ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to validate the 30-item version of the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ-30) in a sample of individuals who smoke combustible cigarettes and to examine the relationship between nicotine dependence, cigarette smoking, and experiential avoidance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to verify the structure of the MEAQ-30 and to test measurement invariance in a general population sample (n = 1040) and a sample of individuals who smoke combustible cigarettes (n = 550). Correlation and regression analyses were performed in a sample of individuals who smoke combustible cigarettes (n = 242) to evaluate the stability, dependability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, predictive validity and incremental predictive validity of the measure. The MEAQ-30 demonstrated adequate model fit and met criteria for measurement invariance. It exhibited good internal consistency, good stability, good discriminant validity, weak incremental predictive validity, and lower than expected levels of dependability. Based on our findings, the MEAQ-30 appears to be a valid measure of experiential avoidance in individuals who smoke combustible cigarettes.

Abstract Aim To identify potential mediators of the development of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents exposed to cigarette smoking and alcohol in utero . Methods A total of 307 adolescents aged 10–14 years who were enrolled in urban schools in Cape Town, South Africa, were evaluated. Anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles and blood pressure measurements were obtained from 307 adolescents aged 10–14 years in a low-socioeconomic community. Statistical analysis included nonparametric tests, as most of the data were not normally distributed. Mediation analyses were conducted via linear regression and the PROCESS Macros models. Results Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy had a significant direct effect on childhood SBP after adjusting for covariates. However, the indirect effect of BMI on SBP was significant, suggesting a 1-unit increase in BMI leading to a 1.38 mmHg increase in SBP. In addition, BW was not associated with adolescent SBP. Moreover, adolescent BMI mediated the effect of maternal cigarette smoking on overweight/obesity, rather than the direct effect of maternal cigarette smoking. Additionally, BW was significantly and positively associated with BMI but not with adolescent overweight/obesity in this cohort. Maternal smoking was also directly associated with low HDL cholesterol in boys only. Conclusion BMI was identified as the main mediator in the effect of maternal smoking on adolescent SBP, overweight and obesity. Moreover, in utero exposure was not significantly associated with higher BMI or higher BP measurements, obesity or overweight. Cardiometabolic risk in terms of higher BMI/overweight and obesity was lower than those with no exposure.

Evidence of whether smoking affects the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection is mixed. We aimed to clarify the inconsistencies in previous findings and whether the association is potentially causal using different Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. We examined associations between smoking traits (initiation, cessation, and intensity) and SARS-CoV-2 infection in multivariable logistic regression, and one-sample and two-sample MR analyses. The study included n = 47,506 female and n = 28,229 male study subjects from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) with questionnaire data and genotype information. SARS-CoV-2 infection status was obtained by data linkage to the national health registry MSIS. We found no clear evidence of an association between smoking initiation and SARS-CoV-2 infection (multivariable regression: OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.20, one-sample multivariable MR analysis: OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.09, two-sample MR: OR 1.10 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.13). Also, we found no clear evidence of an association with smoking intensity (multivariable regression: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.96, one-sample multivariable MR: OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.42, two-sample MR: OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.09, per 1 SD increase in number of cigarettes per day). Nor was there any association with smoking cessation. These findings did not change after accounting for educational level, BMI or risk-taking behavior in multivariable MR analyses. We did not find robust evidence of causal associations between smoking and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our investigation of potential violations to MR assumptions highlights the limitations of this approach to examine infection risk associated with smoking.

Exposure to neighborhood violence and substance use among adolescents: Findings from a population-based study.

A timeless chronicle: Effects of cigarette smoke on GPR15 receptor and its oncogenic potential.

Tobacco Use Behaviors and Related Disparities in 13 High-Tobacco-Burden U.S. States: An Overview of Evidence.

Systemic inflammatory and oxidative stress alterations in recent-onset psychosis: findings from a non-smoking case-control sample.

