Young Adult Smokers Research Articles

The Role of Cigarillo Flavor in the Co-Use of Cigarillos and Cannabis among Young Adults

Background: Research suggests flavor facilitates cigarillo use, but it is unknown if flavor impacts patterns of co-use of cigarillos and cannabis (“co-use”), which is common among young adult smokers. This study’s aim was to determine the role of the cigarillo flavor in co-use among young adults. Methods: Data were collected (2020-2021) in a cross-sectional online survey administered to young adults who smoked ≥2 cigarillos/week (N = 361), recruited from 15 urban areas in the United States. A structural equation model was used to assess the relationship between flavored cigarillo use and past 30-day cannabis use (flavored cigarillo perceived appeal and harm as parallel mediators), including several social-contextual covariates (e.g., flavor and cannabis policies). Results: Most participants reported usually using flavored cigarillos (81.8%) and cannabis use in the past 30 days (“co-use”) (64.1%). Flavored cigarillo use was not directly associated with co-use (p = 0.90). Perceived cigarillo harm (β = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.29), number of tobacco users in the household (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.33), and past 30-day use of other tobacco products (β = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.32) were significantly positively associated with co-use. Living in an area with a ban on flavored cigarillos was significantly negatively associated with co-use (β = -0.12, 95% CI = -0.21, −0.02). Conclusions: Use of flavored cigarillos was not associated with co-use; however, exposure to a flavored cigarillo ban was negatively associated with co-use. Cigar product flavor bans may reduce co-use among young adults or have a neutral impact. Further research is needed to explore the interaction between tobacco and cannabis policy and use of these products.

Associations Between Product Type and Intensity of Tobacco and Cannabis Co-use on the Same Day Among Young Adult Smokers: Smartphone-Based Daily-Diary Study.

Co-use of tobacco and cannabis is highly prevalent among young US adults. Same-day co-use of tobacco and cannabis (ie, use of both substances on the same day) may increase the extent of use and negative health consequences among young adults. However, much remains unknown about same-day co-use of tobacco and cannabis, in part due to challenges in measuring this complex behavior. Nuanced understanding of tobacco and cannabis co-use in terms of specific products and intensity (ie, quantity of tobacco and cannabis use within a day) is critical to inform prevention and intervention efforts. We used a daily-diary data collection method via smartphone to capture occurrence of tobacco and cannabis co-use within a day. We examined (1) whether the same route of administration would facilitate co-use of 2 substances on the same day and (2) whether participants would use more tobacco on a day when they use more cannabis. This smartphone-based study collected 2891 daily assessments from 147 cigarette smokers (aged 18-26 years, n=76, 51.7% female) during 30 consecutive days. Daily assessments measured type (ie, cigarette, cigarillo, or e-cigarette) and intensity (ie, number of cigarettes or cigarillos smoked or number of times vaping e-cigarettes per day) of tobacco use and type (ie, combustible, vaporized, or edible) and intensity (ie, number of times used per day) of cannabis use. We estimated multilevel models to examine day-level associations between types of cannabis use and each type of tobacco use, as well as day-level associations between intensities of using cannabis and tobacco. All models controlled for demographic covariates, day-level alcohol use, and time effects (ie, study day and weekend vs weekday). Same-day co-use was reported in 989 of the total 2891 daily assessments (34.2%). Co-use of cigarettes and combustible cannabis (885 of the 2891 daily assessments; 30.6%) was most commonly reported. Participants had higher odds of using cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.31-2.81) and cigarillos (AOR 244.29, 95% CI 35.51-1680.62) on days when they used combustible cannabis. Notably, participants had higher odds of using e-cigarettes on days when they used vaporized cannabis (AOR 23.21, 95% CI 8.66-62.24). Participants reported a greater intensity of using cigarettes (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.23-1.48), cigarillos (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.70-2.46), and e-cigarettes (AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.16-1.88) on days when they used more cannabis. Types and intensities of tobacco and cannabis use within a day among young adult smokers were positively correlated, including co-use of vaporized products. Prevention and intervention efforts should address co-use and pay attention to all forms of use and timeframes of co-use (eg, within a day or at the same time), including co-use of e-cigarettes and vaporized cannabis, to reduce negative health outcomes.

