Prevalence Of Daily Smoking Research Articles

Patterns of Cigarette and Waterpipe Smoking in Erbil City, Iraq. A Household Survey

Background and objective: Globally, tobacco use is one of the most serious public health concerns and preventable causes of morbidity and mortality, expected to reach annually more than 8 million deaths by the year 2030. In light of this estimation and limited surveillance of smoking, this study aimed to identify the tobacco use trends and patterns in various forms in Erbil city. Methods: A community‐based cross‐sectional household survey was carried out from September 2021 through June 2022, on a sample of 2601 respondents selected through a multi‐stage cluster sampling method in Erbil city. A specially designed questionnaire through direct interviews was used to collect socio-demographic and smoking-related data. Results: The prevalence of current daily smoking was 44.3%, occasional smoking was 14.5%, Ex-smoking was 8.0%, and those who never smoked before 33.2%.The prevalence of cigarette, and waterpipe smoking was 37.2%, and 46.5%respectively. More than half (51.0%) had tried to quit smoking at least once in their life, while 11.9% succeeded to quit. The main reason behind quitting was anticipated health risks (97.3%). The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher among those aged 20-29 years, single, males, college education, those having skilled manual /non-manual occupations, those who have smoker friends, and from a middle socioeconomic level Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking (current daily and occasional) was more than half and about one-third never smoked before. More than half had tried to quit smoking at least once in their life but (11.9%) succeeded to quit due to anticipate health risks and family pressure.

Effect of a peer-led prevention program (P2P) on smoking in vocational high school students: Results from a two-school-year cluster-randomized trial.

The aim of this work was to measure the impact of P2P (i.e. peer-to-peer), a peer-led smoking prevention intervention, on daily smoking prevalence of adolescents over 2 school years. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was performed over a 16-month follow-up (trial status: closed to follow-up). P2P was implemented 1-3 and 13-15 months after baseline. Assessments took place at baseline and 4, 10 and 16 months after baseline. The research team, assessors and adolescents were blinded to the study-arm assignment only at baseline. Fifteen vocational high schools in France were randomized into two clusters, using a 1:1 allocation ratio per French department (n intervention = 7, n control = 8). Participants comprised a sample of 2010 students in year 11 (i.e. 15-16 years) in vocational high schools. A total of 437 students could not be assessed at baseline (absent or left school), yielding a total sample of 1573 students (n intervention = 749, n control = 824). The P2P programme trained voluntary students to become peer educators and design smoking prevention actions for their schoolmates in the intervention group (n = 945 students), compared with a passive control group (n = 1065 students). The primary outcome was change from baseline in the prevalence of self-reported daily smoking (i.e. at least one cigarette per day) at 16 months. The 'time × group' interaction indicated that, compared with the control group, the intervention group had statistically significantly fewer daily smokers after 16 months [odds ratio (OR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20, 0.53]. Similarly, compared with the control group, the intervention group had statistically significantly fewer daily smokers after 4months (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.30, 0.82) and 10months (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.98). No adverse events of P2P2 were reported. A cluster-randomized trial found evidence that the peer-led P2P (peer-to-peer) smoking prevention intervention reduced the uptake of daily smoking among high school students in France over 16 months.

Association between Tobacco Industry Interference Index (TIII) and MPOWER measures and adult daily smoking prevalence rate in 30 countries

