Differential impact of prenatal PTSD symptoms and preconception trauma exposure on placental NR3C1 and FKBP5 methylation.

Perinatal stress is associated with altered placental methylation, which plays a critical role in fetal development and infant outcomes. This proof-of-concept pilot study investigated the impact of lifetime trauma exposure and perinatal PTSD symptoms on epigenetic regulation of placenta glucocorticoid signaling genes (NR3C1 and FKBP5). Lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms during pregnancy were assessed in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women (N = 198). Participants were categorized into three groups: (1) No Trauma (-T); (2) Trauma, No Symptoms (T - S); and (3) Trauma and Symptoms (T + S). Placental tissue was analyzed via bisulfite pyrosequencing for degree of methylation at the NR3C1 promoter and FKBP5 regulatory regions. Analyses of covariance were used to test group differences in percentages of NR3C1 and FKBP5 methylation overall and at each CpG site. We found a significant impact of PTSD symptoms on placental NR3C1 methylation. Compared to the -T group, the T + S group had greater NR3C1 methylation overall and at CpG6, CpG8, CpG9, and CpG13, but lower methylation at CpG5. The T + S group had significantly higher NR3C1 methylation overall and at CpG8 compared to the T - S group. There were no differences between the T - S group and - T group. Additionally, no group differences emerged for FKBP5 methylation. Pregnant trauma survivors with PTSD symptoms exhibited differential patterns of placental NR3C1 methylation compared to trauma survivors without PTSD symptoms and pregnant women unexposed to trauma. Results highlight the critical importance of interventions to address the mental health of pregnant trauma survivors.

Female adolescents' early life stress and body mass index: Differential effects of anger and anxiety in response to rejection.

INTRODUCTION: Early life stress is linked to childhood obesity. As children enter adolescence, early life stress may be associated with increased rejection sensitivity, resulting in activation of behavioral and physiological changes that contribute to higher body mass index (BMI). Understanding the potential influence of rejection sensitivity on the association between early life stress and BMI is important to examine in female adolescents. For this secondary data analysis, we hypothesized that female adolescents with greater early life stress and greater rejection sensitivity would exhibit higher BMI-for-age 12 months later. METHODS: Seventy-eight adolescents (Mage = 13.1 years; 100% female sex; MBMI = 23.2 kg/m2) in the United States completed study procedures from 2012 to 2016. Among these procedures, the Psychosocial Schedule was used to assess cumulative early life stress and the Children's Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire was used to assess anger and anxiety in response to rejection. Twelve months later, height and weight were measured to derive BMI-for-age. RESULTS: Higher early life stress was associated with higher BMI-for-age among female adolescents with low rejection-provoked anger (1 SD below the mean). However, this association was not observed among female adolescents with high rejection-provoked anger (1 SD above the mean). Finally, there was no significant interaction between early life stress and rejection-provoked anxiety in predicting BMI-for-age. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing early life stress may interact with rejection-provoked anger, but not anxiety, to predict BMI-for-age. Findings inform a developmental perspective of how rejection sensitivity may influence the association between early life stress and early cardiometabolic risk.