A STUDY OF CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND RISK FACTORS FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN PATIENTS BELOW 40 YEARS AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

INTRODUCTION: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in young Indians, which accounts for 12-16% of cases in people below 45 years old and contributes to 50% of CAD-related deaths in those below 50 years. Traditional risk factors for CAD as hypertension and smoking explain most cases of CAD, but 15-20% have no identifiable risk factors. Recent studies show elevated Lp(a) and hyperhomocysteinemia play a role in MI and that measuring Apo B and Apo A1 is better than measuring LDL-C and HDL-C. The true prevalence of CAD in the young is understated and this study aims to determine the association of newly identified and traditional risk factors with premature onset of CAD in those 40 years or younger.Method: This was a prospective, observational study conducted in the department of general medicine at Jhalawar Medical College on 50 patients who had suffered an acute myocardial infarction.A comprehensive evaluation was performed using a pre-test proforma that included a detailed clinical history, physical examination, electrocardiography, biochemical analysis, and an echocardiographic evaluation.Results: The majority of patients (60%) were in the age range of 35-40 years,with the youngest being 19 years old.88% of the patients were male and the mean age for female patients was 36.17 years and for males, it was 34.02 years.The most common symptom in young patients was chest pain (90%),followed by sweating (52%) and breathlessness (30%).The most common risk factor for MI was tobacco abuse (86%), followed by a positive family history of CAD (16%) and a high BMI (8%).The majority of patients (72%) had multiple risk factors for AMI,24% had a single risk factor,and 4% had none.The homocysteine level was above normal in 42% of patients, with 2% having a high risk. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of addressing risk factors for better patient outcomes in the case of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI).To address the high prevalence of cigarette smoking in young adults,preventive educational programs and smoking cessation clinics need to be established.Medical personnel should prioritize educating the youth on diabetes and cholesterol management

Association between socio-economic status and non-communicable disease risk in young adults from Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom

There is a pressing need for global health preventions to curb the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Utilising multi-country study designs can improve our understanding of how socio-economic context shapes the aetiology of NCDs, and this has great potential to advance global health interventions. We examined the association between socio-economic status (SES) and NCD risk, and the potential confounding effects of smoking and alcohol intake in young adults (18–35-year-olds) from Kenya, South Africa (SA), and the United Kingdom (UK). Our study was a cross-sectional online survey that included 3000 respondents (n = 1000 per country, 50% women) conducted in April 2022. We utilised information on twelve NCDs to classify respondents as having “no condition”, “one condition”, and “multimorbidity” (having two or more conditions). A total household asset score was calculated and used as a proxy of SES, and subsequently categorised into quintiles (Q1–Q5; lowest-highest). Ordered logistic regression was used to test the associations between NCD risk and exposure variables. In the UK sample, we found that those in the second lowest SES quintile (Q2) had lower odds of developing NCDs than their lowest SES counterparts (Q1). In contrast, South African and Kenyan youth with a SES score between middle and highest quintiles (Q3–Q5) were more likely to develop NCDs than the lowest SES quintile group. In all countries, smoking and/or alcohol intake were associated with higher odds of developing NCDs, and showed some confounding effects on the SES-NCD relationships. Specifically, in Kenya, the risk of developing NCD was more than two times higher in those in the middle (Q3) SES group (OR 2.493; 95% CI 1.519–4.091; p < 0.001) compared to their lowest (Q1) SES counterparts. After adjusting for smoking and alcohol, the ORs of middle (Q3) SES group changed from 2.493 to 2.241 (1.360–3.721; p = 0.002). Overall, we found that the strength and direction of SES-NCD associations differed within and between countries. This study highlights how different SES contexts shape the risk of NCDs among young adults residing in countries at different levels of economic development.

