European journal of public health
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Eur J Public Health · Apr 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialChanges in health-related quality of life with smoking cessation treatment.
Cigarette smoking causes reduced health-related quality of life (QoL) and smoking abstinence improves health-related QoL. We assessed the effects of treatment for tobacco dependence on the health-related QoL in a 52-week randomized controlled trial of varenicline and bupropion sustained release (SR). ⋯ Treatment with varenicline and bupropion SR for smoking cessation resulted in improved self-control and health transition that was mediated in large part by continuous smoking abstinence.
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Eur J Public Health · Apr 2012
Young adult smokers' perceptions of illicit tobacco and the possible impact of plain packaging on purchase behaviour.
Plain (unbranded) packaging for cigarettes is at the top of the tobacco control agenda in both Australia and Europe. The evidence suggests that it will benefit public health by decreasing the appeal of tobacco products and increasing the power of the health warning. The tobacco industry instead argues that plain packaging would make it easier to counterfeit cigarettes, which would both confuse consumers and reduce price; thereby increasing consumption. ⋯ Illicit tobacco purchase, including that for counterfeit tobacco, was instead driven by availability and price. Given the extremely low manufacturing cost, per pack, of certain types of illicit cigarettes, it is difficult to envisage how plain packaging would alter the price of illicit tobacco in any meaningful way. The findings therefore suggest that a move to plain packaging would have no impact on young adult smokers' purchase behaviour.