Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
Research in Native American communities reveals the importance of culturally responsive prevention and a deeper understanding of substance use. The studies show that prevention education can be more effective when tailored to the community's values and perspectives. Additionally, the research explores the co-use of commercial tobacco a...
A new study from IHME found that chewing tobacco use contributed to an estimated 251,000 deaths globally in 2023, with health loss concentrated in South Asia. Chewing tobacco use was more common among males than females, with significant variations by age and sex.
A new study finds that high fasting glucose has surpassed tobacco use as the leading risk factor for pancreatic cancer in the US, while China faces a dual metabolic-tobacco burden. China recorded more absolute cases, but lower age-standardized rates, with a peak burden at ages 60-74.
New research published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience found that male rats exposed to menthol-containing e-cigarette aerosols experienced nicotine's effects more strongly and for longer than rats exposed to nicotine alone. The study suggests that menthol modifies nicotine's effects when delivered together in an e-cigarette aerosol.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that approximately 40% of patients with chronic pancreatitis worldwide develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that can lead to malabsorption, weight loss, and deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins. Smoking emerged as a significant modifiable risk factor, emphasizing the need fo...
Researchers warn of the dangers of smart vaping devices that reward users with cryptocurrency, increasing addiction risk and undermining smoking cessation efforts. These devices, such as Puffpaw and Gudtrip, use gamification, artificial intelligence, and financial rewards to encourage continued use, making it harder for users to quit.
Researchers at Lund University found that heavy menstrual bleeding, skipping meals, and daily nicotine use are linked to higher levels of self-reported tiredness in teenage girls. Iron deficiency was not found to be a cause of fatigue in the study.
A cross-sectional study in 3 US states found that directory laws did not reduce flavored e-cigarette sales, instead diverting resources away from evidence-based tobacco control strategies. The findings suggest that these laws may not be effective in reducing e-cigarette use.
A Rutgers University study found that four in five Black adults mistakenly believed proposed bans on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would target smokers, rather than the makers and sellers. The study identified seven beliefs associated with opposing the bans, including the misconception that authorities punish smokers. An educa...
Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...
Researchers from SWPS University found that mimicry in social interactions doubles tobacco consumption and makes quitting difficult. The study showed that when participants mimicked the smoker's movements, they were more likely to smoke and less likely to quit.
Two new studies from Karolinska Institutet suggest that inflammation and genetic factors may contribute to cluster headache, a rare neurological disorder characterized by severe headache attacks. The studies also found that exposure to substances in tobacco smoke may interact with biological mechanisms in the condition.
A new Cochrane review finds that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping people quit smoking than conventional methods like nicotine gums and patches. The review of 80 randomized controlled trials involving 29,861 participants showed that e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates, resulting in about 4 more quitters per 100 people.
A Rutgers Health analysis found that nearly all comments on the proposed menthol ban were form letters, with 46% coming from tobacco companies, and most opposed the ban for economic reasons. The delay allowed the tobacco industry to shape policy debates, obscuring scientific evidence and distorting perceptions of public opinion.
A qualitative study of 246,808 public comments found strong opposition to proposed bans on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Most submissions were form letters, with content linked to tobacco companies appearing frequently.
The UCSF Industry Documents Library has made public nearly 700 internal documents from Fleet Farm, a Midwest retailer accused of ignoring an internal warning before selling firearms to a straw buyer. The documents, part of a lawsuit alleging negligence, provide a new resource for researchers, policymakers, and the public to understand ...
A recent study covering 46 countries found that smokers are largely unaware of the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking and second-hand smoke. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning given the high number of cardiovascular deaths worldwide linked to tobacco use.
Recent studies from the University of Gothenburg found that nicotine use is associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems in adolescents. Girls are particularly vulnerable to these effects, including increased risk of worsening sleep problems, low mood, and difficulties concentrating.
Nicotine pouches are a new form of nicotine delivery that has sparked concerns over safety and efficacy. Researchers warn of potential harms, side effects, and accidental use, as well as the risk of dependence on these products.
