Articles tagged with Tobacco
A researcher at the University of Oklahoma is conducting a study to investigate the role of menthol flavoring in smoking habits among young adults. The study aims to inform the FDA's decision on whether to ban menthol flavoring in cigarettes, which could reduce smoking rates among at-risk populations.
A new study suggests that banning menthol cigarettes could avert over 630,000 deaths and benefit communities of color. The research highlights the disproportionate preference for menthol among young smokers, Black smokers, lesbian and gay smokers, bisexual smokers, and those with mental health problems.
A study published in Global Public Health reveals that tobacco companies are using cash payments, holidays, and exclusive events to incentivize retailers, bypassing current laws. Former employees describe the tactics as aimed at increasing market share and driving sales through retailer loyalty.
Researchers found that tobacco companies use cash payments, holidays, and events to incentivize retailers to promote their products, reaching consumers indirectly. The study calls for strengthened laws to prohibit all marketing of tobacco products, with no contributions allowed.
New research by British American Tobacco indicates that modern oral nicotine products (MOPs) are less biologically active than traditional cigarettes and snus, with some products failing to elicit a biological response. The study suggests MOPs may be a reduced-risk option for users who switch completely from smoking.
Researchers created an optimal experimental environment by introducing engineered plant enzyme into E. coli bacteria. They discovered that a specific subunit of Rubisco works faster than others and can be improved in bacteria to boost crop productivity.
A new report highlights the need for top hospitals to prioritize tobacco treatment, citing a disconnect between rankings and smoking cessation care. The study's authors argue that addressing tobacco dependence should be a priority, especially given its impact on various health conditions, resulting in significant healthcare costs.
A New Zealand survey found that e-cigarette use is increasing among smokers and recent quitters, with most common reasons being to help quit or cut down on smoking. The study suggests e-cigarettes are contributing to reducing smoking prevalence, but more work is needed to achieve the goal of becoming smokefree by 2025.
Undergraduate students perceive e-cigarette secondhand emissions as harmful when labeled 'chemicals' or 'aerosols', but not 'vapor'. The study recommends accurately labeling e-cigarette emissions to build support for tobacco-free campus policies.
A study by San Diego State University researchers found that cleaning thirdhand smoke residue in homes can reduce nicotine contamination, but the effects are temporary. Frequent vacuuming, dusting, and surface cleaning can help minimize exposure to household dust and touch surfaces.
A Rutgers study found that smoking is linked to poorer mental health, more frequent substance use, and social determinants of disparities in marginalized populations. The research suggests a need for comprehensive tobacco treatment addressing psychosocial drivers and systemic stressors.
A Rutgers-led national survey found that 83% of doctors strongly believed nicotine contributed to heart disease, despite its primary risk being addiction. The study suggests physicians need better understanding of nicotine risks to assist patients addicted to tobacco products.
A new UC study found that children exposed to tobacco smoke have higher rates of hospital admissions and respiratory-related procedures, with increased risk of asthma treatments. The study suggests that emergency departments should screen for tobacco smoke exposure and provide resources to families.
Two studies found that e-cigarettes are not effective in helping adults quit smoking, but may lead to nicotine dependence. Researchers used data from a large nationally representative longitudinal study and found that cessation rates did not differ between e-cigarette users and closely matched smokers who did not use e-cigarettes.
Research reveals that flavourings combine with solvents in e-cigarettes to produce new, toxic compounds that can lead to breathing and heart problems. The new chemicals are more toxic than their parent compounds and activate sensory receptors, increasing the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Researchers warn that the introduction of 'cigarillos' to the UK market is exploiting loopholes in public health measures, targeting cigarette smokers with low-cost products. The authors advocate for urgent adjustments to the tax system to raise pack prices and reduce the incentives behind these products.
Research at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology found that strigolactones regulate plant defense against endophytic Trichobaris mucorea larvae by influencing jasmonate and auxin signaling pathways. This enables tobacco plants to produce defensive substances, increasing their tolerance to the weevil's attack.
Lung cancer incidence rates have decreased in both Black and white men and women since the 1990s, with steeper declines in Black populations. Historically higher smoking rates in Black adults have disappeared, leading to a reversal of the racial gap in lung cancer incidence among young adults.
A new study estimates that 350,000 people globally died from smokeless tobacco-related illnesses in 2020, up from an estimated 258,000 in 2017. The researchers are urging governments to regulate the production and sale of smokeless tobacco products.
