Research

Did the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement affect prenatal smoking?
A study examined the effect of the increase in the price of cigarettes as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) on rates of smoking in pregnant women. The authors estimated that before the MSA, 13% of pregnant women smoked and that prenatal smoking was declining slowly. After the MSA there was a dramatic decrease in prenatal smoking, with the strongest decreases for pregnant teens, followed by a return to the same rate observed prior to the MSA. Overall, the decrease estimated by the authors is much more conservative than what has been reported in previous literature, which led the researchers to conclude that the price increase had little effect on smoking prevalence in pregnant women. To read more, click here.

Reduction in nicotine craving predicts ability to quit
A recent study assessed the relationship between smokers’ responses to the first cigarette of the day and their ability to quit. Researchers examined changes in nicotine craving and mood in response to the first cigarette of the day among 207 smokers and the likelihood of smoking cessation, which was measured through various physiological and survey measures of dependence. Smokers who had stronger reductions in craving after the first cigarette were found to be more dependent on tobacco and therefore less likely to quit. To read more about the study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, click here.

Spiritual beliefs, practices may help smokers quit
Recent research assessed whether smokers are receptive to and whether they might benefit from incorporating spiritual beliefs and practices into cessation treatment programs. Researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University had 104 smokers not currently trying to quit complete confidential surveys about smoking behaviors and spiritual practices. Ninety-two participants had used spiritual resources in the past and 78% thought that using these resources could facilitate cessation. Women were more likely than men to report spiritual beliefs, although both male and female participants who smoked more than 15 cigarettes a day were more likely to be receptive to a healthcare professional encouraging the use of spiritual resources to quit smoking. To read more about the study recently published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, click here.

Craving a smoke? Take a walk instead.
Researchers at the University of Exeter in Great Britain have demonstrated that even short bouts of exercise significantly reduce nicotine cravings. They analyzed 14 studies that assessed the effects of exercise on craving, withdrawal, mood and smoking behavior. The researchers found that even low-intensity exercises and exercising for five minute periods significantly reduced cravings, while longer periods of exercise reduced cravings for as long as 50 minutes. Click here to read more about the study, recently published in Addiction.

Doctors want more quit-smoking help for patients
The Physician Behavior and Practice Patterns Related to Smoking Cessation study, a survey of several thousand physicians, was recently conducted on behalf of the American Legacy Foundation. Primary results indicate that almost ninety percent of physicians advise their patients to quit smoking, but just over ten percent consistently refer patients to smoking cessation resources or programs. Barriers to referral include limited services and lack of patient motivation. Proposed solutions focus on improving the quality and transmission of community cessation information and resources to physicians, developing a better reimbursement system for cessation services and time, encouraging more consistent documentation of patient information, and focusing more on smoking cessation in various stages of a physician’s education. To read more, click here.

Tobacco treatment program unveiled for people with serious mental illness
The Clubhouse of Suffolk, Inc., a non-profit psychiatric rehabilitation center in New York, has developed a tobacco treatment program that has shown positive initial results in treating tobacco dependence for populations with serious mental illness (SMI). Fifty-seven Clubhouse members participated in the one-year treatment program, which consisted of an eight-session wellness curriculum, individual and group meetings, restriction of outdoor smoking at the Clubhouse, and assistance with accessing cessation medications. The program significantly impacted the number of participants who were ready to quit smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and the number of participants who attempted to quit. To read more about the study, click here.

Vaccine may reduce fetal exposure to nicotine
Recent research examined the effects of vaccine-induced antibodies on the ability of the placenta to transfer nicotine from mother to fetus. The vaccine, called NicVAX, binds nicotine molecules to protein molecules, making them too large to cross the blood-brain barrier in the mother. The research study also demonstrates that the vaccine inhibits the transfer of nicotine molecules across the placenta, which provides preliminary evidence for the vaccine’s safety and short-term protective effects for the fetus. To read more about the research sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, click here.

How to hook smokers by telling them to quit
A recent study suggests that by portraying quitting as easy in nicotine replacement advertisements, young people delay cessation and end up smoking more. Researchers estimated that with every ten percent increase in advertising, cigarette consumption increased by 1%. By eliminating such ads, they also estimated that youth smoking would decrease by as much as 10%. To read more about the study published by the National Bureau for Economic Research, click here.

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International

Businesses encouraged to give smokers time off to quit smoking
British businesses are being urged to give workers time off to attend cessation clinics ahead of England's smoking ban on July 1. The guidance body on public health recommends workers - many of whom already enjoy cigarette breaks throughout the day – should not lose pay if they need help in quitting the habit.  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) believes that businesses will benefit by a subsequent boost in productivity. Click here to read the article.

New Zealand: $43 million to help smokers stub out habit
The New Zealand government has set aside $43 million to aid tobacco control efforts over the next four years. The money will fund youth prevention programs, training and cessation guidelines for healthcare workers, expanding access to subsidized nicotine replacement therapy, Quitline and a smoking cessation campaign, among other programs. Click here to read more.

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Projects

Australia: New anti-smoking campaign launched
A new $1.1 million campaign warning the public about the link between smoking and stroke was launched on May 20th. The campaign will feature information about the effects of smoking and cessation advice for the public. To read more, click here.

Washington state campaign targets pregnant and postpartum smokers
The Washington State Department of Health recently launched a multi-faceted campaign that targets pregnant and postpartum women who smoke and encourages them to call the Washington Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW).  Quit for You Quit for Two, funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, focuses on outreach to three groups: health care providers, pregnant and postpartum women, and friends and family. The campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and maternal and infant health programs.  It will include Tobacco Quit Line-branded prenatal vitamin pill boxes distributed to health care providers across the state, informational fliers encouraging providers to talk with their patients about living a healthy lifestyle and becoming smoke-free, and transit ads in select counties, among other activities. For more information, contact Julie Thompson at 360-236-3722 or juliet.thompson@doh.wa.gov

Washington tobacco quit line calls up since Cold Turkey began
Calls to the Washington Tobacco Quit Line have increased since the launch of the Cold Turkey cessation media campaign in late January.  In February and March, more than 3,300 Washington residents called 1-800-QUIT-NOW to receive free cessation counseling – a 15 percent increase over the same months last year. Visits to www.quitline.com are also up.  There was an average of 12,808 visits per month in 2006.  In January 2007 the site had 16,301 visits, followed by 26,991 in March. The 30-second spots and the radio ads are available for viewing/listening by clicking here. For more information, contact Scott Schoengarth at 360-236-3634 or scott.schoengarth@doh.wa.gov.

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