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the impact of tobacco industry interference on the implementation and management of tobacco control and the tobacco epidemic using the Tobacco Industry Interference Index (TIII) and MPOWER—a package of measures for tobacco control—and adult daily smoking prevalence in 30 countries.MethodsThe TIII was extracted from the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2019 and Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC). MPOWER measures and adult daily smoking prevalence rate were extracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) report on the global tobacco epidemic in 2021. We assessed the ecological cross-lagged association between TIII and MPOWER scores and between TIII and age-standardized prevalence rates for adult daily tobacco users.ResultsTobacco industry interference was inversely correlated with a country’s package of tobacco control measures (β = -0.088, P = 0.035). The TIII was correlated with weaker warnings about the dangers of tobacco (β = -0.016, P = 0.078) and lack of enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship (β = -0.023, P = 0.026). In turn, the higher the TIII, the higher the age-standardized prevalence of adult daily tobacco smokers for both sexes (β = 0.170, P = 0.036). Adult daily smoking prevalence in males (β = 0.417, P = 0.004) was higher in countries where the tobacco industry received incentives that benefited its business.ConclusionWhere the interference of the tobacco industries was high, national compliance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was lower, and the prevalence of adult daily smokers higher. National governments and global society must work together to minimize the tobacco industry’s efforts to interfere with tobacco control policies.

Tobacco consumption in Mozambique in 2005 and 2015.

The burden related to smoking exposure is growing in many low-income settings. We aimed to quantify the use of smoked and smokeless tobacco in Mozambique in 2014/2015, and to compare the estimates with those obtained in 2005. A cross sectional study was conducted in 2014/2015 on a representative sample of the Mozambican population aged 15 to 64 years, following the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS). Prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals were computed for different categories of tobacco consumption. The age-standardised prevalence in the age-group 25-64 years was compared with results from a STEPS survey conducted in 2005. Between 2005 and 2014/2015, the prevalence of daily smoking decreased from 9.1% to 3.4% (p < 0.05) in women and from 33.6% to 27.3% (p < 0.05) in men. There was a significant decrease in the daily consumption of hand-rolled cigarettes among women (from 3.1% to 1.4%, p < 0.05). Among men, there was a decrease in the prevalence of daily consumption of smokeless tobacco (from 3.5% to 1.0%, p < 0.05). In 2014/2015, both manufactured and hand-rolled cigarette consumption were more prevalent among men, while the use of smokeless tobacco was more common among women; the consumption of both hand-rolled cigarettes and smokeless tobacco were more prevalent in rural settings. In Mozambique, there was a decrease in the prevalence of daily smokers in both genders and of daily consumption of smokeless tobacco among men between 2005 and 2014/2015. Efforts are needed to maintain the positive trends.

A time series of tobacco use in Belgium based on a critical appraisal of data sources, 1997-2020

Abstract By being the leading risk factor for most of the leading causes of death worldwide, tobacco use represents an important public health issue that causes a significant health and economic burden. Despite policy regulations, the prevalence of the use remains substantial in many countries, such as Belgium. A comprehensive framework for the quantification of the health impact of tobacco use, based on representative data, is however still lacking. As a preliminary step, we aimed to map and critically assess the past and current trends of tobacco use from 1997 to 2020 in Belgium for establishing a time series of the true extent of tobacco use. Data sources assessing tobacco use in Belgium, meeting our inclusion criteria: frequency, type of survey, international comparability, consistency over time, and representativeness of the sample were included in the critical appraisal. The selected data source forms the basis for a time series of tobacco use from 1997 to 2020. We applied a Bayesian inference model using the integrated nested Laplace approximation, to estimate the distribution of tobacco use by age, sex, and region. We identified four data sources containing information on tobacco use in Belgium. The best available data source for creating a time series of tobacco use was the Belgium Health Interview Survey. The modelled time series based on this data shows a decrease in the prevalence of daily smoking from 1997 (25%) to 2020 (15%). In 2020, daily smoking was estimated to be the highest in the Walloon region (19%) followed by the Brussels region (16%) and the Flemish region (14%). In 2020, the prevalence of daily smoking was estimated to be higher among men (19%) and in the age category 45-59 (20%). This study provides a critical review of data sources monitoring tobacco use in Belgium. Time trends derived from modelling show the overall smoking trends are decreasing but the use remains a public health concern in Belgium. Key messages • Understanding the role of tobacco on population health as an attributable burden can improve health monitoring. • Tobacco use is still a public health concern in 2020 with an estimated prevalence of daily smoking of 15% in the population. Different patterns of tobacco use can be seen at the regional level.

