Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
Researchers at Georgia State University are developing cellphone messaging programs to help smokers quit in China and Vietnam. The five-year project aims to adapt culturally effective interventions for cessation, utilizing mobile phones and texting technologies to reach millions of smokers.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that reducing nicotine content in cigarettes can decrease their addictiveness in vulnerable populations. The research team found that low-nicotine dose cigarettes could serve as economic substitutes for higher-dose commercial-level nicotine cigarettes when the cost of the latter was greater.
A Drexel University study found that older smokers are 20% more likely to quit when cigarette prices increase by $1. The study also showed a 3% overall reduction in smoking risk and a 7% reduction in risk for heavy smokers. Raising cigarette prices appears to be an effective strategy for encouraging smoking cessation across all ages.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that tobacco companies knew NRT hardly ever works without counseling, but now sell it over-the-counter to complement smoking. The 'Tobacco Papers' reveal how industry documents show a shift in perception toward nicotine.
A UK study found that e-cigarette use among teens is associated with an increased risk of starting conventional cigarette smoking and escalating their habit. The study suggests that e-cigarette use may be a marker for those who would have started smoking anyway, but more research is needed to confirm this.
A study by Oregon Research Institute found that e-cigarette use among 8th and 9th graders is higher than national samples, closely linked to marijuana and tobacco use. The study tracked usage patterns from 8th grade through 9th grade, revealing high rates of addiction.
A University of Stirling study found that tobacco companies are offering retailers cash bonuses and other rewards to promote their brands in Scotland. The researchers discovered that retailers were being incentivized to boost sales of tobacco products despite the ban on open displays.
In Scotland, tobacco companies are using financial incentives to encourage retailers to prioritize their brands and maintain point-of-sale displays despite the ban. Researchers found that 17 out of 24 small independent retailers reported receiving assistance from tobacco companies to adapt their ganties before the ban took effect.
A study published by the University of California - San Diego found that e-cigarette use increased among smokers attempting to quit, leading to a higher overall quitting rate. The study suggests that e-cigarettes play a role as a cessation tool and may have contributed to an increase in smoking cessation rates in the US.
A recent study published in The BMJ found a significant association between e-cigarette use and increased smoking cessation rates among US adult smokers. E-cigarette users were more likely to make a quit attempt and succeed in quitting for at least three months compared to non-users.
Dose reduction in long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain improves pain, function, and quality of life. Multidisciplinary pain programs incorporating behavioral interventions can enhance patient outcomes.
Scientists have identified two mutated genes associated with nitrogen utilization in tobacco, which could lead to the development of plants requiring less nitrogen and reduced levels of carcinogenic compounds in cigarette smoke. This discovery has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and reducing environmental pollution.
Researchers found that negative body image is associated with increased substance use in teenagers, including girls who believe they are very good-looking being more likely to binge drink. This study suggests that improving body image awareness through education and prevention programs can help reduce unhealthy behavior.
New data analysis reveals that snus is at least 95% safer than smoking, with potential benefits including reduced initiation of smoking and increased cessation rates. The study suggests that if snus were made available in Europe, it could lead to a significant reduction in premature deaths among men.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that e-cigarette users are relatively less dependent on their product compared to traditional cigarette smokers. The PATH study analyzed responses from over 30,000 young people and adults, showing that e-cigarettes cause less nicotine dependence than cigarettes.
A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that despite initial reductions, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) levels in Canadian cigarettes increased after 2007. The increases raise concerns about the failure to sustain harm reduction efforts.
A new paper examines the diverging trajectories of cannabis and tobacco policies in the US, highlighting the differences in regulatory approaches. The study suggests that both communities could benefit from learning from each other's strategies.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that pictorial warning labels (PWLs) with images convey similar risk information as text-only labels, holding smokers' attention more effectively. The researchers observed that congruent PWLs where the image and text express similar messages or themes may be an optimal design strategy.
A study found that vapour from a novel hybrid tobacco heating product and two standard THPs had little to no impact on human cells in lab-based biological tests. The results suggest these products could reduce smoking-related disease risks when compared to cigarette smoking.
A new study found that even brief exposure to tobacco during pregnancy can lead to long-term negative impacts on executive function in adolescents. The study controlled for demographics and other substance exposures, showing a strong association between tobacco exposure and impaired executive functioning.
