Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A proposed ban on menthol cigarettes by the FDA is expected to survive a lengthy legal process, according to a Rutgers paper. The study concludes that an FDA rule banning menthol cigarettes is likely to be upheld due to strong scientific evidence and legal power.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that graphic health warning labels on cigarette packages can deter some adults from purchasing tobacco products, particularly those with lower nicotine dependence. However, the strategy is unlikely to influence those smokers who are most addicted to nicotine.
Researchers found policy implementation gap in smokeless tobacco control, highlighting need for increased global efforts to reduce use of products. The study calls for a comprehensive approach to address the health burden caused by smokeless tobacco use in Asia and Africa.
Research published in Tobacco Control found that e-cigarette growth between 2011 and 2015 was not associated with the 'renormalisation' of smoking among teens. favourable perceptions of regular smoking also fell at a faster rate after e-cigarettes proliferated.
Increasing the legal age for tobacco purchase would protect younger children from exposure to older pupils who smoke and remove a potential source of supply within schools. A 'polluter pays' tax and other measures, such as retail licensing schemes and mass media education campaigns, could also help reduce smoking rates among young people
Research reveals most youth start smoking first, then vape; those who use both face unique challenges in quitting. Study highlights need for acknowledging harm reduction strategies to prevent nicotine addiction.
Research reveals that smokers using plain-packaged cigarettes are more likely to notice and read health warnings, think about the risks, and consider quitting due to the appearance of the pack. The study supports standardised packaging as an effective measure in reducing tobacco appeal and promoting public health.
A UCSF study reveals that soft drink companies copied tobacco's playbook to attract young users. The research found that executives from R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris used similar strategies to promote sweetened beverages, including child-focused marketing tactics and flavors, after selling their tobacco brands.
A new study found that increased tobacco taxes and smoke-free policies in European countries were significantly related to a reduction in smoking among older adults. The association was particularly strong among those between 50 and 65 years old and those with lower levels of education.
Researchers found that increased access to e-cigarettes containing nicotine could lead to a significant health benefit, equivalent to adding 19 healthy days to the life of each living New Zealander. The study suggests that this could result in cost savings of NZ$3.4 billion due to reduced tobacco-related diseases.
Hookah smoking exposes users to high levels of particulate matter and other harmful chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nicotine, and lead. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding tobacco use in any form due to the risks associated with hookah smoking.
A study presented at the 30th Annual Conference of the Saudi Heart Association found that waterpipe and cigarette smoking are associated with heart attacks at a younger age in Saudi Arabians. Smokers have more complications, bigger heart attacks, and poorer outcomes compared to non-smokers.
Adults who vape are significantly more likely to have a heart attack, coronary artery disease, and depression compared to non-users. The study found that e-cigarette users were 56% more likely to have a heart attack and 30% more likely to suffer a stroke.
A study by Ohio State University found that fake warnings in e-cigarette ads, similar to those recently banned by the FDA, stick with kids and desensitize them to real health warnings. The research used fake ads with 'flavor' or 'less harmful' messages and found they were more memorable than actual warnings.
Researchers found quitting smoking significantly outweighs the risk of gaining weight for people with diabetes, despite potential weight gain being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The benefits of quitting smoking are substantial, with cardiovascular disease risk reduced by up to 41% among long-term quitters.
A San Diego State University study found that a combination of coaching, lights, and sound can reduce smoking in homes with children. The 'Project Fresh Air' intervention resulted in a near-20% reduction in smoking and related activity, as well as a decrease in air particle events triggered by secondhand smoke.
A Rutgers study found that smokers perceive snus as less harmful for lung cancer and heart disease but more harmful for oral cancer. The researchers suggest that quitting tobacco is the best course of action, while switching to snus may reduce risks for non-quitters.
A new article highlights the need for public health institutions to develop truth-telling relationships with communities affected by smoking disparities. Researchers argue that accurate and comprehensive information about the differential harms of tobacco and nicotine products is crucial for promoting trust and informed decision-making.
A study conducted by Imperial Brands found substantially reduced toxicant levels in the aerosol from their heated tobacco product (HTP) prototype compared to smoke from a standard reference cigarette. The HTP generated significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds.
