Alcohol Consumption and 15 Causes of Fatal Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The proportion of fatal nontraffic injuries that involve high levels of alcohol use or alcohol intoxication was assessed by cause of injury to generate alcohol-attributable fractions. Updated alcohol-attributable fractions can contribute to improved estimates of the public health impact of excessive alcohol use.

Methods: Peer-reviewed and gray literature for 1995-2019 on 15 causes of fatal nontraffic injuries in the U.

Health Toll From Open Flame and Cigarette-Started Fires on Flame-Retardant Furniture in Massachusetts, 2003-2016.

To evaluate the risk of death and injury in residential fires started on upholstered furniture, with a focus on open flame and cigarette-related heat sources. We used civilian death and injury data from 34 081 residential fires in the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System from 2003 to 2016. We compared outcomes associated with fires that started on upholstered furniture ignited by smoking materials versus open flames.

Tobacco industry response to a ban on lights descriptors on cigarette packaging and population outcomes.

Objective: The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its Guidelines recommend nations ban the use of misleading terms, such as 'light' and 'mild' on tobacco product advertising, packaging and labelling. Many nations, including the USA, have implemented such bans and some have introduced or passed legislation requiring plain packaging on tobacco products. We previously reported that manufacturers in the USA responded by replacing lights terms with colour terms and related colour-coding of packages.

A study of pyrazines in cigarettes and how additives might be used to enhance tobacco addiction.

Background: Nicotine is known as the drug that is responsible for the addicted behaviour of tobacco users, but it has poor reinforcing effects when administered alone. Tobacco product design features enhance abuse liability by (A) optimising the dynamic delivery of nicotine to central nervous system receptors, and affecting smokers' withdrawal symptoms, mood and behaviour; and (B) effecting conditioned learning, through sensory cues, including aroma, touch and visual stimulation, to create perceptions of pending nicotine reward. This study examines the use of additives called 'pyrazines', which may enhance abuse potential, their introduction in 'lights' and subsequently in the highly market successful Marlboro Lights (Gold) cigarettes and eventually many major brands.

Trends in annual sales and current use of cigarettes, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, pipes, and smokeless tobacco among US adults, 2002-2012.

Introduction: Regulatory imbalances exist in the treatment of cigarettes and non-cigarette tobacco products in the USA. We assessed whether declines in cigarette consumption during 2002-2012 were offset by increased use of non-cigarette tobacco products-cigars, pipes, roll-your-own (RYO) and smokeless tobacco.

Methods: Industry-reported taxable removals (actual sales) were converted into packs for cigarettes and cigarette pack equivalents (CPEs) for loose tobacco (RYO plus pipe tobacco) and moist snuff.

Effectiveness of the cigarette ignition propensity standard in preventing unintentional residential fires in Massachusetts.

Objectives: We evaluated the Massachusetts Fire Safe Cigarette Law's (FSCL's) effectiveness in preventing residential fires.

Methods: We examined unintentional residential fires reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System from 2004 to 2010. We analyzed FSCL effect on the likelihood of cigarette- versus noncigarette-caused fires and effect modification by fire scenario factors by using an interrupted time series regression model.

Gender and racial differences in smoking of long/ultra-long and king size cigarettes among U.S. adult smokers, NHANES 1999-2012.

Background: Cigarette rod length as a design feature may play a specific role in harm perception and tobacco use. Internal tobacco industry documents have shown targeting of females with long/ultra-long cigarettes. This study assessed trends and differences in smoking of long/ultra-long cigarettes among U.

Use of conventional and novel smokeless tobacco products among US adolescents.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and correlates of use of conventional and novel smokeless tobacco products among a national sample of US middle and high school students.

Methods: Data from the 2011 National Youth Tobacco Survey were analyzed to determine national estimates of current use of conventional ("chewing tobacco", "snuff," or "dip"), novel ("snus" and "dissolvable tobacco products"), and any smokeless tobacco products (novel and/or conventional products) within the past 30 days.

Results: The overall prevalence of current use of any smokeless tobacco product was 5.

Has the tobacco industry evaded the FDA's ban on 'Light' cigarette descriptors?

Background: Under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of "Lights" descriptors or similar terms on tobacco products that convey messages of reduced risk. Manufacturers eliminated terms explicitly stated and substituted colour name descriptors corresponding to the banned terms. This paper examines whether the tobacco industry complied with or circumvented the law and potential FDA regulatory actions.

The recent and projected public health and economic benefits of cigarette taxation in Greece.

Objectives: Greece is in an economic crisis compounded by the costs caused by smoking. The present investigation estimates the economic and public health benefits ensuing from the recent cigarette excise tax increase in 2011 and projects the potential benefits from an additional €2.00 per pack cigarette tax increase.

Public attitudes regarding banning of cigarettes and regulation of nicotine.

Knowledge of current public opinion is important as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies the best scientific evidence available to tobacco product regulation. Based on a nationally representative survey of the US adult population, we report 43% support for banning of cigarettes, 65% for reducing nicotine, and 77% for reducing nicotine if such an action could cause fewer children to become addicted to cigarettes. The FDA should consider protecting children by removing all but non-addictive cigarettes from the marketplace.

A prospective cohort study challenging the effectiveness of population-based medical intervention for smoking cessation.

