in the 1950s, the market for
filtered cigarettes mushroomed to 87% by 1975.

But the use of a filter tip had its drawbacks. Being nicotine addicts, smokers hated the idea of filtered
cigarettes reducing their nicotine fix. Tobacco companies never expected smokers to brand filtered
cigarettes as bland and lacking in flavor.

The filters that supposedly made the cigarettes safer also took away the flavor that smokers were
accustomed to. In time, users resorted to inhaling deeply and smoking more to get the same high
they experienced from non-filtered cigarettes. In effect, they also got the same – if not more – amount
of toxins for their compensatory behavior.

By seeing through the sham of filtered cigarettes, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco
Control Act later prohibited tobacco manufacturers from using the terms “low,” “light” or “mild” when
describing different brands of cigarettes. This was done to protect consumers from the belief that
filtered or light cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. Thus, Marlboro Lights – the nation’s best-
selling brand from Philip Morris – was called Marlboro Gold while Marlboro Ultralights took the name
of Marlboro Silver.

The truth is, there’s no such thing as a safe cigarette. While light cigarettes often have less tar,
smokers who take long, deep or frequent puffs receive the same amount of tar found in a regular
cigarette, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of this,
smoking light cigarettes will make you susceptible to lung cancer and other cancers as well. They can
contribute to emphysema and heart disease. They also produce secondhand smoke that can harm
others.

The CDC said that changes in design to create different filter sizes, ventilation holes to dilute the
amount of smoke, and chemical additives mean nothing since they do not contribute in any way to a
safe cigarette.

Some smokers believe that switching to milder cigarettes can help them kick the habit. But the CDC
said there is no evidence to support this claim. It said that smokers of light cigarettes might be less
motivated to quit, thinking that their brand is less harmful.

Unlike other cigarettes that are conspicuously labelled with warnings of cancer, organic cigarettes
appear clean and safe. They appear as a smart choice for smokers who are willing to ignore a hefty
price in exchange for a chance to help farmers and Mother Nature. After all, they’re carefully made
and cater to an alternative lifestyle devoid of chemicals and other unnatural ingredients, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The truth is, organic cigarettes are just like any other cancer-
causing cigarette that can burn both your lungs and your wallet. They are no different from non-
organic or non-natural cigarettes.

As we’ve said in another article in this newsletter, the idea of a safe cigarette is a myth. All cigarettes
are dangerous and it doesn’t matter what brand you smoke. As far as the experts are concerned, all
cigarettes are guilty of causing cancer whether you accept it or not.

Even marketers of organic cigarettes know that. For instance, the packaging of one popular brand,
American Spirit, which boasts of being made of 100% certified organic tobacco, states that organic
tobacco does not mean a safer cigarette. It even adds that the absence of additives in its tobacco
products does not imply safety.

Okay, now you know that organic cigarettes are dangerous but you’d like to smoke ‘em anyway. Will
doing so give you less cancer than traditional cigarettes? If they’re not safe, are organic cigarettes
less dangerous?

Again, there is no scientific basis for this belief. Unknown to many, the tobacco used in organic
cigarettes is grown with the use of pesticides. True, organic tobacco doesn’t rely on synthetic
fertilizers, pesticides and the like but it uses biological pesticides or pesticides derived from natural
sources.

Regular cigarettes contain a lot of additives like water, vinegar, rosemary oil, and prune juice. These
additives can create toxic compounds when tobacco is burned. While it’s good to know that organic
cigarettes like American Spirit have no additives, that doesn’t mean they’re safer. The presence of
nicotine alone makes the product carcinogenic. Even in its purest form, burning tobacco produces
carbon monoxide and tar which are also carcinogens in their own right.

What about the environment? Won’t organic cigarettes help farmers and Mother Nature? Maybe they
do; it’s hard to tell actually. Organic farming is the rage nowadays in many communities because
of its supposed benefits to the environment. It’s gentle to the soil, we are told, and doesn’t hurt the
natural flora and fauna. It’s the natural way of doing things.

Natural perhaps but don’t think that every pack of organic cigarettes you buy will actually make the
soil richer, make the air cleaner or help a farmer. It can be difficult to quantify these things. One thing
is certain though: organic cigarettes won’t preserve your health. You can only do that when you stop
smoking.

These are the nagging questions that are bothering the minds of many tobacco smokers who have
switched to electronic cigarettes. Their concerns are justified since e-cigarettes appear to be the
biggest threat to the huge tobacco industry that has dominated the market for years.