Premium and Non-Premium Cigar Use Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Reproductive Age Women: Findings from the 2010-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about cigar use among women of reproductive age, especially potential differences relating to the use of premium versus non-premium cigars. AIMS AND METHODS: Using 2010-2019 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, rates and trends in premium and non-premium cigar use were determined among women of reproductive age (18-49; n = 5651). Weighted sociodemographic characteristics, substance co-use, patterns of use, and health indicators were compared between women using premium versus non-premium cigars. RESULTS: Among reproductive-aged women who smoked cigars in the past 30 days, 4.9% reported use of premium cigar brands. The most commonly used premium brands were Romeo y Julieta, Cohiba, and Macanudos. Women who used premium versus non-premium cigars were less likely to identify as non-Hispanic black (16.5% vs. 35.5%), more likely to have household income >$50 000 (54.2% vs. 26.6%), and less likely to report past 30-day marijuana (28.7% vs. 55.7%) or blunt use (26.0% vs. 53.9%; ps < .001). Women who used premium cigars also reported later age of onset of cigar use (24.1 vs. 20.3 years; p < .001) and smoked fewer cigars in the last 30 days (9.8 vs. 2.3 days; p < .001). Trend analysis revealed that although rates of past 30-day premium cigar use remained consistent from 2010 (4.7%) to 2019 (4.9%), prevalence decreased from 6.6% in 2017 to 2.8% in 2018 before increasing to 4.9% in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding premium and non-premium cigar use among reproductive-age women, an understudied vulnerable population, will provide critical data to the Food and Drug Administration to inform policy and regulatory decisions. IMPLICATIONS: The current study revealed prevalence of ~5% premium cigar use among women of reproductive age who smoke cigars, and evidence for consistency in women's rates of premium cigar use across time. Women who used premium versus non-premium cigars were more likely to identify as non-Hispanic white, older, and of higher socioeconomic status were in better health and less likely to co-use cigarettes and marijuana, but more likely to co-use alcohol. Consideration of reproductive age and pregnant women as uniquely vulnerable populations is warranted in the development of regulations regarding premium and non-premium cigars. Comprehensive regulation of cigars (both premium and non-premium) may offer the potential to positively impact women's health.

Depression Severity Moderates Reward Learning Among Smokers with Current or Past Major Depressive Disorder in a Smoking Cessation Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral and pharmacological smoking cessation treatments are hypothesized to increase patients' reward learning to reduce craving. Identifying changes in reward learning processes that support effective tobacco dependence interventions among smokers who experience depression may guide patients towards efficient treatment strategies. The objective was to investigate the extent to which adult daily cigarette smokers with current or past major depressive disorder (MDD) learned to seek reward during 12 weeks of treatment combining behavioral activation and varenicline. We hypothesized that a decline in reward learning would be attenuated (least to most) in the following order: 1) Behavioral activation integrated with ST (BASC) + varenicline, 2) BASC + placebo, 3) Standard behavioral cessation treatment (ST) + varenicline, 4) ST + placebo. METHODS: We ran a Phase 4, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with 300 participants receiving 12 weeks of one of four conditions across two urban medical centers. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI). Reward learning was ascertained at Weeks 1, 7, and 14 using the Probabilistic Reward Task (PRT), a laboratory task that uses an asymmetric reinforcement schedule to assess (a) learning to seek reward (response bias), (b) differentiate between stimuli, and (c) time to react to cues. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction of BDI group x PRT response bias. Response bias declined from Week 7 to 14 among participants with high baseline depression symptoms. The other two BDI groups showed no change in response bias. CONCLUSIONS: Controlling for baseline depression, participants showed a decrease in response bias from Week 1 to 14, and from Weeks 7 to 14. Treatment condition and abstinence status were unassociated with change in reward learning. IMPLICATIONS: Smokers who report greater depression severity show a decline in reward learning despite their participation in smoking cessation treatments, suggesting that depressed populations pose unique challenges with standard smoking cessation approaches.

