The prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking among Polish youths

IntroductionWaterpipe smoking is gaining popularity among the youth in Poland and is evaluated for the first time in this work. The authors address the social and demographic factors that motivate young people to smoke and attempt to determine which of them contribute to habit formation.Material and methodsThe data were collected among school and university students in Poland during a global survey on various forms of tobacco use. Multivariable regression models were applied for odds-ratio evaluation. The data concern waterpipe and cigarette smoking habits.ResultsThe survey was completed by 19,097 respondents. The survey included 144 schools and 32 universities from 16 voivodeships in Poland. Respondent gender exhibited the highest ORs (95% Cl), both in the case of current and ever WP users: 2.11 (2.10–2.12) and 2.16 (2.15–2.17), respectively. The other important factor was a place of living: 1.83 (1.82–1.84) and 2.17 (2.16–2.18), respectively. All ORs were statistically significant for p = 0.05.ConclusionsThe prevalence of tobacco smoking among Polish youths is high. Waterpipe tobacco smoking was found to be the second most popular habit after cigarette smoking. Moreover, young smokers use other non-tobacco products in waterpipes, and drink alcohol during smoking sessions. Many young people try waterpipe smoking without previous experience with cigarettes.     

Predictors of tobacco control among nursing students.

As the most numerous health care providers, nurses could reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional survey of 476 junior and senior students at 12 schools of nursing in the New York metropolitan area was conducted, to determine nurse knowledge of tobacco control, their attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Overall, 76% of all nursing students reported that they practiced tobacco control. Current smokers were less likely to participate in tobacco control with targets ranging from the nurse herself to the community than either never or ex-smokers. Nurses were more likely to engage in tobacco control among individual, family, or group clients than to advocate for changes in the community. Student nurses who were African American or Hispanic, had never smoked or were ex-smokers, those who had better knowledge of cessation approaches, and those who tended to have more confidence in their cessation counseling skills were more likely to engage in multi-target tobacco control than other similar nurses.Tailored interventions that emphasize discrete counseling skills are suggested.     

Heart rate and blood pressure responses to tobacco smoking among African-American adolescents

Ethnic differences in both physiological response to and health consequences of tobacco smoking-some of which have been attributed to ethnic preferences for menthol cigarettes-have been described in the literature. We compared acute physiological responses to smoking in African-American and European-American adolescent menthol cigarette smokers seeking smoking cessation treatment. One-hundred- twenty-eight adolescents (32% African-American, 71% female; mean age 15.16 +/- 1.32 years, mean Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) score 6.73 +/- 1.53, cigarettes per day (CPD) 16.9 +/- 2.64) participated in an experimental session during which they smoked one menthol cigarette of their usual brand. Blood pressure, heart rate, and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were measured before and after smoking; mean puff volume (mL), puff duration (sec) and maximal puff velocity (mL/sec) during smoking were also determined. Two sample t-tests were performed to assess ethnic differences in smoking topography; analysis of covariance was used to determine whether heart rate and blood pressure after smoking one menthol cigarette varied by ethnicity, after controlling for baseline physiological measures. No significant ethnic differences were observed in either smoking topography or acute cardiovascular response to smoking. These preliminary findings warrant extension to a broader group of nontreatment-seeking adolescent smokers of both ethnicities.     

Social inequality in premature mortality among Polish urban adults during economic transition.

Rates of premature mortality among adults are important measures of the economic and psychosocial well-being of human populations. In many countries, such rates are, as a rule, inversely related to the level of attained education. We examined changes in educational group-specific mortality rates among urban adults in Poland during the country's rapid transition in the 1990s from a socialist command economy to a free market system. Two census-based analyses of individual death records of urban dwellers aged 35-64 years were compared. We utilized all records of death, which occurred during the 2-year periods 1988-89 and 2001-02. Population denominators were taken from the censuses of 1988 and 2002. The age-specific mortality rates were used to evaluate absolute differences in mortality. To assess relative differences between educational levels, mortality rate ratios (MRRs) with 95% CI (confidence interval) were calculated using Poisson regression. A regular educational gradient in mortality persisted in each 10-year age group throughout the period covered by our data. Moreover, age-specific mortality rates declined steadily in all educational groups, and this decline was most marked in the two oldest age groups (45-54 and 55-64 years). The trend was accompanied by widening of educational differences in mortality as expressed by MRRs. Systemic political transformation in Poland has brought a mixture of beneficial and detrimental effects on the well-being of society. With regard to the changes in rates of premature mortality among adults, the benefits have prevailed, although individuals with the lowest educational level benefited less than those with the highest education.     

