Articles tagged with Tobacco
The proportion of smokers buying duty-free tobacco rose from 5% to 16% between 2019 and 2022, but black market sales stayed relatively constant. This trend was more noticeable among higher social grades, where cheaper products were a key factor in smoking cessation attempts.
Research reveals e-cigarettes carry potential health risks, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of e-cigarette use on the heart and lungs.
A Phase 3 study led by Massachusetts General Hospital found cytisinicline to be effective in reducing nicotine dependence and cravings, with impressive results. The medication was also well-tolerated, with no serious side effects reported, offering a new potential treatment option for smoking cessation.
A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that restricting sweet flavorings and cooling agents in e-cigarettes could significantly reduce youth vaping rates. Nearly 39% of survey respondents would quit using their e-cigarettes if tobacco-flavored e-liquids were the only options available.
Smoke-free legislation associated with significant reductions in morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease and respiratory system disease. Accelerating the implementation of smoke-free laws is crucial for protecting populations against smoking-related harm.
Researchers found that cigarette smoke and HPV interact to heighten the risk of head and neck cancer by increasing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study's results pave the way for novel strategies in prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Penn State found a significant association between salivary cotinine and heavy metals such as copper, zinc, lead, in children exposed to tobacco smoke. The study suggests that environmental tobacco smoke exposure may be a source of increased children's exposure to heavy metals.
A randomized trial will be conducted to test whether sticking with the initial medication or switching to a different one increases quitting success. The study aims to provide guidance for clinicians on handling relapses and may explore the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a $50 million initiative to improve cancer outcomes in persistent poverty areas. The Persistent Poverty Initiative aims to build research capacity, foster cancer prevention research, and promote community-based programs to address the cumulative effects of poverty on cancer outcomes.
Significant reductions in nicotine dependence were found among U.S. adults with cigarette use from 2006 to 2019, particularly among those 50 years and older. Tobacco cessation strategies tailored to age and comorbidities are needed for this population.
A 37-year study in Finland found that evening types have a slightly increased risk of dying compared to morning types, primarily linked to smoking and drinking habits. The study tracked nearly 23,000 twins and found that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking status, play a significant role in mortality rates.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that TV medical dramas prompted middle schoolers to engage in discussion about vaping dangers after viewing clips featuring fictional adolescents with vaping-associated lung disease. The study suggests using entertainment television as a tool for dialogue about the health effects of e-cigarette use.
A MU study found that providing educational information about naltrexone to healthcare professionals increases patient prescriptions for the drug. The study resulted in a 36% increase in patients leaving the facility with a prescription for naltrexone, suggesting better-informed decisions by healthcare professionals.
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.
Research highlights chronic exposure to contaminant metals as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing individuals can help 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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...
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 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.
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.
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.