Research

State Medicaid coverage for tobacco-dependence treatments – United States, 2005
All states and the District of Columbia were resurveyed in 2005 regarding types of state Medicaid coverage and limitations in coverage since 1994. This report summarizes the results of that survey, which indicated that as of December 31, 2005, (1) 38 state Medicaid programs covered some tobacco-dependence treatment (i.e., counseling or medication) for all Medicaid recipients; (2) four states offered coverage only for pregnant women; (3) one state (Oregon) offered coverage for all medication and counseling treatments recommended by the 2000 Public Health Services guideline; and (4) seven states (including Oregon) covered all recommended medications and at least one form of counseling. If the 2010 national health objective is to be achieved, states should offer or increase Medicaid coverage for treatment of tobacco dependence. To read the Journal of the American Medical Association article, click here.

Organization, financing, promotion, and cost of U.S. quitlines, 2004
An article published in the December 2006 American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that tobacco quitlines provide tobacco cessation treatment at a remarkably modest cost, according to study author Paula Keller of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The article analyzes a survey, conducted by the North American Quitline Consortium, of the 38 quitlines in operation in 2004, to obtain baseline information about their organization, financing, promotion and cost. Click here to read a press release and here to view the abstract.

Use of smoking cessation methods among smokers aged 16-24 years, United States, 2003
Data from the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey indicate that persons aged 16-24 are not using Public Health Service-recommended methods to quit. Of the six recommended quitting methods for adults, only one—talking with a health professional—was used by at least 20 percent of young people in the United States. To view the MMWR, click here.

Anti-smoking campaigns: Gore works best
University of Washington scientist examined the effectiveness of cigarette warning labels on packs in Canada, Britain, Australia, and the United States, interviewing nearly 15,000 smokers. The most effective warnings were those on Canadian packs, which feature large and often gory pictures. Ten percent of smokers reported that the warnings had stopped them from reaching for a cigarette at some point in the past six months and nearly 40 percent claimed that the warnings had prompted them to think about quitting. The least effective warnings were those found in the United States. Awareness of the warning on cigarette packs among American smokers was only 30 percent. Click here to read more.

Spot in brain may control smoking urge
A new study found that smokers with damage to a specific brain region often stop smoking immediately. The brain region, known as the insula, is located deep within the cerebral cortex and is thought to control desire and cravings. The finding may lead to better therapies for smokers who want to quit. The report can be found in the January 26th issue of Science. For the press release, click here.

Nicotine dependence gene mapped to Chromosome 5
Genes that appear to increase the risk of nicotine dependence are likely to be found on several locations, including a region of chromosome 5, according to a Yale School of Medicine study in Biological Psychiatry. "These data add to the growing evidence for specific locations for genes that influence risk for nicotine dependence," said Joel Gelernter, professor of psychiatry, genetics and neurobiology and lead author of the study. Click here to read more.

Intensive care helps smokers quit, study finds
A new U.S. study shows that an intensive stop-smoking program, including three months of counseling and free drugs, can help smokers quit. The 209 study volunteers, smokers in a coronary care unit, were divided into two groups: intensive treatment with 12 weeks of behavior modification counseling and nicotine replacement therapy and/or the drug Bupropion or the control group which received usual care. Researchers report that the intensive program helped 39 percent of stay tobacco free for two years versus 9 percent in the control group. The results are reported in the journal Chest. Click here for the press release.

Butt kicking may be harder if mom smoked during pregnancy
New research reveals that quitting smoking may be harder for people whose mothers smoked during their pregnancy. It had previously been established that prenatal exposure to nicotine alters areas of the brain critical to learning, memory, and reward. The new study, based on a mouse model, reveals that these alterations may make the brain more susceptible to relapse from nicotine addiction. Results can be found in the online issue of the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. Click here for the press release.

New National Business Group on Health Survey shows majority of American employers believe they should help employees quit smoking
According to a new survey released by the National Business Group on Health, employers ranked smoking among their top three employee health priorities along with high blood pressure and obesity. The Group's Purchaser's Guide provides employers with a step-by step tool for assessing and implementing the best preventive health benefits - including smoking. To view the press release summarizing the survey, click here. To access the Purchaser’s Guide, click here.