A new set of recommendations provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance on discussing smoking cessation, including the use of nicotine e-cigarettes as a treatment option. The authors emphasize that the best approach will vary from person to person and should be tailored to each patient's goals, preferences, and medical needs.
New research finds that exclusive cigarette use is being replaced by exclusive use of electronic cigarettes, especially among young adults. The study's findings have important implications for predicting the future burden of tobacco-related cancer and highlight a need to address smoking cessation among older adults.
A comprehensive, sustained approach to treating tobacco dependence in patients undergoing cancer treatment has been shown to double quit rates compared to referral to a Quitline alone. The study found that 81% of participants who received virtual sustained treatment attended counseling sessions and had higher medication use rates.
A study of 9,996 participants found that 76.9% of smokers buy legal tobacco, while 23.1% purchase from illicit sources at least once a year. Illicit markets are often driven by financial pressures and switching to cheaper products or quitting smoking.
A federal nicotine reduction strategy could drive U.S. smoking rates below 1% in 14 years, preventing millions of premature deaths and boosting productivity by $298 billion. Implementing such a policy would also significantly close smoking disparity gaps for individuals with major depression.
A new study found that a virtual smoking cessation treatment program nearly doubled quit rates for cancer patients who currently smoke. The program, delivered at community oncology care settings, was both cost-effective and satisfying for patients. Participants who completed more sessions had a higher likelihood of quitting.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University found that secondhand smoke directly disrupts children's sleep patterns, causing significant poor sleep quality and increased fragmentation. The research used objective data and biological markers to demonstrate the toxic effects of tobacco smoke on pediatric sleep, independent of airway blockages.
A new study investigates how waterpipe size and heating sources affect hookah smoking, aiming to clarify the risks associated with this popular pastime. Researchers hope their findings will empower people to make informed decisions about their health and guide future regulations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found exercise can help people quit smoking by reducing cigarette consumption and easing cravings. Researchers discovered that people taking part in exercise programs were 15% more likely to achieve continuous abstinence.
Researchers identified a previously unrecognized immune system pathway that connects cigarette smoking to cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoke activates immune cells, triggering widespread inflammation throughout the body and accelerating plaque buildup in arteries.
Comprehensive smoke-free laws were associated with sustained reductions in cardiovascular disease mortality across US counties. However, the magnitude of these associations varied significantly by demographic groups, suggesting a need for additional strategies to address disparities in tobacco exposure and improve cardiovascular outcomes.
A new WTRS scale captures how strongly people believe smoking should be restricted in public settings, with support increasing steadily over time, particularly in indoor spaces. The study supports the long-standing public health strategy of reducing smoking by shifting social norms around secondhand smoke exposure.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.
A new study reveals how Philip Morris Companies Inc. used cigarette research and flavor engineering to design Lunchables, a successful ultra-processed food for children. The company's strategy was based on optimizing 'technical synergies' between tobacco and food divisions.
Research reveals cannabis and tobacco co-use is associated with impaired neurocognitive performance in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis. This critical gap in research provides clinicians and scientists with vital new insights into the risks of co-use on vulnerable youth.
Researchers found that 66.6% of gene expression changes are linked to e-cigarette flavor and device type, while only 28.8% relate to vaping frequency or amount. The study suggests that each flavor has unique biological effects.
A study by Brown University researchers found that exposure to violence is strongly associated with increased tobacco and e-cigarette use among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and found that each form of violence exposure was linked to increased risk of using both substances.
A new study finds herbal cigarettes can be as damaging as tobacco cigarettes, emitting comparable or even more harmful emissions. Fine particles and oxidative potential were measured, revealing a significant risk to cardiovascular and respiratory health.
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds significant increases in knowing how a mother's pre-pregnancy health affects her baby, as well as rising awareness of drinking beer or wine during pregnancy being not safe. However, uncertainty persists about other maternal health recommendations.
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
Researchers found that restricting menthol in cigarettes reduced cigarette purchases, while flavor restrictions in e-cigarettes increased nicotine replacement product sales. Tax policies also showed promise, with the highest-tax approach leading to significant reductions in spending.
