Articles tagged with Tobacco
Chronic cigarette exposure in mice leads to altered gut and oropharyngeal microbiota, aggravating flu severity. The study suggests that the smoker's microbiota plays a significant role in respiratory disease and viral infection.
The American Heart Association's 'What Would They Say?' video won the Silver Award in the Education, Art & Culture Campaign - Non-Profit Community Engagement category at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. The video urges federal action against menthol tobacco products and has resonated deeply with communities targeted by the tobacco industry.
A new study found that people who switch from smoking cigarettes to vaping exclusively experience improved respiratory health, including reduced wheezing and coughing. In contrast, those who continue to smoke while vaping or transition to both smoking and vaping do not see similar improvements.
A recent study found that online e-cigarette retailers are not consistently adhering to laws aimed at preventing the sale of vaping products to minors. The researchers analyzed 16 attempted purchases and found that 73% were processed and 67% were delivered, with many violating age verification and shipping regulations.
A recent study by the University of Sharjah has found that midwakh pipe smoking poses significant health risks in the UAE, particularly among young people. The research showed that midwakh users often develop early signs of nicotine dependence and report various clinical issues, including elevated carbon monoxide and cotinine levels.
Researchers at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute found that restricting menthol cigarettes led to an increase in the purchase of nicotine replacement options. This shift is likely due to the fact that menthol flavors are perceived as more appealing, making alternative products a practical substitute.
A low-dose CT scan can pick up on early-stage lung cancers, which can often be completely removed with surgery. However, less than a fifth of those eligible for the test are getting it, highlighting awareness and communication gaps.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that patients who quit smoking within six months of their cancer diagnosis saw improved longevity. Smoking cessation led to a 22%-26% reduction in cancer-related mortality and increased survival time from 2.1 years for smokers to 3.9 years for abstainers.
A new study finds that quitting smoking within six months of a cancer diagnosis significantly improves survival, with the largest benefit among patients who quit soonest. This evidence-based approach highlights the urgent need for cancer centers to offer smoking cessation programs to all patients.
Research in Physics of Fluids reveals that smokers seated farther from ventilation inlets experience lower levels of pollution. Body heat causes more absorption of cigarette pollution, suggesting empty spaces are the best to choose.
A new grant will investigate the role of social media in teen e-cigarette and cigarette use. Researchers will analyze social influences, particularly through online networks, to understand how teens are influenced to smoke and use e-cigarettes. The study aims to develop effective interventions to reduce nicotine product use among teens.
A national report reveals nearly 18% of Canadian homes have radon levels above 200 Bq/m³, increasing lung cancer risk. Canadians are among the most highly exposed to radon, highlighting the need for urgent action to address this public health concern.
UK health leaders are urging the chancellor to invest in creating a smoke-free UK, citing the significant economic burden of smoking (£93 billion annually) and the potential for increased funding through a 'polluter pays' levy on tobacco manufacturers. Investing in tobacco control can also improve public finances by saving £2.37 for ev...
The Lancet Commission on Investing in Health recommends focusing on 15 priority health conditions to achieve a 50% reduction in premature deaths. Raising taxes on tobacco is key, with estimates suggesting it could reduce mortality rates by more than any other single policy.
A recent study found that smokers report higher rates of chronic pain, poor mental health, and severe work limitations due to pain. Quitting smoking can reduce prescription opioid use and associated health problems, emphasizing the need for integrated treatment programs.
A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that quitting smoking even at 75 can significantly increase life expectancy. The research showed that older individuals who quit smoking can avoid an average loss of 4-9 years of life, with some regaining up to 8 years or more.
A comprehensive review of population-level tobacco control strategies found tax increases, smoke-free legislation, and anti-smoking campaigns to be effective in reducing smoking. These interventions also increased quit rates and led to higher smoking cessation rates.
A new study suggests that banning the purchase of cigarettes and other tobacco products among people born between 2006 and 2010 could prevent an estimated 1.2 million lung cancer deaths in 185 countries by 2095. This could reduce the impact of smoking on lung cancer deaths in future generations.
A modelling study suggests that reducing tobacco smoking globally to 5% by 2050 could increase life expectancy and prevent millions of premature deaths. Accelerating actions to eliminate tobacco smoking could result in up to 1.5 additional years of life expectancy among males and 0.4 years among females.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, with 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths worldwide in 2020. China had the highest number of new cases, and incidence and mortality rates have been steadily rising from 1990 to 2019.
