Articles tagged with Tobacco
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that tobacco industry youth anti-smoking programs were designed to serve the industry's political aims, rather than reducing smoking rates. The programs aimed to gather information on youth behavior and attitudes to inform marketing strategies.
Internal documents expose tobacco industry's secret lists of control advocates and researchers, aiming to discredit them. Industry agencies also conducted clandestine research on public health groups, including secretly recording meetings.
The study analyzed tobacco industry documents and found that they lobbied against the Directive 98/43/EC at both EU member state governments and a pan-European level. The investigation's findings highlight the need for effective tobacco control legislation in Europe.
A study found that adolescents with depression are more receptive to tobacco advertising and are at a higher risk of experimenting with smoking. Exposure to peer smokers also plays a significant role in the decision to smoke.
Research finds that exposure to movie stars smoking increases positive attitudes toward smoking among adolescent never-smokers. High exposure is linked to a greater intent to start smoking and lower resistance to peer offers.
Researchers found that tobacco companies selectively increased youth targeting after the 1998 settlement, exploiting inconsistencies in the ban and government definition of youth magazines. The companies shifted their ads to magazines just under the limit, increasing youth targeting by 14% between 1997 and 2000.
A study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that teens with positive role models and those who participate in religious activities are less likely to use tobacco. The study suggests that taking a positive, asset-based approach may help reduce tobacco use among young people.
After two years of abstinence, the risk of relapse decreases to less than 1 percent annually. Former smokers who relapsed were more likely to use cigars and pipes, and drink excessively.
A large-scale study analyzing over 297,000 cases found that smokers are half as likely to die from heart attacks compared to nonsmokers. The main reason for this difference is the significant age gap between smokers and non-smokers, with smokers averaging 14 years younger at the time of their attack.
A study analyzing U.S. census data found that nearly 40% of adults attempted to quit smoking after the introduction of over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapies. The increased attempts may be attributed to easier accessibility of OTC products, positively impacting public health.
Teenagers living in high-tax areas were 13% less likely to smoke any cigarettes than those in low-tax areas. Regular smokers who purchased their own cigarettes responded more strongly to price increases, the study found. The study analyzed data from Monitoring the Future Surveys of 8th-, 10th- and 12-grade students.
Studies found that denicotinized cigarettes can satisfy nicotine cravings and reduce smoke intake in smokers. The nicotine delivery method is linked to the sensory and habit components of smoking, suggesting a need for different techniques in comprehensive treatment programs.
A Mayo Clinic study found that current tobacco users and those with an alcohol problem history reported lower health scores and increased psychological distress compared to non-users. The study suggests a possible clinical implication for screening hospitalized patients for alcoholism.
A large international study found that passive smoking significantly increases the risk of respiratory symptoms, including nocturnal chest tightness and breathlessness. The prevalence of passive smoking in workplaces varied widely across countries, with some areas experiencing as much as 53.8% exposure.
Researchers found that nearly half of online cigarette vendors are located in New York State, with many operating in tobacco-producing states. The study highlights the need for stronger regulation and enforcement to prevent underage sales and protect public health.
A UCSF study suggests that with effective programs, including anti-tobacco media campaigns and community-based efforts, the US can reduce its adult smoking rate from 23-26% to 15% by 2010. This goal is within reach due to successful large-scale tobacco control initiatives in states like California.
Individuals with severe inattention and hyperactivity symptoms may use tobacco as self-medication to manage their symptoms. The study suggests that screening participants in smoking cessation programs for these symptoms could identify smokers who need additional intervention and tailor treatments to address their specific needs.
A new study found that smoking cessation programs may be less effective for black smokers than for white smokers, with a 23% quit rate compared to 34% after one year. However, the difference narrowed over time, suggesting that interventions without specific adaptations for black participants may still be effective.
A recent study found that middle school and high school students are more likely to quit smoking when faced with the prospect of fines or license loss. Students in high-enforcement areas were also more aware of penalties and had lower smoking rates, ranging from 21-26.6% compared to low-enforcement areas.
A recent study published in American Journal of Health Promotion reveals that military personnel struggle more with weight gain than tobacco use, hindering successful smoking cessation rates. Active-duty participants were four times more likely to relapse if they anticipated gaining 5-10 pounds after quitting smoking.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota found that tobacco industry sponsored research misled the public about the health risks of secondhand smoke. The study analyzed over 1.5 million pages of internal documents, revealing a campaign by the industry to deny health risks and preserve profits.
