Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teens and young adults who use Juul e-cigarettes fail to recognize the product's addictive potential, with some reporting addiction despite infrequent smoking. The study emphasizes the need for clear public-health messages about the risks of new types of e-cigarettes.
Researchers at Duke University and Yale found that flavorings react with vaping liquids, creating new compounds that could trigger irritation and inflammation. The study highlights the need for transparency on e-cigarette ingredients, particularly among youth.
A study found that 40-50% of leading hip-hop music videos from 2013-2017 contained tobacco and marijuana use, with brand placement increasing with song popularity. The prevalence of combustible or electronic use rose with songs' popularity, particularly among young people.
Leading hip-hop music videos over five years featured tobacco and marijuana use, with combustible products appearing most frequently. The study's findings highlight the genre's influence on youth behavior and contribute to growing public health concerns.
A 2018 study from Nova Scotia found that seizures of illicit cigarettes decreased significantly between 2007-08 and 2017-18, with no statistically significant increase after the 2015 menthol ban. The prevalence of illegal tobacco in the province also decreased from 30% to less than 10%.
Most Canadian smokers favour novel policies to reduce tobacco use, with 70% supporting lower nicotine levels in cigarettes. The study also found that 59% of smokers support a ban on all marketing of tobacco products.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes have the potential to significantly impact smoking cessation efforts, particularly among vulnerable populations. A study by the University of Exeter found that stop-smoking services which are e-cigarette friendly can make a considerable difference in helping people give up smoking.
A recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research reveals that California's long-term tobacco control efforts have led to a 28% decrease in lung cancer deaths compared to the rest of the country. The state's approach has been particularly effective in discouraging young people from starting to smoke, with a 39% lower initiation ra...
The report emphasizes tobacco control as the top priority in a national cancer control plan due to its significant health benefits. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer-related deaths in the US.
Scientists discovered a genetic mutation in the CHRNA5 gene that contributes to nicotine dependence and relapse. The study found that this mutation increases nicotine consumption and rates of relapse, offering hope for developing new therapies to combat tobacco addiction.
Researchers uncover evidence of ancient goiter and thyroid disease using science and art in a 2,000-year-old carved statue. The discovery challenges traditional theories about the statue's representation of achondroplasia, providing new insights into the health and diet of Native Americans.
Adolescents who vape are more likely to start smoking cigarettes and increase their use of both products over time. The study suggests that teens don't substitute vaping for cigarettes, but rather use both products more frequently as they get older.
A new study by George Mason University found an estimated 2,035 emergency department visits from e-cigarette explosion and burn injuries between 2015-2017, underscoring the need for improved surveillance and regulation. The devices contain harmful substances like nicotine and ultrafine particles, posing serious health risks.
A new study from Imperial College London found that removing tobacco displays from shops reduced the proportion of children buying cigarettes by 17 percent. However, more than two-thirds of child smokers reported being refused cigarettes when trying to buy them, suggesting that enforcement is still crucial.
Experts warn that Public Health England's partnership with the drinks industry may undermine efforts to reduce alcohol consumption. A new campaign encouraging middle-aged people to have more alcohol-free days per week has been criticized for its modest target and lack of clarity.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) will conduct a five-year study on the impacts of new tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The research team aims to evaluate product characteristics, health effects, and behavior, with the goal of protecting public health.
Attorneys general can intervene through litigation when public health is threatened, targeting issues like the opioid epidemic and excessive sugar consumption. By reducing industry manipulation of science and lobbying for policies against the public interest, attorneys general can alter the trajectory of these major public health problems
A new study published in JAMA found that immediately reducing nicotine in cigarettes leads to more rapid positive public health effects, including decreased exposure to toxic chemicals and increased smoke-free days. However, smokers may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms during the transition.
A recent pilot study reveals that e-cigarette users are exposed to hazardous aldehydes like formaldehyde, which can cause cancer. The study found that concentrations of these chemicals increased tenfold after vaping sessions, suggesting a significant amount remains in the lungs.
Researchers found that varenicline, a medication used to help cigarette smokers quit, had no effect on shisha smokers. Shisha smoking poses similar health risks as cigarette smoking due to inhalation of large volumes of tobacco and charcoal smoke.
