Consumption Of Tobacco Products Research Articles

Comparative analysis of the prevalence of smoking and consumption of nicotine-containing products and their risk factors among students of medical and technical universities of Saint Petersburg based on data from the PROTECT study

BACKGROUND: Taking into account the importance of quitting smoking of any nicotine-containing products by young people in various social groups, a comparative analysis of the prevalence of smoking tobacco and nicotine-containing products among students of medical and technical universities in St. Petersburg was carried out. AIM: To compare the prevalence and structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as the smoking behavior of students at medical and technical universities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional cross-sectional study of a random sample of student groups included 1,105 respondents. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco smoking among students at a technical university was 2 times higher than at a medical university (p 0.01). Cigarette smoking was also more often noted at the onset of smoking among engineering students and in their families (p 0.05). 17.2% of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov students and 14.2% of Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin) students consume nicotine-containing products. Men from the medical university smoke cigarettes significantly more often than women, or use nicotine-containing products, as well as a combination of both. No similar gender differences were found at the technical university. Female doctors used ES more often than women from a technical university at the beginning of smoking (p 0.05). Men at a medical university started using nicotine-containing products more often than women, considering them the least dangerous to health (p 0.05). The example of friends was the most common reason for starting smoking among respondents from both universities (43.9 and 30.8%, respectively). Common risk factors for smoking any product among students of North-Western State Medical University and LETI were boyfriend/girlfriend smoking, smoking among one’s immediate environment. Studying in senior years was a protective factor for girls at a medical university in comparison with students at a technical university (odds ratio 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained on the lower prevalence of tobacco smoking among medical university students compared to technical students may indirectly indicate the latter’s insufficient knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco smoking on the body. The high prevalence of nicotine-containing products consumption in universities of various fields of study and the lack of significant differences in the share of their consumers can also be interpreted as an underestimation of the health risks of new smoking products. This requires adjustments to educational programs in order to increase students’ awareness of the potential health hazards not only of smoking cigarettes, but also of using any nicotine-containing products.

Prevalence of smoking and consumption of nicotine-containing products among students of medical and technical universities (PROTECT)

BACKGROUND: The article presents data of the study “Prevalence of smoking and consumption of nicotine-containing products among students of medical and technical universities” (PROTEСT), carried out in 2023 at North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov and Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University (LETI) named after V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin).
 AIM: To study the prevalence and patterns of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, attitudes to smoking behaviour.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of student groups included 1105 respondents.
 RESULTS: The average age of respondents was 20.7 ± 2.0 years, 44.3% were men. 6.8% of participants smoked cigarettes; more often men than women (9.4 vs. 4.7%, p 0.01). The prevalence of nicotine-containing products consumption was 15.7%. There were no differences by gender (men 15.7% and women 15.8%). The use of a combination of cigarettes and nicotine-containing products was noted by 6.6% of students, which led to increase the tobacco smokers number to 13.4%; and the number of people consuming nicotine-containing products to 22.4%. The main reason for starting smoking/consuming nicotine-containing products was the example of friends (in 35.8 and 34% of cases). The reason for the start of smoking and consuming nicotine-containing products were problems in school and family among 21.1% of women and 6.6% of men (p 0.05), and nicotine-containing products by 16.0% of women and 5.7% of men (p 0.05). The majority of consumers of cigarettes and nicotine-containing products combination (38.4%) use them in a 20/80 ratio. Among the respondents, the proportion of smoking relatives is 40.3%, friends — 66.2%, classmates/dormitory neighbors — 71.9%.
 CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in tobacco smoking and an increase in the proportion of people using nicotine-containing products and their combination with tobacco, as well as the absence of gender differences in nicotine-containing products consumption, indicates a change in the smoking behavior of students and increases the risk of developing nicotine addiction and harmful health consequences. Differences in the motivation for starting smoking/using nicotine-containing product among men and women requires more detailed study.

