Research

Smoking doubles dementia risk in late life: Study
New research indicates that heavy smoking in middle age is associated with the development of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Data were analyzed from a multi-ethnic, population-based sample of 21,123 individuals that participated in a healthcare system survey between 1978 and 1985. The researchers used healthcare system data from 1994-2008 to identify diagnoses of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. Adjusting for sociodemographic, biological, and lifestyle factors, those who smoked more than two packs a day had a 114% increased risk of dementia, a 157% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and a 172% greater risk of vascular dementia. Click here for more information, or click here to access the abstract of the research in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Smoking link to ectopic pregnancy
Previous research has shown that smoking may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy by up to fourfold. New research clarifies a possible mechanism behind that risk, suggesting that smoking increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy by setting off reactions that cause over-expression of PROKR1, a protein that helps eggs to implant in the womb and Fallopian tubes. To better understand this system, Fallopian tube tissue and blood serum were collected from 21 women undergoing hysterectomy, along with information on their smoking status and history of ectopic pregnancy. Biochemical analysis of the Fallopian tubes and blood showed that PROKR1 levels were twice as high in the Fallopian tubes of smokers who had an ectopic pregnancy compared to non-smokers who had healthy pregnancies. This increased level of PROKR1 could prevent the muscles in the walls of the tubes from contracting, thereby inhibiting the transfer of eggs to the womb and increasing the risk for ectopic pregnancy. Click here to read more, or read the abstract of the study, published in the American Journal of Pathology.

Health consequences of pipe versus cigarette smoking
Researchers in Norway have found that there is no statistically significant difference in health outcomes between men who smoke pipes and men who smoke cigarettes. Starting in the 1970’s, 16,932 men were screened for cardiovascular disease risk factors, re-screened after 3-13 years, and then followed through 2007. During this time, deaths from heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, other smoking-related cancers, and other causes were assessed. Compared to never-smokers, pipe smokers were found to have nearly double the risk of death from any cause during the follow-up period (relative risk = 1.99). There was no significant difference in mortality risk between cigarette smokers and pipe smokers that consumed comparable amounts of tobacco. The study indicates that pipe smoking is not safer than cigarette smoking, emphasizing the importance of healthcare providers’ efforts to communicate the health risks of pipe smoking. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in Tobacco Control.

High amounts of heavy metals found in China tobacco
A new study has found that some brands of Chinese cigarettes contain three times the levels of heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, compared to Canadian cigarettes. Researchers analyzed the design and characteristics of 78 varieties of Chinese cigarette brands, thirteen of which were analyzed for heavy metal content. Compared to Canadian cigarettes, which undergo mandatory testing for and reporting of heavy metals concentrations, the levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic were all significantly higher in the Chinese brands. Previous research has shown that some of these metals can be transferred from the unburned tobacco to smoke or even to the body, which could have negative health effects. The researchers attribute the higher heavy metal levels to the tobacco crops’ absorption of the metals from contaminated soil. These components may be of global health concern as China plans to expand its cigarette exports. Click here to read more, or here to read the article, published in Tobacco Control.

The etiology of upper aerodigestive tract cancers among young adults in Europe: the ARCAGE study
A recent study published in Cancer Causes & Control shows that the risk of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract is strongly associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption among those less than 50 years old. Researchers utilized a case-control study of 356 cases and 419 age and sex-matched controls from ten European countries to assess the influence of lifestyle factors like tobacco and alcohol consumption on the development of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. They found that risk of developing these cancers was associated with current smoking, current alcohol consumption, and past alcohol consumption, with the odds increasing with heavier cigarette and alcohol consumption. The results indicate that risk factors identified for aerodigestive tract cancers in older adults are also risk factors for young adults. Click here to read the abstract of the study.

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