Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A recent study by IHME found that a small number of US counties are driving declines in smoking rates, with some seeing significant drops over the past decade. These counties tend to have more progressive tobacco control policies and programs.
Chronic smokers have altered emotional reactions when exposed to negative and positive images associated with tobacco. They are more aroused by positive images and affected by aversive non-smoking related images than by images of specific negative consequences.
A new UC San Francisco study found that e-cigarettes are likely to be gateway devices for nicotine addiction among youth, opening up a new market for tobacco. The study of nearly 40,000 US teens discovered that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students doubled between 2011 and 2012.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that over half of non-smoking pregnant women (55%) are passive smokers. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and cognitive development issues. Researchers attributed this largely to their partners' smoking at home.
Researchers created temperature maps to study how RIP bands influence cigarette burn rate and chemical composition. Temperature differences were found between RIP and regular cigarettes, potentially affecting PAH levels.
An international study found that only 38% of children worldwide are aware of warning labels on cigarette packages, with graphic images having the greatest impact in Brazil. The study suggests that health warning labels should be large and clear, especially for low-literacy populations, to effectively communicate anti-smoking messages.
A new study by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers suggests that implementing comprehensive tobacco control recommendations could reduce smoking rates by about 40% and prevent 50 million deaths. The study estimates that raising taxes on tobacco products would have the greatest impact in reducing smoking rates.
New estimates suggest that China can prevent over 13 million smoking-related deaths by 2050 through effective tobacco control measures. Implementing World Health Organization guidelines could lead to a relative reduction in smoking of over 40 percent, resulting in significant public health gains.
A six-year-old Massachusetts law requiring only 'fire-safe' cigarettes has been shown to decrease unintentional residential fires caused by cigarettes by 28%. The largest reductions were among fires involving human factors and igniting materials.
A study published in BMJ Open finds that the UK tobacco industry's claims that plain packaging won't work are based on weak evidence. The research analyzed submissions made by four major tobacco companies and found that most of the cited evidence lacked policy relevance and was of poor quality.
A study by UC San Diego School of Medicine found nearly 396,000 Californians smoke on a measurable basis but reject the label. This 'non-identifying smoker' phenomenon poses health risks and may hinder efforts to reduce tobacco consumption.
Pharmacies sell cigarettes despite being a leading cause of preventable death; CVS Caremark's decision aims to reduce smoking prevalence through eliminating tobacco product sales. The move aligns with efforts to strengthen the role of pharmacies in promoting health and could spark other retailers to follow suit.
A new study finds that exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in the car increases the odds of children being readmitted to the hospital within a year of being admitted for asthma. Cotinine levels measured in the blood and saliva of over 600 children showed a significant correlation between tobacco exposure and increased risk of futur...
A study found that smoking prevalence among healthcare professionals decreased from 2003 to 2010-2011, with registered nurses showing the largest decline. Despite this, current smoking remained prevalent among healthcare professionals, particularly among licensed practical nurses, highlighting a continued need for tobacco interventions.
A Yale study estimates that 8 million lives have been saved in the US as a result of anti-smoking measures introduced 50 years ago. The study found that these efforts have significantly reshaped public attitudes and behaviors concerning cigarettes, resulting in an estimated 157 million years of life being saved.
The global prevalence of daily tobacco smoking declined by 25% for men and 42% for women between 1980 and 2012. Despite this progress, the number of smokers has increased due to population growth, with 967 million male smokers and 7% female smokers in 2012.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that beliefs about e-cigarettes' safety may increase experimentation rates among young adults. Researchers surveyed 1379 participants and found that those who believed e-cigarettes were less harmful or a quit-smoking aid were more likely to try them.
The study found that while global smoking prevalence decreased between 1980 and 2012, the number of cigarette smokers worldwide increased due to population growth. In 2012, the highest smoking rates were found in countries such as Russia and Indonesia, with over 50% of men smoking daily.
A study estimates that US tobacco control has saved 8 million premature smoking-attributable deaths, with beneficiaries gaining nearly 2 decades of life. Tobacco control efforts have also increased life expectancy by 7.8 years for men and 5.4 years for women.
A study found that 50 years of tobacco control efforts have added nearly 20 years to the life of eight million Americans. The researchers attributed this reduction to the 1964 Surgeon General's report and subsequent tobacco control activities.
