A study conducted by Imperial Brands found substantially reduced toxicant levels in the aerosol from their heated tobacco product (HTP) prototype compared to smoke from a standard reference cigarette. The HTP generated significantly lower levels of carbon monoxide and other harmful compounds.
Researchers found that joint use of tobacco and alcohol increased reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the rat brain, leading to lower levels of a growth factor essential for neuron survival. The study suggests that alcoholics who smoke may be at additional risk for neural damage.
Researchers found significant changes in smokers' ability to discriminate contrast levels and colors compared to non-smokers. The study suggests that cigarette smoke's neurotoxic chemicals may cause overall color vision loss and visual processing impairments.
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.
Researchers at SDSU have developed wearable wristbands to track nicotine exposure in children, which were compared to traditional urine samples and found to be equivalent. The wristbands may become a useful tool for studying tobacco product exposure in both children and adults.
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.
A new study published in the journal Addiction found that allowing smokers to determine their own nicotine intake while quitting can lead to higher success rates. The results suggest that most smokers can tolerate doses four times higher than those normally recommended, making them more likely to stay smoke-free.
Researchers found that mice exposed to secondhand smoke developed cardiac alternans, a precursor to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study expands knowledge of tobacco smoke's effects on cardiac function in nonsmokers.
Research reveals that low-income, rural kids are at higher risk of second- and third-hand smoke exposure, with as many as 63% of children having detectable levels of cotinine. The study found that frequent moves, lower income, and more adults in the home increase a child's exposure to smoke.
A recent study found that infants and toddlers in low-income, rural areas may be exposed to high levels of second- and third-hand smoke. The study suggests that frequent moves, lower education, and more adults in the home can increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Research published in Experimental Physiology reveals smoking during pregnancy increases the likelihood of a baby becoming obese. Higher levels of chemerin, a protein associated with obesity, were found in infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. Reduced DNA methylation was also linked to increased expression of this protein.
A new Ohio State University study of 617 tobacco users found that vaping did not boost quit rates, and dual users were no more likely to stop smoking. Researchers say the results suggest that for heavy smokers, tried-and-true methods like medication and nicotine replacement are still the best approach.
A study published in Pediatrics found that nearly half of children exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke had detectable levels of THC, a reliable indicator of exposure. Researchers also discovered that third-hand smoke exposure can occur when individuals smoke and the residue lingers on their skin, hair, or clothes.
Weekly air sample analysis in Singapore revealed that peat burning was the primary source of smoke during Indonesian fires in 2015. The study suggests that around 85% of smoke reaching Singapore originated from peat, highlighting the need to protect peat from wildfires.
Researchers from UCI and Singapore find that widespread fires in Indonesia's peatlands, which are hundreds to thousands of years old, were the main source of severe air pollution in Southeast Asia. The team's analysis confirms human activities as the primary cause of these environmental catastrophes.
A new study found that UK children exposed to smoking from caregivers or friends are more likely to try and continue smoking. The research highlights the 'transmissible' nature of tobacco smoking among young people, emphasizing the need for measures to protect children from smoking in the home and support smoking cessation.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that pregnant women living in areas with high tobacco availability are 70% more likely to smoke. Limiting tobacco supply could help reduce smoking rates and tackle health inequalities.
A survey of 506 UK health professionals found that 29% would not recommend e-cigarettes to cancer patients who smoke, highlighting the need for clearer guidance and training. The study suggests that e-cigarettes are a substantially less harmful alternative to smoking tobacco for cancer patients.
Researchers found that former smokers who quit within the last five years reduced their cardiovascular disease risk by 38 percent compared to those who continued to smoke. It took 16 years since quitting for former smokers' risk of cardiovascular disease to return to the level of never smokers.
A $1.5 million FEMA award will fund a first-of-its-kind study on the health effects of wildland firefighter smoke exposure. The research aims to quantify pulmonary and cardiovascular health consequences for firefighters exposed to toxic hazards in wildland fires.
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.
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...
A study found that smoke alarms using the mother's voice are more effective in waking children than traditional high-pitch tone alarms, waking 86-91% of kids compared to 53%. Including a child's name in the alarm message does not improve effectiveness.
Research from the University of Otago suggests that flavored capsule cigarettes make smoked tobacco products more appealing to non-smoking young people. Susceptible non-smokers prefer flavoured capsules over unflavoured cigarettes, viewing them as smoother and more fun to smoke.
A recent study by British American Tobacco found that e-cigarettes and tobacco heating products significantly reduce enamel discoloration compared to conventional cigarettes. The researchers assessed the impact of these products on teeth using an in vitro study and found minimal staining.
Most Canadian smokers favour novel policies to reduce tobacco use, with 70% supporting lower nicotine levels in cigarettes. The study also found that 59% of smokers support a ban on all marketing of tobacco products.
A recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research reveals that California's long-term tobacco control efforts have led to a 28% decrease in lung cancer deaths compared to the rest of the country. The state's approach has been particularly effective in discouraging young people from starting to smoke, with a 39% lower initiation ra...
