Unemployment insurance and cigarette smoking

We provide evidence for the causal relationship between unemployment insurance (UI) and individuals’ smoking behavior using the 1995–2011 Current Population Survey-Tobacco Use Supplement data. Our identification relies on the exploitation of the exogenous variations of the maximum UI weekly benefits across states and over years. Instead of focusing on all unemployed people, we concentrate on those who are eligible for UI benefits. We find that when the maximum UI weekly benefit level increases by $100, smoking cessation increases by approximately 2.9 percentage points among the UI-eligible unemployed. The results are robust to various model specifications. We also explore the mechanism and find suggestive evidence that the increase in the maximum UI weekly benefit leads to a decrease in the probability of over-work of the respective spouse. Moreover, the unemployed who are less educated are more responsive to the increasing UI benefits.     

Comorbid mental disorders among adults in the mental health surveillance survey

Purpose

To examine the prevalence and correlates of mental disorder comorbidity in the adult U.S. household population.

Cigarette smoking behaviors among adults with serious mental illness in a nationally representative sample

PurposeThis study updates nationally representative information on cigarette smoking behaviors among adults with mental illness, particularly serious mental illness (SMI), to serve as a new benchmark for smoking cessation initiatives.MethodsData are from the 2008–2012 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Prevalence estimates for past month daily smoking, heavy smoking, mean cigarettes consumed per day, nicotine dependence, past month quit ratio, and proportion of cigarettes consumed are presented by mental illness status.ResultsAdults with SMI were more likely than adults with any mental illness (AMI) but not SMI and adults without mental illness to engage in smoking behaviors. Adults with AMI but not SMI were more likely to engage in all smoking behaviors compared with adults without mental illness. The past month quit ratio was significantly lower among adults with SMI and among adults with AMI but not SMI than among adults without mental illness. Adults with SMI comprised 6.9% of past month smokers but consumed 8.7% of all cigarettes.ConclusionsAdults with mental illness engage in more smoking behaviors and are less likely to quit than adults without mental illness. In this high-risk population, continued efforts to promote smoking cessation are needed.     

吸烟对精液质量和月经功能的影响

目的 探讨吸烟对精液质量和月经功能的影响. 方法 选择597例男性不育患者精液标本,其中395例为吸烟者,202例为非吸烟者,观察比较2组精液标本的各项参数;女性不生育患者304例,主动吸烟者5例,被动吸烟者198例,不吸烟者101例,分析其月经功能. 结果 吸烟者和非吸烟者相比,精子的正常形态数、精子的密度和精子的活力降低,2组之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).女性被动吸烟与女性痛经有显著正相关(P<0.05),女性被动吸烟对月经周期和经期有一定得影响,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 吸烟行为可能与精子的质量下降有关.女性被动吸烟对月经功能造成一定的危害,应引起有关方面的足够重视.     

Greenspace programmes for mental health: A survey study to test what works,for whom,and in what circumstances

The health benefits of greenspace are widely acknowledged. Greenspace programmes, defined as health programmes undertaken in outside green areas such as parks, gardens, hills, and forests, are becoming more commonplace. However, there is still limited understanding of the mechanisms by which greenspace programmes are effective. This makes future development and implementation very difficult. We recently developed and published a novel framework for greenspace programmes for mental health showing what works, for whom, and in what circumstances (Masterton et al., 2020). In this current study, the accuracy of the proposed framework was tested for the first time using primary data from greenspace organisations in Scotland. Given the link between mental health and substance use, the applicability of the framework to programmes that support people with problem substance use was also tested. A survey was designed to test the contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes identified within the previously proposed framework. The survey was completed by 64 participants to provide a general overview of the framework's applicability for programmes that support mental health, as well as for programmes that support people with problem substance use. Overall, respondents agreed with all survey statements. This suggests that the framework does effectively represent the underlying context, mechanism, outcome configurations of greenspace programmes for mental health. Furthermore, there were no differences between responses from organisations that support people with problem substance use, and organisations that do not support this client group. This shows that the framework has the potential to be applicable to both greenspace programmes for mental health and greenspace programmes for people with problem substance use. This is a novel finding as, to our knowledge, there is currently no framework looking to explain the contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes necessary for greenspace programmes to be successful for people with problem substance use.     