Effect of Customized Integrated Teaching Program on Knowledge Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect among Peoples Residing in Rural Area of Bhopal

The present study has been undertaken to assess knowledge score regarding child abuse and neglect among peoples by integrated teaching program in Gandhi Nagar at Bhopal. The research design adopted for the study was pre-experimental in nature. The tool for the study was self-structured knowledge questionnaire which consists of two parts-I consisted questions related to Socio-demographic data; part-II consisted of self-structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge score regarding child abuse and neglect among peoples residing in rural area. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The most significant finding was that 63.3% of peoples residing in rural area were having average knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect whereas 36.7% had good knowledge after posttest. It was suggested that the nurses must educate peoples residing in rural are aregarding tobacco products consumption and its impact.

Black Alaskans Health Needs Assessment during COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Social Work.

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic it became clear that Black people were experiencing more severe symptoms and had higher rates of mortality from COVID-19 than White people. However, data on racial differences in death and hospitalization rates in Alaska were less clear. To address this, the Alaska Black Caucus initiated the first Black Alaskans health needs assessment to understand the health status, needs, and resources of the Black community of Alaska. This article reports on the design, implementation, and descriptive results from the survey portion of the first community health needs assessment of Black Alaskans. The findings indicate that a majority of Black Alaskans report being moderately healthy, having access to health insurance, owning their homes, and having a favorable view of their neighborhood. However, too many are unable to work due to poor physical or mental health challenges and are diagnosed with one or more chronic health diseases. In addition, Black Alaskans experience high rates of substance abuse, have untreated mental health conditions, consume tobacco products at a high rate, and are not screening for some cancers. The article will conclude by presenting additional strategies for improving healthcare access and responsiveness for Black Alaskans.

Кореляційний аналіз залежності здоров’я населення України від паління як чинника виникнення розвитку цукрового діабету

Numerous clinical studies have established that smoking has a harmful effect on human health including diabetes mellitus. The aim is to assess the peculiarities of health changes among citizens of Ukraine under the influence of a harmful factor, thanks to a simultaneous questionnaire and in-depth medical examination for further improvement of diagnostics and stratification of the degree of risk of developing various diseases and timely appointment of adequate therapy. Materials and methods. Among the laboratory tests, the following were determined: blood glucose level, IR marker – Нoma index, which were determined on an empty stomach, in the morning, the last meal was 12 hours before blood donation. Determination of the results of indicators was carried out using chemiluminescence analysis. Reagents: Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland). Analyzer Cobas 8000 | ProCobas 6000 |Cobas 411 (Switzerland). Statistical data processing was carried out using a software package. The relationship between quantitative indicators was carried out using Pearson’s correlation analysis (r ). Statistical probability was estimated by the parametric Student’s t-test. The difference was considered probable at p<0.05. The relationship between quantitative and rank indicators was carried out using variance analysis, the Fisher coefficient (F). Results. A register of respondents was created - adults (men and women) who were under the influence of a modified factor that is a trigger for the prevalence of such conditions as insulin resistance and hyperglycemia; prediabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), etc. Answers related to smoking were converted from rank indicators into quantitative indicators. Through prospective observations, during the research, it was established that 47.5% consumed tobacco products in one form or another (not often - 15%, moderately - 12.5%, quite often - 7.5%, extremely often - 12.5%). A reliable relationship between quantitative indicators was also confirmed using Pearson’s correlation analysis (rs) between the level of glucose and the IR Нoma index (r=0.444, p=0.004), which once again confirms that the IR Нoma index increases due to the increase in glucose, and the prerequisite for this can be serve: age-related changes in the body’s hormonal balance, a passive lifestyle, weight gain and the presence of a bad habit, namely smoking. For the first time, the relationship between quantitative and rank indicators was established using variance analysis: between the level of glucose and smoking (F=2.757; p=0.043), between the level of IR Нoma index and smoking. Conclusions. As a result of the implementation of the pilot project, it was established that 47.5% of respondents smoke, of which 7.5% very often, 12.5% extremely often. In the course of the implementation of the pilot project, a register of respondents participating in the study was created. The relationship between quantitative indicators was also confirmed, one of which is the relationship between health status and smoking (rs=0.428; p=0.005). For the first time, the relationship between quantitative and rank indicators was investigated using variance analysis: between glucose level and smoking (F=2.757; p=0.043). Thanks to the transformation of the measurement scale, the dependence of the IR level on the Нoma annealing index was established for the first time.