The hybrid adaptation included eight asynchronous e-learning modules that presented didactic content and eight classroom sessions designed to facilitate discussion and practice of refusal, personal self-management, and general social skills. Nineteen high schools were randomly assigned to intervention or control conditions. Students (N = 1,235) completed confidential online pretest and posttest surveys to assess the effects of the intervention on tobacco and alcohol use and life skills. The sample was 50.7% female and 35.5% non-White with a mean age of 15.2 years. Analyses revealed significant program effects on current cigarette smoking, alcohol use, drunkenness, and intentions for future use. There were also program effects for communication, media resistance, anxiety management, and refusal skills. Taken together, these findings suggest that hybrid approaches can produce robust prevention effects and may help reduce barriers to the widespread adoption and implementation of evidence-based prevention programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Environmental tobacco smoke is a major contributor to lead, cadmium, and arsenic in settled house dust.

Voice Disorders in Hubble Bubble Smokers in Comparison to Cigarette Smokers and Nonsmokers Presenting with Hoarseness: A Retrospective Chart Review of 153 Participants.

Objective: Cigarette smoking leads to oxidative stress and high cholesterolemia, which are key drivers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whey is known for its antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties. This study investigated whether whey protein concentrate (WPC) and hydrolysate of WPC (HWPC) can alleviate CVD risk in South Korean smokers by lowering oxidative stress and blood lipids. Methods: A total of 25 male smokers were screened, of which 18 eligible participants (72.0%), randomly assigned to either the WPC (n=9) or the HWPC (n=9) group, completed the 8-week intervention. Before (week 0, baseline) and after the intervention, participants visited the laboratory for blood collection and anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, waist circumference, body fat mass, nutritional intake). Blood samples were analyzed for plasma lipid profiles, plasma fat-soluble antioxidants, and leukocyte oxidative DNA damage using the comet assay. Results: There were no significant differences in anthropometric measurements, dietary food intake, plasma conjugated dienes, total radical-trapping antioxidant potential, and erythrocytes’ glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in both WPC and HWPC groups. However, we observed a significant decrease in the tail moments of leukocytes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index, and high coenzyme Q10 levels in both groups. In the WPC group, total cholesterol decreased, while plasma retinol, α-tocopherol, lycopene, α-carotene, and β-carotene increased. Conclusion: WPC or HWPC significantly decreases blood cholesterol levels and oxidative DNA damage and increases plasma fat-soluble antioxidant levels. Thus, WPC or HWPC might be used as oral supplementation to lower the risk for CVD in South Korean male smokers.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) ranks among the most lethal malignant neoplasms, primarily due to its late-stage diagnosis and lack of available therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to characterise the current PC epidemiological profiles, lifestyle-related contributors, and projections to unveil its global disease burden. Using 2022 data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), we estimated PC incidence, mortality, 5-year prevalence, and mortality-incidence-ratio. Modifiable risk factors were extracted from the Global Health Observatory to identify its predictive model. The temporal trends were assessed via estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) stratified by age and gender, and the future projection was also collected from GCO, 2022-2050, estimated number of new cases and deaths data. In 2022, Northern America and Europe had the highest PC burden, with males consistently affected more than females. Alarmingly, a concerning increase in PC mortality was observed among older females. Projections indicate an 85-91% increase in elderly PC cases by 2050, with Asia facing the greatest challenge (487 087 estimated new cases) and Africa being estimated with the fastest mortality growth (159.2%). Strong positive correlations were observed between PC prevalence and human development index (HDI), as well as lifestyle factors e.g. raised total cholesterol (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.695, P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (r = 0.528, P < 0.001), and alcohol drinking (r = 0.505, P < 0.001). This research underlines the urgent need for region-specific interventions, not only for Northern America and Europe, which currently bear a high PC burden, but also for high-risk populations like Asia and Africa. The projected 85-91% rise in elderly PC cases by 2050, coupled with emerging risks in young females (incidence rose in n/N = 39/52 countries), demands prioritised research on modifiable factors and sex-tailored prevention strategies. These discoveries call for global action to mitigate the escalating PC burden through demographic-targeted public health measures.

