Harm Of Cigarettes Research Articles

Co-occurring Change in Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) and Cigarette Harm Perceptions and Use in Young Adults.

Use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may contribute to cigarette use and nicotine addiction by shifting perceptions and norms around tobacco, but little is known about whether or how ENDS use and norms are related to cigarette use and norms, particularly among young adults. This study tested two potential mechanisms by which END use may facilitate cigarette use: decreasing tobacco harm perceptions (desensitization) and increasing favorability of tobacco use (renormalization). Analyses included data from 2187 young adults in a longitudinal panel who reported any ENDS or combustible cigarette use at ages 21, 23, or 26. The sample was 53.6% male, 19.3% Hispanic, and 68.0% white. Parallel process latent growth models were fitted to test how change in ENDS use and harm perceptions about ENDS use co-occurred with change in cigarette use and harm perceptions about cigarette use across a 6-year period from ages 21, 23, and 26 (years 2014-2019). When ENDS harm perceptions decreased and ENDS use increased, cigarette harm perceptions decreased and favorability of cigarettes increased. Decreases in ENDS harm perception were differentially associated with likelihood of transition to cigarette use (an increase) and frequency of use when it occurred (a decrease). Changing tobacco harm perceptions and favorability are two processes by which ENDS use may underlie transitions to cigarette use. Tobacco prevention messaging should emphasize the potential harms of ENDS use that could occur through shifting tobacco perceptions, especially among young adults who are not already frequent cigarette smokers. Increasing favorability of ENDS (and increased ENDS use) may generalize to combustible cigarettes. Continued use of ENDS can increase risk of cigarette use when this exposure desensitizes nonsmoking young adults from the dangers of smoking and renormalizes pro-tobacco attitudes. Findings suggest that prevention messaging around tobacco products should emphasize the potential harms of ENDS use (including the increased likelihood of cigarette use after initiating ENDS), especially among young adults who are not already frequent cigarette smokers.

Perceptions of the Harm of Cigarettes, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Transgender Adults Who Smoke Menthol Cigarettes: Results from Wave 5 of the Population Assessment for Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals in the United States are at greater risk for combustible tobacco use and mental health problems compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. National data comparing associations of menthol cigarette use and mental health among transgender and cisgender individuals in the United States are lacking. The goals of the current study were to (1) characterize transgender and cisgender individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes, and (2) investigate cross-sectional associations between gender identity, harm perceptions of cigarettes, mental health experiences, and quality of life. Data were drawn from Wave 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (2018-2019). A total of 3989 cisgender (mean [SD] age, 40.47 [0.32] years) and transgender (mean [SD] age, 38.36 [0.09] years) participants who reported current (past 30-day) menthol cigarette use were included in the analysis. Comparing transgender to cisgender groups, significant differences were found in associations between harm perceptions of cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02-0.28) and reported depression (AOR 4.57; 95% CI: 1.36-15.33). Collectively, these findings provide evidence that transgender adults who smoke menthol cigarettes are less likely than cisgender adults who smoke menthol cigarettes to perceive smoking as harmful to health and more likely to report recent experiences of depression.

Prediction of typical gas components in cigarette smoke based on transformer

Abstract Harm reduction of cigarette products has become one of the primary objectives of the entire tobacco industry. The prediction of typical gas components (TGC) and dynamic adjustment of process parameters are crucial for cigarette coke reduction and harm reduction. In this study, a deep learning (DL)-assisted TGC prediction framework is proposed to predict CO and NI simultaneously. Firstly, a large number of experimental and simulation parameters of cigarette process are collected as the data base for subsequent model construction. Then, the feature importance analysis of the process parameters was carried out by combining the mechanism of the combustion process through the mutual information method. Finally, DL models based on Multilayer Perceptron, One-Dimension Convolutional Neural Network and Transformer (TF) was developed as data-driven surrogate models to establish the mapping relationship between process parameters and TGC. The results show that TF model generalizes best and can predict TGC quickly and accurately with R2 over 0.99. This work will provide a valuable predictive and decision-making tool for cigarette harm reduction.

Longitudinal Association Between Harm Perceptions and Tobacco Behaviors Among Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes: Differential Associations Across Age Groups Using the PATH Study.