A recent survey of nearly 800 cigar smokers found that more than twice as many reported increasing their tobacco use since the pandemic's onset. The study suggests that stress, anxiety, and reduced access to cessation resources may contribute to this trend.
Rutgers researchers found that a combination of behavioral and nicotine replacement therapies helps incarcerated men and transgender women quit smoking. The six-week program led to significant reductions in tobacco smoking or complete abstinence, suggesting its potential for larger-scale studies.
A new study by Juul Labs found that the JUUL System's market entry in Canada likely decreased combustible cigarette sales, especially in urban markets. The study suggests that local tobacco market competition plays a strong role in uptake and purchase of vaping products.
A new study from UC Davis Health found that combining thoracic surgery with a quitline e-referral program significantly improves tobacco cessation rates. The study showed that surgical patients who participated in the program were three times more likely to remain smoke-free at six months compared to those without the intervention.
The American Thoracic Society's new guideline recommends varenicline as the optimal controller medication for clinicians to use initially in treating tobacco dependence. Introducing varenicline before a patient expresses willingness to quit results in an additional 308 patients achieving abstinence.
A new study by George Mason University found that the flavored cigarette ban in 2009 significantly reduced smoking among youth (ages 12-17 years) by 43%. Young adults aged 18-25 years saw a reduction of 27%. The study suggests that comprehensive flavor bans on tobacco and nicotine products could be effective.
A recent study from the University of Bath found that cigarette sales declined sharply in the UK after standardized packaging was introduced, with a 12-20 million monthly decrease. The researchers suggest this decline is a result of both the reduced appeal of premium brands and the increased tax on cheaper cigarettes.
Researchers identified Rhus glabra, a smooth sumac plant, as the first non-tobacco plant found in an archeological pipe. The discovery sheds light on ancient plant mixtures used by Native American tribes for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
A study published in the European Heart Journal finds that tobacco cigarettes are more harmful than e-cigarettes, while waterpipe smoke poses significant health risks. The review highlights the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of e-cigarettes and waterpipes on human health.
A new study from the University of East Anglia reveals that EU safety regulations have reassured UK vapers but also led to concerns about restricted e-liquid products and black market sales. The research highlights the need for awareness about vaping product safety and regulation.
Research finds that tobacco industry discounting leads to higher cigarette consumption, as smokers trade down to cheaper products to avoid price rises. This undermines the effectiveness of tax levies in reducing smoking prevalence and associated health issues.
Researchers have identified 76 types of aquaporins in tobacco, a model plant species closely related to major crops like tomato and potato. This discovery sheds light on the functional roles of aquaporins in plants, which could lead to improved crop productivity and resilience.
Dr. Xiaoquan Zhao received funding from the Food and Drug Administration to support youth tobacco education campaigns. He will serve as a consultant to the FDA Center for Tobacco Products to evaluate evidence-based public health communication and marketing interventions.
Current cigarette smoking is associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke among African Americans, with the risk doubling for those who smoke compared to nonsmokers. The study found that smokers were more than twice as likely to experience stroke, and the risk increased with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
A KAUST research team discovered that IQOS emits 62 compounds, 52 of which were not found in Philip Morris International tests, including diacetyl and potentially carcinogenic diethylhexyl phthalate.
New research found that tobacco companies continued to sell and promote menthol products despite a four-year phasing-in period for the UK's menthol cigarette ban. The study reveals that industry experts developed new products to circumvent the ban, including menthol filters and flavour cards.
Researchers investigated the link between prenatal alcohol and tobacco smoking on newborn brain activity. The study found associations between these exposures and altered brain activity in infants.
Researchers suggest that tobacco use contributes to the disparity in COVID-19 mortality rates between men and women in Spain, with over 30% of deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease. The study calls for increased data collection on tobacco use among those infected and measures to curb smoking during the pandemic.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that e-cigarette users experience vascular damage comparable to traditional cigarette smokers. The researchers discovered stiffening of arteries and damaged endothelial cells, which can lead to heart disease.
Research found that nicotine-fueled e-cigarettes increase heart rate and blood pressure in healthy, young nonsmokers. The study used JUUL e-cigarette nicotine or placebo and measured heart rate, blood pressure, and sympathetic nerve activity. Nicotine caused a prolonged increase in blood pressure.
