quit smoking Archives - Amazing Health Advances

1 Million Adult Vapers in England Have Never Regularly Smoked

The AHA! Team — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 06:20:34 +0000

Priyanjana Pramanik, MSc. via News-Medical – This rapid increase between 2021 and 2024 was particularly among younger age groups. In a recent study published in The Lancet Public Health, researchers estimate trends in vaping among adults in the United Kingdom who have not smoked regularly. The health implications of vaping In the past, vaping or the use of e-cigarettes in England was primarily reported among current or former smokers trying to reduce or quit smoking. If vaping were only adopted by those who would otherwise smoke, the overall rate of smoking or vaping would remain constant or show signs of declining rather than increasing. The rising rate of vaping could be attributed to the widespread availability of disposable e-cigarettes in recent years, which has led to a rapid increase in vaping among regular and non-regular smokers. Although e-cigarettes may be less harmful than smoking, these devices contain toxic chemicals that the user consumes. In fact, several studies indicate that vapers are exposed to higher levels of toxicants than non-users. About the study Researchers collected data using a monthly cross-sectional survey across England, Wales, and Scotland to ensure a nationally representative sample. Approximately 2,450 individuals participated in the survey each month between 2016 and early 2024. The vaping status of adults who reported never regularly smoking was evaluated using questions about their current e-cigarette use, daily or non-daily e-cigarette use, as well as as the type of device and strength of nicotine used. Study participants also provided sociodemographic data such as gender, age, and social class, as well as lifestyle information such as alcohol consumption. Statistical models were used to calculate trends in the prevalence of smoking after adjusting for alcohol consumption and sociodemographic characteristics. These trends were then assessed according to age, with the prevalence of vaping compared before and after the increased availability of disposable e-cigarettes. Study findings The analysis included 94,107 unique never-regular smokers, as well as younger individuals who had never smoked. Vaping among never-regular smokers was stable at approximately 0.5% until 2021. From 2021 onwards, vaping increased rapidly to 3.5% in April 2024. This increased prevalence of vaping was primarily attributed to younger adults under the age of 24, 14.4% of whom vaped, as compared to those over the age of 48, less than 1% of whom vaped. Although age differences were significant, trends were similar across social class and gender. Alcohol consumption was positively correlated with vaping prevalence, with heavy drinkers more likely to vape at a rate of 22.1%. Comparatively, only 3% of low-risk drinkers and 1.3% of non-drinkers vaped. Throughout the analysis period, non-daily vaping was less common than daily vaping, but the prevalence of daily vaping was four times greater than that of non-daily vaping. Researchers also found clear indications that disposable e-cigarettes are implicated in these trends. In the post-disposable period, users were more likely to report longer vaping durations, with a reduced prevalence of short-term use. Since disposable devices have become more common, vapers are increasingly younger, heavier drinkers, and more likely to be female. There is also a pronounced shift towards disposable e-cigarettes and devices with higher nicotine strengths. More purchases were also reported from convenience stores or supermarkets, and fewer from vape shops. Conclusions The study findings demonstrate the significant rise in vaping rates in England over the past three years, specifically among those who are not regular smokers, as well as younger adults and heavier drinkers. In 2021, one in 200 never-regular smokers reported vaping. By April 2024, this rate increased to one in 28. Disposable e-cigarettes, which appear to appeal to younger adults and women, may encourage the use of higher nicotine strengths. The health impacts of these behavioral shifts may be significant, particularly among individuals who would not typically engage in vaping, which increases their exposure to toxins they would have otherwise avoided. Addressing these issues is associated with various challenges as policymakers seek to reduce vaping among non-smokers while ensuring that e-cigarettes are available and remain attractive to smokers who would like to quit. Stricter regulations on the appearance, pricing, and marketing of these products may support these public health efforts to reduce the appeal of vaping. Journal reference: Jackson, S.E., Shahab, L., Tattan-Birch, H., & Brown, J. (2024). Vaping among adults in England who have never regularly smoked: a population-based study, 2016–24. The Lancet Public Health. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00183-X To read the original article click here.