Waterpipe Tobacco (Hookah) Use in Pregnancy: Associations with Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Waterpipe tobacco (WPT) use is common among reproductive age patients and is often perceived as safer than cigarette use. Prior studies have shown a decrease in nausea and vomiting symptoms among pregnant women who use cigarettes, but no studies to date have examined these symptoms in pregnant women who use WPT. This study was aimed to investigate the extent of symptoms of nausea/vomiting of pregnancy among participants who self-reported WPT use during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study examining WPT use during pregnancy. Participants completed the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) during first and third trimesters. Medical conditions were determined by medical record review. Participants were evaluated by sole WPT use versus dual/polysubstance WPT use and frequency of WPT use. RESULTS: Ninety-nine (100%) participants completed the PUQE questionnaire during first trimester and 82 (82.8%) completed the PUQE during third trimester. Almost all (91.9%) participants reported moderate nausea/vomiting symptoms at both assessments. There was no difference in frequency of WPT use in pregnancy or rates of dual/polysubstance WPT use in participants with all levels of the PUQE questionnaire. There was also no difference in rates of WPT use or PUQE scores between sole WPT users and dual/polysubstance users. When comparing low and high WPT use, those who were in the higher frequency use group had higher waterpipe dependence scale scores (7.2 vs. 5.3, p < 0.02). With regard to maternal medical comorbidities, the only difference between groups was that sole WPT users were more likely to have a diagnosis of asthma than dual/polysubstance users (36.8 vs. 14.9%, p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in symptoms of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or medical conditions in pregnant women who use WPT with any frequency during pregnancy. However, sole WPT users had higher rates of asthma than dual/polysubstance WPT users. KEY POINTS: · Waterpipe tobacco use is one of the most common forms of tobacco use among reproductive age patients.. · Waterpipe tobacco use was not associated with any changes in nausea/vomiting of pregnancy symptoms.. · Future research on the use of waterpipe tobacco in pregnancy can aid in public health responses..

Differences in Cognitive Task Performance, Reinforcement Enhancement, and Nicotine Dependence Between Menthol and Nonmenthol Cigarette Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol has been shown to target similar brain regions and neural receptors as nicotine, yet the association between menthol cigarette use and cognitive performance remains unknown. AIMS AND METHODS: This study examined differences in cognitive task performance between menthol (MS) and nonmenthol (NMS) cigarette smokers after acute cigarette consumption. Sixty white and black and/or African American, nonabstinent, MS (n = 30) and NMS (n = 30) were assessed presmoking and postsmoking their preferred cigarette on four computerized tasks: Continuous Performance Task (CPT; alerting attention), N-Back Task (working memory), Finger Tapping Task (motor control), and Apple Picker Task (reinforcement enhancement). Self-reported nicotine dependence and objective smoking topography measures were also compared between groups. RESULTS: Initial unadjusted analyses showed a significant effect of cigarette type × time on CPT speed (p = .042), where MS improved while NMS group worsened in CPT speed after smoking. After controlling for baseline cigarette craving and cigarette nicotine levels, the effect of cigarette type × time for all cognitive outcomes was statistically nonsignificant (ps > .05). However, there remained a significant effect of cigarette type, where MS versus NMS had poorer CPT (p = .046) and N-Back Task accuracy (p = .006) but faster N-Back speed (p = .039). There were no statistically significant differences between groups on reinforcement enhancement, nicotine dependence, or smoking behavior outcomes (ps > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypotheses, results did not find a significant effect of cigarette type on the change in cognitive performance after acute smoking in nonabstinent smokers. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific pharmacological effects of nicotine and menthol on cognitive functioning. IMPLICATIONS: The current study is the first to compare the potential enhancement of cognitive task performance after acute cigarette smoking between satiated menthol and nonmenthol cigarette smokers. Study results suggest that acute menthol cigarette use may not enhance cognitive function above and beyond nonmenthol cigarettes to increase dependence among menthol smokers. However, the contribution of other psychological factors (eg, craving, mood) and cigarette characteristics (eg, nicotine content) may be involved in cognitive function enhancement to perpetuate dependence and smoking persistence for menthol smokers.