The relationship between e-cigarette and cigarette harm perceptions and tobacco behaviors may vary by age. We examined longitudinal associations of harm perceptions with tobacco use behaviors among adults who smoke cigarettes. Data were from Waves 4 (2016-2018) and 5 (2018-2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health survey. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions identified independent associations between relative and absolute e-cigarette and cigarette harm perceptions at baseline and continued smoking, dual use, complete switching, and quit intention at follow-up, stratified by age (young adults [YAs] 18-24, middle-aged adults [MAs] 25-44, and older adults [OAs] ≥45) among U.S. adults who smoke (n = 8231). Perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes was associated with higher odds of complete switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] overall: 1.52; MAs: 1.68). Perceiving e-cigarettes as very/extremely harmful was associated with lower odds of dual use (overall aOR: 0.75; MAs: 0.72) and higher odds of quit intention (aOR OAs: 1.34). Perceiving cigarettes as very/extremely harmful was associated with lower odds of continued smoking (overall aOR: 0.69; MAs: 0.76; OAs: 0.53), and higher odds of complete switching (overall aOR: 1.65; MAs: 1.86) and quit intention (overall aOR: 1.58; MAs: 1.42; OAs: 1.80). No findings reached significance for YAs. E-cigarette relative and absolute harm perceptions were associated with different tobacco behaviors by age. Low cigarette harm perceptions were similarly associated with continued smoking and lower quit intentions in MAs and OAs. Future research should explore what beliefs inform these perceptions and age-related differences. The associations between harm perceptions and subsequent tobacco behaviors differed by age among adults who smoke. This study adds that low relative harm perceptions of e-cigarettes can promote complete switching among MAs who smoke. High absolute harm perceptions of e-cigarettes may deter dual use among MAs. Additionally, high absolute harm perceptions of cigarettes may reduce smoking and increase cigarette smoking quit intentions among MAs and OAs. Future research is needed to understand the beliefs that support harm perceptions among different age groups, why their effects differ by age, and what factors influence YAs' tobacco use behaviors.

Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be used to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the correlates of nicotine dependence among currently established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (≥ 100 sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: Nicotine dependence (ND) was measured using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytical sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p = 0.02), whereas among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (p <0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs. female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, male sex, and those with reduced harm perceptions regarding cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current-established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved in the conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, writing–review and editing, and project administration.

Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND:_ _The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be utilized to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and also to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study investigates the correlates of nicotine dependence among current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTINGS:_ _We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (100+ sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: The dependent measure was nicotine dependence (ND) using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past-year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytic sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: 0.02); while among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: <0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs, female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, males, and those with reduced harm perceptions about cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved inConceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing - Review and Editing and Project Administration.

Flow field analysis of cigarette filter through micro-CT-based geometries and CFD simulation

The cigarette filter is an essential component of modern cigarettes and studying the flow distribution within the cigarette filter is of great significance in reducing the harm of cigarettes and optimizing smoking sensations. As the object of numerical simulation research, a three-dimensional model of the cigarette was accurately constructed through micro-CT reverse engineering, achieving a scanning accuracy of 4.05 μm. An overall porous media model of the cigarette filter was established to characterize the pressure distribution inside the filter. Based on the three-dimensional reconstruction, a local simulation model of the cavity-filtered filter was created by extracting a 1/36 geometric model. The simulation results of the overall porous media model of the cigarette filter were used as the pressure boundary conditions for the local simulation model of the cavity-filtered filter, and the effects of the wrapped paper and cavity on the flow field were analyzed. The results show that the simulated pressure drop in the overall porous media model of the cigarette filter had a deviation of less than 3.5% compared to the experimental results. This suggests that the porous media model can effectively predict the changes in pressure drop within the filter. When both wrapped paper and cavity were present, the velocity at the interface between acetate fiber and wrapped paper increased by 141.54%, while the pressure approached 0 Pa. Similarly, at the interface between acetate fiber and cavity, the velocity increased by 130.77%. It indicates that both wrapped paper and cavity significantly influenced the flow field characteristics within the cigarette filter. Additionally, as the porosity of the wrapped paper gradually increased from 0.69 to 0.99 in the radial direction, the fluid velocity increased by 14.46%, while the fluid pressure decreased by 29.09%. These changes were particularly evident when the porosity was below 0.87.

Cigarette and E-Cigarette Harm Perceptions During Pregnancy.