Researchers compared epigenetic changes across the genome in young adults who vaped, smoked or did not use nicotine products, finding a tumor-suppressor gene among the key findings. The study found substantial overlap in DNA methylation patterns between people who vaped versus those who smoked.
A University of Oklahoma researcher found that menthol cigarettes are more addictive and appealing than non-menthol cigarettes, especially among racial and ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ population. Participants were willing to work harder for puffs of menthol cigarettes, indicating a heightened risk of nicotine dependence.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that the majority of social media posts from e-cigarette brands left out health warnings, despite a federal requirement to include them. The study used AI to analyze over 2,000 Instagram posts and discovered that only 13% complied with FDA health warning requirements.
A cross-sectional study found that 87% of Instagram posts from synthetic nicotine brand accounts failed to comply with FDA health warning requirements. This non-compliance may contribute to increased youth engagement with tobacco marketing.
Households with teenage children where one or more members smoked or vaped were more likely to relax their vaping ban. Parents who talked about e-cigarettes and vaping with their teens were less likely to drop the ban.
A recent study published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology found that quitting smoking can significantly lower the risk of atrial fibrillation, with former smokers having around 13% lower risk and current quitters having an 18% lower risk. The benefits of quitting are seen shortly after stopping smoking.
A recent study published in the Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine investigated nicotine dependence among smokers in China. The research found that 41.0% of smokers aged 40 and above had medium-to-high nicotine dependence, with men more affected than women.
A new study finds that making cytisine available immediately could lead to approximately 71,000 more people quitting smoking over one year and maintaining long-term abstinence. This would produce over 500,000 additional life-years. A delay in approval by the FDA may result in reduced population-level gains of up to 10,000 life-years.
Research found that smoking before 18 significantly increases the risk of developing respiratory symptoms like wheezing and phlegm by age 28. Smoking more cigarettes overall raises the risk even further. The study highlights the importance of preventing young people from starting to smoke.
A major review by the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group identifies three effective ways to stop smoking: counseling, bupropion, and nicotine replacement therapy. The study found that combining these strategies with behavioral support yields the best results for quitting smoking.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found associations between depression and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, social media, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. The review also highlighted links between these commodities and suicide, self-harm, and anxiety.
Research reveals that maternal prenatal smoking can limit a child's academic performance and put them behind their peers at school. The systematic review of 19 studies and 1.25 million participants found that 79% of studies reported reduced academic achievement in children exposed to maternal prenatal smoking.
A study found disparities in tobacco ad exposure among U.S. adults based on race/ethnicity, education level, and smoking status, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions to vulnerable populations. The study aims to inform regulation of tobacco ads to reduce their impact.
A new study found that Americans from minority groups, current smokers, and those with lower education or income levels are more likely to be exposed to tobacco content on streaming services. The research revealed an estimated 12.4% of American adults were exposed to tobacco promotion on these platforms.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that even light smoking of 1-2 cigarettes a day before or during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of major newborn health issues. The study analyzed data from over 12 million mother-infant pairs and found that women who smoked had higher risks of neona...
Researchers developed alternative criteria using a prediction model to identify people with the most to gain from lung cancer screening. The study found that high-benefit groups include those who smoked for a long duration but at a lower intensity, heavy smokers who quit over 15 years ago, and racial and ethnic minority groups.
Researchers found that a simplified two-question test can predict smoking abstinence in cancer patients with equal accuracy as the full Fagerström Test. However, the test may not work well for Non-Hispanic Black people with a cancer diagnosis. The study aims to help doctors tailor tests for different groups.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that some e-cigarettes contain chemicals similar to nicotine, but with unknown health effects, and are not accurately disclosed on packaging. The study also discovered that manufacturers may be attempting to avoid FDA regulation by using these chemicals.
A study by EMBL researchers found that gut bacteria can convert carcinogenic chemicals like BBN into BCPN, leading to tumour formation. The team discovered 12 bacterial species involved in this process, with individual differences in human gut microbiome affecting the risk of cancer development.
