Articles tagged with Tobacco
Chronic exposure to low levels of contaminant metals through household items, air, water, soil, and food increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing for exposure are key steps to implement public health initiatives.
A new analysis of secret industry documents reveals that the chemical industry knew about the dangers of PFAS but failed to disclose this information to the public and regulators. The study examines how the industry used tactics to delay public awareness and regulations, with devastating consequences for human health and the environment.
A Vanderbilt study found that enhanced treatment support doubles the odds of quitting among fast nicotine metabolizers. Providing personalized coaching on nicotine replacement therapy reduces the abstinence disparity with slow metabolizers.
A Rutgers study found that about half of adult smokers and young adult nonsmokers think e-cigarettes contain fewer or the same level of harmful chemicals as cigarettes. The study also discovered an association between perceived low levels of harm in e-cigarettes and increased interest in using them.
A recent study analyzing US FDA PATH data found a correlation between current tobacco use and symptom burden among adult cancer survivors. However, symptoms were not related to the desire to quit smoking. The findings suggest that better management of cancer symptoms may help survivors quit smoking.
A recent study found that youth are unaware of the sources of nicotine in e-cigarettes and are misled by industry language, increasing appeal. The study's findings suggest that describing synthetic nicotine as 'tobacco-free' can increase intentions to purchase e-cigarettes among youth.
Researchers discover that senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) can induce neuroendocrine transdifferentiation (NED) in breast cancer epithelial cells, promoting tumor progression and aging-related features. SASP's dual role in cancer involves both antitumoral and tumorigenic effects.
Research published in BMJ Open suggests a strong association between environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. PAH exposure was found to account for most of smoking's impact on this disease risk, with one specific compound, 1-hydroxynaphthalene, showing a strong association.
A new study found that quitting smoking before a lung cancer diagnosis is associated with higher survival rates. Former smokers who stopped smoking years before their diagnosis had significantly longer survival than current and former smokers diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer.
A new study finds that restricting flavored e-cigarettes to tobacco flavor only can significantly decrease their use among teens and young adults. The majority of current users would discontinue use if the product became available in tobacco version only.
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that cigarette filters contain thousands of toxic chemicals and microplastic fibers, which are lethal to aquatic larvae. The researchers urge a complete ban on filters to prevent hazardous waste from entering the environment.
A video-based smoking cessation program developed by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has helped nearly 40% of HIV-positive smokers in Nepal quit tobacco. The program, which includes 11 video sessions and is accessible via smartphone app, was found to be highly effective in promoting abstinence among participants.
A systematic review found that physical activity interventions can reduce symptoms and improve outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders. The study examined 26 studies and concluded that physical activity may be an effective adjunct to traditional treatments, reducing or ceasing usage in approximately 75% of cases.
Concurrent vaping in early teen smokers may lead to persistent and heavier smoking in late teens, according to two UK and US studies. The 'entrenchment hypothesis' suggests e-cigarettes deepen early patterns of smoking, increasing the risk of continued tobacco use.
A new AI stop smoking app, Quit Sense, detected triggers and provided support to help smokers manage urges to smoke in specific locations. The study found that four times more people who used the app quit smoking six months later compared to those only offered online NHS support.
A study in Auckland, New Zealand has detected methamphetamine and other substances in the air for the first time in Oceania. The largest concentration of methamphetamine was found to be 104 picograms per cubic meter, highlighting the need for better air quality monitoring.
Researchers developed a biologically inspired 'vaping robot' to mimic human breathing patterns and tested commercially available e-liquids containing menthol. The study found that menthol vapers took shallower breaths and had poorer lung function compared to non-menthol smokers, regardless of age or smoking history.
Researchers from George Mason University found that anti-tobacco campaigns on Facebook discussing the risks of second-hand smoking to pets received the most user engagement. The studies analyzed factors influencing effective antismoking campaigns and user interaction.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recorded and analyzed plant sounds emitted under stress, identifying specific identifiable sounds. The study suggests that plants may communicate with other plants and animals through these sounds.