Menthol Cigarettes, Tobacco Dependence, and Smoking Persistence: The Need to Examine Enhanced Cognitive Functioning as a Neuropsychological Mechanism.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the overall decline in the prevalence of cigarette use in the United States, menthol cigarette use among smokers is rising, and evidence shows that it may lead to more detrimental effects on public health than regular cigarette use. One of the mechanisms by which nicotine sustains tobacco use and dependence is due to its cognitive enhancing properties, and basic science literature suggests that menthol may also enhance nicotine's acute effect on cognition. AIMS AND METHODS: The purpose of this review is to suggest that the cognitive enhancing effects of menthol may be a potentially important neuropsychological mechanism that has yet to be examined. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of basic science studies examining neurobiological and cognitive effects of menthol and menthol cigarette smoking. We also review studies examining menthol essential oils among humans that indicate menthol alone has acute cognitive enhancing properties. Finally, we present factors influencing the rising prevalence of menthol cigarette use among smokers and the importance of this gap in the literature to improve public health and smoking cessation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the compelling evidence for menthol's acute cognitive enhancing and reinforcing effects, this mechanism for sustaining tobacco dependence and cigarette use has yet to be examined and validated among humans. On the basis of the basic science evidence for menthol's neurobiological effects on nicotinic receptors and neurotransmitters, perhaps clarifying menthol's effect on cognitive performance can help to elucidate the complicated literature examining menthol and tobacco dependence. IMPLICATIONS: Menthol cigarette use has continued to be a topic of debate among researchers and policy makers, because of its implications for understanding menthol's contribution to nicotine dependence and smoking persistence, as well as its continued use as a prevalent flavoring in tobacco and nicotine products in the United States and internationally. As international tobacco regulation policies have begun to target menthol cigarettes, research studies need to examine how flavoring additives, specifically menthol, may acutely influence neurobiological and cognitive functioning as a potential mechanism of sustained smoking behavior to develop more effective treatments.

A randomized controlled trial of 24 weeks of varenicline for tobacco use among cancer patients: Efficacy, safety, and adherence.

OBJECTIVE: Continuing to smoke after a cancer diagnosis undermines prognosis. Yet few trials have tested Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved tobacco use medications in this population. Extended use varenicline may represent an effective treatment for cancer patients who smoke given barriers to cessation including a prolonged time line for relapse. METHODS: A placebo-controlled randomized trial tested 12 weeks of varenicline plus 12 weeks of placebo (standard [ST]) vs 24 weeks of varenicline (extended [ET]) with seven counseling sessions for treatment-seeking cancer patients who smoke (N = 207). Primary outcomes were 7-day biochemically confirmed abstinence at weeks 24 and 52. Treatment adherence and side effects, adverse and serious adverse events, and blood pressure were assessed. RESULTS: Point prevalence and continuous abstinence quit rates at weeks 24 and 52 were not significantly different across treatment arms (P's > 0.05). Adherence (43% of sample) significantly interacted with treatment arm for week 24 point prevalence (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.63; P = 0.02) and continuous (OR = 5.82; 95% CI, 2.66-12.71; P < 0.001) abstinence. For both outcomes, adherent participants who received ET reported higher abstinence (60.5% and 44.2%) vs ST (44.7% and 27.7%), but differences in quit rates between arms were not significant for nonadherent participants (ET: 9.7% and 4.8%; ST: 12.7% and 10.9%). There were no significant differences between treatment arms on side effects, adverse and serious adverse events, and rates of high blood pressure (P's > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ST, ET varenicline does not increase patient risk and increases smoking cessation rates among patients who adhere to treatment. Studies are needed to identify effective methods to increase medication adherence to treat patient tobacco use effectively.

Predictors of Varenicline Adherence Among Cancer Patients Treated for Tobacco Dependence and its Association With Smoking Cessation.

INTRODUCTION: The degree to which smokers adhere to pharmacotherapy predicts treatment success. The development of interventions to increase adherence requires identification of predictors of treatment adherence, particularly among specific clinical populations. METHODS: Using data from a 12-week open-label phase of a clinical trial of varenicline for tobacco dependence among cancer patients (N = 207), we examined: (1) the relationship between self-reported varenicline adherence and verified smoking cessation and (2) demographic and disease-related variables, and early changes in cognition, affect, withdrawal, the reinforcing effects of smoking, and medication side effects, as correlates of varenicline adherence. RESULTS: At the end of 12 weeks, 35% of the sample had quit smoking and 52% reported taking ≥80% of varenicline. Varenicline adherence was associated with cessation (p < .001): 58% of participants who were adherent had quit smoking versus 11% of those who were not. Participants who experienced early reductions in depressed mood and satisfaction from smoking and experienced an increase in the toxic effects of smoking, showed greater varenicline adherence (p < .05); the relationship between greater adherence and improved cognition, reduced craving, and reduced sleep problems and vomiting approached significance (p < .10). CONCLUSIONS: Among cancer patients treated for tobacco dependence with varenicline, adherence is associated with smoking cessation. Initial changes in depressed mood and the reinforcing effects of smoking are predictive of adherence. IMPLICATIONS: The benefits of varenicline for treating tobacco dependence among cancer patients may depend upon boosting adherence by addressing early signs of depression and reducing the reinforcing dimensions of cigarettes.

