Research

Smokers' brain centers activate during nicotine cravings
This study attempted to determine the neural pathways involved in cigarette cravings when smokers attempt cessation.  Researchers compared brain patterns in chronic smokers who had just smoked to their brain patterns after not smoking for twelve hours.  When the body is deprived of nicotine, cigarette cravings were found to be linked to activation of parts of the brain involved in memory, attention, behavioral control and reward.  If other studies replicate these findings, this neural pattern may become important in identifying smokers who are likely to relapse without additional therapy.  Click here for more information, or view the abstract here. 

Smoking cessation rates in the United States: A comparison of young adult and older smokers
This article, published in the American Journal of Public Health, compared quit rates between smokers aged 18-24 versus smokers between 35 and 64 years of age.  Younger smokers were more likely than older smokers to have made an attempt to quit, and were more likely to be successful in their long-term cessation efforts.  Click here to read the abstract. 

Electronic cigarette to be tested on smokers in trial
Researchers in New Zealand are recruiting participants for the first-ever clinical trials of e-cigarettes.  The e-cigarette delivers nicotine to users without all the harmful chemicals in actual cigarette smoke. The studies will examine effects on smokers’ voices as they quit cigarettes, as well as the potential for the e-cigarette’s use as a cessation aid.  Read more about the study here. 

Smokers quit where smoking is not accepted
A study of Chinese and Korean immigrants in California showed that smokers from these countries, where smoking rates are high and smoking is socially acceptable, were more likely to attempt cessation in the United States than those who did not immigrate.  The researchers state that social norms are responsible for this difference.  Smokers are more likely to attempt cessation while living in an environment where smoking is not socially acceptable, such as California, with its highly successful anti-smoking programs and policies.  Find out more here. 

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Reports

HealthCentral.com's new stop smoking site provides expert advice, supportive community to help smokers quit
In December, the HealthCentral Network, Inc. launched stopsmokingconnection.com, a new website that provides smokers with medical information and support to help them quit.  The website also includes 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,” and facilitator for the American Cancer Society’s FreshStart cessation program.  Click here to read more, or click here to view the Stop Smoking Connection website. 

'Vlogs' designed to help smokers kick habit
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched a website, DeterminedToQuit.com, which uses various technological tools to help smokers quit.  The site features 8 “Vlogs,” or video blogs, maintained by smokers who are trying to quit, helping quitters realize they are not alone in their struggle.  The site allows smokers trying to quit to log their progress online or by phone, sends messages to quitters phones to provide support, and allows smokers to invite friends and family to send messages of support.  Click here to learn more about the new website. 

Tobacco stops with me
Oklahoma launched a new antismoking campaign in January, “Tobacco Stops With Me,” which includes an interactive website, free coaching sessions on the state’s quitline, considerable advertising to raise awareness, and for a limited time, free starter kits of nicotine patches or gum for quitline callers.  The website will be growing over the next few months, and will include polls, events, photos, and ways for Oklahomans to share their experiences with smoking.  These cessation tools are funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.  Click here for more details on Oklahoma’s anti-smoking campaign, or click here to view the Tobacco Stops With Me website. 

Helping employees:  Wegmans to stop selling cigarettes
This upscale grocery chain, which has stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, will stop selling cigarettes as of February 10.  The decision was made in hopes that employees of the supermarket chain would be more likely to quit smoking and adopt healthier lifestyles.  The chain’s decision to stop selling cigarettes is a bold undertaking; while supermarkets’ profits from most groceries are between 1 and 3 percent, profits from cigarettes can be up to 50%.  Read more here. 

Pfizer anti-smoking drug behavior warning pushed up
In response to recent connections between the anti-smoking drug Chantix and suicidal behavior, the drug’s labeling will now include a more visible warning for doctors to monitor patients for depression and behavioral changes.  While causation of depressive symptoms has not been proven, an association may exist.  Click here to read about the warnings on Chantix. 

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International

NIH grant to fund UA anti-tobacco programs in India, Indonesia
An interdisciplinary team of University of Arizona researchers was awarded funds to further tobacco education and cessation efforts in India and Indonesia, two countries where smoking is highly prevalent and awareness of its health effects is lacking.  The researchers plan to carry out medical school tobacco education programs, community-based research, and build research networks in the communities where further research is needed.  Click here to learn more. 

Call to give smokers choice of smoke-free tobacco
Although snus, or smoke-free tobacco, has been banned from Australia since 1991, Australian medical specialists are suggesting that it be brought back on the market.  The scientists reason that snus may give cigarette smokers another option in quitting.  However, the scientific community is undecided on whether snus actually helps smokers quit.  Furthermore, some studies show that snus does not cause oral cancer or cardiovascular disease as cigarettes do, but other studies have raised concerns over a link between snus and pancreatic cancer.  Click here for more information.   

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