Beyond tobacco: genomic disparities in lung cancer between smokers and never-smokers.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for Lung Cancer (LC) development. However, about 10-20% of those diagnosed with the disease are never-smokers. For Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) there are clear differences in both the clinical presentation and the tumor genomic profiles between smokers and never-smokers. For example, the Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD) histological subtype in never-smokers is predominately found in young women of European, North American, and Asian descent. While the clinical presentation and tumor genomic profiles of smokers have been widely examined, never-smokers are usually underrepresented, especially those of a Latin American (LA) background. In this work, we characterize, for the first time, the difference in the genomic profiles between smokers and never-smokers LC patients from Chile. METHODS: We conduct a comparison by smoking status in the frequencies of genomic alterations (GAs) including somatic mutations and structural variants (fusions) in a total of 10 clinically relevant genes, including the eight most common actionable genes for LC (EGFR, KRAS, ALK, MET, BRAF, RET, ERBB2, and ROS1) and two established driver genes for malignancies other than LC (PIK3CA and MAP2K1). Study participants were grouped as either smokers (current and former, n = 473) or never-smokers (n = 200) according to self-report tobacco use at enrollment. RESULTS: Our findings indicate a higher overall GA frequency for never-smokers compared to smokers (58 vs. 45.7, p-value < 0.01) with the genes EGFR, KRAS, and PIK3CA displaying the highest prevalence while ERBB2, RET, and ROS1 the lowest. Never-smokers present higher frequencies in seven out of the 10 genes; however, smokers harbor a more complex genomic profile. The clearest differences between groups are seen for EGFR (15.6 vs. 21.5, p-value: < 0.01), PIK3CA (6.8 vs 9.5) and ALK (3.2 vs 7.5) in favor of never-smokers, and KRAS (16.3 vs. 11.5) and MAP2K1 (6.6 vs. 3.5) in favor of smokers. Alterations in these genes are comprised almost exclusively by somatic mutations in EGFR and mainly by fusions in ALK, and only by mutations in PIK3CA, KRAS and MAP2K1. CONCLUSIONS: We found clear differences in the genomic landscape by smoking status in LUAD patients from Chile, with potential implications for clinical management in these limited-resource settings.

Tabagismo no Brasil: percepções dos resultados de pesquisas domiciliares / Smoking in Brazil: insights from the results of the household surveys / Tabaquismo en Brasil: percepciones de los resultados de encuestas en hogares

Introdução: o uso do tabaco em suas diferentes formas continua a ser uma das principais causas de morte evitáveis no Brasil. Com uma história de sucesso notável, o Brasil alcançou uma das maiores reduções significativas na prevalência do tabagismo desde 1990. No entanto, é preocupante que a taxa de declínio do consumo de tabaco tenha diminuído nos últimos anos, conforme sugerem as pesquisas. Objetivos: o presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar os resultados de três pesquisas domiciliares realizadas pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Métodos: foi realizada a comparação da prevalência do uso de tabaco entre entrevistados com 18 anos ou mais, assim como foi avaliada a porcentagem de mudanças na prevalência entre 2008, 2013 e 2019, usando dados de três pesquisas: The Global Tobacco Adult Survey, do ano de 2008, e a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Brasil, dos anos de 2013 e 2019. Além disso, analisamos a prevalência no Brasil e seus estados de acordo com idade, gênero, nível educacional e raça. Resultados: a prevalência do tabagismo ativo diminuiu 19% entre 2008 e 2013, passando de 18,2% (IC 95%: 17,7;18,7%), em 2008, para 14,7% (IC 95%: 14,2;15,2%), em 2013. No entanto, em 2019, a prevalência foi de 12,6% (IC 95%: 12,2;13,0%), revelando uma redução de 14,3%. O tabagismo foi maior entre a população com baixo nível de escolaridade, status de renda mais baixo e raça/cor da pele preta e parda. Conclusão: a prevalência do tabagismo diminuiu no Brasil nas últimas três décadas. No entanto, recentemente, houve uma redução na intensidade da queda, exigindo atenção e análise cuidadosa das estratégias de prevenção e abandono do tabagismo.(AU)

Prevalence of negative self-rated health in university students and its relationship with the co-occurrence of risk behaviors / Prevalência da autoavaliação de saúde negativa em universitários e sua relação com a concorrência de comportamentos de risco

ABSTRACT The present study estimate the prevalence of negative self-rated health and to analyze its association with simultaneous risk behaviors (insufficient levels of physical activity, greater exposure to sedentary time and inappropriate sleep time) in students at a public university in the state from Minas Gerais, Brazil. It consists of cross-sectional study, with data collected through a questionnaire. The outcome variable was negative self-rated health. The independent variables were estimated by the questions related to the time spent on physical activity, sitting and sleep time, and these three behaviors were considered according to the risk criteria (none, one, two and three risk behaviors). The association was estimated by the Prevalence Ratios (PR), via Poisson regression. 1,110 students participated in the study. The prevalence of negative self-rated health among university students was 47.3%, and the prevalence of two risk behaviors and three risk behaviors were 41.3% and 11.3%, respectively. The simultaneous occurrence of three risk behaviors was associated with negative self-rated health in university students. The information in this study makes it possible to characterize the need for actions to promote health in the university environment.

