Research

Plain cigarette packaging highlights warnings
According to an article to be published in an upcoming issue of Addiction, plain cigarette packaging may be effective in drawing attention to health warnings. Researchers compared the eye movements of 14 daily smokers, 14 weekly smokers, and 15 nonsmokers as they looked at plain and branded cigarette packages to determine what effect plain packaging had on visual attention toward health warnings. The results showed that nonsmokers and weekly smokers had an equal number of eye movements toward health warning information and brand information on branded packs, and greater eye movements toward health warnings and fewer toward brand information on plain cigarette packages. However, these findings did not hold true for daily smokers. The results suggest that using plain packaging could draw more attention to health warnings, which may reduce smoking initiation among nonsmokers and increase cessation among occasional smokers. Read more here or click here to read the study abstract.

Review: Varenicline is better than placebo or bupropion, but not clearly different from the nicotine patch, for smoking abstinence
A new meta-analysis of studies evaluating selected smoking cessation medications has found that varenicline may be more effective than bupropion in supporting smoking abstinence. Investigators compared the results of sixteen randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of varenicline, cytosine, bupropion, and nicotine patch in aiding with smoking abstinence after six months. The meta-analysis showed that standard-dose varenicline worked better than a placebo or bupropion for smoking abstinence after six months, but there was not enough evidence to determine its effectiveness compared to the nicotine patch. However, varenicline was always used in combination with behavioral counseling in the included studies, and is also associated with negative side effects, such as nausea, headache, and potential neuropsychiatric symptoms. The authors note that more research into the safety and effectiveness of varenicline is necessary. Click here to access the article in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Promoting tobacco cessation via the workplace: Opportunities for improvement (WA)
A new study suggests that employers in Washington State could greatly improve their efforts to encourage smoking cessation among employees. According to data from 693 employers that participated in the 2008 Healthy Worksite Survey, 38.5% promoted tobacco cessation, 33.8% offered insurance coverage for cessation mediation and counseling, 27.5% referred those violating smoking rules to cessation services, and 5.7% referred employees to the state quitline in health promotion messages. Larger workplaces and those with wellness staff were more likely to have better insurance coverage for tobacco cessation, communications about tobacco cessation, and promotion of the state quitline. The authors say that Washington workplaces could do much more to promote tobacco cessation among their employees, especially in small businesses, restaurants, and bars. Increased efforts would improve employee health and reduce healthcare costs. Click here to read the study abstract, published in Tobacco Control.

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Reports

New Ask-the-Expert resources on lung cancer screening teach smokers about their lung cancer risk
A new four-segment “ask-the-expert” video series, available online at BecomeAnEX.org, is devoted to helping smokers understand their risks for lung cancer. Legacy, through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, developed the videos and related resource materials to educate former and current smokers on the lung cancer screening process. The videos feature Dr. James Mulshine of Rush University Medical Center and real-life patients: one who asks questions about CT spiral scans and the other who shares his firsthand experience. A companion online discussion group in the EX Community is also available for cancer survivors who are quitting smoking. Click here for more information.

Illinois expands smoking QUITLINE (IL)
The Illinois Tobacco QUITLINE has announced an expansion of its normal operating hours due to a $1 million increase in tobacco settlement funding. The quitline now has extended daily hours and weekend hours, making it operational seven days a week from 7am to 11pm. The quitline is run by the American Lung Association and staffed by medical professionals and counselors. The service provides customized quit programs, mailed quit kits, and self-help materials to callers. Read more here.

W.Va. Tobacco Quitline Annual Report shows progress made (WV)
The West Virginia Tobacco Quitline has released an annual report showing that the program was successful in helping the state’s smokers to quit in 2009. Follow-up surveys of quitline callers showed an overall quit rate of 33.4%, a 16.4% improvement from 2008 quit rates. When averaged with “intent to treat” analysis (where non-responders are counted as not quitting), the overall quit rate was 22.1%. The program’s return on investment in 2009-2010 was notable; for every dollar invested in the program, $10.29 was saved in healthcare and productivity costs. The Quitline offers phone counseling and free or reduced-cost nicotine replacement therapy, and has focused programs for specific at-risk populations such as pregnant women and reserve military personnel. Read more here, or read the executive summary of the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline 2009 Annual Report.

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