Cessation Products Research Articles

Changing patterns of cigarette and ENDS transitions in the USA: a multistate transition analysis of adults in the PATH Study in 2017–2019 vs 2019–2021

IntroductionThe use of cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) has likely changed since 2019 with the rise of pods and disposables, the lung injuries outbreak, flavour bans, Tobacco 21...

Choice of smoking cessation products among people with substance use problems in the US: Findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study Wave 6

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare past 12-month use of cigarette smoking cessation aids (e.g., Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation products or e-cigarettes for smoking cessation) among people with substance use problems (PWSUPs) who currently smoke to people without substance use problems (SUPs) who currently smoke cigarettes in a nationally representative US sample. MethodsWe used the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Wave 6 Study [n = 30,516]. Our sample comprised adult (18+) established cigarette smokers (100+ lifetime-sticks with daily/non-daily use) [n = 5,895]. The independent variable was SUP status (no, moderate, and high). The dependent variables were past-year use of: nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), cessation medications [i.e., varenicline or bupropion], or e-cigarettes [for cigarette cessation and reduction]. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models for each dependent variable examined the associations between SUP status and each cessation aid, adjusting for cigarette dependence, daily cigarette smoking, and demographic factors. ResultsAmong people who smoke, a higher proportion of respondents with high SUP severity used NRTs, cessation medications, and e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation, respectively (12.3%, 8.4%, 15.7%), compared to those with no/low SUP severity (9.8%, 6.0%, 8.9%). In the multivariable models, respondents with high SUPs had 63% (95% CI:1.16–2.29) higher odds of using e-cigarettes for cessation than those without SUPs. No significant differences were seen between high (vs. no/low SUPs) in the past-year use of NRTs and cessation medications. ConclusionOur findings indicate that cigarette smokers with high SUPs had higher odds of using e-cigarettes for cessation and reduction compared to smokers without SUPs.

Estimating the effects of E-cigarette taxes: a generalized synthetic control approach

ABSTRACT We examine the effects of e-cigarette tax policies on the sales quantities, prices, and sales revenues of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and smoking cessation products (SCP). The data we use is weekly purchases from Nielsen Retail Scanner Data between 2011 and 2017. With a generalized synthetic control (GSC) identification strategy, we measure the average tax effects of multiple treated regions in various treated periods against the untreated control regions and the untreated periods. We reach an estimate of −3.567 for the own-price elasticity of e-cigarette demand and an estimate of 0.433 for the pass-through rate of e-cigarette taxes to price in all treated regions. Our results indicate that cigarettes and SCP are substitutes for e-cigarettes. We also discover that e-cigarette taxes show heterogeneous effects under different policy motivations, with the ad valorem taxes having a larger impact on e-cigarette demand.

Is heated tobacco a harm reduction tool?

Heated tobacco (HT), a new tobacco product, is presented by the tobacco industry as an effective and safe alternative to cigarettes. Even if the quantities of harmful compounds emitted by HT are lower than those found in cigarette smoke, this reduction in exposure cannot be equated with a reduction in risk. No study has provided evidence that switching from cigarettes to HT reduces the risk of tobacco-related diseases. HT cannot be considered as a cigarette cessation product and was even designed as a product to initiate or return to tobacco consumption. To promote this product, the tobacco industry essentially exploits the concept of harm reduction and, as such, tries in its commercial communication to create confusion between HT and electronic cigarettes, despite these two products having nothing in common. This promotion is based, on the one hand, on the data of internal studies in contradiction with those of independent studies, and, on the other, illegally, on social networks and communication in contradiction with the statements of regulation authorities. HT is a new lure offered by the tobacco industry, intended to maintain its profits in a world that is moving away from "traditional" cigarettes. It should be strictly advised against for both non-smokers and smokers.