RESUMO O presente estudo estimou a prevalência da autoavaliação de saúde negativa e analisou a sua associação com comportamentos de risco simultâneos (níveis insuficientes de atividade física, maior exposição ao tempo sedentário e tempo de sono não apropriado) em estudantes de uma universidade pública do ensino superior do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Consiste de um estudo transversal, com informações mensuradas via questionário e a variável desfecho foi a autoavaliação de saúde negativa. As variáveis independentes foram estimadas pelas perguntas referentes ao tempo despendido em: atividade física, tempo sentado e tempo de sono, e esses três comportamentos foram somados conforme os critérios de risco (nenhum, um, dois e três fatores de risco). A associação foi estimada pelas Razões de Prevalências (RP), via regressão de Poisson. Participaram do estudo 1.110 estudantes. A prevalência da autoavaliação de saúde negativa entre os universitários foi de 47,3%, e as prevalências de dois fatores de risco e de três fatores de risco foram de 41,3% e 11,3%, respectivamente. A ocorrência de forma simultânea de três fatores de risco mostrou-se associada com a autoavaliação de saúde negativa em universitários. As informações deste estudo possibilitam caracterizar a necessidade de ações na promoção de saúde no ambiente universitário.

Health, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics are associated with Brazilian dietary patterns: Brazilian National Health Survey.

This study aimed to identify Brazilian dietary patterns and their associations with health, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics. Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey conducted in 2013 were used. A questionnaire was applied containing 22 items related to dietary consumption. Dietary patterns were determined through factor analysis (FA). Poisson regression models, with robust variance, were used to identify associations between dietary patterns and independents variables. Statistical significance was defined as p-value<0.05. Data were analysed for 60,202 adults (estimated population size: 146,308,458). FA identified three dietary patterns: healthy, protein, and western. The younger age group (18-24 years) had a lower adherence to the healthy pattern (PR:0.53; 95%CI:0.49-0.58) and greater adherence to the protein (PR:1.52; 95%CI:1.42-1.62) and western (PR:1.80; 95%CI:1.68-1.93) patterns compared to the elderly (≥60 years). Women had a greater association with the healthy pattern (PR:1.32; 95%CI:1.28-1.38) and lower association with the protein pattern (PR:0.80; 95%CI:0.77-0.82) compared to men. Illiterate participants showed lower adherence to the healthy (PR:0.58; 95%CI:0.53-0.63) and western (PR:0.54; 95%CI:0.48-0.62) patterns compared to those with higher educational levels. Smokers had lower adherence to the healthy (PR:0.76; 95%CI:0.71-0.81) and higher adherence to the protein (PR:1.14; 95%CI:1.11-1.19) patterns compared to non-smokers. Participants with poor/very poor self-rated health status had a lower adherence to the healthy (PR:0.79; 95%CI:0.73-0.86) and western (PR:0.81; 95%CI:0.73-0.89) patterns compared to those in a very good/good self-rated health status. Multimorbidity was positively associated with the healthy pattern (PR:1.18; 95%CI:1.11-1.26) and inversely associated with the protein pattern (PR:0.88; 95%CI:0.80-0.96) compared to participants without comorbidities. We suggest that strategies to promote healthy eating should consider health, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian population.

Trends in Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Brazil: 2006-2019.

Objectives. To analyze trends in cigarette smoking among Brazilian adults from 2006 to 2019.Methods. We performed a time-series analysis based on data from the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases Telephone Survey (n = 730 309). We calculated the annual prevalence of current cigarette smokers, heavy smokers, and passive smokers in the workplace and investigated linear trends using Prais-Winsten regression, for the entire period and for the past 5 years. We performed the analyses for the total population and according to the sociodemographic characteristics.Results. The prevalence of cigarette smoking, heavy smoking, and passive smoking in the workplace declined, respectively, an average of 3.99% per year, 5.65% per year, and 6.55% per year from 2006 to 2019. We observed this reduction regardless of gender, age, educational level, and geographic region. The magnitude of reduction in the prevalence of current cigarette smoking decreased in the past 5 years, while the magnitude of the change in heavy smoking increased.Conclusions. The prevalence of cigarette smoking decreased in the time period studied. The smaller magnitude of reduction for current cigarette smoking in the most recent years might indicate a fatigue with the current policy scenario.

