Prevalence Rates Of Cigarette Smoking Research Articles

National and Provincial Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Iran; A Systematic Analysis of 12 Years of STEPS Experience.

Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death. Despite the great burden, there is lack of data regarding the trend of cigarette smoking in Iran. We described the national and provincial prevalence of cigarette smoking and its 12-year time trend utilizing six rounds of Iranian stepwise approach for surveillance of non-communicable disease (STEPS) surveys. We gathered data from six STEPS surveys done in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2016 in Iran. To estimate the data of missing years, we used two separate statistical models including the mixed model and spatio-temporal analysis. The overall prevalence rate of cigarette smoking was 14.65% (12.81‒16.59) in 2005 and 10.63% (9.00‒12.57) in 2016 in Iran. The prevalence of cigarette smoking in 2005 and 2016 was 25.15% (23.18‒27.11) and 19.95% (17.93%‒21.97%) for men and 4.13% (2.43‒6.05) and 1.31% (0.06-3.18) for women, respectively. The prevalence of smoking in different provinces of Iran ranged from 20.73% (19.09‒22.47) to 9.67% (8.24‒11.34) in 2005 and from 15.34% (13.68‒17.12) to 6.41% (5.31‒7.94) in 2016. The overall trend of smoking was downward, which was true for both sexes and all 31 provinces. The declining annual percent change (APC) of the prevalence trend was -2.87% in total population, -9.91% in women, and -2.08% in men from 2005 to 2016. Although the prevalence of smoking had a decreasing trend in Iran, this trend showed disparities among sexes and provinces and this epidemiological data can be used to modify smoking prevention programs.

The prevalence and determinant factors of high-risk behaviours among medical students in North-West of Iran

ABSTRACT High-risk behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, substance use, and pre/extramarital sex are considered major public health issues. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate of high-risk behaviours among medical students in the North-West of Iran. This study recruited 500 medical students of the Tabriz University of Medical Science. Data collection was performed by using the self-administered tool of the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System (YRBSS). Data analysis was done with the SPSS software version 16 by using the chi-squared test and logistic regression. The mean (standard deviation) of age for participants was 23.85 (2.36) years. The prevalence rates of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and pre/extramarital sexual contact were 18.88%, 11.62%, and 14.43%, respectively. The prevalence rates for use of substances and non-prescribed Ritalin were 9.22% and 16.03%, respectively. The current use was documented in 3.22% for substances and 4.02% for Ritalin. The prevalence rate of at least one of the five high-risk behaviours in the previous month was 25.00%. Males and students living alone were significantly more likely to conduct high-risk behaviours. Peer pressure was the most common motivator for these risky practices. About one-fourth of the students engaged in at least one of the high-risk behaviours in the previous 30 days, which is relatively high for medical students. Therefore, the student counselling centers should implement screening programs especially for males and students who live alone, to provide appropriate behavioural interventional programs for harm reduction. Timely attitude improvement programs are highly recommended from a younger age.

Health-risk behaviors among Iranian university students, 2019: a web-based survey

BackgroundHigh-risk behaviors are among the most serious threats for the physical and mental health of adolescents and young adults. Our aims in this study were to investigate the subgroups of students based on risky behaviors and to identify the prevalence rate of these subgroups.MethodsThis cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from July to August 2019 in Tabriz, Iran. We performed proportional sampling in all nine universities of the city, according to the number of students in each university. Applying an online survey questionnaire, the data were collected from 3649 students and analyzed using Latent Class Analysis.ResultsFor total sample, standardized prevalence rates of cigarette smoking, hookah use, alcohol consumption, substance abuse and unsafe sex were 18.5 (Confidence Interval (CI) 95%: 17.3–19.8), 9.1 (CI 95%: 8.2–10.1), 9.2 (CI 95%: 8.3–10.2), 8.3 (CI 95%: 7.4–9.3) and 14.5 (CI 95%: 13.3–15.7), respectively. Three latent classes of risky behaviors were determined among students: a) low risk b) smoking and c) high risk. About 18% of boys and 1.5% of girls were in the high risk class. Cigarette smoking (18.5%, CI 95%: 17.3–19.8) and substance abuse (8.3%, CI 95%: 7.4–9.3) were the most and the least common risky behaviors among the students.ConclusionIn this we-based survey, a considerable number of students, particularly boys (18%), was at high-risk class, stressing the need for preventive interventions for this group of youth. Our findings are beneficial for planning and development of risky-behavior preventive strategies to prevent high-risk behaviors among college students.