Introduction Cigarette consumption among university students remains a complex public health issue, encompassing both conventional and electronic products. This study investigates the multidimensional aspects of cigarette use among young adults, with a particular focus on psychosocial, perceptual, and behavioral determinants influencing nicotine consumption. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected through a standardized online questionnaire administered to 267 students enrolled in higher education institutions in Brașov, Romania. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and ANOVA were used to identify consumption patterns, differentiate user types (current smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers), and examine emotional and motivational factors associated with tobacco and e-cigarette use. Results Findings indicate that traditional cigarette smoking is most frequently initiated under social influence, whereas electronic cigarette use is primarily associated with aesthetic appeal and flavor variety. Psychological motivations, particularly stress relief and social comfort, show significant correlations with continued nicotine use, especially among current smokers. Analysis informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory highlights the role of behavioral intention and self-efficacy in sustaining smoking behaviors. Discussion The results underscore the multifaceted nature of smoking behavior among youth populations, revealing a dynamic interplay between cognitive, emotional, and environmental variables. These findings provide empirical support for the development of targeted intervention strategies and emphasize the need for integrated public health policies that address both product regulation and psychosocial education.

Epigenetic factors underlying telomere length (TL) may provide insight into telomeric homeostasis, with direct links to cigarette smoking and lung cancer susceptibility. It is unclear, nevertheless, to what extent effects of TL and its related DNA methylation on the smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis. A case-cohort study is performed within the Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) cohort, including a randomly selected subcohort of 1399 subjects and 359 incident lung cancer cases. We use a linear regression model to conduct EWAS of TL, while the associations of TL and candidate CpGs with lung cancer risk are evaluated using weighted Cox proportional hazard regression models. Furthermore, the causal inference test (CIT) and mediation analysis are used to elucidate the causality of TL and its relevant CpGs in the smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis. The methylation-expression associations are assessed in SY panel (n = 144), adjacent normal lung tissues (n = 32) and solid normal tissues in TCGA (n = 375). We identified 31 CpGs with significant associations with TL at FDR < 0.05, and their annotated genes are mainly enriched in oxidative stress, energy metabolism and immunity regulation pathways. Among the 31 TL-related CpGs, 3 CpGs showed substantial associations with both lung cancer risk and smoking status (all FDR < 0.1), including cg26563141 in RGPD1/RGPD2, cg03964851in MIR1974/KIAA0825, and cg08976633 in ZNF74. The further mediation analyses suggest that these three CpGs could mediate 2.89%~8.83% effect on lung cancer risk induced by smoking (all FDR < 0.1). The further CIT and multiple mediation analysis reveal that the effect of smoking on lung cancer risk is primarily mediated by TL (> 10%) while being mildly mediated via DNA methylation pathway (< 1%). Also, hypermethylation of cg26563141 is related to low expression of RGPD1 and RGPD2 across blood and tissue samples. Both TL attrition and the three candidate CpGs showed significant mediation effects on lung cancer risk induced by smoking. These findings provide novel insight into the epigenetic control of telomere homeostasis mechanisms and clues for methylation alteration and TL in smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis.

Background to the study: Cigarette smoking is a known lifestyle factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of certain diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of cigarette smoking and anthropometric parameters on the academic performance of undergraduate students at Rivers State University. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 400 undergraduate students who were selected by the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires to assess lifestyle behaviors and academic performance. Academic performance was assessed by self-reported CGPA and academic behaviors (class attendance, completion of assignments, number of failed courses in the last session, average studying hours and review of lecture materials before exams). Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference) were measured using standard methods. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated using their respective formulae. Results: The prevalence of cigarette smoking amongst undergraduate students was 8.3%. Smokers had a significantly lower mean BMI (20.88 ± 2.70 kg/m²) than non-smokers (23.02 ± 4.26 kg/m²) (p &lt; 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of smokers and non-smokers (p&gt;0.05), even though more smokers (18.2%) rated themselves below average than non-smokers (10.1%). Smokers exhibited poorer academic behaviors than non-smokers, such as a higher course failure rate (54.5% vs. 46.0%), fewer study hours, lower class attendance and less consistent assignment completion. However, more of the smokers (48.5%) could always review their lecture materials shortly before examinations as opposed to non-smokers (43.9%). The BMI of smokers was significantly reduced compared to non-smokers, but smoking status did not have any significant effect on the waist and hip circumferences as well as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of respondents. Conclusion: These findings suggest that while cigarette smoking may not directly impair academic grades, it could negatively affect study habits and overall academic engagement. Therefore, targeted health education and behavioral interventions are recommended to discourage smoking and promote healthier lifestyles among university students.