The Association of Smoking Status and Clustering of Obesity and Depression on the Risk of Early–Onset Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study

To evaluate the impact of smoking in young adults on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the clustering effect of behavioral risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and depression. A Korean nationwide population-based cohort of a total of 3,280,826 participants aged 20-39 years old who underwent 2 consecutive health examinations were included. They were followed up until the date of CVD (myocardial infarction [MI] or stroke), or December 2018 (median, 6 years). Current smoking, early age of smoking initiation, and smoking intensity were associated with an increased risk of CVD incidence. Even after quitting smoking, the risk of MI was still high in quitters compared with non-smokers. Cigarette smoking, obesity, and depression were independently associated with a 1.3-1.7 times increased risk of CVD, and clustering of 2 or more of these behavioral risk factors was associated with a 2-3 times increased risk of CVD in young adults. In young adults, cigarette smoking was associated with the risk of CVD, and the clustering of 2 or more behavioral risk factors showed an additive risk of CVD.

Респираторные аллергические заболевания у курящих и некурящих молодых мужчин

Background: smoking is a well-known trigger of asthma. Therefore, doctors should be alert for smok-ers with respiratory allergies. Aim: to compare the severity of respiratory allergy course, pollen and house dust sensiti-zation, and laboratory and instrumental tests in young adult male smokers and non-smokers. Patients and Methods: a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 249 men aged 16–27 years with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma was performed. Patients were examined on the basis of the standard of medical care for adults with asthma. Allergic examination included skin tests and allergen-specific IgE measurement. Results: 249 patients were divided into 2 groups: smokers (n=62) and non-smokers (n=187). The mean age of smokers and non-smokers was 19.3±0.5 and 18.6±0.3 years, respectively. The median smoking history was 2.0 [1.0; 4.0] years. Allergic asthma was more common in smokers (93.5%) than in non-smokers (89.3%). No differences in the rate of allergic rhinitis were reported. Comparative cross-sectional analysis of examination results in young patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma has demonstrated that positive tests for tree pollen and house dust prevail in both groups. No differences in sensitization between smokers and non-smokers were reported. The mean spirometry values in smokers were lower than those in non-smokers. Bron-chodilator coefficient calculated by forced expiratory volume in 1 s correlated with absolute eosinophil count only in smokers. Conclusions: no significant differences in the severity of allergic rhinitis and asthma, sen-sitization to pollen and house dust, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and total serum IgE levels were reported between young smokers and non-smokers. KEYWORDS: smoking, asthma, allergic rhinitis, electronic cigarettes, traditional cigarettes. FOR CITATION: Devyatkova E.A., Minaeva N.V., Tarasova M.V., Shelud'ko V.S., Plotnikova E.Yu. Respiratory allergies in young adult male smokers and non-smokers. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(8):482–487 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-8-2.

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults: Can We Restore the Risk by Cessation Alone?

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease in Young Adults: Can We Restore the Risk by Cessation Alone?

Knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking in young adult smokers and nonsmokers university students: a comparative cross-sectional study

Tobacco use and related exposure in Pakistan are responsible for approximately 110,000 deaths. While previous studies have reported improved knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking among the general population due to ongoing tobacco control programs, fewer studies have investigated such knowledge in young adults. Thus, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 220 young adult students aged 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 2) enrolled at a public university to assess their knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking and to compare this knowledge between smokers and nonsmokers. The self-administered semistructured questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, cigarette smoking status, and knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the Mann‒Whitney U test. Overall, most young adults were nonsmokers (69.09%), and the remaining 30.91% of smokers smoked an average of 5.31 ± 2.40 cigarettes daily for 3.80 ± 1.33 years, primarily in rural areas (p &lt; 0.05). Nearly half of the young adults showed good knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking, irrespective of smoking status (smokers = 54.41%, nonsmokers = 53.29%). Conversely, few young adults demonstrated poor knowledge (smokers = 10.29%, nonsmokers = 6.58%) about the health hazards of cigarette smoking. Our findings showed that smoking rates were higher among young adults in rural settings than in urban areas. In addition, knowledge of gender-specific health risks associated with cigarette smoking, such as pregnancy-related complications in female smokers and male impotence in male smokers, was low. Nonetheless, almost half of the young adults displayed good knowledge of most of the potential health risks of cigarette smoking, regardless of their smoking status.