The post 1 Million Adult Vapers in England Have Never Regularly Smoked appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Stop Smoking With These Natural Nutrients and Techniques

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 08:00:35 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking kills 480,000 people in the United States annually. Yet – despite the danger, the increasing social stigma, and the financial burden of a nicotine habit – 38 million Americans continue to smoke. Why? The frustrating truth is that cigarettes are highly addictive, and most smokers find quitting very difficult. Don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t quit – or if you’ve tried and failed. But do resolve to try again. Many ex-smokers report that they didn’t stop smoking on their first try – or even their second or third. While there is no magic potion to stop smoking, research shows that certain herbs, such as green tea, contain compounds that may help boost your odds of success by “taking the edge off” troublesome withdrawal symptoms. Let’s look at four surprising natural interventions that may reduce nicotine cravings and help you stop smoking. Use Green Tea as an Ally in Your Battle to Stop Smoking Smoking is, first and foremost, a ritual, and you’ll want to create alternate ceremonies to replace it. Successful ex-smokers report that the ritual of preparing, lifting, and sipping a steaming cup of coffee or tea can be surprisingly helpful in taming the “nic fits.” Green tea is a particularly great choice. In one encouraging study, researchers reported that theanine, an amino acid in green tea, helped about half the participants cut down on cigarettes – while a third of them were able to stop smoking entirely. Another “plus” for green tea is that it can help alleviate lung damage caused by smoking, with peer-reviewed research showing that regular green tea consumption can reduce the risk of both COPD and lung cancer in cigarette smokers. So when the urge to smoke feels overwhelming, brewing a cup of green tea is a wise move. Sprinkle on the Black Pepper If you’re battling an urge to smoke, it’s not a bad idea to use a liberal hand with the black pepper. Piperine, the active ingredient in black pepper, has mild mood-lifting effects that may help ease irritability and anxiety. In addition, piperine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities allow it to go to work scavenging harmful free radicals created by smoking. You can also try aromatherapy with black pepper essential oil, which has shown promise in inhibiting nicotine cravings. Natural health experts advise putting a drop or two of black pepper oil on a tissue and sniffing it when cravings strike. In one study, sniffing black pepper oil was shown to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and promote a calmer mood. Check with your integrative doctor before trying aromatherapy with black pepper oil. Let Acupuncture Point You Toward Quitting Acupuncture is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address the imbalance of energy (or “chi”) that is believed to trigger illness. Multiple studies have supported the ability of acupuncture to help people stop smoking, especially when used along with counseling and education. Using tiny needles or low-level lasers, practitioners can stimulate acupuncture points, thereby helping to ease the physical and psychological symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. In a peer-reviewed analysis published in The American Journal of Medicine, the researchers reported that acupuncture helped nicotine withdrawal by decreasing adrenocorticotropic hormone – a hormone associated with stress – and promoting the release of mood-lifting endorphins. A trained acupuncturist can even help you find and activate acupuncture points so that you can help quench cravings at home. If you’re looking to free yourself from the deadly habit of smoking, acupuncture is certainly worth a try. GABA: This Calming Amino Acid May Help You Stop Smoking The amino acid known as GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, functions as a neurotransmitter, inhibiting certain brain signals and decreasing the nervous system’s activity. When GABA attaches to receptors in the brain, it can create a calming and anxiety-reducing effect. An intriguing review published in Neuropharmacology suggested that GABA could make cigarettes less appealing to smokers. The scientists credited GABA with inhibiting the pleasurable effects of nicotine and blocking nicotine-seeking behavior, providing strong evidence for its potential effectiveness in nicotine dependence. You can boost your dietary intake of GABA by eating fermented foods such as pickled cabbage (kimchi) and miso. GABA is also available as a supplement, but consult your integrative doctor before trying it. Other useful herbs and supplements to help you stop smoking include lobelia, ginseng, catnip (it’s not just for cats), licorice root, lemon water, vitamin C, and valerian. As always, check with your trusted integrative doctor before adding any supplements to your routine. Finally, don’t forget natural stress-relief techniques, such as yoga, biofeedback, meditation, exercise, hypnotherapy, and deep breathing. These calming practices can be great tools in your campaign to stop smoking. Here’s hoping that these natural techniques help you embark on a new, smoke-free journey. A world of rewards – from cleaner-smelling clothes to lower cancer risk to a fatter wallet – waits at the other end. You can do this, start today! Sources for this article include: CDC.gov EMediHealth.com BetterNutrition.com AcademicOUP.com NIH.gov NIH.gov AJMed.com To read the original article click here.