Effectiveness of nicotine salt vapes, cytisine, and a combination of these products, for smoking cessation in New Zealand: protocol for a three-arm, pragmatic, community-based randomised controlled trial

BackgroundCombining short-acting nicotine replacement therapy with varenicline increases smoking cessation rates compared with varenicline alone, but not all people tolerate these medications or find them helpful. We aim to investigate the therapeutic potential of an analogous combination, by evaluating the effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of combining nicotine salt e-cigarettes with cytisine, compared to nicotine salt e-cigarettes or cytisine only, on smoking abstinence at six months.MethodsA pragmatic, community-based, investigator-blinded, randomised superiority trial design will be utilised. Eligible participants will be people who smoke daily (N = 800, 90% power) from throughout New Zealand, who are: aged ≥ 18 years, motivated to quit in the next two weeks, able to provide online consent, willing to use e-cigarettes and/or cytisine, and have daily access to a mobile phone. Recruitment will utilise multi-media advertising. Participants will be randomised (3:3:2 ratio) to 12 weeks of: 1) e-cigarettes (closed pod system, 3% nicotine salt, tobacco flavour) plus cytisine; 2) e-cigarettes alone, or 3) cytisine alone. All groups will receive a six-month, text-message-based behavioural support programme. The primary outcome is self-reported, biochemically verified, continuous abstinence at six months post-quit date. Secondary outcomes, measured at quit date, then one, three, six, and 12 months post-quit date, include self-reported continuous abstinence, 7-day point prevalence abstinence, cigarettes smoked per day, withdrawal and urge to smoke, time to (re)lapse, treatment use and compliance, treatment crossover, dual-use, use of other cessation products, change in e-cigarette products, continuation of product use, acceptability, change in health state, health-related quality of life, change in body mass index, adverse events, and cost per quitter.DiscussionPragmatic trials are of particular value as they reflect the ‘real world’ impact of interventions. The trial will provide some of the first evidence on the effectiveness of combining nicotine salt e-cigarettes with cytisine for smoking cessation, in a country with strong tobacco control policy. Findings will be incorporated into relevant systematic reviews, informing practice and policy.Trial registrationNCT05311085 ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered 5th April, 2022.

Self-reported depression and anxiety and healthcare professional interactions regarding smoking cessation and nicotine vaping: Findings from 2018 International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping (ITC 4CV) Survey.

People with mental health conditions are disproportionately affected by smoking-related diseases and death. The aim of this study was to assess whether health professional (HP) interactions regarding smoking cessation and nicotine vaping products (NVPs) differ by mental health condition. The cross-sectional 2018 International Tobacco Control Four Country (Australia, Canada, England, United States) Smoking and Vaping Survey data included 11040 adults currently smoking or recently quit. Adjusted weighted logistic regressions examined associations between mental health (self-reported current depression and/or anxiety) and visiting a HP in last 18 months; receiving advice to quit smoking; discussing NVPs with a HP; and receiving a recommendation to use NVPs. Overall, 16.1% self-reported depression and anxiety, 7.6% depression only, and 6.6% anxiety only. Compared with respondents with no depression/anxiety, those with depression (84.7%, AOR=2.65; 95% CI: 2.17-3.27), anxiety (82.2%, AOR=2.08; 95% CI: 1.70-2.57), and depression and anxiety (87.6%, AOR=3.74; 95% CI: 3.19-4.40) were more likely to have visited a HP. Among those who had visited a HP, 47.9% received advice to quit smoking, which was more likely among respondents with depression (AOR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.34-1.86), and NVP discussions were more likely among those with depression and anxiety (AOR=1.63; 95% CI: 1.29-2.06). Of the 6.1% who discussed NVPs, 33.5% received a recommendation to use them, with no difference by mental health. People with anxiety and/or depression who smoke were more likely to visit a HP than those without, but only those with depression were more likely to receive cessation advice, and only those with depression and anxiety were more likely to discuss NVPs. There are missed opportunities for HPs to deliver cessation advice. NVP discussions and receiving a positive recommendation to use them were rare overall.

An exploration of flavours in studies of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation: secondary analyses of a systematic review with meta-analyses.

To estimate associations between e-cigarette flavour and smoking cessation and study product use at 6months or longer. Secondary analysis of data from a living systematic review, with meta-analyses and narrative synthesis, incorporating data up to January 2022. Included studies provided people who smoked combustible cigarettes with nicotine e-cigarettes for the purpose of smoking cessation compared with no treatment or other stop smoking interventions. Measurements included smoking cessation and study product use at 6months or longer reported as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI); and flavour use at any time-points. We included 16 studies (n = 10 336); 14 contributed to subgroup analyses and 10 provided participants with a choice of e-cigarette flavour. We judged nine, five and two studies at high, low and unclear risk of bias, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed no clear associations between flavour and cessation or product use. In all but one analysis, tests for subgroup differences resulted in I2 values between 0 and 35%. In the comparison between nicotine e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (I2 = 65.2% for subgroup differences), studies offering tobacco flavour e-cigarettes showed evidence of a greater proportion of participants still using at 6 months or longer (RR = 3.81; 95% CI = 1.45-10.05; n = 1181; I2 = 84%), whereas there was little evidence for greater 6-month use when studies offered a choice of flavours (RR = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.80-2.56; n = 454; I2 = 82%). However, substantial statistical heterogeneity within subgroups makes interpretation of this result unclear. In the 10 studies where participants had a choice of flavours, and this was tracked over time, some switching between flavours occurred, but there were no clear patterns in flavour preferences. There does not appear to be a clear association between e-cigarette flavours and smoking cessation or longer-term e-cigarette use, possibly due to a paucity of data. There is evidence that people using e-cigarettes to quit smoking switch between e-cigarette flavours.