Commentary: Cigarette dependence in menthol and non-menthol young adult cigarette smokers

FDA’s Proposed Final Rule to ban menthol cigarettes asserts that “menthol cigarettes contribute to greater nicotine dependence in youth and young adults than non-menthol cigarettes.” However, none of the publications referenced included young adults. To provide empirical evidence on the subject, we examine smoking frequency and Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) dependence among 2,194 young adult (ages 18–25 years) menthol and non-menthol smokers from 31 online survey samples. Unpaired t-tests examined if daily smoking or the proportion of daily smokers who are low or high dependence on the HSI vary by menthol cigarette smoking status. Young adult menthol smokers were less likely to be daily smokers than young adult non-menthol smokers. There were no differences in the percentages of daily menthol and non-menthol smokers categorized as low or high dependence on the HSI. Smoking menthol cigarettes, therefore, does not appear to be associated with greater cigarette dependence among young adults than smoking non-menthol cigarettes.

Concurrent Hookah (Waterpipe) and Substance Use among Sexual Minority Adults in the United States: Findings from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

Despite higher rates of hookah (i.e., waterpipe) tobacco smoking among sexual minority (SM) adults, little is known on concurrent substance use, including alcohol or other drugs, among SM hookah smokers as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Utilizing data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2013–2015), weighted analyses compared concurrent substance use among current SM adult hookah smokers versus heterosexuals. Findings revealed that SM hookah smokers had a higher prevalence of concurrent alcohol, marijuana and other drug use, including stimulants and sedatives, than heterosexuals (p &lt; 0.05). As compared to heterosexuals, SM women and young adult (18–24 years old) smokers had higher odds of marijuana use (Women: Wave 1 odds ratio (OR), 2.16, [95% CI = 1.30–3.60]; Wave 2 OR, 2.67 [95% CI = 1.36–5.25]); young adults: Wave 1 OR, 1.55, [95% CI = 0.99–2.43]; Wave 2 OR, 2.19, [95% CI = 1.22–3.94]). In this population-based, representative sample of U.S. adults, concurrent hookah smoking and substance use differed between SM and heterosexuals. Sexual minority women and young adult hookah tobacco smokers were at increased risk for concurrent marijuana use, increasing the risk for health-related consequences in this group vulnerable to tobacco and substance use.

Momentary associations between affect and craving as a function of perceived smoking opportunity in young adults smoking 1–5 cigarettes per day: An ecological momentary assessment study

BackgroundVery light daily smoking (1–5 cigarettes/day) is associated with adverse consequences and is prevalent among young adults. Evidence suggests that perceived smoking opportunity modulates links between affect and craving in adults with heavier smoking patterns (e.g., > 10 cigarettes per day), but there is a lack of similar data in young adults with very light daily smoking patterns. This study addresses this gap by investigating the associations between affect and craving as a function of perceived smoking opportunity under naturalistic conditions. MethodsForty-one young adults aged 18–25 (M=21.03, SD=1.75) who reported smoking 1–5 cigarettes per day (M=3.2, SD=1.2) completed intermittent ratings of momentary affective valence and arousal, smoking craving, and perceived smoking opportunity on smartphones five times per day for seven days. ResultsMultilevel analyses suggested that when participants felt more pleasant or unpleasant, they were likely to report more intense craving. When smoking opportunity was perceived as high, affective arousal was positively associated with craving; this association was not observed when opportunity to smoke was perceived as low. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that higher momentary intensity of affective valence (both negative and positive) is linked to stronger momentary craving in young adults who report very light daily smoking. Anticipating an opportunity to satisfy craving by smoking may strengthen the association between reported affective arousal and craving in this population. These results highlight the potential benefits of coping with craving (e.g., by regulating affect) for those who engage in light tobacco use, especially in environments with high cigarette availability.

Smoking across adolescence and adulthood with cardiovascular risk among American Indian peoples.