A new study by UC Health shows that electronic referrals to the California quitline can help patients give up tobacco. The study found that patients referred by healthcare providers had similar quit rates as those who called the quitline seeking help.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly declined tobacco assessment rates in community health centers between March and May 2020. Assessments remained 33.5% lower than pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for adapted procedures to support tobacco cessation efforts.
A new study found that Hispanic, Black, and low-socioeconomic status smokers are less likely to use e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking tool and more likely to believe e-cigarettes pose greater harm than cigarettes. This perception may prevent e-cigarette uptake among these populations, exacerbating racial and health disparities in smoking.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that users of heated tobacco products had a higher rate of COVID-19 infections and severe cases requiring hospitalization or oxygen. Researchers analyzed data from 30,130 participants and discovered a significant association between heated tobacco product use and increased risk of SARS-CoV...
A large-scale population health study found that tobacco users in Canada have higher levels of thiocyanate, a biomarker of cyanide exposure. This may be due to the type of cigarettes smoked in high-income countries, which are engineered to be less harmful but still pose significant health risks.
A new study finds that smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease by two-fold compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from 14,344 participants and found a significant association between smokeless tobacco use and PAD, with a rate of 4.4 cases per 1,000 person years.
A new smoking cessation intervention, MAPS, has been shown to increase smoking abstinence rates in patients with cervical cancer or precancerous disease by over two-fold. The study found that extended treatment and sustaining the program may be necessary for long-term abstinence.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health reveals that Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories produced fraudulent reports on PCB products, claiming they were not carcinogenic. The researchers also found that test conditions were compromised, leading to the indictment and conviction of employees involved.
A new study confirms that California's tobacco control program significantly reduces smoking rates and lowers health care expenses. Over three decades, the program resulted in a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence and saved Californians $51.4 billion they would have otherwise spent on cigarettes.
A recent study found that promoting physical activity and behavioral support can help smokers reduce their smoking in the short-term, but delivering lasting benefits is challenging. The research, which recruited over 900 smokers, discovered that engaging with motivational support had some initial benefits, but only a small percentage o...
Lung cancer death rates are projected to decrease overall in the EU and UK in 2023, however, a concerning trend is observed among women in France, Italy, and Spain. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer death rates are forecasted to rise among women due to continued smoking habits.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
Researchers found adult smokers with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia drink the most caffeine, while those with mental illness are at highest risk of negative health consequences. The study suggests mood, metabolism, and self-medication may explain use patterns among this population.
Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative therapy using transient expression in tobacco plants to produce a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. This class 4 mAb provides key advantages over existing treatments, including mutation resistance and universal protection against emerging variants.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have localized changes to DNA building blocks altered by tobacco smoke's toxic compounds. These findings suggest a potential method to predict cancer risk and study genetic predispositions.
Scientists mapped DNA damage caused by a compound found in cigarette smoke and industrial air. The study provides insight into how this compound damages DNA and can help predict genetic mutations related to human cancers. The technique could aid in forecasting exposures that lead to cancers.
Researchers at Washington State University found that CBD inhibits a key enzyme for nicotine metabolism, slowing down its effects and allowing smokers to wait before feeling the urge to smoke. The study suggests that CBD could be a useful tool in reducing harm from smoking and quitting nicotine addiction.
A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that vaping and smoking both cause significant DNA damage in oral epithelial cells. The frequency and duration of vaping were associated with increased levels of DNA damage, which is linked to chronic diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions.
A smart necklace called SmokeMon tracks a user's every puff and provides valuable insights into their smoking behavior. By analyzing heat signatures, the device can detect when a cigarette is being lit, how much smoke is inhaled, and when the person holds it to their mouth, helping to prevent relapse and improve quit rates.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that disposable e-cigarettes were more likely sold in specialized stores, while nicotine pouches were available in convenience stores and areas with non-Hispanic white residents. The study suggests that these products are targeted to different audiences and informs potential policy actions.
New UCLA research finds that tobacco smoking and vaping can predispose healthy young people to increased inflammation and severe COVID-19. The study, published in Journal of Molecular Medicine, found higher levels of key proteins in plasma from smokers and vapers compared to non-smokers.
