Articles tagged with Tobacco
Researchers analyzed 22 trials of web- and computer-based smoking cessation programs, finding a significant improvement in success rates compared to quitting alone. The studies involved nearly 30,000 participants and showed that these programs can be an effective, cost-effective way to help smokers overcome tobacco dependence.
A new UCSF study found that negative attitudes towards the tobacco industry are associated with lower rates of smoking among young adults. The study, which surveyed 1,528 people aged 18-25, suggests that anti-tobacco advertising campaigns can be effective in reducing smoking rates by portraying the industry in a negative light.
Researchers found women tend to be younger when developing lung cancer, despite smoking less than men, increasing the risk of tobacco carcinogens. Women's awareness of other cancers like breast cancer may also contribute to their vulnerability, with median survival after surgery being longer for women.
Researchers found that patient-tailored treatment regimens may have a more positive impact than strict glycemic control in managing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, universal insurance coverage may reduce race-based health care disparities by improving chronic disease control among patients from different racial or ethnic groups.
Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, wood smoke, or cooking oil smoke for as little as 10 minutes affects cardiovascular function in both men and women. Men exhibit a stronger sympathetic response, while women show a healthier parasympathetic response. These findings confirm previous research on the negative effects of tobacco smoke o...
A nationwide study reveals that enforcing federal and state laws against tobacco sales to minors drastically decreases underage smoking rates, with daily smoking rates among 10th graders falling by half between 1997 and 2003.
Research by the University of Massachusetts Medical School found a 20.8% reduction in daily smoking among 10th graders after enforcement of the Synar Amendment. This law makes it financially dangerous for shops to sell tobacco to underage customers, reducing cigarette supply to vulnerable groups.
Smoking both marijuana and tobacco significantly increases respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk. A study of 878 adults aged 40 or older found that those who smoked both substances were 2.5 times more likely to have respiratory symptoms and almost 3 times more likely to have COPD.
A recent editorial in The Lancet critiques Coca-Cola's marketing tactics, drawing parallels with the tobacco industry. The company is accused of using celebrity endorsements and blaming shifting to avoid responsibility for its products' impact on health.
A new study finds that politically conservative states with higher per capita income, youth populations, and cancer mortality rates are more likely to restrict youth access to tobacco. The study reveals that clerk intervention and random inspections are effective methods for restricting youth access.
A Health Department study found that 57% of adult New Yorkers have elevated cotinine levels, indicating recent exposure to toxic secondhand smoke. This highlights the need for households with smokers to set a 'no smoking' policy at home.
Researchers found specific gene variations affect lung function growth and susceptibility to environmental insults. Variants in GST genes correlated with poorer lung function and greater susceptibility to damage from maternal cigarette smoke during pregnancy.
Scientists successfully produced biologically-active interleukin-10 in genetically modified tobacco plants, offering a potential new treatment for autoimmune diseases. The transgenic plants can produce the active cytokine at high levels without lengthy extraction and purification processes.
The new edition of the Tobacco Atlas highlights that tobacco use is unlikely to decrease during a recession, as products providing comfort in stressful times tend to sell well. Global tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, with $500 billion spent annually on tobacco-related illnesses and death.
The Tobacco Atlas reveals a catastrophic toll of tobacco on global health and economies, with estimated economic costs exceeding $500 billion. The report also highlights the shift in burden from high-income to low- and middle-income countries, where tobacco kills 72% of its victims.
A new study found that parental permission to watch R-rated movies increases the likelihood that children believe it's easy to obtain cigarettes. This perception is associated with a higher risk of smoking among kids, suggesting parental smoking and home environment can contribute to youth smoking.
Researchers estimate that truth saved $1.9 billion in health care costs associated with tobacco use by preventing youth from starting to smoke. The campaign's expansion would be an excellent public health investment due to its cost-effectiveness.
Researchers found that half of men with high cotinine levels lived with a partner who smoked, increasing their risk of heart attacks. Despite declining smoking rates in the UK, living with a smoker remains a significant risk factor for non-smokers.
A study found that smokers are more likely to quit for their pet's health than their own. Secondhand tobacco smoke poses a significant risk to pets, causing various health issues.
