Research

Tobacco control:  Quitting smoking is easier with help
In its December 2007 issue, the journal Tobacco Control has published a supplement of sixteen research papers on the funding and implementation of tobacco cessation quitlines.  The articles were sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Institute, and Health Canada.  The abstracts and articles are available online here.

Free Nicotine Patches Plus Phone Counseling Prompts More Smokers to Quit
A recent study found that when tobacco quitline callers were given nicotine patches in addition to telephone counseling, quit rates increased to 15.7%, from the rate of 8.2% with counseling alone.  Although the costs of counseling plus providing free patches are higher per caller, the elevated quit rate and attraction of the free patches put the long-term cost at an advantage.  The results of this study suggest that states with limited funds for tobacco control might better use their funds toward cessation medications, which themselves draw an audience, rather than media promotion.  Read more here.  Click here to read the abstract of the journal article entitled, “Cost effectiveness of the Oregon quitline ‘free patch initiative’.”

Current smokers cost Medicaid nearly $10 billion
New research has demonstrated that if all smokers on Medicaid quit smoking, the program’s operating costs would be $9.7 billion less after five smoke-free years.  Those who are currently 24 years old and smoking will cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion over their lifetime, with the burden of the expenditures mainly on females (males pay more of their share in taxes from their earnings).  With each year that passes, a new cohort of 24 year olds will amass a similar sum of Medicaid expenses over their lifetimes.  Get more information here.

Accentuating the Positive More Effective in Inspiring Smokers to Quit
According to a recent study, stating the positive effects of cessation is more likely to make smokers quit than emphasizing the negative effects of smoking.  This was demonstrated by an experiment where smokers received video and print messages that either promoted the benefits of smoking such as, “You will live longer if you quit smoking,” or the detriments of continuing to smoke.  Women were more likely than men to respond to the positive statements.  Get more details here.  Read the abstract of the article, “Comparing gain- and loss-framed messages for smoking cessation with sustained-release bupropion: A randomized controlled trial,” here.

Research Shows What Works to Cut Smoking Rates
An international study of 15 countries has used a scientific approach to assess the effectiveness of tobacco-related policies in curbing smoking.   Among the most effective tactics were graphic warning labels on packages, bans on cigarette advertising, legislating smoke-free areas, boosting cigarette prices, and preventing smuggling and counterfeiting.  Regulating tar and nicotine levels is a less effective method to encourage cessation.  To read more, click here. Read the abstract that was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Conference here. 

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Reports

Video from Medialink and the Society of Interventional Radiology: Smoking causes pain - another reason to quit
While many smokers are aware that they are putting themselves at risk for cancer, many fail to recognize that their leg pain, a sign of a more serious condition, is related to their smoking.  Relatively little attention has been given to Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), a debilitating condition affecting the arteries in the legs and puts patients at risk for heart attack and stroke.  PVD is diagnosed with a blood pressure test comparing the blood pressure in the ankle to the arm, and has a variety of treatments, including quitting smoking.  Click here to watch the video.

HealthCentral.com's new stop smoking site provides expert advice, supportive community to help smokers quit.
This month, the HealthCentral Network, Inc. has launched stopsmokingconnection.com, a new website which will provide smokers with medical information and support to help them quit.  The website will also include blogs which will provide cessation support and advice for smokers written by featured authors such as Anne Mitchell, author of the book “Give It Up! Stop smoking for life”.  Click here to read more, or click here to go to the Stop Smoking Connection website.

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International

Stop smoking services are reducing the UK’s health gap
A study of 1.5 million British smokers who were assisted by the National Health Service (NHS) cessation services from 2003-2006 shows that the services have decreased socioeconomic tobacco disparities.  Not only did a higher proportion of smokers in less affluent areas make use of the programs, but these smokers were also slightly more successful in quitting than more affluent smokers. Read more here.

European Union officials investigate safety of Pfizer's anti-smoking drug
Amid worries about suicides among users of the smoking cessation drug Chantix (marketed as Champix in Europe), the European Union’s European Medicines Agency has opened an investigation on the drug’s safety.  A definite causal link has not been established between Champix and suicide, but the EU agency has asked Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer, to modify the drug’s labeling to warn of this potential side effect.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is carrying out a similar investigation and has issued precautionary measures for physicians prescribing Chantix.  Get more information here.

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