Light Cigarettes Research Articles

A comprehensive topical antioxidant inhibits oxidative stress induced by blue light exposure and cigarette smoke in human skin tissue.

ObjectiveSkin damage from visible light predominantly results from exposure to the blue light spectrum (400‐500 nm) which generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) causing a cascade of harmful effects to skin. Topical antioxidants reduce the effects of free radical damage caused by environmental exposures. This study evaluated a comprehensive topical antioxidant's ability to inhibit ROS production induced by blue light and cigarette smoke (CS) in human skin.MethodsTwo experiments were conducted utilizing human skin (Fitzpatrick Skin Types III and V; N = 3, each). After confirmed reactivity of untreated tissues at 412 nm, 20J/cm2, untreated and pretreated (WEL‐DS, 2 mg/cm2) skin tissue was exposed to blue light and blue light plus CS and left overnight. A nonfluorescent probe (DCFH‐DA) was added to skin and exposed to blue light (412 nm, 20J/cm2) and blue light plus CS. Fluorescent 2’,7’‐DCF was generated upon enzymatic reduction and subsequent oxidation by ROS.ResultsROS increased at least tenfold following initial exposure to blue light and blue light plus CS in untreated skin. Pretreatment with WEL‐DS decreased ROS in FST III exposed to blue light by 51% and 46% in skin exposed to blue light plus CS vs. untreated skin (both, P < .001). In FST V, pretreatment with WEL‐DS decreased ROS exposed to blue light by 54% (P < .001) and 50% in skin exposed to blue light plus CS vs. untreated skin (P < .0001).ConclusionWEL‐DS demonstrated significant reduction in ROS induced by blue light and blue light in combination with CS compared with untreated, exposed skin.

Doctors\u2019 smoking control knowledge, attitudes and practices: a cross-sectional study conducted in Shandong Province, China

BackgroundDoctors play an important role in smoking control. This study aimed to assess doctors’ smoking control knowledge, attitudes and practices to help doctors raise awareness of smoking control assistance.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 1046 doctors from Shandong Province, China, by using multistage sampling. Participants’ information was collected by questionnaire. Pearson’s χ2 test and Fisher’s exact probability method were used to compare the distributions of categorical variables between/among groups.ResultsAmong the participants, 14.7% were current smokers. Approximately 50.3% of participants had heard of smoking cessation drugs and 59.2% of participants thought that low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes were as harmful to health as common cigarettes. Approximately 98.2 and 60.9% of participants agreed that smoking was related to lung cancer and male sexual dysfunction, respectively. Although 72.0% of participants believed that doctors should actively provide smoking cessation assistance, only 58.1% of participants considered that doctors should be responsible for providing smoking cessation assistance. Similarly, 85.2% of participants often asked about the smoking history of patients or their family members, while only 4.9% of participants had prescribed smoking cessation drugs for patients. Pediatricians had a higher proportion of “Agree” responses to the assessment items than doctors in other departments.ConclusionsThe results showed that doctors in Shandong Province did not have sufficient knowledge of smoking control. Slightly more than half of doctors thought that providing smoking cessation assistance was their responsibility. Only a few participants had prescribed smoking cessation drugs.

The cardiovascular burden of light smoking.

The assumption that light cigarette smoking, meaning smoking one to five cigarettes per day, is not so harmful has been dissipated by several studies. Regardless of the quantity of tobacco cigarettes, smoking remains a leading risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Smoke is a mixture of several toxic chemicals, such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and oxidants, implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Despite anti-smoking campaigns, a misconception concerning “safe smoking” still exists. The purpose of this literature review is to highlight the deleterious effect of light cigarette smoking and claim the consensus that there is no safe smoking.

