Tobacco
Smoking or vaping increases risks for those with coronavirus
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-vaping/smoking-or-vaping-increases-vulnerability-to-coronavirus-says-nyc-mayor-idUSKBN20V0Z0
(Reuters) – Smoking or vaping makes people more vulnerable to suffering severe illness once infected by coronavirus, a spokeswoman for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday.
De Blasio told a press conference earlier on Sunday that people who smoke or vape are at higher risk.
“If you are a smoker or a vaper that does make you more vulnerable,” de Blasio said, urging New Yorkers to seek help in quitting. “If you are a smoker or a vaper this is a very good time to stop that habit and we will help you.”
De Blasio also said people over the age of 50 and with heart disease, lung disease, cancer, immune system vulnerability or diabetes face increased risks.
Simulating the impact of a cigarette minimum floor price law on adult smoking prevalence in California
https://academic.oup.com/ntr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntaa046/5799227
Abstract
Introduction
Minimum floor price laws (MFPLs) are an emerging tobacco control policy that sets a minimum price below which a specific tobacco product cannot be sold. MFPLs target cheaper products and may disproportionately impact consumers choosing low price brands or using discounts to reduce prices. We developed a static microsimulation model for California, USA to project short-term effects of different MFPL options for a 20-stick pack of cigarettes on adult smoking behaviors.
Methods
We simulated 300,000 individuals defined by race/ethnicity, sex, age, and poverty status. Smoking behaviors and cigarette prices were assigned based on demographic distributions in the 2014-2016 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We drew 100 random samples (n=30,000), weighted to state-level California demographic characteristics. We simulated six MFPL options and modeled impacts on smoking prevalence and cigarette consumption, in general, and separately for those in households below or above 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL), assuming a price elasticity of -0.4.
Results
Predicted changes in prices, prevalence, and consumption increased exponentially as the floor price increased from $7.00 to $9.50. Assuming 15% policy avoidance, projected increases in average cigarette prices ranged from $0.19 to $1.61. Decreases in smoking prevalence ranged from 0.05 to 0.43 percentage points, and decreases in average monthly cigarette consumption ranged from 1.4 to 12.3 cigarettes. Projected prices increased, and prevalence and consumption decreased, more among individuals in households below 250% FPL.
Conclusions
MFPLs are a promising tobacco control strategy with the potential to reduce socioeconomic disparities in cigarette smoking prevalence and consumption.
Associations Between Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Gender With Transitions in Cigarette Smoking Status and E-Cigarette Use
Findings Across Waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study
https://academic.oup.com/ntr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntaa022/5802027
Abstract
Introduction
Nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), the ratio of trans 3′-hydroxycotinine to cotinine, is a biomarker of nicotine metabolism. Discrepant findings among clinical trials and population-based studies warrant replication on whether higher NMR, or faster nicotine metabolism, is associated with quitting cigarette smoking. Associations of NMR and e-cigarette use are largely unknown, as well as the relationship between NMR and gender on quitting cigarette smoking or e-cigarette use.
Methods
The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study is a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study assessing tobacco use in the US population. In the current study, the PATH (waves 1 and 2; adult interviews) was used to evaluate longitudinal predictions in relationships among NMR and gender and their association with transitions (quit vs. current stable) in cigarette smoking status and e-cigarette use status across waves 1 and 2 of the PATH study.
Results
NMR and gender were not significantly associated with quit behavior for combustible cigarettes. Regarding e-cigarettes, a significant two-way interaction demonstrated that women with higher NMR were less likely to quit e-cigarette use compared to women with lower NMR (odds ratio [OR] = 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02–0.57; p = .01).
Conclusions
Findings identify that women with faster nicotine metabolism were 10 times less likely to quit e-cigarettes compared to women with slower nicotine metabolism across waves 1 and 2 of the PATH study. Results suggest that NMR may be used as a biomarker for transitions in e-cigarette quit behavior for women.
Implications
Findings identify that women with faster nicotine metabolism were 10 times less likely to quit e-cigarettes compared to women with slower nicotine metabolism. Results suggest that NMR may be used as a biomarker for transitions in e-cigarette quit behavior for women. Establishing parameters for NMR collection and for the use of NMR as a biomarker for cigarette smoking behavior and e-cigarette use is an important next step, and may have implications for early intervention and treatment for cessation.
It’s not safe to sit near smokers
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/its-not-safe-to-sit-near-smokers-frgrpml28
Sitting near smokers in the cinema exposes you to up to ten cigarettes’ worth of smoke, a study suggests.
Researchers found that smokers can carry hazardous compounds from cigarette smoke on their clothes and skin — third-hand smoke — that is then released.
The study, carried out at Yale University, raises questions about whether regulations creating non-smoking areas do enough to minimise the risks of second and third-hand smoke.
Researchers tracked thousands of compounds in a cinema screening room over a week. They found that the volatile organic compounds found in tobacco smoke rose dramatically when audiences arrived for a film. Despite the screening room being a well-ventilated non-smoking area, the amounts were the equivalent of smoking between one and ten cigarettes in an hour.
This is the first study to demonstrate real-world third-hand smoke emissions in an indoor non-smoking environment. Years of research have shown that no level of exposure to cigarettes is safe. Public health initiatives focused on reducing second-hand exposure by banning smoking in public places, but the latest research, published in Science Advances, shows that even with no cigarette present, people are at risk of inhaling evaporated gases or dust that settles on surfaces after smoking.
Drew Gentner, associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering at Yale, said: “People are substantial carriers of third-hand smoke contaminants to other environments. The idea that someone is protected because they’re not directly exposed to second-hand smoke is not the case.”
Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Subsequent Academic Performance Among U.S. Youth
Introduction
Previous research shows the associations between secondhand smoke exposure and health consequences among youth, but less is known about its effect on academic performance. This study examines a dose–response relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and subsequent academic performance among U.S. youth.
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(20)30048-9/fulltext
Methods
Data were from a nationally representative sample of youth non–tobacco users (aged 12–16 years) in Wave 2 (2014–2015) who completed Wave 3 (2015–2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study ( n=9,020). Past-7-day number of hours exposed to secondhand smoke at Wave 2 and academic performance at Wave 3 (1=Mostly As to 9=Mostly Fs) were assessed. Weighted multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association between hours of self-reported secondhand smoke exposure at Wave 2 and academic performance at Wave 3 (1=Mostly Fs, 9=Mostly As), adjusting for covariates including sociodemographics, prior academic performance, internalizing and externalizing problems, and substance use problems. Analyses were conducted in 2019.
Results
More than 30% of U.S. youth non–tobacco users were exposed to secondhand smoke in the past 7 days. Compared with unexposed youth at Wave 2, those who were exposed for 1–9 hours had poorer academic performance at Wave 3 (adjusted regression coefficient= −0.11, 95% CI= −0.18, −0.04), and those who were exposed for ≥10 hours at Wave 2 had even poorer academic performance (adjusted regression coefficient = −0.31, 95% CI= −0.45, −0.18).
Conclusions
A dose–response relationship was observed between secondhand smoke exposure and academic performance among U.S. youth. Reducing youth secondhand smoke exposure may promote academic performance and subsequent educational attainment.