Research

Phone chat plus web program helps smokers quit
Research presented in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that combined internet and telephone treatment for smoking cessation may be more effective than web-based programs alone. Researchers randomized 2005 users of the QuitNet.com website to either receive six months of access to a basic website with general quit advice, a premium website that allows users to set quit dates and track motivations, or the premium website plus phone counseling. After a year and a half, 15% of those receiving both phone and premium website services reported not smoking since the start of the study, compared to 8% of premium website users and 6% of basic website users. Future work will be needed to determine the optimal duration, intensity, and components of such interventions. Read more here, or click here to read the study abstract.

Quitting smoking improves cholesterol
A new study indicates that quitting smoking may improve overall cholesterol by increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, in the blood. A nationally-representative sample of adult smokers attempting to quit smoking was surveyed on their smoking status, cholesterol levels, and weight at baseline and again at one-year follow-up. Of those who returned for the one-year follow-up, compared to those who still smoked, the 36.2% that had successfully quit smoking had a 5% increase in HDL levels, higher total HDL, and larger HDL particles. These effects were found to be stronger among women than men. Significant changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, levels were not seen. The researchers believe that the increase in HDL may contribute to the reduction in heart disease risk observed among those who quit smoking, and point out that weight gain experienced by quitters could have offset some of the beneficial changes in cholesterol that may have otherwise been observed. Click here to read more, or click here for the abstract of the research in the American Heart Journal.

Studies decipher how anti-smoking drugs work
New articles published in the Archives of General Psychiatry have provided more insight into how the smoking cessation drugs varenicline and bupropion work to reduce cravings among smokers. The first study used brain scans of 22 smokers to study brain activity during rest, and while being exposed to smoking cues, before and after a three-week regimen of varenicline or placebo. The results showed that smokers taking varenicline were less likely to report smoking cue-related cravings after the three-week trial compared to those taking placebo; varenicline appeared to activate parts of the brain that prevented smoking cue response. The second study also used brain scans to assess changes in brain activity in response to smoking-related cues; in this study, thirty smokers were randomized to receive eight weeks of bupropion or placebo. As was seen in the varenicline study, those taking bupropion reported fewer craving symptoms and showed less activity in areas of the brain that are associated with craving. The ability of these drugs to reduce brain activity related to cravings likely increases their effectiveness in helping people quit smoking. Click here for more information, or read the abstracts of the studies regarding varenicline and bupropion.

Projected cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in patients hospitalized with myocardial infarction
A recent study demonstrates that smoking cessation counseling with follow-up contact for smokers hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be a cost-effective way to reduce smoking among the 70% of AMI patients that continue to smoke after hospital discharge. The authors used a Monte Carlo model to develop estimates of health and economic outcomes for a hypothetical cohort of 327,600 AMI patients, comparing the outcomes of routine care with routine care plus follow-up telephone support. The model showed that follow-up contact would create over 50,000 new quitters and prevent 1,380 AMIs and 7,860 fatalities. While such a program would increase the costs of nursing and healthcare, its overall cost-effectiveness is estimated at $5,050 per quality-adjusted life-year, indicating that adding follow-up to routine cessation counseling may be a good way to decrease smoking prevalence and its associated negative health, economic, and social outcomes. Click here to read the abstract of the study, presented in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Smokers' brains light up during smoking scenes in movies and on TV
A new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that watching someone smoke on TV or in a movie activates parts of a smoker’s brain that control thoughts and actions related to smoking. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to image the brain activity of 17 smokers and 17 non-smokers while they watched a movie that contained scenes depicting smoking. When smokers viewed smoking on screen, their brains became active in areas that plan and coordinate movements in their smoking hand, indicating that the brain is simulating movements they would make if they were smoking a cigarette. In addition, areas that control urges and rewards were activated, and smokers that showed the most activity had stronger cravings than those whose brains showed less activity. Although there is no evidence that watching scenes with smoking will hinder a person’s cessation attempt, the research provides a glimpse of challenges smokers face when trying to quit smoking. Read more here, or read the study abstract.

top

Reports

Smoking also kills the environment; California launches a new strategy (CA)
The California Health and Human Services Agency and the California Department of Public Health have premiered a new series of television advertisements aimed at decreasing smoking prevalence in the state. The ads concentrate on the progress the state has made in the decline of tobacco use, the importance of quitting smoking, the challenges associated with quitting, the practices used by the tobacco industry, and the impact of tobacco waste on the environment. This ad campaign is the first in the country to focus attention on the harm discarded cigarette butts cause to the environment through leaching of toxic chemicals and persistence of non-biodegradable materials. Click here to read a press release from the California Department of Public Health, or read more here.

UDOH starts program to help drug addicts kick tobacco too (UT)
The Utah Department of Public Health is introducing a new program that helps people receiving mental health or substance abuse treatment to also quit using tobacco. The program, Recovery Plus, is funded by a two-year stimulus grant, and seeks to change the usual philosophy that stopping illicit drug use is more important than ceasing tobacco use. Tobacco cessation contributes to substance abuse treatment, as tobacco use is a factor that can lead to relapse. Through Recovery Plus, participants are provided with cessation classes, counseling, support groups, and nicotine replacement therapy. Those that would like treatment for substance abuse or mental health problem, but do not wish to quit smoking can still access treatment; however, they must comply with a tobacco-free campus policy. Read more here.

DOD urges troops to quit tobacco in 2011
In December, the U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement that encourages military personnel to make New Year’s resolutions to quit using tobacco, citing the negative health effects associated with tobacco use. Officials recommend that military personnel make a strategic plan and utilize tools and services available to help them quit smoking. The Department of Defense’s health care system, Tricare, provides several resources to members of the military through its tobacco cessation campaign, “Quit Tobacco – Make Everyone Proud.” Through the campaign website, military personnel can access interactive quit tools, self-assessments, quit plan development advice, tips on handling cravings and withdrawal symptoms, links to quit coaches and quitlines, information on medications, and other resources. Click here to read more, or click here to visit the Quit Tobacco – Make Everyone Proud website.

CDC launches new cessation campaign, "2011: Your year to quit smoking"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging smokers to make 2011 the year that they quit smoking for good, providing information and advice on their website on how to keep a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking. The webpage describes the addictive nature of nicotine, lists some of the health benefits of quitting smoking, and suggests tools and methods to successfully abstain from tobacco. The page also directs users to resources that will allow them to gather more information and help them to quit, such as their personal physicians, national quitlines, and websites. Read more here, or access other features such as e-Cards, buttons, and media campaign resources from the CDC website.

top

International

Nicotine patches to be offered to England smokers (England)
Starting January 1, England’s Department of Health made available 300,000 free “NHS Stop Smoking Quit Kits.” The kits contain items such as a quitting planner, savings and health calculators, stress-relieving downloads, information about expert help, and vouchers for a week’s worth of nicotine replacement patches. The nicotine patches are a new addition to the kits, designed to give smokers extra help in their cessation efforts by providing a good basis to start a quit attempt. Anti-smoking groups have expressed some concern that a brief advertising campaign was not sufficient to notify smokers about the kits, but the Department of Health estimates that about one-third of those who get the kits will use the vouchers to obtain the nicotine patches. Click here to read more or click here to find out more about the Quit Kits’ contents.

top

Back to Table of Contents