A new study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that adult vapers are nearly twice as likely to experience wheezing, a precursor to serious health conditions. The research also highlights the potential for vaping to cause lung damage and long-term respiratory issues.
Researchers found that joint use of tobacco and alcohol increased reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat brain, leading to lower levels of a growth factor essential for neuron survival. The study suggests that alcoholics who smoke may be at additional risk for neural damage.
Researchers are using tobacco plants as 'green bioreactors' to produce large quantities of the human protein Interleukin 37, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing properties. The production method is more affordable than current methods, offering potential for treating a range of inflammatory disorders.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that marijuana and tobacco co-users with a close link between their use were more dependent on tobacco and smoked more cigarettes per day. This study highlights the need for personalized cessation programs to address the unique challenges faced by co-users.
A recent study using data from 1.2 million people found that genetic variants associated with increased tobacco and alcohol use also linked to various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and mental illnesses. The study suggests a complex interplay between genes and environmental factors influencing addiction.
A new smartphone-based tobacco cessation study aims to help smokers quit using a tailored messaging system that predicts when they are most likely to relapse. The app, called Smart-T, has shown promising results in previous studies, with 22% of participants quitting smoking compared to 15% in other groups.
Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with an increased preference for menthol cigarettes, specifically in African-American smokers. The MRGPRX4 gene variant is five to eight times more frequent among menthol cigarette users, suggesting a potential underlying factor for the higher use of these products among this population.
Researchers at SDSU have developed wearable wristbands to track nicotine exposure in children, which were compared to traditional urine samples and found to be equivalent. The wristbands may become a useful tool for studying tobacco product exposure in both children and adults.
A new study published in ERJ Open Research directly compares new heated tobacco devices with vaping and traditional cigarettes, showing that all three are toxic to human lung cells. The study's findings suggest that these newer electronic nicotine delivery devices may not be a safer substitute for cigarette smoking.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati found significant levels of nicotine on children's hands, even when caregivers did not smoke in their presence. The study suggests that indoor smoking bans may not fully protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke residue.
The study found that major tobacco companies are paying significantly less in Corporation Tax than they should be, with Imperial Brands and BAT making losses in the UK. The authors call for improved reporting standards and a bank-focused corporation tax surcharge to cover tobacco companies.
A study by Rutgers researchers found that many inmates want to quit smoking but lack resources and education to help them. The researchers recommend increasing tobacco dependence treatments, prison-wide cessation programs, and helping former smokers influence other inmates.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a significant association between tobacco use and paranoid experiences in adolescents. The study, which used data from over 3,700 twin pairs, suggested that genetic influences played a key role in this link.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that bisexual individuals and those unsure of their sexual identities are at greatest risk for substance abuse. Those who identified as lesbian or gay were also over twice as likely to have a severe alcohol or tobacco use disorder compared to heterosexuals.
Concurrent tobacco use is associated with a higher likelihood of receiving prescriptions for opioids combined with muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines. This increased co-prescription may lead to prescription drug addiction due to the heightened risk of overdose.
US youth tobacco users experienced a decline in flavored tobacco product use between 2014 and 2016. The trend reversed in 2017, with increased flavor use among electronic cigarettes contributing to the increase.
A new study engineered transgenic tobacco plants with synthetic metabolic pathways to bypass photorespiration, increasing dry weight biomass by large margins. The approach has potential implications for improving crop yields globally, especially for crops like rice and wheat.
A study by King's College London found that UK smokers and ex-smokers have common misperceptions about the harm from vaping. Only 57.3% correctly stated that vaping is less harmful than smoking, while 63.4% said nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is less harmful.
Researchers found that mice exposed to secondhand smoke developed cardiac alternans, a precursor to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study expands knowledge of tobacco smoke's effects on cardiac function in nonsmokers.
Research estimates that bidi smoking in India results in INR 805.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) in direct and indirect costs, including healthcare expenses and lost productivity. The habit disproportionately affects men, particularly those from lower-income households who already struggle with poverty.
Researchers linked health factors like access to public transit, grocery store variety, and food prices to major diseases. The study found significant differences in environmental factors across Canada's provinces, urban-rural communities, and regions.
A new study found that plain packaging for tobacco products led to a five percent increase in sales price and an eight percent rise in hand-rolling tobacco prices. The research contradicts predictions made by the tobacco industry, suggesting they aimed to deter government implementation through increased prices.