Research reveals that tobacco companies in South Korea have been deliberately targeting girls and young women with marketing campaigns, using tactics such as associating smoking with body image and female emancipation. The study calls for stricter regulations and public education to combat the rise in female smoking rates.
The trend of barring smokers from employment is being questioned by US experts, who argue that such policies can have serious consequences for smokers' health and well-being. The authors suggest that these policies may lead to discrimination against smokers and limit their job opportunities.
A recent UC Davis study found that smoking is linked to over 70% of cancer death burden among Massachusetts men in 2003, surpassing previous estimates. The study suggests that increased tobacco control efforts could save more lives and improve health outcomes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that adults who recognize the dangers of third-hand smoke are more likely to ban smoking in their homes. The study also showed that increasing awareness of how third-hand smoke harms children's health can encourage home smoking bans.
A new study found that British American Tobacco used a multi-pronged strategy to undermine China's secondhand smoke policy. BAT funded the Beijing Liver Foundation and promoted ineffective ventilation systems, diverting attention from SHS issues. Researchers call for policymakers and media to be aware of these tactics.
A new study reveals that a Philip Morris scientist established close connections with the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Thailand, which is designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre. This link raises concerns about the tobacco industry's ability to influence medical research and teaching at an academic institution allied with the WHO.
The American Cancer Society announced the winners of the 2009 Luther L. Terry Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in tobacco control worldwide. The awards were presented to six individuals and organizations for their contributions to tobacco control, including researchers, policymakers, and advocates.
Women exposed to secondhand smoke as adults or children are more likely to face fertility problems and suffer miscarriages, with a 68% increased chance of difficulty getting pregnant. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 non-smoking women and found that four out of five reported exposure to secondhand smoke during their lifetime.
Researchers found higher degrees of hyperactivity, aggression, and depression among boys with asthma exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Even low levels of tobacco smoke were detrimental to behavior, with a two-fold increase in behavioral problems for every doubling in exposure.
A novel mist bioreactor system enables the efficient production of murine interleukin-12 in genetically modified tobacco plants. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new therapies for diseases such as Crohn's, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
According to a recent report, cancer incidence and mortality have declined in the US for the first time among both men and women. The decline is attributed to decreases in the most common cancers, including prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer.
The report reveals declines in cancer incidence and death rates across the US, with some states experiencing significant variations in lung cancer trends. These findings underscore the need to strengthen tobacco control programs and accelerate efforts to prevent or reduce the occurrence of kidney and liver cancers.
Researchers at Scripps Florida found that blocking hypocretin-1 receptors significantly decreased nicotine self-administration and motivation in rats, suggesting a potential target for developing new smoking cessation treatments. The study highlights the importance of hypocretin-1 receptors in regulating nicotine reward and motivation.
A study of smokers with attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms found those with elevated hyperactivity and impulsivity showed lower quit rates compared to those with inattention or no A.D.H.D. symptoms.
A new study reveals proposed FDA regulation fails to address migrant worker suffering, smoking prevalence, or outsourcing of leaf production. The regulation may favor big tobacco by reducing liability and sustaining global operations.
A recent study by JAMA Network found that households with adult smokers have lower rates of daily healthy food access compared to non-smoking households. This association is particularly concerning in low-income families, where food insecurity rates are already high.
Researchers found that patients with bipolar disorder have a poorer quality of life than the general population, with factors such as early onset, long-term illness, and tobacco dependence contributing to this effect. In contrast, social support from family can improve quality of life.
Research shows US military personnel deployed to Iraq have a significantly higher tobacco abuse rate than the national average. Meanwhile, New York residents who smoke are experiencing the effects of the state's tobacco reduction strategies. Additionally, studies link smoking to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in men.
Nicotine dependence severity has increased by 12% between 1989 and 2006, with the proportion of people classified as highly nicotine dependent rising 32%. More individualized tobacco-dependent treatments are needed to address this increase in addiction severity.
A recent study found that 87% of physicians receive less than 5 hours of training on tobacco dependence, and only 6% know Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality guidelines. This lack of knowledge may contribute to low quit rates among smokers, who are more likely to succeed with provider assistance.
