Articles tagged with Tobacco
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that tobacco control measures can prevent 7.4 million premature deaths by 2050. The measures, known as MPOWER, are evidence-based and have been implemented in 41 countries with significant success.
The University of Houston has received a $675,000 grant to investigate the effectiveness of transdiagnostic cognitive behavior therapy for smoking cessation among individuals with anxiety disorders. The study aims to reduce tobacco use and develop an effective smoking cessation treatment that targets people with anxiety disorders.
More than half of WHO FCTC signatory countries lack tobacco quit plans, with only 44% having treatment guidelines. Tobacco dependence treatment is a cost-effective way to save lives, according to expert comments.
A Georgetown University expert says graphic tobacco warning labels can survive a First Amendment challenge if they depict health consequences and are supported by scientific evidence. The FDA must provide clear evidence of the labels' impact on smoking rates to prevail in court.
Researchers found states with stricter tobacco restrictions on teens had lower adult smoking rates, particularly among women. Effective policies included vending machine restrictions and ID requirements, which reduced heavy smoking by 29%.
A study of 1300 German teens found that exposure to tobacco ads boosts the risk of starting to smoke by almost 40%, while increasing daily smoking chances by 30%. The analysis controlled for other influential factors, suggesting a direct link between tobacco ad exposure and smoking behavior.
China has made substantial gains in health over the past two decades, including increases in life expectancy and declines in infectious diseases. However, the growth of non-communicable diseases and risk factors such as tobacco use and high blood pressure are becoming major public health concerns.
Physicians suggest sin taxes could reduce smoking, obesity, and excessive drinking by making unhealthy products more expensive. The potential revenue generated from these taxes could be used to subsidize healthcare for the uninsured and promote healthier lifestyles.
A recent study published in Tobacco Control found that employers in the US pay an average of $5,816 (£3,865) extra per year for employees who smoke compared to non-smokers. The main factors contributing to these increased costs are absenteeism, smoking breaks, and healthcare expenditures.
Many GPs incorrectly view nicotine as more harmful than smoke, despite understanding that smoking is riskier. This misunderstanding may influence advice on alternative nicotine products.
A study by US and German experts analyzed secret tobacco industry documents to conclude that the companies have a history of intentional deception. The authors argue that regulatory bodies should not consider tobacco companies stakeholders due to their vested interests, which could manipulate scientific discourse and harm public health.
A recent study suggests that movie advertisements for alcohol products can influence adolescent drinking behavior and that current regulations are insufficient to restrict these placements. The authors propose rating system changes to restrict depictions of drinking in youth-rated movies.
A study analyzing top box-office movies found that tobacco brand producer placements decreased significantly after the Master Settlement Agreement, but alcohol brand placements increased in movies rated for youth audiences. This trend has implications for teen drinking and substance use behaviors during adolescence.
Researchers at the University of Granada found that European Commission-proposed tobacco-warning images do not elicit a strong avoidance response in smokers, as people often perceive them as unpleasant but not impactful. The study proposes using less explicit photos to increase their emotional impact and effectiveness.
A population-based study found that exposure to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and experiencing more frequent and severe symptoms. The study also found that those exposed to both types of smoke had poorer lung function scores and more phlegm,...
Smokeless tobacco prevalence among US youths remained stable from 2000 to 2011, with declines observed in younger age groups. The prevalence increased in the 15-17 year age group. Evidence-based interventions are needed to reduce smokeless tobacco use.
A study found that non-smoking hotel rooms can be polluted with third-hand smoke, even if the hotel has a partial smoking ban. Non-smokers who stayed at these hotels had higher levels of nicotine and other pollutants in their urine and finger wipes compared to those staying in total smoking banned hotels.
Research suggests that eating foods containing edible Solanaceae, such as peppers and tomatoes, may reduce risk of developing Parkinson's. The study found a strong association between increased consumption of these foods and decreased risk of Parkinson's, with peppers displaying the strongest association.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that college students who use both tobacco and marijuana smoke more cigarettes per month than users of tobacco only. The study also found that concurrent marijuana and tobacco use is associated with increased risk of smoking more tobacco.
Tobacco deaths can be reduced in the USA with new regulations and public health efforts. In Asia, controlling the tobacco epidemic is crucial to prevent devastating loss of life and illness. European countries face challenges in implementing effective tobacco control measures, highlighting opportunities for improvement.
Research by Zhiyong Yang at UT Arlington finds that early, substantive dialogue with parents about tobacco and alcohol use is more effective in shaping teen behavior than advertising or peer pressure. The study also highlights the importance of positive parenting strategies over negative reinforcement techniques.
A recent study found that UK tobacco companies absorb increasing taxes on ultra-low-price cigarettes, maintaining prices and market share. This strategy undermines the effectiveness of cigarette taxes in reducing smoking rates.
The American Cancer Society's report emphasizes the importance of reducing tobacco use, improving nutrition and physical activity, and expanding cancer screening tests. The report notes significant declines in cigarette smoking prevalence but highlights concerns about heavy smoking, indoor tanning, and HPV vaccination coverage.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that exposure to tobacco smoke can damage adolescent kidneys, with effects beginning in childhood. The research used a nationally representative sample of US adolescents and found associations between tobacco use and lower kidney function.
A new study found that EU minimum tax legislation for cigarettes has no effect on smoking prevalence, with prices rising up to three times faster than before. The introduction of the legislation in Spain in 2006 led to a shift towards hand-rolled cigarettes, which are cheaper than manufactured ones.
Scientists at British American Tobacco used a multi-analyte approach to determine tobacco constituent exposure in snus users. Generally, less than a third of each constituent was extracted by consumers during use. The findings provide reference data for developing a laboratory system mimicking real-life extraction.
A survey by the IASLC found that 90% of physicians believe tobacco cessation is essential for lung cancer treatment, but only 39% provide assistance. The study highlights barriers to effective tobacco cessation support for cancer patients.
A six-week study in Germany showed that test products significantly reduced exposure to certain toxicants, including acrolein and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The results demonstrate the potential of these technologies to lower health risks associated with smoking.
A study found that tobacco companies have evaded the FDA's ban on 'light' cigarette descriptors by adding color-coding to 'light' packs, allowing smokers to still identify their brands. The companies also failed to apply for approval for these products as required by law.