Healthy People 2020: Social Determinants of Cigarette Smoking and Electronic Cigarette Smoking among Youth in the United States 2010-2018.

The purpose of this study was to determine social determinants of cigarette smoking and ever using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among young adults aged 18 to 25 years in the United States between 2010 and 2018. Using secondary data from National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) across the 2010, 2014, and 2018 survey years, this study analyzed the prevalence rates of cigarette smoking and ever using e-cigarettes between 2010 and 2018, demographic and socioeconomic disparities in smoking, and the relationship between previous e-cigarette use and current smoking. First, the past decade witnessed a notable decline in conventional cigarette smoking and a sharp increase in e-cigarette use among youth. These trends were consistent regardless of socioeconomic status. Second, demographic and socioeconomic disparities persisted in cigarette smoking. Non-Hispanic white male youth were more likely to become smokers as they grew older. Young people with lower educational attainment, living below the U.S. federal poverty level, and having a poor physical health status had a higher smoking prevalence. Third, previous e-cigarette use was more likely to relate to subsequent cigarette use among young people. To achieve the Healthy People 2020 objectives, tobacco control programs and interventions need to be more specific in higher prevalence groups and service providers should not assume that there is a one-size-fits-all model for youth.

The Prevalence of Cigarette-Smoking among Male Intermediate School Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- A cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking among intermediate students in different school types in Saudi Arabia. The effectiveness of an awareness program towards smoking cessation that was administered in this study was also evaluated.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 13-15-year-old male intermediate school students (n=435) in Saudi Arabia in three different school types (government, private, international). The Global Youth Tobacco Survey core questionnaire were given to assess the students’ tobacco-use along with their demographic information. A clinical examination was performed by calibrated examiners for plaque, gingivitis, caries, and mucosal lesions. An awareness program on smoking cessation was conducted to these students. Results: It was observed that 30.1% of the students had tried cigarette smoking, of which about 4.3% smoked more than 20 cigarettes/day. The majority of the students (87%) had an intent towards smoking cessation, and about 80% of them did not feel compelled because of peer pressure. Also, about 74.3% of the students were not aware of any means to quit smoking and 57.9% of the students had watched media content on tobacco-use. Conclusion: The study concluded that tobacco-use was prevalent among male intermediate school students with a majority of them intending to or have tried to quit the habit. Peer pressure may not have resulted in development of the habit but about half of the population has viewed media content with tobacco-use. Awareness programs on implications of smoking and cessation is warranted at school-level.

Association of Tobacco Control Policies With Youth Smoking Onset in Chile

Tobacco smoking is still responsible for more than 6 million preventable deaths annually, most of which occur in low- and middle-income countries. South American countries, Chile in particular, endure some of the highest cigarette smoking prevalence rates globally. Despite the lack of any meaningful increases in cigarette taxes (the most effective tobacco control measure) between 1999 and 2014, cigarette prices in Chile increased sharply almost entirely driven by British American Tobacco (BAT). To examine the associations between cigarette prices and nonprice tobacco control policies targeted at youth introduced in 2006 (Law 20105) and smoking onset among Chilean youths. This study used data from 8 waves of a large national school survey of urban communities in Chile conducted between October and December in 2001, 2003, 2015, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 and discrete-time hazard models. Data analysis was performed from May 2017 to January 2019. Prices, advertising, and retail restrictions. Smoking onset (the transition between never smoking and smoking) in youth. In this study of 181 624 survey respondents in 8751 Chilean secondary schools, higher prices (own-price elasticity [percentage change in quantity demanded in response to a 1% change in price], -0.40; 95% CI, -0.45 to -0.36) and the tobacco control policies enacted in 2006 (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.81-0.85) were associated with lower hazards of starting smoking. The study found that an increase in real prices of 58.6% and the introduction of Law 20105 were associated with similar lower hazards of starting smoking (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.81-0.85); in comparison, between 1999 and 2017, inflation-adjusted cigarette prices increased by 206%. The findings suggest that higher prices initiated by BAT and the tobacco control policies enacted by the Ministry of Health in 2006 were associated with lower hazards of starting smoking in Chilean youth. Large cigarette tax increases may be a strategy that can be used to help reduce smoking among youths in Chile.

