E‐cigarettes,vaping and performativity in the context of tobacco denormalisation

E‐cigarettes are devices through which a nicotine solution is ‘vapourised’ and inhaled by the user. Unlike cigarettes, the process involves no tobacco combustion. However, the inhalation and exhalation of vapour is reminiscent of smoking and there is debate about the possible harms and benefits of e‐cigarette use, including the ‘renormalisation’ of smoking. Despite these debates, there has been little exploration into the embodied and semiotic similarities between smoking and vaping. This paper views the practices of vaping and smoking through the lens of performativity that is, the accumulation of meaning associated with the habits over time and space. Through in‐depth interviews, we explore how young adults from primarily disadvantaged areas in Scotland, understand the similarity in practices between smoking and vaping. Participants talked about financial barriers to using different types of e‐cigarettes, and how their use reflected their views on smoking cessation. They also discussed the embodied similarities between smoking and vaping, with divergent opinions on whether this continuance of habit was beneficial or not, revealing still developing and ambiguous norms around performativity. The norms of vaping were also frequently discussed, with participants’ experiences and views reflecting the contested position of vaping in an environment where cigarette smoking is denormalised.     

The effects of e‐cigarette minimum legal sale age laws on youth substance use

We use difference‐in‐differences models and individual‐level data from the national and state Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System from 2005 to 2015 to examine the effects of e‐cigarette minimum legal sale age (MLSA) laws on youth cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use. Our results suggest that these laws increased youth smoking participation by about one percentage point and approximately half of the increased smoking participation could be attributed to smoking initiation. We find little evidence of higher cigarette smoking persisting beyond the point at which youth age out of the laws. Our results also show little effect of the laws on youth drinking, binge drinking, and marijuana use. Taking these together, our findings suggest a possible unintended effect of e‐cigarette MLSA laws—rising cigarette use in the short term while youth are restricted from purchasing e‐cigarettes.     

Dual use of electronic cigarettes and tobacco in New Zealand from a nationally representative sample

Objective : There is strong interest in the use of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) globally. Not much is known about the dual use of e‐cigarettes and combustible tobacco cigarettes, or if there are demographic differences among dual users and e‐cigarette only users. This paper reports on the demographics of dual users and e‐cigarette only users in New Zealand in a nationally representative sample. Methods : The Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) is a biennial face‐to‐face in‐house survey of New Zealand adults aged 15 years or over. The HLS was completed by 3,854 participants in 2016. Results : There is clear evidence of significant dual use in the current sample: most current e‐cigarette users (63.9%) were dual users. Respondents 45 years and older were twice as likely to be dual users as those aged 15 to 34 years. Conclusion : The current study found evidence for substantial dual use of e‐cigarettes and combustible tobacco cigarettes among adult e‐cigarette users, particularly among users aged 45 years and over. Implications for public health : Public health initiatives should provide clear advice that e‐cigarettes should be used as a smoking cessation tool and not as a way to allow the consumption of combustible tobacco to continue.     

“I’ve Fixed Things Up”: Paternal Identity of Substance‐Dependent Fathers

This study deals with how substance‐dependent men perceive their paternal identity. Data were based on in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 12 Israeli fathers who were enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment. Content analysis revealed that participants had undergone a process of parental identity formation composed of four distinct stages: absence, awakening, taking responsibility, and resolution to re‐form oneself as a father. The discussion highlights the developmental nature of this process. Also discussed are the effects of three factors on the formation of paternal identity: the treatment for addiction, the subjects' newfound identity as “clean addicts,” and social perceptions and discourses about fatherhood and addiction.     