It’s an idea whose time has come. Not only are e-cigarettes healthy since they don’t burn tobacco
but they are also cost-effective since they are refillable and reusable. The nicotine content of many
electronic cigarettes is also lower than regular cigarettes – a feature that may help smokers succeed
in quitting.

Consider these facts: With the price of tobacco cigarettes continuing to rise, many smokers are
looking for a way to quit. At the start of 2009, the National Conference of State Legislatures revealed
that the average cost of a pack of cigarettes was $ 4.35. With the looming state tobacco tax increase,
we can expect this amount to get higher soon.

What does this mean to smokers who are hooked on tobacco cigarettes? It simply means that many
of them will be unable to continue their expensive habit. This leaves them with no choice but to quit
smoking which is good for their health.

However, the prospect of quitting can be frightening to many smokers because of the uncomfortable
and unpleasant side effects of nicotine withdrawal. For those who find it hard to quit and who can’t
break their nicotine fix at once, they will undoubtedly find comfort in e-cigarettes.

The allure of electronic cigarettes over tobacco cigarettes is understandable if you take into account
the many benefits of these electronic devices. First, they allow tobacco smokers to continue smoking
without the health hazards associated with conventional cigarettes. They help users enjoy the
experience of smoking without worrying about the bad effects of smoking or nicotine withdrawal.

Since e-cigarettes look, taste and feel just like real cigarettes, they can easily help smokers give
up hazardous tobacco cigarettes in favor of a healthier alternative. Electronic cigarettes are gentle
to the people around you since they don’t emit toxic fumes but a pleasant vapor similar to the ones
produced by a vaporizer. Thus, you can use e-cigarettes in public places or in enclosed spaces
without harming other people. There is no secondhand or even third-hand smoke.

Of course, e-cigarette users appreciate the many flavors available like cherry, chocolate, coffee,
vanilla, and menthol to name a few. Users can also choose how much nicotine they want from high,
low to none at all – something that you won’t find in regular cigarettes.

Lastly, using e-cigarettes is a good way to save money. For a basic starter kit that contains two
batteries, a charger, five nicotine cartridges, USB adapter, and an instruction manual, you only have
to pay less than $60. Of course, a pack of regular cigarette costs less but if you consider how much
longer e-cigarettes last, you can save a lot in the long run. With e-cigarettes, you’re not burning
money and you’re doing something about your health.

In fact, smoking three cannabis joints daily produces the same damage as 20 cigarettes, according to
the British Lung Foundation (BLF). It gets worse when marijuana and tobacco are smoked together.
This is because the tar from cannabis cigarettes alone has 50% more cancer-causing substances
than tobacco.

The appropriately named Dr. Mark Britton, BLF chair, hopes that these facts will enlighten cannabis
users who mistakenly believe that marijuana is safer than regular cigarettes. He added that people
should be aware of the dangers of cannabis smoking so they can avoid it.

Surveys show that 79% of kids thought that marijuana was safe. Only 2% were aware of the
dangers of smoking the drug. The BLF report titled “A Smoking Gun?” will hopefully correct these
misconceptions and dispel the myths associated with smoking marijuana.

Marijuana is used as a recreational drug, in religious or spiritual rites, or as medicine. In 2004, the
United Nations (UN) revealed that about 4% of the adult world population ( about 162 million people)
use marijuana yearly, and 0.6% or 22.5 million use it every day.

The UN added that marijuana is the most used illicit drug worldwide despite the fact that it has been
subject to a lot of legal restrictions. The possession, use and sale of cannabis preparations containing
psychoactive cannabinoids is illegal in most countries.

Britton said these findings will no doubt come as a surprise to many people, especially marijuana
users. He hopes the BLF report will help people make an educated decision to avoid the pitfalls of
marijuana smoking.

Saying that the report does not dwell on the moral rights and wrongs of cannabis, Britton emphasized
that it simply informs users of the inherent dangers of smoking the drug.

What is alarming about all this is that the health risks of cannabis have increased since the 1960s.
The BLF said that clinical studies conducted in the ‘60s and ‘70s have underestimated the bad effects
of marijuana smoking.

Britton revealed that the cannabis in the market today has larger amounts of THC or delta-9
tetrahydrocannabinol – the drug’s active ingredient. When it reaches the brain, THC connects to
cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells, affecting the activity of those cells.

