Brand switching and toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke: A national study

A Paper-Based Biomimetic Sensing Device for the Discrimination of Original and Fraudulent Cigarette Brands Using Mixtures of MoS2 Quantum Dots and Organic Dyes

In this study, we investigated the combined effects of MoS₂ QDs' catalytic properties and the colorimetric responses of organic reagents to create a sniffing device based on the sensor array concept of the mammalian olfactory system. The aim was to differentiate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in cigarette smoke. The designed optical nose device was utilized for the classification of various cigarette VOCs. Unsupervised Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and supervised Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) methods were employed for data analysis. The LDA analysis showed promising results, with 100% accuracy in both training and cross-validation. To validate the sensor's performance, we assessed its ability to discriminate between five cigarette brands, achieving 100% accuracy in the training set and 82% in the cross-validation set. Additionally, we focused on studying four popular Iranian cigarette brands (Bahman Kootah, Omega, Montana Gold, and Williams), including fraudulent samples. Impressively, the developed sensor array achieved a perfect 100% accuracy in distinguishing these brands and detecting fraud. We further analyzed a total of 126 cigarette samples, including both original and fraudulent ones, using LDA with a matrix size of (126 × 27). The resulting LDA model demonstrated an accuracy of 98%. Our proposed analytical procedure is characterized by its efficiency, affordability, user-friendliness, and reliability. The selectivity exhibited by the developed sensor array positions it as a valuable tool for differentiating between original and counterfeit cigarettes, thus aiding in border control efforts worldwide.

Environmental benefits from the use of CO2 in the thermal disposal of cigarette butts

As the global consumption of cigarettes has increased, the massive generation of cigarette butts (CBs) has led to critical environmental and health problems. Landfilling or incineration of CBs has been conventionally carried out, but such disposal protocols have suffered from the potential risks of the unwanted/uncontrolled release of leachates, carcinogens, and toxic chemicals into all environmental media. Thus, this study focuses on developing an environmentally dependable method for CB disposal. Littered CBs from filtered/electronic cigarettes were valorized into syngas (H₂/CO). To seek a greener approach for the valorization of CBs, CO₂ was intentionally considered as a reaction intermediate. Prior to multiple pyrolysis studies, the toxic chemicals in the CBs were qualitatively determined. This study experimentally proved that the toxic chemicals in CBs were detoxified/valorized into syngas. Furthermore, this work demonstrated that CO₂ was effective in thermally destroying toxic chemicals in CBs via a gas-phase reaction. The reaction features and CO₂ synergistically enhance syngas production. With the use of a supported Ni catalyst and CO₂, syngas production from the catalytic pyrolysis of CBs was greatly enhanced (approximately 4 times). Finally, the gas-phase reaction by CO₂ was reliably maintained owing to the synergistic mechanistic/reaction feature of CO₂ for coke formation prevention on the catalyst surface.

Chlorine, chromium, proteins of oxidative stress and DNA repair pathways are related to prognosis in oral cancer

The comparison of chemical and histopathological data obtained from the analysis of excised tumor fragments oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the demographic and clinical evolution data is an effective strategy scarcely explored in OSCC studies. The aim was to analyze OSCC tissues for protein expression of enzymes related to oxidative stress and DNA repair and trace elements as candidates as markers of tumor aggressiveness and prognosis. Tumor fragments from 78 OSCC patients that had undergone ablative surgery were qualitatively analyzed by synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence for trace elements. Protein expression of SOD-1, Trx, Ref-1 and OGG1/2 was performed by immunohistochemistry. Sociodemographic, clinical, and histopathological data were obtained from 4-year follow-up records. Disease relapse was highest in patients with the presence of chlorine and chromium and lowest in those with tumors with high OGG1/2 expression. High expression of SOD-1, Trx, and Ref-1 was determinant of the larger tumor. Presence of trace elements can be markers of disease prognosis. High expression of enzymes related to oxidative stress or to DNA repair can be either harmful by stimulating tumor growth or beneficial by diminishing relapse rates. Interference on these players may bring novel strategies for the therapeutic management of OSCC patients.