Childhood disadvantage,cigarette smoking,and mental health: a mediation effect of social engagement

ABSTRACT

Drawing from a life course paradigm, this study explores the associations between childhood disadvantage, social engagement, cigarette smoking, and depressive symptoms. Data come from the three waves of Americans’ Changing Lives survey (N = 2348). This study examines whether childhood disadvantage (e.g. childhood parental divorce, serious parental marital problems, and family violence) has effects on later health and social relationships. Additionally, it looks at whether social engagement mediates the relationships between childhood disadvantage, cigarette use, and mental health. Regression results suggest that childhood adversities are associated with an increase in cigarette smoking, depressive symptoms, and a decrease in participation in religious organizations later in life. Moreover, poor social engagement (in this study, attending religious services) is mediated the relationship between childhood disadvantage, cigarette smoking, and mental health. These findings demonstrate the negative effects of childhood stressors on later health and well-being and suggest greater attention be given to early family history and social ties.     

Effect of cigarette smoking and coffee consumption on apolipoprotein B levels

Apolipoprotein B levels were studied in relation to cigarette smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption, physical activity, age and body mass index in 253 men aged 21–61 years. The mean apolipoprotein B level was 7.3 ± 3.2 mg/dl and was higher for smokers compared with non-smokers. Considering the smokers of over 20 cigarettes/day and the non-smokers, this difference reached 12.6 ± 4.3 mg/dl. A significant increase of 7.2 ± 3.5 mg/dl in apolipoprotein B levels was observed in the subjects who drank over 3 cups of coffee/day compared with the remaining subjects, but the increase was only 4.3 ± 3.7 mg/dl when we made a correction for cigarette consumption. Furthermore, for cigarette smoking and coffee consumption, there is apparently an interactive effect with BMI and/or age (vs apolipoprotein B levels). However, with a stepwise selection among explicative variables [age, BMI, smoking (yes/no) and coffee consumption ( 3, > 3 cups/day)] and all their interactions of first order, only the interaction between BMI and smoking (BMI^*smoking: b± ES (b) = 0.3029±0.0303), and age and BMI (age^*BMI), are significantly and positively related to serum levels of apolipoprotein B. Thus cigarette smoking, interacting with high BMI, appear related to higher apolipoprotein B levels.Corresponding author.     

吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用对交通警察健康影响的研究

目的 调查唐山市交通废气污染现状，探讨吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用对交通警察的健康影响。方法 选择三个有代表性路口进行环境监测，包括可吸入性颗粒物(IP)、氮氧化物(NOx)、一氧化碳(CO)、总烃(CmHn)和铅尘(Pb)浓度。采用现况研究的方法，以唐山市196名男性外勤交通警察(外勤警)和148名男性内勤交通警察(内勤警)为研究对象，进行问卷调查和各种症状的体检，并测定了血碳氧血红蛋白饱和度(HbCO%)、肺最大呼气流速(PEF)，抽样测定部分调查对象血铅含量。结果各监测点的CO、NOx的浓度明显超标，Pb尘差异无显著性。外勤警的各种症状出现率、HbCO％显著高于内勤警，PET低于内勤警，血Pb差异无显著性。按是否吸烟分层后，内、外勤警中吸烟者的各症状出现率、HbCO％均高于不吸烟者，PET低于不吸烟者；吸烟内勤警的神经衰弱及心血管系统症状出现率、血铅甚至高于不吸烟的外勤警。结论交通废气污染是引起外勤警症状出现率升高、HbCO％升高、PET下降的一个重要因素，吸烟可使神经衰弱、心血管系统症状出现率、血铅增高更明显。吸烟和交通废气污染联合作用加重了对吸烟外勤警的健康损害。     

Epidemiological association between cigarette smoking and primary open-angle glaucoma: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The role of cigarette smoking as a risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine this association by conducting a detailed meta-analysis of studies published in peer-reviewed literature on the subject. METHODS: A comprehensive search for articles published up 31 December 2002 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted, and data were abstracted. Prior to meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. RESULTS: Our analysis was based on seven reports. We found no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity among the studies. The summary odds ratios from a fixed-effects model were 1.37 (95% CI: 1.00-1.87) for current smokers and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.77-1.38) for past smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis results suggest that current smokers are at significantly increased risk of developing POAG. Efforts should be directed towards augmenting the campaign against smoking by adding the increased risk of POAG to the better-known arguments against smoking.     

Relation between cigarette smoking and ventilatory threshold in the Japanese

The link between cigarette smoking and ventilatory threshold (VT) was investigated. We used data for 407 men and 418 women not taking medication. Habits of cigarette smoking were obtained through interviews by well-trained staff. The influence of cigarette smoking on oxygen uptake, work rate, and heart rate at VT was evaluated. Oxygen uptake at VT in women and work rate at VT in men with cigarette smoking were significantly lower than in subjects without cigarette smoking after adjusting for age. The differences of parameters at VT did not reach significant levels after adjusting for age and exercise habits in both sexes. However, in women without exercise habits, there was significant difference of oxygen uptake at VT between women with and without cigarette smoking after adjusting for age [cigarette smoking (+): 11.5 ± 1.8 ml/kg/min, cigarette smoking (−): 12.4 ± 2.1 ml/kg/min, p = 0.0006]. The number of cigarettes smoked per day and the Brinkman Index were not clearly correlated with oxygen uptake at VT. A combination of promoting exercise habits and prohibiting cigarette smoking might be recommended for improving the aerobic exercise level, especially in women.     

