Research on tobacco, smoking, and quitting. Covers vaping trends, the social side of smoking, headache links, and cessation methods.
A study by Durham University found that 90% of bidi workers are women who face numerous health issues and limited job options. Researchers suggest alternative employment like spice or fabric production could provide better working conditions and personal circumstances.
A study found significant reductions in cigarette use among U.S. adults with major depression, substance use disorder, or both from 2006 to 2019. Smoking cessation efforts remain critical for people with these conditions.
A systematic review found that non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) improves smoking abstinence rates 3 to 6 months after quitting. NIBS methods have shown promising results for tobacco use disorder treatment, but little was known about long-term effectiveness.
A Rutgers study found that nearly 70% of physicians report patients asking about e-cigarettes, yet most incorrectly believe all tobacco products are equally harmful. E-cigarettes were more likely recommended for heavy smokers seeking cessation, while FDA-approved medications were preferred for lighter smokers.
Researchers found daily e-cigarette use altered inflammatory markers in the brain, colon, and heart, while lungs showed gene expression changes; flavors influenced organ responses to infections like COVID-19.
A study published in the Ochsner Journal found that 28.2% of current smokers reported increased tobacco use during the pandemic, while former smokers experienced no relapse. Researchers identified correlates of increased tobacco use, including mental health concerns and coping strategies.
City of Hope researchers present new developments in cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer. A novel smoking cessation program increases patient desire to quit with personalized counseling.
Researchers found smokers have significantly lower A1AT levels, which may reduce cardiac tissue protection during a heart attack. No difference was detected in hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals.
A new study published in Tobacco Control found that cities banning flavored tobacco sales have reduced youth tobacco use, particularly vaping and cigarette smoking. In contrast to a previous study, the new analysis supports a ban on flavored tobacco products as an effective measure to prevent adolescent tobacco use.
A study of over 7,000 adolescents found that consuming a high-quality diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, was associated with significantly lower wheezing odds among those exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. This suggests that targeted public health interventions focused on improving access to higher quality foods may be effectiv...
A new study found that e-cigarette use significantly increases adolescents' risk of cannabis use, especially among those with externalizing mental health problems. However, for those with internalizing mental health issues, the relationship is reversed, and they are less likely to begin using cannabis.
A new study found that e-cigarette policies in US middle and high schools are not effective without staff training on implementing such policies. Staff who received training were more likely to recognize JUUL devices and intervene in student e-cigarette use, highlighting the need for additional support.
Research led by Imperial College London estimates that higher cigarette taxes could have averted around 182,000 newborn deaths and 231,000 child deaths under one year old in 2018. The study found that increasing tobacco taxes in low- and middle-income countries can reduce neonatal and infant mortality rates.
A study analyzing data from 159 countries found that raising tobacco taxes is associated with a significant reduction in neonatal and infant mortality rates. The research suggests that implementing recommended WHO tobacco tax rates could lead to substantial decreases in these deaths, potentially saving up to 231,220 infant lives annually.
A recent study published in Addiction journal found no association between e-cigarette use and regular smoking among young adults in England. The researchers used time series analysis to assess the gateway effect of vaping on smoking uptake, ruling out substantial increases or decreases in smoking prevalence.
A recent study published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches exhibit reduced levels of toxicants and biological activity compared to combustible cigarette smoke. The products, manufactured by Imperial Brands, showed substantially reduced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in three toxicological assays.
A large US survey found a strong association between e-cigarette use and prediabetes, with users having higher prevalence of high-risk lifestyle factors and worse health status. The study's findings challenge the promotion of e-cigarettes as a safer smoking alternative.
A new study suggests introducing a maximum price-cap on cigarettes in the UK could help reduce smoking rates by limiting tobacco companies' pricing strategies. The proposed measure would standardise cigarette prices, making future tax rises more effective.
A new study found that e-cigarette vapers and hookah smokers are more likely to exhale particles through their nose compared to cigarette smokers. This unique breathing pattern may expose the nose and sinuses to higher levels of emissions, increasing the risk of upper respiratory diseases.