Research suggests that pregnancy status (prior, current, and future intention) is associated with differences in perceived harm of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use during pregnancy. However, perceptions of health outcomes attributed to cigarette and e-cigarette use during pregnancy have not been explored among a sample of pregnant women who smoke. The purpose of this study was to explore differences in perceived harms of cigarette and e-cigarette use and perceived birth and health outcomes associated with cigarette and e-cigarette use during pregnancy among a sample of pregnant women who currently smoked. Using a cross-sectional online survey, we examined perceptions about cigarette and e-cigarette use during pregnancy among a sample of U.S. pregnant women ( n = 267) who smoked in the past 30 days. Participants were grouped into categories based on e-cigarette use status (current, past, and never e-cigarette users). Differences between e-cigarette use status and perceived harm (absolute of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and relative of e-cigarettes) and perceived health outcomes attributed to smoking/e-cigarette use were examined. Among our sample, 45.7%, 39.7%, and 14.6% were current, ever, and never e-cigarette users, respectively. Associations existed between e-cigarette use status and absolute perceived harm of cigarettes, relative perceived harm of e-cigarettes, and perceived health outcomes. Current e-cigarette users believed pregnant women who smoked cigarettes were more likely to lose a child because of miscarriage or sudden infant death syndrome or give birth to a child with low birth weight, reduced lung function, cleft lip, reduced brain function, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder than never e-cigarette users. No associations were found between perceived birth and health outcomes of e-cigarette use by e-cigarette user status. Pregnant women who smoked and used e-cigarettes had lower risk perceptions about e-cigarette use during pregnancy than those who only smoked. Health messages and research about the harms of nicotine exposure during pregnancy should address the risks of dual-use versus only e-cigarette use. In addition, messages about the relative harm of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes are needed for pregnant women who smoke and have trouble quitting.

Harm perceptions of vaping nicotine relative to cigarette smoking among sexual and gender minority young adults.

To address gaps in existing research, the current study used a mixed-methods approach to describe, contextualise and understand harm perceptions of vaping nicotine relative to cigarette smoking and associations with nicotine and tobacco (NT) use among young adults who identify their genders and sexualities in ways that classify them as sexual and gender minorities (SGM). Results are based on cross-sectional surveys and online qualitative interviews with 98 SGM young adults (18-25 years old) in California's San Francisco Bay Area who currently or formerly used combustible tobacco. We generated a measure assessing participants' relative harm perceptions of e-cigarette use versus cigarette smoking and identified those who perceived cigarette smoking as more harmful than e-cigarette use compared to those who perceived it to be equally or less harmful. We found that relative harm perceptions of cigarette smoking versus e-cigarette use are likely related to much uncertainty and confusion about the harms of e-cigarette use. Moreover, findings illustrate that public health messages regarding the risks of e-cigarette use may have unintended consequences of increasing cigarette use to replace e-cigarette use for some SGM young adults, a practice that is incongruent with scientific evidence demonstrating that cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products are riskier than e-cigarettes and other forms of NT use. Results suggest the need for evidence-based, clear, and direct messaging about the relative harms of cigarettes versus e-cigarettes to reduce NT-related inequities in SGM populations.

Factors associated with support for social enforcement of smoke-free policies in Georgia and Armenia.

Armenia's and Georgia's high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke and recent implementation of smoke-free laws provide a timely opportunity to examine factors that increase compliance, like social enforcement and support for governmental enforcement. Using 2022 data from 1468 Armenian and Georgian adults (mean age=42.92 years, 48.6% male, 31.6% past-month smoking), multilevel linear regression examined tobacco-related media exposures, social exposures, and perceptions/attitudes in relation to: 1) likelihood of asking someone to extinguish cigarettes where a) prohibited and b) allowed; and 2) support of fines for smoke-free violations (1=not at all to 4=very). There was low average likelihood of asking someone to extinguish cigarettes where allowed (mean=1.01, SD=1.12) or prohibited (mean=1.57, SD=1.21) and 'little' agreement with fines for smoke-free violations (mean=2.13, SD=1.06). Having fewer friends who smoked, greater support for indoor smoke-free laws, and no past-month cigarette use were positively associated with all 3 outcomes. Greater exposure to media and community-based action supporting smoke-free policies, and witnessing more requests to stop smoking where prohibited, were associated with higher likelihood of asking someone to extinguish cigarettes where allowed or prohibited. Less exposure to news stories opposing smoke-free policies and cigarette ads and higher perceived harm of cigarettes were also related to higher likelihood of asking someone to stop smoking where prohibited. Higher perceived harm of cigarettes was also associated with greater agreement with fines for smoke-free violations. Comprehensive strategies targeting social norms, media exposure, and risk perceptions are needed to effectively facilitate strategies to enhance smoke-free law enforcement.