Three Argentine Flash Fictions

WORLDLIT.ORG 31 FICTION Three Argentine Flash Fictions by Ariel Magnus Ariel Magnus (b. 1975, Buenos Aires) is a writer and literary translator. He has published numerous novels and story collections, edited anthologies of Argentine humor and misanthropy, and written for the radio. Several of his books have been translated into French and German; Chess with My Grandfather is the first to be translated into English. Kit Maude is a translator based in Buenos Aires. Old Acquaintance Having met by chance, they hugged. “Long time no see!” the men chorused. They caught up, exchanged telephone numbers, and promised to meet again for coffee sometime. On his way back home, M. tried to remember why they’d stopped seeing each other; such a nice guy. (One meets so many fools in life, he mused, but truly worthwhile people vanish without a trace.) But when the taxi arrived, he found that his wallet was missing. Identifying the guilty party immediately , he wondered when his erstwhile acquaintance had chosen his moment: during their unexpected greeting, or the hug goodbye. The Ghosts of Canter Villa They broke in through the window at night and barricaded the door from the inside. The next morning, they draped the mansion’s façade with a large red flag with Che’s face on it (the mansion had been empty for years). They made cairns of stones on the balconies to repel the police response and piles of leaflets to hand out to journalists. But neither the police nor the media paid them any attention. Now they’ve been living there for years, claiming to be revolutionary insurrectionists . But people in the neighborhood regard them as simple squatters. Drizzle Because of its geographic location, in the town of El Hoyo, the wind doesn’t blow from the side but from above. This means that hats aren’t blown off heads and doors don’t swing shut, but also that you can’t air out rooms by opening the window (and girls’ skirts don’t fly up in the draft). Here, flags hang from horizontal masts, you light cigarettes vertically, and umbrellas are called windbrellas. Although they can’t fly kites or sail paper boats, the children still have a happy childhood . Or at least one in which their hair is always neat and tidy. Translations from the Spanish By Kit Maude "WE DON'T CARE BROKEN WINDOW THEORY" BY ZAK MC IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY-SA 2.0 ...

Up to Their Old Tricks. Tobacco Companies and eCigarettes

Abstract Background Tobacco companies face an ever-increasing rate of marginalisation. They use eCigarettes as an opportunity to improve their credibility. In the past it was “just filter it” and “light cigarettes”. More recently, Philip Morris established a “Foundation for a Smoke-free World” pumping millions of dollars into distorting arguments about harm reduction. Methods The presentation will examine tactics used in traditional and social media to promote eCigarettes and to undermine arguments put by opponents. Tactics deployed that will be examined are: Use of the term harm reductionWithout the harm minimisation context that includes supply reduction and demand reductionAttacks launched in social media platforms such as twitter and FacebookOn individuals who publish papers identifying harms associated with eCigarettesPapers that are critical of eCigarettesDeployment of lobbyists in parliaments and to governmentsPresenting eCigarettes are a viable method of quitting tobaccoOther tactics Specific examples will be provided illustrating cherry-picking, distortion of peer review and translation of this material into the traditional and social media Discussion The methods deployed by tobacco companies have been successful in some countries and have been countered in others. To enhance arguments, Big Tobacco has deployed public health figures like Dr Derek Yach and Dr Moira Gilchrist. Public Health England is one example of a strong and successful supporter of an open market for eCigarette.. A similar story is true in the USA and New Zealand. In Australia, both government and opposition have required approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration consistent with other smoking quitting aids. The policy is that that these devices should be available to those who really need them after they have been proven as efficacious and not causing significant harm. Key messages Tobacco giants are distorting eCigarettes policy as a way of improving credibility. Public health advocates do have the tools to counter big tobacco approaches.

Perceived safety of smoking a few cigarettes during pregnancy and provider advice in a sample of pregnant smokers from Romania.

