Traditional Smoking Research Articles

E-cigarettes and Vaping: A Smoking Cessation Method or Another Smoking Innovation?

The prevalence of using e-cigarettes (vaping) has risen rapidly since its introduction in 2007, mostly among male youth. Although research on the health risks of e-cigarettes is still limited, there is growing evidence of debilitating pulmonary conditions and general immune weakness from e-cigarettes, leading to various infections. Moreover, there are concerns that vaping could be used as a new model of cannabis consumption, increasing cannabis addiction among adolescents. With well-known health risks from traditional smoking, e-cigarettes are viewed as a safe way of smoking, appealing more to youth. Additionally, extensive e-cigarette marketing boosted by the internet and fame has resulted in worries that e-cigarettes can lead to a renormalization of cigarette smoking and can be used as a new method to consume vaporized drugs. Although the concern that e-cigarettes are as harmful as traditional smoking has been raised, youth and most healthcare providers remain relatively unaware. Therefore, this review explored the association between e-cigarettes and traditional smoking. With the introduction of e-cigarettes in the last two decades, the topic is still new and less studied. Therefore, this review will help us understand the topic to better care for e-cigarette smokers and reduce the increasing public health burden from vaping.

Epidemiology of heart failure in young adults: a French nationwide cohort study.

Heart failure (HF) in young adults is uncommon, and changes in its incidence and prognosis in recent years are poorly described. The incidence and prognosis of HF in young adults (1850 years) were characterized using nationwide medico-administrative data from the French National Hospitalization Database (period 20132018). A total of 1,486 877 patients hospitalized for incident HF were identified, including 70 075 (4.7) patients aged 1850 years (estimated incidence of 0.44 for this age group). During the study period, the overall incidence of HF tended to decrease in the overall population but significantly increased by 0.041 in young adults (P 0.001). This increase was notably observed among young men (from 0.51 to 0.59, P 0.001), particularly those aged 3650 years. In these young men, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was the most frequently reported cause of HF, whereas non-ischaemic HF was mainly observed in patients 35 years old. In contrast to non-ischaemic HF, the incidence of IHD increased over the study period, which suggests that IHD-related HF is progressively affecting younger patients. Concordantly, young HF patients presented with high rates of traditional IHD risk factors, including obesity, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or diabetes. Lastly, the rates of re-hospitalization (for HF or for any cause) within two years after the first HF event and in-hospital mortality were high in all groups, indicating a poor-prognosis population. Strategies for the prevention of HF risk factors should be strongly considered for patients under 50 years old.

Respiratory comorbidities. Looking ahead to new glaucoma risk factors

AbstractPurpose: Open‐Angle glaucoma (OAG) continues being the first cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Recent advances in biotechnology did not cover all needs for avoiding glaucoma neurodegeneration (GND) and its high socioeconomic burden. Revisiting OAG risk factors, (including respiratory comorbidities), is mandatory to optimize OAG managing.Methods: A total of 412 participants were recruited in a prospective nationwide study (Spain and Portugal) according to strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, and classified into: OAG patients (n = 214) and ocular hypertension (OHT) subjects (n = 198). Sociodemographic, personal characteristics/lifestyle, and comorbid respiratory disorders were recorded. Among the latter asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonar disease (COPD) and sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). Statistical processing was done by RStatistics v4.1.2 and RStudio v2021.09.1.Results: Mean age and gender distribution were: 62 years and 49% men (OAG group) and 61 years and 61% men (HTO group). Univariant analysis reflected that smoking and COPD (p < 0.001) were significantly different between groups. Logistic regression of all variables showed that asthma (p = 0.003) and COPD (p = 0.035) were the most statistically significant characteristics between groups. When eliminating the outlier variables, the logistic regression displayed that asthma (p = 0.002) and COPD (p = 0.05) were the most discriminative parameters between groups. The SAHS did not show statistical significance.Conclusions: Data from this population strongly indicated that in addition to traditional OAG risk factors, asthma, COPD, and smoking habit can be considered detrimental to the OAG course.

Incentivizing Pregnant Women to Quit Smoking in the Real World-A Community-Based Pilot Intervention.