The effect of cigarette and e-cigarette taxes on prescriptions for smoking cessation medications.

To test the effect of cigarette and e-cigarette taxes on prescriptions for smoking cessation medications. Symphony Health, IDV all-payer prescription claims data for the United States over the period 2009-2017. Prescription fills for smoking cessation products were provided at the patient's age, patient's sex, brand/generic, payment type, year, and quarter levels. We study the effect of state-level cigarette and e-cigarette tax rates on prescriptions for smoking cessation medications using two-way fixed effect modified difference-in-differences regressions. We also use a multiperiod difference-in-differences estimator robust to bias from dynamic and heterogeneous treatment effects with a staggered policy rollout. We use fills for Chantix, Zyban, and their generics, as well as Food and Drug Administration-approved nicotine replacement therapies that are paid for by insurance. We observe no statistically significant change in prescription fills following an increase in the e-cigarette tax rate, though we are unable to rule out potentially large effects. However, following a $1.00 increase in the cigarette tax rate, we observe a 1052 increase in prescription fills per 100,000 adults (95% CI: 57, 2046; 4.2% increase). The effect of cigarette taxes on prescription fills was particularly large for 18-34 year-olds. Our findings suggest that, during a period when e-cigarettes are widely available, cigarette tax increases remain effective in increasing use of these medications, but e-cigarette taxes do not increase use of these medications.

An evaluation of a New Zealand "vape to quit smoking" programme.

To compare the use of smoking cessation aids across different ethnic groups and age groups within a large New Zealand cohort and to assess the uptake and effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation via a "vape to quit" initiative. Retrospective analysis of Te Hā - Waitaha smoking cessation service, including a telephone interview of a subgroup, who opted into the "vape to quit" programme. The uptake of different smoking cessation aids, including the use of medications and other products, was evaluated and the self-reported quit rate in a "vape to quit" cohort was evaluated. The final dataset analysed consisted of 1,118 participants: 66.6% NZ European; 28.1% Māori; 3.1% Pacific; and 2.2% Asian. Māori participants were younger on average and had increasing vaping use. Māori were less likely to receive varenicline to assist with smoking cessation. Vaping use increased over time in all groups. Nicotine containing e-cigarettes were the most common smoking cessation products used, with >65% of each ethnic cohort utilising these products. Of the 100 participants in the "vape to quit" cohort 16% were smokefree and vapefree, 31% were smokefree and vaping, 31% were smoking and not vaping, and 22% were smoking and vaping. The Te Hā - Waitaha service was successful in engaging Māori in their smoking cessation programme. Nicotine containing e-cigarette products were popular in all cohorts. Nicotine containing e-cigarettes are showing potential in smoking cessation programmes in support of the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025; however, 22% of those in the "vape to quit" programme became dual users.

Shared Decision-Making in Drug Selection for Improving Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation

<p>目的：探討使用決策輔助工具(patient decision aids, PDA)選擇戒菸藥物，是否能提升戒菸成效。</p> <p>方法：本研究是一篇歷史對照研究(historical control trial)，研發一份紙本決策輔助工具，輔助戒菸者在varenicline與合併尼古丁替代療法(combination nicotine replacement therapy)兩類藥物中做出選擇。2020年1月至2021年3月期間，於家庭醫學科戒菸門診進行收案，針對有意願接受藥物戒菸的民眾，由醫師擔任醫病共享決策的引導員(coach)，使用決策輔助工具協助其決定藥物的種類。對照組為2019年全年度在家庭醫學科戒菸門診接受藥物戒菸服務者，無使用決策輔助工具。以電話訪問調查第三個月以及第六個月的戒菸狀況，再以logistic regression等統計方法探討使用PDA是否影響戒菸成功率。</p> <p>結果：排除療程中更換處方和失聯者，總共199人被納入研究（PDA組62人：男性佔80.6%，平均年齡為46.0歲；對照組137人，男性佔74.5%，平均年齡為49.4歲）。PDA組傾向選擇varenicline作為戒菸藥物(aOR=1.94, 95% CI 1.02-3.71)；兩組六個月點戒菸率無顯著差異(aOR=1.43, 95% CI 0.74-2.79)。</p> <p>結論：以決策輔助工具選擇戒菸藥物，民眾偏好varenicline甚於合併尼古丁替代療法，但是並未對戒菸成功率造成顯著影響。醫病共享決策能否提升戒菸藥物的順從性，並增進戒菸治療的效益，需要進一步的研究。</p> <p> </p><p>Purpose: The study explored whether the use of patient decision aid (PDA) to select smoking cessation drugs can improve the effectiveness of smoking cessation.</p> <p>Methods: This historical control trail developed a paper-based PDA to help smokers choose between varenicline and a combination of nicotine replacement therapy. From January 2020 to March 2021, people visiting the smoking cessation clinic of a family medicine department and willing to take drugs to quit smoking were enrolled into the PDA group of the study with doctors serving as coaches for shared decision-making and applying the PDA to help them decide on the types of drugs to use. Members in the control group were enrolled from people receiving the drug smoking cessation services in the same smoking cessation clinic in 2019 without using PDA. The smoking status after 3 and 6 months were collected by telephone interview. The effects of using PDA on smoking cessation were analyzed by logistic regression.</p> <p>Results: A total of 199 people participating in the study, excluding those who changed prescriptions and lost contact during the course of treatment. Of the 62 participants in the PDA group, 80.6% were male, and the average age was 46.0. Of the 137 participants in the control group, 74.5% were male, and the average age was 49.4. The PDA group preferred varenicline as the smoking cessation drug (aOR=1.94, 95% CI 1.02-3.71). There was no significant difference in the smoking cessation rate between the two groups at six months (aOR=1.43, 95% CI 0.74-2.79).</p> <p>Conclusion: When using PDA to select smoking cessation drugs, people appear to prefer varenicline over a combination of nicotine replacement therapy; however, this preference produces no significant influence on the success rate of smoking cessation. Whether shared decision-making help improve the compliance with the instructions of smoking cessation products and enhance the effectiveness of smoking cessation treatment requires further research.</p> <p> </p>

Evaluating the feasibility of pharmacist-facilitated tobacco cessation interventions in independent community pharmacies in rural Appalachia

BackgroundSmoking rates in the United States are the highest in underserved rural regions. Thus, more points of contact are needed to link smokers to evidence-based cessation programs. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and interest among rural pharmacists in implementing a pharmacist-facilitated smoking cessation program in independent community pharmacies in rural Appalachian communities in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. MethodsThis study utilized a complementary sequential mixed-methods approach to explore independent community pharmacists and technicians’ experiences and beliefs about implementing a tobacco cessation program in their pharmacy. ResultsThere were 49 pharmacists or technicians who completed the survey and 7 pharmacists who participated in the interviews. Four main findings emerged from the data: 1) pharmacies can help fill the gap in tobacco cessation services in rural communities, 2) under current practice, tobacco cessation resources when offered by independent community pharmacies are not always formalized, 3) there are known barriers, such as reimbursing for services, that need to be addressed to provide tobacco cessation in an independent pharmacy setting, and 4) the Ask-Advise-Connect model is a feasible tobacco cessation approach in a pharmacy. ConclusionAlthough pharmacists may be ideally situated to build capacity for smoking cessation in rural areas, smoking cessation interventions need to use existing approaches that compensate pharmacists for their time spent counseling patients. Furthermore, simple documentation and billing systems are needed to maximize utilization of tobacco cessation products and services provided in the pharmacy.