Smoking in Human Rights Perspective in Indonesia

Smoking is an activity carried out to fulfill one’s pleasure, and for smokers this activity is a natural thing and is a person’s right to smoke. The results of research by health experts smoking and the smoke it causes are very harmful to health, so it is necessary to protect human health and the environment. The problem is how to smoke in the perspective of human rights, because it is related to health and environmental protection. Through the method of normative juridical approach, the results of this study explain that, the basis of a rule of law is the protection of human rights, and human rights in question are the right to a good and healthy environment as explained in several legal provisions governing human rights. Setting the right to a good and healthy environment includes the right to live a healthy life from the effects of exposure to harmful cigarette smoke. The regulation of human rights in the protection of human rights is regulated at the international level, the 1945 Constitution and other statutory regulations up to the regional regulation level. Smoking activity carried out by smokers is not a human right, because the law regulates the provisions of these human rights.

Implementation of the polluter pay’s principle in tobacco control in the UK: a stakeholder analysis

BackgroundThe polluter’s pay principle (PPP) aims to internalise external costs and assign liability to the polluter for the harmful cost of their products to society. Tobacco companies continue to manufacture and sell harmful cigarettes, earning billions in profits each year from these products. Meanwhile, governments and their people are left to ‘clean up’ and deal with the detrimental health consequences. This paper explores with expert stakeholders how the PPP could be implemented within the context of tobacco control in the United Kingdom (UK).MethodsTwenty-four semi-structured interviews and two follow-up discussion groups were conducted with UK and international experts on tobacco control, public health, economics, or law from the academic, public, private and third sector. Participants considered the facilitators and barriers to implementing the PPP to tobacco control in the UK. Thematic analysis was employed, aided by NVivo 12, and data were compared to examine the views expressed by the different types of experts.ResultsStakeholders favoured the implementation of the PPP in the context of tobacco control and indicated that it could be acceptable and feasible to implement and that it would likely have support from policymakers and the public alike. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that any legislation and administration should be free from tobacco industry influence; however, differences arose concerning who should oversee the implementation.ConclusionThe PPP from environmental law was predominantly seen as an approach that could be usefully applied to the tobacco industry. However, there is no one size fits all template, therefore its implementation would need to be adapted to fit the UK context.

Electronic Cigarette Harms: Aggregate Evidence Shows Damage to Biological Systems.

Evidence of the harms of e-cigarettes has been unfolding slowly and has been documented in many reviews and reports worldwide. A narrative review of new evidence is presented since, as research has continued, newly aggregated evidence of the dangers of electronic cigarettes on the brain, heart, and lungs is vital to inform decisions on restricting the use of e-cigarettes. Several biomedical research databases were searched for electronic cigarette health effects, emphasizing reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Over 50 review studies, primarily in 2022 and 2023, illustrate some of the latest information on e-cigarette harms. Results show studies of respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular effects. Researchers call for expanding studies through new methods to elaborate on initial findings of multiple harms emerging in clinical investigations. Since the use of electronic cigarettes for adult cessation is not sanctioned in most countries, it is clear that health authorities see significant costs to the health of the general population if the promotion and use of electronic cigarettes occur worldwide. Regulatory action to control electronic cigarettes should consider the substantial evidence of electronic cigarette harm.

Changes in perceived harms of tobacco and cannabis and their correlations with use: A panel study of young adults 2014–2020

