Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
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Comparative Study
Higher nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in menthol cigarette smokers with and without schizophrenia.
This study examined whether smoking menthol cigarettes was associated with increased biochemical measures of smoke intake. Expired carbon monoxide (CO) and serum nicotine and cotinine were measured in 89 smokers with schizophrenia and 53 control smokers immediately after smoking an afternoon cigarette. Serum nicotine levels (27 vs. 22 ng/ml, p = .010), serum cotinine levels (294 vs. 240 ng/ml, p = .041), and expired CO (25 vs. 21 ppm, p = .029) were higher in smokers of menthol compared with nonmenthol cigarettes, with no differences in 3-hydroxycotinine/cotinine ratios between groups when controlling for race. ⋯ Although rates of mentholated cigarette smoking were not higher in smokers with schizophrenia overall, they were significantly higher in non-Hispanic White people with schizophrenia compared with controls of the same ethnic/racial subgroup (51% vs. 28%, p<.0001). The higher exhaled CO in menthol smokers suggests that the higher nicotine levels are at least partly related to increased intake of smoke from menthol cigarettes, although menthol-mediated inhibition of nicotine metabolism also may be a factor. Menthol is an important cigarette additive that may help explain why some groups have lower quit rates and more smoking-caused disease.
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Comparative Study
Declining mortality from smoking in the United States.
The proportion of Americans who smoke cigarettes has declined 50% since 1965. The effect on mortality of this considerable reduction has received little attention and is described in this study. U. ⋯ The U. S. mortality rate attributable to smoking declined about 35% between 1987 and 2002. The impact of smoking on American society will diminish even further in the foreseeable future as smoking prevalence continues its decline among men and women.
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Comparative Study
Sociocultural correlates of menthol cigarette smoking among adult African Americans in Los Angeles.
Nearly 70% of adult African American smokers smoke menthol cigarettes. More information is needed about the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence their overwhelming preference for menthol cigarettes. This study examined variables associated with menthol vs. nonmenthol cigarette use among 432 adult African American smokers in Los Angeles, California. ⋯ Controlling for age and employment, we found that the significant correlates of menthol use among women were parents' menthol smoking, the belief that most African American smokers smoke menthols, and disagreement with the belief that smoking menthol cigarettes is a "Black thing." Among men, the only significant correlate of menthol smoking was the belief that most African American smokers smoke menthols. Results indicate that menthol smoking among adult African Americans is at least partly a consequence of a complex set of social and cultural norms. Further research is needed to understand the reasons why so many African Americans select menthols, as well as the health consequences of these choices.
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College is an important transition period during which young adults explore tobacco use. Few large-scale studies have been conducted among college students regarding tobacco use. We initiated a study examining tobacco use in 30 colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest. ⋯ Further, they tend not to be highly dependent on tobacco, do not consider themselves regular smokers, and plan to quit before they graduate (56.8%). School type should be considered when estimating smoking rates among 4-year college students. Data indicate that college smokers wish and plan to quit before graduation, suggesting that efforts to assist smokers in quitting during the college years may be fruitful.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Gabapentin for smoking cessation: a preliminary investigation of efficacy.
Gabapentin affects the glutamate and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters through which it may facilitate smoking abstinence. To obtain preliminary estimates of efficacy of gabapentin for smoking cessation, we conducted a single-arm, open-label study of gabapentin, 1,800-mg/day administered in three equal divided doses for 8 weeks. A total of 50 adult smokers were enrolled. ⋯ Adverse effects were minor and well tolerated. Our results suggest that gabapentin may increase smoking abstinence. An adequately powered randomized clinical trial assessing different doses of this drug against a placebo would be the reasonable next step.