Objective: To examine the population effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), either with or without professional counselling, and provide evidence needed to better inform healthcare coverage decisions.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in three waves on a probability sample of 787 Massachusetts adult smokers who had recently quit smoking. The baseline response rate was 46%; follow-up was completed with 56% of the designated cohort at wave 2 and 68% at wave 3.

Smokers' self-reported responses to the introduction of reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes.

Background: Changes in cigarette design to meet mandated fire safety standards may have unintended effects on smoker responses by diminishing the consumer's perceptions of product acceptability, smoking and increasing fire-risk behaviours. To address these concerns, population-level data are needed from a jurisdiction where reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes have been introduced.

Methods: A cohort of adult smokers was recruited in Massachusetts, U.

Secondhand smoke exposure and neurobehavioral disorders among children in the United States.

Objectives: The association between parent-reported postnatal secondhand tobacco smoke exposure in the home and neurobehavioral disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, and conduct disorders) among children younger than 12 years in the United States was examined using the 2007 National Survey on Children's Health. Excess neurobehavioral disorders attributable to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the home in 2007 were further investigated.

Methods: The methods used in this study were multivariable logistic regression models that accounted for potential confounders and complex survey designs to evaluate associations.

Increasing prevalence of smoke-free homes and decreasing rates of sudden infant death syndrome in the United States: an ecological association study.

Purpose: This study utilises an ecological design to analyse the relation between concurrent temporal trends in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates and prevalence of smoke-free households with infants in the USA, controlling for an important risk factor, infant supine sleep position.

Methods: Annual state-specific SIDS cases were computed using period linked birth/infant death files; the prevalence of 100% smoke-free homes with infants using Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey data, and percentage of infants in supine sleep position from National Infant Sleep Position data, for years 1995-2006. Incidence rate ratios relating trends in SIDS cases and risk factors were determined using time-series negative binomial regression.

Understanding worldwide youth attitudes towards smoke-free policies: an analysis of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Background: Smoke-free policies (SFPs) in public places are increasing globally, but developing countries are lagging behind. Understanding youth attitudes towards SFPs can inform SFP initiatives.

Methods: A multilevel logistic regression analysis of data collected from youth aged 13-15 years (2000-2006) who completed the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in 115 countries, primarily in the developing world, was conducted.

Smoke-free households with children and decreasing rates of paediatric clinical encounters for otitis media in the United States.

Objective: Temporal trends in paediatric encounters for otitis media (OM) were last characterised and observed to be steadily increasing from 1975 to the mid-1990 s. The present study uses an ecological design to quantify trends in paediatric encounters for OM concurrent with a period of decline of an important risk factor, secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among children.

Patients And Methods: Annual paediatric ambulatory visit and hospital discharge rates for children ≤ 6 years with OM as primary diagnosis were computed with nationally representative data for 1993-2006.

Ignition strength of 25 international cigarette brands.

Background: Cigarette-ignited fires are a leading cause of fire death and injury throughout the world and remain a global public health and safety problem. To reduce this harm, a small number of countries now require cigarettes to have reduced ignition propensity (RIP). It is not known if cigarette manufacturers are voluntarily introducing RIP cigarettes in other countries to help save lives.

Does switching to reduced ignition propensity cigarettes alter smoking behavior or exposure to tobacco smoke constituents?

Introduction: Since 2004, several jurisdictions have mandated that cigarettes show reduced ignition propensity (RIP) in laboratory testing. RIP cigarettes may limit fires caused by smoldering cigarettes, reducing fire-related deaths and injury. However, some evidence suggests that RIP cigarettes emit more carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and smokers may alter their smoking patterns in response to RIP cigarettes.

Recent Advances in Cigarette Ignition Propensity Research and Development.

Major U.S. cigarette companies for decades conducted research and development regarding cigarette ignition propensity which has continued beyond fire safety standards for cigarettes that have recently been legislated.

Unintentional child poisonings through ingestion of conventional and novel tobacco products.

Objective: This study examines child poisonings resulting from ingestion of tobacco products throughout the nation and assesses the potential toxicity of novel smokeless tobacco products, which are of concern with their discreet form, candy-like appearance, and added flavorings that may be attractive to young children.

Methods: Data representing all single-substance, accidental poisonings resulting from ingestion of tobacco products by children <6 years of age, reported to poison control centers, were examined. Age association with ingestion of smokeless tobacco versus other tobacco products was tested through logistic regression.

Patterns of dual use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco among US males: findings from national surveys.

Background: In the USA, consumption of moist snuff continues to increase and cigarette manufacturers now control nearly its entire market. Manufacturers have developed new products that represent cigarette brand extension and in test marketing are promoting dual use of cigarettes and snuff. This study examined patterns of concurrent use of smokeless tobacco (ST) and cigarettes among young people and adults in the USA just before cigarette companies' control of the nation's ST market.

Male tobacco smoke load and non-lung cancer mortality associations in Massachusetts.

Background: Different methods exist to estimate smoking attributable cancer mortality rates (Peto and Ezzati methods, as examples). However, the smoking attributable estimates using these methods cannot be generalized to all population sub-groups. A simpler method has recently been developed that can be adapted and applied to different population sub-groups.