Evaluating achieving tobacco control targets in Belgium using modelled projections

Abstract Background Tobacco use in Belgium remains a key public health concern with an estimated 15% of adults reporting daily tobacco use in 2018. In 2022, the Belgian government launched the “Interfederal Strategy 2022-2028 for a Smoke-free Generation.” The strategy outlines a number of targets for reducing daily tobacco use among adults 15+ years and young adults 15-24 years. We evaluate the feasibility of achieving these targets given current daily smoking trajectories at a national and regional level. Methods We modelled time trends of smoking in Belgium based on repeated cross-sectional data taken from the nationally representative Belgian Health Interview Survey. We applied a Bayesian inference model, the integrated nested Laplace approximation, to obtain a time series of daily tobacco use for adults by age, sex, and region of Belgium from 1997 to 2018. We then projected this model to 2070 using population projections from the Belgian Federal Planning bureau for population distributions. We compared trajectories with targets from the Interfederal Strategy to assess whether they are likely to be achieved. Results The national target of reducing daily smoking among adults 15+ years to 10% by 2028 and 5% by 2040 will not be achieved on current trajectories. Wallonia has the highest level of people smoking daily and is projected to miss the targets by the largest margin. Flanders is expected to reach the 10% threshold by 2032. The target for reduction of prevalence of daily smoking among youth 15-24 years to 6% by 2028 will not be achieved before 2040. Smoking among the youngest age group (15-24 years) is decreasing rapidly with prevalence of daily smoking in that age group projected to be &amp;lt; 2% in Flanders by 2059. Conclusions No region of Belgium is expected to achieve targets for reduction in daily smoking given current trajectories. Tobacco control policies in the country should be re-assessed, targeted and intensified. Key messages • The Belgian national target of 5% daily smoking prevalence in adults by 2040 will not be achieved. • Differences in smoking trajectories in Belgium exist by age and region; tobacco control policies should be targeted.

Exercise Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), Muscular Function, Cardiorespiratory Function, and Body Composition in Smokers: A Narrative Review.

Smoking is amongst the leading global threats with high incidences of preventable premature mortality, morbidity, and various chronic diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) proclaims a decrease in the prevalence of daily smoking in both males and females from 1980 to 2012, however, the number of regular smokers since then has exponentially increased. The low socio-income status individuals contribute greatly towards tobacco-attributable diseases due to limited access to healthcare systems, mostly in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Smoking affects the optimal functioning of the human body, which results in altered body system processes. Although a high intake of nicotine can lead to prolonged adherence and dependence on smoking, other factors, such as an individual's level of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), stress, depression, and anxiety, can produce similar effects. Smoking has a wide impact on lifestyle factors, which explains the increase in the number of sedentary smokers with decreased health fitness levels and poor lifestyle conditions. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the exercise effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), muscular function, cardiorespiratory function, and body composition in smokers. Concurrently, exercise as an intervention has been sourced as a rehabilitation strategy during smoking cessation programmes to restore the diminishing health components, however, a high rate of relapse occurs due to intolerable withdrawal symptoms.

Are relative educational inequalities in multiple health behaviors widening? A longitudinal study of middle-aged adults in Northern Norway.