A enfermagem frente ao paciente tabagista hospitalizado: diagnósticos e intervenções estabelecidos na prática clínica / Nursing in front of the hospitalized smoking patient: diagnosis and interventions established in clinical practice / Enfermería frente al paciente fumador hospitalizado: diagnóstico e intervenciones establecidas en la práctica clínica

Objetivo: Identificar diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem estabelecidos para pacientes tabagistas hospitalizados. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado em hospital universitário brasileiro entre agosto e setembro/2017 com entrevistas à beira do leito, consultas ao prontuário e query extraída do sistema informatizado da instituição. Resultados: participaram69 pacientes tabagistas, para os quais identificaram-se 41 diagnósticos de enfermagem distintos, com mediana de quatro (intervalo interquartil: 3;6) por paciente. As intervenções prescritas totalizaram 237, com mediana de 18,5 (intervalo interquartil: 10,5;28,25) por prescrição. Quatro pacientes possuíam diagnóstico com etiologia relacionada ao abuso de substância e para esses foram prescritas 17 intervenções de enfermagem. Em 33(48%) anamneses constava que o paciente era tabagista e, destes, nove(27%) havia o tempo de fumo e número de cigarros consumidos diariamente. Conclusão: a prevalência de tabagistas hospitalizados é expressiva, entretanto, as anamneses, os diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem não retratam esta realidade, havendo necessidade de sensibilizar e capacitar a equipe

Objetivo: Identificar diagnósticos e intervenciones de enfermería establecidos para los pacientes que fuman hospitalizados. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado em hospital universitario brasileño entre agosto y septiembre/2017 con entrevistas de cabecera e consultas em registros médicos del sistema computarizado de institución. Resultados: participaron 69 pacientes fumadores, para quienes se identificaron 41 diagnósticos de enfermería diferentes, con mediana de cuatro(rango intercuartil: 3;6) por paciente. Las intervenciones prescritas totalizaron 237, con mediana de 18.5(rango intercuartil: 10.5;28.25) por receta. Cuatro pacientes tuvieron diagnóstico con etiología relacionada con abuso de sustancias y se prescribieron 17 intervenciones de enfermería para estos. En 33(48%) anamnesas se informó que el paciente era fumador, de estos, nueve(13%) tenían el tiempo de fumar y cantidad de cigarrillos consumidos diariamente. Conclusión: la prevalencia de fumadores hospitalizados es significativa, sin embargo, las anamnesias, diagnósticos y intervenciones de enfermería no reflejan esta realidad, con la necesidad de crear conciencia y capacitar al equipo

Objective:To identify nursing diagnoses and interventions established for hospitalized smoking patients. Methods: cross-sectional study carried out in a Brazilian university hospital between August and September/2017 bybedside interviews, consultations on medical records and queries extracted from the institution's computerized system. Results: 69 smoking patients participated and 41 different nursing diagnoses were identified, with a median of four (interquartile range: 3;6) per patient. The prescribed interventions totaled 237, with a median of 18.5 (interquartile range: 10.5;28.25) per prescription. Four patients' diagnosis had etiology related to substance abuse and 17 nursing interventions were prescribed for these. In 33(48%) anamneses it was reported that the patient was a smoker and, of these, nine(13%) had the smoking time and number of cigarettes consumed daily. Conclusion: the prevalence of hospitalized smokers is significant, however, anamneses, diagnoses and nursing interventions don't portray this reality, with the need to raise awareness and train the team

Mortalidad atribuida al consumo de tabaco en Brasil, 2016 / Mortality attributed to tobacco consumption in Brazil, 2016

