Age Of Smoking Initiation Research Articles

Prevalence and predictors of hardcore smoking in India-: Findings from the global adult tobacco survey (2016–2017)

Background:Hardcore smokers are of significant public health concern having a greater risk of developing tobacco-related diseases.Objective:This study aimed to identify burden of hardcore smokers, its distribution, and determinants in India.Subjects and Methods:Analysis of Global Adult Tobacco Survey India 2016–2017 data was carried out. Hardcore smoking was defined when the following criteria were fulfilled – current daily cigarette smoking for at least 5 years, no quit attempt in past 12 months, no intention to quit in next 12 months, and time to first smoke within 30 min of waking up. Independent variables included sociodemographic, knowledge of side effects, indoor smoking policy, and age of smoking initiation. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out, with adjustment for clustering, stratification, and sampling weight.Results:Proportion of hardcore smoking among the general population and current daily smokers were 3.43% and 32.3%, respectively. In the adjusted model, it was found to be significantly associated with increasing age, earlier initiation of daily smoking, tribal caste, and unfavorable indoor smoking policy.Conclusion:Tobacco control strategies should be modified to tackle these issues, especially early age of initiation of daily smoking and indoor smoking policy.

The relationship between working hours and the intention to quit smoking in male office workers: data from the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2017).

BackgroundThe intention to quit smoking is one of the most important factors in smoking cessation. Long working hours is also a constant issue, and many studies have shown an association between the working hours and diseases, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This study evaluated the relationship between working hours and the intention to quit smoking among Korean male office workers, and blue collar workers for comparison.MethodsThis study was based on the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2017). A total of 1,389 male workers were smokers, and then office workers and blue collar workers were selected. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for the intention to quit smoking according to smoking-related characteristics and working hours after adjusting for age group, body mass index (kg/m2), marital status, household income (quartile), educational level, drinking, exercise, smoking-related characteristics (smoking initiation age, smoking amount, and attempt to quit smoking more than 1day in the past year) and working hours.ResultsThe percentage of workers who had the intention to quit smoking in 6 months was higher in office workers (38.9% for office workers and 29.4% for blue collars, p = 0.017). Blue collar workers had higher percentages of workers who worked more than 52 hours per week (19.8% for office workers and 38.9% for blue collar workers, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that working > 52 hours per week was significantly associated with a lower intention to quit smoking within 6 months among male office workers (OR = 0.30, 95% confidence interval = 0.14–0.66).ConclusionsWorking more than 52 hours per week was positively related with a lower intention to quit smoking among currently smoking male office workers. Further studies are needed considering more work-related variables such as job stress and physical load.

Trends in age of smoking initiation among the Chinese population born between 1950 and 1997

ObjectivesSmoking prevalence has significantly increased among Chinese adolescences in the past decades. The aim of our study is to investigate the trends and changing patterns in age of smoking initiation among the Chinese population. Study designPooled data from the 2006–2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey was used for analysis. A total of 10,032 adults aged ≥18 years who were born between 1950 and 1997 were separated into five birth cohorts (1950–1959, 1960–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989 and 1990–1997). MethodsAge-specific (10–24 years) smoking initiation rates were calculated by gender, educational level and urbanisation. The multiple logistic models were used for estimates of changes in smoking initiation age. ResultsThe mean age of smoking initiation decreased substantially from 22.0 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.2–22.7) to 17.5 years (95% CI: 16.2–19.1) over five generations. A large decrease was seen in the initiation age group of 15–24 years in the 1980s cohort (15–19 years: odds ratio [OR] = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.19–0.97; 20–24 years: OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.18–0.82); a significant decrease was also found in the 1990s cohort (15–19 years: OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.11–0.94; 20–24 years old: OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14–0.85). The peak age of smoking initiation changed from 20 years old to 18 years old over the five generations. ConclusionsThe age of smoking initiation has decreased rapidly in the Chinese population in the past decades. Chinese adolescents are becoming the main target group for the tobacco marketing industry, and national legislations are urgently required.