Common data sources that examine cancer survival provide limited information on health behaviors or social determinants of health. We linked individual-level cancer registry data to county-level data to examine differences in survival among people diagnosed with lung cancer. We linked 2010-2020 National Program of Cancer Registries survival data from 40 registries, covering 85% of the US population, to county-level data on current age-adjusted cigarette smoking prevalence, average daily density of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in µg/m3 (fine particulate pollution), and overall social vulnerability. We generated Kaplan-Meier survival curves and used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to examine overall and cause-specific survival among people aged ≥20 years diagnosed with lung cancer. Survival was significantly lower among people who lived in counties with a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking of 14.3% to <17.0% (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.06), 17.0% to <20.2% (AHR = 1.08), and 20.2% to 34.8% (AHR = 1.14) compared with 6.7% to <14.3%; fine particulate pollution >12.0 µg/m3 versus ≤12.0 µg/m3 (AHR = 1.04); and social vulnerability scores in the second (AHR = 1.01), third (AHR = 1.02), and fourth (AHR = 1.03) quartiles versus first quartile. Individual-level covariates significantly associated with rates of survival included sex, age at diagnosis, race and ethnicity, histology, stage at diagnosis, receiving surgery during first course of treatment, year of diagnosis, and US Census region. Multiple characteristics were associated with lower 5-year lung cancer survival rates. Interventions that address these characteristics (eg, promoting tobacco cessation, reducing exposure to fine particulate pollution) may lead to longer survival after lung cancer diagnosis.

Cigarette smoking alters lipid metabolism in the lung, but the effects of heated tobacco products (HTPs) remain unclear. We aimed to investigate potential lipidomic alterations in lung and lung cancer tissues associated with HTP exposure. We performed lipidomic analysis on specimens from lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) and spontaneous pneumothorax patients. Frozen cancer and adjacent normal lung tissues from LAD cases and lung tissues from pneumothorax cases were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Relative intensities of 24 lipid classes were compared among the HTP-user, cigarette-smoker, and never-smoker groups (two cases for each group). In LAD cases, the HTP-user group exhibited high levels of acylcarnitine (AcCa), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), triglyceride (TG), and phosphatidylethanolamine in cancer tissue, and CoQ10, TG and monohexosylceramide in normal lung tissue. Cholesteryl ester and cholesterol were consistently low in both cancer and normal lung tissues, while multiple lysophospholipids (lysosphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine) and phosphatidylserine were low in normal lung tissue. In pneumothorax cases, CoQ10 was high and AcCa low in HTP-users, though similar patterns were observed in cigarette-smokers. This exploratory pilot study suggests that HTP use may induce oxidative stress-driven metabolic reprogramming, membrane remodeling, and stress-adaptive responses in lung and lung cancer tissues.

