Research

Black children especially vulnerable to second-hand tobacco smoke
New research reveals that black children are particularly susceptible to exposure to secondhand smoke. The study examined cotinine levels in 220 children, a widely used method for assessing nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke. The nicotine levels over the year long study were captured by dosimeter placed in the homes of participating children and found no significant differences in nicotine exposure between racial groups. However, African-American children had significantly higher levels serum and hair cotinine at all measured time points. Higher levels of cotinine are associated with an increase in school absences and the prevalence of asthma. The study is consistent with other research that has shown striking differences between African American and Caucasian children in cotinine levels after exposure to tobacco smoke. Click here for more information.

Beliefs and experiences regarding smoking cessation among American Indians
This study presents results from six focus groups conducted among current and former smokers from American Indian communities in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. The commonly reported negative attitudes toward pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation points to the need for community and peer based smoking cessation treatment, including accurate information from trusted sources. Click here to read the study abstract, published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

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Pennsylvania health department launches new Web site to help Hispanic smokers quit tobacco
Health Secretary Dr. Calvin Johnson announced the launch of Quitnowpa.com, a new anti-tobacco Web site to help Hispanic residents quit smoking. The Web sit is working in conjunction with the Hispanic-targeted “Mi Promesa” marketing campaign, which encourages smokers to make a promise to quit smoking for their loved ones. The Web site features factual information about tobacco use and bilingual resources for smoking cessation. Click here for the press release.

New York program helping mentally ill smokers
Under a grant from the state Department of Health, Bernadette Cain, program director at Clubhouse of Suffolk Inc in New York has devised a smoking cessation program. So far, the program has seen a 36 percent quit rate, higher than rates established by programs for the general population. The program includes nicotine replacements, self-help support groups, exercise, stress reduction, and encouragement to adopt other healthy habits. The rate of smoking among people with psychiatric illness is three times that of the general population. Click here for the press release.

St. Louis County hopes to put a dent in Bosnians’ smoking
St. Louis County is launching new smoking cessation efforts targeting Bosnians. About 50,000 Bosnians live in the St. Louis area; half of the adults are believed to be smokers, double the percentage of adult Missouri smokers. The county has hired Anto Peric, a local Bosnian, to help spread the message. In the first phase of the project he will collect Bosnian’s views on smoking and quitting by approaching smokers at work sites and inviting them to join focus groups. Next, the program hopes to serve Bosnian smokers outside of the county limits and guarantee access to free nicotine replacement therapies. The program is being funded with a two year grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. Click here to read more.

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