Smoking rates among adults with mental illness have not declined as significantly as those without mental illness between 2004 and 2011. However, those who received mental health treatment had a significantly higher rate of quitting smoking at 37.2%, compared to 33.1% for those without treatment.
A review published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests tripling tobacco taxes worldwide would reduce smoking rates by one-third, preventing 200 million premature deaths. Controlling tobacco marketing is also crucial to helping people quit smoking.
A new study reveals that the high mortality rates in the US Central Southern states are most likely due to smoking. The study found that smoking behaviors account for a significant burden of smoking, with southern states maintaining high levels of smoking despite declining prevalence nationwide.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego found that total smoking bans in homes and cities significantly boost the odds of smokers cutting back or quitting. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, suggests that comprehensive bans are more effective than partial ones.
The study found that high government subsidies reduce the net benefits of the industry, leading to job losses and revenue decline. Growers on large estates earn significantly more than independent farmers, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address socio-economic impacts.
A new study by SDSU researchers found that celebrity cancer diagnoses lead to a substantial rise in quitting smoking queries, even after media coverage subsides. The study analyzed Google News archives and public search activity surrounding former Brazilian President Lula da Silva's diagnosis, revealing a lasting impact on behavior.
US researchers found that graphic warning labels similar to those in Canada would reduce smoking rates by 2.9-4.7 percentage points, resulting in 5.3-8.6 million fewer smokers in the US. The study challenges the FDA's regulatory impact analysis and calls for a revised proposal to require graphic warnings.
A new study suggests that graphic warning labels on cigarette packs could lead to a significant decrease in smoking rates in the US, with potential reductions of up to 8.6 million smokers. The study found that the FDA's model under-estimated the actual impact of graphic warnings, leading to a sharper decrease in smoking rates in Canada.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use is associated with heavier cigarette smoking and lower quit rates among Korean youth. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be creating a new route to nicotine addiction for kids.
A recent study found that many popular anti-smoking smartphone apps lack basic strategies known to help smokers quit, including counseling and medication guidance. The researchers recommend using these apps with caution and instead suggest calling a quit-line for proven help on beating tobacco addiction.
Exposure to a single pro-smoking media message increases smoking intentions by an average of 22% and remains elevated for 7 days. Researchers found that repeated exposures to pro-smoking messages can lead to a cumulative effect on attitudes and behaviors towards smoking.
A new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth reveals that current codes and regulations do not protect consumers from risky content and messages in alcohol ads. The study found numerous ads promoting unhealthy consumption, objectification of women, and associating alcohol with active lifestyles.
Dr. Joshua Yuan's project aims to develop a way for plants to produce terpenoid directly, making it easily accessible as a combustible fuel. The US Energy Department grant will help increase the amount of combustible fuel produced by plants, with the goal of creating a commercially viable product.
Lawrence O. Gostin praises Bloomberg's policies addressing obesity epidemic, disease surveillance, and tobacco control, citing successes in trans fat limits and tobacco reduction. He argues that Bloomberg's approach is a necessary response to lifestyle-related diseases, demonstrating creativity and courage in public health advocacy.
Dr. Avrum Spira has received the Alton Ochsner Award for his seminal research contributions to understanding the biological response of lung tissue to tobacco smoke. His work has led to the development of early detection biomarkers for lung cancer and molecular biomarkers for COPD treatment guidance.
A recent study published at CHEST 2013 found that smokers of long or ultralong cigarettes have higher levels of tobacco-specific carcinogens in their urine. This increased risk is associated with older smokers, non-Hispanic blacks, and females who tend to smoke these larger cigarette sizes.
A new study found significant differences in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations among various smokeless tobacco products. Higher levels were detected in moist snuff and soft pellets, while lower levels were present in snus. The use of fire-cured tobaccos was identified as the primary source of PAHs in these products.
A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research examines the relationship between proximity to tobacco retail outlets and smoking cessation. The research suggests that limiting access to tobacco products near residential areas may help smokers quit more effectively.
High-priced cigarettes ($4.50+ per pack) and smoke-free homes are associated with lower smoking behaviors in low-income individuals, who tend to smoke more due to lower state cigarette prices. A smoke-free home is also crucial for successful quitting among these smokers.
