Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Brief smoking cessation intervention in relation to breast cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
Smokers are more prone to develop postoperative complications. Smoking cessation intervention beginning 4-8 weeks prior to surgery improves the postoperative outcome. Cancer patients, however, often undergo surgery less than 4 weeks after diagnosis. The primary objective of this study was therefore to examine if a brief smoking cessation intervention shortly before breast cancer surgery would influence postoperative complications and smoking cessation. ⋯ Brief smoking intervention administered shortly before breast cancer surgery modestly increased self-reported perioperative smoking cessation without having any clinical impact on postoperative complications. The study adds to the body of evidence indicating that brief intervention has no clinical importance for surgical patients in regard to postoperative morbidity. Future studies should be designed to determine the optimal time of smoking cessation before surgery.
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The use of smokeless tobacco as part of a strategy to reduce the harm from cigarette smoking is a topic of debate within the tobacco control and public health communities. One concern voiced regarding endorsement of such a tactic is the possibility of actually increasing harm should current smokers adopt dual cigarette/smokeless tobacco use (dual use), which could lead to unintended consequences by perpetuating cigarette smoking, diminishing tobacco cessation, or increasing tobacco-related harm. ⋯ Overall, the concern about dual use appears to be contradicted by the evidence in the literature that dual use of smokeless tobacco and cigarettes may result in reduction in smoking-related harm as smoking intensity is decreased and smoking cessation increases.
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To describe the prevalence, correlates of, and reasons for use of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco in a high RYO use and ethnically diverse country: New Zealand (NZ). ⋯ RYO smoking is particularly associated with individual deprivation and high levels of dependence. Its capacity to blunt price signals provided by tobacco taxes is accompanied by misperceptions that it is less hazardous to health and it is particularly prevalent among vulnerable disadvantaged populations (including Māori, young people, and those with mental health problems). Governments should reconsider removing any tax advantages given to RYO tobacco, ensure RYO smokers are properly informed of health risks, and supported to quit as strongly as other smokers. However, governments should also examine a broader range of options including a higher differential tax on RYO tobacco, removing flavors, and controlling all tobacco marketing.
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The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recommends that provision of cessation support should be included in national tobacco control strategies. This study examines the impact of the United Kingdom's national smoking cessation strategy on quit attempts, use of treatment and short-term abstinence, relative to the United States, Canada, and Australia where less support is provided. ⋯ U.K. smokers report fewer quit attempts but are more likely to use support when quitting and to achieve short-term abstinence.
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The buccal absorption of nicotine replacement therapy is a part of the treatment to quit smoking. In some cases, this use could last more than six months. ⋯ Varenicline, a partial alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptor agonist, could be a solution to help former smokers to stop long-term use of nicotine gums or lozenges. Further studies will be necessary to confirm this result.