Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A new UCSF study reveals a significant uptick in cinematic smoking, with top-grossing films featuring nearly 1,900 tobacco incidents in 2011. The increase in onscreen smoking targeted young audiences, contributing to the risk of starting to smoke and developing tobacco-induced disease.
A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University found that people who smoke both cigarettes and waterpipes have inadequate understanding of the dangers of tobacco smoking, putting them at higher risk of addiction and disease. The study also revealed a common misconception that waterpipe smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking.
Researchers found that brief, multicontact behavioral counseling interventions delivered by primary care physicians reduced hospital stays for adults with risky drinking. The campaign 'Tips from Former Smokers' successfully encouraged smokers to quit, with calls to the toll-free quit line more than doubling during the 12-week campaign.
A new study reveals that abstaining from smoking significantly affects teenagers' mood, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in a manner similar to adults. Contrary to expectations, teenagers who had smoked for only two years showed strong negative effects after just one day of abstinence.
A new study by the European Respiratory Society found that Christchurch residents increased their tobacco consumption following the 2010 earthquake. The study showed that 28% of non-smokers picked up the habit after the disaster, with many attributing it to anxiety and changes in lifestyle.
A study found that plain cigarette packs reduce their appeal among young Brazilian women, while branded packs are considered more stylish and sophisticated. The research supports the recommendation for plain packaging to reduce smoking among youth and young adults.
Research presented at ESC Congress found that adolescent smokers have thicker artery walls, indicating early development of atherosclerosis. Early exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with various adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents.
A clinical study found that electronic cigarettes do not cause significant defects in cardiac function, unlike smoking tobacco cigarettes. The study compared the effects of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes on 20 young daily smokers and 22 electronic cigarette users, showing no acute adverse effects from e-cigarette use.
Scientists have identified (S)-NNN as a strong oral carcinogen in smokeless tobacco, found to induce large numbers of oral and esophageal tumors in laboratory rats. The US government is urged to regulate or ban the substance to protect the health of the 9 million US users of chewing tobacco and snuff products.
According to a US national poll, a lack of exercise is the biggest child health problem in the country. Obesity ranks second, while smoking and tobacco use are also major concerns. The results highlight the importance of public programs and communication initiatives to address these issues.
Scientists emphasize collaboration between industry, academics and regulators to substantiate product claims with scientific evidence. The FDA is seeking reliable data on modified risk tobacco products to create regulatory science and protect public health.
A massive international survey of tobacco use in 3 billion individuals reveals the ongoing threat of tobacco, with industry manipulation and government complicity hindering effective control. The study emphasizes the need for increased resources to implement tobacco control strategies and counter pro-tobacco forces.
Global tobacco use remains high, with nearly half of adult men in developing countries still using tobacco products, and women starting to smoke at younger ages. Quit rates are also low, with less than 20% of adults reporting cessation in most countries.
A recent study found that 86% of non-smokers and 57% of smokers supported the ban, with many smokers expressing interest in quitting. Despite high demand for cessation services, only a few employees took advantage of them.
A recent study found that African-American youths living in public housing communities are 2.3 times more likely to use tobacco than their peers. Early interventions, such as smoking cessation programs and addressing depressive symptoms, can help reverse positive attitudes towards tobacco use and reduce the risk of delinquent behaviors.
Multinational companies like Nestle and PepsiCo have significant penetration in low- and middle-income countries, leading to rapid increase in unhealthy food consumption. The study highlights the role of global producers in manufacturing and marketing unhealthy commodities, which contribute to non-communicable diseases.
A new study reveals dramatic differences in lung cancer death rates among women born between 1930s and 1970s in various US states. California shows a decline in lung cancer death rates, while many southern states experience an increase, highlighting the need for stronger tobacco control policies.
Experts say soda companies' corporate social responsibility campaigns distract from the health risks of sugary beverages and shift blame to consumers. The campaigns target young people and aim to increase sales, diverting attention from the industry's contribution to rising obesity rates.
After the buyout, Kentucky tobacco farmers shifted production to more productive farms, increasing productivity by 44% and acreage by over double. Diversification into specialty tobaccos also contributed to their success.
A University at Buffalo study found that smokers consuming the most fruit and vegetables were three times more likely to abstain from tobacco use for at least 30 days. These findings persisted even when adjusting for other factors such as age and health orientation.