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Actualizar la estimación de la mortalidad atribuida al consumo de tabaco en Brasil en población de 35 y más años. Métodos: Se aplicó un método dependiente de prevalencia, basado en la fracción atribuida poblacional. Este método estima la mortalidad atribuida a partir de la mortalidad observada en Brasil (fuente: Sistema de Información de Mortalidad del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil-2016); de las prevalencias de fumadores, exfumadores y nunca fumadores (Encuesta Nacional de Salud de Brasil-2013) y del exceso de riesgo de morir (riesgo relativo) que tienen los fumadores y exfumadores en comparación con los nunca fumadores (5 estudios de cohortes norteamericanos). Se presentan estimaciones de mortalidad atribuida globales, por sexo, grupo de edad (35-54; 55-64; 65-74 y 75 años en adelante) y 3 grupos de enfermedades: tumores malignos, enfermedades cardiometabólicas y respiratorias. Resultados: En 2016, el consumo de tabaco causó con 163.831 muertes en Brasil, el 67% (109.369) fue en hombres y cuatro de cada diez (62.791) sucedieron antes de los 65 años. El 42% de la mortalidad atribuida se asocia a enfermedades cardiometabólicas, seguidas de respiratorias (34%) y tumorales (24%), sin diferencias por sexo. Conclusión: El 14% de las muertes que sucedieron en Brasil durante 2016 en población de 35 y más años se atribuye al consumo de tabaco. Realizar de forma periódica estimaciones de MA es necesario para valorar y fortalecer las leyes de control de tabaquismo implantadas.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To update the estimation of tobacco attributable mortality (AM) in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older. Methods: A prevalence-dependent analysis was applied based on the population attributed fraction. This method estimates the tobacco AM taking into account the mortality observed in Brazil (source: Brazilian Mortality Information System - 2016); the prevalence of smokers, former smokers, and never smokers (National Health Survey Brazil - 2013) and the excess of risk of death (relative risk) of smokers and former smokers in comparison to never smokers (derived from 5 North American cohorts). Estimates of overall AM are shown by gender, age group (35-54; 55-64; 65-74; and 75 years old and older) and 3 groups: malignant tumors, cardiometabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases. Results: In 2016, tobacco consumption caused 163,831 deaths in Brazil, 67% (109,369) were in men and four out of ten (62,791) occurred before the age of 65. Without differences by gender, 42% of the AM is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, followed by respiratory diseases (34%) and malignant tumors (24%). Conclusion: During 2016, 14% of the deaths occurred in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older were attributed to tobacco consumption. Periodic tobacco AM estimations are mandatory to assess and strengthen smoking control strategies and policies.

Mortality attributed to tobacco consumption in Brazil, 2016. / Mortalidad atribuida al consumo de tabaco en Brasil, 2016.

OBJECTIVE: To update the estimation of tobacco attributable mortality (AM) in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older. METHODS: A prevalence-dependent analysis was applied based on the population attributed fraction. This method estimates the tobacco AM taking into account the mortality observed in Brazil (source: Brazilian Mortality Information System - 2016); the prevalence of smokers, former smokers, and never smokers (National Health Survey Brazil - 2013) and the excess of risk of death (relative risk) of smokers and former smokers in comparison to never smokers (derived from 5 North American cohorts). Estimates of overall AM are shown by gender, age group (35-54; 55-64; 65-74; and 75 years old and older) and 3 groups: malignant tumors, cardiometabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases. RESULTS: In 2016, tobacco consumption caused 163,831 deaths in Brazil, 67% (109,369) were in men and four out of ten (62,791) occurred before the age of 65. Without differences by gender, 42% of the AM is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, followed by respiratory diseases (34%) and malignant tumors (24%). CONCLUSION: During 2016, 14% of the deaths occurred in the Brazilian population aged 35 years old and older were attributed to tobacco consumption. Periodic tobacco AM estimations are mandatory to assess and strengthen smoking control strategies and policies.

OBJETIVO: Actualizar la estimación de la mortalidad atribuida al consumo de tabaco en Brasil en población de 35 y más años. MÉTODOS: Se aplicó un método dependiente de prevalencia, basado en la fracción atribuida poblacional. Este método estima la mortalidad atribuida a partir de la mortalidad observada en Brasil (fuente: Sistema de Información de Mortalidad del Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil-2016); de las prevalencias de fumadores, exfumadores y nunca fumadores (Encuesta Nacional de Salud de Brasil-2013) y del exceso de riesgo de morir (riesgo relativo) que tienen los fumadores y exfumadores en comparación con los nunca fumadores (5 estudios de cohortes norteamericanos). Se presentan estimaciones de mortalidad atribuida globales, por sexo, grupo de edad (35-54; 55-64; 65-74 y 75 años en adelante) y 3 grupos de enfermedades: tumores malignos, enfermedades cardiometabólicas y respiratorias. RESULTADOS: En 2016, el consumo de tabaco causó con 163.831 muertes en Brasil, el 67% (109.369) fue en hombres y cuatro de cada diez (62.791) sucedieron antes de los 65 años. El 42% de la mortalidad atribuida se asocia a enfermedades cardiometabólicas, seguidas de respiratorias (34%) y tumorales (24%), sin diferencias por sexo. CONCLUSIÓN: El 14% de las muertes que sucedieron en Brasil durante 2016 en población de 35 y más años se atribuye al consumo de tabaco. Realizar de forma periódica estimaciones de MA es necesario para valorar y fortalecer las leyes de control de tabaquismo implantadas.

Opinion of adolescent school smokers about smoking cessation counseling and treatment in health services: a cross-sectional study, Goiás, Brazil, 2018. / Opinião de escolares adolescentes fumantes sobre aconselhamento e tratamento para cessação do tabagismo em serviços de saúde: estudo transversal, Goiás, 2018.