To assess the prevalence of the perceived safety of smoking a few (generally fewer than five per day) cigarettes during pregnancy and identify associated factors in a sample of pregnant smokers in Romania, a middle-income country. Cross-sectional design with a convenience sample using a polled data set collected between 2016 and 2019 in the formative and baseline phases of the Quit Together randomized control trial (RCT) in Romania. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered by research assistants in clinics in the formative phase and self-administered through the study website at the RCT baseline. A total of 217 pregnant smokers (mean age=28.5±5.8) enrolled in the formative and RCT phases of the research project. The main outcome was the perceived safety of smoking a few cigarettes during pregnancy (generally fewer than five per day). Covariates included the health-care providers' advice towards smoking tobacco cigarettes during pregnancy, socio-demographics, the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms and level of nicotine dependence. More than 35% of participants agreed that smoking a few cigarettes during pregnancy was safe for them and their baby. The perceived safety of smoking a few cigarettes during pregnancy was significantly associated with being told by health-care providers that it is acceptable to continue to smoke cigarettes in small amounts [odds ratio (OR)=3.08; 95% CI=1.35-6.99; P<0.01], perceived harm reduction of smoking light cigarettes (OR=2.67; 95% CI=1.19-5.97; P=0.02) and moderate to severe depression and anxiety score (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.13-0.84; P=0.02). More than one-third of pregnant Romanian women appear to believe that smoking 'a few' cigarettes during pregnancy is safe for them and their fetuses. Those who are told by their health-care providers that it is acceptable to smoke in small amounts during pregnancy have higher odds of perceiving smoking 'a few' cigarettes during pregnancy as safe compared with other pregnant Romanian women.

Cigarillo and multiple tobacco product use and nicotine dependence in adolescents and young adults

IntroductionMultiple tobacco product (MTP) use is a growing public health concern, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This study identifies subgroups of MTP use among cigarillo users and examines associations with nicotine dependence (ND). Methods1089 youth (ages 14–28) who currently smoke cigarillos completed a web-based survey regarding their current use of cigarillos, little cigars, traditional cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and waterpipe/hookah. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of product use by type and amount. The LCA also assessed the relationship between the latent classes and a 38-item measure of ND, controlling for relevant demographics. ResultsMost participants (88.2%) reported using two or more tobacco products in the past 30 days. The best-fitting LCA solution revealed 7 classes: (1) Mixed-Light tipped cigarillo and light cigarette users, 28.9%; (2) Light tipped cigarillo users, 15.8%; (3) Light untipped cigarillo users, 14.3%; (4) Heavy tipped cigarillo users, 13.4%; (5) E-cigarette and waterpipe users, 11.9%; (6) Heavy users of tipped and untipped cigarillos and light users of cigarettes, 9.8%; and (7) Dabblers who primarily used traditional cigars, but were also likely to use a variety of other products, 6.1%. Classes comprised of those using multiple products—particularly those that included cigarettes—had significantly higher levels of ND than other classes (Tukey’s HSD P < .05). ConclusionsDistinct patterns of MTP use are evident among young cigarillo smokers. Smoking multiple products, particularly smoking cigarillos in combination with cigarettes, is associated with higher ND compared to other product use patterns.

Light Cigarette Smoking Increases Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: Findings from the NHIS Cohort Study.

Very few studies have examined the association between light cigarette smoking (i.e., ≤5 cigarettes per day) and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the association of light cigarette smoking with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adults in the United States. Data were from 13 waves of the National Health Interview Survey (1997 to 2009) that were linked to the National Death Index records through December 31, 2011. A total of 329,035 participants aged ≥18 years in the United States were included. Deaths were from all cause, cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory disease and were confirmed by death certification. During a median follow-up of 8.2 years, 34,862 participants died, of which 8415 were from cancer, 9031 from CVD, and 2040 from respiratory disease. Compared with never-smokers, participants who smoked 1–2 (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.73–2.16) and 3–5 cigarettes (HR = 1.99, 1.83–2.17) per day were at higher risk of all-cause mortality after adjustment for demographic variables, lifestyle factors and physician-diagnosis of chronic disease. The associations were stronger for respiratory disease-specific mortality, followed by cancer-specific mortality and CVD-specific mortality. For example, the HRs (95% CIs) of smoking 1–2 cigarettes per day were 9.75 (6.15–15.46), 2.28 (1.84–2.84) and 1.93 (1.58–2.36), respectively, for these three cause-specific mortalities. This study indicates that light cigarette smoking increases risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in US adults.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Time Courses in the Sera of "Light Cannabis" Smokers: Discriminating Light Cannabis Use from Illegal and Medical Cannabis Use.