A recent study found that higher taxes on cigarettes and implementation of smoke-free policies are effective in reducing smoking during pregnancy. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, also showed that these policies can help prevent relapse after delivery, with a $1.00 increase in tax resulting in a 4.8 ...
A study of 1216 babies found that those born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy weighed and measured less, with lower body mass index. The results highlight a significant difference in body composition between babies born to smoking and non-smoking mothers.
A new study found that World No Tobacco Day significantly increases interest in quitting smoking, with cessation news coverage and Internet search queries peaking on the anniversary day. The research also suggests that low- and middle-income countries can benefit from increased awareness and inspiration to quit tobacco.
Researchers found that tobacco plants with defective jasmonate production are more susceptible to leafhopper infestation. Leafhoppers evaluate a plant's readiness for defense by probing its leaves and selecting those with functional jasmonate-based signaling.
A study found that 5% of workers quit smoking after the anti-tobacco law took effect, with a decrease in consumption and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. The law's strictness is credited with the reduction, with catering workers also benefiting from the ban.
Researchers aim to break nicotine addiction by blocking hypocretin-1 receptors, which play a key role in driving desire for more nicotine. The study has the potential to provide a significant breakthrough in treating tobacco abuse and preventing relapse.
A new UCSF study questions the previous analysis of varenicline's safety, finding no clinically or statistically significant increase in serious adverse cardiovascular events. The researchers analyzed data from 22 trials with over 9,200 participants, concluding that the risk difference is only 0.27 percent.
Research shows that nearly one-third of apartment dwellers report smelling tobacco smoke in their buildings, with children being more vulnerable. A smoke-free building is crucial to protect shared indoor air, and residents receiving government housing subsidies are more likely to experience exposure.
Research predicts a modest decline in global smoking prevalence to 22% by 2030 without government intervention, but a significant drop to 13% if World Health Organization (WHO) measures are adopted. This could lead to millions of premature deaths prevented.
A study published in JNCI found a strong association between genetic variants rs1051730-rs16969968 and objective measures of tobacco exposure, indicating that lung cancer risk is largely mediated by level of tobacco exposure. The research used data from six independent studies to analyze self-reported cigarette consumption and plasma o...
Research suggests that health warnings on cigarette packs can deter relapse in ex-smokers. The study, which monitored responses from almost 2,000 recent ex-smokers, found that those who actively used the warnings were less likely to start smoking again.
A new study suggests that implementing the World Health Organization's smoking reduction policy worldwide could prevent millions of smoking-related deaths by 2030. The policy, known as MPOWER, aims to reduce tobacco use through measures such as price increases and public awareness campaigns.
A new report highlights significant gaps in public awareness regarding the cardiovascular risks of tobacco use and secondhand smoke. Half of all Chinese smokers and one-third of Indian and Vietnamese smokers are unaware that smoking causes heart disease, with even higher rates among non-smokers.
An online survey of over 3,500 young adults aged 18-25 found that half had smoked cannabis in the past 30 days, with co-use of tobacco and marijuana highest among Caucasians and daily smokers. The study suggests that 'stop smoking' campaigns should factor in cannabis use to their treatment plans.
A recent survey conducted by UCSF researchers found that half of young adult tobacco smokers also use marijuana, with usage highest among Caucasians and rural residents. The study suggests that smoking cessation programs should take into account the effect of marijuana use in their treatment plans.
Researchers found (S)-NNN to be a strong oral carcinogen, inducing oral cancer in rats. The chemical is present in smokeless tobacco products and has been linked to an increased risk of oral cavity cancers.
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that offering free nicotine patches and proactive counselling to smokers calling an NHS quitline did not increase the number of people who successfully quit smoking. The trial compared the effectiveness of this extra support against standard reactive quitline support, with no signi...
Researchers found that smoking restored depleted self-control resources in smokers, improving their mood and performance on frustrating tasks. This study suggests that nicotine can be a maladaptive way to cope with stress, and alternative strategies like relaxation or sugary drinks may be healthier options.
A study led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that US tobacco-control efforts significantly reduced lung cancer deaths between 1975 and 2000. The researchers estimated that if all smokers had quit after the 1964 Surgeon General's report, an additional 2.5 million people would not have died from lung cancer.