Smoking during pregnancy is a leading preventable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes. Financial incentives interventions yield quit rates of approximately 30% during pregnancy, versus approximately 4% in traditional smoking cessation programs. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of translating an efficacious University of Vermont research-based intervention into a rural community setting delivered by the Vermont Department of Health. Pregnant women using tobacco products were recruited from the Women, Infants and Children program and Rutland Women's Healthcare. Women were provided in-person tobacco cessation counseling during regularly scheduled meetings and received gift cards throughout pregnancy and 3 months postpartum contingent upon biochemically verified smoking abstinence. Cessation counseling and abstinence monitoring began with high frequency (three visits per week), tapering through postpartum to biweekly visits. Gift card values began at $15, increasing by $5 for consecutive negative samples, to $40 maximum. Participants completed three surveys (enrollment, 4-6 weeks postpartum, 6-12 months postpartum) assessing smoking habits, and barriers and facilitators of treatment engagement and success. From 2018 to 2020, we enrolled 20 pregnant women, of whom six self-reported quitting tobacco at some point during the intervention. At study completion, three reported sustained abstinence. Results suggest that it is feasible to translate a research-based smoking cessation program into a community setting. This article discusses the challenges faced and the lessons learned when implementing research in a rural community setting, recruiting and retaining participants, and adapting protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Safety, quality, and nutritional aspect of smoked barracuda fish

Background: Barracuda fish has a superior nutritional content, so it can be utilized as raw material for smoked fish products. The smoking method most commonly applied in Indonesia is traditional smoking. The traditional smoking process implemented commercially in Indonesia still uses simple equipment and sanitation is typically not monitored. Traditional smoking used at high temperatures can cause contamination of the products, such as with chemicals and microbes. Liquid smoke can be used to overcome these disadvantages. The study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, chemical, and microbial content of fresh and smoked barracuda processed using different smoking methods, namely traditional and liquid smoke. Methods: Barracuda fish were smoked using different smoking methods, traditional and liquid smoke. The traditional method used a simple smoking furnace, while the liquid smoke method was carried out by immersing the fish in a 5% liquid smoke solution. Then, the smoked barracuda were analyzed with various methods, such as proximate, heavy metals, histamine, benzo[a]pyrene, and total microbes (TPC). Data was analyzed using ANOVA at significance level (p < 0.05) followed by Duncan’s test models using SPSS v.16. Results: Smoked fish treated with liquid smoke had a lower value of Arsenic heavy metal (As), at 0.73 mg/kg compared to the traditional method at 1.93 mg/kg; no histamine and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds were detected, namely benzo[a]pyrene; and liquid smoked fish can inhibit the growth of bacteria which can be seen from total bacteria value of 4.6 x 10 colonies/g Conclusions: Smoked fish processed using a liquid smoke was safer for consumption by the consumer.

PKM PENGASAPAN IKAN YANG RAMAH LINGKUNGAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS PRODUK, MANAJEMEN, DAN PEMASARAN DI DESA PENATARSEWU KECAMATAN TANGGULANGIN KABUPATEN SIDOARJO