Objective To know the opinion of adolescent school smokers about smoking cessation counseling and treatment, and to investigate whether negative opinion was associated with lack of motivation to stop smoking. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Goiás state, Brazil, with an intentional sample of adolescent students, in 2018. Poisson regression was used. Results One hundred and thirty adolescents took part. Most of them expressed a positive opinion on the three smoking cessation interventions surveyed: medical counseling (76.2%), dental counseling (70.0%), and smoking cessation treatment (66.2%). Negative opinions were more frequent among adolescents who were not motivated to stop smoking (p<0.05). Regression analyses revealed that lack of motivation to quit smoking was associated with a negative opinion about each intervention. Conclusion The adolescents had a positive opinion about counseling and treatment for smoking cessation in health services. Negative opinion was associated with lack of motivation to quit smoking.

Seminal plasma protein networks and enriched functions in varicocele: Effect of smoking.

To verify a possible synergistic effect of smoking and varicocele on the seminal plasma proteome and biological functions, a cross-sectional study was performed in 25 smokers and 24 nonsmokers. Samples were used for conventional semen analysis, functional analysis (DNA fragmentation, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity) and proteomics by a shotgun approach. Functional enrichment of biological pathways was performed in differentially expressed proteins. Smokers presented lower ejaculate volume (p = .027), percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa (p = .002), total sperm count (p = .039), morphology (p = .001) and higher percentage of immotile spermatozoa (p = .03), round cell (p = .045) and neutrophil count (p = .009). Smokers also presented lower mitochondrial activity and acrosome integrity and higher DNA fragmentation. We identified and quantified 421 proteins in seminal plasma, of which one was exclusive, 21 were overexpressed and 70 were underexpressed in the seminal plasma of smokers. The proteins neprilysin, beta-defensin 106A and histone H4A were capable of predicting the smoker group. Enriched functions were related to immune function and sperm machinery in testis/epididymis. Based on our findings, we can conclude that cigarette smoking leads to the establishment of inflammatory protein pathways in the testis/epididymis in the presence of varicocele that seems to act in synergy with the toxic components of the cigarette.

Heterogeneity in Current Cigarette Smoking among Hispanic/Latino Heritage Groups in New York City, 2003-2016.

Objectives: We assessed differences in trends, prevalence, and sociodemographic correlates of current smoking among several predominant Hispanic/Latino heritage groups (Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Central and South Americans, and other Hispanic/Latinos) in New York City (NYC). We additionally compared current smoking prevalence between heritage groups and non-Hispanic/Latino Whites. Design and Methods: Data from the Community Health Survey, a representative, dual-frame landline/cellphone survey, were analyzed to assess age-adjusted prevalence of current smoking, separately among heritage groups from 2003-2016. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% CIs for current smoking by Hispanic/Latino heritage group relative to non-Hispanic/Latino Whites in combined 2012-2016 data. Logistic regression was also used to examine correlates of smoking among each heritage group, separately. Results: Between 2003-2016, current smoking prevalence decreased among all Hispanic/Latinos heritage groups except Puerto Ricans, who had the highest smoking prevalence among all groups examined. Sex-stratified trend analyses showed decreases among all groups except Puerto Rican and other Hispanic/Latino males. In multivariable-adjusted models, relative to non-Hispanic/Latino Whites, there was no association with current smoking among Puerto Ricans, but odds of smoking were lower among all other heritage groups. Female sex was inversely associated with current smoking among all heritage groups, and acculturation was positively associated with smoking among all groups except Central/South Americans. Lower educational attainment was strongly associated with smoking among Puerto Ricans. Conclusions: Lack of progress in reducing smoking among Puerto Ricans in NYC is concerning. Opportunities for cultural, sex-specific, and other targeted outreach to this community should be explored.

Measurement of Electronic Cigarette Frequency of Use Among Smokers Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The United States Food and Drug Administration has prioritized understanding the dependence potential of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). Dependence is often estimated in part by examining frequency of use; however measures of e-cig use are not well developed because of varying product types. This study used an e-cig automatic puff counter to evaluate the value of self-reported e-cig use measures in predicting actual use (puffs). METHODS: Data were collected from a two-site randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of e-cigs on toxicant exposure in smokers attempting to reduce their cigarette consumption. Participants randomized to an e-cig condition self-reported their e-cig frequency of use (times per day-one "time" consists of around 15 puffs or lasts around 10 minutes) on the Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (PSECDI) and kept daily diary records of the number of puffs per day from the e-cig automatic puff counter. A linear mixed-effects model was used to determine the predictive value of the times per day measure. Correlations were used to further investigate the relationship. RESULTS: A total of 259 participants with 1165 observations of e-cig use were analyzed. Self-reported e-cig use in times per day was a significant predictor of e-cig puffs per day (p < .01). The Spearman correlation between measures was r equal to .58. Examination of individual participant responses revealed some potential difficulties reporting and interpreting times per day because of the difference in use patterns between cigarettes and e-cigs. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the self-reported PSECDI measure of times per day is a significant predictor of actual frequency of e-cig puffs taken. IMPLICATIONS: Self-reported measures of e-cig frequency of use are predictive of actual use, but quantifying e-cig use in patterns similar to cigarettes is problematic.