Researchers warn that smart vapes with touch screens, animated displays, and built-in games can couple nicotine addiction with gaming disorder. The devices are user-friendly and attractive to youth, potentially broadening the market to include non-nicotine users.
A recent study found significant biases in media coverage of Philip Morris International's IQOS heated tobacco product among different demographic groups in Israel. Arab and Ultra-Orthodox media portray IQOS more positively than mainstream media, often relying on PMI as a primary information source.
Research found that smoking decreases life expectancy of HIV patients by 3-6 years, but smoking cessation can regain up to 5 years. Integrating tobacco cessation interventions into HIV care could substantially improve life expectancy for this population.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to indoor vaping absorb 84% less nicotine than those exposed to indoor smoking, while those exposed to neither absorbed 97% less. This suggests that second-hand exposure to harmful substances in e-cigarettes is likely to be much lower still.
A cross-sectional study found lower nicotine absorption in children exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapor compared to tobacco smoke. Exposure to e-cigarette vapor still posed a significant health risk to children, however.
A large nationally representative study found that only 2.9% of U.S. adults had ever used nicotine pouches, with a lower percentage reporting current use. The study suggests that the majority of adult pouch consumers are using them to 'top off' nicotine in situations where they cannot smoke or use other tobacco products.
Researchers found that smokers are more extraverted but less conscientious and agreeable than non-smokers. Cigar smokers tend to exhibit lower neuroticism and higher openness compared to other types of smokers.
A University of Oklahoma study finds that offering small financial incentives to smokers with low socioeconomic status can double their quit rates. The study's findings come from a clinical trial where participants who received pharmacotherapy, counseling, and financial incentives had significantly higher smoking cessation rates.
Professor Hong Xue at George Mason University is receiving $450,000 to implement a youth tobacco prevention project using AI and immersive technologies. The project aims to tackle electronic cigarette/tobacco use among Virginia's youth population.
Rural residents with head and neck cancer experience higher mortality rates due to factors like alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and lower HPV vaccination rates. This disparity widens the rural-urban mortality gap.
Philip Morris International (PMI) has secretly funded researchers at Kyoto University to conduct studies on smoking cessation. The tobacco giant also funded a life sciences consultancy to build an expert network, raising concerns about the manipulation of science for profit.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine found that cannabis users are nearly twice as likely to need hospitalization and intensive care when infected with COVID-19. Cannabis use was associated with a higher risk of severe illness, similar to tobacco smoking.
A cohort study found that cannabis use was an independent risk factor for COVID-19-related complications, even after considering other risk factors. The study suggests that cannabis may increase the risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19.
A comprehensive analysis of 62 studies on oral nicotine pouches reveals potential risks for youth, including nicotine dependence and confusing labeling. The study's findings suggest that while these products may be less harmful than cigarettes, they still pose significant health concerns.
A UK study found that young people view vaping and smoking as interchangeable behaviors, despite being more informed about vape risks. Banning disposable vapes or increasing prices may lead to increased tobacco use among youth.
Researchers found that restricting menthol flavor in cigarettes while making nicotine replacement therapy more available can decrease socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use. The study used an online platform to simulate the effects of policy changes on purchase behavior, showing that policies must consider interplay to be effective.
A study found that low doses of filtered kretek cigarette smoke altered rat lung histometric measurements, increasing the size of respiratory bronchioles. P53 gene overexpression was also observed in response to exposure. The findings suggest potential health risks from even low levels of kretek cigarette smoke.
A survey of over 5,000 smokers found that mental health conditions do not affect the effectiveness of smoking cessation aids. The most effective aids were vaping products, varenicline, and heated tobacco products, with no differences in efficacy between people with mental health conditions.
Despite efforts to cut ties with the tobacco industry, top medical journals continue to publish research funded by tobacco companies. The BMJ has updated its tobacco policy to exclude research funded by the industry and authors with personal financial ties to it.
Researchers found 45% of TikTok videos promoting age-verification-free sales, highlighting a loophole in local and federal laws. Small business owners used hashtag challenges like #discreetshipping to circumvent regulations, selling products via Instagram or Telegram.
Research found that 50.4% of TikTok videos advertised popular vaping brands and 45% included cannabis products. Vendors evade age restrictions by creating 'puffbundles' with non-vaping items, making it easy for minors to purchase e-cigarettes.