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March, 2020:

Smokers At Higher Risk Of Severe COVID-19 During Coronavirus Outbreak

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COVID-19 and NCDs

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Coronavirus: ‘Abundantly clear’ smoking makes ‘impact of infection worse’

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Group Urges Statewide Vaping Ban Amid Pandemic

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Secondhand smoke from electronic cigarette resulting in hypersensitivity pneumonitis

https://casereports.bmj.com/content/13/3/e233381.long

Abstract

Cases of vaping-induced lung injury have increased in the USA, resulting in a heterogeneous collection of pneumonitis patterns in persons who used electronic cigarettes. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis has been documented in several cases of first-hand electronic cigarette use; however, secondhand smoke health-related consequences have not been fully understood. We present a case of the patient who developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis secondary to exposure to secondhand smoke from electronic cigarette. We summarise the presentation and diagnostic investigation, as well as the management of this case.

Doctors monitor vaping as possible connection to young COVID-19 patients

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Do state regulations on e-cigarettes have impacts on the e-cigarette prevalence?

https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2020/03/22/tobaccocontrol-2019-055287

Abstract

Background

We examine the association among five types of state regulations on electronic cigarettes (defining e-cigarettes, special tax, packaging, youth access and licensure) and initiation and current usage of e-cigarettes in 50 US states and the District of Columbia.

Methods

Data came from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the US e-cigarette regulations—50 state review by the Public Health Law Center. Logistic regressions were used to determine the odds of initiation and current use of e-cigarettes among individuals aged 18–24, 25–34 and the whole sample, adjusting for socio-demographic covariates.

Results

Despite the short history of state laws on e-cigarettes, each of the five state laws was associated with lower odds of initiation and use of e-cigarettes in the whole sample. In the 18–24 age group, only the licensure was associated with lower initiation. In the 25–34 age group, the licensure and taxation were related to lower initiation and current usage. There were significant differences of e-cigarette initiation and usage based on the number of state laws regulating e-cigarettes.

Conclusions

Our analysis indicates the potential of states’ policy efforts to regulate e-cigarettes comprehensively in leading significant changes to e-cigarette prevalence in their populations.

Pain, nicotine, and tobacco smoking

https://journals.lww.com/pain/Citation/publishahead/Pain,_nicotine,_and_tobacco_smoking__current_state.98439.aspx

Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Adversely Impact ECG Indices of Ventricular Repolarization

Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Adversely Impact ECG Indices of Ventricular Repolarization: Implication for Sudden Death Risk

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpheart.00738.2019

Abstract

Tobacco cigarette(TC) smoking is associated with increased sudden death risk, perhaps through adverse effects on ventricular repolarization(VP). The effect of electronic-cigarettes(ECs) on VP is unknown. Objective To test the hypothesis that TCs and ECs have similar adverse effects on electrocardiogram(ECG) indices of VP, and these effects are attributable to nicotine. Methods ECG recordings were obtained in 37 TC-smokers, 43 EC-users, and 65 non-users. Primary outcomes, Tpeak-to-Tend(Tp-e), Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc, were measured in TC-smokers pre/post straw-control and smoking one TC, and in EC-users and non-users pre/post straw control and using an EC with and without nicotine(different days). Results Mean values of the primary outcomes were not different among the 3 groups at baseline. In TC-smokers, all primary outcomes including the Tp-e(12.9±5.0%vs1.5±5%, p=0.017), Tp-e/QT (14.9±5.0%vs0.7±5.1%, p=0.004), and Tp-e/QTc(11.9±5.0%vs2.1±5.1%, p=0.036), were significantly increased pre/post smoking one TC compared to pre/post straw-control. In EC-users, the Tp-e/QT(6.3±1.9%, p=0.046) was increased only pre/post using an EC-with-nicotine, but not pre/post the other exposures. The changes relative to the changes after straw-control were greater after smoking the TC compared to using the EC with nicotine for Tp-e(11.4±4.4%vs1.1±2.5%, p<0.05) and Tp-e/QTc(9.8±4.4%vs-1.6±2.6%, p=0.05), but not Tp-e/QT(14.2 ± 4.5%vs4.2±2.6%, p=0.06) . Heart rate increased similarly after the TC and EC-with-nicotine. Conclusions Baseline ECG-indices of VP were not different among TC-smokers, EC-users and non-users. An adverse effect of acute TC smoking on ECG indices of VP was confirmed. In EC-users, an adverse effect of using an EC-with-nicotine, but not without nicotine, on ECG indices of VP was also observed.

Thai court fines Philip Morris $4 million for customs violations

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