Disparities

Research

Data counter 'common wisdom' of smoking and schizophrenia
Researchers have clarified the link between smoking and schizophrenia. Because of the shared biological pathways between smoking and schizophrenia, it has previously been suggested that schizophrenia patients self-medicate by smoking to treat their symptoms. The study data indicated that many patients began smoking prior to the onset of their schizophrenia symptoms. Prenatal smoke exposure may also play a role in the link between schizophrenia and smoking; according to a comparison with population surveys, the individuals with schizophrenia in this study were more likely than the general population to have been exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally. Click here to read more on the research from a summary in the journal Psychiatric News. The study appeared in the March 2009 issue of the journal Schizophrenia Research.

Is workplace smoking policy equally prevalent and equally effective for immigrants?
A study of workers in indoor workplaces found that immigrants are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at work, compared to native-born Americans. The study found that higher rates of secondhand smoke exposure among immigrants in the U.S. were partially due to occupational segregation. The study utilized data from 85,874 U.S. workers who completed the 2001/2002 Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement (TUS-CPS). Click here to read the abstract of the article, which appeared in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Skin color clue to nicotine dependence
Because nicotine tends to accumulate in places in the body containing melanin (the pigment that gives color to hair and skin), a recent study looked at the relationship between melanin and susceptibility to nicotine dependence. Among a sample of 147 adult African American smokers, melanin concentration in the skin was related to the amount of daily cigarette use, the level of nicotine dependence, and nicotine exposure. These results suggest that individuals with higher concentrations of melanin (in other words, those with darker skin) might be more susceptible to nicotine dependence. The association was found for genetically-acquired melanin concentration combined with melanin concentration developed from sun exposure, but not for genetically-determined melanin alone. Click here to read more. Click here to read an abstract of the study published in the June 2009 issue journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.

Assessing motivation to quit smoking in people with mental illness: a review
Researchers conducted a systematic review of the research regarding motivation to quit smoking among individuals with mental health problems. People with mental health disorders tend to smoke at higher rates, have higher nicotine dependency, and suffer from smoking-related illness at a higher rate than the general public. Additionally, many healthcare professionals assume that these individuals are less motivated to quit, which deters the delivery of proper cessation treatment to this population. The research review found that individuals with mental health disorders are just as motivated to quit as the general population. The review did find that individuals with psychotic disorders might be less motivated to quit than individuals being treated for depression. The review provides limited information on individuals in inpatient facilities because, of the fourteen studies reviewed, only two assessed tobacco cessation motivation among inpatients. Click here to read an abstract of the study in the journal Addiction.

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Reports

Social ecology of tobacco surveillance data for sexual and gender minority populations
A letter in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research encourages states to collect data on sexual orientation in state behavioral surveys. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have collected sexual orientation data at some point through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and fifteen states collect sexual orientation data from state quitline callers. The author comments that if more states began to collect this data, states would be better equipped to develop and evaluate programs to reduce the high rate of tobacco use among sexual minorities (individuals with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender identity and/or with same-sex behavior and/or attraction). Click here to read more.

National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network website
The National Native Commercial Tobacco Abuse Prevention Network recently launched a new website. The national network is a diverse community of American Indian / Alaska Natives leading commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts. The network is committed to preserving the sacred status of traditional tobacco and its ceremonial / sacred uses. When abused, addictive commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The website, KeepItSacred.org , is a one-stop connection to resources for developing commercial tobacco abuse prevention efforts.

Wisconsin tobacco quit line: During tough times, program expands to help Wisconsin military personnel and veterans quit tobacco
The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line has expanded the services provided by Operation Quit Tobacco to include cessation coaching and a full course of free tobacco cessation medication to all military personnel. Services are provided for active duty personnel, Wisconsin National Guard, reservists, and veterans. Research has shown that the prevalence of tobacco use is much higher among military personnel compared to the general population. Operation Quit Tobacco was developed by the Wisconsin Department of Health to address this disparity among the Wisconsin military population. Click here to read more.

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