A randomized clinical trial found that immediate nicotine reduction resulted in lower toxicant exposure, fewer cigarettes smoked, and greater reduction in dependence compared to gradual reduction. However, this approach also caused higher withdrawal symptoms and study dropout rates.
A new study finds that NYC's tobacco-free pharmacy law substantially reduces tobacco retailer density overall, particularly in high-income neighborhoods. However, disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced little to no change in retailer density, highlighting unequal impact across neighborhoods.
Two new studies from the University of Bath expose evidence that big tobacco companies are still facilitating tobacco smuggling and funding studies that overestimate levels of tobacco smuggling. The findings highlight the tobacco industry's elaborate efforts to control a global track and trace system and undermine international agreeme...
A new analysis found that daily e-cigarette use nearly doubles the odds of a heart attack, with dual use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes increasing the risk five-fold. Quitting either product can reduce this risk.
A recent University of Cincinnati study found that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to respiratory problems and increased absenteeism among teens. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate parents and family members on preventing secondhand smoke exposure and treating tobacco use.
Recent FDA research identified effective health messaging strategies for rural, non-Hispanic White males aged 12-17 years who are at risk of initiating or experimenting with smokeless tobacco. The findings suggest that authenticity and straightforward facts about the health consequences of SLT use resonate well with this audience.
A Colorado study found that more than half of sampled stores sold cigarettes to minors, despite a third being detected after multiple visits. The study suggests that testing each store more than once and verifying age from ID would improve enforcement.
The American College of Cardiology recommends incorporating smoking cessation into cardiovascular care, with a focus on evidence-based treatments. Community and policy-level interventions, such as smoke-free laws and education campaigns, also play a crucial role in reducing tobacco-related heart disease risk.
A study found that frequent tobacco smokers had a nearly 20% decrease in CB1 receptors across the brain, similar to previous findings in cannabis and alcohol abuse. This reduction may be associated with addiction and could have negative effects on normal brain functions like memory and stress coping.
Research reveals tobacco content remains common on UK prime time TV, appearing in 17% of programmes and 8% of adverts. This exposure is likely to influence young people's take-up of smoking, highlighting the need for revised guidelines and enforcement.
A RAND Corporation study found that adolescents who view tobacco ads in convenience stores are more willing to try vaping products. Hiding the 'power wall' behind an opaque barrier reduced willingness by 15%. Researchers suggest limiting point-of-sale advertising may help reduce industry efforts on adolescent nicotine use.
Case Western Reserve University researchers developed an automatic alert system using wearable sensors and smartphone apps to help people quit smoking. The system tracks specific arm and body motions associated with smoking and sends personalized text messages or videos to motivate users.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that e-cigarette users, especially those who also use combustible tobacco, are exposed to high levels of carcinogens similar to exclusive cigarette smokers. Non-cigarette tobacco product users are also at risk due to comparable exposure levels.
A study by the University of York found that over 40% of pregnant women in Pakistan are exposed to secondhand smoke, resulting in approximately 17,000 still births annually. This exposure increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, and respiratory illnesses.
A study of 34,000 patients found nearly 1 in 4 used preoperative opioids, linked to age, tobacco use, illicit drug use, pain severity and depression. Identifying these patients can inform effective pain management plans for complex patient populations.
A US study of over 20,000 adult vapers found that non-tobacco flavors, especially fruit-based ones, are increasingly preferred to tobacco flavors. This shift is contributing to tobacco harm reduction.
Research reveals that young adults are more likely to start smoking and using e-cigarettes than adolescents, challenging traditional social norms. This trend has significant health implications, as young adults are less monitored and more independent, making them prone to carrying on smoking.
A new study by USC researchers found that high school, middle school, and elementary school students in the US are using JUUL vaporizers to get hooked on nicotine. The discreet devices are being used undetected on school grounds, with over 1 in 25 tweets mentioning their use.
A trio of leading academics warn that the Brussels Declaration, a key public health declaration, was developed with extensive involvement of tobacco and alcohol industry actors. This raises concerns about the potential for industry influence on policy-making and the advancement of corporate interests.
A study by University of East Anglia found that vaping supports long-term smoking abstinence and even encourages those who don't want to quit. Vapers reported improved respiratory function, taste, and smell after switching from cigarettes.