Examining awareness of tobacco's oral health effects: Dentists' role in smoking cessation among dental patients.

Tobacco products are well-known as a major risk factor for systemic and oral diseases. Dentists may play an important role in the prevention and progression of oral problems related to smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness about the poor oral health effects of tobacco products and the role of dentists in smoking cessation among dental patients. A survey containing 40 questions was prepared, and patients seeking dental treatment between June and October 2019 at the School of Dentistry, Ege University, were asked to participate. The survey included demographic variables in the first part, habits of using tobacco products in the second part, relations between smoking and oral health, and the possible role of dentists in smoking cessation in the last part. Data were tested statistically by Mann Whitney U and chi-squared tests. A total of 501 patients participated in the survey; more than half of the participants were non-smokers (63.7%). Cigarettes (95.06%), hookah (7.69%), e-cigarettes (2.75%), and cigars (1.65%) were the most frequently consumed tobacco products. The biggest obstacle to quitting smoking was 'having smoker friends'. The rate of non-smokers (41.4%) agreeing that smoking is related to periodontal diseases was more than that of smokers (32.4%) (p<0.05). The most known side effect of tobacco products was halitosis (81.6%). Half of the respondents (46.7%) did not know about dentists' role in helping them quit smoking. The rate of participants previously recommended by a dentist to quit smoking was only 36%. The aesthetic and social consequences of using tobacco products are well known, but smokers are substantially less aware than non-smokers of the relationship between tobacco products and oral diseases. The present findings suggest that dentists should inform their patients about the detrimental effects of tobacco products and play an active role in advising them to quit.

Tobacco use and oral health related quality of life among Indian adolescents.

The present study was conducted to assess tobacco use and its effect on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Indian adolescents. The present study was conducted on 1,600 13-14 year old adolescents from the schools of Modinagar, western Uttar Pradesh, India selected using stratified random sampling technique. OHRQoL was assessed using Hindi version of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ). Information regarding demographic, socioeconomic and oral health measures was also collected from the study participants. Tobacco use was assessed through questions derived from Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) questionnaire. Influence of predictor variables on tobacco use was evaluated using multilevel Poisson regression model. The tobacco use among the study population was 8.1 % and CPQ scores were 9.15±0.32. Adolescents who used tobacco had worse OHRQoL scores. Low socioeconomic status, presence of dental caries, absence of regular dental visits (last 6months) were associated with increased regular consumption of tobacco products. The findings of the present study play an important role in planning public health strategies to improve adolescent OHRQoL and reduce tobacco use.

Perspectives on reforming the tobacco tax administration system in Bangladesh to enhance public health

BackgroundTaxation is the most cost-effective instrument to regulate the consumption of tobacco products. However, weak tax administration can compromise the effectiveness of taxation. This paper aimed to understand the process...

New perspectives on biology, disease progression, and therapy response of head and neck cancer gained from single cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide. The main risk factors are consumption of tobacco products and alcohol, as well as infection with human papilloma virus. Approved therapeutic options comprise surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy through epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition, and immunotherapy, but outcome has remained unsatisfactory due to recurrence rates of ~50% and the frequent occurrence of second primaries. The availability of the human genome sequence at the beginning of the millennium heralded the omics era, in which rapid technological progress has advanced our knowledge of the molecular biology of malignant diseases, including HNSCC, at an unprecedented pace. Initially, microarray-based methods, followed by approaches based on next-generation sequencing, were applied to study the genetics, epigenetics, and gene expression patterns of bulk tumors. More recently, the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and spatial transcriptomics methods has facilitated the investigation of the heterogeneity between and within different cell populations in the tumor microenvironment (e.g., cancer cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells), led to the discovery of novel cell types, and advanced the discovery of cell-cell communication within tumors. This review provides an overview of scRNAseq, spatial transcriptomics, and the associated bioinformatics methods, and summarizes how their application has promoted our understanding of the emergence, composition, progression, and therapy responsiveness of, and intercellular signaling within, HNSCC.