Young people with ADHD are more likely to become dependent on nicotine and experience environmental factors that increase their risk of smoking. The study found that individuals with more ADHD-related symptoms were at greater risk of nicotine dependence than those with fewer symptoms.
A recent study published in Addiction Journal found that abstaining smokers who find the smell of other people's cigarettes pleasant are not more likely to relapse than those with a neutral reaction. The researchers concluded that finding cigarette smoke pleasant does not predict relapse.
Intensive support programs can significantly improve patients' ability to stay smoke-free, with follow-up assistance required for long-term success. Hospitals that offer these programs with extended counseling and post-discharge support see a higher quit rate among smokers.
People with psychiatric disabilities in Australia smoke at four times the rate of the general population, despite efforts to reduce smoking rates. More than six in ten smokers with mental illness consumed over 22 cigarettes a day.
Researchers found that women who smoked fewer pack years had a higher risk of developing significant colorectal neoplasia. Smoking also increased the risk of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions in at-risk patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer.
Research reveals tobacco companies paid top Hollywood stars millions in endorsement deals, contributing to the persistent presence of on-screen smoking in mainstream films. Almost 200 actors took part in cigarette endorsements between 1927 and 1951.
Researchers discovered financial contracts between tobacco companies and Hollywood stars, revealing a commercial link between the two industries. The study found that studios controlled their stars' agreements and timed ads to promote specific cigarette brands.
A combination regimen of cardiovascular drugs could avert almost 18 million deaths in 23 low-income countries for $1.10 per person. Integration of primary care approaches with public policies is crucial for effective management of chronic diseases.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that only a few mutations in an enzyme can shift the output of plant compounds, allowing them to adapt to changing environments. This finding has implications for developing environmentally friendly fungicides and pesticides, as well as new flavors and fragrances.
Researchers found that flowers with nicotine and benzyl acetone attract pollinators, increasing seed production. Plants with these chemicals had higher cross-pollination rates than those without, optimizing outcrossing.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that tobacco control programs in California reduced personal health care expenditures by $86 billion between 1989 and 2004. The program's cost savings grew over time, reaching 7.3% in 2003-2004, and represented a significant return on investment for the state.
A study by researchers at UCSF found that California's state tobacco control program saved $86 billion in personal healthcare costs over 15 years. The program prevented 3.6 billion packs of cigarettes from being smoked, resulting in significant health cost reductions.
A new report by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the University of Minnesota links tobacco industry marketing to increased youth smoking, concluding that such marketing causes young people to begin smoking. The report recommends effective strategies to prevent further increase in youth smoking.
Researchers found that Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can block the lung's natural protective response to tobacco smoke, leading to increased oxidative stress and tissue damage. This co-factor may contribute to the development of COPD among smokers.
A previously unrecognized group of air pollutants has been discovered that can cause life-threatening conditions similar to those found in tobacco smoke. Inhaling these pollutants exposes individuals to potentially lethal amounts of free radicals, with the average person inhaling 300 times more daily than from smoking one cigarette.
Researchers found a deliberate strategy by tobacco companies to recruit and addict young smokers with milder menthol products. The study analyzed internal documents, lab tests, and survey data, revealing that menthol brands with lower levels appealed to younger smokers.
Researchers found Alaskan Eskimo adults had higher rates of fatty artery plaque than the general US population due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. The study suggests that traditional heart-healthy diet and exercise may not be enough to counteract the effects of smoking.
Research finds that smokeless tobacco products carry a lower cancer risk compared to smoking, particularly for oral and oesophageal cancers. However, users are still at increased risk of other types of cancer, such as lung cancer, especially in countries with high STP use.
Researchers are developing a nicotine vaccine to stimulate the immune system's response against nicotine, while also examining the effectiveness of combination therapies and counseling in treating nicotine addiction. Effective treatments are crucial to match individual patients' needs.
A recent study found that while US cigarette smoking has declined, non-cigarette tobacco product sales have increased, offsetting the decline. The main reason for this shift is price, with lower federal and state taxes on non-cigarette products making them more affordable.
Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reveals that smokers with stage III colon cancer have a 22% increased risk of recurrence or death compared to never-smokers. A 20+ pack year smoking history before age 30 was found to be particularly harmful, increasing the risk by 37%