These cannabinoid receptors are located in areas of the brain that control pleasure, memory, thought,
concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.

Dame Helena Shovelton, BLF chief executive, added that the puff and inhalation volume with
cannabis is four times higher than with tobacco. This is bad for smokers who inhale deeper and hold
their breath with the smoke for a long time before exhaling. The reason: more poisonous carbon
monoxide and tar enter the lungs.

The BLF is asking the government to undertake a massive public health education campaign to
inform people about the health risks of cannabis. It intends to conduct more research into cannabis
and its effect on the lungs to discover a possible connection with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease.

As its name implies, you don’t smoke smokeless tobacco. Instead, you chew it and slosh it around
your mouth. While doing so, you suck on the tobacco juices and spit the saliva that builds up. Sucking
and chewing allows users to absorb nicotine through the tissues in the mouth.

Smokeless tobacco is known by many other names like spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, chaw,
dip, and plug. There are two forms, namely, snuff and chewing tobacco. Snuff is a fine-grain tobacco
that is usually packaged in “teabags.” This is placed between the lower lip and gum – a practice
called dipping or pinching. On the other hand, chewing tobacco involves placing shredded, twisted
or “bricked” tobacco leaves between the cheek and gum.

The idea of chewing and spitting tobacco may not appeal to everyone but this common practice
is popular among many people. In the United States alone, about 20% of high school boys and
2% of high school girls use smokeless tobacco, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.

Of the 12 to 14 million users, one third are below 21 and more than half of those started using
smokeless tobacco before they were 13. Peer pressure often gives rise to the habit. Every time you
suck, you become addicted to nicotine and you start craving for more of the drug to get by.

In the past, chewing tobacco was common among baseball players in the United States. After
chewing, players would spit into their gloves to make it soft and use this to make a “spitball.” This was
a kind of pitch where the ball was dabbed with saliva to make it spin off the fingers easily – a practice
that was banned in 1920.

By the 1950s, smoking replaced the habit of chewing tobacco. Most baseball players no longer
spitted big brown gobs of tobacco all over the infield. However, when the dangers of smoking were
known in the 1970s, the practice of chewing tobacco was revived by players who thought that it was
safer than smoking. Some players even mixed their chewing tobacco with bubble gum.

At present, most professional ballplayers no longer chew tobacco. But the practice has spread to
many young guys and girls.

Because you don’t swallow it and spit it, some think that smokeless tobacco is safe or even better
than actually smoking cigarettes. Users point to the fact that you don’t inhale tobacco into your lungs.
But this doesn’t make the practice harmless. On the contrary, chewing tobacco is just as dangerous.

Like smoking, smokeless tobacco can kill you. At first, you may develop bad breath and yellowish-
brown stains on your teeth. Seventy percent of smokeless tobacco users also develop mouth sores.

As your health deteriorates, you may experience cracking and bleeding lips and gums, receding
gums (which can make your teeth fall out), high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats. This can
later lead to a heart attack or a stroke. You also become susceptible to oral cancer that can appear
in the lips, tongue, the floor or roof of the mouth, cheeks, and gums. These are good reasons to
abandon smokeless tobacco now.

An electronic cigarette is a portable device that runs on rechargeable batteries. It looks, feels and
tastes like a real cigarette complete with a lighted butt end but that’s where the similarity ends. Inside
this small device is an atomizer and a nicotine cartridge. As nicotine is heated by the atomizer or
heating element, it releases a smoke-like vapor.

Since all this is done without burning tobacco, electronic cigarettes work like a personal vaporizer.
They don’t release deadly tobacco fumes that can cause lung cancer and a host of health problems.
Neither do e-cigarettes produce secondhand or third-hand smoke. Instead what you get is a harmless
vapor that smells good and comes in different flavors. What’s more, you don’t need a match or lighter
to use an e cigarette.

As such, this helps smokers avoid the 4,000 chemicals normally present in tobacco cigarettes – 69 of
which can cause cancer. Electronic cigarettes are made up of only 3 to 20 chemicals, depending on
the brand and strength. Common ingredients are water, flavoring, propylene glycol and nicotine.

In theory, the absence of tobacco means that you can use your electronic cigarette anywhere – even
in places where regular cigarettes are banned. Since e cigarettes are not covered by tobacco laws,
they can probably be used anywhere. The best thing about this is that they don’t smell bad or leave a
lingering bad smell that can stick to your clothes or hair.

