Tag

Smoking Cessation

All articles tagged with #smoking cessation

health25 days ago•6 min saved

Switching to Vapes May Raise Eye Disease Risk, Major Study Finds

A large Korean study of 32,316 matched former smokers followed for about 4.6 years found that those who switched to electronic cigarettes or other smokeless nicotine products had a higher risk of major eye diseases than those who quit nicotine entirely. Specifically, switchers had a 24% higher risk of diabetic retinopathy and a 7% higher risk of refractive/accommodation disorders, with quitters showing 41.1 vs 44 cases per 1,000 person-years. The study observed 6,328 eye-disease events overall. Authors caution that the retrospective, self-reported data cannot prove causation, but the findings suggest substituting nicotine products may not eliminate eye-disease risk.

via Fox News|

#diabetic-retinopathy #eye-health #health

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Quitting Smoking Could Cut Dementia Risk by 16%, But Weight Gain Might Undermine the Benefit

A 32,000-plus US study of dementia-free adults followed for 25 years found that quitting smoking in later life is linked to a 16% lower dementia risk and slower cognitive decline, with the benefit strongest when weight gain after quitting is minimal. Gaining more than 10 kg tended to negate the dementia risk reduction, suggesting weight management should accompany smoking cessation to maximize brain health.

via ScienceAlert|

#cognitive-decline #dementia #health

health2 months ago•15 min saved

Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows potential to help people quit smoking

A BBC Health report describes a randomized trial where a single high dose of psilocybin (about 30 mg, with 10 CBT sessions) plus talk therapy led to significantly higher smoking cessation than nicotine patches: 52% abstinent at six months in 82 participants vs 25% in the patch group. These findings, echoing earlier smaller studies, suggest psychedelics can trigger neuroplastic changes and a shift in priorities that support quitting, and are driving a larger NIH-funded, multi-site follow-up study to confirm efficacy and understand mechanisms. However, experts caution the sample was small and not highly diverse, so results may not generalize, and long-term safety and durability remain to be seen.

via BBC|

#clinical-trials #health #neuroplasticity

health3 months ago•3 min saved

Vaping as a Quit Tool: The Power Lies in a Full Switch, Not Dual Use

Vaping can aid quitting, but its real payoff comes when it fully replaces cigarettes rather than being used in addition. Randomized trials show e-cigarettes can outperform single-form NRT with behavioral support, yet population data reveal widespread dual use that limits benefits. Successful quitting is strongest when smokers adopt a complete switch, paired with tailored nicotine strength, behavioral support, and ongoing device adjustments; partial switching sustains nicotine dependence and keeps health risks elevated.

via Iowa Park Leader|

#dual-use #harm-reduction #health

health3 months ago•5 min saved

Vaping Emerges as Top Tool for Quitting Smoking in Global Evidence Review

A global overview of 14 systematic reviews (2014–2023) finds nicotine-containing e-cigarettes more effective for long-term smoking cessation than nicotine replacement therapy, non-nicotine e-cigarettes, or behavioral support, with higher-quality evidence showing consistent benefits. However, safety data remain inconclusive and there are gaps, notably a lack of high-quality trials comparing e-cigarettes with cytisine, bupropion, nicotine pouches, or varenicline and limited data from low- and middle-income countries. The authors call for more primary research, including adverse-event monitoring across diverse settings, to fully understand risks and global applicability.

via Neuroscience News|

#evidence-gap-map #health #nicotine-e-cigarettes

health4 months ago•4 min saved

Psilocybin shows promise to beat nicotine patches for quitting smoking

A Johns Hopkins study found that a single high dose of psilocybin paired with cognitive behavioral therapy helped more smokers quit after six months than nicotine patches, with 17 abstinent in the psilocybin group versus 4 in the patch group and roughly 50% fewer cigarettes on average between the quit date and six-month follow-up. The study notes limitations (no placebo, participants were mostly educated and not racially diverse, and many had prior psychedelic experience) and plans a larger trial to confirm efficacy and explore scalability and cost-efficiency.