Employer-sponsored tobacco cessation programs are inexpensive and effective
New research conducted by the actuarial consulting firm Milliman, Inc. and funded by the American Legacy Foundation reveals that employers can provide a telephone Quit Line smoking cessation program for less than five cents per member per month. More comprehensive cessation programs that include therapy and pharmaceuticals cost between 28 and 45 cents per month. Employers that provide such cessation programs will see reductions in other medical costs. The study reveals that a company’s annual savings per smoker who quits is approximately $210 per month, with the savings continuing to accrue each year after the employee quits smoking. Click here for the American Legacy Foundation press release.

Tools for health: The efficacy of a tailored intervention targeted for construction laborers
The investigators used a randomized-controlled design to test the efficacy of a tailored telephone-delivered and mailed intervention to promote smoking cessation and increase fruit and vegetable consumption among 582 construction laborers. Results revealed that at the end of the intervention, 8% of baseline cigarette smokers in the control group had quit, compared to 19% in the intervention group. The study lends support to the use of a tailored intervention in promoting smoking cessation. The full study can be found in the journal Cancer Causes Control or by clicking here.

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Resources

GlaxoSmithKline giveaway of nicotine replacement therapy
GlaxoSmithKline has started a new promotion titled “1-2-3 Second Chances to Quit.” The first 100,000 smokers aged 18 and older are eligible to receive 1 package of the company’s nicotine replacement therapy or coupons for subsequent purchases. The promotion also includes an educational website, Way2Quit.com where smokers can develop an initial quit smoking plan online. Click here to go to view the website.

Nicogel in the hand a surrogate for tobacco in the lungs
A new tobacco-suffused hand gel called Nicogel claims to offer a four-hour craving respite for smokers. Billed as a cigarette replacement for times when smoking is inconvenient, over-the-counter Nicogel will enter the U.S. market on Walgreen drugstore shelves. Each pump or packet of the clear, water-soluble gel contains one-tenth of the tobacco in a typical cigarette, according to Blue Whale Worldwide here, the distributor. MedPage Today Action Points:
* Explain to patients that this product does not claim to be an aid toward the healthy goal of quitting smoking but a bridge from one cigarette to the next when smokers are confronted with areas in which smoking is banned.
* Caution patients that information about Nicogel comes from the manufacturer, rather than from independent research on the product, and there are no published safety data. Click here to read more.

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Behind antismoking policy, influence of drug industry
In a controversial Wall Street Journal article, Michel Fiore was identified as having a possible conflict of interest. Fiore is in charge of revising federal guidelines on how to get smokers to quit. He headed the 18-member panel that created the 2000 guidelines for the Public Health Service. However, Fiore runs a research center funded in part by drug companies that make smoking cessation aids and has personally received money in speaking and consulting fees from those companies. In response to these issues, Fiore reports that his opinions are based on scientific evidence from hundreds of studies. Click here to read more.

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States

Georgia

Georgia slashes tobacco money used to combat smoking
Anti-smoking advocates have watched in dismay as Georgia governor Sonny Perdue has slashed the dollars the state has spent on combating smoking. Georgia has collected more than $167 million this fiscal year as part of its settlement with tobacco manufactures but has spent a mere $2.2 million on anti-smoking efforts, according to the State Department of Human Resources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Georgia spend $42 million a year to effectively mount an effective smoking cessation campaign. Click here for the press release.

South Dakota

Tobacco tax to pay for three tries at quitting
The state Health Department of South Dakota revealed plans to spend $5 million a year on tobacco cessation and prevention programs. The plan includes expansion of the QuitLine, including an opportunity for smokers to receive nicotine replacement therapy at no cost, community and school programs, and production and promotion of anti-smoking messages. The plan is funded by the $1 per pack increase passed in the November election, which will generate an estimated $41 million next year. The plan has been met with mixed reactions. Click here to read more.

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International

Graphic smoking images approved
Beginning in Australia in February 2008, cigarette packets will be mandated to adopt new graphic warning labels. The labels, depicting images such as diseased lungs, gangrenous toes, and rotting gums and teeth, will cover 30% of the front and 90% of the rear of every cigarette packet. The aim, according to Associate Health Minister Damien O’Commor, is to shock people into realizing that smoking is a cause of serious illness and death. Click here to read more and view the images.

Belgium wants to shock smokers out of their habit
Belgium will mandate that all cigarette packets include the shocking image of the consequences of smoking, including disturbing images of tumors, heart operations, and teeth falling out. The legislation takes effect in June of 2007. The images are part of a European Union snit-smoking campaign that was initiated in 2004 by then EU health commissioner David Bryne. To read more and view the images, click here.

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