Researchers at the University of York have found that tobacco use is more common among HIV positive individuals and can lead to a loss of up to 12 years of life. The study highlights the need for tailored interventions to tackle tobacco use among this population.
A new tobacco hybrid device, iFuse, produces a vapour with similar toxicant profile to e-cigarette Vype ePen, but with enhanced flavour. The vapour's toxicity levels are significantly lower than those in cigarette smoke.
A new national study analyzed data from the PATH Study and found that nearly half of 12- to 17-year-olds who had never used tobacco products were receptive to tobacco marketing if they recalled or liked at least one advertisement. Receptivity to tobacco ads is linked with an increased susceptibility to smoking cigarettes in the future.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that smokers who received customized, frequent emails with quitting tips and social support had higher cessation rates than those who received non-tailored emails or no email support. The success rate was highest among those receiving daily or near-daily guidance.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found that young adults who have a positive attitude towards hookah smoking are more likely to take their first puff. The study suggests that prevention efforts should focus on countering the image of hookah smoking as a fun social activity rather than emphasizing health risks.
Researchers estimate that achieving a smoking prevalence of less than 5% by 2035 would avoid nearly 12,500 new cases of serious disease. The UK could save £600 million in healthcare and lost productivity costs in 2035 alone, mainly due to declines in smoking rates among the wealthy rather than the poor.
Research predicts achieving a 'tobacco-free' UK by 2035 will save the NHS £67m in direct costs and £548m in economic costs. The study forecasts nearly 100,000 new cases of smoking-related disease will be avoided, including 35,900 cancers over 20 years.
A new study led by the University of Delaware found that kids who are bullied in fifth grade often suffer from depression and begin using alcohol and other substances a few years after the incidents. The study also shows that peer victimization has lasting effects on substance use five years later.
The University of Illinois Chicago has received an $8 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to develop effective tobacco tax systems in low- and middle-income countries. The grant will support global research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to reduce worldwide demand for tobacco.
Researchers found that LGBT individuals living in smoke-free communities are more likely to want to quit smoking than those in non-smoke-free areas. The study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, also reveals a higher prevalence of smoking among the LGBT population compared to heterosexual adults.
Post-conflict zones face unique tobacco control challenges due to high usage rates and opportunistic industry activity, highlighting the need for strong governance and effective measures like taxation
A new study by British American Tobacco found that commercially available e-cigarettes did not promote the development of cancer in laboratory cells. In contrast, smoke from a reference cigarette was positive for cancer-promoting activity at very low concentrations.
AUA trauma surgeon Dr. Gary Vercruysse reports an increase in e-cigarette-related burns, highlighting the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. The study suggests that thermal runaway can cause internal damage to batteries, leading to explosions and severe burns.
Researchers found obesity resulted in 47% more life-years lost than tobacco, with diabetes causing similar loss. The study highlights the importance of treating modifiable behavioral risk factors to prevent premature death.
A gene in wild tobacco regulates the production of bergamotene, which increases pollination success and protects against herbivory. The compound is emitted at night to attract nocturnal pollinators, such as Manduca sexta moths.
South Asian countries may benefit from implementing higher tobacco taxes, which could reduce consumption by at least one-third, according to a new analysis. The study also highlights the need for strengthened non-price interventions to control smoking, including bans on advertising and smoking in public places.
A study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and San Diego State University found that children carry high levels of nicotine on their hands even when no one is actively smoking around them. This exposure is associated with various health problems, including respiratory issues and asthma attacks.
The prevalence of daily smoking declined globally between 1990 and 2015, but the number of daily smokers continues to rise year-over-year. Robust tobacco control programs have led to progress in reducing smoking rates, but more efforts are needed to prevent new smokers and encourage quitters.
New estimates show a decline in smoking prevalence, but deaths attributable to smoking have increased by 4.7% globally, with over one in 10 deaths caused by smoking. Tobacco control programs are effective, but population growth has led to an increase in smokers worldwide.
A recent study by UC chemists found that the heat of a hookah pipe can kill 80% more lung cells than traditional charcoal, making it a surprising health culprit for smokers. The study suggests that the use of electronic heating disks may be particularly hazardous to health.
UTHealth researchers found that flavored e-cigarettes and marketing are increasing e-cigarette use among youth and young adults. The study also revealed that taste plays a significant role in tobacco products and that advertising can influence e-cigarette uptake among youth.