The Prevalence Rate of Cigarette Smoking among Congestive Heart Failure Patients at a Local Family Health Center

The prevalence rate of smoking is well documented in the general population, but little is known among patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). The mortality rate of CHF in San Bernardino county is nearly double (18.7 per 100,000 deaths) than that of the State of California (10.8 per 100,000 deaths). There is a need to fill knowledge gaps for CHF patients and identify evidence-based interventions that will help reduce health disparities among populations.

Asthma and smoking-induced airway disease without spirometric COPD.

Due to the high prevalence rates of cigarette smoking and asthma, current and ex-smokers frequently develop chronic airway disease without spirometric evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), either alone or associated with asthma. This review considers the classification, clinical outcomes, inflammatory and imaging variables, phenotypes, and management of current and ex-smokers with airway disease without COPD, focusing on overlaps in those with and without asthma. These individuals have more respiratory symptoms, worse quality of life, increased exacerbation rates, reduced lung function and more comorbidities than never-smokers with asthma or healthy never-smokers. As well as clinical features, airway inflammatory and structural changes in smoking-induced airway disease without COPD overlap with those found in smokers with asthma. Cigarette smoking is associated with worse clinical outcomes in some phenotypes of asthma. Management involves public health measures to control exposure to tobacco smoke, personal advice on smoking cessation and the use of appropriate targeted therapies, although evidence is limited on their effectiveness. Understanding the mechanisms, natural history and management of current and ex-smokers with asthma and smoking-induced airway disease without COPD is a priority for future research.

Predictors of Nicotine Dependence in Adolescents: Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Bipolar disorder (BD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been associated with the use of cigarettes, but little is known about the impact of the subthreshold symptoms of BD or ADHD on the course of nicotine dependence. Identifying the links is essential for elucidating the pathway and supporting the development of nicotine prevention strategies for adolescents. Participants (n = 3322) aged 15-17 years completed the Chinese version of the ADHD Self-Report Scale and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. The modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire was completed to measure their nicotine use or dependence. Mediation analyses were performed to explore the relationship of two predictors. The prevalence rates of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in this study were 14.4% and 2.3%, respectively. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60-3.30), subclinical symptoms of ADHD (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.04-1.71), clinical symptoms of ADHD (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.08-2.66), and symptoms of BD (OR 1.59; 95% CI1.09 to 2.32) were associated with nicotine use. Male gender (OR 4.60; 95% CI 1.41-14.98) and symptoms of BD (OR 6.14; 95% CI 3.37-11.18), but not symptoms of ADHD, were associated with nicotine dependence. In mediation analyses, we found that the effect of ADHD symptoms was no longer significant after controlling for symptoms of BD, and the mediation ratio (PM) was 0.39. Our findings suggest that mood disturbances other than symptoms of ADHD are more likely to be a key predictor of nicotine dependence among adolescents. The conclusions may improve our understanding of the course of nicotine dependence and help to promote potential health policy for nicotine control among youths.

Subgrouping of risky behaviors among Iranian college students: a latent class analysis.

BackgroundRisky behaviors may interrupt development or cause considerable morbidity or mortality. This study’s purpose was to determine subgroups of students based on risky behaviors and assess the prevalence of risky behaviors in each of the subgroups.Participants and methodsThis anonymous cross-sectional study was carried out in October 2015 and November 2015, with 1,777 students from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, through multistage random sampling method. The data were analyzed by latent class analysis.ResultsThe prevalence rates of cigarette smoking (more than or equal to ten cigarettes), hookah use (≥1 time/month), and alcohol consumption (≥1 time/month) during the last year were 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.9–14.0), 11.6% (95% CI: 10.0–13.1), and 4.9% (95% CI: 3.8–5.9), respectively. The prevalence rates of illicit opioids (1.8%, 95% CI: 1.2–2.5), cannabis (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.7–1.7), methamphetamine (1.1%, 95% CI: 0.6–1.6), methylphenidate (2.5%, 95% CI: 1.7–3.2), and extramarital sex (5.5%, 95% CI: 4.5–6.6) over the last year were also estimated. Three latent classes were determined: 1) low risk; 2) cigarette and hookah smoker; and 3) high risk. It is worth mentioning that 3.7% of males and 0.4% of females were in the high risk group.ConclusionSubgrouping of college students showed that a considerable percentage of them, especially males, were classified into the high risk and cigarette and hookah smoker groups. Appropriate preventive measures that consider multiple different risky behaviors simultaneously are needed for this part of the population.