PKM partners are SMEs engaged in the smoked fish business, production and marketing having their address in Penatarsewu Village, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency. An environmentally friendly smoker is a modern smoker which is expected to be a solution to problems in the production of smoked fish which has not been optimal so far. In the process, smoking using an environmentally friendly smoker is more hygienic than traditional smoking. The results of smoking in an environmentally friendly manner produce better and more delicious colors, aromas, tastes and textures. Problems in the production aspect: (1) The production location is narrow and limited, (2) There are more buyers and product orders, while there is no labor (3) The smoking is still manual, so the smoke pollutes the environment, the smoking time is long (4) The results are uneven , some are too ripe, some are still undercooked, (5) There is no nutrition and expiration test, (5) There is no environmentally friendly smoking device, (6) There is no large capacity storage space (7) Capital. The impact is (1) the order is increasing, the place of production is limited, (2) the need for workers is increasing, recruiting workers requires a large budget. (3) Smoke causes pollution to the community around MSMEs, (4) Manual processing hinders the production process, (5) Products go stale quickly if not put in a cooler, there is no expiration date, difficulties when there are large-scale orders, (6) Water content is still high cause the product does not dry quickly, (7) There is no PIRT and the Ministry of Health permit.Problems in the management aspect: (1) Difficulty in finding permanent employees, because many are not interested, (2) Business processes and business SOPs have not been well documented, (3) Capital constraints for business development with sharia concept, and (4) Do not have an integrated information system ordering, raw materials, production and sales. The impact: (1) Business management is still traditional, controlled by the owner/family, (2) Constraints in processing information related to the stock of materials and products that have been ordered (3) Limited sharia-based business development, (4) Availability of raw materials depends on the season. Problems in marketing aspects Partners do not have adequate display space. As a result, smoked fish are allowed to accumulate, not properly arranged. During the rainy season, demand decreases.The results of the activities that have been carried out: (1) Training, practice, and assistance in making quality Smoked Fish, the same level of maturity, nutrition testing and natural preservation (2) Training, practice, and mentoring of business process management materials and ISO 9001: 2015 regarding quality management standards, (3) Training, practice, and assistance for sharia-based business management (4) Design and layout of new product display rooms, production rooms, product storage rooms, (5) Design of environmentally friendly fumigation machines. Outcome targets: (1) Smoked fish products with the same maturity quality, not easily spoiled and do not smell fishy, (2) Quality management based on ISO 9001:2015, (3) Able to get sharia capital, (4) Design and layout of the display room for smoked fish products (5) New innovations of environmentally friendly smoking machine TTG (6) Publications in the Journal of Community Service (ABDIDAS), (7) Publications in the international journal IJMRA, (8) Articles in mass media/online at www.radarjatim .com, (9) videos of PKM activities uploaded on Youtube, (10) Student Involvement of the MBKM program is equivalent to 6 credits of Entrepreneurship courses [1]

The point on the electronic cigarette more than 10 years after its introduction.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices containing a liquid based on propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, compounds which, when vaporized, act as a vehicle for nicotine, flavours, and other chemical components. These devices have been marketed without clear evidence of risks, long-term safety, and efficacy as a means of traditional smoking cessation. Recent clinical studies have shown how the use of the e-cigarette, combined with adequate psychological support, can be effective in reducing traditional smoking but not nicotine addiction. However, meta-analyses of observational studies have not confirmed this efficacy. Several studies have also highlighted an increase in sympathetic tone, vascular stiffness, and endothelial dysfunction, all factors associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Clinicians, therefore, should carefully monitor the possible risks to public health deriving from the use of e-cigarettes and should discourage non-smokers and adolescents from using such devices. Finally, particular attention should be paid to smokers so that the combined use of electronic and traditional cigarettes can be limited as much as possible.

The effect of vaping cues in e-cigarette advertisements on normative perceptions about cigarettes among young adults who use cigarettes and e-cigarettes in Boston

IntroductionE-cigarette advertising frequently involves vaping cues–hand to mouth motions and vapor–that physically resemble traditional cigarette smoking cues. There has been concern that these vaping cues could make cigarettes seem more frequently used and acceptable by society. This analysis examined whether exposure to vaping cues in e-cigarette ads influence descriptive and injunctive normative perceptions about cigarettes among young adults who use cigarettes and e-cigarettes (dual use). MethodSecondary analysis was conducted on an experiment that randomly exposed young adults living in Boston who dual used in the past-week to either 1) E-cigarette ads with vaping cues; 2) E-cigarette ads that edited out vaping cues; or 3) Beverage ads. Descriptive and injunctive normative perceptions about cigarettes were compared across participants who viewed e-cigarette ads with vaping cues versus those who viewed ads without vaping cues. ResultsThose who viewed e-cigarette ads with vaping cues had decreased perceptions that cigarette smoking was common compared to those who viewed e-cigarette ads without vaping cues. Exposure to e-cigarette ads with vaping cues also led to increased perceptions of other peoples’ unfavorable views toward cigarette smoking in general and their own cigarette smoking. ConclusionContrary to renormalization concerns, vaping cues in e-cigarette ads increased anti-smoking normative perceptions among people who dual used in the past week. Further research is needed to examine the impact of vaping cues in e-cigarette ads on normative perceptions among those who don’t smoke or quit smoking cigarettes.