Illicit cigarette trade in Metropolitan Santiago de Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate with a rigorous statistical methodology and independent from the tobacco industry the prevalence and consumption of illicit cigarettes in Metropolitan Santiago de Chile, in addition to identifying the variables statistically associated with choosing to smoke illicit cigarettes. METHODS: Surveys of 851 smokers who reside in the Metropolitan Santiago were collected using a sampling design that combined a randomisation of high-traffic points and a quota sampling to approximate the smoking population. Photographs of packs along with questions on where they were bought were used to define whether cigarettes were licit or illicit. After this identification, the statistical association between the decision to smoke illicit cigarettes and sociodemographic variables and smoking habits was estimated using probit models. RESULTS: The proportion of smokers smoking illicit cigarettes in Metropolitan Santiago was 10.9%. Adjusted by smoking intensity, 16.3% of cigarettes smoked in a month were illicit. Models show that the probability of smoking illicit cigarettes is inversely associated with employment status (ie, employed/inactive/unemployed), and smokers with lower levels of education are more likely to smoke illicit cigarettes. Though smokers' incomes are not directly measured, both employment status and educational levels are indicative that illicit cigarette consumption is more prevalent among low-income groups. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of smokers consuming illicit cigarettes estimated in this research is less than half of the widely publicised claims of the tobacco industry. Furthermore, past and present pricing strategies by the tobacco industry indicate that, contrary to public statements, the tobacco industry is not concerned by illicit trade.

Differences in Distress Intolerance Among Daily and Intermittent Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Distress intolerance is an important risk factor for smokers. Smokers have greater problems tolerating distress than nonsmokers, and distress intolerance is theoretically an important predictor of early lapse. However, much of the distress intolerance research has been conducted on daily smokers. Understanding distress intolerance in nondaily or intermittent smokers may help elucidate whether distress intolerance is a function of current smoking habits. AIMS AND METHODS: Daily (n = 36) and intermittent (n = 28) smokers completed behavioral distress intolerance tasks (breath holding, mirror tracing persistence, and image persistence) along with self-report measures of both general and smoking-specific distress intolerance. They also completed 1 week of ecological momentary assessment where positive and negative affect were assessed along with momentary distress intolerance, at both random times (7×/day) and immediately prior to smoking a cigarette. RESULTS: Results found no differences between intermittent and daily smokers on behavioral distress intolerance tasks or general self-reported distress intolerance. Daily smokers reported greater self-reported smoking-specific distress intolerance compared to intermittent smokers. In addition, across both smoker groups, momentary distress intolerance was higher at smoking compared to random sessions, and low positive affect predicted greater momentary distress intolerance specifically for intermittent smokers prior to smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of differences between daily and intermittent smokers on general distress intolerance measures suggests that distress intolerance abilities and self-perceptions are not a function of higher levels of current smoking. However, the contextual variation in momentary distress intolerance is worth further exploration in both daily and intermittent smokers. IMPLICATIONS: The overall lack of differences between intermittent and daily smokers on distress intolerance tasks and self-report measures suggests that daily smoking is not associated with lower abilities to manage or tolerate distress at the individual difference level. However, understanding fluctuations in distress intolerance across time and context is crucial, as smokers' perceptions of their abilities to manage distress shift based on affect and smoking contexts. Stabilizing or increasing self-efficacy in tolerating distress during daily life is likely an important avenue for future research.