American Indian peoples (AIs) have high smoking rates and cardiovascular risk factor burden. The present study aimed to (a) investigate latent smoking classes across adolescence and adulthood, (b) investigate adolescent predictors of smoking classes, and (c) assess how smoking class is related to adult cardiovascular risk in a sample of AIs. A sample of AIs (N = 338) from the National Adolescent to Adult Health Study self-reported on smoking across four assessment waves (W1: 7th-12th grade; W2: 8th-12th grade; W3: ages 18-26; W4: ages 24-32). The socioecological framework for addressing tobacco-related disparities was used to identify potential adolescent (W1) risk and resource factors. C-reactive protein, blood pressure, and lipids were collected at W4. Growth mixture modeling and regressions were used. Six smoking classes were identified: light smoking (36%), nonsmoking (23%), escalating, adult daily smoking (13%), chronic heavy smoking (12%), escalating, young adult daily smoking (9%), and reducing smoking (7%). Risk factors for being in the chronic heavy smoking class included peer smoking and older age at W1. Compared with the chronic heavy smoking class, AIs in the reducing smoking class lived in in more impoverished neighborhoods during adolescence. Relative to several classes with less smoking, being in the chronic heavy smoking class was associated with higher C-reactive protein and less favorable lipid levels. W1 social support was a resource factor for adult diastolic blood pressure and some lipids. Socioecologically informed tobacco interventions have the potential to reduce smoking and cardiovascular risk among AIs, and bolstering social support may be important. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Exposure to Electronic Cigarette Advertisements and Use of Electronic Cigarettes: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies.

Electronic cigarette (EC) advertisements remain unregulated and approach consumers in TV commercials, print ads, radio, and other forms of digital marketing. This study aimed to assess whether exposure to EC advertisements is associated with the use of EC by using a meta-analysis of prospective studies. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science to locate eligible studies in November 2021. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Out of 1635 articles searched from databases, we included seven prospective studies that met inclusion criteria in the final analysis. Four out of seven studies involved participants under 18 years of age. In the meta-analysis of all studies, exposure to EC advertisements was significantly associated with the increased use of ECs (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.92; I2 = 60.1%). In the subgroup meta-analyses by source of advertisements, there was no significant association between exposure to EC advertisements on TV, radio, or billboards and the use of EC, while exposure to EC advertisements in retail stores and on Internet or social media significantly increased the use of EC. Exposure to EC advertisements was associated with the increased use of ECs, specifically in retail stores and on Internet or social media among adolescents and young adults. Because EC use could serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking in adolescents and young adults, more strict regulations and restrictions on EC advertisements are needed. Concurrent with the rise in electronic cigarette (EC) sales, advertising expenditures for ECs have been increased in the past decade, and there is controversy over the association between exposure to EC advertisements and the use of ECs. This meta-analysis of seven prospective studies showed that exposure to EC advertisements was significantly associated with the increased use of ECs, specifically in retail stores and on Internet or social media among adolescents and young adults. Because, EC use could serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking in adolescents and young adults, more strict regulations and restrictions on EC advertisements are needed.

An intersectional life-course perspective on Black women’s smoking trajectories

Attempting to address health disparities via a single analytical category (e.g., gender or race) overlooks the complex ways multiple social categories and institutions intersect to create health disparities. Grounded in the intersectional life-course perspective, this study examines how the lived experiences of gender, race, and class, and interlocking systems of oppression shape Black women's smoking trajectories. Black women exhibit a unique smoking trajectory compared to others: the onset of smoking occurs later but they have an increased likelihood of smoking over their life course. Nevertheless, despite this distinctive smoking trajectory and disproportionately higher smoking-related health issues among Black smokers, few qualitative studies investigate their smoking patterns. This qualitative research fills that gap by applying an intersectional life-course perspective and grounded theory. Drawing on 40 in-depth interviews with socioeconomically disadvantaged Black women who were current and former smokers, this study identifies the following smoking trajectories among the study participants: early onset of experimental smoking, intermittent smoking in adolescence, and daily smoking in young adulthood. Additionally, data indicates three life-course pathways through which the transition from intermittent to daily smoking occurs: (a) social norms surrounding smoking; (b) financial (in)dependence; and, (c) gendered, raced, and classed stressors. These pathways intertwine and can co-occur. Findings suggest considering diverse life-course patterns of smoking across the intersections of gender, race, class, and socio-geographical contexts in future research and policies.