The use of,and attitudes towards,electronic cigarettes and self‐reported exposure to advertising and the product in general

Objective: Very few studies have investigated New Zealanders’ use of, and attitudes towards, e‐cigarettes, their exposure to e‐cigarette advertising and their general exposure to this product. The current study aims to fill this information gap. Methods: Responses were gathered from a sample of adult smokers and recent quitters who took part in a fortnightly computer‐assisted telephone interviewing survey. This paper reports on data collected in 2013 on the use of, and attitudes towards, e‐cigarettes and exposure to advertising and the product in general. Responses were compared by socio‐demographic status and recent quit attempts. Results: Between 23% and 39% of respondents reported having used e‐cigarettes (with the highest level among those who had quit or tried to quit recently), and 8–16% had used e‐cigarettes in the past two weeks. About one half reported seeing advertising of e‐cigarettes in the past two weeks, 22–41% had seen people they knew using e‐cigarettes and 10–15% had seen a stranger using them in the past two weeks. Attitudinal responses are reported in the main text. Conclusions: The rate of ever‐use suggested that smokers and recent quitters are receptive to e‐cigarettes and that they were available to many of them to try. Exposure to e‐cigarette advertising or the product in general was not uncommon. Future studies should continue monitor the use of e‐cigarettes and investigate the impact of the exposure to people's attitudes towards the product and their subsequent use of e‐cigarettes.     

“I Fell Off [the Mothering] Track”: Barriers to “Effective Mothering” Among Prostituted Women

Ecological theory and basic assumptions for the promotion of effective mothering among low‐income and working‐poor women are applied in relation to a particularly vulnerable population: street‐level prostitution‐involved women. Qualitative data from 38 street‐level prostituted women shows barriers to effective mothering at the individual, community, and societal levels. Suggestions for enhancing the lives and long‐term well‐being of prostituted women with children are included.     

Understanding “Good Days” and “Bad Days”: Emotional and Physical Reactivity Among Caregivers for Elder Relatives*

Abstract: Using a daily diary design, we examined fluctuations in caregiver well‐being; how day‐to‐day variations in stressors related to the caregiving experience are linked to fluctuations in well‐being; and whether caregivers who are women, or high on certain personality traits (e.g., neuroticism) are more susceptible to emotional/physical health fluctuations in the face of daily stressors. Sixty‐three caregivers reported on eight consecutive days. Multilevel analyses (Hierarchical Linear Modeling) indicated significant within‐person reactivity. On days when caregivers faced more tasks than usual, more care recipient behavior problems, or more family disagreements regarding care, they experienced more depressive symptoms, feelings of burden, and physical symptoms. Some within‐person patterns of reactivity were moderated by gender and personality. Implications for community interventions for caregivers are discussed.     

Partitioned association-linkage test: distinguishing “necessary” from “susceptibility” loci

Marker allele-disease association and linkage between a disease locus and a marker locus are two different phenomena. Linkage without evidence of association and association without evidence of linkage are possible observations. Linkage analysis uses marker loci and the phenomenon of recombination to look for disease-related loci which are presumably major contributors to disease expression (“necessary” loci). However, the phenomenon of association is more complex. One explanation for the existence of an association is that there is a “necessary” locus in linkage disequilibrium with a marker locus. Another explanation is that the marker locus itself (or a closely linked locus in linkage disequilibrium with the marker) is a “susceptibility” locus, which increases the probability of contracting the disease but is not necessary for disease expression. Although there are other possible explanations for the existence of an association, these two can lead to different results when family data from a disease showing association are analyzed for linkage between the associated marker and the disease. If the linkage disequilibrium hypothesis is correct, there will be evidence for linkage. If the susceptibility locus hypothesis is correct, there may be strong evidence against linkage. In this work, we explore a method that could indicate whether an association is due to a susceptibility locus or a necessary locus. We show that, by dividing families based on the presence or absence of the associated marker allele in a randomly chosen affected sib, calculating lod scores, and then calculating a heterogeneity statistic, we could distinguish whether linkage data came from a susceptibility locus or a necessary locus. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A Couplehood Typology for Spouses of Institutionalized Persons With Alzheimer's Disease: Perceptions of “We”–“I”*

A qualitative analysis of 68 community‐dwelling spouses of institutionalized patients with Alzheimer's disease was conducted. The goal was to ascertain to what degree they perceived themselves as married. Five groups representing different degrees of couplehood emerged. Ranging from strong couplehood to no couplehood, groups were given the following terms: “’Til Death Do Us Parts,”“We, but …,”“Husbandless Wives/Wifeless Husbands,”“Becoming an I,” and “Unmarried Marrieds.” Ways to interpret this typology and implications for both further research and practitioners are described.     