Do Young People Perceive E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco as Less Harmful Than Traditional Cigarettes? A Survey from Poland.

New tobacco and nicotine-containing products are gaining more popularity among young people. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence in the perception of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco among young people in Poland and to assess the factors that are positively correlated with this perception. A cross-sectional study covering almost 12,000 adolescents aged 13-18 was carried out in January and February 2020. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire recommended for monitoring tobacco use by adolescents. The results of the study showed that 52.2% and 61.9% of young people perceive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products as less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes, respectively. The risk of perceiving these products as less harmful than smoking was higher among older adolescents, males, those who used these products, had a family member who used e-cigarettes/heated tobacco products and those who were exposed to tobacco advertising. Our study indicates the need to consider the coexistence of traditional smoking, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco and its impact on the assessment of the harmfulness of these products. More research is needed to better understand how perceptions of the harmfulness of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco affect their subsequent use.

CRITERIA FOR TOBACCO IDENTIFICATION FOR HOOKAH AND NON-TOBACCO MIXTURE FOR HEATING

Hookah tobacco is positioned as a “nicotine alternative” to traditional smoking, but the aerosol produced contains the same toxic components as cigarette smoke. Consumer properties and safety indicators of tobacco aerosol for hookah depend on the component composition of the tobacco mixture and the coal used. The main factor that has a physiological effect on the user of hookah tobacco or non-tobacco mixture for heating is the content of nicotine that passes into the aerosol. There is no single approach to the regulation of a segmental product, in addition, there are no standardized methods for generating and collecting aerosol. The smoking pattern on a laboratory smoking machine does not fully reflect the behavioral profile of a person, however, the quantitative composition of the aerosol obtained from machine testing can be used as input to determine the risk of the product. During the research, laboratory and analytical equipment was used: CERULEAN SM 405 linear smoking machine; "Expert-001-1(0.1)" ionomer, SF-16 spectrophotometer, Crystal 2000M / HP 5890 Series 11 chromatograph with FID. Experimental data have been obtained to evaluate consumer and physic-chemical parameters, including organoleptic evaluation, the content of nicotine, glycerin and propylene glycol in samples of tobacco for hookah / non-tobacco mixture for heating. The method of machine generation and collection of the solid-liquid phase of an aerosol has been standardized, which makes it possible to obtain reliable data on the quantitative content of nicotine in the produced aerosol. The content of nicotine in the samples is 0.1–1.9%, the transition of nicotine into the produced aerosol is insignificant. The microscopy method for determining the structure of the base (carrier) in combination with the determination of consumer properties (organoleptic evaluation, total content of glycerol and propylene glycol, pH and nicotine content) are tools for identifying tobacco or non-tobacco hookah products.

Influence of Microwave and Traditional Smoked Drying Method on the Protein and Moisture Content of Puntius sophore

Drying of fish is a traditional method for storing fishes for long periods without any significant damages. Effects of two smoking and microwave drying on moisture and protein content of fish (Puntius sophore) was studied to determine the benefits of preserving and retaining the protein content of fish. Collected fishes were dried in traditional smoking method for about 12 hours and using microwave drying method at different power levels of 140W, 280W and 560W for different time period. The moisture and protein content of raw fish was found to be 70.78±2.2% and 18.78±1.06 mg/g wet weight respectively. The changes in moisture and protein content in the two different drying methods was found to be significant (p<0.05). With increase in microwave temperature moisture content decreases and protein content increases. The results showed that microwave-drying method could be used for preservation of fish and make the product commercially available.

The effect of food processing factors on the growth kinetics of Aeromonas strains isolated from ready-to-eat seafood