E-cigarette use among young adults in Poland: Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users

PurposeElectronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is one of the most popular alternatives to conventional cigarette smoking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use among university students from Poland, with particular emphasis on ever and current cigarette and e-cigarette use as well as smoking initiation age. Patients and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2017 and 2018 in a group of university students in 5 academic centers in Poland. The questionnaire addressed 46 questions about personal attitudes toward cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use. ResultsData were collected from 7324 participants (67.3% females, aged 21.9 ± 2.1 years), with an overall response rate of 70.1%. Among participants, 71.2% had ever smoked a cigarette, and almost half of the respondents (45%) declared ever use of an e-cigarette. The mean age of first use of a cigarette was significantly lower (16.5 ± 2.5 y-old) than of an e-cigarette (18.6 ± 2.2 y-old; p < 0.001). Exclusive cigarette smoking was declared by 12.9%, 1.3% were e-cigarette users and 1.5% were dual users. Those in the medical field were less likely to try e-cigarettes (odds ratio, OR = 0.73) or to currently smoke conventional cigarettes (OR = 0.82). Older participants were more likely to have ever smoked conventional cigarettes (OR = 1.06), but less likely to have ever used e-cigarettes (OR = 0.88). ConclusionsIn this study, we found a high proportion of young adults who have tried e-cigarettes with both regional and demographic differences. The education profile influences cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use behaviors.

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study

ObjectivesTo explore tobacco use patterns and factors influencing tobacco use in young Singaporean men serving military national service.MethodsA qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews and maximum variation sampling was conducted...

Effects of Aided Smoking Cessation Counselling with Exhaled Carbon Monoxide Measurement versus Conventional Counselling on Smokers' Intention to Quit and Cigarette Consumption

Feedback on exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels may potentially improve smokers’ motivation to quit. However, evidence to support its use is still lacking. This study aimed to examine how providing feedback on exhaled CO measurement affected smokers’ intention to quit and cigarette consumption short term. This non-randomised controlled trial was conducted at a government health clinic. The control group (n=132) received conventional counselling using the 5A approach and pamphlets, whereas the intervention group (n=132) received similar counselling along with feedback on exhaled CO measurements. Subjects’ intention to quit in the next month and current cigarette consumption were assessed at baseline and again four weeks post-counselling. At the baseline, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of gender (p=0.002), ethnicity (p=0.004), marital status (p=0.002), age of smoking initiation (p<0.001), nicotine dependence (p=0.001) and quit intention (p<0.001). Compared to the control group, those who received intervention started smoking at a younger age and had greater nicotine dependence, but they had stronger quit intentions. One month post-counselling, there were no differences in quit intention (p=0.389) and cigarette consumption (p=0.902) between the groups. However, within-group analysis shows both a significant improvement in quit intention (p<0.001 for both groups) and a reduction in cigarette consumption (p<0.001 for both groups) after the counselling. None of the participants quit smoking at follow-up. In conclusion, both conventional smoking cessation counselling and counselling with feedback on exhaled carbon monoxide levels were similarly effective in improving smokers’ quit intention and reducing cigarette consumption. However, this enhanced motivation was inadequate to make them quit.

Cigarette Smoking, Coffee Consumption, Alcohol Intake, and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are widely associated with smoking in epidemiological studies, whereas there are conflicting results for the association between CD and UC for both coffee and alcohol consumption. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether cigarette smoking and alcohol and coffee consumption are causally associated with either CD or UC. We utilized 540 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms for 3 potentially addictive substances-nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine-to assess the association of smoking, coffee, and alcohol consumption with CD and UC (12,194 CD cases, 12,366 UC cases, and 25,042 controls of European ancestry), using Mendelian randomization analysis. Mendelian randomization estimates were used to evaluate the effect of the exposure factors on CD and UC risk. Sensitivity analysis was employed to test for any directional pleiotropy. We found evidence for a positive causal association between the age of smoking initiation and UC risk and between alcohol consumption and CD risk, which disappeared after sensitivity analysis for both associations (P > 0.05). No evidence for a causal association between cigarettes per day, smoking initiation, smoking cessation, and coffee consumption variables and UC or CD was found. We found no clear evidence that either genetically predicted smoking, coffee consumption, or alcohol consumption are causally associated with the risk for CD or UC, although our findings indicate a potential positive association between the age of smoking and UC and between alcohol consumption and CD.