Compared to ordinary cigarettes that come in regular or menthol, electronic cigarettes have many
flavors. These include cherry, vanilla and java. The presence of various flavors helps smokers enjoy
the sensation of smoking minus the harmful effects of tobacco. Since e cigarettes don’t contain
tobacco or burn tobacco, they are a lot safer than conventional cigarettes.

The nicotine content of electronic cigarettes comes in different strengths from full, light to no nicotine
at all. In most cases, the nicotine content is similar to the ones found in nicotine replacement
products. For this reason, electronic cigarettes may help smokers reduce their addiction to nicotine
and help them quit.

While they cost more initially, electronic cigarettes are cheaper in the long run since they are reusable
and refillable. Hence, you’re not literally burning money every time you use an e cigarette. This
makes them easy on the pocket.

These are just some of the reasons why many people are turning to electronic cigarettes. Comfort,
convenience and a safer smoking experience are the main reasons why people use them. Isn’t it
about time you did the same?

Discover the difference today and see for yourself why e cigarettes are the new gold standard in
smoking. Let me warn you though: the minute you try them, your smoking habit will never be the
same.

If you’re pregnant and you smoke, your problems are not limited to smelly clothes and lung cancer.
Pregnant moms who huff and puff are likely to develop ectopic pregnancy. This is a condition where the
fertilized egg stays outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tube. If you’re not pregnant, that doesn’t mean
you’re free to smoke since smoking can make it difficult for you to get a baby bump.
The baby is not spared from the harmful effects of smoking. Smoking during pregnancy exposes the baby
to carbon monoxide. This toxic gas reduces the baby’s supply of oxygen and the delivery of nutrients. The
nicotine is cigarette smoke also increases a baby’s heart rate and reduces fetal breathing movements.

In addition, smoking during pregnancy can lead to other problems like vaginal bleeding, low birth weight,
preterm labor, and premature birth. The toxic substances in cigarette smoke have also been linked to
birth defects and the death of the baby.

If the child survives, that’s not the end of it. Babies born to smoking mothers are not spared from
the dangers of tobacco. They are likely to suffer from sudden infant death syndrome, colic, asthma,
respiratory infections, and childhood obesity. Other researchers point out that smoking during pregnancy
could interfere with the child’s emotional development, behavior and ability to learn. This deadly habit
might even affect a child’s own fertility.

Even if they don’t smoke, pregnant moms can suffer from the effects of secondhand smoke. Breathing
secondhand smoke during pregnancy can likewise affect your baby. Non-smokers exposed to
secondhand smoke can lose their babies or have babies with birth defects.

To avoid these problems, it’s best not to smoke during pregnancy or any time at all. Quitting smoking
at this time is the best gift you can give your baby. Quitting during the first four months of pregnancy
will lower your risk of having a low birth weight baby, premature birth, pregnancy loss as well as other
problems.

While quit smoking aids can help many people, they are not advised for pregnant women. This is one
battle you have to face without the aid of medication. But don’t fret for you can easily win the war against
smoking if you think about your baby’s health.

To make things easier for you, don’t keep any cigarettes in your home, in your bags or in your car. Stay
away from places that are associated with smoking. Resist cravings by reading a good book, doing
household chores or making a healthy snack. Spend more time with non-smokers and go to places where
smoking is prohibited. Turn to family members and friends for support. Reward yourself by spending the
money you’ve saved on cigarettes to buy something special for you or your baby.

If you still find it difficult to quit smoking, consult your health care provider about the possible use of
nicotine replacement products. You may need to use a nicotine patch or inhaler, nicotine gum, lozenges
or nasal spray. These products will make quitting easier and will prevent your baby from being exposed to
the toxic elements of cigarettes.

Hailed as the last remaining supermodel, Gisele Bundchen is the first Brazilian model to find
international fame. She was dubbed by Vogue magazine as “The Return of the Sexy Model” in 1999
and Forbes believes she is destined to become the world’s first billionaire supermodel. This is not
surprising since the same magazine revealed that Bundchen’s total earnings over the last 10 years
have reached over $550 million.

A former member of Victoria’s Secret Angels, Bundchen remains the highest paid model in the world
and one of the richest women in the entertainment industry She has also appeared in films like “Taxi”
and “The Devils Wears Prada”, and is a goodwill ambassador for the UN Environment Programme.