Researchers aim to determine whether quitting e-cigarettes causes withdrawal symptoms, with a focus on nicotine levels and potential health risks. A National Cancer Institute-funded study is recruiting long-term e-cigarette users for an eight-week experiment involving nicotine withdrawal reporting and breath/urine sampling.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that over 78% of US adults supported larger health warnings on cigarette packs, even among smokers. The researchers suggest that these findings support the implementation of larger pack warnings as required by the 2009 Tobacco Control Act.
The global tobacco control treaty has increased the adoption of tobacco reduction measures around the world, leading to a 2.5% reduction in global smoking rates between 2005 and 2015. Countries that fully implemented more demand-reduction measures experienced significantly greater reductions in smoking rates.
A new predictive model developed by British American Tobacco predicts that e-cigarettes will help reduce smoking prevalence in the UK to 9.7% by 2050. The model takes into account various scenarios and factors, including consumer behavior, demographics, and health effects, and suggests a significant reduction in smoking-related deaths.
Researchers found Asian tobacco companies are shifting from domestic focus to transnational expansion through government support, manufacturing for export, and new product development. This shift is expected to lead to a further increase in tobacco-related deaths worldwide, totaling six million annually.
Research from the University at Buffalo and the University of Michigan found that e-cigarette use is not linked to an increase in smoking among teenagers. In fact, overall smoking rates have decreased as e-cigarette use has increased.
A study by SFU professor Kelley Lee found that Asian tobacco companies are shifting from a domestic focus to become transnational players, aiming to increase their share of the world market. The companies' business strategies include government-supported consolidation, product innovation and foreign direct investment.
A study published in Drugs Education Prevention and Policy found that young people perceive e-cigarettes as a substantially less harmful alternative to combustible tobacco, discouraging tobacco uptake. The majority of participants believed vaping is not increasing their likelihood of smoking.
A new long-term study harnesses social media data to understand the reasons people vape, shifting away from cessation to social image. The study found that misinformation drives some vapers' rationales for using e-cigarettes.
The Lancet Psychiatry experts argue that cannabis use can be made safer through various strategies, including regulating potency, reducing tobacco use, and exploring the effects of CBD modification. The authors also highlight the need for more research on the harms posed by different levels of THC and CBD content.
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends that physicians provide brief information and advice to prevent or treat tobacco smoking in children and youth. Research shows that raising the minimum legal age for access to tobacco can significantly reduce smoking rates among young people.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research reveals that comprehensive smoking bans significantly decrease overall secondhand smoke exposure across all settings. Exposure to secondhand smoke was found to drop from 72% in 2006 to 45% in 2011, even outside workplaces and hospitality areas covered by the legislation.
Researchers found that e-cigarette exposure worsened stroke outcomes and neurological deficits in mice compared to tobacco smoke. Electronic-cigarette vaping decreased glucose uptake in the brain, which fuels brain activity. Both e-Cigarettes and tobacco smoke exposure for 30 days decreased Thrombomodulin levels, an anti-coagulant.
A new study found that pregnant women who were supported to quit smoking through the 'BabyClear' programme had heavier, healthier babies. The programme, which screens all pregnant women for smoking using carbon monoxide monitoring, led to a doubling of the number of women who quit smoking during pregnancy.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found a significant link between elevated depressive symptoms and the initiation of e-cigarette use among college students. The research suggests that depression may lead to e-cigarette use as a means of self-medication or stress relief.
Research finds that teen vaping acts as a 'one way bridge' to future smoking among those who have never smoked before. Vaping is also associated with an increased risk of smoking among teens who have previously smoked, possibly due to desensitization to cigarette health risks.
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology has found that habitual e-cigarette users are more likely to have increased cardiac sympathetic activity and oxidative stress compared to non-users. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes may not be harmless and warrant further research into their potential adverse cardiovascular health effects.
The total economic cost of smoking was US$ 1436 billion in 2012, equivalent to 1.8% of the world's GDP, according to a new study published in Tobacco Control. Developing countries accounted for nearly 40% of this sum.
Researchers found a 39.4% increase in smoking prevalence among soldiers from 26.2% at recruitment to 36.5% at discharge. Former smokers were at greatest risk of relapsing to smoking during service, with nearly half of former smokers returning to smoking.