Perceptions of family functioning impact smoking during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Although socio-environmental factors are known to contribute to the maintenance of smoking behavior, few studies have examined the impact of family functioning on smoking during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the relationship between perceptions of family functioning and smoking during pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women (N = 345, 59% ethnic/racial minority) completed the Family Assessment Device, a gold-standard assessment examining perceptions of family functioning in seven domains. Multinomial logistic regressions analyzed associations between clinically determined suboptimal levels of family functioning by domain and smoking status during pregnancy (smoking, ≥28 continuous days quit, nonsmoking), with stratified analyses exploring ethnic/racial differences (non-Hispanic/White vs. racial/ethnic minority). RESULTS: Participants who reported suboptimal levels of family functioning in domains of Affective Involvement, Affective Responsiveness, Behavioral Control, and Roles were significantly more likely to have been smoking than nonsmoking during pregnancy. Stratified analyses revealed differing effects by ethnic/racial identity, with perceptions of Roles remaining the only significant effect on smoking outcomes for both groups. No significant effects were found regarding the impact of family functioning on whether participants were smoking vs. quit during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal family functioning may contribute to smoking during pregnancy, but effects may differ based on domain of family functioning and by ethnic/racial identity.

Effects of mint, menthol, and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes on tobacco withdrawal symptoms in adults who smoke menthol cigarettes: A laboratory pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Menthol cigarette smoking has remained stable or increased in certain groups, despite an overall decline in cigarette smoking rates in the U.S. Understanding whether e-cigarettes alter patterns of menthol cigarette use is critical to informing efforts for reducing the public health burden of menthol cigarette smoking. This 2019-2020 laboratory pilot study evaluated whether self-administration of mint-, menthol-, or tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes would differentially impact tobacco withdrawal symptoms in e-cigarette-naïve adults who smoke menthol cigarettes daily. METHODS: Participants (N=17; 35.3% Female; mean age=51.8) attended three laboratory sessions after 16-hours of tobacco abstinence. Participants self-administered a study-provided JUUL e-cigarette (0.7mL with 5% nicotine by weight) at each session in which flavor was manipulated (mint vs. menthol vs. tobacco; order randomized). Participants completed pre- and post-e-cigarette administration self-report assessments on smoking urges, nicotine withdrawal, and positive and negative affect states. Multilevel linear regression models tested differences between the three flavor conditions for individual study outcomes. RESULTS: Following overnight tobacco abstinence, vaping either a mint or menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarette led to significantly greater reductions in smoking urges over time; menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes also suppressed urges to smoke for pleasure. Notably, no differences in nicotine withdrawal, positive affect, or negative affect were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this laboratory pilot study, mint and menthol (vs. tobacco) flavored e-cigarettes provided some negative reinforcement effects via acute reductions in smoking urges during tobacco abstinence, yet only menthol flavored e-cigarettes demonstrated suppressive effects on smoking urges for pleasure in adults who smoke menthol cigarettes daily.