Research on Behavioral Discrimination of Nicotine May Inform FDA Policy on Setting a Maximum Nicotine Content in Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: The Food and Drug Administration may set a maximum nicotine content in cigarettes to minimize smoking's addictiveness. Our recent research may indirectly support setting levels applicable to the population of dependent smokers below 1 mg/g (mg nicotine/g of tobacco filler). METHODS: Using a within-subjects design in laboratory-based studies totaling 61 nontreatment seeking adult dependent smokers, Spectrum research cigarettes with nicotine contents ranging from 1.3 to 17 mg/g (just one per session) were compared with the lowest content available, 0.4 mg/g. Identified for each participant was the smallest difference in nicotine content, or "threshold," between cigarettes that still supported behavioral discrimination (ie, ability to objectively distinguish their difference). The next lower nicotine content cigarette, not discriminated (by definition), was labeled their "subthreshold." Subjective perceptions and choice behavior were also assessed. RESULTS: Thresholds varied widely among all 61 smokers but, importantly, fewer than 7% of smokers could discriminate the two lowest, 1.3 versus 0.4 mg/g nicotine, meaning more than 90% could not do so. Moreover, we found a consistent association between their nicotine discrimination threshold and their subjective perceptions and subsequent reinforcement behavior later in the session. Specifically, a participant's discrimination threshold cigarette was also more highly rated and preferred (ie, self-administered), whereas their subthreshold cigarette was rated similarly to the 0.4 mg/g and not preferred. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette nicotine content below the threshold for perceiving nicotine's effects (ie, its discriminability) in nearly all smokers from a no nicotine comparison is likely below 1.0 mg/g, or less than or equal to 10% of that in typical commercial cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: Cigarettes with nicotine contents able to be discriminated (threshold) are also reinforcing, and those unable to be discriminated are not reinforcing, as anticipated. Yet, research explicitly comparing cigarettes with contents below 1.0 mg/g versus no nicotine (ie, a "placebo") is needed with larger samples. Results may confirm what nicotine content lower than 1.0 mg/g is below the threshold for discrimination (and self-administration) in the vast majority (>95%) of adult dependent smokers as well as teens beginning to smoke. Identifying that content would strongly support the Food and Drug Administration policy to establish a maximum nicotine content in cigarettes that will not maintain dependence.

Determinantes de saúde mental e abuso de substâncias psicoativas associadas ao tabagismo. Estudo de caso controle / Determinants of mental health and abuse of psychoactive substances associated with tobacco use. A case-control study

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a força de associação entre tabagistas com variáveis referentes à saúde mental, à funcionalidade familiar e ao uso de outras substâncias psicoativas. Estudo caso-controle, observacional, desenvolvido nos meses de março a novembro de 2016. O campo de estudo foi um município no Centro-Oeste do país e constituiu-se por uma população de 646 indivíduos, sendo 323 casos. No modelo, o grupo caso compreendeu indivíduos com algum grau de dependência ao tabaco. O grupo controle envolveu indivíduos que não foram expostos ao tabaco. Em relação ao tempo de tabagismo, a média de exposição do grupo caso foi de 25,65 anos. No modelo de análise múltipla de regressão logística associaram-se positivamente cor de pele não branca (p = 0,002); anos de estudo ≤ 8 (p < 0,001); ter filhos (p < 0,001); trabalho informal (p = 0,024); não possuir plano de saúde (p < 0,001); elevada disfunção familiar (p = 0,007); AUDIT ≥ 8 (p < 0,001); depressão (p < 0,001); já ter usado droga ilícita na vida (p < 0,001); morar com outras pessoas (p = 0,003) e não possuir religião (p = 0,001). Este estudo reforça a vulnerabilidade dos fumantes investigados, ao associar variáveis correlacionadas ao âmbito da saúde mental, e inova ao discutir a influência das relações familiares na dependência nicotínica.

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the strength of association among smokers with variables regarding mental health, family functionality, and use of other psychoactive substances. This is a case-control observational study developed from March to November 2016. The study was conducted in a Brazilian Midwest municipality with 646 subjects, of which 323 were cases. In the model, the case group comprised subjects with a certain degree of tobacco dependence. The control group included subjects that were not exposed to tobacco. Concerning tobacco use time, the mean exposure of the case group was 25.65 years. In the multiple logistic regression analysis model the following were positively associated: non-white skin color (p = 0.002); years of study ≤ 8 (p < 0.001); having children (p < 0.001); informal work (p = 0.024); not having a health plan (p < 0.001); high family dysfunction (p = 0.007); AUDIT ≥ 8 (p < 0.001); depression (p < 0.001); having illicit drug in lifetime (p < 0.001); living with other people (p = 0.003) and no religion (p = 0.001). This study reinforces the vulnerability of smokers, associating variables correlated to the field of mental health, and innovates by discussing the influence of family relationships on nicotinic dependence.

Determinants of mental health and abuse of psychoactive substances associated with tobacco use. A case-control study. / Determinantes de saúde mental e abuso de substâncias psicoativas associadas ao tabagismo. Estudo de caso controle.

