Stories

A recent study in JAMA evaluated a text message program to help teenagers quit e-cigarette use. The trial involved over 1,600 participants aged 13-17 recruited via social media. The program, 'This is Quitting,' provided personalized messages and support for users. Results showed a 35% higher quitting rate in the intervention group compared to controls, with improved dual abstinence rates. The program's effectiveness highlights the impact of digital interventions on adolescent vaping cessation, surpassing traditional methods. Health providers are encouraged to promote and implement such programs to support youth in quitting vaping successfully.

Austin Collins transitioned from vaping 14mg of nicotine per day to over double that amount using nicotine pouches. The pouches gained popularity as a discreet way to consume nicotine, with Zyn being a leading brand. While sales surged, concerns about teen usage and health risks arose. Policy debates ensued, with calls for regulation amid fears of attracting young users. Research on the long-term health effects of nicotine pouches is ongoing. Philip Morris International, the parent company of Zyn, insists they market only to legal age consumers. Experts warn of potential risks to adolescent brain development and call for increased education on the dangers of nicotine pouch use among youth.

Frontline workers face legal obstacles in administering naloxone to treat drug overdoses in Victoria without first calling emergency services. Health experts warn about the dangers of synthetic opioids and advocate for increased access to naloxone. Despite public availability and trial vending machines, non-clinical workers must follow strict guidelines, causing potential delays in life-saving interventions. Concerns over indemnity and insurance coverage for administering naloxone have been raised, prompting calls for a more streamlined process. The Victorian government encourages the public to administer naloxone but emphasizes the importance of calling emergency services.

We provide an extensive review of 14 studies (11 independent and three industry-funded) on emissions generated by Electronic Cigarettes (ECs), specifically focusing on the evaluation of carbonyls present in these emissions and emphasizing a meticulous evaluation of their analytical methods and experimental procedures. Since the presence of carbonyl by-products in EC aerosol is concerning, it is important to evaluate the reliability of emission studies quantifying these compounds by verifying their compliance with the following criteria of experimental quality: [...]

In the past decade, millions of Americans made the switch from cigarettes to vaping in hopes of avoiding the worst smoking-related illnesses. In the process, many who never smoked cigarettes have found themselves addicted to nicotine without strong guidelines on how to quit. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, FSAHM, professor of pediatrics/adolescent medicine at Stanford, and founder/director of the Stanford REACH Lab, explains how we got here and shares medical advice on how to quit vaping.

The tobacco pandemic affects marginalized communities severely. E-cigarettes offer harm reduction potential, but misconceptions hinder their adoption, especially in justice-impacted populations. Healthcare providers should embrace e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool and provide accurate information. Dispelling myths and expanding access to harm reduction strategies can empower individuals to quit smoking. Public health agencies must update policies based on evidence to support smokers in achieving a smoke-free future. Maurice Ward advocates for integrating e-cigarettes in cessation efforts to combat tobacco-related diseases and disparities effectively.

Scientific data are critical to our understanding of the harm reduction potential of novel tobacco and nicotine products. Such data can be used in shaping evidence-based regulation and to inform consumers of the relative risks of tobacco product use. Increasingly, there are calls to preclude data generated by manufacturers in informing policy, as this data is seen by some as not ‘independent’ and biased by commercial goals.

A CDC survey showed a decline in high-school students' past-month marijuana use, dropping from 23% in 2013 to 17% in 2023. Despite minor fluctuations, overall teenage marijuana use has decreased since 2013. Notably, male students exhibited a more significant decline. The survey also highlighted reductions in alcohol use and prescription opioids among students. Critics' fears of increased youth consumption post-cannabis legalization were contradicted by the data. Various studies have supported the notion that marijuana legalization does not significantly impact youth usage rates, with many showing stable or declining trends.

A handful of North American companies which see potential for vape-like devices to ease migraines and respiratory diseases such as asthma have a long road to convince health authorities and patients that their products can be the future of inhaled medication. Two companies, Qnovia and MIIST Therapeutics, have developed vape-like devices based on technology used in existing medical nebulisers, which turns liquid medications into a fine mist. Another company, Greentank, says it has developed a way to vaporise substances via a heating chip that addresses safety concerns with current vapes and may offer a better way to treat ailments like migraines.

Research warns about tobacco companies potentially replacing nicotine in vaping products with harmful "nicotine analogs." These chemicals bypass FDA regulations and lack studies on their health effects, raising concerns about safety and accuracy in labeling. Examples include a brand named Spree Bar misrepresenting ingredients, including a more toxic compound. Anti-tobacco groups have alerted the FDA about such products. Scientists emphasize the need for thorough research on the risks of inhaling these substances before market approval. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlighting the critical need for regulation and consumer protection.