In 2007, the sexy supermodel decided to quit smoking and has remained that way ever since. Her
decision to quit was part of her New Year’s resolution to become healthy. After she stopped smoking,
Bundchen put on some weight. She gained about 15 pounds since she said that food tasted better
and didn’t smell like an ashtray.

But what really matters is that she hasn’t touched a cigarette all these years. For now, Bundchen is
glad she quit smoking and the extra pounds she gained is a small price to pay for a healthier smoke-
free life.

Charlize Theron became famous in the late 1990s with such films as “The Devil’s Advocate”
(1997), “Mighty Joe Young” (1998) and “The Cider House Rules” (1999). In 2003, she became the
first African to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as serial killer Aileen Wuornos
in “Monster” (2003).

Although Theron became a US citizen in 2007, she retained her South African citizenship. She gave
up smoking in 2006 with the help of a hypnotist. The South African actress used to smoke 3 packs
of cigarettes a day until she quit. Now she has replaced her smoking habit with exercise. To keep in
shape and get rid of stress, Theron turns to pilates and yoga. This has helped her say goodbye to
smoking for good.

Whoopi Goldberg’s first film is “The Color Purple” where she portayed a mistreated black woman
named Celie. That led to her nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and her winning her
first Golden Globe Award.

Other memorable roles include the blockbuster film “Ghost” with the late Patrick Swayze (which won
her a second Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress), “Jumpin’ Jack
Flash”, “Sister Act”, “The Lion King”, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”, “Girl, Interrupted” and “Rat
Race.” Fans of the TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” also remember her as the bartender
Guinan.

Aside from acting, the American comedienne wears many hats. She is a singer-songwriter, political
activist, author and talk show host. Her many awards include a Grammy, two Emmys, two Golden
Globes, a Tony, and an Oscar.

In 2007, Goldberg decided to quit smoking as a Christmas gift to herself. She did this with the help
of the prescription drug Zyban. Her decision to quit was triggered by a disturbing television ad about
smoking. These are just a few of the successful stop smoking stories in the world today.

However, electronic cigarettes have their fair share of myths and misconceptions that may prevent
other people from trying them. To put these false beliefs to rest, we’ve compiled a list of things that
you should know about electronic cigarettes.

Since knowledge is power, we hope this list will make you a well-informed consumer and guide you
in choosing the best electronic cigarette to wean you away from conventional cigarettes and help you
stop smoking.

Myth No. 1 – The best electronic cigarette is the priciest.

If you want to splurge money on the most expensive electronic cigarette that you can find in the
market, by all means do so. We won’t stop you. But be aware that price is not always an indicator of
quality. Remember those high-priced vehicles that turned out to be lemons? Well, the same thing can
happen with electronic cigarettes.

While there are reputable manufacturers with good products, the market is also full of electronic
cigarettes that are badly made and will break after a few weeks. Don’t look for the most expensive
product unless you are assured of quality. In the same way, don’t go for electronic cigarettes with
bargain prices.

Instead, do your homework and learn more about the product you’re buying before parting with
your hard-earned cash. That shouldn’t be a problem in this computer age where you can get lots
of information about a particular brand just by surfing the net. Whatever you do, don’t base your
decision on price alone. Check that the brand you’re buying has the features you want, the flavors
you like, and will last a long time.

Myth No. 2 – All electronic cigarettes are the same.

While many electronic cigarettes may look alike, that doesn’t mean they are the same. Their design
and the method in which they work may be similar but there’s a world of difference among brands.
These devices come in many shapes and sizes, and have different flavors as well. You can get one
that looks just like a normal cigarette or a cigar. Or if you want to be more discrete, you can go for
something built into a pen or a stick.

Remember that electronic cigarettes vary in quality and durability. Like other things, there are good
products and bad products. To get more bang for your buck, don’t make the mistake of buying the
first electronic cigarette that you see. Examine models carefully before making any purchase.

Myth No. 3 – The best electronic cigarette is the one that looks great.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. In like manner, don’t judge an electronic cigarette simply by the way
it looks. It may look great on the outside but what really matters is how it works inside. You may be
dazzled by some impressive looking devices in the market but the features you like are far more
important.

Know how long a product will last before buying one. Ask about the life span of the cartridge. Is it
refillable or disposable? Some cartridges will last for a few hours while others will give you days of
smoking pleasure without the bad effects of tobacco smoking.