This study aimed to estimate the strength of association among smokers with variables regarding mental health, family functionality, and use of other psychoactive substances. This is a case-control observational study developed from March to November 2016. The study was conducted in a Brazilian Midwest municipality with 646 subjects, of which 323 were cases. In the model, the case group comprised subjects with a certain degree of tobacco dependence. The control group included subjects that were not exposed to tobacco. Concerning tobacco use time, the mean exposure of the case group was 25.65 years. In the multiple logistic regression analysis model the following were positively associated: non-white skin color (p = 0.002); years of study ≤ 8 (p < 0.001); having children (p < 0.001); informal work (p = 0.024); not having a health plan (p < 0.001); high family dysfunction (p = 0.007); AUDIT ≥ 8 (p < 0.001); depression (p < 0.001); having illicit drug in lifetime (p < 0.001); living with other people (p = 0.003) and no religion (p = 0.001). This study reinforces the vulnerability of smokers, associating variables correlated to the field of mental health, and innovates by discussing the influence of family relationships on nicotinic dependence.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a força de associação entre tabagistas com variáveis referentes à saúde mental, à funcionalidade familiar e ao uso de outras substâncias psicoativas. Estudo caso-controle, observacional, desenvolvido nos meses de março a novembro de 2016. O campo de estudo foi um município no Centro-Oeste do país e constituiu-se por uma população de 646 indivíduos, sendo 323 casos. No modelo, o grupo caso compreendeu indivíduos com algum grau de dependência ao tabaco. O grupo controle envolveu indivíduos que não foram expostos ao tabaco. Em relação ao tempo de tabagismo, a média de exposição do grupo caso foi de 25,65 anos. No modelo de análise múltipla de regressão logística associaram-se positivamente cor de pele não branca (p = 0,002); anos de estudo ≤ 8 (p < 0,001); ter filhos (p < 0,001); trabalho informal (p = 0,024); não possuir plano de saúde (p < 0,001); elevada disfunção familiar (p = 0,007); AUDIT ≥ 8 (p < 0,001); depressão (p < 0,001); já ter usado droga ilícita na vida (p < 0,001); morar com outras pessoas (p = 0,003) e não possuir religião (p = 0,001). Este estudo reforça a vulnerabilidade dos fumantes investigados, ao associar variáveis correlacionadas ao âmbito da saúde mental, e inova ao discutir a influência das relações familiares na dependência nicotínica.

Toxic elements in packed red blood cells from smoker donors: a risk for paediatric transfusion?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Smokers currently have no defined restrictions for blood donation. However, cigarette smoke contains toxic substances such as carbon monoxide (CO) and trace elements that can affect the packed red blood cells (PRBCs) quality and safety of transfusion. This study evaluated the effects of smoking on the concentration of essential and trace elements and on carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in PRBCs from smoker donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A matched case-control study was conducted to compare COHb levels, determined by the CO-oximetry method, and levels of trace (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, As and Hg) and essential (Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn) elements evaluated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, in PRBCs from smoker (n = 36) and non-smoker (n = 36) donors at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. RESULTS: Mean COHb level was 14 times higher in the PRBCs obtained from smoker donors (5·9 [4·0-9·1] vs. 0·4 [0·2-0·8]%). Cadmium (1·0 [1·0-1·8] µg/l vs. undetectable) and lead (27 [21-36] vs. 19 [14-26] µg/l) levels were significantly higher in the PRBCs from smokers. Moreover, except for molybdenum, levels of all essential elements were lower in smoker PRBCs. CONCLUSION: The PRBCs donated by smokers contain toxic elements that are probably not safe for transfusion in children. Our results might support changes in the current guidelines of blood banks to improve the transfusion safety through inclusion of inquiry about smoking in the clinical screening, labelling and reserve PRBCs from smoker donors for adults or less critical recipients.

Facebook recruitment of smokers: comparing gain- and loss-framed ads for the purposes of an Internet-based smoking cessation intervention.

Gain- and loss-framed messages about smoking behavior have commonly been used to promote cessation. However, there are still no clear conclusions as to what kind of message is more effective for motivating smokers to quit. This study compared the effectiveness of loss- and gain-framed messages in the online recruitment of smokers via Facebook Advertising. Loss- and gain-framed messages about smoking were created and released as Facebook ads. Users who clicked on the ads were automatically redirected to the "Live Without Tobacco" intervention (http://www.vivasemtabaco.com.br). The amount spent on the ads was BRL 647.64. Data were collected from the Facebook Ads platform and from a relational database. Analyses were performed on the 6,350 users who clicked on one of the ads and 1,731 who were successfully redirected to the intervention. Gain-framed ads reached 174,029 people and loss-framed ads reached 180,527. The former received 2,688 clicks, while the latter received 3,662. The cost of the click was BRL 0.12 per gain-framed ad and BRL 0.09 per loss-framed ad. Loss-framed ads reached more users, got more clicks (and website accesses), and led to more accounts and quit plans being created. Loss-framed messages about smoking appear to be more cost-effective for both initial recruitment and intervention engagement. Facebook has proven to be a good outreach and recruitment tool and can be a solution for the difficulty in reaching smokers for cessation interventions.