Spatial Survival Analysis of Initiation Age and Prevalence of Smoking in Iran; Results from a Population Based Study

The initiation age and prevalence of cigarette smoking are two important parameters in any smoking-related policymaking domain. Dataset was extracted from STEPs survey, a population-based study conducted in Iran in 2016. A total of 27612 participants were included in the current study. We used a spatial parametric survival mixture rate cure model with doubly censoring to simultaneously assess the initiation age and prevalence of smoking. The entire study population, men and women had the estimated median initiation age of 23.3 (95% CI: 22.2-24.5), 21.9 (95% CI: 21.3-22.5), and 25.5 (95% CI: 22.8-28.7) years, and the prevalence of 10.11% (95% CI: 9.3%-11.0%), 22.3% (95% CI: 21.0%-23.6%), 0.78% (95% CI: 0.62%-0.97%), respectively. The hazard of smoking initiation in men was 66% which was higher than in women (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.48). The odds of smoking in men was 36.5 times greater than that of women (odds ratio [OR] = 36.5, 95% CI: 29.66-45.52). Odds of smoking decreased by 32% in the entire study population and 14% with one level increase in their education (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.65-0.72) and socioeconomic status (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.94), respectively. The geographical distribution of smoking initiation age varied from 21.5 to 26.37 years for the entire study population, 20.2 to 24.8 years for men, and 23.53 to 28.91 years for women. The geographical distribution of smoking prevalence varied from 5.46% to 14.98% for the entire study population, 12.82% to 30.98% for men, and 0.4% to 1.2% for women. The geographical distribution of smoking initiation age and prevalence showed that in different parts of the country, the initiation age and rate of smoking are different which should be considered in any preventative policy making.

Smoking Prevalence, Patterns, and Cessation Among Adults in Hebei Province, Central China: Implications From China National Health Survey (CNHS).

As part of the China National Health Survey, the objective of this study was to explore the prevalence, patterns, and influencing factors of smoking, and understand reasons for smoking cessation among adults in Hebei Province, central China. Using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method, 6,552 adults (2,594 males) aged 20–80 were selected in 2017. Demographic, socioeconomic, and tobacco use information were collected by questionnaire interview. The prevalence of ever-smoking, current smoking, and ex-smoking was 28.94, 21.08, and 7.86%, respectively. Male participants had a much higher prevalence of ever-smoking and current smoking (67.39 and 48.77%) than females (3.74 and 2.93%). In male participants, the daily cigarette consumption was 16.61, and the mean age of smoking initiation was 20.95, decreasing with birth year (27.50 in people born before 1946 vs. 17.9 for those born after 1985, p for trend < 0.001). Over 40% of male ever-smokers initiated regular smoking before 20. Compared with never drinking, the ORs (95% CI) of ever-smoking for low, moderate, and high alcohol consumption in male participants were 1.44 (1.11–1.86), 2.80 (1.91–4.11), and 2.40 (1.72–3.33), respectively. Among 479 male ex-smokers, 50.94% stopped smoking because of illness and 49.06% by choice. Among male ex-smokers, hypertensive men were more likely to quit smoking than the normotensive individuals (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.13–1.96). For CVD patients, this effect was estimated as 2.27 (95% CI: 1.56–3.30). This study revealed a high prevalence of ever-smoking, especially in men, in a representative population in central China. Health education focus on tobacco control could be integrated with alcohol consumption reduction to achieve additional benefit.

Nicotine Dependence and Factors Related to Smoking Cessation among Physicians in Estonia.

Smoking withdrawal can be difficult due to nicotine dependence (ND). The study objective was to describe ND and to analyze the association between ND and factors related to smoking cessation among daily smoking physicians in Estonia. Data was collected in 2014, using cross-sectional postal survey sampling all practicing physicians (n = 5666) in Estonia, of whom 2939 responded (corrected response rate 53.1%). The study sample was restricted to daily smoking physicians (n = 171). Results of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) were described and ND scores calculated. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of ND (at-least-moderate vs. low) with factors related to smoking cessation. Crude and fully adjusted ORs with 95% CIs were calculated. The mean FTND score was 2.8 ± 2.1. The odds of having at-least-moderate ND decreased significantly with each year postponing smoking initiation (OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.94). After adjustment, ND was no longer associated with the desire to quit smoking and motives to quit. In conclusion, more than half of daily smoking physicians had low ND. Higher ND was associated with younger age of smoking initiation. Knowledge of ND and factors related to smoking cessation is useful in the prevention of smoking and in development of cessation counselling tailored for physicians.