The epidemiological characteristics of tobacco smoking

The author analyses the pattern of the occurrence and development of tobacco addiction among the city population of Samara. Analysis of the epidemiological features of tobacco smoking in Samara shows that its prevalence is quite high among both men and women, especially young ones. The prevalence of smoking depends on the level of education and family status; the proportion of smokers is the smallest among married people with higher education. These facts evidence the necessity of active anti-smoking preventive measures that would integrate efforts of the medical community and would be directed towards different social population groups.     

Psychosocial predictors of smoking among secondary school students in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of the current smoking status among secondary school students in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,652 secondary school adolescents were selected by multistage proportionate sampling method. Data collection was carried out through self-administered anonymous questionnaire including: Arabic version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, modified Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Patient Health Questionnaire to asses for anxiety and depressive disorders. This study revealed that the prevalence of current smokers was 21.7. Seventy-one percent of current cigarette smokers were minimally nicotine dependent. Major depressive and anxiety disorders were significantly higher among current smokers. Hierarchical regression analysis shows that, male, older age, smoking of close relatives and friends, anxiety disorders and socializing motives were statistically significant determinants of current smoking status among the included adolescents. Family members should be made aware of the detrimental influence their smoking behavior has on their youth. Counseling and preventive psychiatric services should be an integral part of the clinical facilities caring for secondary school students.     

大学生学习倦怠特点及其与社会支持、自我价值感的关系

目的探讨大学生学习倦怠特点及其与社会支持、自我价值感的关系。方法抽取514名大学生为研究对象,以学习倦怠问卷、社会支持评定量表、青少年自我价值感量表为研究工具。结果 1学习倦怠总分、行为不当、成就感低在性别上的差异有统计学意义(t=3.495,2.872,3.103;P0.01),情绪低落在是否独生子女上的差异有统计学意义(t=2.686,P0.01);2学习倦怠总分、情绪低落、行为不当与自我价值感、社会支持呈显著负相关(r=-0.371~-0.116;P0.05);3个人取向的一般自我价值感和主观支持对学习倦怠有显著的预测作用(β1=-0.201,β2=-0.164;P=0.00),Y(学习倦怠)=79.18-0.52X1(个人取向的一般自我价值感)-0.33X2(主观支持)。结论大学生自我价值感越高,社会支持越高,其学习倦怠水平越低。     

Gender differences in smoking and meanings of smoking in Asian-American college students

This study examined the meanings of smoking among Asian-America college students and the associations between those meanings and their smoking behaviors. Data were collected from two postsecondary institutions in southern California. A total of 460 students with 205 males and 255 females completed the survey. The odds ratio of each meaning to students' smoking behaviors was calculated. Spearman's correlational analyses were run to make comparisons between genders. Males who endorsed social meanings were more likely to smoke while females who endorsed personal meanings were more likely to smoke. Gender-tailored smoking prevention programs may be needed for Asian-American college students.     

Early respiratory function disorders secondary to tobacco smoking

The volume of isoflow (VisoV) in 29 asymptomatic smokers with normal radiographic and pulmonary function studies was studied, with the purpose of investigating the presence of early alterations of the transitional airways in a group of 256 chronic smokers. The VisoV was measured using a body test plethysmograph, and two flow-volume curves with air and with helium were performed. 13 out of the 29 subjects (45%) showed an abnormal VisoV of between 17 and 39 per cent (normal 0-10%). This findings suggest that smoking initially damages the small transitional airways and that VisoV is an useful procedure for investigating early damage in this zone.     