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) time courses in serum and physiological and behavioral effects associated with smoking 1 or 4 "light cannabis" cigarettes were studied. Biomarkers to differentiate light cannabis versus illegal and medical cannabis use were also investigated. Sera were obtained at different times from 6 healthy light cannabis consumers and 6 individuals who smoked 1 and 4 cigarettes, within 4 hours through a liquid-liquid method and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In serum, minimal THC concentration was observed after a single cigarette smoke, while repeated smoking increased it by 1 order of magnitude. CBD concentrations were higher, but did not increase linearly, probably because it does not preferentially volatilize compared with THC. The highest THC and CBD concentrations were observed 0.5 hours after the start of the smoking of 1 cigarette. Serum THC ranged from 2.7 to 5.9 ng/mL, while serum CBD varied from 5.7 to 48.2 ng/mL. Similarly, the highest THC and CBD concentrations were observed 0.5 hours after the smoking of 4 cigarettes. Specifically, the ranges were THC: 11.0-21.8 ng/mL and CBD: 19.4-35.3 ng/mL. In both cases, the mean THC/CBD concentration ratio ranged from 0.2 to 0.9. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, but participants who smoked 4 cigarettes experienced severe drowsiness. THC and CBD time courses in the sera of light cannabis smokers were similar to those previously observed in oral fluid and blood. Serum THC/CBD concentration ratio not higher than the mean value of 0.9 might be a useful biomarker to identify use of light cannabis versus that of illegal THC cannabis (where THC/CBD concentration ratios are generally greater than 10) or versus that of medical cannabis (where ratios are greater than 1). Consumers should be advised of possible drowsiness after he repeated smoking of light cannabis cigarettes.

Engagement in Tobacco Use Prompting During Childhood or Adolescence and Its Association with Tobacco Use in Adulthood among Colombian Women.

Although most tobacco users initiate this behavior before the age of 18, little is known about engaging in tobacco use prompting behaviors (TPBs) during childhood/adolescence and tobacco use in adulthood, particularly among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The purpose of this study was to examine engagement in TPBs during childhood or adolescence and tobacco use in adulthood among Colombian women and whether or not current/past tobacco users who were engaged in TPBs during their childhood or adolescence had more odds of engaging other children or adolescents in these behaviors as adults. There were 4262 adult women who were recruited and completed an interviewer-administered survey through a door-to-door approach across the 9 regions of Antioquia, Colombia using a multi-stage probabilistic sampling. TPBs were defined as someone being asked to: (1) empty an ashtray, (2) buy cigarettes, (3) put the cigarette in their mouth and light it, (4) light a cigarette without putting it in their mouth, or (5) smoke with the adult during childhood or adolescence. We conducted bivariate regression logistic models where variables with a P < .25 were included in a parsimonious model. Approximately 40% of participants (41%) reported engaging in TPBs in childhood or adolescence. Buying cigarettes, lighting cigarettes with their mouth, and smoking with an adult were significantly associated with tobacco use in adulthood. Current/past tobacco users who reported being engaged in TPBs during childhood or adolescence (except for smoking with an adult) had higher odds of prompting these behaviors as adults. TPBs during childhood or adolescence are relevant contributors to tobacco use in adulthood among Colombian women.

Low Tar Level Does Not Reduce Human Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Environmental Tobacco Smoke.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is known to pose potential risk to human health, but the effects of tar level remain to be clarified. In the present study, ETS samples from two cigarette types with different tar levels in a 72.5 m3 room were collected for measurement of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Urine samples of volunteers participating in smoking events were collected and analyzed for eight hydroxyl-PAHs. The concentrations, compositions, and particle size distribution patterns of PAHs from higher-tar and lower-tar cigarettes were similar, while the emission factors of PAHs from higher-tar cigarettes were lower than those from lower-tar cigarettes. Furthermore, the change in the concentrations of PAH metabolites in urine samples before and after smoking was not attributed to tar level. Assuming that a single cigarette was smoked in a 100 m3 room, the estimated average inhalation cancer risks for different age groups from exposure to PAHs in ETS were below 1.0 × 10-6, but potential risks should not be overlooked, especially considering that only inhaled particle-bound PAHs in ETS were included in this assessment. Apparently, reduced tar levels would not necessarily lead to lowered risk of exposure to PAHs. Kicking the habit is perhaps the best choice to minimize any potential health risk.