Patterns of Use, Cessation Behavior and Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Smoking in Saudi Arabia: a Cross- Sectional Multi-Step Study.

Smoking is accountable for the fatality of a substantial number of persons and increases the likelihood of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Although data have shown high prevalence rates of cigarette smoking in Saudi Arabia, relatively little is known about the broader scope. The objectives of this study were to investigate socio-demographic factors, patterns of use and cessation behavior associated with smoking in Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study utilized a cross-sectional, multi-step design of sampling. Residents (N=1,497; aged 15 years and older) were recruited from seven administrative areas in Southwest Saudi Arabia. A pretested questionnaire was utilized to obtain data on participant cigarette smoking, including their daily use, age, education, income, marital status and employment status. The current study is the first of its kind to gather data cessation behavior of Saudi subjects. With the exception of 1.5% females, all the respondents were male. The majority of the respondents were married, had a university level of education, were employed, and were younger than 34 years old. The same trends were also observed among smokers' samples. The current prevalence of cigarette smoking was 49.2% and 65.7% of smokers had smoking at less than 18 years of age. The mean daily use amongst smokers was 7.98 cigarettes (SD=4.587). More than 50% of the study sample had tried at least once to quit smoking. However, 42% of the smokers participating had never. On the other hand, about 25% of the respondents were willing to consider quitting smoking in the future. Modeling of cigarette smoking suggested that the most significant independent predictors of smoking behavior were geographic area, gender, marital status, education, job and age. Considerable variation in smoking prevalence was noted related with participant sociodemographics. Findings recommend the necessity for control and intervention programs in Saudi community.

Characterizing Concurrent Tobacco Product Use Among Homeless Cigarette Smokers.

Cigarette smoking prevalence rates are high among homeless adults (>70%); however, little is known about concurrent tobacco or other nicotine product use (i.e., concurrent use [CU]) in this population. CU may impact smoking quit rates and confer greater risk of health problems within this vulnerable population. This study characterized CU in a sample of homeless smokers and compared cigarette-only smokers (C-OS) to concurrent users (CUs) on participant characteristics and factors known to be associated with smoking cessation. Participants were 178 adult conventional cigarette smokers from a homeless shelter in Dallas, TX. Sociodemographic characteristics, number of homelessness episodes, tobacco dependence, and items characterizing use of several tobacco/nicotine products over the last 30 days including use frequency, reasons for use, and perceived health risks were described. Sociodemographic characteristics, number of homelessness episodes, tobacco dependence, stress, readiness to quit (RTQ) smoking, and number of smoking quit attempts in the last year were compared between the C-OS and CUs groups using t tests and chi-square tests. CU was prevalent (n = 91; 51.1%), and 49.5% of CUs reported the use of ≥2 products in addition to conventional cigarettes. Compared with C-OS, CUs were younger and had more homelessness episodes, higher expired breath carbon monoxide levels, and higher stress (ps < .05). Groups did not differ on sex, race, other dependence indicators, RTQ, or previous quit attempts. CU is common among homeless smokers. CUs and C-OS did not differ in their RTQ smoking, though greater stress among the CUs may represent a hurdle for cessation.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cigarette Smoking among Chinese Schizophrenia Inpatients Receiving Antipsychotic Mono-Therapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking and its socio-demographic and clinical correlates in Chinese schizophrenia inpatients receiving antipsychotic mono-therapy.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional, two-site, hospital-based survey. Four hundred and twenty-nine schizophrenia patients (male/female: 66.9% vs. 33.1%) were consecutively recruited from psychosis inpatient wards of two large specialty psychiatric hospitals in mainland China. Patients were assessed using a cigarette smoking questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, the Simpson Angus Scale, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. Socio-demographic and other clinical data were also collected. We calculated the prevalence of current smoking in our sample as well as its indirectly standardized prevalence ratio (ISPR) using data from the 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey in China.ResultsThe prevalence rate of current smoking was 40.6% in our sample, and 57.5% in males and 6.3% in females. The ISPRs of all patients, men and women were 1.11(95%CI: 0.95∼1.29), 1.07(95%CI = 0.91∼1.24) and 4.64(95%CI = 2.12∼8.82), respectively. The overall and male-specific prevalence of current smoking did not differ significantly between patients and the general population. In multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex, older age, poor marital status, alcohol use, use of first-generation antipsychotics, longer duration of illness, more frequent hospitalizations, and more severe negative symptoms were independently associated with current smoking.ConclusionMale Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia who received a mono-therapy of antipsychotics were not more likely to smoke than the general population. Cigarette smoking is more common in schizophrenia patients with more severe illness.