A study of 300 airline staff found that current smokers took almost three times as much sick leave as non-smokers, while ex-smokers had lower rates of absenteeism. Ex-smokers were also 5% more productive than current smokers, with productivity increasing over time.
The study found that at least 2733 events and organizations across the USA were sponsored by tobacco dollars. Motor sports lured almost two thirds of monies at $208 million. Tobacco industry sponsorship is a crucial sales, branding, and public relations tool.
A study found that emotional smokers have a harder time quitting due to the urge to smoke triggered by anger or anxiety. The research also revealed gender differences in emotional triggers of smoking, with men more likely to smoke when angry and women more likely to smoke when happy.
A study of 44 North Carolina farmworkers found that 65 occurrences of green tobacco sickness, including nausea and dizziness, were reported over a 10-week period. The researchers believe the actual prevalence may be higher due to non-participating workers.
A new report by the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that California's tobacco control program is 'stalled and adrift,' with a significant lack of funding. Despite initial optimism under Governor Gray Davis, the program has been slow to implement aggressive measures, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths from smoking.
The American Legacy Foundation has awarded $15 million to UCSF to establish a permanent internet access to tens of millions of pages of tobacco industry documents and develop a center for scholarly study. This move aims to improve research in the field and ensure accessibility to scholars, health advocates, and the public.
A short, confidential questionnaire can detect adolescent experimental smoking and identify those at high risk of nicotine addiction. The survey correctly identified 92% of smokers and found that smoking frequency increases with grade level, social influences play a role in initiation.
Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at increased risk for asthma and wheezing, with effects strongest among youngest children. Exposure also associated with school absences and low lung function in older kids, highlighting the importance of preventing smoking exposure through home and public restrictions.
A study of 705 individuals found that cigar and pipe smokers have nearly three times the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontitis as non-smokers, with an average of four missing teeth. Smoking cessation efforts are crucial for improving periodontal health and preventing tooth loss.
A new Mayo Clinic study found that heavy smokers who cut back their smoking rate may not see health benefits, contradicting the assumption that reducing smoking can lead to better health. The study of 23 heavy smokers over nine weeks showed mixed results, with some biomarkers improving and others worsening.
A new study found that low-cost self-help approaches, including mail and phone interventions, can help a sizable proportion of smokeless tobacco users quit. Phone counseling was particularly effective in aiding quitting, suggesting that verbal reporting of quit dates and use of oral substitutes may be key to success.
A study found that young users of smokeless tobacco lack awareness of its health risks, with only 74% knowing it's harmful to their health. The survey also revealed that users often describe themselves as 'cool' and 'macho', reflecting the tobacco industry's marketing efforts.
A large US Air Force study found that early smoking onset is linked to higher nicotine dependence, particularly among European-Americans and Hispanics. This association highlights the importance of prevention strategies for these populations.
According to a University of Michigan study, teen cigarette smoking rates have declined significantly since the '90s. The Monitoring the Future survey found that 8th-12th graders showed statistically significant declines in current and daily smoking measures.
Children rated cartoon cigarette warnings significantly more believable than plain text, regardless of the message. Cartoon tobacco warning labels may be an effective way to reach children and adolescents, who are at increased risk of becoming regular smokers.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that California's tobacco control program prevented an estimated 33,300 heart-disease deaths during its first nine years. The program also associated with a significant reduction in cigarette consumption, but budget cuts and changes weakened the effort in the mid-1990s.
Researchers analyzed data from over 500 cases of bladder cancer and found that smoking increases the risk. Coffee drinkers who also consumed tobacco were three times less likely to develop bladder cancer than non-coffee drinking smokers.
Research in Tobacco Control found that young healthy smokers took more time off work than non-smokers, with a significant increase in hospital admissions and lost workdays. Men smokers were more likely to take time off work and be admitted to hospital, while women smokers had higher admission rates as well.
A survey of 300 smokers and nonsmokers aged 14-22 found that concern for others' health is a stronger motivator to quit smoking than fear of one's own health. The study suggests educating young people about secondhand smoke's effects and encouraging nonsmoking teens to speak out should be key elements of anti-tobacco programs.