Educational inequality in multiple health behaviors is rarely monitored using data from the same individuals as they age. The aim of this study is to research changes in relative educational inequality in multiple variables related to health behavior (smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and body mass index), separately and collectively (healthy lifestyle), among middle-aged adults living in Northern Norway. Data from adult respondents aged 32-87 in 2008 with repeated measurements in 2016 (N = 8,906) were drawn from the sixth and seventh waves of the Tromsø Study. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative educational inequality in the variables related to health behavior. The analyses were performed for the total sample and separately for women and men at both baseline and follow-up. Educational inequality was observed in all the variables related to health behavior at baseline and follow-up, in both men and women. Higher levels of educational attainment were associated with healthier categories (non-daily smoking, physical activity, normal body mass index, and a healthy lifestyle), but also with high alcohol intake. The prevalence of daily smoking and physical inactivity decreased during the surveyed period, while high alcohol intake, having a body mass index outside of the normal range and adhering to multiple health recommendations simultaneously increased. The magnitude of relative educational inequality measured at baseline increased at the follow-up in all the variables related to health behavior. Differences were larger among women when compared to men, except in physical inactivity. Persistent and increasing relative disparities in health behavior between the highest education level and lower education levels are found in countries with well-established and comprehensive welfare systems like Norway. Addressing these inequalities is essential for reducing both the chronic disease burden and educational disparities in health.

The emergence of socioeconomic inequalities in smoking during adolescence and early adulthood

BackgroundWhile it is known that educational inequalities in smoking start during early and middle adolescence, it is unknown how they further develop until adulthood. The aim of this article is to map, in the Portuguese context, how educational inequalities in smoking emerge from pre-adolescence until young adulthood.MethodsThis study used longitudinal data from the EPITeen Cohort, which recruited adolescents enrolled in schools in Porto, Portugal. We included the 1,038 participants followed at ages 13 (2003/2004), 17, 21, and 24 years. We computed the odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of smoking states (never smoking, experimenter, less-than-daily, daily and former smoker) and the incidence of transitions between these states, as function of age and education, stratified by sex. We also added interaction terms between age and education.ResultsEducational inequalities in daily smoking prevalence, with higher prevalence among those with lower educational level, emerged at 17 years old and persisted until higher ages. They were formed in a cumulative way by the increased risk of experimenting between 13 and 17 years, and increased risk of becoming daily smoker between 17 and 21 years. The incidence of smoking cessation was higher among the higher educated. Inequalities were formed similarly for women and men, but with lower level and showed no significance among women.ConclusionsThese results highlight that actions to prevent smoking should also take in account the potential impact in smoking inequalities, and should focus not only on middle adolescence but also on late adolescence and early adulthood.

Stagnant daily smoking prevalence between 2008 and 2019 among Black and Hispanic adults with serious psychological distress

BackgroundRacial/ethnic minority status and mental illness independently drive inequity in cigarette smoking and related morbidity. Racial/ethnic minority groups suffer a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related diseases. People with serious mental illness (SMI) smoke at up to 7 times the rate of the general population. There is a need to quantify smoking prevalence and trends among people at the intersection of both groups. MethodsThis study analyzes 2008–2019 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Linear time trends of daily smoking prevalence were assessed among people with serious psychological distress (SPD; marker for SMI) and people without SPD reporting White, Black, Hispanic, and Other race/ethnicity using logistic regression, with survey year as the predictor. Models with year-by-smoking status interaction terms and F-tests assessed differential time trends. ResultsThe prevalence of daily smoking among people without SPD decreased over time among people reporting White (aOR=0.96, p<0.001), Black (aOR=0.96, p<0.001), Hispanic (aOR=0.95, p<0.001), and Other (aOR=0.97, p=0.002) race/ethnicity. Among people with SPD, the smoking prevalence decreased among people with White race/ethnicity (aOR=0.95, p<0.001), with no significant changes among people of Black, Hispanic, and Other race/ethnicity. ConclusionsSmoking among people with SPD who report Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity has not changed significantly in the past 11 years, despite decreasing among non-SPD and White groups. People who are Black/Hispanic and people with SPD struggle to quit smoking, which is amplified intersectionally. Tailored interventions may be a better mechanism to reduce barriers to smoking cessation in this population.

Fifty-year forecasts of daily smoking prevalence: can Australia reach 5% by 2030?

ObjectiveTo compare 50-year forecasts of Australian tobacco smoking rates in relation to trends in smoking initiation and cessation and in relation to a national target of ≤5% adult daily prevalence...

