Research

The effect of smoke-free homes on smoking behavior in the U.S.
This recent study examined how smoking rules in the home affect the smoking behavior of current and recent smokers. Researchers interviewed nearly 4000 recent smokers in 2002, and then followed up with them one year later to determine whether smokers were able to abstain from smoking for at least 90 days, an early marker of successful long-term cessation. The data showed that having a smoke-free home was associated with a five-fold increase in the likelihood of quitting. Among current smokers, those who adopted a smoke-free home were more likely to decrease their cigarette consumption over the one year study period. In summary, having a smoke-free home has a positive effect for current and former smokers alike. Click here to read the abstract of the article, which was published in the September 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

BJOG release: Using nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy
While it is well known that smoking during pregnancy is linked to adverse health outcomes, nicotine replacement therapy is generally not used for pregnant women because the side effects have not been well-studied. A recent Danish study of 87,000 pregnant women found that using nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy does not increase the risk of stillbirths. The types of NRT used by women in the study were gum, patches, and inhalers. The researchers also found that smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, regardless of NRT use. The results of the study indicate NRT use may be safe during early pregnancy to reduce or stop smoking, but the researchers caution that more research is needed to assess the overall safety of NRT use during pregnancy. Find out more here, or click here to read the abstract of the research, which appears in the August 2008 BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

top

Reports

Department of Health unveils new quit line media campaign featuring NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green (DC)
A DC Tobacco Free Families Campaign has recruited some star power, including NFL Hall of Famer Darrell Green, to promote smoking cessation services available to Washington, DC residents. The quit line campaign features various local celebrities, and includes television, radio, print, and subway advertisements. Darrell Green stars in two PSAs to highlight the dangers of smoking and to encourage DC residents to take advantage of free quit line counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. As an additional incentive for smokers to call the quit line, he will personally return quit line calls once a month. Read more about the DC campaign here.

Little of tobacco settlement spent on smoking cessation (KS)
Kansas has received $505 million in Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funds since 1999, but less than one percent of that money has been used to fund tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. Like many other states have done, much of the MSA money is spent on other much-needed initiatives, such as early childhood programs. However, the budget shortfall is astounding compared to the amount tobacco companies are spending in Kansas. While the state spent $90,000 on television and radio advertisements last year to promote tobacco prevention and cessation, it is estimated that tobacco companies spend $106 million a year on advertising in Kansas. The state would need to spend $32 million a year on tobacco control, considerably more than the $2 million spent last year, to meet program funding recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, click here.

Healthy Monday and About.com Health launch Quit Smoking Monday
The Healthy Monday project has partnered with About.com Health to provide smokers with a weekly opportunity to quit smoking. Healthy Monday, a collaboration between Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications, encourages people to incorporate healthy behaviors into their lives every Monday. The About.com Healthy Monday website encourages web users take the Monday pledge to stop smoking, and provides support and tips to help smokers stick with quitting. Many smokers are unable to quit on their first try, so every Quit Smoking Monday is a fresh start for making healthy lifestyle changes. Click here to read the press release. Click here to read more on the About.com Healthy Monday website.

top

Back to Table of Contents