Urinary catecholamines,flow rate and tobacco smoking

Twenty-four habitual smokers smoked one nicotine-free and three tobacco cigarettes with a known content of nicotine in the course of four successive sessions. Urine samples were collected hourly and under a predetermined water load. A specially devised fluorimetric method was used to determine adrenaline and noradrenaline. Flow rate and osmolality were also calculated. No changes were observed in noradrenaline excretion. Adrenaline excretion rose significantly after smoking, although no major differences were found between the treatments, returning to baseline levels one hour after the experimental sessions. Similarly, increased flow rates and low osmolality were observed. The implication of these findings are discussed. It is suggested that the excretion of adrenaline may indicate an ‘adaptive’ mechanism to ‘stress’.     

Pulmonary hazards of smoking marijuana as compared with tobacco

To compare the pulmonary hazards of smoking marijuana and tobacco, we quantified the relative burden to the lung of insoluble particulates (tar) and carbon monoxide from the smoke of similar quantities of marijuana and tobacco. The 15 subjects, all men, had smoked both marijuana and tobacco habitually for at least five years. We measured each subject's blood carboxyhemoglobin level before and after smoking and the amount of tar inhaled and deposited in the respiratory tract from the smoke of single filter-tipped tobacco cigarettes (900 to 1200 mg) and marijuana cigarettes (741 to 985 mg) containing 0.004 percent or 1.24 percent delta 9-tetrahydrocanabinol. As compared with smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana was associated with a nearly fivefold greater increment in the blood carboxyhemoglobin level, an approximately threefold increase in the amount of tar inhaled, and retention in the respiratory tract of one third more inhaled tar (P less than 0.001). Significant differences were also noted in the dynamics of smoking marijuana and tobacco, among them an approximately two-thirds larger puff volume, a one-third greater depth of inhalation, and a fourfold longer breath-holding time with marijuana than with tobacco (P less than 0.01). Smoking dynamics and the delivery of tar during marijuana smoking were only slightly influenced by the percentage of tetrahydrocanabinol. We conclude that smoking marijuana, regardless of tetrahydrocannabinol content, results in a substantially greater respiratory burden of carbon monoxide and tar than smoking a similar quantity of tobacco.     

The effect of female tobacco smoking on IVF outcomes

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is widely believed to be associated with decreased fecundity in naturally conceiving populations; however, the effect of female smoking on pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing IVF is unclear. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 389 consecutive patients undergoing first cycle IVF was performed. Outcomes of peak estradiol (E(2)) levels, log mean ovarian volume, number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturity in ICSI, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, embryo quality, percentage of high-quality embryos, pregnancy and live birth were assessed in patients reported as never smokers, past smokers and current smokers. Potential confounding variables evaluated included day 3 FSH, number of oocytes retrieved, embryo quality, caffeine and alcohol consumption. The population was also stratified by female age (<35 and >or=35 years). RESULTS: A total of 9.3% of our patients reported current smoking and 12.1% reported a history of smoking. Smoking status did not significantly affect pregnancy outcome, live birth rate or any other indicated outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 21.4% of IVF patients in this study had past or present exposure to cigarette smoking with no measurable effect on IVF outcome.     

Workplace tobacco policies and smoking cessation practices of physicians

OBJECTIVE: To further our understanding of the workplace smoking policies and smoking cessation practices of physicians in Nigeria. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey distributed to 619 physicians practicing in two teaching hospitals in southwestern Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Three-hundred-seventy-three physicians who returned completed surveys. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physician's self-reported workplace smoking policies, attitudes toward smoking cessation, and use of recommended smoking cessation guidelines/policies. RESULTS: Physicians rated quitting as "extremely important." The majority assessed their patients smoking status over the past three months (81%) and thought counseling smokers would help them quit (95%). However, < 1% prescribed pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in the last three months. Significant differences were found in the workplace smoking policies of the two teaching hospitals (p < 0.001). Differences were also found in the attitudes and smoking cessation practices of physicians in Hospital A and Hospital B. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians are aware of smoking and the importance of quitting but few have guidelines/policies to assist their patients with quitting. Workplace smoking policies appear to impact the smoking cessation attitudes and practices of physicians in Nigeria. Encouraging the adoption of workplace smoking restrictions, as well as training physicians to use recommended smoking cessation interventions, is critical to addressing the tobacco epidemic in Nigeria.