A recent study published in BMJ Open found that smokers who mainly roll their own cigarettes are less motivated to quit compared to those who mainly smoke factory-made cigarettes. The main reason for this disparity is the relatively cheap cost of RYO products, with users spending around half as much on smoking each week.
Retailers in minority and low-income communities are more likely to sell alternative tobacco products, such as cigars and e-cigarettes, due to consumer demand. These products have been found to be more accessible in predominantly White neighborhoods with higher retailer density.
A study published in ERJ Open Research found that adolescents who see e-cigarette adverts are more likely to use both e-cigarettes and smoke tobacco cigarettes. The researchers used a large sample of German school pupils to investigate the impact of advertising on young people's behavior.
New research suggests that negative social cues on tobacco packaging can trigger feelings of self-consciousness in smokers, particularly those who don't see smoking as identity-relevant. The study found that isolating smokers from positive social associations with smoking can be an effective tool to reduce smoking intentions.
Researchers found a correlation between declining smoking rates among US teens and young adults and rising vaping prevalence. The study suggests that while some young people may try e-cigarettes and then smoke, the overall impact of vaping on smoking rates is likely small.
A new Ohio State University study of 617 tobacco users found that vaping did not boost quit rates, and dual users were no more likely to stop smoking. Researchers say the results suggest that for heavy smokers, tried-and-true methods like medication and nicotine replacement are still the best approach.
A recent study by University College London found that smokers who regularly spend time with vapers are more likely to try quitting smoking. The study discovered no evidence that vaping discourages smokers from quitting, alleviating concerns about the public health impact of e-cigarettes.
The study found that performance coaching significantly increased rates of tobacco dependence treatment delivery among primary care clinicians. Clinicians who received coaching had higher rates of providing key elements of the 5As model and arranging follow-up support.
A new study found that pregnant women with Medicaid support urine testing to promote smoking cessation, but fear consequences such as clinician reaction and government involvement. Clinicians are concerned about the impact on patient relationships, but researchers call for consensual testing to improve public health outcomes.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that pregnant women living in areas with high tobacco availability are 70% more likely to smoke. Limiting tobacco supply could help reduce smoking rates and tackle health inequalities.
A study of 1,448,952 Medicare beneficiaries found that higher primary care physician continuity was strongly correlated with lower healthcare expenditures and hospitalization rates. Continuity of care is a core tenet of primary care that should be incorporated into official primary care measures.
A USC study found that e-cigarette users are just as likely to start smoking tobacco as non-users, and may even be more likely to continue using both. The study surveyed over 6,200 high schoolers and found that vaping did not reduce the likelihood of smoking initiation, contradicting previous assumptions.
Research found that hookah tobacco smoking impairs blood vessel function, similar to cigarette smoking, due to high levels of carbon monoxide. Hookah smoke exposes users to additional toxic substances from charcoal combustion products.
Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered evidence of ancient tobacco smoking in the interior Pacific Northwest dating back over 1,200 years. The study's findings challenge long-held views on the region's pre-contact smoking practices and highlight the sophistication of indigenous cultures in managing plants and animals.
Researchers found biomarkers of nicotine in 1,200-year-old stone pipes from the Columbia River Basin, challenging the idea that bearberry was the main ritual smoke plant. The discovery establishes a history of ritual tobacco use in the interior Pacific Northwest, informing education and smoking abatement programs.
Researchers found that images of diseased body parts and testimonials from real people were the most effective individual features in pictorial warning labels. The study analyzed over 300 warning labels and recruited nearly 1,400 current smokers to view them and answer questions about their effect.
Research from the University of Otago suggests that flavored capsule cigarettes make smoked tobacco products more appealing to non-smoking young people. Susceptible non-smokers prefer flavoured capsules over unflavoured cigarettes, viewing them as smoother and more fun to smoke.
A UCSF special issue of Tobacco Control debunks the tobacco industry's claims that heated tobacco products are safer than conventional cigarettes. The research, led by Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, finds no statistically detectable difference between IQOS and conventional cigarettes in terms of harmful chemicals released.
This study examined pod-based e-cigarette use among California adolescents and young adults, finding that most users also used other e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. The average perceived risk of social and health risks from pod-based e-cigarettes was around 40%.