Hardening determinants among adult daily smokers in nine African countries: Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Little has been reported about hardening nor softening indicators in Africa where smoking prevalence is low. We aimed to examine the determinants of hardening in nine African countries. We conducted two separate analyses using data from the most recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey in Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda (total sample of 72,813 respondents): 1) multilevel logistic regression analysis to assess individual and country-level factors associated with hardcore, high dependence, and light smoking.; 2) a Spearman-rank correlation analysis to describe the association between daily smoking and hardcore, high dependence, and light smoking at an ecological level. Age-standardized daily smoking prevalence varied from 37.3% (95 %CI: 34.4, 40.3) (Egypt) to 6.1% (95 %CI: 3.5, 6.3) (Nigeria) among men; and 2.3% (95 %CI: 0.7, 3.9) (Botswana) to 0.3% (95 %CI: 0.2, 0.7) (Senegal) among women. The proportion of hardcore and high-dependence smokers was higher among men whereas for light smokers the proportion was higher among women. At the individual level, higher age and lower education groups had higher odds of being hardcore smokers and having high dependence. Smoke-free home policies showed decreased odds of both being hardcore and highly dependent smokers daily smoking correlated weakly and negatively with hardcore smoking (r = −0.243, 95 %CI: −0.781, 0.502) among men and negatively with high dependence (r = −0.546, 95 %CI: −0.888, 0.185) and positively with light smokers (r = 0.252, 95 %CI: −0.495, 0.785) among women. Hardening determinants varied between the countries in the African region. Wide sex differentials and social inequalities in heavy smoking do exist and should be tackled.

Second-hand smoke exposure in adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean: a pooled analysis

Second-hand smoke exposure is prevalent amongst adolescents, despite of being a preventable risk factor associated with unfavourable outcomes. The distribution of this risk factor varies by underlying determinants and public health officers need contemporary evidence to update policies. Using the most recent data available from adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we described the prevalence of second-hand smoking. Pooled analysis of Global School-based Student Health (GSHS) surveys conducted from 2010 to 2018 was conducted. Two indicators were analysed based on information from the 7 days prior to the survey: a) any exposure to second-hand smoking (0 vs≥1 days of exposure); and b) daily exposure (<7 vs 7 days). Prevalence estimates were carried out accounting for the complex survey design, and reported overall, by country, by sex, and by subregion. GSHS surveys were administered in 18 countries, yielding a total of 95,805 subjects. Pooled age-standardised prevalence of second-hand smoking was 60.9% (95% CI: 59.9%-62.0%) with no substantial differences between boys and girls. The age-standardised prevalence of any second-hand smoking varied from 40.2% in Anguilla to 68.2% in Jamaica, and the highest prevalence was in the Southern Latin America subregion (65.9%). Pooled age-standardised prevalence of daily second-hand smoking was 15.1% (95% CI: 14.2%-16.1%), and was higher in girls than boys (16.5% vs 13.7%; p<0.001). The age-standardised prevalence of daily second-hand smoking ranged between 4.8% in Peru to 28.7% in Jamaica, and the highest age-standardised prevalence was in Southern Latin America (19.7%). The prevalence of any second-hand smoking is high among adolescents in LAC, though estimates changed substantially by country. While policies and interventions to reduce/stop smoking are implemented, attention should also be paid to avoid second-hand smoke exposure. Wellcome Trust International Training Fellowship (214185/Z/18/Z).

The impact of cigarette prices on smoking onset and cessation: evidence from Vietnam

BackgroundVietnam is a country with very high smoking rates among men. According to a Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in 2015, the daily smoking prevalence among Vietnamese men was...

