Read articles from Global

May 01, 2024 by cuanschutz.edu

E-cigarettes show promise for aiding smoking cessation, particularly in emergency department settings, according to a recent commentary co-authored by Gina Kruse, MD. The commentary questions the public health impact of e-cigarettes, emphasizing the need for more research on their long-term use and effects on adolescents. Differences in e-cigarette regulations between the U.K. and the U.S. could impact the applicability of research findings. Access to evidence-based cessation treatments alongside e-cigarettes warrants further investigation. Kruse highlights the challenge of balancing adults' cessation needs with preventing youth access to e-cigarettes, emphasizing the importance of informed policies and practices regarding these devices.

May 01, 2024 by news-medical.net

A study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine links E-cigarette use to unintended and intended ocular surface exposures. The research highlights the increasing global use of E-cigarettes and their potential harm on eye components. An analysis of 18 studies reveals consequences such as corneal injury, tear film disruption, and dry eye symptoms. Chronic exposure may lead to ocular malignancies and alterations in tear production and meibomian gland loss. The study emphasizes the critical need for further research on the long-term effects of E-cigarette use on ocular health.

April 30, 2024 by medium.com

The World Health Organization has 8,000 employees, a budget of close to $4bn dollars, considerable influence and ambitious goals. Expanding access to medical care. Managing global health emergencies. Addressing the root causes of disease. Even combatting misinformation online. To the latter, one is tempted to respond, “Physician, heal thyself.” That’s because, when it comes to one of the most important public health questions of our time — how best to reduce the death and disease caused by smoking tobacco — the WHO is not merely failing to curb misinformation. It is misleading governments, health care workers and the public.

April 30, 2024 by independent.ie

Teenage girls in the UK are found to engage in more drinking, smoking, and vaping than boys. A recent study suggests that frequent vaping among teens could increase exposure to harmful metals like lead and uranium, affecting brain and organ development. Researchers emphasize the importance of regulating and preventing teen vaping. The study, involving 1607 teens, reveals higher levels of lead and uranium in the urine of frequent vapers compared to occasional vapers. Sweet flavors were associated with increased uranium levels. While the study lacks definitive conclusions, it highlights the need for further research, regulation, and public health interventions to reduce the risks of e-cigarette use, especially among adolescents.

April 30, 2024 by newsweek.com

Does vaping put teenagers at risk of toxic heavy metal exposure? New research says maybe. Vaping is popular among teens, with the Food and Drug Administration reporting that roughly 1 in 7 American high school students were using e-cigarettes as of 2022. This equates to 2.14 million young people nationwide. "E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco products among U.S. adolescents since 2014, and youth e-cigarette use continues to be a public health concern," Daisy Dai, a professor of biostatistics and associate dean of research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told Newsweek.

April 30, 2024 by newsweek.com

Does vaping put teenagers at risk of toxic heavy metal exposure? New research says maybe. Vaping is popular among teens, with the Food and Drug Administration reporting that roughly 1 in 7 American high school students were using e-cigarettes as of 2022. This equates to 2.14 million young people nationwide. "E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco products among U.S. adolescents since 2014, and youth e-cigarette use continues to be a public health concern," Daisy Dai, a professor of biostatistics and associate dean of research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told Newsweek.

April 30, 2024 by cnn.com

Vaping among teens has declined slightly, but a new study shows a link between vaping and higher levels of lead and uranium in urine, potentially affecting brain and organ development. While sweet flavors attract teens to e-cigarettes, they are associated with increased uranium exposure. The study, based on 200 teens, reinforces the risks of vaping, with lead detected in e-cigarette aerosol. It emphasizes that no level of lead exposure is safe and urges parents to advise against vaping. More research is needed on heavy metal exposure and the impact on health. Personalized quit plans and therapy can help individuals, including teens, quit vaping successfully.

April 30, 2024 by medicalnewstoday.com

Vaping is linked to a higher risk of heart failure, affecting over 64 million people globally. E-cigarette users face a 19% increased risk, especially for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Nicotine in e-cigarettes can harm the heart, leading to cardiovascular issues similar to heart failure. Aerosol products in e-cigarettes may worsen heart failure by affecting respiratory function. Understanding these risks is crucial for prevention strategies.

April 29, 2024 by eureporter.co

PMI is transitioning to a smoke-free company, aiming to generate most revenue from smoke-free alternatives by next year. Recognizing the health impact of cigarettes, PMI has launched new products to help smokers quit. The company also focuses on sustainability, human rights, and reducing environmental impact. With a strategic focus on products like Iqos and Zyn, PMI aims to offer diverse smoke-free options for consumers. The company is engaging with public health authorities to promote smoke-free alternatives and reduce cigarette use. PMI believes in the value of their products in achieving a world without cigarettes, with growing support from public health advocates worldwide.

April 29, 2024 by filtermag.org

Contingency management (CM) is a leading treatment for stimulant use disorder (SUD) based on positive reinforcement through urine drug screens. Some programs are critiqued for being infantilizing and promoting abstinence only. There's a call for modifying CM for harm reduction, proposing changes like easier access to tests and not penalizing relapse. Challenges to widespread implementation include funding limitations and bureaucratic hurdles. A harm reduction CM could focus on appointment retention, transportation support, education on safer use, and individualized goal-setting. However, incentivizing multiple behaviors may complicate CM efficacy.