Longitudinal associations between receiving E-cigarette price promotions and subsequent E-cigarette use among U.S. Young adult cigarette smokers

IntroductionE-cigarette price promotions (EPPs; i.e., marketed reductions in cost) may influence young adult cigarette smokers to try, dual use with, or completely transition to e-cigarettes. We assessed whether receiving EPPs was associated with subsequent e-cigarette use among this group. MethodsData were from Waves 4 (2016–2018) and 5 (2018–2019) of the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study survey. Analysis was restricted to participants who were young adult (18–34 years) established, current cigarette smokers who did not use e-cigarettes at Wave 4 (baseline; n = 2,664; Sample 1), and a subsample of those who tried to quit smoking completely in the past year at Wave 5 (follow-up; n = 948; Sample 2). Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine associations between receiving EPPs at baseline and past year use of e-cigarettes in general (Sample 1) and to help quit smoking (Sample 2) at follow-up, controlling for covariates. ResultsOverall, 4.1% and 4.9% of Sample 1 and 2 participants received EPPs, respectively; At follow-up, 33.4% of Sample 1 participants used e-cigarettes, and 12.0% of Sample 2 participants used e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Receiving EPPs was associated with subsequent past-year e-cigarette use in general (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.31 to 3.27), and past-year e-cigarette use to help with quitting smoking (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.48 to 6.90). DiscussionEPPs may increase e-cigarette use among established, current smokers and may be used to quit smoking. Research is needed to understand how EPPs may be differentially associated with complete product transition versus dual/poly use among young adult smokers.

Modifying outcome expectancies and behavioral reinforcers to induce quit attempts among young adult smokers

Research has shown that outcome expectancies predict smoking behavior, and expectancy challenge interventions can reduce smoking. This study tested the hypothesis that supplementing expectancy challenge with a behavioral activation intervention promoting increased exposure to alternative reinforcers would help increase motivation to quit and induce actual quit attempts within the following month among young adult smokers. Smokers, aged 18–35 (N = 159, of whom 93 provided one-month follow-up data) and not required to be interested in quitting at the point of enrollment, were randomized to (a) the combined cognitive-behavioral intervention, (b) a cognitive-only expectancy challenge, or (c) a neutral reading (control) task. There were no significant between-group effects on motivation, but the conditions differed significantly in likelihood of leading to a quit attempt. Post hoc comparisons showed the combined condition participants (52 % of completers) to be significantly more likely than control group participants (25 %) to make a quit attempt, with the cognitive-only group (43 %) intermediate and not significantly different from the other conditions. These data provide preliminary evidence of utility for the brief cognitive-behavioral intervention in promoting smoking cessation attempts; more research is needed to test various possible explanations of how and for whom the intervention is effective, as well as whether it would significantly exceed expectancy challenge alone in larger samples.

Impact of a reduced nicotine standard on young adult appeal for menthol and non-menthol cigarettes

IntroductionThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes as a strategy to promote cessation and reduce smoking-related harm. A low nicotine product...

Altered resting-state electroencephalography microstate characteristics in young male smokers.

The development of nicotine addiction was associated with the abnormalities of intrinsic functional networks during the resting state in young adult smokers. As a whole-brain imaging approach, EEG microstate analysis treated multichannel EEG recordings as a series of quasi-steady microscopic states which were related to the resting-state networks (RSNs) found by fMRI. The aim of this study was to examine whether the resting-state EEG microstate analysis may provide novel insights into the abnormal temporal properties of intrinsic brain activities in young smokers. We used 64-channel resting-state EEG datasets to investigate alterations in microstate characteristics between twenty-five young smokers and 25 age- and gender-matched non-smoking controls. Four classic EEG microstates (microstate A, B, C, and D) were obtained, and the four temporal parameters of each microstate were extracted, i.e., duration, occurrence, coverage, and transition probabilities. Compared with non-smoking controls, young smokers showed decreased occurrence of microstate C and increased duration of microstate D. Furthermore, both the duration and coverage of microstate D were significantly negatively correlated with Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smoker group. The complex changes in the microstate time-domain parameters might correspond to the abnormalities of RSNs in analyses of FC measured with fMRI in the previous studies and indicate the altered specific brain functions in young smokers. Microstate D could be potentially represented as a selective biomarker for predicting the dependence degree of adolescent smokers on cigarettes. These results suggested that EEG microstate analysis might detect the deviant functions of large-scale cortical activities in young smokers and provide a new perspective for the study of brain networks of adolescent smokers.