Optimal carbon monoxide criteria to confirm 24-hr smoking abstinence.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cessation is typically verified biochemically by expired-air carbon monoxide (CO) levels below 9 ppm (i.e., ≤8 ppm), but this CO criterion may lead many who have smoked within 24hr to be misclassified as abstinent. METHODS: Adult dependent smokers (N = 261; 124 men, 137 women) prospectively recorded each cigarette smoked and provided CO on five consecutive days during each of two short-term attempts to quit smoking. Participants were those recruited for crossover tests of the effects of placebo versus medication (nicotine patch or varenicline) on the ability to initiate 24-hr abstinence. All had either a high or low interest in permanently quitting smoking soon (within 3 months) and were randomized to the presence or absence of daily ($12) monetary reinforcement of abstinence. RESULTS: Total accuracy of sensitivity to detect smoking (83%) plus specificity to verify abstinence (87%) was optimal at a CO criterion for abstinence below 5 ppm (≤4 ppm), compared with below 9 ppm (sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 97%). Overall CO detection of sensitivity and specificity was higher in those with high versus low quit interest, but reinforcement of abstinence made no difference. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate a CO criterion half that used in most clinical research may optimally validate 24-hr cessation and reduce misclassification of smokers as "abstinent."

Possible reinforcement enhancing effects of bupropion during initial smoking abstinence.

INTRODUCTION: Due to a drop in nicotine, smoking cessation may attenuate reinforcement from sensory stimuli unrelated to nicotine intake. Recent rodent research suggests that bupropion may reverse this attenuation, perhaps helping explain its efficacy in aiding cessation. METHODS: In a within-subjects, crossover study, smokers responded on a simple computer task for brief music reward available on a progressive ratio 50% schedule. Testing was done on three separate occasions: after ad lib smoking during prequit baseline and on the first day of two brief quit attempts while taking bupropion or placebo, in counter-balanced order. Number of operant responses was the measure of reinforcement. To more clearly assess abstinence and medication effects, those meeting 24-hr abstinence criteria (CO < 5 ppm; n = 5) or clearly failing to abstain (CO > 10 ppm; n = 5) during both medication conditions were compared. RESULTS: Among abstainers, repeated measures ANOVA showed that reinforced responding decreased by nearly 50% from baseline after quitting on placebo (p = .03), while responding after quitting on bupropion was similar to that during baseline (-17%; p = .20). In contrast, those unable to abstain showed virtually identical reinforced responding due to either medication or baseline. CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory findings confirm that responding for a reward unrelated to smoking decreases after abstinence and are consistent with animal research showing bupropion effects on enhancing reinforced responding.

Characterizing the use, preferences, and perceptions of flavors in cigars in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Flavors contribute to the appeal of tobacco products, but less is known about flavors in cigar products. The current study is the first to focus on characterizing the use and perceptions of flavors in cigar products among pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant women (N = 124) reported their use, preferences (liking, attractiveness, smoothness, interest), perceptions of harm (general, pregnancy-specific, fetal), and postpartum intention to use eight flavor categories (menthol/mint, spices, fruit, chocolate, alcohol, other beverages, candy/sweet, tobacco). We utilized correspondence analysis of contingency tables to investigate clustering of preferences and perceptions of flavors across the sample, and examined how preferences and perceptions of flavors may differ based on history of cigar use (none vs. lifetime vs. prenatal). RESULTS: Overall, 37% reported never trying cigars, 51% reported lifetime use, and 12% reported prenatal use. Fruit (37%), tobacco (36%), and alcohol (14%) were the most common cigar flavors participants reported ever trying. Correspondence analysis revealed clustering in preferences for alcohol, fruit, and candy flavors compared to other flavors, and revealed lower intentions to use menthol/mint and tobacco flavors compared to other flavors. Participants who reported prenatal cigar use also reported more positive perceptions and greater intentions to use (1) spice and alcohol flavors compared to those who reported lifetime use (ps < .05); and (2) spice, alcohol, fruit, and tobacco cigar flavors compared to participants reporting never using cigars (ps < .04). CONCLUSIONS: Regulations to restrict the availability of flavors, especially fruit, spice, and alcohol, may reduce the appeal and use of cigar products in pregnant women.