Aeromonas are ubiquitous aquatic bacteria and frequently isolated from seafood. There is growing awareness of Aeromonas as foodborne pathogens, particularly in connection with consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) seafood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of food processing factors on the growth kinetics of eight Aeromonas strains (representing seven species) isolated from RTE seafood. The effect of low temperature (4 and 8 °C) in combination with different NaCl concentrations (0.5–6.5 %) or with two purified condensate smokes (PCSs; Red Arrow SmokEz VTABB and JJT01) at different concentrations (0–0.26 %) was studied in Trypton Soy Broth (TSB). In food processing, application of PCS is considered healthier than traditional smoking. Growth kinetics parameters of each strain were estimated by using a primary predictive model. Our result showed that the addition of 3.5 % NaCl at refrigeration temperature (4 °C) was not sufficient to inhibit the growth of A. media, A. bestiarum, A. piscicola, and A. salmonicida, while higher NaCl concentration (≥5.0 %) at 8 °C suppressed their growth. On the other hand, our result demonstrated the antimicrobial potential of using PCS at maximal allowed concentration (0.26 %) against Aeromonas. PCS concentration and phenol content were important factors influencing the growth kinetics parameters of Aeromonas. Moreover, the growth kinetics of three Aeromonas strains were further studied in commercially produced vacuum-packed fresh and cold-smoked salmon stored at 4 °C for 14 and 21 days, respectively. Our results demonstrate that vacuum packing combined with cold storage at 4 °C was insufficient to inhibit the growth of Aeromonas in fresh salmon, while the growth was inhibited in a minimally salted cold-smoked salmon (salt content of 1.8 %). Our study implies that mild food processing factors applied in the production of RTE seafood might not guarantee the total inhibition of Aeromonas. Even though further studies on evaluating the antimicrobial potential of PCSs in actual seafood matrixes are necessary, the present study suggests that PCS technology might be a promising approach to prevent the potential growth of Aeromonas.

РАЗВИТИЕ ЛИЧНОСТИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ИНФОРМАЦИОННО-ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЙ СРЕДЫ СРЕДСТВАМИ ОНЛАЙН-МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ

Modern online culture can provoke telephone, gaming, Internet addiction. The question arises, how can the sources of potential destructions be used for the creation of personality. The proposed materials describe the content of online activities aimed at personal development by assigning students the values of freedom from both traditional tobacco smoking and the consumption of electronic cigarettes. The authors show one of the ways to check the effectiveness, as well as a statistical method of objectifying the effectiveness of such measures.

Clinical Manifestations and Environmental Impact of Fish Smoking Based on Traditional and Improved Ovens in Marcory Anoumabo (Ivory Coast)

The smoking of fish plays a very important role at the economic, social and nutritional levels. Despite its importance, smoking is still practiced through traditional techniques that have a considerable impact on the health of the processors. The objective of this work is to evaluate the environmental and health impact of traditional and modern fish smoking. The environmental assessment of the Marcory Anoumabo site equipped with an improved oven called FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique (FTT oven) consisted in measuring the quality of the smoke on the smoking sites. It is a cross-sectional etiological study conducted from July to December 2018 on a sample of 135 women consisting of 40 women who use traditional ovens, 32 women who use FTT ovens and 63 control cases. The results showed that 87.50% and 37.50% of women practicing on traditional ovens versus 43.75% and 15.62% of women using FTT ovens as well as 39.68% and 14.29% of the case controls had respiratory and ophthalmological signs respectively. The gas levels measured at the smoking sites are often higher than the standard (50 mg/m3). This study highlights the deleterious effects of fish smoking.

Histopathological scoring system role in evaluation of electronic cigarette’s impact on respiratory pathway in albino rat: Biochemical, histo-morphometric and ultrastructural study