Between 1975-2000, US lung cancer mortality declined significantly due to reduced smoking rates. Tobacco control measures such as increased taxes and smoke-free laws contributed to this decrease.
An NIH study found that tobacco control programs and policies have prevented over 795,000 lung cancer deaths in the US from 1975 through 2000. Further reductions are possible with continued and enhanced efforts.
The draft TPPA threatens progressive public health policies by shifting the balance of power in favour of transnational corporate interests. The agreement aims to set a 'gold standard' for removing barriers to the global alcohol and tobacco industries, posing minimal impediments to global strategies.
A small qualitative study suggests extending the smoking ban outside bars could help curb 'social smoking' by removing cues that stimulate this behavior. Social smokers often have conflicted identities and manage their smoking through limiting where and when they smoke, rationalizing their behavior with drinking.
According to UofL research, substituting smokeless tobacco can save lives by reducing the risk of disease and death among smokers. Decades of epidemiologic research support this finding, with smokeless products being 98% safer than cigarettes.
The US Energy Department has granted over $1.8 million to a researcher studying terpenoids in plants as a potential fuel source. The goal is to create a sustainable fuel production method that can be easily extracted from plants, reducing dependence on oil fields.
A study of four European countries with smoke-free legislation found that banning smoking in public places prompts smokers to ban smoking at home, contrary to the displacement hypothesis. The percentage of smokers implementing a home smoking ban increased significantly across all countries.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have successfully silenced insect genes in a high-throughput manner using plant-mediated RNA interference. By targeting specific genes, such as CYP6B46, the scientists demonstrated that the gene silencing worked with high specificity and no collateral damage.
Smoking doubles the risk of developing oesophageal cancer in people with Barrett's Oesophagus. A 13-year study involving over 3000 patients found those who smoked tobacco were twice as likely to develop cancer.
A study in PLOS Medicine found that tobacco smoking and high blood pressure account for the majority of deaths among Japanese adults. Reducing exposure to these risk factors could extend life expectancy by 1.4 years, according to researchers.
Researchers analyzed Mayan containers for nicotine traces, revealing physical evidence of tobacco use dating back to the Late Classic Maya period (600-900 AD). The study confirms the intended use of an ancient container and highlights the importance of mass spectrometry in analyzing organic residues.
Researchers analyze ancient Mayan pottery using advanced technology to detect nicotine and its oxidation products, providing rare evidence of unsmoked tobacco leaves. The discovery represents new insights into the ancient roots of tobacco use in the Americas.
A study of 5,115 participants found that occasional marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on lung function. Higher FVC and FEV1 were observed in those with higher lifetime exposure to marijuana.
A recent study by Harvard School of Public Health found that nicotine replacement therapies are no more effective in helping smokers quit than quitting on their own. The study suggests that the FDA should only approve medications proven to be effective in long-term smoking cessation, and lower nicotine levels to reduce addiction.
A new UCSF analysis of tobacco industry documents reveals that Philip Morris USA manipulated data on the effects of additives in cigarettes, including menthol. The researchers found that hundreds of additives should be eliminated from cigarettes due to their potential to increase health risks for smokers.
Around 200 million people worldwide use illicit drugs each year, with the highest rates in developed countries. The global burden of disease due to drug use is similar to that caused by alcohol consumption in these nations.
A recent study reanalyzes data from 'Project MIX', finding that tobacco company Philip Morris obscured findings of toxicity by adjusting data. The authors also found significant increases in carcinogenic chemicals when additives were included.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola that provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. The vaccine uses a DNA blueprint to convert tobacco plants into living pharmaceutical factories, producing a vaccine molecule that can be easily purified and administered.
A new study suggests that states could save substantial amounts of money by fully funding tobacco control programs, which have a sustained impact on cigarette demand. The programs would reduce Medicaid payments, medical costs, and lost productivity, resulting in long-term savings for the states.
A new 19-year study from Oregon State University reveals that fatherhood leads to significant decreases in crime, tobacco, and alcohol use in men. This finding suggests that becoming a father can be a transformative experience for men engaging in high-risk behavior.
Scientists at Virginia Tech and Purdue University have identified a distinct transporter, NUP1, used by tobacco plant cells for nicotine metabolism. This discovery provides new insight into the production of medicinal alkaloid compounds and could enable bioengineering of medicinal plants to produce optimal amounts.