Pathophysiological Correlation between Cigarette Smoking and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Cigarette smoke (CS) has been consistently demonstrated to be an environmental risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although the molecular pathogenic mechanisms involved are yet to be elucidated. Here, we propose different mechanisms by which CS exposure can cause sporadic ALS pathogenesis. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are widely implicated in ALS pathogenesis, with blood–spinal cord barrier disruption also recognised to be involved in the disease process. In addition, immunometabolic, epigenetic and microbiome alterations have been implicated in ALS recently. Identification of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin CS-associated ALS will drive future research to be conducted into new targets for treatment.

Similarities and Differences in Tobacco Control Research Findings From Convenience and Probability Samples

BACKGROUND

Online convenience samples are a quick and low-cost way to study health behavior, but the comparability to findings from probability samples is not yet well understood.

PURPOSE

We sought to compare convenience and probability samples' findings for experiments, correlates, and prevalence in the context of tobacco control research.

METHODS

Participants were a probability sample of 5,014 U.S. adults recruited by phone from September 2014 through May 2015 (cost ~U.S.$620,000) and an online convenience sample of 4,137 U.S. adults recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in December 2014 (cost ~U.S.$17,000). Participants completed a survey with experiments, measures of tobacco product use and demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

MTurk convenience and probability samples showed the same pattern of statistical significance and direction in almost all experiments (21 of 24 analyses did not differ) and observational studies (19 of 25 associations did not differ). Demographic characteristics of the samples differed substantially (1 of 17 estimates did not differ), with the convenience sample being younger, having more years of education, and including more Whites and Asians. Tobacco product use also differed substantially (1 of 22 prevalence estimates did not differ), with the convenience sample reporting more cigarette and e-cigarette use (median error 19%).

CONCLUSIONS

Using MTurk convenience samples can yield generalizable findings for experiments and observational studies. Prevalence estimates from MTurk convenience samples are likely to be over- or underestimates.

Research on Youth and Young Adult Tobacco Use, 2013-2018, From the Food and Drug Administration-National Institutes of Health Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science

The Tobacco Regulatory Science Program is a collaborative research effort between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2013, the NIH funded 14 Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS), which serve as partners in establishing research, training, and professional development programs to guide FDA. Each of the fourteen TCORS, and two other NIH-funded research programs, the Center for the Evaluation of Nicotine in Cigarettes (CENIC) and the Consortium on Methods Evaluating Tobacco (COMET), pursued specific research themes relevant to FDA's priorities. A key mandate for FDA is to reduce tobacco use among young people. This article is a review of the peer-reviewed research, including published and in-press manuscripts, from the TCORS, CENIC, and COMET, which provides specific data or other findings on youth (ages 10-18 years) and/or young adults (ages 18-34 years), from 2013 to 2018. Citations of all TCORS, CENIC, and COMET articles from September 2013 to December 2017 were collected by the TCORS coordinating center, the Center for Evaluation and Coordination of Training and Research. Additional citations up to April 30, 2018 were requested from the principal investigators. A scoring rubric was developed and implemented to assess study type, primary theme, and FDA priority area addressed by each article. The major subareas and findings from each priority area are presented. There were 766 articles in total, with 258 (34%) focusing on youth and/or young adults. Findings relevant to FDA from this review concern impact analysis, toxicity, health effects, addiction, marketing influences, communications, and behavior.

IMPLICATIONS

The Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science, CENIC, and COMET have had a high output of scientific articles since 2013. These Centers are unique in that the FDA supports science specifically to guide future regulatory actions. The 258 articles that have focused on youth and/or young adults are providing data for regulatory actions by the FDA related to the key priority areas such as the addictiveness of non-cigarette products, the effects of exposure to electronic cigarette marketing on initiation and cessation, and the impact of flavored products on youth and young adult tobacco use. Future regulations to reduce tobacco use will be guided by the cumulative evidence. These Centers are one innovative mechanism to promote important outcomes to advance tobacco regulatory science.

Smokers Awareness and Risk Perceptions of Filter Ventilation

Objectives

The addition of tiny rows of holes in the tipping paper (filter ventilation) of cigarettes allows air to mix with the smoke, which can change risk perceptions. In this study, we examine smokers' knowledge and beliefs about filter ventilation.