A comprehensive registry study found that infants whose mothers used snus during pregnancy were three times more likely to experience sudden infant death. Quitting snus early on lowered the risk, highlighting the need for women to avoid all types of nicotine products during pregnancy.
A research group at Nagoya University has sequenced 95.6% of the Nicotiana benthamiana genome using next-generation sequencing technology. The findings provide insight into the plant's ability to perform grafting, a rare phenomenon in plants.
Substance use decreased among youths and young adults between 2019 and 2020, except for tobacco use reductions. Cannabis use increased among adults aged 25 and older during the pandemic. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to differences in data collection methods.
Scientists have identified horizontally transferred genes in insect genomes as valid targets for selectively killing green peach aphids and whiteflies. Silencing these genes using RNA interference reduces pest survival by up to 40%, with potential expansion to other insects through 'stacking' multiple targets.
A new study published in the Journal of Dental Research has found that heavy smokers with severe periodontitis do not receive any benefits from treatment. The study suggests that smoking cessation is crucial for effective treatment and may even worsen the disease during active treatment. The findings highlight the need to rethink pract...
A new study refutes industry claims that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased use of illegal smokes. Researchers found no significant change in the purchase of cigarettes from First Nations reserves after the Canadian menthol ban.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, state-level cigarette sales varied significantly across the US. The analysis found lower per capita sales in eight states and higher sales in 22 states compared to expected levels. These findings may be related to differences in state responses to the pandemic and tobacco control policies.
A study of 5,308 participants aged 50-64 found significant correlations between sedentary behavior and low fitness levels. Highly uneven fitness distribution was observed among groups at higher risk, including older adults, foreign-born individuals, and those with poor health and lifestyle habits.
A Rutgers study found that Hispanic and Latino young men with higher education who were born in the US and speak mostly English at home are more likely to use e-cigarettes. The study analyzed data from 11,275 adult participants and found a high use of e-cigarettes among those under 45 years of age.
Researchers identified several characteristics increasing risk of infection, while others decreased it. Strict adherence to mask-wearing and vitamin D consumption provided significant protection against COVID-19.
A new UC Davis study reveals that close to half of the cancer deaths in California over two years (2017-2019) were associated with tobacco use, totaling 93,764 Californians. Tobacco control efforts have contributed to a decline in cancer mortality in California, but quitting is essential for patients with cancer.
Research suggests that most dual smokers and vapers will continue smoking or vaping over time. The study found that vaping didn't contribute to substantial smoking cessation at the population level, emphasizing the need to help dual users ditch both products.
Current tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems use associated with increased risk of bleeding after brushing or flossing. Longitudinal studies highlight the importance of tobacco cessation counseling in clinical practice.
A large genetic study found that more than 2,300 genes predict alcohol and tobacco use behaviors, with a majority shared among people of European, African, American, and Asian ancestries. The study's findings have the potential to identify individuals at high risk for substance misuse.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that alternatives to menthol cigarettes pose significant addiction and health risks. Mentholated pipe tobacco and tubes were the most appealing and addictive options, suggesting they should be included in the proposed ban.
The FDA ban on flavored e-cigarettes did not lead to a significant decrease in adult vaping rates. In fact, many users switched to other flavored e-cigs or tobacco products. The study suggests that policy loopholes and the availability of newer products contributed to the failure of the ban.
Researchers developed an approach to connect Spanish-speaking smokers with tobacco treatment delivered by state Quitlines, leading to improved treatment enrollment and smoking cessation outcomes. Patients who received treatment in Spanish completed more counseling calls and were more likely to report abstinence from smoking than those ...
Researchers found that acknowledging physicians' efforts with letters and certificates improved tobacco cessation e-referral rates after a January 2022 rollout. Providing access to accurate EHR data can also enhance clinical outcomes in vulnerable populations.
Patients who received treatment in Spanish were twice as likely to be abstinent at six months compared to those treated in English. Receipt of nicotine replacement therapy increased abstinence rates for all patients, regardless of language preference.
A study aims to use e-visits to bridge the gap in smoking cessation services for rural smokers. Primary care providers are overwhelmed, but e-visits could provide an efficient solution.