A new study found that switching to a nicotine e-cigarette reduces toxicant exposure and improves quitting rates, with the nicotine group having a higher chance of quitting entirely. The study's results suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes could serve as an effective off-ramp for smokers seeking to reduce their tobacco use.
The 'Ozempic Era' suggests a paradigm shift in understanding obesity, blaming commercial food systems rather than individual failings. Emerging medical data on GLP-1 agonists may drive policy responses to regulate ultra-processed foods.
A systematic review found that structured exercise programs can modestly improve quit success, while a single bout of exercise can rapidly reduce nicotine cravings. Exercise type and intensity may also play a role in reducing cravings.
A recent study analyzing data from two California school surveys found that adolescents consistently perceive cannabis as the least harmful substance among their peers. The study, which examined responses from over 175,000 students, also identified age, experience, and social environment as factors influencing teens' perceptions of can...
A US study found that anti-vaping advertising and widespread news coverage of a lung-injury outbreak tied to vaping reversed the country's youth vaping trend in 2019. Quit attempt rates nearly doubled among current vapers, while susceptibility to future vaping dropped among teens who had never vaped.
Researchers analyzed over 2.8 million students and found that local flavored tobacco bans reduced youth vaping rates without increasing cigarette smoking. Flavored tobacco bans were associated with sustained declines in youth vaping over time.
A study estimates that quitting tobacco could give a major economic uplift to over 20 million households in India, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas and among the poorest households. The analysis suggests that these households would receive a significant boost in income, potentially moving up one or two economic classes.
A new study from the University of Chicago suggests that smoking may be linked to dementia through a previously unmapped route between the lungs and brain, involving pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and exosomes that disrupt iron balance in neurons.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is enrolling adolescent and young adult cancer patients in various trials, including genetic services and treatment studies. These trials aim to address longstanding gaps in care and improve outcomes for AYAs with cancer.
A new overview of systematic reviews found that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are more effective for smoking cessation than other interventions. The review also identified gaps in current evidence, including the need for high-quality studies on cytisine and bupropion.
Multiple sclerosis prevalence more than doubled in England's healthcare system over 30 years, while survival rates increased. Lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and socioeconomic deprivation, were significantly associated with mortality.
A systematic review found consistent evidence that snus causes gum recession, particularly with loose snus. White snus has virtually no studies on its long-term oral health effects, creating a significant knowledge gap.
A cohort study found that smokers with negative baseline low-dose computed tomography findings had a significantly increased long-term lung cancer risk, becoming apparent only after two years of screening. This suggests supporting extended initial screening intervals and personalized long-term monitoring based on smoking history.
A new international study reveals that the ancestors of modern crop viruses likely emerged before the last Ice Age, affecting both wild and cultivated plants. The viruses, spread by leaf-eating beetles, infect various crops and wild species, posing risks to agriculture and natural ecosystems.
Researchers at FABI define a conserved subset of Phytophthora RxLR effectors with short linear motifs embedded within folded WY domain cores. This arrangement preserves domain integrity while enabling potential interactions with host immune components, reframing pathogen strategies and challenging SLiM dogma.
Research reveals leading US tobacco brands violate Instagram, FTC, and FDA marketing policies to restrict young people's access. Lax/missing age verification, disclosure on brand-influencer relationships, and health warnings are common violations.
A new study reveals the devastating impacts of flue-cured Virginia tobacco production on the environment and farmers' lives in Zimbabwe. The research highlights the destruction of 60,000 hectares of Miombo woodland each year and an economic context that prevents farmers from diversifying into less damaging crops.
Smartphone apps based on psychological theories are 3 times more effective than minimal support in helping people quit smoking long-term. The apps improve sustained abstinence rates when combined with traditional interventions or pharmacotherapy.
A California statewide study found that an expanded school-based tobacco prevention program was associated with significantly lower rates of smoking and vaping among middle and high school students. Students in funded schools were 20% less likely to use tobacco overall and 23% less likely to vape.
A large comparative study found that even low daily alcohol intake increases mouth cancer risk by 50% in India, with locally brewed drinks posing the greatest threat. Chewing tobacco use is also a major contributor to this risk, accounting for up to 62% of cases.