A new Curtin University study found diet, malaria, substance use, and inadequate antenatal care services are associated with one in 10 preterm births in the Pacific Island region. The research highlights the need for improved health promotion interventions during pregnancy.
A new study reveals that tobacco companies have secret contracts with retailers that allow them to give their products prime placement in stores, discount pricing, and target specific demographics. This undermines ongoing public health efforts to decrease tobacco use.
A recent review of e-cigarette research highlights the significant health risks associated with vaping, including lung inflammation and injury. The study found that e-cigarettes can cause negative effects in multiple organs, from the brain to the bladder, and may even increase the risk of lung cancer.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that internet-based smoking cessation interventions using prescription pharmacotherapy were as effective as in-person clinical trials. Up to a third of participants achieved smoke-free status after 12 weeks, with quit rates substantially higher than unassisted attempts.
Combining FDA-approved smoking cessation medications with behavioral support programs significantly increases success rates for quitting tobacco. The review recommends varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy as the most effective choices.
Research suggests that e-cigarettes are less effective in helping people quit smoking compared to other methods, with no reduction in the risk of relapse among former smokers. E-cigarette users were found to have a lower success rate in quitting smoking than those using other aids.
A US study found that e-cigarettes were less popular as a smoking cessation aid in 2017 compared to FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. However, researchers did not see any reduction in relapse rates among those who quit using e-cigarettes.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that over 97% of children under 12 had nicotine on their hands, regardless of smoking status at home. Parental protective measures like home and car bans significantly reduced nicotine levels.
A study examining national data of adults aged 60 and older found that smoking is strongly linked to poor brain health, independent of other medical conditions. Smoking was associated with lower cognitive test scores in this population.
Research from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study finds that prolonged cannabis use leads to over-inflated lungs and increased airway resistance, impairing oxygen extraction. This effect is distinct from tobacco use and may reflect early signs of a severe form of emphysema.
A Montreal-based study found that alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use remained stable among 24- to 33-year-olds from before the pandemic to now. However, people with lower education levels and those living alone were more likely to start or increase substance use during COVID-19.
A study found that the first day of quitting smoking is harder for women than men, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Women also have more difficulty maintaining long-term abstinence, with larger health warning labels on cigarette packs associated with reduced odds of one-day relapse among them.
Research finds a heightened risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath among young adults exposed to secondhand nicotine vapour from e-cigarettes. Exposure to ultrafine particles, volatile compounds, and metals can harm lung tissue.
A new UCLA-led study suggests that switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco can lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, which predict cardiovascular disease risk. This finding implies that exclusive smokeless tobacco users have similar biomarker levels to 'never' smokers.
Researchers found that community engagement is key to addressing risky health behaviors, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods. The study used a neighborhood mapping platform and in-person interviews to investigate how tobacco industry marketing affects neighborhoods of color.
A Colorado State University study analyzed global health data to identify the leading causes of deaths and disabilities in the state from 1990 to 2019. Cardiovascular disease and cancers accounted for half of the deaths, while musculoskeletal disorders and tobacco use were also significant contributors.
Public health experts urge stronger warnings on ultra-processed foods due to their high salt, sugar, and saturated fats content. The authors suggest building a public brand around the term 'ultra-processed' to increase awareness of the product's harms.
A recent study found that a substantial decline in lung cancer deaths is associated with earlier diagnosis of lung cancer through increased screening via computed tomography (CT) and follow-up scans. This approach can lead to surgical interventions, which can often be curative for precancerous nodules.
A new study by Penn State College of Medicine and Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that e-cigarettes with cigarette-like nicotine delivery may help some people stop smoking cigarettes. Participants who received a device with 36mg/mL nicotine showed significantly higher quit rates and increased days without smoking com...
A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that using race-based equations to evaluate lung disease can lead to under-treatment of Black patients. The research, conducted by a team at the University of California - San Francisco, used data from SPIROMICS, a multi-center cohort of ev...
Researchers are part of a five-year global study examining the behavioral and long-term health impacts of different regulatory approaches to e-cigarettes and other new nicotine products among youth and adults in seven countries. The study aims to inform US public policy based on evidence, maximizing population health.
