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Category: Science & Innovation

  • Study: Vaping Does Not Help Smokers Quit

    Study: Vaping Does Not Help Smokers Quit

    E-cigarettes do not increase smoking cessation and are associated with reduced tobacco abstinence, says researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego. The study, among smokers in the U.S. and published March 5 in JAMA, “refutes the common misperception among tobacco users and e-cigarette proponents” that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking.

    “Most smokers think vaping will help you quit smoking,” John P. Pierce, Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the school and study’s co-author said. “However, this belief is not supported by science to date. While some researchers have suggested that smokers who switch to daily vaping will be more successful in quitting smoking, we studied quitting success among both daily and non-daily vapers and came up with a quite definitive answer.”

    The study analyzed data from 6,000 U.S. smokers from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. There were 943 smokers who also vaped and by matching and comparing these to similar smokers who didn’t vape, they found smoking cessation was 4.1% lower among smokers who vaped daily and 5.3% lower among smokers who vaped occasionally.

    Researchers said that while e-cigarettes don’t have the same health consequences as smoking, they are not harmless.

    “The adverse health effects of cigarette smoking become obvious after people have smoked for 20 years,” said Pierce. “While vapes generally don’t contain the same harmful chemicals as cigarette smoke, they have other risks, and we just don’t yet know what the health consequences of vaping over 20 to 30 years will be.”

    This study was supported by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program of the University of California Office of the President.

  • Study: E-Cigs Elevate Cancer-Causing Pathways

    Study: E-Cigs Elevate Cancer-Causing Pathways

    A new study from researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center published in Scientific Reports suggests an elevation of carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways with e-cigarette users when compared to non-users. Dongmei Li, the director of Translational Science Statistical Support Services for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, said little is known about how exclusive e-cigarette use affects exosomal microRNAs, which regulate genes that influence cancer-causing pathways.

    By comparing exosomal microRNA profiles between exclusive e-cigarette users and non-users, the researchers identified several exosomal microRNAs that are upregulated—more active than normal—in exclusive e-cigarette users. These overactive microRNAs are involved in cancer pathways, suggesting an elevation of carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways in exclusive e-cigarette users.

    “Our results contribute significantly to understanding the potential health risks of e-cigarette use and should be considered by medical professionals and the public to protect public health,” Li said. “Our study results will spark further investigations into the impact of exclusive e-cigarette use on plasma exosomal miRNAs and other biomarkers related to cancer risks, which will help us better understand the toxicity of e-cigarette use.”

    This study was funded by an R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health

  • CORESTA to Host Tobacco Field Research Webinar

    CORESTA to Host Tobacco Field Research Webinar

    Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) announced it will host an agro-phyto webinar titled “Techniques for Successful Applied Tobacco Field Research” April 15 from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. CET.

    “Tobacco research spans multiple disciplines, including agronomy, plant physiology, entomology, plant pathology, and breeding, each requiring specialized knowledge and protocols,” CORESTA says of the webinar. “However, effective field research in tobacco production shares common principles and practices that ensure reliable and accurate results. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the essential research methodologies for conducting field-based studies in tobacco production. By the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the key practices related to applied field research that can be useful across various aspects of tobacco production.”

    Matthew Vann, an associate professor at North Carolina State University will introduce the seminar, followed by Mitchell Richmond, an assistant professor of plant science at the University of Tennessee speaking for 40 minutes. The final 30 minutes will be a Q&A and panel discussion moderated by Christelle Bonnet, a plant science manager at JTI.

    The registration deadline is April 14. Click here to register.

  • Researchers Developing App to Detect Starch in Tobacco Leaves

    Researchers Developing App to Detect Starch in Tobacco Leaves

    Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China have developed a low-cost, immediate, general, and high-throughput (LIGHt) total starch determination of plant leaves using smartphone colorimetry. The performance of LIGHt smartphone colorimetry repeatedly provided significant consistency compared with traditional spectrophotometry detection, which can be easily transferred into a portable, low-cost, Android-based handheld device for convenient colorimetric measurements.

    The LIGHt smartphone colorimetry returned an average relative error of 5.74%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) ranging from 2.58 to 4.31%, a detection limit of 1.53 µg/mL, and an average recovery rate of 95.72%. 

    “While there is still slightly lower detection precision compared to traditional spectroscopic instruments like microplate readers, the method has proven its feasibility for rapid detection of starch content in tobacco powder and its potential for on-site testing in the tobacco industry due to its good reproducibility and stability,” researchers wrote. “The method does not require complex laboratory equipment or professional personnel to operate, enabling rapid on-site testing. Furthermore, the LIGHt smartphone colorimetry for starch detection resulted in a BAGI score of 80, reflecting its alignment with green chemistry principles and its high practicality.

    “The results showed that the LIGHt smartphone colorimetry is expected to effectively improve the efficiency of real-time monitoring of tobacco leaf quality. The proposed method greatly reduces detection costs and operational complexity. The LIGHt total starch determination can be extended to the detection of starch content in fruits, vegetables, and other foods.”

    Read the entire report here.

  • Study: Pneuma’s New Delivery System Free of Concerning Compounds

    Study: Pneuma’s New Delivery System Free of Concerning Compounds

    Pneuma Respiratory announced the results of its study examining the aerosol composition of various nicotine delivery devices. The study highlights the absence of concerning heavy metals and organic compounds in Pneuma’s innovative, non-heated reduced-risk nicotine delivery system, reinforcing the company’s scientific leadership and commitment to harm reduction.

    “These findings provide scientific evidence that Pneuma’s approach to reduced-risk nicotine delivery is fundamentally different, indicating a possibly lower health risk product compared to conventional inhalation methods,” the company wrote.

