Research

Effects of 24 hours of tobacco withdrawal and subsequent tobacco smoking among low and high sensation seekers
According to a study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, high sensation seekers were more sensitive to the withdrawal relieving effects of nonnicotine components of cigarettes after 24 hours of smoking abstinence compared to low sensation seekers. Researchers examined participants’ level of sensation-seeking and the deprivation effects of a lack of nicotine 24 hours after smoking cessation. The results show that in high sensation seekers, smoking ameliorates deprivation effects independent of nicotine intake; however, in low sensation seekers, deprivation effects were alleviated more effectively when nicotine was consumed during smoking. The authors state that factors driving tobacco dependence could vary depending on sensation-seeking status. Read the study abstract here.

Effect of stress and bupropion on craving, withdrawal symptoms, and mood in smokers
According to a study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, stressful events increase cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but an agent known to increase smoking cessation rates levels these effects. The researchers had participants participate in three types of tasks meant to induce stress, and then randomized them to bupropion or a placebo. Researchers then measured quit rates fourteen days after starting medication, and had participants engage in the same tasks. The results show that bupropion reduced levels of craving and withdrawal compared to the placebo. The authors state that more research is needed to determine if a change in subjects’ response to stressors is predictive of an effective cessation treatment. Read the study abstract here.

Potential new target for smoking cessation without weight gain
According to a new study published in Science, researchers have discovered that pro-opiomelanocortin neurons (POMC) are involved in a brain mechanism that reduces food intake when activated by nicotine. Scientists used mouse models to explore the pathways through which nicotine acts within the brain to reduce eating and body fat. The results indicate that medications targeting this pathway could lessen nicotine withdrawal and reduce the risk of overeating during smoking cessation. The authors suggest that a smoking cessation drug targeting one pathway could be more efficacious than drugs that act on multiple pathways, stating that further research is warranted. Read more here or read the study abstract here.

The timing of smoking onset, prolonged abstinence, and relapse in men: A prospective study from ages 18 to 32 years
According to a longitudinal study published in Addiction, men who smoke regularly during young adulthood may be unlikely to sustain long-term smoking abstinence. Researchers assessed the smoking habits of a sample of smoking and nonsmoking men from the time they were 18 until they reached 32 years of age. On an annual basis, the researchers assessed the men’s tobacco consumption, smoking abstinence, and smoking relapse. The results showed that most men (77%) who smoked regularly in adulthood were unable to achieve long-term (one or more years) smoking abstinence and men who were smoking regularly by age 18 were even less likely to achieve long-term smoking abstinence. The authors suggest that cessation strategies that assist young adults in achieving long term abstinence and sustaining that abstinence need to be developed. Read the abstract here.

The dynamics of the urge-to-smoke following smoking cessation via pharmacotherapy
According to a study published in Addiction, early urges to smoke while on cessation drugs can be used to predict outcomes at up to six months after cessation. Researchers collected data on self reported urges to smoke from smokers enrolled in a clinical drug trial at seven days after the planned quit date, at the end of treatment, and six months from the quit date. The findings show that person-specific trajectories for urges to smoke during the first seven days after quitting can be used to predict point prevalence of smoking at seven days and at six months. The authors state that this has implications for the role of craving in relapse and may also help researchers evaluate new cessation medications. Read the study abstract here.

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Reports

Free tools from Legacy to promote smoking cessation
Legacy is now offering organizations a free, downloadable “tear-off” flyer to direct smokers to BecomeAnEX.org, an interactive website which offers a free, personalized quit plan and support community to help people prepare to quit and stay quit. Organizations may also order free wallet cards to provide to patients who are looking to quit smoking. The cards, developed by Legacy in partnership with Mayo Clinic, also direct smokers to www.BecomeAnEX.org. Both of these resources are available here.