Promoting Cessation and a Tobacco Free Future: Knowledge and Attitude of Pharmacy Students Regarding Smoking Cessation in a Nigerian University

Tobacco smoking is a global public health threat and the largest single driver of health inequalities. Currently, there are over a billion smokers worldwide with approximately 80% of the smokers living in low-and-middle-income countries like Nigeria. Knowledge gaps on smoking cessation among pharmacy students might impact the quality of service these future pharmacists would provide in practice. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of pharmacy students regarding smoking cessation in a Nigerian university. A University-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 pharmacy students of a Nigerian university using a pretested self-administered questionnaire between August and December 2019. Data were summarised descriptively using IBM SPSS (version 23). Most of the pharmacy students 203 (73.2%) agreed it is the pharmacists’ responsibility to support patients with smoking cessation. The majority of our respondents 226 (81.6%) reported pharmacy students need more training on smoking cessation. Thirty-three (11.9%) pharmacy students knew nicotine does not cause cancer. Less than one-tenth 27 (9.7%) of the pharmacy students were aware of smoking cessation products. Overall, 203 (73.2%) respondents had poor knowledge (score < 60%) and an average positive attitude about smoking cessation. Pharmacy students have suboptimal knowledge about smoking cessation. However, they revealed a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. Therefore, there is a need for educational interventions to address the deficit in smoking cessation knowledge, as well as equip future healthcare providers. Thus, improving the quality of public health especially among smokers in Nigeria.

Pharmacist-led Smoking-Cessation Services in the United States - A Multijurisdictional Legal Analysis.

A challenge presents itself when pharmacy students and pharmacists have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide optimal patient care, which can prevent the healthcare industry from incurring expenditures reaching billions of dollars annually from chronic and acute disease state management, yet due to the lack of statutory or regulatory authority to independently prescribe and dispense smoking cessation products they are unable to tap into this potential. Prescriptive authority of pharmacists is not a novel concept; however, State Legislatures and Boards of Pharmacy have been slow to expand upon the pharmacist's scope of practice to include this authority. As a consequence, this inaction hinders the opportunity of almost 21.5 million patients, who attempt to quit smoking annually, the ability to access a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved, evidence-based medication-assisted or nicotine replacement therapy prescribed by a pharmacist.2 Current legislative efforts, laws, and regulations regarding a pharmacist's prescriptive authority for tobacco cessation therapy vary greatly amongst the states and do not include reference to e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g.,e-cigs, vape pens, vapes, mods, etc.). Additionally, pharmacists are often required to practice under a statewide protocol or enter into a collaborative practice agreement ("CPA") with a designated physician, which are often complex and create significant barriers for the pharmacist to practice at the top of their license and for the benefit of the patient. This legal and regulatory study reveals the following: 1) Those States that have addressed or attempted to address the pharmacist's prescriptive authority for tobacco cessation therapy, 2) the authority to independently prescribe vs. practice under a statewide protocol, 3) the products able to be prescriber or dispensed under the pharmacist's prescriptive authority or statewide protocol, and 4) the guidelines and/or protocols referenced within their respective State laws and regulations. States and their residents would benefit greatly from amending their laws and regulations to expand upon the pharmacist's prescriptive authority, granting them the ability to help their communities by performing services they are highly trained to perform.

Breastfeeding with Smoking Cessation Products.

Breastfeeding with Smoking Cessation Products.