Smoking Rate Trends in Korean Occupational Groups: Analysis of KNHANES 1998–2009 Data

This study aimed to investigate changes in the smoking rate among Korean adults from 1998-2009 by gender and occupational groups. Using the data from the first (1998), second (2001), third (2005) and fourth (2009) waves of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), we examined men and women between 25-64 years old. Occupational groups were classified into 3 groups of non-manual workers, 5 groups of manual workers and other workers groups. The other group included the unemployed, students and housewives. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of cigarette smoking were calculated for 10-year age groups in each wave of the KNHANES. Trends in the smoking rate according to occupational groups were estimated. Among male workers, decreasing trends in smoking rates were observed in non-manual workers, manual workers, and other workers. The odds ratios and prevalence ratios for the smoking rates of the manual workers comparing the non-manual workers increased from 1998 to 2005, whereas decreased to 1.38 and 1.12, respectively, in 2009. Differences in smoking rates between manual and non-manual workers increased from 1998 to 2005 but decreased from 2005 to 2009. Among female workers, the smoking rates decreased between 1998 and 2001 and increased beginning in 2001. The smoking rate of the manual workers group was still higher than that of the non-manual workers group. Anti-smoking programs specific to each occupational group are needed.

A snapshot of the striking decrease in cigarette smoking prevalence in Brazil between 1989 and 2008

ObjectiveTo evaluate the differences in cigarette smoking prevalence rates in Brazil between 1989 and 2008. MethodologyWe calculated absolute and relative differences in smoking prevalences, overall and stratified by gender, age, place of residence, educational level and birth cohort. Data were obtained from random samples from two National Household Surveys (1989,n=39,969; 2008,n=38,461). GLM models were specified to obtain estimates and assess whether differences in proportions of smokers differed by categories of the stratification variables. ResultsAdjusted absolute and relative differences in smoking prevalence rates between 1989 and 2008 were, respectively, −12.4% and −41.0%. Individuals aged 15–34years and those with 9 or more years of education presented larger relative declines than their counterparts (ps≤0.001). After stratification by birth cohort, men presented larger reductions than women, only in the absolute scale (ps≤0.001), with the exception of the youngest birth cohort (i.e.,1965–1974). ConclusionsIn Brazil, several tobacco control measures have been adopted since 1986, in particular increasing taxation of tobacco products and strong health warnings, which may have contributed to the marked decline in smoking prevalence. It is important to understand the evolution of the tobacco epidemic to propose new actions to prevent initiation and encourage cessation among those who started/continued smoking.

Do Smoking Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Change with Years of Schooling? A Comparison of Medical with Non-Medical Students in China

This study aimed to compare the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and smoking behavior among Chinese medical and non-medical students across three grades from freshmen to juniors. Survey data were collected among 8,138 students using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Study findings indicate that compared to non-medical students, medical students in the sophomore and junior years reported significantly higher levels of knowledge regarding tobacco toxicants and tobacco-related diseases, and had stronger attitudes against smoking as personal rights and stronger attitudes in favor of smoking ban. The differences between medical and non-medical students remained after controlling for a number of covariates. However the prevalence rates of cigarette smoking were similar between medical and non-medical students across grades even after adjusted smoking initiation before entering college. Despite increases in tobacco related knowledge, approximately 40% of junior-year medical students did not recognize carbon monoxide as a toxicant from tobacco, and 30-40% of them were unknown of tobacco smoking as a risk factor for several diseases, including hypertension, stroke, and gastric ulcer. Findings of this study suggest the need for immediate action to enhance tobacco-related education in formal medical training in China to prepare future doctors for smoking prevention and to assist millions of smokers to quit.

Application of mixture models for estimating the prevalence of cigarette smoking in hamadan, iran.