吸烟与温石棉单独及联合作用对人胚肺细胞DNA链断裂的影响

目的研究吸烟与温石棉对细胞的遗传毒性。方法采用单细胞凝胶电泳技术（ＳＣＧＥ），在体外实验中测定了香烟烟雾溶液（ＣＳＳ）与温石棉（ＣＨ）单独及联合作用于人胚肺（ＨＥＬ）细胞时ＤＮＡ链断裂的情况。结果ＣＳＳ与ＣＨ单独与ＨＥＬ细胞作用１小时，均可使ＤＮＡ链断裂明显增多，当二者以３种不同的剂量组合联合作用时，均可协同增加ＤＮＡ链断裂。结论ＣＳＳ和ＣＨ单独作用均为肿瘤启动剂；当二者联合作用时可协同启动肿瘤的发生。     

The role of family incomes in cigarette smoking: evidence from French students

In this paper, we study the smoking behavior of students aged from 18 to 25 using four cross-section data sets collected in France from 1997 to 2006. We focus on the role played by student income and parental resources. We find that both the probability of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked are positively correlated to family resources. Among students, only wages earned and transfers received from parents increase smoking participation. However, sensitivity to income remains weak since a rise of 1% in income of either the students or their parents leads to an increase in smoking prevalence of about 0.15-0.20%.     

No effect of cigarette smoking dose on oxidized plasma proteins

Cigarette smoking is a major source of oxidative stress. Protein carbonyls have been used as a biomarker of oxidative stress because of the relative stability of carbonylated proteins and the high protein concentration in blood. Increased levels of carbonyl groups have been found in serum proteins of smokers compared to nonsmokers. However, neither the dose effect of current cigarette smoke nor other predictors of oxidative stress have been studied. Hence, we used an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to evaluate plasma protein carbonyls in smokers recruited in the Early Lung Cancer Action Project (ELCAP) program. The lung cancer screening program enrolled current and former smokers age 60 years and over without a prior cancer diagnosis. A total of 542 participants (282 men and 260 women) completed a baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples for the biomarker study. Protein oxidation was measured by derivatization of the carbonyl groups with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and ELISA quantitation of the DNPH group. Current smoking status was confirmed with urinary cotinine. The mean (+/-S.D.) protein carbonyl level was 17.9+/-2.9 nmol carbonyl/ml plasma. Protein carbonyls did not differ significantly by gender. Carbonyl levels were higher among current than former smokers, but these differences did not attain statistical significance, nor did differences by urine cotinine levels, pack-years, pack/day among current smokers, and smoking duration. In a multiple regression analysis, higher protein carbonyl levels were independently associated with increasing age (0.59 nmol/ml increase per 10 years, 95% CI 0.14, 1.05, p=0.01), African-American vs. white race/ethnicity, (1.30 nmol/ml, 95% CI 0.4, 2.19, p=0.008), and lower educational attainment (0.75 nmol/ml, 95% CI 0.12, 1.38, p=0.02). Although we found no significant difference between current vs. past cigarette smoking and protein carbonyls in this older group of smokers, associations were found for age, ethnicity, and educational attainment. Our results indicate that the measurement of plasma carbonyls by this ELISA technique is still an easy and suitable method for studies of diseases related to oxidative stress.     

吸烟对精子DNA完整性、精子参数的影响

目的:探讨吸烟对精子DNA完整性、精子参数的影响。方法:调查191例男性不育患者的吸烟情况,采用吖啶橙荧光染色后检测精子DNA完整性,计算机自动分析精子密度与活力,精子形态检测系统下人工修正方法进行精子形态分析。结果:吸烟组精子活力显著低于不吸烟组(P<0.05),精子密度和形态低于不吸烟组,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。吸烟组精子DNA完整率异常例数显著高于不吸烟组(χ2=5.393,P<0.05),精子DNA完整率异常组精子密度显著低于精子DNA完整率正常组(P<0.05),精子DNA完整率异常组的精子活力、形态与正常组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:吸烟影响精子DNA完整率;精子DNA完整率异常与精子参数异常相关;吸烟可能通过影响精子DNA完整性影响精子参数。