Methods

Web-based panel surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 of current adult cigarette smokers (N = 2355) provided data on awareness and understanding of filter vents in their cigarettes, whether they believed blocking the holes would change the taste of their cigarettes, and their perceptions about their future risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer. The most commonly used cigarette brands reported by participants also were characterized on the presence and level of ventilation holes.

Results

Approximately 40% of participants (mostly younger and male) reported awareness of the filter ventilation in their cigarettes. Only 30% of the participants were both aware of and understood the function of filter ventilation; they also were significantly more likely to worry about developing lung cancer.

Conclusion

Although misleading descriptors associated with filter ventilation are prohibited, most smokers still smoked cigarettes with filter vents, and many are unaware and misunderstand the potential risks of filter ventilation.

Communicating about chemicals in cigarette smoke: impact on knowledge and misunderstanding

BACKGROUND

The USA must publicly share information about harmful and potentially harmful constituents (chemicals) in tobacco products. We sought to understand whether webpages with chemical information are "understandable and not misleading to a lay person."

METHODS

Participants were a national probability sample of US adults and adolescents (n=1441, 18% smokers). In an online experiment, we randomly assigned participants to view one of the developed webpages (chemical names only, names with quantity ranges, names with visual risk indicators) or no webpage in phase one (between subjects). Participants completed a survey assessing knowledge, misunderstanding, perceived likelihood, perceived severity of health effects from smoking and quit intentions (smokers only). In phase two (within subjects), participants viewed all three webpage formats and reported webpage perceptions (clarity, usability, usefulness) and perceived impact (affect, elaboration, perceived effectiveness).

RESULTS

In phase one, viewing any webpage led to more knowledge of chemicals (48%-54% vs 28% no webpage, ps<0.001) and health harms (77% vs 67% no webpage, ps<0.001). When exposed to any webpage, 5%-23% endorsed misunderstandings that some cigarettes are safer than others. Webpage format did not affect knowledge or reduce misunderstandings. Viewing any webpage led to higher perceived likelihood of experiencing health effects from smoking (p<0.001) and, among smokers, greater intentions to quit smoking (p=0.04). In phase two, where participants viewed all formats, a visual risk indicator led to the highest perceived impact.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of chemicals and health effects can increase after viewing a website. Yet, websites may not correct the misunderstanding that some cigarettes are safer.

Regulating language, not inference: an examination of the potential effectiveness of Natural American Spirit advertising restrictions

Objective

In 2017, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reached an agreement with Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company (SFNTC) stipulating that SFNTC will remove ‘natural’ and ‘additive-free’ from Natural American Spirit (NAS) marketing to combat misperceptions that NAS is a healthier cigarette. The purpose of this study was to assess experimentally the potential effectiveness of the agreement in addressing NAS misperceptions.

Methods

In an online experiment, 820 current and former smokers were assigned randomly to advertising conditions with existing claims from NAS advertisements, modified claims or a no-exposure control. Advertising conditions included (1) ‘original’ NAS advertising text before the agreement; (2) ‘2017 agreement’ language permissible under the FDA–SFNTC agreement (removing ‘natural’, ‘additive-free’); (3) more restrictive (‘stricter’) language representing additional regulation (removing ‘natural’ from the brand name and the phrases ‘tobacco+water’, ‘no chemicals’). Participants completed outcome measures assessing misinformed beliefs and intentions towards NAS.

Results

One-way ANOVA showed that relative to the ‘original’ language, the ‘2017 agreement’ language reduced misconceptions about NAS addictiveness, but not about health or constituent composition. Yet ‘stricter’ language significantly reduced all categories of misinformed beliefs, which in turn mediated effects on (lower) intentions to use NAS.

Conclusion

The 2017 agreement helps dispel some misconceptions about NAS addictiveness, but does not sufficiently rectify misinformation about health or composition. Since ‘stricter’ language more effectively corrects misinformed beliefs, our results suggest the need for further regulations in addressing misinformation that drives intentions towards NAS.