Researchers have discovered a link between prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke and increased risk of allergies in children. High levels of microRNA-223 were found in pregnant women exposed to cigarette smoke, correlating with low regulatory T-cell numbers in their babies' cord blood.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of young children in low- and middle-income countries can recognize cigarette brand logos. The researchers suggest stronger regulations, including larger graphic warning labels and bans on tobacco advertising, to reduce the ability of tobacco companies to market their products to children.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has received funding to establish a Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science on Youth and Young Adults, which will focus on the marketing of tobacco products and their impact on young people. The center aims to generate research that informs FDA regulations and ultimately reduces the...
Georgia State University's School of Public Health has been awarded a $19 million grant over five years to establish one of 14 Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science. The center will conduct research on human decision-making around tobacco use, consumer reaction to marketing, and individual perception of risk.
The FDA and NIH have created the first-of-kind Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) program, which aims to generate research to inform tobacco product regulation and protect public health. The program will support research in seven core areas, including diversity of tobacco products, reducing addiction, and communications.
The University of California, San Francisco will conduct multidisciplinary research to inform the FDA's regulation of tobacco products. The UCSF center will focus on seven areas, including risk perceptions and cardiovascular effects, to develop evidence-based policies to curb the global tobacco epidemic.
The University of North Carolina will house two Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, focused on tobacco communication and lung health. Research from these centers will inform potential tobacco regulatory activities.
Researchers will develop a prognostic tool to identify risk perceptions and predict susceptibility to flavored little cigars among young adult cigarette smokers. The study aims to inform regulatory policy and prevention methods for this growing threat in the tobacco control battle.
Transnational tobacco companies invested in smokeless tobacco products like snus in Europe for business gains, not health concerns. The industry's efforts to influence EU policy and maintain the status quo in favor of cigarettes have been revealed through internal documents.
A US-funded national smoking cessation campaign, 'Tips from former smokers,' helped at least 100,000 smokers quit smoking. The campaign, which ran from March to June 2012, saw a 12% relative increase in smokers trying to quit during the campaign period.
The World Heart Federation calls on countries worldwide to set a target year to reduce population smoking levels to 5% or below and implement measures in the international tobacco control treaty. Finland, New Zealand, and Scotland have announced target years of 2030, 2025, and 2034 respectively.
A national ad campaign by the CDC's Tips From Former Smokers program more than doubled its original quit goal of 500,000 attempts, with over 1.6 million smokers attempting to quit after seeing the ads. The campaign resulted in over 100,000 Americans quitting smoking permanently, saving millions of years of life for the US population.
A study by the University of Cincinnati found that hookah tobacco and smoke contain lower levels of four toxic metals: arsenic, lead, cadmium, and chromium. However, differences in smoking habits and shisha preparation make it difficult to compare hookah and cigarette smoking.
Research suggests that pictorial warnings are more effective than text alone but are less visible on the back of packs. The study found that only one in ten teens thought about the warnings when they weren't in sight, and regular smokers were not deterred by the warnings.
A new study on mentholated cigarette use in the U.S. reveals an increase in menthol cigarette smoking among young adults and adolescents, with youth heavy consumers of mentholated cigarettes. The study also shows that non-menthol smoking rates have decreased among all age groups.
The USPSTF recommends that primary care clinicians provide education or brief counseling to prevent tobacco use in school-aged children and adolescents. A systematic evidence review found that such interventions can reduce the risk of smoking initiation by 19% compared to control participants.
Patients who quit smoking through a simple intervention had better mental health outcomes and were less likely to be hospitalized again. The study challenges the long-held assumption that smoking serves as a useful tool in treating some psychiatric patients.
A study found that increases in cigarette taxes are associated with modest to moderate reductions in alcohol consumption among vulnerable groups. The results suggest that policies targeting one health behavior can have broader benefits for public health by affecting additional behaviors that tend to co-occur with the targeted behavior.
A clinical study on reduced toxicant prototype cigarettes is investigating whether reducing smoke toxicant exposure affects biomarkers of biological effect. The six-month study, involving 260 healthy adult subjects, aims to assess the longer-term impact of these cigarettes on biological effects.
A study of 536 smokers in Australia found that plain packaging makes cigarettes less appealing and increases the urgency to quit. This is significant as it can help curb tobacco's appeal and boost thoughts of quitting among smokers.
A new study suggests that implementing smoke-free laws and increasing tobacco taxes in India can reduce cardiovascular disease deaths, potentially preventing 9 million deaths by 2022. The findings are based on a mathematical model that considered unique populations with different risk factors.