BackgroundElectronic cigarettes have gained growing popularity especially among adolescents and young adults. Although the dominant consideration by consumers and the companies claims, whether electronic smoking is indeed a much safer alternative to traditional smoking is hotly debated. AimTo declare the biochemical, histopathological and ultrastructural impact of electronic cigarette exposure on the tissues of respiratory passage. Material and methodsTwenty adult male Wistar albino rats were allocated into two groups of 10 animals in each; group I as control group and group II which was exposed to 1 ml/day for one hour of E-liquid involving (18 mg/ml nicotine) for 5 sequential days/ week for 4 weeks. Assessment of markers of oxidative stress; malondialdehyde (MDA) & total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was performed. Specimens of their larynxes and lungs were subjected to histopathological examination with light microscopy (H&E, toluidine blue and orcein stain) with histopathological injury scoring, electron microscopic, histo-morphometric, and immune-histochemical studies of protein α-SMA, p53 and ki-67 ResultsE-liquid vapors exposed rats exhibited a significant elevation of MDA and suppression in TAC levels in comparison with the control group in all respiratory pathway organs. Microscopic analysis of respiratory epithelium of exposed group revealed hyperplasia, loss of their cilia and vascular dilatation in lamina propria while the lung examination showed thickened alveolar septa, inflammatory infiltrate and congested thick wall blood vessels. The bronchus was lined with multilayered dark stained nuclei epithelium, and there were thickened irregular smooth muscle fibers. Morphometric analysis revealed increase of area percent of elastic fibers in experimental rats’ lungs. Increase of α-SMA and P53 immuno-expression but decrease of Ki-67 immuno-expression in exposed groups were observed when compared to control. Ultrastructural examination showed cilial loss in respiratory epithelium with shrunken type 1 & 2 alveolar cells, with cytoplasmic vacuolations, atypical lamellar bodies and shrunken nuclei. Significant increase of the score of histopathological injury in larynx and lung. ConclusionExposure to e-liquid with nicotine induces oxidative stress and has adverse impact on respiratory pathway including histo-pathological and ultrastructural disorganization of respiratory epithelium and lung tissues.

Determinants of E-Cigarette and Cigarette Use among Youth and Young Adults in Poland-PolNicoYouth Study.

Teen use of tobacco-related products is a significant public health concern. This study evaluated the predictors of e-cigarette use among secondary school students who were never cigarette smokers and ever cigarette smokers in Poland. Methods: This study examined a sample of Polish youths aged 13–19 (n = 19,241) attending 200 schools, 12 on average in each county. The study was a part of the National Health Program in Poland for 2016–2020. Logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios. Results: Of all participants, 32.5% were ever cigarette users. Among the never cigarette users, 13.6% were deemed susceptible to e-cigarette use. Among the ever cigarette users, 60.6% were deemed susceptible to e-cigarette use. Of those susceptible to e-cigarette use, 68.2% were among the 32.5% ever cigarette users. The profile of e-cigarette use among never e-cigarette users also included: pocket money available per month (more than 150 PLN) (OR = 1.7; p = 0.001), 16–17 years old (OR = 1.9; p = 0.001), parental tobacco smoking and e-cigarette usage (OR = 2.0; p = 0.01 and OR = 1.7; p = 0.001 respectively), maternal secondary education (OR = 1.1; p = 0.04), and living in big cities >500,000 inhabitants (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04). E-cigarette users among ever cigarette users were similar to never cigarette users in their opinion that e-cigarette use is less harmful than traditional smoking (OR = 1.6; p = 0.0012) and living with both parents smoking cigarettes (OR = 1.3; p = 0.02). Additionally, the determinants were: female gender (OR = 1.5; p = 0.009) in the age group less than 15 years of age (OR = 1.3; p = 0.007). Conclusions: The major determinant of e-cigarette use in this population was prior smoking. Additionally, the results revealed that fairly obvious predictors such as parental smoking and a belief in the less harmfulness of e-cigarette use are important determinants for smoking among never or ever e-cigarette users.

P2.04-03 Perceptions and Knowledge of Electronic Smoking Devices among Patients with Solid Tumors and their Care-Givers

Smoking is the most important risk factor for solid tumors development. Cigarette smoke is responsible for 85% of lung cancer-related deaths. Approximately 1 over 4 Italians are active smokers, while 18% are former smokers. The spread of electronic smoking devices (ESDs) such as e-cigarettes and the so-called “heat-not-burn” (HnB), claimed by the tobacco industry as less toxic and potentially useful for quitting traditional smoking, poses new challenges for public health authorities, especially when dealing with the E-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) epidemic.