PurposePerceived harm is associated with substance use. Changes in product and policy landscapes may impact perceived harms of tobacco and cannabis. This study aimed to examine changes in young adults’ perceived harms of tobacco and cannabis and their associations with use behavior during a period including both before and after legalization of cannabis. MethodsWe conducted a panel survey of California Bay Area young adults (mean age = 23.5 years old, 64.4% female) in 2014 and 2019–2020. Participants (N = 306) reported past 30-day use and perceived harms of tobacco and cannabis at both waves. Perceived harms to health of cannabis and tobacco (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah, smokeless tobacco, and secondhand tobacco smoke) were measured from 1-“Not at all harmful” to 7-“Extremely harmful.” Mixed-effects logistic regressions examined associations between perceived harms and use of tobacco and cannabis, controlling for demographics. ResultsParticipants perceived lower harm for cannabis than for tobacco products. Perceived harms of e-cigarettes, hookah, and smokeless tobacco significantly increased over time; while perceived harms of cigarettes, secondhand tobacco smoke, and cannabis did not change. Increased perceived harm of e-cigarettes was associated with lower odds of any tobacco use (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.56, 0.92), and increased perceived harm of cannabis was associated with lower odds of any cannabis use (OR = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.42, 0.62). ConclusionsFindings suggest that perceived harms of e-cigarettes and cannabis play important roles in driving young adult use behaviors. Risk communication efforts that increase perceptions of health harms related to e-cigarettes and cannabis may decrease use of tobacco and cannabis among young people.

Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with all-cause mortality in the general US population

IntroductionSerum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are biomarkers of neuro-axonal injury in multiple neurological diseases. Little is known on their potential role as prognostic markers in people without known neurological conditions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the association between sNfL levels and all-cause mortality in a general population setting.MethodssNfL levels were measured in 2071 people aged 25–75 years from the general US population that participated in the 2013–2014 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cognitive function was evaluated in a subset of participants aged 60–75 years using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease-Word Learning test, the Animal Fluency test and the Digit Symbol Substitution test. We applied Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for several potential confounders to evaluate the association between sNfL and all-cause mortality through December 2019 by linking NHANES data with data from the National Death Index.ResultsIn a cross-sectional analysis, higher sNfL levels were associated with worse performance in all three cognitive function tests. Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 85 participants died. In a multivariable model adjusted for age, sex, race-ethnicity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, harmful alcohol consumption, cigarette smoke and prevalent cardiovascular disease, higher sNfL levels were significantly and positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR per unit increase in log-transformed sNfL: 2.46, 95% CI 1.77–3.43, p < 0.001). Results were robust when analyses were stratified according to age, sex, body mass index and kidney function.ConclusionWe found a positive association between sNfL levels and mortality in the general US population. Further studies are needed to understand the biological mechanisms underlying this association.

Case report of methemoglobinemia after using e-cigarettes

Background: Despite a drastic increase among smokers using e-cigarette products in an attempt to wean off more harmful combustible cigarettes, there is no clear evidence promoting either the use of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) as a cessation device or understanding of the potential risks and benefits of these products, as per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Case Presentation: This case has an unusual presentation of methemoglobinemia in the emergency department for the same patient twice, immediately after using e-cigs/vapes on two separate occasions. Results: There is a possible association between e-cigarette use and methemoglobinemia. The aforementioned patient was successfully treated with the ordinary management for methemoglobinemia: methylene blue and supportive care. Conclusion: E-cigarette use has many unrecognized and possibly fatal complications. Based on our observations, we recommend a further clinical trial to study e-cigs as a causation factor for methemoglobinemia.

Smoking Cessation and Tobacco-related Risk Perceptions among People with and without a Diagnosis of Cancer.

Little is known about how cancer diagnosis and tobacco-related risk perceptions are associated with smoking behavior. We used data from Waves (W) 1-3 (2013-2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to analyze longitudinal smoking behavior among adults who were current smokers and not previously diagnosed with cancer at baseline (W1; N = 7,829). The outcome was smoking cessation as of follow-up (W3). Explanatory variables were sociodemographics, other tobacco product use, adult at first cigarette, tobacco dependence, cancer diagnosis after baseline, and tobacco-related risk perceptions [cigarette harm perception, worry that tobacco products will damage one's health ("worry"), belief that smoking causes cancer ("belief"), and nondaily smoking harm perception]. Cessation was significantly associated with baseline worry (OR = 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.40), follow-up cigarette harm perception [OR = 2.01 (1.77-2.29)], and follow-up belief [OR = 1.40 (1.20-1.63)]. Cessation was inversely associated with follow-up (W3) worry, and this association was stronger among those without a cancer diagnosis (OR = 0.37 without cancer; OR = 0.76 among individuals diagnosed with cancer; interaction P = 0.001). Cessation is associated with tobacco-related risk perceptions, with different perceptions contributing in unique ways. Cessation is predicted by baseline worry but is inversely associated with worry at follow-up, suggesting that perhaps cessation has alleviated worry. The latter finding was stronger among respondents not diagnosed with cancer. Associations between cancer diagnosis, tobacco-related risk perceptions, and smoking behavior may inform the development of evidence-based smoking cessation interventions.