A UC Davis study found that promoting e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to combustible cigarettes backfired, resulting in increased social valuations of e-cigarettes as bad or worse than cigarettes. The study analyzed over 1,200 documents and conducted interviews with policymakers, public health advocates, and industry leaders.
After JUUL removed flavored products, sales shifted to menthol and tobacco flavors, with the company's sales surpassing previous highs within weeks. The study suggests that self-imposed restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes are unlikely to improve public health and that market demand will fill the void.
A study of 10 on-demand streaming series found that 70% depicted tobacco incidents, with non-compliance to India's rules rampant. Researchers emphasize the need for stricter enforcement and update of WHO guidelines to include streaming services.
A new international study found that starting smoking at a young age significantly increases the likelihood of becoming a daily smoker as an adult. The study analyzed data from over 6,600 participants and found that even children who only tried smoking minimally were more likely to end up as daily adult smokers. The results support Tob...
A recent investigation by The BMJ uncovered links between groups advocating for wider medical cannabis access and those pushing for recreational legalization. Industry funding for research into medicinal properties of cannabis has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential normalization of cannabis use.
Research comparing teen e-cigarette users with those who tried other tobacco products first found that only a tiny proportion of experimental vapers went on to smoke. Young vapers were less likely to smoke than peers trying out other tobacco products, contradicting previous studies linking teen vaping to smoking.
A single dose of THC can induce a range of psychiatric symptoms in healthy volunteers, including schizophrenia-like symptoms. No consistent evidence suggests that cannabidiol moderates the effects of THC.
Young people who have tried e-cigarettes but never smoked before are four-and-a-half times more likely to go on to try smoking. However, the association between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and subsequent smoking remains unclear due to methodological limitations.
Pro-vaping and other tobacco videos on YouTube have seen dramatic increases in viewership over the past half-dozen years, despite ad bans. The research highlights the challenges of regulating online content and the potential for social media platforms to influence young people's health information.
Research discovered that tobacco smoke off-gassing transports contaminants equivalent to several cigarettes of secondhand smoke into indoor areas. Thirdhand smoke includes residual chemicals left on surfaces and skin, presenting significant health risks to non-smokers.
Researchers studied 100 youth participants' exposure to tobacco outlets and found that high exposure was associated with more cigarettes smoked. The study suggests regulating youth exposure to tobacco outlets can limit access and availability of cigarettes, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that adults increasingly prefer sweet e-cigarette flavors over traditional tobacco flavors. The study suggests that restrictions on flavored e-liquids may drive long-term users to seek illicit sources, posing health risks.
England is off track to meet its 2030 smoke-free target, with projections suggesting a 20-year gap in smoking rates between the least and most deprived communities. To achieve the goal of a 5% smoking rate, significant funding for stop-smoking services and national education campaigns must be reinstated.
A new analysis by NYU School of Global Public Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that exposure to alcohol advertising changes teens' attitudes about alcohol and can cause them to start drinking. The study applies a framework developed for tobacco advertising to show causality between alcohol advertising and youth drinking.
A new RAND Corporation study found that about 12% of young adults surveyed were aware of heated tobacco products and 5% reported using them. The devices are being promoted by the tobacco industry as alternatives to cigarettes.
Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center argue that graphic warning labels can effectively promote an understanding of the consequences of smoking. The proposed labels, which include images and text warnings, have the potential to help reduce smoking rates and serve as a model for other regulatory efforts.
A study found that Google Trends shows a significant increase in searches for 'quit vaping' during the EVALI outbreak, with a 3.7-fold rise, highlighting the need for public health messaging and clinical screening of patients who vape.
A Rutgers-led study found that high school students reported higher e-cigarette use when Juul was included in the measure, particularly among female and black students. The study suggests health officials might be underestimating teen e-cigarette use prevalence.
Standardised packaging in the UK led to higher cigarette prices despite warnings from the tobacco industry. The study found that prices increased due to the introduction of a minimum excise tax (MET) that forced companies to pay at least £5.88 per pack, reducing their ability to manipulate prices.
Researchers analyzed data from over 49,000 adults and found that while overall smoking rates have decreased among Americans aged 20+, the rate of stroke survivors who smoke remains steady. The study emphasizes the importance of quitting smoking for stroke survivors, citing the highly addictive nature of nicotine.
Daily e-cigarette users are more likely to be recent quitters than non-users, while vaping is rare among those who quit more than a decade ago. E-cigarettes appear to be helping smokers quit successfully, particularly among those who quit within the last two years.