Prevalence and predictors of adult hypertension in an urban eastern Indian population.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and to identify predictors of adult hypertension specifically in an underdeveloped urban region of eastern India.

Study Design: Population-based cross-sectional study, with multi-stage random sampling technique.

Settings: A main urban city located in South Orissa in eastern India.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease hospitalization rates in Massachusetts: a trend analysis.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes a huge economic burden and >80% of COPD cases are attributable to smoking. Massachusetts introduced a comprehensive Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) in January 1993. A trend analysis of COPD hospitalization rates might indirectly reflect the potential impact of such comprehensive tobacco control programs.

Smoking profile among the gay and lesbian community in Ireland.

Objective: We hypothesized that smoking rates among the Gay and Lesbian Community (GLC) in Ireland are not significantly different from the general Irish population.

Methods: A convenience sampling of self-identified GLC was recruited using electronic (n = 700) and print (n = 500) media procedures in response to survey call advertisements (December 2006-March 2007). In all, 1,113 had complete smoking data and were analyzed.

An evaluation of the range and availability of intensive smoking cessation services in Ireland.

Background: A review of smoking cessation (SC) services in Ireland is a necessary step in improving service planning and provision.

Aims: To assess the range and availability of intensive SC services in Ireland in 2006.

Methods: A survey of SC service providers in Ireland was conducted.

An evaluation of the range and availability of intensive smoking-cessation services in Ireland.

Background: A review of smoking cessation (SC) services in Ireland is a necessary step in improving service planning and provision.

Aims: To assess the range and availability of intensive SC services in Ireland in 2006.

Methods: A survey of SC service providers in Ireland was conducted.

Effect of Air Pollution Controls on Black Smoke and Sulfur Dioxide Concentrations across Ireland.

During the 1980s Ireland experienced severe pollution episodes, principally because of domestic coal burning. In 1990, the Irish government introduced a ban on the marketing, sale, and distribution of coal in Dublin. They extended the ban to Cork in 1995 and to ten other communities in 1998 and 2000.

Smoking characteristics of Polish immigrants in Dublin.

Background: This study examined two main hypotheses: a) Polish immigrants' smoking estimates are greater than their Irish counterparts (b) Polish immigrants purchasing cigarettes from Poland smoke "heavier" (>/= 20 cigarettes a day) when compared to those purchasing cigarettes from Ireland. The study also set out to identify significant predictors of 'current' smoking (some days and everyday) among the Polish immigrants.

Methods: Dublin residents of Polish origin (n = 1,545) completed a previously validated Polish questionnaire in response to an advertisement in a local Polish lifestyle magazine over 5 weekends (July-August, 2007).

Coronary heart disease deaths and decreased smoking prevalence in Massachusetts, 1993-2003.

We used the previously validated IMPACT coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality model to estimate the CHD deaths attributable to reductions in smoking prevalence following the introduction of the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) in 1993. A 29% and 31% decline in smoking prevalence and CHD mortality rates occurred, respectively (from 1993 to 2003). A total of 425 fewer CHD deaths, which generated approximately 3365 extra life-years, were attributable to decreased smoking prevalence.