Smokers' reports on receiving a doctor's advice to quit smoking; receiving the advice is more prevalent among smokers with Crohn's Disease relative to smokers with Ulcerative Colitis.

Receiving a doctor’s advice to quit smoking is an important predictor for improving smokers’ intentions to quit smoking and successful smoking cessation. We examined reports of smokers with Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) regarding receiving a doctor’s advice to quit smoking in the past 12 months, and evaluated the differences in the rates of receiving the advice between the CD and UC patients. The data were retrospectively reported by CD and UC patients (n = 453) who self-identified as current smokers in online assessments conducted by IBD Partners in the period from 2011 to 2014 in the USA. Statistical methods included chi-square tests and a multiple logistic regression model for the logit of the probability of receiving the advice as a function of patient’s characteristics and assessment year. Overall, about 77% of smokers reported receiving a doctor’s advice to quit smoking. The percentage was significantly (p < 0.001) higher among smokers with CD (80%) than it was among smokers with UC (63%). While the specific differences by CD/UC depended on smoking initiation age, the overall effect of disease type on the odds of receiving the advice remained significant: the odds of receiving the advice were higher for smokers with CD relative to smokers with UC (OR = 3.6, p < 0.001). Although the majority of CD and UC patients report receiving a doctor’s advice to quit smoking, the encountered difference associated with the disease type is concerning. Because long-term smoking increases cancer and mortality risks, doctors should address smoking cessation with all patients who smoke.

Epidemiologia do tabagismo no curso de Medicina em Lages – Santa Catarina

Objetivo: Identificar a prática tabagista entre acadêmicos de Medicina da Universidade do Planalto Catarinense (UNIPLAC) em Lages/SC. Método: estudo dos dados obtidos através de questionário aplicado a 94 acadêmicos no período entre agosto de 2013 a dezembro de 2013. Resultados: a idade média dos participantes foi de 23,06 anos, com mínima de 19 anos e máxima de 39 anos. 19,1% eram fumantes, destes 8,5% fumantes diários e 10,6% ocasionais. A idade média de iniciação da prática tabágica foi de 17,88 anos. 22,3% começaram a fumar aos 18 anos de idade. O maior incentivo ao início do uso de cigarros foi a influência dos amigos em 61,1%. 72,2% dos acadêmicos fumantes fumavam até 10 cigarros por dia, e 61,1% afirmaram interesse em parar de fumar. 38,9% descreveram o prazer e 33,3% a redução da ansiedade como sensação a exposição tabágica. Conclusão: a elevada prevalência de tabagistas entre os acadêmicos de medicina mostra a necessidade de reforçar programas prevenção e cessação da prática tabágica direcionados a essa população.

Factors associated with tobacco cessation attempts among inpatients in a psychiatric hospital

AbstractIntroductionSeveral effective evidence-based tobacco treatment approaches can optimize cessation attempts; however, little is known about the utilization of such strategies by people with mental illnesses (MI) during their cessation attempts.AimsTo examine methods used during and factors associated with tobacco cessation attempts among people with MI.MethodsSelf-administered cross-sectional survey data were obtained from 132 tobacco using inpatients from a psychiatric facility in Kentucky, USA.ResultsOur study found ‘cold turkey’ as the most reported method by inpatient tobacco users with MI in their prior cessation attempts regardless of the psychiatric diagnosis category. Multivariate logistic regression found ethnicity (OR 26.1; 95% CI 2.9–237.1), age at 1st smoke (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0–1.1), importance to quit (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0–1.4), and receipt of brief tobacco treatment interventions (OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0–1.3) significantly associated with quit attempt in the past year.ConclusionDespite the existence of various evidence-based approaches to enhance tobacco cessation among people with MI, ‘cold-turkey’ was the most preferred method in this sample. In addition, this study highlighted ethnicity, importance to quit, age at 1st smoke, and receipt of brief interventions as important factors to consider when tailoring tobacco cessation in this population. Though ethnicity is a non-modifiable factor, an informed provider may intervene skillfully by addressing socio-cultural barriers specific to an ethnic group. Lower ratings on the motivation ruler and early age of smoking initiation could also inform providers when using motivational interviewing and other evidence-based tobacco-cessation approaches.