The educational gap in tar and nicotine content in purchases of cigarettes: An observational study using large-scale representative survey data from Japan

The intensity of tobacco use is commonly measured by the number of cigarettes, which is inaccurate because it masks the heterogeneity and substances contained in tobacco. Unlike existing studies, this study adopted the tar and nicotine content of purchased cigarettes as proxies for smoking intensity and elicited socioeconomic disparities from the participants regarding tobacco use. Using a nationally representative consumer panel survey of Japan from 2010 to 2014, we found that socioeconomic disparities in smoking are more pronounced when tar and nicotine content in cigarettes is considered. University graduates purchased 26% fewer cigarettes, and 40% less tar or nicotine than their secondary school-educated counterparts. Low education groups purchased more tar-rich cigarettes, which cost less than low-tar cigarettes. The public health recommendations for reducing socioeconomic health inequalities might be understated because they are drawn from evidence based on the number of cigarettes smoked.

An electronic, smart lighter to measure cigarette smoking: A pilot study to assess feasibility and initial validity

Understanding variability in smoking patterns may inform smoking cessation interventions. Retrospective reports of cigarettes smoked per day may be biased and typically do not provide temporal precision regarding when cigarettes are smoked. However, real-time, user-initiated tracking, such as logging each time a cigarette is smoked, can be burdensome over long time frames. In this study, adult, non-treatment seeking daily smokers (N = 22) used an electronic, smart lighter to light and timestamp cigarettes for 14 days. Participants reported number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) via a mobile device (daily diary) and retrospectively reported CPD at the end of the study using the Timeline Followback (TLFB). Self-reported lighter satisfaction and adherence varied with 68% of participants reporting that they liked using the lighter and participants reporting using the lighter for 92% of cigarettes smoked, on average. Lighter-estimated CPD did not differ from daily diary-estimated CPD, but was significantly lower than TLFB estimates. The lighter resulted in greater day-to-day variability relative to other methods and fewer rounded cigarette counts (digit bias) relative to the TLFB. The lighter appears to be feasible for capturing data on smoking patterns in daily smokers. Though false positive cigarettes are likely low, additional technologies that augment data captured from the lighter may be necessary to reduce false negatives (missed cigarettes) and alternative lighter designs may appeal more to certain smokers.

Tobacco use and lung cancer

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. It plays a role in the etiology, and depending on the intensity and duration, it also has an influence on histology, stage and therapeutic outcome. Therefore, it is never too late to stop smoking. Tobacco smoke is so toxic, that there is no safe smoking modality. Filters, light cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, etc. are prohibitively harmful. In addition, the electronic nicotine delivery systems, besides promoting addiction, cause acute respiratory and cardiovascular effects. In addition, even though long-term consequences are yet to be known, cell proliferation and tumor progression have been identified. Tobacco control efforts should look at all these new products as its main threat.

Gender specific differences of the ethanol and nicotine toxicity verified by the use of mathematical models

Beside the pandemic of obesity, the binge drinking becomes a huge problem. The toxicity of consuming alcohol and smoking in the late adolescent population was examined using mathematical models. The body was divided into compartments for two different models; (i) the ethanol model (4 compartments: central compartment, muscle and fat compartment, liver compartment and gastrointestinal compartment) and (ii) the nicotine model (2 compartments: liver compartment and central compartment). Different alcohol contents simulated consumptions of 90 mL of spirits; 900 mL of beer or 600 mL of wine. Nicotine metabolism simulation was performed for three different initial doses of nicotine (light, medium and strong cigarettes). Significant differences are observed regarding the gender; where the maximum ethanol concentration is reached at 0.5 h (males: 27 mmol/dm3 and females: 33 mmol/dm3) in the gastrointestinal compartment while complete nicotine degradation in the liver takes approximately 10 h and in the central compartment 15 h, respectively. The skewness and kurtosis of the toxin concentrations showed their relation with the symmetry of the toxin retention in the body. Results show preferable positively skewed distribution which implies a shorter retention time in the organism while higher kurtosis implies higher toxin concentration.