Smoking, Vaping, While Breastfeeding in the Era of COVID-19

Breastfeeding MedicineAhead of Print EditorialFree AccessSmoking, Vaping, While Breastfeeding in the Era of COVID-19Arthur I. EidelmanArthur I. Eidelman—Arthur I. Eidelman, MD, FABM, Editor in Chief, Breastfeeding Medicine Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:28 Sep 2021https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2021.29192.aieAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail This month's issue of Breastfeeding Medicine includes a most balanced summary by our regular esteemed contributor Phil Anderson regarding the dilemma of proscribing smoking cessation/reduction products to breastfeeding mothers. Estimates as to maternal postpartum smoking prevalence vary, but surveys of high-income countries report a rate of ∼10%.1 These levels do not include data from recent reports regarding the additional exposure to nicotine that results from the increased prevalence of >7% of e-cigarette use (vaping), particularly by teenagers and young adults.2 Unfortunately, specific data as to prevalence in nursing mothers are, to date, lacking.Smoking by breastfeeding mothers has been associated with reduced volume of breast milk, earlier weaning, and an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.3 Tobacco smoking itself has a negative effect on the macrocomposition of the milk as it decreases lipids, protein, and caloric content. In addition, smoking results in decreased antioxidant property of human milk. These negative effects have been attributed primarily to the pharmacologic effect of nicotine, but also to the effect of other toxic substances such as tar, lead, and cadmium. As such, use of e-cigarettes that results in less exposure of the mother to these toxic substances might well be preferable. Unfortunately data as to such a therapeutic trial are unavailable. However, one should note the recent disturbing report from McBride4 that noted an association of e-cigarette use during pregnancy and a decreased frequency of breastfeeding postpartum.In these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inevitable question is does smoking increase the risk of severe disease in those infected with the virus. Given the fact that smoking is an established risk factor for a myriad of pulmonary diseases, one would expect a clear-cut association with COVID-19 severity. Surprisingly, to date the population epidemiological surveys are inconclusive, with reports such as that of Karanasos5 who reported that smoking was associated with higher odds of severe disease, whereas another meta-analysis by Farsalinos,6 using a different methodology reported that in patients who were smokers, there was no increased risk for COVID-19 severe disease and or mortality.This seeming counter-intuitive finding may be supported by our understanding more fully the function of the nicotinic acetyl choline receptors who when stimulated (by nicotine) facilitate a pathway that modulates the activity of the immune system. Thus, it is postulated that exposure to nicotine (paradoxically) minimizes an uncontrolled immune response that is triggered by the COVID-19 virus, a response that may well be a major factor (mechanism) in inducing a severe morbidity/mortality outcome.These preliminary data surely do not legitimate the use of nicotine as a therapeutic modality in the treatment of COVID-19. In fact as Anderson details, the primary goal in the situation where a breastfeeding mother is also a smoker should be to maximize the continued and well-documented benefits of exclusive breastfeeding while minimizing the infant's exposure to the combined toxicity of smoking as much as possible. Thus, as he recommends the absolute goal should be to have the mother stop smoking and provide cautiously and judiciously an alternative less toxic source of nicotine such as patches and e-cigarettes for the mother to proceed with a weaning process. It is clear that no smoking cessation therapy appears to be ideal for nursing mothers as the various drugs have a theoretical potential toxicity for the breastfed infant or they have not been adequately studied for efficacy. But as Anderson so simply puts it, smoking cessation products are preferable to continued smoking during breastfeeding. Surely in these days of COVID-19.

Temporal proteomic changes induced by nicotine in human cells: A quantitative proteomics approach

Nicotine is a prominent active compound in tobacco and many smoking cessation products. Some of the biological effects of nicotine are well documented in in vitro and in vivo systems; however, data are scarce concerning the time-dependent changes on protein and phosphorylation events in response to nicotine. Here, we profiled the proteomes of SH-SY5Y and A549 cell lines subjected to acute (15 min, 1 h and 4 h) or chronic (24 h, 48 h) nicotine exposures. We used sample multiplexing (TMTpro16) and quantified more than 9000 proteins and over 7000 phosphorylation events per cell line. Among our findings, we determined a decrease in mitochondrial protein abundance for SH-SY5Y, while we detected alterations in several immune pathways, such as the complement system, for A549 following nicotine treatment. We also explored the proposed association between smoking (specifically nicotine) and SARS-CoV2. Here, we found several host proteins known to interact with viral proteins that were affected by nicotine in a time dependent manner. This dataset can be mined further to investigate the potential role of nicotine in different biological contexts. SignificanceSmoking is a major public health issue that is associated with several serious chronic, yet preventable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and susceptibility to infection. Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of thousands of different compounds, among which nicotine is the main addictive compound. The biological effects of nicotine have been reported in several models, however very little data are available concerning the temporal proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes in response to nicotine. Here, we provide a dataset exploring the potential role of nicotine on different biological processes over time, including implications in the study of SARS-CoV2.

The Scientific and Pseudoscientific Features of Smoking Cessation Products Which are Marketed on Internet

The Scientific and Pseudoscientific Features of Smoking Cessation Products Which are Marketed on Internet

Changes in Family Physicians' Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes in Tobacco Use Counseling Between 2016 and 2019.