New case studies from Partnership for Prevention on increasing access to tobacco cessation coverage
Partnership for Prevention has published a new set of case studies titled, “Increasing Access to Tobacco Cessation in States: ActionToQuit Case Studies.” The publication describes how ActionToQuit grantees formed tobacco cessation alliances, providing an overview and environmental scan of each state and the achievements that the alliances made over the years. The grantees also share the challenges they faced and lessons they learned throughout the process. Click here to download the case studies. Another new case study from Partnership for Prevention, “A Collaborative Approach to Meeting USPHS Task Force Recommendations on Tobacco Screening/Intervention,” describes Colorado’s journey to gain comprehensive tobacco cessation coverage. This case study describes how the Colorado Tobacco Cessation and Sustainability Partnership worked with public and private health plans to provide tobacco cessation coverage. Now, most Colorado residents have access to free or low-cost cessation services. Click here to download the case study.

N.J. to help smokers kick habit with free nicotine replacement treatments (NJ)
In an effort funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey’s Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement program, the New Jersey Department of Health is offering free nicotine replacement therapy to help tobacco users quit. The new program aims to get smokers to register with the New Jersey Quitline, and requires smokers to pledge to five or more counseling sessions in order to receive the free nicotine replacement therapy. The state commissioner of health Mary O’Dowd believes that more smokers will access the quitline because of the new program. Read more here.

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International

Prospective predictors of quitting behaviors among adult smokers in six cities in China: Finding from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey (China)
According to a longitudinal study published in the journal Addiction, nicotine dependence and self-efficacy are important predictors of whether a smoker will make a quit attempt, and quit intentions are important for both attempts and staying quit in China. A total of 4,732 participants were asked about their nicotine dependence and interest in quitting in 2006 and again in 2007. Independent predictors of smoking abstinence were older age, longer periods of previous smoking abstinence, and having more immediate intentions to quit. The authors suggest that more research be done on the predictors of quit attempts and smoking abstinence as they could have important implications for future interventions. Read the study abstract here.

Rise in quit attempts faded after U.K. smoking ban (England)
According to a new study published in Addiction, there was not a long-term increase in prescriptions for cessation aids in the U.K. after the indoor smoke-free policy was implemented in 2007. Researchers looked at 350 medical practices and measured the number of prescriptions before and after the smoke-free policy’s implementation. Nine months prior to the implementation of the policy, prescriptions for cessation aids increased by 6.4%, but nine months after, prescriptions dropped by 6.4%. Researchers suggest that the initial increase may have represented quit attempts among smokers who were ready to quit, and the decrease reflected cessation activity returning to normal. Researchers suggest that smoke-free legislation may be more effective if smokers are given constant encouragement to quit. Read more here, or read the study abstract.

Cost effectiveness of interventions to reduce relapse to smoking following smoking cessation (England)
A recent study has found that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) seems to be cost effective in stopping the smoking relapse of those who have just quit. Researchers used a cohort simulation model to estimate the quality-adjusted life years (QALYS) gained using the NRTs bupropion and varenicline, while preventing a smoking relapse. The researchers found that both drugs were cost effective, and that the NRTs increased QALYS for the hypothetical study group while reducing the chances of a smoking relapse. The authors state that NRTs should be used to ward off relapse, as they are cost effective. Read the study abstract here in the journal Addiction.

An exploration of general practice factors predicting recruitment to a UK wide primary care smoking cessation study (the ESCAPE trial) (England)
According to an article published in Family Practice, proactive recruitment methods can increase participation in smoking cessation trials. Current smokers were recruited to a smoking cessation trial, and recruitment rates were measured. The data show that sending reminders increased recruitment by 7.5%, and that shorter lengths of time between mailings were associated with an increase in recruitment rates. The authors suggest that proactive recruitment should be utilized to increase participation in cessation trials. Read the study abstract here.

Smoking cessation improves mortality in Japanese men: The Hisayama study (Japan)
A new study published in Tobacco Control concluded that Japanese men reduce their risk of mortality when they quit smoking. In a prospective study, 1,083 Japanese men 40 years and older who smoked between 1988 and 2006 were followed. The findings suggest that Japanese men who quit smoking have a decreased risk of death similar to those who never smoked, compared to those men who continue to smoke. The authors recommend smoking cessation campaigns to increase rates of cessation within Japanese men. Read more here.

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