Electronic hookah vaping reduces plasma concentrations of nitrate/nitrite and increases systemic oxidative stress

Abstract Background Electronic (e-) hookah–a new category of vaping devices–has increased in use among young adults in recent years. E-hookahs utilize the placement of e-bowls on traditional water pipes, allowing the flavored aerosol to pass through a water-filled base before being inhaled. Though advertised as a safe tobacco alternative, e-hookahs deliver flavored nicotine by creating an aerosol of fine particles and other free radicals that may increase cardiovascular disease risk. While acute e-hookah vaping impairs endothelial function, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Purpose To determine the mechanistic involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress underlying the acute e-hookah induced endothelial dysfunction. Methods Healthy young adult chronic hookah smokers (n=7; 26±1 years of age, 24.4±0.8 kg-m2; mean ±SE) were randomized to vape two 30-minute sessions of flavored e-hookah and sham vaping, separated by a 7-day washout period. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was performed with the use of ultrasound. Circulating plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx), as an index of nitric oxide (NO) concentration, and lipid peroxidation marker 8-isoprostane concentrations, as well as smoking exposure biomarkers (plasma nicotine and exhaled carbon monoxide) were measured before and after the vaping sessions. Results As compared to unchanged parameters with sham vaping (p=ns), e-hookah vaping induced an acute reduction in FMD by −27±3% (pre- vs. post-vaping, p&amp;lt;0.001), suggesting impairment in endothelial function. These vascular changes were accompanied by significant reductions in circulating plasma levels of NOx and increases in 8-iso prostaglandin F2a levels (−41±11% and +28±11%, respectively; p&amp;lt;0.001). Plasma nicotine concentrations increased 4-fold more after vaping e-hookah, whereas exhaled CO levels did not change (p=ns). Conclusions Our data demonstrate that e-hookah vaping transiently increases systemic oxidative stress and decreases NOx levels, the latter implies reduced NO bioavailability and is in line with the observed impairment in endothelial function, expressed by acute FMD reductions. Thus, in contrast to the unsubstantiated beliefs that e-hookah vaping is benign, in overtly healthy young adults, e-hookah vaping causes acute vascular functional impairment, likely mediated by oxidative stress. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, University of California

Associations of attention problems and family context in childhood and adolescence with young adult daily smoking: General and smoking-specific family contexts

BackgroundThe potential heterogeneity in daily smoking across young adulthood has been relatively understudied. Relatedly, the unique and joint associations of earlier risk factors with young adults’ daily smoking largely remain unknown. To address these gaps, this work identified subgroups of daily smoking trajectories during young adulthood and linked them to earlier attention problems and smoking-specific and general family context. MethodsData came from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study following a community sample (N = 808). Participants’ daily smoking was measured from ages 21–33. Earlier attention problems were assessed at ages 14–16 and 18. Earlier smoking-specific and general family factors were assessed at ages 10–16 and 18. ResultsGrowth mixture models produced four profiles: chronic daily smokers, increasers, decreasers, and no-daily smokers. Results from multinomial logistic regressions revealed that earlier attention problems and smoking-specific family factors may contribute to daily smoking in the early 20 s, whereas earlier general family context provided protection for trajectories of daily smoking characterized by changes in the late 20 s and early 30 s DiscussionSelective prevention strategies that expand people’s repertoire of healthy options to address attention problems might be helpful, considering the possibility of using tobacco as means to mitigate attention problems. Our findings also highlight the importance of nurturing earlier general family context, a relatively overlooked dimension in smoking prevention efforts, to facilitate young adult smokers’ desistence from daily smoking, particularly those who have attention problems in adolescence.