Promoting Global Adult Tobacco Control in South-East Asian Region: Nine-year Retrospective Analysis using World Health Organization MPOWER

It is noted that fire without smoke smokeless tobacco is one of the major scourges in the South-east Asia subcontinent, particularly India. It not only includes adult men and women users but a sizeable chunk entails Indian teenagers. What is worrying though, the models attempting to capture the global usage does not really has much to offer due to paucity of global data. That said, World Health Organization (WHO) has been at the forefront foreshadowing trends and using myriad policy initiatives to help developing countries combat the malaise. Mpower is one such policy framework by the WHO to help countries implement and manage tobacco control, the success of this country-tailored demand reduction interventionist program has lifted a country like Turkey from being one of the highest puffers to drastically reducing its tobacco usage and free smoking indoors by 100%. MPOWER has shown a stellar performance in averting 7.4 million deaths, 30 countries with more than 1 billion people have best pictorially represented health warnings and labels, smoke-free laws and appropriate taxation rules to curb the menace. Aim: In light of aforementioned, the aim of this study was to perform the quantitative analysis of WHO report on tobacco control and to get an insight to what extend the program has been successful and the best practices that could potentially be replicated. Methodology: The MPOWER composite score was built by employing 6 MPOWER scores using the validated checklist outlined by Iranian and international tobacco control specialists in their study on tobacco control. The independent scores and cutoffs thereof were set in consonance with the key sections of the MPOWER 2011 report. Results: MPOWER composite scores that measured policy implementation were then linked to cigarette smoking prevalence and consumption data. An encouraging trend was observed, for example, the highest scores were observable in 2019 and there was noticeable increase in scores of adult daily smoking prevalence (&lt;15 years), cessation programs, and in health warning on cigarette packages. Laws are toothless without adequate intervention at ground level and it was patently clear from monitoring of prevalence data, for example, there was abysmally poor compliance rate, especially with respect to advertisements and other smoke –free policies. The results were mixed at best. Conclusion: The dozen countries present themselves as the best replica in the implementation and enforcement of tobacco control program; however, little tweaks here and there to tailor it in accordance with socio-cultural aspects of countries are warranted.

World Health Organization MPOWER for tobacco control in India: a 6-year retrospective analysis.

Prevalence and practices of tobacco usage in India are diverse and incongruent and Government of India has enacted various laws to overcome this burden. To make tobacco control measures effective and powerful, WHO introduced MPOWER in 2004 and India was one of the first countries that implemented the MPOWER. This study is aimed to quantify the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control policies in India. In this retrospective analysis, data was gathered from the WHO MPOWER of India from 2015 to 2021. This analysis was based on the checklist which was designed previously by Iranian and international tobacco control specialists in their study on tobacco control. In the present comparative analysis, India was categorized by scores and these were acquired from each indicator for each activity and 2021 year got the highest scores as compared to the previous year scores i.e. 27 in 2015. In context to individual indicators, noticeable increase in scores has been seen in both health warning on cigarette packages and adult daily smoking prevalence, whereas no progress was observed in smoking related policies. Although MPOWER programmes are widely accepted by the Indian government, but still substantial improvement in fewer sections is required.

Deadly declines and diversity – understanding the variations in regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking prevalence

Deadly declines and diversity – understanding the variations in regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander smoking prevalence

Impact of the e-cigarette era on cigarette smoking among youth in the United States: A population-level study

To examine and compare trends in past 30-day cigarette smoking among adolescents in the US from 2002 to 2019, before and after the onset of the "e-cigarette era" in 2014. Using National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data from 2002 to 2019, we modeled the prevalence of past 30-day cigarette smoking over time. A total of n=274,551 (weighted N=340,403,754) middle and high school students were included in this study. Interrupted time series analyses were used to examine changes in cigarette smoking over time and compare trends in cigarette smoking pre- and post-2014. Models were applied to the full sample and stratified by middle (6th-8th grade) and high school (9th-12th grade). The observed number of current adolescent cigarette smokers post-2014 was compared to the predicted number, given trends in cigarette smoking prevalence observed pre-2014. Among all students, past 30-day cigarette smoking declined by approximately 0.75% per year from 2002 to 2013 (p<0.001). Following a significant drop in prevalence from 2013 to 2014 (1.64%; p<0.001), the decline in past 30-day cigarette smoking slowed significantly to approximately 0.37% per year (p<0.001), from 2015 to 2019. We estimate that the onset of the "e-cigarette era" in 2014 corresponded to over 1.66 million (95% CI: 1.57m - 1.75m) more past 30-day cigarette smokers from 2015 to 2019, cumulatively. The rate of decline in past 30-day cigarette smoking prevalence among adolescents observed since 2002 slowed with the onset of the "e-cigarette era" in 2014, providing evidence at a population-level for the "gateway effect."