Measures of dependence in menthol and nonmenthol smokers - A comprehensive narrative review

Introduction. More than a decade ago, concerns were raised that menthol in cigarettes might enhance addiction to smoking. This article provides a comprehensive review of published studies examining cigarette dependence among menthol and nonmenthol smokers. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the scientific evidence to determine if menthol increases cigarette dependence. Materials and Methods. The published literature was searched in 2019 for studies that provide evidence on cigarette dependence among menthol compared to nonmenthol smokers. Included in this review are published studies that compare menthol and nonmenthol smokers based on widely accepted and validated measures of dependence, or other established predictors of dependence (age of smoking initiation [first cigarette]/age of progression [regular/daily smoking]) and indicators of dependence (smoking frequency, cigarettes smoked per day, time to first cigarette after waking, night waking to smoke, smoking duration). Results and Conclusion. Based on a review of the available studies, including those with adjusted results and large representative samples, reliable and consistent empirical evidence supports a conclusion that menthol smokers are not more dependent than nonmenthol smokers and thus menthol in cigarettes does not increase dependence.

The Role of A Priori-Identified Addiction and Smoking Gene Sets in Smoking Behaviors.

Smoking is a leading cause of death, and genetic variation contributes to smoking behaviors. Identifying genes and sets of genes that contribute to risk for addiction is necessary to prioritize targets for functional characterization and for personalized medicine. We performed a gene set-based association and heritable enrichment study of two addiction-related gene sets, those on the Smokescreen Genotyping Array and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, using the largest available GWAS summary statistics. We assessed smoking initiation, cigarettes per day, smoking cessation, and age of smoking initiation. Individual genes within each gene set were significantly associated with smoking behaviors. Both sets of genes were significantly associated with cigarettes per day, smoking initiation, and smoking cessation. Age of initiation was only associated with the Smokescreen gene set. Although both sets of genes were enriched for trait heritability, each accounts for only a small proportion of the single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability (2%-12%). These two gene sets are associated with smoking behaviors, but collectively account for a limited amount of the genetic and phenotypic variation of these complex traits, consistent with high polygenicity. We evaluated evidence for the association and heritable contribution of expert-curated and bioinformatically identified sets of genes related to smoking. Although they impact smoking behaviors, these specifically targeted genes do not account for much of the heritability in smoking and will be of limited use for predictive purposes. Advanced genome-wide approaches and integration of other 'omics data will be needed to fully account for the genetic variation in smoking phenotypes.

The effect of health information on smoking intensity: does addiction matter?

ABSTRACTWe investigate how health information, such as a notification of hypertension, influences smoking intensity differently among smokers with different levels of addiction. To circumvent the endogeneity of health information, we employ a sharp regression discontinuity design that exploits the discontinuity around the cut-off point for a hypertension diagnosis. The addiction levels are conjectured by the age of smoking initiation. Using individual-level data from China, our results demonstrate that a hypertension notification reduces daily cigarette smoking by 8.01 cigarettes among less-addicted smokers in the short term, while the influence is insignificant among more-addicted smokers; the observed difference is better explained by addiction levels than by health attitudes. The long-term effects of a hypertension notification are insignificant, regardless of addiction levels. Our results may provide new support for the importance of preventing youth smoking and providing regular medical check-ups.

Clinical, sociodemographic and tobacco-use factors associated with smoking cessation rates at three years follow-up, Ankara, Turkey.

INTRODUCTIONSmoking is a well-known major cause of early preventable mortality and morbidity. Maintenance of smoke-free status is important after a smoking cessation attempt. The present study aims to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of subjects participating in a smoking-cessation program, according to the duration of smoking cessation.METHODSA study was conducted in 261 smokers who had attended a smoking cessation clinic in a tertiary hospital, in Ankara, Turkey. The smoking status of the subjects at three years follow-up after participating in the smoking-cessation program was assessed. Sociodemographic, employment, environmental, smoking-related, health and clinical characteristics of subjects were compared according to the smoking cessation duration.RESULTSMarital status, having a child, absence of household smoking and lower levels of nicotine dependence were significantly higher in quitters, and anxiety was lower. Parameters that significantly differed between subjects that were and were not abstinent for >36 months were marital status (p<0.001), childbearing status (p=0.007), household smoking (p<0.001), age of smoking initiation (p=0.02), psychiatric illness history (p=0.01), and number of follow-up visits (p<0.001). The number of follow-up visits at the smoking cessation clinic was an important factor of quitting and maintenance of quit status.CONCLUSIONSFamily and home environment as well as smoking-related and mental health characteristics influenced maintenance of long-term smoking cessation. Characteristics such as sociodemographic, clinical and smoking-related conditions should be considered in smoking cessation interventions. Personalized treatment strategies and follow-up visits at the smoking cessation clinic should be planned for maintenance of smoking cessation.