“He looks gorgeous” – iuMR images and the transforming of foetal and parental identities

The MERIDIAN study examined whether in‐utero MRI (iuMRI) improves the accuracy of diagnosis of foetal brain abnormalities, when used as an adjunct to ultrasound anomaly scanning. A diagnostic iuMRI differs from routine ultrasound screening because of its infrequent use and scanning procedure. Nested within this trial, this sociological study explored the acceptability of iuMRI as a technology and its contribution to parental decision‐making. Our sociological interpretation of the role of iuMR images in prenatal diagnosis draws on narrative interviews with women (and some partners) who underwent MRI imaging at three different centres. Overall, participants found iuMRI helpful in decision‐making because it either confirmed or disconfirmed previous results, or provided additional information. Expectant couples experienced the iuMR imaging process as informative, but also as having emotive and practical value. Our paper extends the existing sociological literature on antenatal testing and visualising the foetus, by using iuMR diagnostic imaging to further explore the concept of the unborn entity. Our data suggest that alongside the iuMR images, the ‘parental gaze’ and accompanying commentary are used by parents to construct and transform foetal and parental identities despite ongoing uncertainties about, and shifting social contexts to their pregnancy.     

Teaching thinking skills: The “what” and the “how” of young children's thinking

This review illustrates current perspectives on young children's thinking, from the viewpoint of developmental psychology. Relevant findings from both cognitive developmental and information processing literatures are discussed. Specific abilities of preschoolers are highlighted, and practical suggestions are offered from both perspectives.     

“Pushing” physical activity, and justice

ObjectiveThere has been an increasing realization of the need for environmental interventions to increase physical activity levels in the population. Although promising, the impact of these strategies in reducing obesity-related disparities will be limited by the presence of inequities in the distribution of activity-related resources in the community. Advocacy efforts are critically needed to ensure that all communities benefit from environmental strategies being implemented.Method and resultsThis paper describes two activist community-based organizations in Southern California, The City Project and Latino Health Access, and their successful efforts to mandate equitable access to public resources critical for reducing obesity-related disparities.ConclusionPrinciples for equitable development of public land are also presented as well as lessons learned that can inform future advocacy efforts.     

Electronic cigarette use in New South Wales,Australia: reasons for use,place of purchase and use in enclosed and outdoor places

Objective: To monitor patterns of use of e‐cigarettes to understand their potential impact on the New South Wales (NSW) population in Australia. Methods: A cross‐sectional online survey was carried out with a sample of adults in NSW in February 2016. Ever and past 30‐day use of e‐cigarettes, reasons for use, place of purchase and use within outdoor and enclosed public places were assessed along with sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Ever and past 30‐day use was reported by 13% and 4% of the sample, respectively. More than one‐third of participants did not purchase their own e‐cigarette (36.3%). The most frequently reported reason for using an e‐cigarette for smokers and ex‐smokers was to help quit smoking (45.3% and 44.7%, respectively) while for non‐smokers it was novelty (40%). E‐cigarettes were most commonly used at home (59.4%), in outdoor dining areas (36.8%) and in the workplace (27.8%). Conclusions: E‐cigarettes are being used by a small percentage of the NSW population. Reasons for e‐cigarette use varied with smoking status. Different sociodemographic characteristics were associated with ever and past 30‐day use of e‐cigarettes. E‐cigarettes are being used in areas that are covered by smoke‐free legislation. Implications for public health: Given e‐cigarettes are being used in smoke‐free areas, policy‐makers could take a precautionary approach by including e‐cigarette use under smoke‐free legislation.     

Exploration and practice of the “1 + 10 + 1100000” model

The exploration and practice of the “1 + 10 + 1100000” model of local medical consortium includes three aspects: graded diagnosis and treatment, two‐way referral, and dynamic flow; seamless connection between general practice and specialty to realize health management; and establishment of the “community health center‐East Hospital‐Tongji University” teaching platform.