Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A recent OSU study found that support for smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies grew substantially over a five-year span, with increased support among tobacco users. The study analyzed two surveys conducted at OSU in 2013 and 2018, showing a significant shift in attitudes towards tobacco-free policies.
A new study found that cigarette smoking is responsible for approximately 8.8% of cancer deaths in some areas, while others have rates as high as 35.7%. The proportion of smoking-related cancer deaths varies significantly by region and sex, with men generally having higher rates than women.
Researchers detected Mexican marigold in ancient Maya ceramic vessels, which they believe were mixed with tobacco to enhance its effects. The discovery sheds light on ancient Maya drug use practices and paves the way for further studies on psychoactive plants.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology reveals how plants produce defensive toxins, such as diterpene glycosides, without harming themselves. These plant chemicals attack specific parts of the cell membrane, and plants store them in a non-toxic form to prevent self-harm.
Smokeless tobacco products pose significant health risks due to high nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals. Researchers call for stricter regulations to reduce illicit trading and ensure proper health warnings.
Starting tobacco products before age 18 increases addiction risk for young adults. A recent study found that youth who used e-cigarettes were three times more likely to become daily cigarette smokers compared to those who didn't use e-cigarettes.
Researchers found that exposure to acrolein, a chemical produced by tobacco combustion, increases cardiovascular disease risk; Higher levels of toxic chemicals were detected in tobacco smokers than marijuana only smokers. The study suggests reducing acrolein exposure could lower risk.
A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health found that vaping does not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease when used in conjunction with cigarette smoking. In fact, dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes may be as harmful to cardiovascular health as exclusive cigarette smoking.
A large data analysis of over 7,100 U.S. adults found that vaping combined with smoking results in similar levels of inflammation and oxidative stress as smoking cigarettes exclusively. Researchers also found that dual use of both products does not reduce risk.
Two new studies from the University of Rochester Medical Center found an association between vaping and difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Adolescents who started vaping before age 14 were more likely to experience mental fog than those who started later.
Researchers found that almost two-thirds of light smokers (1-4 cigarettes/day) and a quarter of those smoking less than weekly were addicted. The study suggests that clinicians should consider lighter smokers for treatment, as they may still require assistance to quit.
A systematic review by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use has no appreciable effect on participants' ability to quit, regardless of frequency or motivation. However, certain e-cigarette devices treated like medicine in clinical trials showed a more significant impact on quitting smoking.
The COVID-19 vaccine candidate, KBP-COVID-19, has demonstrated potential advantages in production speed and stability at room temperature, which could reduce the time between virus identification and vaccine deployment. The Phase I study will enroll 180 healthy volunteers to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
Teen boys who vaped were almost three times as likely to start smoking and two times more likely to try smokeless tobacco than their peers with similar risk profiles. The study used a robust statistical approach to provide evidence of the link between vaping and tobacco use in young people.
A new study suggests that a no-deal Brexit could raise cigarette and tobacco prices in the UK, making it easier to implement effective tobacco control measures. The research also highlights the potential benefits of Brexit for tackling smoking, including reduced smuggling and increased revenue for the government.
A recent study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in the effectiveness of anti-smoking measures. Non-Hispanic white smokers have seen a higher reduction in cigarette use, highlighting the need for targeted public health efforts to address disparities.
The study shows Vype ePen 3 is superior to Vype ePen 2 for nicotine delivery and ranked significantly higher in user satisfaction. The device scored nearly double the likability compared to its predecessor, with improved design features such as increased power and protonated nicotine.
A new University of Michigan study finds that over half of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who misuse alcohol or tobacco also have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder. Women are particularly affected, with higher rates of anxiety, mood disorders, and PTSD compared to heterosexual women.
Researchers at UIC are studying the burden of tobacco use and developing a smoking cessation program for high-risk populations. The project, Mi Quit CARE, uses patient portals like MyChart to deliver interventions and aims to increase quit rates among low-income communities.
Researchers from Boston University School of Public Health found that e-cigarette use is associated with a 21% increase in respiratory disease risk and a 43% increase in chronic bronchitis risk. Current e-cigarette users are also at higher risk for emphysema, COPD, and asthma.
Using FDA-approved treatments increases the likelihood of success, but many smokers still struggle to quit. New research finds e-cigarettes containing nicotine are more effective than other therapies, including nicotine-free options and behavioral counseling.
Researchers found that over half of e-cigarette users reported symptoms like cough and nausea, with those using flavored products and refillable devices more likely to experience severe symptoms. The study highlights the need for better understanding of e-cigarette risks among healthcare professionals and parents of youth.
A year-long study found that smokers switching exclusively to glo reduced exposure to certain toxicants, similar to quitting completely. Glo's design minimizes ash production and odour, potentially reducing smoking-related diseases risk.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes decreases addictiveness, particularly among those with mental illness and socioeconomic disadvantage. The research suggests that lower nicotine content could lead to policy changes benefiting all smokers, especially the most vulnerable.
A recent review from LSU Health New Orleans found an association between heat-not-burn tobacco products and increased risk of heart problems, cell death, and circulatory dysfunction. The study highlights the need for further research into the health effects of these products.
A new study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found that frequent phone counseling significantly improves quit rates among cancer patients who smoke. The intensive program resulted in a 34.5% abstinence rate, compared to 21.5% for those receiving less frequent counseling.
A new study by University of York found that TV advertising, free tobacco products, and exposure to smoking in public places are the biggest drivers of tobacco use among teens in South Asia. Teaching adolescents about the harmful effects of tobacco at school was effective in reducing smokeless tobacco use but not smoking.
The American Medical Association joins forces with the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council in urging a ban on menthol-flavored tobacco products. Research shows that menthol cigarette smoking persists among vulnerable populations, despite declining overall cigarette consumption. Experts argue that banning menthol cigaret...
A UCSF study found parents are more likely to know their child is using e-cigarettes if they're older and male, but less aware of vaping compared to smoking. Parents setting strict household rules can help prevent tobacco use in children.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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-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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.