Changes in Harm Perception for E-Cigarettes Among Youth in the United States, 2014-2019.

To evaluate the trend of harm perception for e-cigarettes and the trend of the association between harm perception for e-cigarettes and for cigarettes among US youth from 2014 to 2019. The National Youth Tobacco Survey is an annual, cross-sectional, school-based survey done among youth selected using three-stage probability sampling. Data were drawn from the 2014 to 2019 Surveys. A Multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association between harm perception for e-cigarettes and harm perception for cigarettes for each year. The percentage of youth who perceived e-cigarettes as harmless decreased from 2014 to 2019 (17.2% to 5.8%). From 2015 to 2018, the percentage of smokers who perceived e-cigarettes as a little harmful increased (33.6% to 41.2%). The positive association between harm perception for e-cigarettes and harm perception for cigarettes became stronger with time. In 2014, the odds of perceiving e-cigarettes as harmless relative to very harmful were 19.55 times greater for youth who perceived cigarettes as harmless, compared to those who perceived cigarettes as very harmful (OR = 19.55; 95% CI: 14.19-26.94). These odds increased to 77.65 times in 2019 (OR = 77.65; 95% CI: 41.48-107.85). This study suggests a stronger relationship between perceived harm of cigarettes and e-cigarettes with time. Interventions to prevent smoking have the potential to change e-cigarette use.

Nutritional behavior and motives of college students for the choice of traditional food in the Republic of Serbia

The aim of this study was to investigate the eating behavior of college students and the reasons for consuming traditional food and to compare the motives for choosing traditional food with the research conducted in 6 European countries. This research was conducted using anonymous online questionnaires. The majority of surveyed students are physically active (75%) and live with their families (57.0%), which can have a positive impact on their diet and a lower level of consumption of “fast-food” (17.5%). Respondents have bad habits in terms of consuming cigarettes (65.0%), alcohol (73.0%) and energy drinks (75.0%). Most students consume all regular meals (73.0%). Based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents, they belong to the categories: underweight (12%), normal weight (34%), pre-weight (17%), obese (37%); however, 55.0% believed to have “ideal weight”. The reasons for choose particular food are: it is not genetically modified, it tastes good, it is nutritious, it makes them happy, it was produced/packaged in an environmentally friendly and ethical way, while the price of food is not important. Connection with family (81%) and food being tasty (54%) are the main reasons for consuming traditional food. When buying traditional food, respondents (59%) generally do not check the declaration on the product. These results indicate the need to educate students about the harmfulness of cigarettes, alcoholic and energy drinks, the importance of BMI and declaration on the product. Comparing obtained results with the results in 6 European countries it can be noticed that the answers of the respondents in Serbia were the most similar to those obtained in Poland.

Indicators of Local and Systemic Immunity of Adolescents under Combined Exposure to Air Pollution and Cigarette Smoke

Introduction: Chemical compounds polluting the environment and contained in cigarette smoke affect the immune system and the respiratory tract contributing to the development of diseases. Given the sexual dimorphism of innate and acquired immunity, the objective of the study was to identify characteristics of the local and systemic immunity in adolescent girls and boys exposed to harmful environmental and cigarette smoke chemicals. Materials and methods: During two years of the study, we examined 546 active and passive teenage smokers of both sexes living in industrial cities with high ambient air pollution. Levels of interleukins-2 and -10, alpha- and gamma-interferons, immunoglobulin A in blood serum, nasal and oral washings of high school students were tested. Results: We established sex-specific differences in local and systemic immune responses of adolescents to effects of the combined air pollution and cigarette smoke exposure. Significant differences in the content of cytokines and immunoglobulin A were found only for males. The levels of alpha and gamma interferons in the oral lavage fluid of smoking boys were lower while the level of interleukin-2 was higher than those in non-smokers. Blood levels of alpha interferon and immunoglobulin A in male smokers were higher than in non-smokers. Conclusion: Sex-specific differences in the response to the combined effect of air pollution and cigarette smoke necessitate a differentiated approach to elaborating preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at preventing immunological and upper respiratory disorders in adolescent boys and girls.