Association between smoking and glycated hemoglobin in type II diabetes mellitus male patients visiting outpatient department: A hospital-based study

Background: Smoking is emerging as a public health concern in India, with 30% of the population (majority males) consuming tobacco products. The risk of metabolic syndrome is 1.07–1.66 times higher in smokers. Both smoking and diabetes are expected to rise in India. Aims and Objectives: The association of smoking with glycated hemoglobin (HBA1C) was analyzed in the present study. The effect of tobacco on total leucocyte count (TLC) and HBA1C was also studied. Materials and Methods: The study included 150 male diabetics grouped into smoker and non-smoker categories. Currents were further categorized as per smoking intensity. TLC and HBA1C were evaluated, and the data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests in SPSS 21.0 and Microsoft Excel. A P &lt; 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: HBA1C increased significantly (P &lt; 0.0101) with an increase in intensity of smoking, but the difference was insignificant between non-smokers and mild (P = 0.125) to moderate (P = 0.07) intensity smokers. TLC increased significantly with an increase in smoking intensity compared to non-smokers (P &lt; 0.001). Differences in TLC were insignificant between mild smokers and non-smokers (P = 0.114). HBA1C and TLC were significantly (P &lt; 0.001) raised in current smokers as compared to ex-smokers and non-smokers, but the difference between HBA1C in non-smokers and ex-smokers was insignificant (P = 0.534). TLC increased insignificantly in ex-smokers as compared to non-smokers (P = 0.129). Regression analysis showed that HBA1C was significantly higher in ex-smokers (β = 0.0438, P = 0.021) and current smokers (β = 0.682, P = 0.001) than non-smokers. With the increase in the severity of smoking, HBA1C was higher than in non-smokers, but the association was insignificant. A non-significant positive association was found between TLC and HBA1C in current smokers (r = 0.049, P = 0.781) and ex-smokers (r = 0.036, P = 0.824), and a non-significant (P = 0.745) negative association (r= −0.070) was found between two non-smokers. Conclusion: In smokers, HBA1C and TLC are higher and are further raised with increased smoking intensity.

АЛГОРИТМ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТЬЮ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ ТАБАЧНОЙ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОСТИ В КОНТЕКСТЕ НАЦИОНАЛЬНЫХ УГРОЗ И ВНУТРИСТРАНОВЫХ РИСКОВ

In the presented scientific article, the author analyzes the main trends in the de-velopment of the tobacco industry of the Russian Federation and key players in the tobacco market. A trend analysis of the production and sale of tobacco products, as well as restrictive measures of state policy aimed at reducing the consumption of tobacco products in accordance with current legislation, was carried out. The information on the size of the shadow tobacco market is pre-sented and it is concluded that the growth in sales of illegal types of tobacco products represents one of the threats to economic security for tobacco industry enterprises. Focusing on modern national threats, the author's vision of the es-sence of the algorithm for ensuring the economic security of the tobacco industry was presented and the main stages were presented, with a concretization of the list of actions. When conducting a set of analytical procedures, primary infor-mation from the monitoring system of threats to the economic security of tobacco industry enterprises is used, which makes it possible to identify and analyze not only internal threats related to the financial condition of the enterprise, opera-tional risks, managerial efficiency and other factors, but also external threats, the occurrence of which is caused by the situation on the international the arena and the national economy. Regular monitoring of these threats helps to prevent fi-nancial losses, reputational damage and other negative consequences. promptly respond to stressful situations, develop strategies to prevent threats and make reasonable decisions for successful business development.

USERS OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS: KEY BEHAVIORAL TYPES