IntroductionGiven the recent reports of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and harm of e-cigarettes, the authors evaluated changes in the use and perception of e-cigarettes as tobacco use cessation tools in 2019 relative to 2016. The authors also evaluated the sources family physicians most commonly use to receive information regarding e-cigarettes.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of 248 community family physicians in Kansas was conducted from October 2019 to December 2019. An 11-item questionnaire measured the participants’ perceptions of recommending e-cigarettes to patients for tobacco cessation. A mixed method approach was used to collect, analyze, and interpret the data. Standard descriptive statistics, Likelihood-Ratio/Fisher’s exact tests, and immersion-crystallization methods were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe response rate was 59.3% (147/248). The proportion of the family physicians who did not recommend e-cigarettes for tobacco use cessation was significantly higher in 2019 than in 2016 (86% vs. 82%; χ2 [1, n = 261] = 12.31; p < 0.01). Several reasons regarding respondents’ perceptions of e-cigarettes as tobacco use cessation tools were reported. The medical literature and news media were the top sources where family physicians accessed e-cigarettes information.ConclusionMost family physicians did not recommend e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation. Opinions regarding the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes were influenced by information sources. Future, larger studies would be beneficial to further determine family physicians’ beliefs and practices regarding e-cigarettes as tobacco use cessation products.

E-Cigarette Promotion on Twitter in Australia: Content Analysis of Tweets.

BackgroundThe sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) containing nicotine is prohibited in all Australian states and territories; yet, the growing availability and convenience of the internet enable the promotion and exposure of e-cigarettes across countries. Social media’s increasing pervasiveness has provided a powerful avenue to market products and influence social norms and risk behaviors. At present, there is no evidence of how e-cigarettes and vaping are promoted on social media in Australia.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate how e-cigarettes are portrayed and promoted on Twitter through a content analysis of vaping-related tweets containing an image posted and retweeted by Australian users and how the portrayal and promotion have emerged and trended over time.MethodsIn total, we analyzed 1303 tweets and accompanying images from 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 collected through the Tracking Infrastructure for Social Media Analysis (TrISMA), a contemporary technical and organizational infrastructure for the tracking of public communication by Australian users of social media, via a list of 15 popular e-cigarette–related terms.ResultsDespite Australia’s cautious approach toward e-cigarettes and the limited evidence supporting them as an efficacious smoking cessation aid, it is evident that there is a concerted effort by some Twitter users to promote these devices as a health-conducive (91/129, 70.5%), smoking cessation product (266/1303, 20.41%). Further, Twitter is being used in an attempt to circumvent Australian regulation and advocate for a more liberal approach to personal vaporizers (90/1303, 6.90%). A sizeable proportion of posts was dedicated to selling or promoting vape products (347/1303, 26.63%), and 19.95% (260/1303) were found to be business listings. These posts used methods to try and expand their clientele further than immediate followers by touting competitions and giveaways, with those wanting to enter having to perform a sequence of steps such as liking, tagging, and reposting, ultimately exposing the post among the user’s network and to others not necessarily interested in vaping.ConclusionsThe borderless nature of social media presents a clear challenge for enforcing Article 13 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires all ratifying nations to implement a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. Countering the advertising and promotion of these products is a public health challenge that will require cross-border cooperation with other World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control parties. Further research aimed at developing strategies to counter the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes is therefore needed.

Impact of Cognitive and Social Factors on Smoking Cessation Attempts among US Adult Muslim Smokers.

Muslims in the United States (US) exhibit high rates of cigarette smoking. Guided by the Social Cognitive Theory, the study aimed to investigate the associations between the number of serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts and cognitive as well as environmental factors in adult US Muslim smokers. This cross-sectional study was based on a convenience sample of adult (≥ 18 years) US Muslim smokers. After receiving IRB approval, data were collected using an on-line survey. Unadjusted Poisson regression followed by adjusted multivariable Poisson regression analyses were conducted to answer the research question. One hundred thirty-two smokers completed the questionnaire. Smokers reported more serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts if they 1) had more knowledge about the consequences of cigarette smoking cessation, 2) had more positive attitudes regarding quitting, and 3) reported greater religiosity. Additionally, smokers reported fewer serious cigarette smoking cessation attempts if they 1) were employed, 2) affiliated with Sunnah sect, 3) reported better self-assessed health, 4) reported higher perceived value for quitting, and 5) indicated that using tobacco was not allowed inside the home. Only three smokers reported using both prescription medications and counseling to aid with smoking cessation attempts. Inadequate utilization of pharmaceutical smoking cessation products and provider professional assistance may exacerbate the problems associated with elevated rates of smoking among US Muslim smokers. Knowledge of the consequences, more positive attitudes, and greater religiosity can be influential constructs in future interventions aimed at encouraging smoking cessation attempts in this population.