The post Stop Smoking With These Natural Nutrients and Techniques appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Smokers with Heart Disease Could Gain Five Healthy Years by Quitting

AHA Publisher — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:00:07 +0000

European Society of Cardiology via Newswise – Sophia Antipolis – 7 April 2022: Smoking cessation adds the same number of heart disease-free years to life as three preventive medications combined, according to research presented at ESC Preventive Cardiology 2022, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1 “The benefits of smoking cessation are even greater than we realised,” said study author Dr. Tinka Van Trier of Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands. “Our study shows that kicking the habit appears to be as effective as taking three medications for preventing heart attacks and strokes in those with a prior heart attack or procedure to open blocked arteries. Patients could gain nearly five years of healthy life.” “This analysis focused on smokers who had experienced a heart attack and/or undergone stent implantation or bypass surgery,” she added. “This group is at particularly high risk of having another heart attack or a stroke and stopping smoking is potentially the most effective preventive action.” The study used data from 989 patients aged 45 years and older who were still smoking at least six months after having a heart attack and/or undergoing stent implantation or bypass surgery. The average age was 60 years and 23% were women. Patients were generally well treated with standard preventive medications (antiplatelets, statins and blood pressure-lowering drugs). The median time since the heart attack or procedure was 1.2 years. The researchers used the SMART-REACH model (available at u-prevent.com) to estimate the gain in healthy years, i.e. without a heart attack or stroke, if patients quit smoking. They also calculated the gain in healthy years if patients continued smoking but took three additional drugs to prevent cardiovascular disease. The three medications included bempedoic acid and PCSK9 inhibitors, which lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and colchicine, an anti-inflammatory therapy. The researchers found that the estimated benefit of quitting smoking appeared to be comparable to using all three pharmaceutical treatments. Smoking cessation resulted in a gain of 4.81 event-free years while the three medications together provided a gain of 4.83 event-free years. “This indicates that smoking cessation is a very important step towards adding healthy years to one’s lifetime,” said Dr. Van Trier. “It is important to remember that the analysis did not even account for the other advantages of giving up the habit – for example on respiratory illnesses, cancer and longevity.” She continued: “Smoking cessation remains a cornerstone of preventing heart attacks and strokes and improving overall health at any time, including after a heart attack and at any age. We know that cigarette smoking is responsible for 50% of all avoidable deaths in smokers, of which half are due to cardiovascular disease.2 Giving up cigarettes after a heart attack is linked with improved survival compared with persistent smoking.3“ Dr. Van Trier concluded: “If you are considering becoming smokefree, or would like more information about it, please talk to a health professional. Your motivation is key to successfully quitting, but beating an addiction becomes easier with medical and psychological assistance.” To read the original article click here.

The post Smokers with Heart Disease Could Gain Five Healthy Years by Quitting appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Microbiome to Blame for Weight Gain After You Quit Smoking

AHA Publisher — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:00:47 +0000

Jon Schiller via Israel21c – It’s estimated that more than a billion people smoke cigarettes despite its role in causing disease. Recent studies have shown that 70 percent of smokers are interested in quitting but are concerned that they will gain weight. For years, the cause of weight gain as the result of quitting smoking has been unclear. In a recent study published in Nature, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers say the culprit may be weight-modulating compounds released by gut microbes. The researchers found that mice regularly exposed to cigarette smoke failed to gain weight, despite consuming a diet high in fat and sugar. When the smoke exposure stopped, the mice rapidly gained weight. But when the mice were given broad-spectrum antibiotics that depleted their microbiome, they gained much less weight after undergoing smoking cessation, staying slim for months regardless of their diet. The scientists believe that smoking-related compounds such as nicotine penetrated the gut of the smoke-exposed mice, altering the gut’s bacterial composition and, consequently, the body’s metabolism. They also assessed the microbiomes of 96 smoking and nonsmoking people. They found marked alterations in the microbiome of smokers, as well as microbial metabolite changes similar to those found in the smoke-exposed mice. “Our findings exemplify how the host and microbiome act as partners in regulating weight and metabolism,” said immunologist Prof. Eran Elinav, who headed the research team. “The compounds we have identified may lead to new treatments that will help people avoid weight gain when quitting smoking. Moreover, these compounds may be further developed into therapies to fight obesity even among nonsmokers.” To read the original article click here.

The post Microbiome to Blame for Weight Gain After You Quit Smoking appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.