A new study found that e-cigarette users are more than twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction as non-users. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, suggests that e-cigarette use may be independently linked to erectile dysfunction.
A recent study by NTU Singapore has found a strong link between increasing air pollution and the rise of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer. The study also discovered that declining smoking rates are associated with lower incidence of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Researchers found offering surgery to current smokers can lead to more equitable care, reducing disparities in lung cancer outcomes. A new study published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery shows that risk of complications and death following surgery is similar between current and former smokers.
Researchers at University of Technology Sydney identified microRNA-21 as a potential therapeutic target for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhibition of microRNA-21 using antagomir-21 reduced inflammation and improved lung capacity in experimental models.
A recent study by the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project found that most adult vapers oppose flavor restrictions, with 82% saying they would continue vaping if flavored products were banned. Some vapers may switch to smoking cigarettes instead, highlighting potential unintended consequences of a flavor ban.
A new study found that stroke survivors are more likely to continue cigarette smoking than cancer survivors, putting them at higher risk for subsequent strokes and heart disease. Researchers recommend developing robust smoking cessation programs for stroke patients similar to those offered to cancer patients.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that smoking may be the first sign of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in some individuals. The research, which analyzed data from nine long-term cohort studies, discovered that fatal or non-fatal heart attacks and strokes were more common among smokers, particula...
A systematic review of over 500,000 under 18s found that flavoured vapes are an important aspect of vaping enjoyed by young people, potentially encouraging them to switch from tobacco smoking to less harm vaping. However, the study warns that more needs to be done to prevent young non-smokers from being attracted to vaping.
Bans on menthol cigarettes in Canadian provinces resulted in substantial decreases in both menthol and total cigarette sales. The study's findings suggest a notable impact of these restrictions on the tobacco market.
A Rutgers study found that young adults who do not use tobacco products report higher intentions of using Puff Bar e-cigarettes with a 'tobacco-free nicotine' claim. The study suggests that this type of claim may reduce perception of health risks and prompt the use of Puff Bar over other brands.
A recent UC San Diego study has found that e-cigarette use does not help smokers stay off cigarettes, but rather increases the risk of relapse. Former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes were more likely to relapse compared to those who remained tobacco-free.
A study found that only a third of public health policies had been fully implemented globally by 2020, with low-income countries and those with high corporate influence showing slow progress. The researchers suggest that corporate influence cancelled out the positive relationship between democracy and implementation, highlighting the n...
A systematic review of tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies and e-cigarettes found that combined treatments, particularly varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), were the most effective in helping people quit smoking. E-cigarettes showed promise but require further research to establish their safety.
Researchers identified six major themes associated with smoking risk and protective factors among TGE adults, including experience of stress, gender affirmation, and environmental cues. The study aims to design culturally sensitive messaging for smoking cessation through social media and inform further community-engaged research.
A new study suggests that tobacco and alcohol use may lead to an increased risk of using cannabis and other illicit drugs. The research also found a possible gateway effect between tobacco use and subsequent cannabis use, as well as opioid dependence leading to increased alcohol consumption.
A large UK Biobank study has found that smoking is highly likely to worsen the severity of COVID-19 and increase the risk of dying from the infection. The study combined observational and genetic data to strengthen the evidence base, revealing a causal effect between smoking and COVID-19 severity.
A legal analysis examines whether the First Amendment restricts the FDA's requirement of new tobacco warning labels. The study concludes that such labels do not infringe on the First Amendment rights to free speech, as they convey important public health information.
A new study found that plain packaging in Canada lowered the appeal of cigarettes, with more smokers reporting a dislike for their pack design. However, the lack of accompanied new warnings limited its effectiveness compared to other countries.
A Rutgers University study suggests that video conferencing with tobacco treatment specialists can aid smokers in rural prisons in quitting tobacco smoking. The study also found that providing nicotine replacement therapy patches was effective in aiding the cessation process.
A study published in ERJ Open Research reveals a rise in smoking and vaping among Irish teens, undermining the country's efforts to become tobacco-free by 2025. The research suggests that e-cigarette use is linked to an increased risk of smoking, particularly among teenagers.