Susceptibility to smoking and determinants among medical students: A representative nationwide study in China.

INTRODUCTIONThe rationale behind why the majority of medical students are non-smokers, but some initiate smoking after becoming physicians is not fully understood in China. Exploring factors that may increase susceptibility to smoking initiation among medical students is an essential first step in assessing preventative actions.METHODSParticipants were 11954 students, who were identified through a multistage survey sampling process that included 50 universities in China. Subsequent analysis focused on 8916 non-smokers among medical students. Both unadjusted and adjusted logistic methods were considered in the data analyses.RESULTSThe prevalence of susceptibility to smoking was 23.0%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in domestic places (OR= 1.63) and in public places (OR=1.78), cigarette advertising (OR=1.91) and promotional activities on campus (OR=1.90) were positively associated with susceptibility to smoking. In contrast, positive attitudes toward tobacco control on the part of health professionals, HPs, (OR=0.52) were negatively associated with susceptibility to smoking. Those who received information about the dangers of smoking (OR=0.75) and did not agree that light cigarettes are less harmful to health (OR=0.79) were less susceptible to smoke. Caring about exposure to secondhand smoke (OR=0.68 care, and OR=0.33 very) and advising family members to stop smoking (OR=0.81) were negatively associated with susceptibility to smoking.CONCLUSIONSThese findings underscore the importance of tobacco control training and establishing smoke-free campuses for reducing susceptibility to smoking among medical students.

THC and CBD concentrations in blood, oral fluid and urine following a single and repeated administration of "light cannabis".

Background "Light cannabis" is a product legally sold in Europe with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration lower than 0.2% and variable cannabidiol (CBD) content. We studied THC and CBD excretion profiles in blood, oral fluid (OF) and urine after smoking one or four light cannabis cigarettes. Methods Blood, OF and urine samples were obtained from six healthy light cannabis consumers after smoking one 1 g cigarette containing 0.16% THC and 5.8% CBD and from six others after smoking four 1 g cigarettes within 4 h. Sample collection began 0.5 and 4.5 h after smoking one or four cigarettes, respectively. Cannabinoid concentrations were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results At the first collection, the highest THC and CBD concentrations occurred in blood (THC 7.0-10.8 ng/mL; CBD 30.2-56.1 ng/mL) and OF (THC 5.1-15.5 ng/mL; CBD 14.2-28.1 ng/mL); similar results occurred 0.5 h after the last of four cigarettes in blood (THC 14.1-18.2 ng/mL, and CBD 25.6-45.4 ng/mL) and OF (THC 11.2-24.3 ng/mL; CBD 14.4-37.0 ng/mL). The mean OF to blood ratio ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 after one and 0.6 to 1.9 after four light cannabis cigarettes. THC/CBD ratios in blood and OF were never greater than 2. Urinary 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC concentrations peaked 8 h after one and four cigarettes. Conclusions OF was a valuable alternative to blood in monitoring consumption of light cannabis. Blood and OF THC/CBD concentration ratios, never exceeded 2, possibly providing a useful biomarker to identify light cannabis vs illegal higher THC cannabis use, where THC/CBD ratios are generally greater than 10.

Can Removing Tar Information From Cigarette Packages Reduce Smokers' Misconceptions About Low-Tar Cigarettes? An Experiment From One of the World's Lowest Tar Yield Markets, South Korea.