Environmental and Health Impacts of Women Fish Processors Working on Traditional and Modern Fish Smoking Platforms in Braffèdon (Ivory Coast)

Smoked fish plays a significant role in food security and nutrition, represents 2/3 of the consumption of fishery products in Ivory Coast and is still obtained using outdated traditional smoking methods. These methods are not very concerned with the health of the populations and the preservation of the environment, despite the existence of improved ovens called FTT ovens (FAO-Thiaroye Processing Technique) introduced in the country. The objective of this study is to show the impact of traditional smoking on the health of fish smokers and the environment in comparison with smoking processes based on FTT ovens. It is a cross-sectional and descriptive study involving 36 female smokers who use traditional ovens, 24 female smokers who use FTT ovens, as well as 53 Braffèdon case controls. It was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018. The data collection methodology includes questionnaire surveys, interviews, and observations. For the purpose of the study, two samples were followed: these were women smokers and non-smokers of fish, all of whom volunteered at the clinical examinations conducted. The results showed that women who use traditional stoves are more affected by pathologies. Baseline spirometry did not detect a significant frequency of ventilatory disorders. Bronchial hyperreactivity was statistically more frequent in women smokers using traditional ovens. Three measurement campaigns for CO, VOC and NO were performed above the ovens, at the women's resting point and beyond the ovens. The CO levels found at the women’s resting point in the traditional sites were higher and often exceeded the limit value (50 mg/m3). This work has allowed us to identify the deleterious effects of the fish smoking activity on the health of the fish smokers and the environment.

Feature-Level Analysis of a Smoking Cessation Smartphone App Based on a Positive Psychology Approach: Prospective Observational Study.

BackgroundSmoking cessation smartphone apps have emerged as highly accessible tools to support smoking cessation efforts. It is unknown how specific app features contribute to user engagement over time and relate to smoking outcomes.ObjectiveTo provide a feature-level analysis of the Smiling Instead of Smoking app (version 2) and to link feature use to subsequent smoking cessation.MethodsNondaily smokers (N=100) used the app for a period of 49 days (1 week before quitting and 6 weeks after quitting). Participants self-reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at the end of this period and at a 6-month follow up (the survey response rate was 94% and 89% at these points, respectively). Self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence rates were 40% at the end of treatment and 56% at the 6-month follow up. The app engaged users in both positive psychology content and traditional behavioral smoking cessation content. The app sent push notifications to prompt participants to complete prescribed content (ie, a “happiness exercise” every day and a “behavioral challenge” to use the app’s smoking cessation tools on 15 out of 49 days). Actions that participants took within the app were timestamped and recorded.ResultsParticipants used the app on 24.7 (SD 13.8) days out of the 49 prescribed days, interacting with the happiness content on more days than the smoking content (23.8, SD 13.8 days vs 17.8, SD 10.3 days; t99=9.28 [2-tailed]; P<.001). The prescribed content was frequently completed (45% of happiness exercises; 57% of behavioral challenges) and ad libitum tools were used on ≤7 days. Most participants used each ad libitum smoking cessation tool at least once, with higher use of personalized content (≥92% used “strategies,” “cigarette log,” “smoke alarms,” and “personal reasons”) than purely didactic content (79% viewed “benefits of quitting smoking”). The number of days participants used the app significantly predicted 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.09; P=.002) and at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.008-1.07; P=.01). The number of days participants engaged with the happiness content significantly predicted smoking abstinence at the end of treatment (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08; P=.002) and at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.007-1.07; P=.02). This effect was not significant for the number of days participants engaged with the smoking cessation content of the app, either at the end of treatment (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.996-1.08, P=.08) or at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.06; P=.29).ConclusionsGreater app usage predicted greater odds of self-reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at both the end of treatment and over the long term, suggesting that the app had a therapeutic benefit. Positive psychology content and prescriptive clarity may promote sustained app engagement over time.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03951766; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03951766

Intention to quit electronic cigarette smoking among university students who are e-cigarette users

Objective To identify factors that are significantly associated with the intention to quit electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) at multiple, ecological levels among university students. Participants 365 students who were e-cigarette users from Seoul metropolitan areas, South Korea. Methods A cross-sectional study through an online survey. Results Of participants, 62.7% had the intention to quit ECS—17.2% within one month, 14.0% within six months, and 31.5% when the time is right. Factors significantly associated with the intention to quit ECS were identified: “device type,” “a shorter duration of ECS,” and “having started ECS for quitting traditional cigarette smoking” at the intrapersonal-level; “negative attitudes of either peers or family members toward ECS” at the interpersonal-level; and “exposure to community smoking cessation educations” at the community-level. Conclusions Approximately one-thirds of university e-cigarette users had no intention to quit ECS. The factors identified should be integrated into university level, behavioral smoking cessation strategies.