Researchers analyzed children's asthma management and found that environmental exposures like secondhand smoke and pet ownership were not significant factors in improving asthma control. Once asthma guidelines are followed, these exposures do not impact overall asthma improvement.
Researchers from the University of Montana used a flying laboratory to collect data on chemical composition of smoke and its changes over time and travel. The study aims to better predict air quality downwind and understand how fire smoke impacts the climate system.
A three-year project is using unmanned aircraft to gather air quality information during prescribed burns in the Kansas Flint Hills. The data helps NASA verify satellite products and facilitate collaboration between environmental agencies to improve smoke management plans.
A new study published in JAMA found that immediately reducing nicotine in cigarettes leads to more rapid positive public health effects, including decreased exposure to toxic chemicals and increased smoke-free days. However, smokers may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms during the transition.
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.
Chemical engineering researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a physical model that can accurately predict soot and smoke emissions from wildfires. The model provides foundational elements for validating more efficient models, which will aid in predicting smoke emissions and related health effects.
56 active wildfires in British Columbia have burned over 1.5 million acres, with hot and dry conditions creating a high risk of rapid fire spread.
A recent University of Cincinnati study found that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to respiratory problems and increased absenteeism among teens. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate parents and family members on preventing secondhand smoke exposure and treating tobacco use.
The West Coast of the United States is experiencing a massive wildfire season with over 1.9 million acres ablaze. The situation is exacerbated by warmer temperatures and dry conditions, leading to increased lightning strikes and potential for further blazes.
Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke in childhood increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) death and other conditions in adulthood. Secondhand smoke exposure as an adult also raises mortality risks, particularly from COPD and ischemic heart disease.
The Mendocino Complex has become the largest fire in California history, burning over 290,000 acres and forcing nearly 4,000 firefighters to battle the inferno. The complex consists of two separate fires, River and Ranch Fires, which have destroyed 75 residences and 68 structures.
Researchers found that exposure to household smoke shortens breastfeeding duration, and fathers who smoke are less likely to prefer breastfeeding. The study suggests quitting smoking before pregnancy is crucial for new mothers.
The Carr fire has consumed 110,154 acres, destroying 161 residences and 12 outbuildings. Weather conditions and terrain make firefighting efforts challenging, with over 2,500 structures still at risk.
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.
A study by the University of York found that over 40% of pregnant women in Pakistan are exposed to secondhand smoke, resulting in approximately 17,000 still births annually. This exposure increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, and respiratory illnesses.
A four-engine plane carrying scientists and equipment will fly into wildfire smoke to measure its chemistry, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the effects on air quality, health, and climate. The WE-CAN project will analyze 15-20 smoke-observation flights in late July and August.
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...
Toxicant levels in myblu aerosols are up to 99% lower than in cigarette smoke, with formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein showing more than 99% reduction compared to conventional cigarette smoke. The study also found significant reductions in manganese, selenium, NNN, NAT, and NNK.
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.
A study of 50,734 Japanese children aged 3 found that prenatal and postnatal exposure to smoking was associated with an increased risk of hearing impairment. Children exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy or at 4 months had a higher relative risk of hearing problems compared to those not exposed.
New research reveals that cigarette smoke directly damages muscles by reducing blood vessel numbers, impacting metabolism and activity levels. This muscle damage is a key risk factor for chronic diseases such as COPD and diabetes.
Researchers found that skin is more susceptible to cancer-causing compounds from barbecuing than inhalation, with clothing offering limited protection. The study suggests washing clothes soon after leaving a grilling area to reduce exposure.
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.
Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that orangutans exposed to smoke from wildfires eat and rest more, but don't gain weight. The study suggests long-term health problems for critically endangered orangutans.
A recent study found that cannabis use among parents with children at home nearly quadrupled between 2002 and 2015, increasing from 5% to 7%, while cigarette smoking declined. This increase may compromise progress in reducing secondhand smoke exposure, particularly among certain subpopulations.
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.
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.
A new study found that nearly 30% of tiny particles in a nonsmoking classroom were associated with thirdhand smoke residue. Laboratory experiments confirmed the findings, revealing that THS can travel far from its original source and pose health risks.
A new study found that many Airbnb rentals in the US are missing critical safety features such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The analysis of 120,691 venues across 16 cities showed that only 56% had carbon monoxide detectors and 42% had fire extinguishers.
A snapshot survey of over 120,500 US Airbnb rentals found that most properties had smoke detectors but fewer had fire extinguishers or first-aid kits. The study suggests that further investigation and intervention are needed to ensure adequate fire safety in these venues.
A new study found that children exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke have a higher rate of emergency department visits and otitis media episodes compared to those with no smoke exposure. The study also revealed an association between secondhand marijuana smoke exposure and increased child health issues.
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.
New research found that men under 50 who smoked had an increased risk of stroke, with the risk increasing as the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The study revealed that even light smokers were 46% more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking to reduce stroke risk.