Despite regulations that forbid cigarette packages from displaying messages such as "mild," "low-tar," and "light," many smokers still have misperceptions about "light" or "low-tar" cigarettes. One reason may be that tar amount displays continue to be permitted. This study examines whether removing tar delivery information from packaging reduces consumer misperceptions about "low-tar" cigarettes. An online experiment was conducted in South Korea among 531 smokers who were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: with and without tar information on cigarette packages. Participants evaluated which type of cigarette was mildest, least harmful, easiest for nonsmokers to start smoking, and easiest for smokers to quit. Ten out of 12 chi-square tests showed that people judged the lowest reported tar delivery cigarette to be the mildest (p < .01), least harmful (p < .05), easiest to start (p < .05), and easiest to quit (p < .05)-less so in the "no-tar" condition than the "tar" condition. A higher level of misbeliefs about supposed low-tar cigarettes were found in the "tar" condition compared to the "no-tar" condition for all three brands (t = 5.85, 4.07, 3.82, respectively, p < .001). Regression analyses showed that the "no-tar" condition negatively predicted the level of misbeliefs after controlling for demographic and smoking-related variables (B [SE] = -.72 (.12), -.50 (.12), -.48 (.13), respectively, p < .001). Banning reported tar deliveries from cigarette packages is likely to reduce smokers' misconceptions about "low-tar" cigarettes. When reported tar deliveries are absent, smokers have inconsistent judgments about differently packaged cigarettes. When cigarette packages depict lower reported tar number deliveries, participants erroneously perceive them to be less harmful than packages displaying higher tar numbers. These misperceptions of harm may prompt smokers who might otherwise attempt to quit smoking to instead consume cigarettes with lower tar deliveries due to the mistaken belief that they will reduce their risk.

Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) for profiling cytotoxicity of cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke contains abundant toxicants, and profiling its cytotoxicity represents a critical topic. In this study, cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) was used to measure the cytotoxicity of 4‑(methylnitrosoamino)‑1‑(3‑pyridinyl)‑1‑butanone (NNK), nicotine, and the total particle material (TPM) of high-tar and low-tar cigarettes on CHO-K1 cells. Normalized impedance values at 3174Hz were collected with microscopic imaging as an assistant, showing the dynamics of cell damage and the ability for cell self-recovery. The NI determination of the four toxicants indicated that, as the concentration of toxicants increased, cigarette smoke produced more intense toxic effects on the cells, and the ability of cell self-recovery worsened until there was permanent damage to the cells and the cells eventually died. Furthermore, the survival rate of the cells was obtained during treatment. NRU assays as a comparison were developed for evaluating the cytotoxicity by calculating the IC50. Both methods showed that the cytotoxicity decreased in the following order: the TPM of high-tar cigarettes, TPM of low-tar cigarettes, nicotine and NNK. The sensitivity of the ECIS method was higher. Our work provides a useful and convenient approach for determining the cytotoxicity of cigarettes in a real-time, label-free manner, contributing to the development of low-toxicity cigarettes.

Sweet taste potentiates the reinforcing effects of e-cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular. The popularity of fruit flavors among e-cigarette users suggests that sweet taste may contribute to e-cigarette appeal. We therefore tested whether sweet taste potentiates the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Using a conditioning paradigm adapted to study e-cigarettes, we tested whether exposure to flavored e-cigarettes containing nicotine plus sweet taste would be more reinforcing than unsweetened e-cigarettes. Sixteen light cigarette smokers smoked 4 distinctly colored e-cigarettes containing sweetened and unsweetened flavors with or without nicotine for 2 days each. Brain response was then assessed to the sight and smell of the 4 exposed e-cigarettes using fMRI. After exposure, sweet-paired flavors were wanted (p = .024) and tended to be liked (p = .053) more than nicotine-paired flavors. Moreover, sweet taste supra-additively increased liking for nicotine-paired flavors in individuals who did not show increased liking for nicotine alone (r = −.67, p = .005). Accordingly, cues predicting sweet compared to non-sweet flavors elicited a stronger response in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc, pSVC = .050) and the magnitude of response to the sight (pSVC = .022) and smell (pSVC = .017) of the e-cigarettes correlated with changes in liking. By contrast, the sight and smell of cues predicting nicotine alone failed to elicit NAcc response. However, the sight and smell of e-cigarettes paired with sweet+nicotine (pSVC = .035) produced supra-additive NAcc responses. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that sweet taste potentiates the reinforcing effects of nicotine in e-cigarettes resulting in heightened brain cue-reactivity.