Reasons for Use of Electronic Cigarettes, Cigars, and Hookah in Pregnant Women in Rhode Island: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: The current study examined reasons pregnant women in Rhode Island use non-cigarette nicotine/tobacco products during and prior to pregnancy. METHODS: Of the 124 pregnant women in Rhode Island enrolled in the study, 91% self-reported ever using e- cigarettes, hookah or cigars, and reasons for their use. We compared responses between participants who used these products during pregnancy (prenatal) and those who used prior to pregnancy (lifetime) for each product separately. RESULTS: Participants reported using e-cigarettes as a cessation aid, hookah for entertainment, and cigars as a vehicle for marijuana consumption as primary reasons for use. There were no significant differences in reasons for using hookah or cigars between prenatal and lifetime users, but prenatal e-cigarette users were more likely to report affordability as a reason for use compared to lifetime e-cigarette users. CONCLUSIONS: Differential reasons for use by tobacco product may have implications for targeted interventions in pregnant people in Rhode Island.

Treatment adherence in a smoking cessation clinical trial for individuals with current or past major depressive disorder: Predictors and association with cessation.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibit high rates of tobacco use and lower responsiveness to tobacco cessation treatments. Treatment adherence is a strong predictor of treatment outcomes in the general population but has not been evaluated in this under-served community of smokers with MDD. METHODS: We used data from a randomized clinical trial on smoking cessation treatment among 300 smokers with MDD to examine the rate of adherence (medication and counseling), the association of adherence with cessation outcomes, and factors associated with adherence, including demographic and smoking characteristics, psychiatric characteristics, smoking cessation processes (e.g., withdrawal, reinforcers), and treatment-related side effects (e.g., nausea). RESULTS: Overall, 43.7% of participants were adherent with medication and 63.0% were adherent with counseling. Medication adherence was significantly associated with cessation, with 32.1% of adherent vs. 13.0% of non-adherent participants quitting smoking at EOT. Counseling adherence was also significantly associated with cessation, with 32.3% of adherent vs. 2.7% of non-adherent participants quitting smoking. Multivariate regression models showed that medication adherence was associated with higher engagement in complementary reinforcers and higher baseline smoking reward, while counseling adherence was associated with identifying as female, lower alcohol use and nicotine dependence, higher baseline smoking reward, and higher engagement in substitute and complementary reinforcers within the first weeks of medication use. CONCLUSIONS: As with the general population of smokers, non-adherence to treatment in smokers experiencing depression is widespread and a significant barrier to cessation. Interventions that target reinforcers may improve rates of treatment adherence.

The role of smoking history in longitudinal changes in C-reactive protein between Black and White older adults in the US.

Smoking cessation is associated with decreases in C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation and cancer risk; yet CRP levels remain higher long-term in individuals who quit vs. those who never smoked. While non-Hispanic, Black/African American (NHB) have higher levels of CRP vs. non-Hispanic, White/Caucasian (NHW) adults, the association between CRP and race has not been examined in individuals with smoking history. Utilizing longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the current study examined the effects of race and smoking history on CRP in older adults. NHB (n = 242) and NHW (n = 1529) participants completed HRS assessments in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Dried blood spots collected at each wave were assayed for CRP. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effect of race and smoking history on CRP across waves - controlling for sociodemographics, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and current smoking. Overall, results showed no significant effects of race or current smoking on CRP; rather age, sex, education, BMI, physical activity, smoking history, and time × race predicted CRP (ps<.04). However, while age, sex, education, BMI, physical activity, and smoking history were also predictive of CRP in NHWs (ps<.04) in race-stratified models, only BMI was a significant predictor of CRP in NHBs (p=.012). BMI may be important in explaining inflammation-related disease risk in NHBs with a history of smoking. NHBs may not experience the same reductions in CRP with smoking cessation as NHWs - potentially contributing to tobacco-related health disparities.

Maternal nicotine metabolism moderates the impact of maternal cigarette smoking on infant birth weight: A Collaborative Perinatal Project investigation.