via New York Post|

#cognitive-behavioral-therapy #health #johns-hopkins

health4 months ago•55 min saved

COPD relief hinges on one step: quitting smoking, says GP

GP Dr Philippa Kaye explains COPD is a chronic, incurable lung condition often linked to smoking; while not curable, symptoms can be markedly improved by quitting smoking (the single most important step), engaging in supervised exercise via a pulmonary rehabilitation program, using inhalers correctly, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying up to date with vaccines (flu, pneumococcal, RSV). Seek GP help if breathlessness or coughing worsens.

via Daily Mail|

#copd #health #inhalers

health5 months ago•263 min saved

Five Simple Habits Cardiologists Say Can Boost Your Heart Health

Cardiologists say small, sustainable changes can meaningfully lower cardiovascular risk: eat more plant foods, sit less and move more, strengthen social connections, choose unsweetened beverages, and quit smoking. Start with easy steps like adding a handful of plant foods to meals or taking brief post‑dinner walks, and gradually build these habits over time for lasting heart health.

via AOL.com|

#health #plant-foods #sedentary-lifestyle

health6 months ago•7 min saved

Challenges in Quitting E-Cigarettes Despite Safer Perception

Vaping is considered safer than smoking due to the absence of combustion, but it remains addictive and challenging to quit, especially for young people. While evidence supports vaping as a less harmful alternative, many users struggle to stop due to behavioral and psychological factors, with various support strategies like gradual reduction, professional help, and behavioral therapies showing promise. Public misconceptions about vaping's risks persist, complicating efforts to reduce its use, particularly among youth.

via The Guardian|

#harm-reduction #health #nicotine-addiction

business9 months ago•5 min saved

Vape Industry Leader Advocates for 'Strict' Ads to Aid Smokers' Quitting

The managing director of BAT UK advocates for allowing strict advertising of vapes targeted at adults to help smokers switch, despite current UK restrictions and health concerns about youth vaping; she emphasizes regulation, education, and enforcement to support the UK's goal of a smoke-free generation by 2030.

via BBC|

#advertising #bat #business

health10 months ago•7 min saved

Debunking the Myth: Nicotine's False Link to Cancer and Its Public Health Impact

The article discusses how misconceptions that nicotine causes cancer are hindering public health efforts, emphasizing that the harm from smoking comes from combustion, not nicotine itself. It highlights the potential benefits of smoke-free nicotine products like e-cigarettes and patches for quitting smoking, and stresses the importance of accurate public education to correct false beliefs and promote harm reduction. The piece also warns against the commercialization of nicotine as a wellness product and the need for nuanced understanding of nicotine's risks and benefits.

via statnews.com|

#harm-reduction #health #misconceptions

health11 months ago•3 min saved

Quitting Smoking Enhances Recovery from Other Addictions

A study funded by NIH found that adults who quit smoking are more likely to recover from other substance use disorders, highlighting the importance of integrating smoking cessation into addiction treatment programs.

via National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)|

#addiction-treatment #health #nih

health1 year ago•4 min saved

France Bans Smoking at Parks and Beaches to Protect Children

The article discusses the global efforts and challenges in moving towards a tobacco-free future, highlighting various country initiatives like France's outdoor smoking ban, Bhutan's historic tobacco prohibition, New Zealand's attempted phase-out, and ongoing debates about the effectiveness and economic impact of such measures, alongside WHO's report on declining global smoking rates.

via Statista|

#global-tobacco-control #health #policy-challenges

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Essential Kidney Health Tips and Screening Recommendations

To reduce the risk of kidney cancer, maintain a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking, staying active, controlling blood sugar and blood pressure, staying well hydrated, avoiding toxic chemicals, and monitoring symptoms and kidney health through regular checkups.

via Hindustan Times|

#blood-pressure-control #health #hydration

health1 year ago•3 min saved

Finding Faith and Fortune in a Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Barbara Rodriguez, a 53-year-old woman from Virginia, felt "blessed" after being diagnosed with stage two lung cancer following a decision to quit smoking while reading the Bible. Despite the challenging treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, she expressed gratitude for the early detection and successful removal of the cancer, which was caused by a mutation rather than smoking. Now cancer-free, Barbara emphasizes the importance of early cancer screenings and maintains a positive outlook, feeling grateful for her life and health.

via New York Post |

#chemotherapy #early-detection #faith