Prevalence of Smoking among Young Pakistani Adults

Background: The history of smoking tobacco is primitive and dates back to as early as 5000 BC. In the last century this has changed to different forms like cigarettes, filtered cigarettes, self-made cigarettes, tobacco in leaf (beery), hukka, sheesha and pipe.&#x0D; Objectives: To explore tobacco smoking practices in young adults and the factors that influences them to initiate or quit smoking.&#x0D; Methods: It was cross sectional study based on a self-based on a self-administered questionnaire with a sample size of 486. Study subjects were young adults. The age of participants was between 17-35 years. Data was collected after taking an informed consent and the individual confidentially was maintained. A self- administered questionnaire was given where question were related to their socio-demographic characteristics and smoking behavior. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: Of the subjects who were interviewed almost 62% were smokers. Significant number of the people did not remember the age of smoking initiation. 97% of the subjects smoked manufactured cigarettes. 49.6% of smokers had to visit a physician in last 12 months but only 40% of them were counseled regarding smoking hazards and smoking cessation. 61.6% of people had not seen any information regarding hazards of smoking on any kind of media, 27.5% saw them on electronic media and 2.6% noticed them on Bill board.&#x0D; Conclusion: The main determinants of regular smoking among the university students were male sex, lower education level and having friends who smoke. This calls for the implementation of sex and age specific anti-smoking policies. By assessing the smoking behavior in young adults, programs and policies can be designed with an aim to reduce smoking rates among the youth of our society.

Post-GWAS analysis of six substance use traits improves the identification and functional interpretation of genetic risk loci

BackgroundLittle is known about the functional mechanisms through which genetic loci associated with substance use traits ascertain their effect. This study aims to identify and functionally annotate loci associated with substance use traits based on their role in genetic regulation of gene expression. MethodsWe evaluated expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs) from 13 brain regions and whole blood of the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, and from whole blood of the Depression Genes and Networks (DGN) database. The role of single eQTLs was examined for six substance use traits: alcohol consumption (N = 537,349), cigarettes per day (CPD; N = 263,954), former vs. current smoker (N = 312,821), age of smoking initiation (N = 262,990), ever smoker (N = 632,802), and cocaine dependence (N = 4,769). Subsequently, we conducted a gene level analysis of gene expression on these substance use traits using S-PrediXcan. ResultsUsing an FDR-adjusted p-value <0.05 we found 2,976 novel candidate genetic loci for substance use traits, and identified genes and tissues through which these loci potentially exert their effects. Using S-PrediXcan, we identified significantly associated genes for all substance traits. DiscussionAnnotating genes based on transcriptomic regulation improves the identification and functional characterization of candidate loci and genes for substance use traits.

Higher prevalence of water pipe compared to cigarette smoking among medical students in Southeast Iran.

Smoking of water pipe (WP) and cigarettes has recently turned into a major global health burden. The present study aimed at assessing WP and cigarette smoking among Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS) students in Iran. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 500 students in ZUMS (182 males, 318 females). The subjects were selected through randomized cluster sampling. Morgan's chart was applied to calculate the sample size; 96.6% of the attendees completed a questionnaire designed to address the aims of the study. The mean age of the subjects was 21.2 ± 2.4 years. WP and cigarette smoker rates were at 31.2% and 15.2%, respectively. The age of smoking initiation ranged between 15 and 20 years. Friends played crucial roles in triggering the smoking in both groups of WP and cigarette smokers (78% and 54%, respectively). The main reasons for WP and cigarette smoking were entertainment followed by curiosity. Furthermore, males used more cigarette (26.5 vs. 8.7%) and WP (50.6 vs. 20.4%) than females. Among father and mother smokers, respectively, 54.2% and 60% of children were also WP smokers (p = 0.001). Also, 21.9% and 60% of children smoking cigarettes had father and mother smokers, respectively (p = 0.05). Tobacco use, especially for WP seems to be at alarming rates among medical students in Iran. It is highly recommended to control the progressive prevalence of WP smoking by governmental/academic preventive measures as educational and smoking cessation activities.