Prevalence of mortality among covid-19 patients in Kurdistan Region and various parts of the world and the role of ecological and environmental factors in shaping SARS-CoV-2 virulence

Evolutionary theories predict that virulence (host death due to a pathogen) positively associates with the pathogen transmission rates to new susceptible hosts. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) pandemic, like other RNA viruses, has quite variable genetic content due to its unique nucleus enzymes thus mutations can continuously occur during viral replications. Phenotype variations among new viral progeny can include individuals with different replication rates, infectivity, stability in the abiotic environment, and transmission rate. Here, the rate of transmission to new susceptible hosts may be affected by the pathogen’s vitality in the physical environments, and host-related factors such as control measures and vaccination. In this study, we analyzed the mortality rates of covid-19 positive patients among various parts of the world and explain the role of several factors in determining SARS-CoV-2 virulence. We found a weak negative correlation (R2 = 0.3) between the mortality rate of covid-19 patients and each of death rates due to cancer diseases (F = 9.135, P = 0.006) and the number of medical doctors per 10,000 populations (F = 8.104, P = 0.009). Other factors such as the prevalence of current daily tobacco smoking in males/females, life expectancy in males/females, general death rates, cardiovascular diseases, prevalence of COPD, prevalence of asthma and average yearly temperature did not associate with death rates among covid-19 patients. Inclusion, adequacy of healthcare services and proper infection prevention measures are the key factors to reduce the covid-19 mortality rate. More studies are required to better understand the management of SARS-CoV-2 virulence management.

Impact of the Tips From Former Smokers Anti-Smoking Media Campaign on Youth Smoking Behaviors and Anti-Tobacco Attitudes.

Anti-tobacco media campaigns can prevent youth smoking, but there is little research on how adult-targeted campaigns affect youth. We investigated the association between the Tips From Former Smokers (Tips) campaign and youth smoking behaviors and anti-tobacco attitudes, and variation by sex, race and/or ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. We used data from the monitoring of the future study, a nationally representative survey on 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, from 2013-2015. Quartiles of Tips gross rating points (GRPs) were used to estimate exposure. Youth smoking behavior outcomes included smoking prevalence, initiation, and susceptibility. The anti-tobacco attitude outcomes included the extent that anti-tobacco ads made participants (1) less favorable towards smoking or (2) less likely to smoke cigarettes. Modified Poisson regression models estimated average marginal effects; separate additive interactions between Tips GRP exposure and sex, race and/or ethnicity, parents' highest education, and college plans (12th graders only) were used to test for effect modification. Tips GRPs were not associated with smoking behaviors within any grade. However, 12th graders in the highest quartile of Tips had a 7.0 percentage point higher probability (95% CI = 0.023-0.116) of responding that anti-tobacco ads made them less likely to smoke. Tips GRPs were associated with a lower probability of past 30-day smoking prevalence among 10th grade females, but not males (joint P-value = .002). No additional statistically significant interactions were found for any other outcomes for any grade. This study revealed the potential for adult-targeted campaigns to increase youth's anti-smoking attitudes, but campaign exposure was not associated with smoking behaviors. Few studies have examined the potential for anti-smoking media campaigns to influence audiences outside their targeted audience. In this study, we show the potential for adult-targeted campaigns to impact youth and suggest that Tips exposure may promote anti-smoking attitudes among youth.