Aim. Establishing the type of tobacco behavior and the main motives and reasons for smoking among consumers of tobacco products.&#x0D; Material and Methods. A survey involved 817 individuals aged 18-44 in the Lviv region. Various types of tobacco products were identified among the interviewees: 96 respondents were smokers of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), 93 respondents were smokers of heated tobacco products (HTPs), and 228 respondents were smokers of classic cigarettes. A sociological survey using Horn's questionnaire was conducted to determine the types of behavior of smokers.&#x0D; Results and Discussion. The dominant type of smoking behavior, both among smokers of classic cigarettes or tobacco products for heating (HTP), and among users of nicotine through electronic cigarettes (ENDS) was the "Support" type, the second-ranked - "Playing with a cigarette", the third-ranked - "Thirst". The largest number of smokers by the behavioral type "Playing with a cigarette" was found among HTP smokers - 55.91±5.15 cases per 100 respondents. The "Thirst" type is most typical in smokers of classic cigarettes - 39.91±3.24 cases per 100 respondents. The "Support" type was the leading one for male smokers in the groups of classic cigarette smokers (47.09±3.81 cases per 100 men) and ENDS smokers (47.62±7.71 cases per 100 men), while for HTP smokers - "Playing with a cigarette" (54.55±7.51 cases per 100 men). In the group of female smokers in all studied groups, the "Support" type was the dominant type of behavior. At the same time, among female ENDS smokers, two types of behavior were dominant, namely - "Support" and "Playing with a cigarette" with an identical rate of 44.44±6.76 cases per 100 women.&#x0D; Conclusions. Determining the types of behavior of a smoker and the main reasons and motives for smoking will allow choosing a method of smoking cessation and increasing the effectiveness of quitting tobacco and nicotine use.

Unintended Consequences of Antismoking Pricing Policies: Insights from Smokers’ Household Expenditure on Smoking Behavior and Public Health

Despite e-cigarettes’ increasing popularity, traditional cigarette smoking, particularly with roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, persists as the predominant form of global tobacco consumption. We examine the effect of an antismoking pricing policy on smokers’ behavior by assessing changes in their households’ consumption of tobacco products. To do so, we use a pricing policy implemented in Israel that introduced significant tax increases on RYO tobacco and factory-made cigarettes as our research setting. We analyze data compiled by a national agency on 8000 households representing the smoking population, evaluating changes in smoking behavior through their expenditures on tobacco products. Our model assesses the policy’s impact on tobacco and cigarettes consumed, as well as the probability of households consuming these products. We find that the policy reduced neither overall tobacco consumption nor cigarettes smoked, contrary to expectations. Instead, it was associated with an increased likelihood of households choosing RYO cigarettes and the number of RYO cigarettes consumed. The study emphasizes that anti-smoking pricing policies may inadvertently promote RYO tobacco use, potentially harming public health. To mitigate this, we recommend designing price policies that eliminate perceived gaps between RYO tobacco and factory-made cigarettes. This approach can discourage substitution and foster the deconsumption of both products.

Performance of the Heaviness of Smoking Index in Indian Settings.

Background and objective The heaviness of smoking index (HSI) is a popular tool to assess nicotine dependence in clinical and community settings. Low cigarette consumption and concurrent use of other tobacco products raise concerns about its validity in Indian settings. This study explores the performance of HSI in Indian settings. Methods This study analyzed daily manufactured cigarette smoker data from the cross-sectional Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (GATS) from its first (GAST-1, 2009) and second waves (GATS-2, 2016), both of which were available in the public domain. The HSI scores were calculated based on the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and time to first smoke (TTFS) after waking up among the current daily cigarette users. This study examined the utility of the HSI scale in Indian settings by estimating the predictability of low dependence on quit attemptsand quit intentions using the likelihood ratio parameter. Results About nine in 10 cigarette users in India consumed less than 10 cigarettes per day, yielding a low score on the HSI scale for most of the daily cigarette users. The majority of daily cigarette smokers scored ≤ 1 (low dependence) on the HSI scale both in GATS-1 and GATS-2, irrespective of their exclusive cigarette use status. The absolute value and the 95% confidence limit of positive likelihood ratios (falling below and above one) suggest that the predictability of low dependence on quit attempts and quit intention in the Indian setting is limited. Conclusions The utility of the HSI scale in assessing nicotine dependence among cigarette users in India is limited. This may be attributed to low average cigarette consumption, concurrent use of various tobacco products, and the sociocultural milieu of Indian smokers. This highlights the need for a new rapid nicotine dependence scale tailored to the specific patterns of tobacco use behavior prevalent in the Indian context.

POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS TO PREVENT THE RISE IN ELECTRIC CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION AMONG INDONESIAN ADOLESCENTS AGED 13 TO 15 YEARS OLD

Data showing a significant increase trend in sales of electronic cigarettes in Indonesia and users aged ≥ 15 years have increased tenfold to 6.6 million in 2021, and there has been no e-cigarette regulation. The purpose of the study is to provide evidence to support policies intended for increasing the number of electric smokers. Using data from the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey with national representation. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses (p &lt; 0.05) were performed. The analysis states: 15% of youth 13-15 years old use e-cigarettes and most users are boys 13 years old, with a weekly disposable income below IDR 50,000. Multivariate analysis shows; friends or shop workers who provide e-cigarettes or attend events promoting tobacco products have a 15-fold greater influence on adolescents than the reference group. When compared to not seeing the advertisements, e-cigarette advertisements on the streets/stores/TV/ internet have the potential to increase adolescent motivation by 8 times. Nonsmokers who have tried tobacco products are potentially three times more likely to be interested in e-cigarettes than those who have never tried them. Adolescent smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to use e-cigarettes, and close friends who smoke are twice as likely as nonsmokers to influence e-cigarette use. Information shows that the previous Tobacco Advertising Promotion and Sponsorship Policy was ineffective, it needed to be strengthened with a total ban. It is critical to strengthen smoking cessation efforts, as well as raise parental and community awareness of the dangers of consuming tobacco products.

Comparative Analysis of Dentition and Periodontal Status in Patients With Unilateral Smokeless Tobacco Pouch Keratosis.

The consumption of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and related products has become an epidemic worldwide, especially among young people, as they come into direct contact with the tissues of the oral cavity. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the status of dentition and periodontal health of teeth associated with the unilateral SLT pouch keratosis with the unaffected contralateral side. In this study, 96 SLT users from north Maharashtra, India, with unilateral SLT pouch keratosis were studied. Demographic data, past and present SLT use history, features of SLT pouch keratosis, modified community periodontal index, dentition status index, and loss of tooth attachment were recorded. Data were collected and subjected to statistical analysis using the unpaired t-test and chi-square test. The results of the present study showed a significant difference (p≤0.05) in gingival bleeding, pocket depth, and attachment loss in teeth associated with smokeless tobacco keratosis (STK) compared to teeth at the contralateral sides of the arch. The duration of tobacco use had a significant effect on the severity of loss of attachment at SLT pouch keratosis sides. There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the mean scores of the sound crown, carious crown, and coronal caries status between the SLT pouch keratosis side and the contralateral side. The results of the study revealed that significant gingival bleeding, gingival recession, and attachment loss in the teeth are associated with SLT pouch keratosis compared with the teeth on the contralateral side without the lesion.

Social Factors Influencing Tobacco Consumption Among Adolescents in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The study examined social factors influencing tobacco consumption among adolescence in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Specially, the study examined the role of family and peer group members on tobacco consumption among adolescence in Ikot Ekpene. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study (2245) covered three most populated secondary schools where most of the adolescents were found in cluster for easy sampling. Taro Yamane formula was used to select 340 sample size. The researcher adopted judgmental and cluster sampling techniques, while questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency and percentage. The Hypotheses were tested with a multiple regression model. The descriptive statistics revealed that intake of tobacco products by parents and older siblings, tobacco products availability, exposure in the family and family orientation on consumption structure were the major family conditions that triggered adolescent tobacco consumption in Ikot Ekpene. Also, consumption of tobacco by classmates and gender; consumption of tobacco products by friends in school and consumption of tobacco products by age grade and peer group indices affect adolescence tobacco consumption in Ikot Ekpene. The study recommended that parents and guardians of adolescence should not indulge in tobacco consumption before their children and wards. This will help to streamline adolescence tobacco consumption.

Prevalence of behavioural and biological risk factors for non-communicable diseases among the population of Moscow