BACKGROUND: Maternal cigarette smoking is an important modifiable risk factor for low birth weight in the US. We investigated the maternal nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR; trans-3'-hydroxycotinine/cotinine) - a genetically-informed biomarker of nicotine clearance - as a moderator of links between prenatal cigarette use and birth weight. We also explored the role of race in these associations. METHODS: Participants were 454 pregnant women (Mage = 25 years; 11% Black) who smoked cigarettes and their 537 infants from the Collaborative Perinatal Project. Cigarettes smoked per day were assessed at each prenatal visit; maternal NMR was assayed from third trimester serum. Birth weight was obtained from medical records. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate associations between cigarette smoking, NMR, race, and birth weight. RESULTS: NMR moderated continuous associations between cigarettes per day over pregnancy and infant birth weight (p = .025). Among women who smoked at moderate levels (<15 cigarettes per day), those with slower NMR showed ~50-100 g decrements in birth weight versus those with faster NMR., while there were no significant associations between NMR and birth weight among women who smoked 15+ cigarettes per day. Although effects of NMR on birthweight were similar for Black and white women, Black women showed significantly slower NMR (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration that the maternal nicotine metabolism phenotype moderates associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and birth weight. Infants of women with slower nicotine metabolism - including disproportionate representation of Black women - may be at heightened risk for morbidity from maternal smoking.

Flavored waterpipe tobacco preferences, perceptions, and use in pregnant women: A latent factor mapping approach.

Waterpipe tobacco (WPT) use is increasingly common in young adults including pregnant and reproductive-age women. Sweet flavors contribute to the appeal of WPT and are a promising regulatory target. The present study utilized correspondence analysis of contingency tables, a latent factor mapping technique, to investigate preferences and perceptions of WPT flavors in a sample of racially/ethnically diverse, low-income pregnant women. One hundred pregnant women (mean age = 26 years, 65% racial/ethnic minorities) completed a detailed interview regarding their use, preferences, and perceptions of WPT flavors. Eighty-three percent of participants reported lifetime WPT use; 11% reported prenatal WPT use. Pregnant women reported greatest use of and stronger preferences for sweet (fruit, candy, alcohol) and menthol/mint flavors, and weaker preferences for tobacco flavored WPT. Latent factor mapping revealed clustering of preferred sweet (fruit, candy, alcohol) and menthol/mint flavors versus tobacco flavors, with pungent flavors (coffee, chocolate, spice) clustering between sweet and tobacco flavors. Preferences for sweet and menthol/mint flavors distinguished pregnant women who reported lifetime WPT versus no lifetime WPT use, and prenatal WPT use versus no prenatal WPT use. Harm perceptions did not vary by flavor. Regulations to restrict the availability of WPT flavors may reduce the appeal and use of WPT, especially among pregnant women.

Use and perceptions of menthol versus non-menthol cigarettes among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Menthol cigarette use among women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy is high, but little is known about the factors that contribute to preference for menthol cigarette use during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated preferences, perceptions, and intentions to use menthol vs. non-menthol cigarettes in a sample of pregnant women. METHODS: Pregnant women (N = 124, Mage = 26.2 years, 50% minorities) completed a study investigating the impact of maternal smoking on biobehavioral markers of fetal risk. During the third trimester, participants self-reported preferences (liking, attractiveness, smoothness, interest), perceptions of harm (general, pregnancy-specific), and intentions to use menthol and non-menthol cigarettes. We examined differences in responses based on whether participants endorsed (1) cigarette use during pregnancy (yes/no) and (2) lifetime cigarette use (yes/no). RESULTS: Sixty-two participants endorsed cigarette smoking during pregnancy (85.5% smoked menthol cigarettes), and 94 participants reported lifetime use. Overall, menthol cigarettes were perceived as more likeable and smoother vs. non-menthol (ps < .001) - even among participants who never smoked cigarettes (ps < .05). All participants rated both menthol and non-menthol cigarette use as harmful. Compared to participants who did not smoke during pregnancy, participants who smoked during pregnancy rated menthol cigarettes as less harmful for pregnant women (p = .001), while there were no differences between groups in harm perceptions toward non-menthol cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: Menthol may increase cigarettes appeal for pregnant women. Implications for regulation of menthol cigarettes are discussed. Future studies may investigate the role of sensory perception, marketing, and health education in influencing these factors.