    The study compared the presence of concerning compounds in the emissions of different nicotine inhalation devices. The compounds of interest included heavy metals such as chromium, nickel, lead, and arsenic, as well as harmful organic compounds like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene.

    • Pneuma’s device, using 1.8% nicotine solution and non-heated technology, did not produce quantifiable levels of any tested heavy metals or organic compounds.
    • Another vape device, using 1.8% nicotine solution and heated technology, emitted quantifiable levels of copper, nickel, and zinc, along with acetaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, and formaldehyde.
    • A heat-not-burn device (tobacco sticks with heated technology) did not generate quantifiable levels of heavy metals but produced quantifiable levels of all tested organic compounds.

    “These findings provide scientific evidence that Pneuma’s approach to reduced-risk nicotine delivery is fundamentally different, indicating a possibly lower health risk product compared to conventional inhalation methods,” said Matthew Culpepper, principal study investigator at Pneuma Respiratory. “Our goal is to provide a scientifically sound alternative for adult nicotine users who are looking for a reduced-risk option.”

  • Study: Villainizing Vape is Backfiring

    Study: Villainizing Vape is Backfiring

    A study published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, conducted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School, revealed that the constant vilification of all nicotine products so users will stop smoking and using “tobacco products” altogether appears to be backfiring. The study said that while many smokers are looking for less harmful alternatives, “inappropriate misinformation” about products such as e-cigarettes is keeping them from switching.

    In the findings, 85% of the smokers in England, where the study was conducted, had an incorrect understanding of vaping’s risks. Whereas vaping is not risk-free, it is less harmful than traditional smoking, yet some believe it’s as much or even more harmful as combustible cigarettes.

    “This misunderstanding is a big obstacle in the path of quitting cigarettes,” wrote the Hindustan Times. “They don’t see vaping, as a viable alternative to cigarettes.

    “To overcome any addictive habit or even go to the milder alternatives to gradually quit the habit, a strong motivation is required. With the widespread misunderstanding, smokers don’t feel motivated enough to switch. As per them if it’s as bad as traditional smoking, they see little point in making the switch.”

  • Study: Youth More Vulnerable to Nicotine Addiction

    Study: Youth More Vulnerable to Nicotine Addiction

    People in their late teens and early 20s may be more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle-aged adults, according to a new study in mice from researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health. The results provide evidence that the effects of drugs on the body—both medication and misused substances—change over the lifespan in ways that clinicians and researchers need to consider when developing and prescribing treatments, the researchers said.

    Doctoral student Carlos Novoa and his adviser, Thomas Gould, Jean Phillips Shibley Professor of Biobehavioral Health and head of the department, led the study. The researchers demonstrated that nicotine lowers the body temperature of young adult mice more quickly and reduces their movement more significantly than middle-aged mice. These results indicate how the effects of nicotine change as people age, according to the research team.

    “Sometimes, people think of development as something that occurs until we reach a certain age—like 18 or 25—and then stops,” Gould said. “But people continue to develop and change across their entire lifespan, and this affects how our bodies respond to medications and other chemicals, including nicotine. This research adds one piece to the puzzle of all the factors—age, biological sex, genetics, and many others—needed to create effective medical treatments and policies for all people.”

    The results of the study appear in Behavioral Pharmacology.

  • Study Links ADHD and Nicotine Use

    Study Links ADHD and Nicotine Use

    A recent JAMA Network Open study established a “robust association between ADHD symptoms and newer forms of nicotine and tobacco use. This finding emphasizes the importance of early ADHD diagnosis and effective management strategies to reduce the risk of future nicotine and tobacco use among U.S. youths.”

    Previous studies established a link between ADHD and tobacco use, however, it remains unclear how the widespread availability of electronic nicotine delivery systems like e-cigarettes may have exacerbated this issue. In 2018, e-cigarette use surpassed cigarette smoking and has continued to increase to become the second most prevalent substance use behavior.

    ADHD, which is characterized by functional impairment, hyperactivity, and/or inattention, is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents in the United States. In fact, current estimates indicate that one in nine children and adolescents in the U.S. received an ADHD diagnosis in their lifetime.

  • Fast-Dissolving Nicotine Strip Makes First Cut for Grant

    Fast-Dissolving Nicotine Strip Makes First Cut for Grant

    CTT Pharmaceutical Holdings said it has advanced past the initial round in its application for a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for its patented fast-dissolving nicotine strips. The company is now among a few thousand remaining applicants from an initial pool of over 12,000 applicants. Acceptance into the program would give CTT government backing and allow for extensive research and testing to help in the development of its technology.

    “To make it past the first round of applicants is a huge accomplishment by itself and shows that the NSF sees potential value for our technology within the tobacco industry,” said Ryan Khouri, CEO of CTT Pharma. “Currently there are no fast-dissolving, low-dose nicotine strips on the market, as most oral products stay in the mouth for an excessive amount of time.”

    The company’s technology aims to address a significant public health issue, as classified by WHO. CTT said it expects to receive a response by late April.

  • Study: Advertising Bans Significantly Reduce Smoking Rates

    Study: Advertising Bans Significantly Reduce Smoking Rates

    A recent study published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews has found that comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship are effective in reducing smoking prevalence. The research indicates that such bans can significantly lower the odds of people smoking, highlighting the importance of implementing and enforcing comprehensive advertising restrictions to curb tobacco use.

    The study analyzed data from various countries with differing levels of advertising restrictions. Findings suggest that nations enforcing complete bans on tobacco advertising and sponsorship experience a more substantial decline in smoking rates compared to those with partial or no bans.

    The researchers advocate for the expansion of comprehensive advertising bans worldwide, emphasizing that such measures are crucial in reducing tobacco consumption and preventing smoking initiation, particularly among youth. The study supports the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which recommends comprehensive bans as part of a global strategy to combat tobacco-related health issues.