Introduction. High mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Russia and worldwide, as well as the need to assess effectiveness of the government initiatives aimed at preventing the NCD spread, substantiate monitoring of the dynamics in prevalence of the NCD main risk factors in the region.&#x0D; The purpose was to study the prevalence of risk factors in the Moscow residents over seventeen years.&#x0D; Material and methods. 805 Moscow residents over seventeen years participated in a telephone survey (2022). Mobile and landline phone numbers were selected using a random, systematic, stratified, dual-frame sampling method applied according to the main module of the STEPS questionnaire, with some questions from the expanded module.&#x0D; Results. The monitoring results allowed identifying prevalence of the NCD behavioural and biological risk factors among Muscovites associated with the use of nicotine-containing products, alcohol, vegetables/fruits, and salt consumption, adherence to physical activity, high blood pressure, high glucose and cholesterol levels, a history of cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer screening, and the use of certain medications and alternative medicine. Specifically, 29% of those surveyed consumed tobacco products, 13% had excessive alcohol use in the past month, 14% were regular salt users, 53% did not consume enough fruits and vegetables, and 20% did not meet WHO standards for physical activity. Health care providers had ever told 44% of those surveyed that they had high blood pressure, 16% that they had high sugar, and 32% that they had high cholesterol level.&#x0D; Limitations. The study was conducted as a telephone survey, so we were unable to obtain physical/biochemical data or investigate the impact of visual presentation on respondents.&#x0D; Conclusion. The information obtained can make a contribution to the existing public health programs and can be useful as a basis for future strategies aimed at combating NCDs.

Characterization of physiochemical parameters & their effect on microbial content of smokeless tobacco products marketed in north India.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) product consumption has profound public health implications for its users. The p H and moisture of SLTs determine the bioavailability of nicotine, the microbial structure dynamics and the amount of microbial conversion of tobacco alkaloids to carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines. This study aimed to characterize and compare the p H, moisture and alkaloid content of various SLT products. Thirty-seven SLT samples including khaini , snus, moist snuff, gul , pan masala , zarda , Mainpuri kapoori and qiwam were collected from the retail market around the National Capital Region in north India and their p H, moisture, nicotine and alkaloid content were measured. The p H and total nicotine were used to calculate the amount of free nicotine, the readily absorbed form, for each product by applying the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. The investigation showed that the SLTs varied drastically in their p H (5.36 to 10.27), moisture content (4.7 to 51.7%) and alkaloid content (0.82 to 35.87 mg/g). The p H and free nicotine levels of a product were found to be positively correlated, and the highest free nicotine content was reported in snus samples. Further, the moisture content was seen to impact the bacterial and fungal diversity in these samples. Studies to detect the presence of pathogenic microbiological genera as well as potentially toxic constituents are warranted. The use of SLTs as an alternative to cigarette smoking should be discouraged, and cessation programmes must call attention to their detrimental effects and emphasize on benefits of quitting SLT consumption.

Smoking status of medical students and changes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Smoking is a major public health threat that contributes to many diseases and deaths. This study aimed to investigate cigarette and alternative tobacco products (ATP) use and knowledge among students. Additionally, changes in smoking prevalence and contributing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Methods The cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was conducted among students from the Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, by sending e-mails with links, during November-December 2022. Our study population consisted of 783 students with a mean age of 22.7±2.7 years; 68.1 % of students studied in Slovak; 67.0 % of respondents were female; 21.8% did not have COVID-19, and 6.6% were not vaccinated. The data were analyzed by SPSS 25. Results Out of these, 89 were current smokers (11.4%), 216 ex-smokers (27.6%), and 478 non-smokers (61.0%) in the study sample, significantly higher number of smokers were men (16.2% vs 9.1%; p = 0.004), more foreigners (9.4% vs 15.6%; p = 0.021). A total of 170 medical students (21.8%) reported using any kind of alternative tobacco product, with a significant intersexual difference (27.4% males vs. 18.9% females; p &amp;lt; 0.001), more Slovaks (22.9% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.503). The pandemic did not affect a significant change in classic nicotine product intake for 11.4%; 11.8% of students decrease intake; while 8.0% increased their intake. 17.5% of users of ATP did not change their habits during the pandemic; 7.0% of students decrease intake; 12.6% increased. Respondents who were smokers and ex-smokers reported an increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic more frequently than non-smokers (23.6% and 21.5% vs. 10.7%, respectively). Conclusions The results show the high consumption of different tobacco products, and the lack of knowledge and awareness among medical students, future healthcare providers, who should serve as a model for their patients and the public. Supported by KEGA 015UK-4/2022 Key messages • As future healthcare providers, medical students will play key role in health promotion and disease prevention, and they should serve as a model for their patients and the general public as well. • Our study emphasizes increasing awareness and education regarding tobacco use and the need for intervention in the field of disease prevention at medical faculties.