So far, several studies were conducted to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Iran, but none of them used a statistical model to deal with unobserved smokers. The present study planned to estimate the accurate prevalence of cigarette smoking using mixture of truncated Poisson distribution. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hamadan, west of Iran in 2009, using cluster sampling and 1146 men and women aged ≥18 years were enrolled. The data collection was done by an expert group of psychologists and sociologists. A truncated mixture Poisson distribution was fitted to the daily number of cigarettes smoked by smokers. The number of components of the mixture model and related mean and weight were specified using Bayesian information criteria. Accordingly, the number of cigarette smokers who answered incorrectly to the relevant question was estimated. To investigate the validity of the results, a simulation study was conducted using CAMCR software. Mixture Poisson distribution with four components was the most appropriate model fitted to the count data. After correction for underestimation, the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking in the population was 20.6%, including 36.2% for men and 3.3% for women. According to the simulation study, the bias of estimated prevalence was about zero and the root mean square error was estimated 2.5. The number of unobserved data can be estimated by fitting model to truncated count data. The mixture of truncated Poisson distribution is particularly useful to estimate population size when the main objective of the study is to investigate negative traits to which the participants may answer incorrectly.

Incidence of oral cancer in relation to nickel and arsenic concentrations in farm soils of patients' residential areas in Taiwan.

BackgroundTo explore if exposures to specific heavy metals in the environment is a new risk factor of oral cancer, one of the fastest growing malignancies in Taiwan, in addition to the two established risk factors, cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing.MethodsThis is an observational study utilized the age-standardized incidence rates of oral cancer in the 316 townships and precincts of Taiwan, local prevalence rates of cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing, demographic factors, socio-economic conditions, and concentrations in farm soils of the eight kinds of heavy metal. Spatial regression and GIS (Geographic Information System) were used. The registration contained 22,083 patients, who were diagnosed with oral cancer between 1982 and 2002. The concentrations of metal in the soils were retrieved from a nation-wide survey in the 1980s.ResultsThe incidence rate of oral cancer is geographically related to the concentrations of arsenic and nickel in the patients' residential areas, with the prevalence of cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing as controlled variables.ConclusionsBeside the two established risk factors, cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing, arsenic and nickel in farm soils may be new risk factors for oral cancer. These two kinds of metal may involve in the development of oral cancer. Further studies are required to understand the pathways via which metal in the farm soils exerts its effects on human health.

Avoidable Portion of Tobacco-Attributable Acute Care Hospital Days and Its Cost Due to Implementation of Different Intervention Strategies in Canada

The impact of four effective population-based interventions, focusing on individual behavioural change and aimed at reducing tobacco-attributable morbidity, was assessed by modeling with respect to effects on reducing prevalence rates of cigarette smoking, population-attributable fractions, reductions of disease-specific morbidity and its cost for Canada. Results revealed that an implementation of a combination of four tobacco policy interventions would result in a savings of 33,307 acute care hospital days, which translates to a cost savings of about $37 million per year in Canada. Assuming 40% coverage rate for all individually based interventions, the two most effective interventions, in terms of avoidable burden due to morbidity, would be nicotine replacement therapy and physicians’ advice, followed by individual behavioural counselling and increasing taxes by 10%. Although a sizable reduction in the number of hospital days and accumulated costs could be achieved, overall these interventions would reduce less than 3% of all tobacco-attributable costs in Canada.

Early nicotine withdrawal and transdermal nicotine effects on neurocognitive performance in schizophrenia

As cigarette smoking prevalence rates approach 90% in schizophrenia, an important emerging question is the role of nicotine in the disease-related disturbance in cognition. We therefore tested a total of 38 male cigarette smokers (22 schizophrenia, 16 normal control), matched on nicotine dependence, on the Attention Network Test (ANT) at three nicotine conditions (baseline, 8 h overnight withdrawal, 3 h 21 mg nicotine patch). The results indicated that the groups did not differ in performance on either of three ANT measures (alertness, orienting, and executive) across baseline, patch, and withdrawal conditions. However, in comparison to the controls, the participants with schizophrenia showed faster ANT reaction time (RT) for the nicotine patch in relation to the baseline condition. In comparison to controls, the participants with schizophrenia also showed reduced ANT accuracy at withdrawal but not at patch condition. These results suggest that overall processing speed and accuracy are affected differently by nicotine levels in participants with schizophrenia, with evidence supporting greater impairment from withdrawal and greater improvement from nicotine administration.