A recent study found that young healthy smokers had substantially more lost work days than their non-smoking colleagues. The risk of lost work days was increased by 60% among men who smoked and by 15% among women smokers, with 14% of lost workdays among men and 3% of those among women directly linked to smoking.
A study found that household exposure to passive smoke is associated with lower serum concentrations of carotenoids and other micronutrients in non-smokers. This depletion may be due to cigarette smoke exposure, rather than shared inadequate diets, suggesting a possible causal link between passive smoking and nutrient deficiencies.
The University of California, San Francisco has launched a groundbreaking Spanish/English smoking cessation research program on the Internet. The program aims to recruit bilingual smokers from around the world and provide them with a comprehensive online resource to help them quit smoking.
A large-scale survey of over 65,000 people in Norway found that women are more susceptible to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke. Women reported higher rates of respiratory symptoms and asthma compared to men, particularly among those who smoked more cigarettes daily.
Researchers found that smokers with a past history of alcoholism have increased nicotine self-administration and rewarding effects, suggesting a link between the two addictive behaviors. The study suggests that medications to block nicotine dependence and counseling may be effective in helping these individuals quit smoking.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals a strong link between teenage smoking and depressive symptoms, with non-depressed teens who smoke facing a four times greater risk. Social factors such as peer tobacco use, poor school performance, and parental report of bad temper also predict progression to heavy smoking.
A state-by-state analysis found that states with more extensive tobacco control policies had significantly lower youth smoking rates. Desirable legislation included enforcement of smoking age restrictions and photo ID requirements.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that around one in five young children were wheezy between 18-30 months, with the risk higher if the mother smoked during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy and environmental tobacco smoke are linked to an increased risk of wheezing and asthma in early childhood.
A study in Tobacco Control found that nicotine addiction symptoms appear within weeks of starting to smoke, rather than gradually. Almost two-thirds of smokers exhibited symptoms of dependency, with cravings and feelings of addiction being the most common initial symptoms.
Industry documents reveal little evidence of testing for the impact of additives on mainstream or sidestream smoke content or toxicity. The study highlights the importance of regulating tobacco additives to address public health concerns.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that symptoms of nicotine dependence can appear within four weeks or even just a few days of starting to smoke. The research team monitored over 700 teenagers and found that nearly two-thirds developed at least one symptom of addiction, with feeling addicted being the most common initial symptom.
A recent JAMA study found that nearly 46% of college students used tobacco products in the previous year, with cigar use being a significant contributor. The study also highlights the need for colleges to implement smoke-free policies to discourage tobacco use and protect nonsmokers.
Research finds that cigar smoking causes cancers of the lung and upper aerodigestive tract, with risks approaching those of cigarette smoking. Environmental cigar smoke contributes significantly to indoor air pollution, posing health hazards.
A study found that controlling for education, occupation, and other factors did not substantially alter the death rate associated with tobacco smoking. The researchers' analysis used data from a large prospective cohort study and estimated 396,741 deaths attributable to smoking annually in the US.
A comprehensive youth-led prevention program in Florida has helped reduce cigarette smoking among middle and high school students. The program, implemented in 1998, resulted in a 40% decline in current cigarette use among middle school students and an 18% decrease among high school students over the two-year period.
College students are at risk of developing nicotine dependence due to the high prevalence of tobacco use, which includes smoking cigarettes and cigars. The study found that tobacco users also engage in other substance abuse behaviors, such as marijuana use and binge drinking.
A 12-week study found that 49% of patients treated with Zyban had not used tobacco for the previous four weeks, compared to 26% in the placebo group. The three-month figures showed a slight increase in quit rates, but further research is needed.
A study analyzing a maintenance use trial found that people who quit smoking using placebo cited overwhelming cravings as the most frequent reason for returning to smoking. In contrast, those treated with Zyban (bupropion HCl) Sustained-Release 150 mg Tablets, cited presence of other smokers and stress as top reasons.
A study of over 2,000 adult U.S. smokers found that those who perceive light and ultra light cigarettes as safer and producing milder sensations are less likely to quit. Researchers advocate for targeted cessation messages addressing these misconceptions to promote quitting efforts.
Researchers have identified a compound in tobacco that inhibits an enzyme that breaks down key brain chemicals, potentially offering protection against Parkinson's disease. The discovery opens up new avenues of research and may lead to the development of neuroprotective compounds.