A study of US PATH data from 2013-2015 found that nearly 60% of adult smokers believed e-cigarettes were as or more harmful than smoking, up from 43% in 2013. This misconception threatens the potential benefits of vaping as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered that flavored electronic cigarettes contain additives that can decrease blood flow and increase inflammation in blood vessels, similar to combustible cigarettes. The study's findings suggest a potential link between flavored e-cigarette use and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that e-cigarette flavorings impaired nitric oxide production in endothelial cells, leading to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. The study suggests that flavoring additives may have serious health consequences, particularly for youth tobacco users.
Toxicant levels in myblu aerosols are up to 99% lower than in cigarette smoke, with formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein showing more than 99% reduction compared to conventional cigarette smoke. The study also found significant reductions in manganese, selenium, NNN, NAT, and NNK.
A study found that persistent illicit drug use was associated with a higher risk of kidney disease progression and early death among chronic kidney disease patients. Tobacco smoking was also linked to an increased risk of early death.
A Facebook-based treatment program found that smokers are 2.5 times more likely to quit after three months compared to an online quit-smoking program. Young adults, who are often reluctant to seek help, showed high engagement and short-term abstinence rates.
A team of La Trobe University scientists has discovered a peptide found in the flowers of the ornamental tobacco plant Nicotiana alata that can target and destroy Candida albicans cells, making it a promising lead for developing a new class of antibiotics.
A new University of Pittsburgh analysis discovered that hookah smoking accounted for over half of the tobacco smoke volume consumed by young adult smokers in the US. In contrast, those who smoked tobacco only using a hookah had lower but still substantial toxicant exposures compared to those who used both hookahs and cigarettes.
The largest health burden from substance use is attributed to tobacco smoking, with nearly one in seven adults worldwide smoking. In contrast, illicit drug use is less common, with fewer than one in twenty people using cannabis in the past year.
A new study found that nearly 30% of tiny particles in a nonsmoking classroom were associated with thirdhand smoke residue. Laboratory experiments confirmed the findings, revealing that THS can travel far from its original source and pose health risks.
The center aims to study ways to reduce cancer risk among underserved individuals and improve outcomes among those with a diagnosis, utilizing tools like mobile health technology.
A new study found that children exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke have a higher rate of emergency department visits and otitis media episodes compared to those with no smoke exposure. The study also revealed an association between secondhand marijuana smoke exposure and increased child health issues.
Researchers found that 7.4% of NYC legislation between 1998 and 2017 could impact cardiovascular health, with enacted bills reducing air pollution, promoting physical activity, healthy diets, and tobacco cessation. These policies led to a 35% decline in adult smoking prevalence.
A new study found that Philip Morris continued to study addiction from the mid-1990s to at least 2006, exploring psychological, social, and environmental factors alongside nicotine. The internal research suggested that reducing smoking prevalence requires policies addressing all factors driving addiction.
A new study reveals that the tobacco industry successfully manipulated UNICEF's focus on tobacco control for children, reducing its emphasis on a tobacco-free life. The agency was influenced by big tobacco's lobbying efforts, leading to less stringent measures against tobacco use among youth.
A study by Newcastle University found that vaping has the same beneficial gut bacteria as non-smokers, whereas smoking is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer and colitis. The research also discovered a decrease in beneficial Bacteroides bacteria in smokers.
E-cigarettes may be as effective as nicotine replacement therapy in quitting smoking, but concerns over addiction and youth smoking initiation remain. However, experts argue that the risks are largely irrelevant for most vapers, and e-cigarettes can help smokers quit as part of a comprehensive anti-smoking strategy.
A study by University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that cigarillo packaging with colors and flavors increases their appeal, even when text or pictorial warnings are present. The findings suggest that stricter regulations on imagery, such as plain packaging, may reduce cigarillo use.
Researchers are investigating various cannabis-related health issues, such as its impact on pregnant women, young people, and those with chronic pain. The studies aim to expand knowledge on the most pressing questions related to the impact of cannabis on health.
New research found that men under 50 who smoked had an increased risk of stroke, with the risk increasing as the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The study revealed that even light smokers were 46% more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking to reduce stroke risk.