Background/Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontal tissue damage caused by oxidative stress and increased proteolytic activity. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), marketed as less harmful alternatives, deliver nicotine and reactive compounds that may similarly disrupt periodontal health. However, their molecular effects on clinically healthy periodontal tissues remain unclear. This study aimed to compare oxidative stress-related and matrix-degradative biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of cigarette smokers (CS), e-cigarette (EC) users, and non-smokers (NS), and to examine the relationships among these markers. Methods: Sixty individuals, who were systemically and periodontally healthy (20 CS, 20 EC, and 20 NS), were examined. Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded. GCF samples were analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and forkhead box protein O-1 (FOXO-1) using ELISA. Initial group comparisons were descriptive, followed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to adjust for age; PI and PD were included as covariates in separate models. Correlations were assessed using Spearman’s analysis. Results: PD was significantly higher in both EC users and CS compared with NS (p = 0.022). MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in CS than in EC users and NS (p &lt; 0.05), while FOXO-1 concentrations were significantly lower in CS compared with NS (p = 0.0227). ROS levels did not differ significantly among groups (p &gt; 0.05). After adjustment for age, PI, or PD, group differences in MMP-9 and FOXO-1 remained statistically significant, whereas ROS levels remained comparable. FOXO-1 demonstrated positive correlations with ROS and MMP-9 within exposure groups; these associations were considered exploratory. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, CS and EC use were associated with altered matrix-regulatory biomarker profiles in clinically healthy periodontal tissues, independent of age and periodontal indices. Causal or temporal inferences cannot be drawn, and longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the long-term periodontal implications of these findings.

ABSTRACT Purpose To assess the impact of social determinants of health (SDoH) and clinical factors on visual impairment (VI) at initial presentation to academic centers in cataract patients. Methods Multi-institutional cross-sectional study. We identified patients aged ≥40 years with cataract diagnosis using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes from the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative (SOURCE) Ophthalmology Data Repository. Best-recorded vision (BRV) at initial presentation, demographics, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), cigarette smoking status, and Distressed Community Index (DCI) were recorded. BRV in the better eye was used to categorize VI as none/mild (BRV ≥20/40), moderate (20/40 < BRV < 20/200), and severe (BRV ≤ 20/200). Logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical and sociodemographic factors on moderate and severe VI. Results Among 137,847 patients with a mean (SD) age of 67.4 (9.1), 58.6% (N = 77,425) were White, 22.5% (N = 29,725) were Black, and 8.8% (N = 11,562) were Hispanic/Latino. Adjusted logistic regression revealed Black patients (OR: 1.16; CI: 1.11–1.22), Native American patients (OR: 1.45; CI: 1.18–1.78), non-English speaking patients (OR: 1.79; CI: 1.69–1.91), and current smokers (OR: 1.29; CI: 1.22–1.37) had higher odds of severe VI. Higher DCI quintiles (more economically distressed) were associated with severe VI compared with the 1st (Prosperous) quintile: 2nd (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.16–1.27), 3rd (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.38–1.52), 4th (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.47–1.64), and 5th (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.29–1.44) quintiles. Conclusions This is one of the largest studies examining the impact of DCI on cataract related VI, highlighting the need for interventions to improve access to healthcare and prevent VI in these communities.

In recent years, the use of cigarettes, vapes, and hookahs has increased significantly in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Smoking introduces natural radionuclides such as radon, radium, and polonium into the body, thereby elevating cancer risk. This study, conducted in the Ranya district of Iraqi Kurdistan, aimed to determine the concentrations of radon, radium, and polonium in the blood samples of male cigarette, vape, and hookah smokers, as well as non-smokers, across various age groups. A total of 140 male volunteers were selected and categorized into four subgroups for comparative analysis. Alpha particles emitted by radon gas in the blood samples were measured using solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The results showed that the mean concentrations of radon (in Bq m−3) in the blood samples of cigarette, vape, hookah smokers, and non-smokers were 190 ± 54, 247 ± 86, 304 ± 123, and 31 ± 9, respectively. Among all groups, hookah smokers exhibited the highest average radon concentration. A statistically significant variation in radon concentration was also observed across different age groups (P-value < 0.001). Despite these differences, the average radon concentrations in the smoker groups exceeded the internationally recommended safety limits set by the WHO, EPA, and ICRP, which are 100, 148, and 200 Bq m−3, respectively.