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Researchers find genetic vulnerability to menthol cigarette use

Researchers identified a genetic variant associated with an increased preference for menthol cigarettes, specifically in African-American smokers. The MRGPRX4 gene variant is five to eight times more frequent among menthol cigarette users, suggesting a potential underlying factor for the higher use of these products among this population.

Thirdhand smoke residue exposes children to chemicals

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati found significant levels of nicotine on children's hands, even when caregivers did not smoke in their presence. The study suggests that indoor smoking bans may not fully protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke residue.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalTobacco Use Insights·DateFeb 7, 2019

Tobacco smoking pre-dated European contact in Pacific Northwest

Researchers found biomarkers of nicotine in 1,200-year-old stone pipes from the Columbia River Basin, challenging the idea that bearberry was the main ritual smoke plant. The discovery establishes a history of ritual tobacco use in the interior Pacific Northwest, informing education and smoking abatement programs.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

When it comes to respiratory effects of wood smoke, sex matters

A recent study found that wood smoke exposure results in higher inflammatory markers for male subjects and lower inflammatory markers for female subjects. The researchers suggest that sex-specific effects may be missed when lumping data together, emphasizing the need to consider sex-specific responses when studying environmental pollut...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 26, 2018

US wildfire smoke deaths could double by 2100

A new study simulates the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, predicting that deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could increase to over 40,000 per year by the end of the 21st century. The number of fire-related particulate matter deaths is expected to more than double in the worst-case-scenario prediction model.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeoHealth·DateSep 10, 2018

Exhaled e-vapor particles evaporate in seconds -- new study

A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that exhaled e-vapor particles are liquid droplets that evaporate within seconds, returning to background levels rapidly. This reinforces the evidence that vaping has a minimal impact on indoor air quality compared to smoking conventional cigarettes.

SourceFontem Ventures·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 23, 2018

Fighting tobacco use among adults with mental illness

A University of Houston researcher is targeting adults with anxiety and depression who struggle to quit smoking by providing individualized, online feedback. The goal is to increase motivation, confidence, and intention to quit while reducing perceived barriers to quitting. The study aims to improve distress tolerance skills to help pa...

Recorded calls beat Facebook ads in getting residents to request free smoke alarm

A Baltimore campaign found that automated phone calls were more effective than Facebook ads in encouraging residents to request free smoke alarm installations. The campaign, which ran in 2014, reached over 90,000 households via landline and resulted in 458 requests for smoke alarms, compared to just 25 from Facebook ads.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateJun 6, 2018

Hookah responsible for over half of tobacco smoke inhaled by young smokers

A new University of Pittsburgh analysis discovered that hookah smoking accounted for over half of the tobacco smoke volume consumed by young adult smokers in the US. In contrast, those who smoked tobacco only using a hookah had lower but still substantial toxicant exposures compared to those who used both hookahs and cigarettes.

Drexel study: 'Non-smoking' doesn't mean smoke-free

A Drexel study finds that third-hand smoke chemicals can be reemitted inside and attach themselves to aerosol particles, making people likely exposed to more harmful chemicals than thought. The research reveals a new pathway of exposure to third-hand smoke through aerosol particles in indoor environments.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 9, 2018

A detective story of wildfires and wine

Scientists are making progress in understanding 'smoke taint' in wine after wildfires, discovering links between volatile phenols and glycoconjugates. The study found that fermentation can increase smoky compounds, complicating efforts to remove taint from tainted wines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 9, 2018

NIST/NASA study shows one detector doesn't 'fit all' for smoke in spacecraft

A NASA and NIST study found that traditional smoke detectors may not effectively detect smoke particles in space due to unique microgravity properties. The study investigated five common materials used on spacecraft and found that some detectors struggled to detect smaller particles, posing a concern for fire safety.