Tobacco Abuse

Smoking Habit During Pregnancy Linked to Autism in Kids

Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on May 8th, 2012

A new study suggests that babies born from smokers have increased risks for high-functioning autism.

Although smoking has not been clearly associated with numerous forms of autism in children, subtypes of the condition may exhibit the same symptoms but other forms could be affected differently as far as environment and genetic factors are concerned.

babies of smokersStudy author and assistant professor from the University Of Wisconsin- Milwaukee Zilber School Of Public Health Amy Kalkbrenner explained how autism and tobacco could be linked. “We know ‘autism spectrum disorders’ is an umbrella term. What we’re showing is the response to an environmental toxin may differ by the subtype of autism a child has.”

In the United States, one in every 88 children are affected with the disorder which is defined as a neuro-developmental abnormality particularly manifested by problems in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and constrained interests and behavior in kids.

The researchers gathered 634,000 birth records of US children born in 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998. It was noted that approximately 13% of the mothers smoked while pregnant, and about 11% of them gave birth to babies affected with autism spectrum disorder.

Researchers further claimed that a child’s risk for high-functioning autism is raised by 25%, such as that of Asperger’s syndrome, upon further analysis of data.

Director for environmental research for Autism Speaks Alycia Halladay added that while the study yielded similar results from earlier researches done, this particular paper took into account a large sample of kids and was able to open the idea that various types of autism can be influenced by different contributing factors.

Tobacco can specifically promote risks of autism by disrupting the flow of oxygen to the baby while inside the mother’s womb. The nicotine is absorbed in the placenta and reaches all the way to the fetus’ nervous system. “There are many potential biological pathways for which tobacco can harm the developing baby,” Kalkbrenner said.

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Drug Abuse Linked to Brain Networks Among Teens

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Tobacco Abuse on May 3rd, 2012

A new study conducted by the researchers from the University of Vermont could shed light on the issue as to why teenagers behave differently towards substance abuse.

brain scanThe proponents of the study gathered 1,896 14-year-old participants, the largest sample so far for a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning procedure. The participants were given the task to press a button on a keyboard, but researchers would insert a signal at anytime for the duration of the test that commands the participants to stop the task. The brain’s reaction to the stop signal is used to measure a teen’s impulsive behavior.

Data gathered from the study were analyzed and the differences in the brain networks were noted to cause varying impulsive behaviors of the teens. Participants who were able to follow the cue to stop had certain brain networks “light up” on the fMRI scan.

University of Vermont post-doctoral researcher Robert Whelan said that a teen’s impulsive behavior dictates their susceptibility for drug and alcohol abuse and that there are differences as to how a teen’s brain react or “light up” as far as their impulsiveness is concerned.

It was also confirmed by Dr. Hugh Gravan, associate professor of psychiatry, that those whose brain networks function less on the impulse-regulating factor increase their risks for smoking and drugs and alcohol use.

The results of the study could be the answer to the question of whether brain changes occur before substance abuse happens or are caused by the unhealthy habits.

In a feature from CBS News, the team of scientists from the university emphasized the importance of studying brain networks to understand a teen’s risk for substance abuse. This could be a key to hopefully put a stop on meaningless deaths among the youth which are often linked to impulsive behaviors that are all preventable.

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Menthol Cigarettes May Increase Risks for Stroke

Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on April 11th, 2012

In a recent report covering regular and menthol cigarettes, researchers in Canada have found out that risks linked to strokes could increase with the use of menthol cigarettes.

menthol cigarettesThe study compared menthol cigarette smokers versus regular cigarette smokers, and it was noted that those who chose the mentholated type had more than twice the risks for strokes compared to those who stuck with the regular variety. Women and non-black smokers were found to be more susceptible to such conditions.

Stroke risks for those who consumed menthol cigarettes increased by 2.25 times more compared to people who took regular cigarettes. Women posed higher risks at 3.28 times more while non-blacks elevated their risks for about 3.48 times more than regular cigarette smokers.

Yet the proponents of the research failed to show proof that smoking mentholated cigarettes also elevate blood pressures or promote the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr. Nicholas Vozoris from the St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto said they have yet to uncover the relationship of mentholated cigarettes and cardiopulmonary diseases. “One potential mechanism is that menthol stimulates upper-airway cold receptors, which can increase breath-holding time, which may in turn facilitate the entrance of cigarette particulate matter into the lungs. Why smoking mentholated cigarettes would not result in an increase in forms of cardiopulmonary disease, other than stroke, is not clear.”

Dr. Vozoris stressed that their findings should not be misinterpreted. “There is no ‘good’ cigarette type. Smoking any kind of cigarette is bad for one’s health, and serves to increase one’s risk for a variety of cancers, heart diseases and lung diseases.”

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine professor for neurology Dr. Clinton Wright added that there is still a need for more comprehensive studies with regards to the different types of cigarettes and the health risks coupled with them.

The complete study has been published in the April 9 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

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Cigarette, Alcohol and Diet Affect Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse, Tobacco Abuse on April 2nd, 2012

A new study suggests that smoking and dietary factors can affect the progression of a milder form of multiple sclerosis in affected patients.

It was found out that from the 900 victims of “relapsing onset” multiple sclerosis (MS), patients who consumed fish, alcohol, and caffeine were less likely to complain of their disease and avoid difficulty in walking, which can be considered a very good sign of MS’s slow progression. On the other hand, patients who smoked were observed to go into the disability phase much earlier than their counterparts.

alcohol and cigarettesClinical neurologist and lead author of the study Dr. Marie D’hooghe said that it has long been a fact that caffeine, alcohol, and fish, when consumed on moderate levels, could protect MS patients by their anti-inflammatory properties that can control inflammation in the brain. This is an important factor in controlling relapsing MS.

The study was conducted with almost 1,400 participants aged 17 to 89 years old. They were given questionnaires that helped researchers determine their alcohol, coffee, tea, wine, and fish intake as well as their cigarette consumption.

Data gathered showed that relapsing MS progressed faster on patients that did not expose themselves to alcohol, taking 25 years before reaching the stage of immobility. Those who consumed at least one alcoholic drink a week reached the same stage 28 to 32 years later.

While the results seem to encourage alcohol intake, the study has yet to prove the direct relationship of alcohol or caffeine on the slow progression of MS, thus, this should not give patients the license to start drinking cocktails or have cups of coffee on a daily basis.

It only strengthened the fact that smoking is a risk factor for MS and fast tracks the onset of the disease.

MS affects 350,000 individuals in the United States and about 2.5 million in other parts of the world.

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Efforts to Ban Smoking in Public Places Moves in Monterey Park

Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on March 31st, 2012

The City Council of Monterey Park has given the signal to its staff to come up with an ordinance draft that will ban smoking in outdoor dining patios and shopping areas.

ban smokingAfter a presentation by the Clean Air for Everyone Council (CAFÉ), the Monterey Park authorities were convinced that something has to be done to control the effects of secondhand smoke especially to non-smokers. With the efforts of concerned citizens and students, smoking in places like the Atlantic Times Square will soon be illegal and those caught violating the rule will be penalized.

CAFÉ Program Coordinator Steven Gallegos said that from the 698 residents they surveyed, an overwhelming 96.1% believed secondhand smoke is dangerous and 81.1% said they will not be against any ordinance banning public smoking.

“We found there was an overwhelming response of yes, they’ve been exposed to secondhand smoke and they believed it was dangerous to their health and they wanted something done about it,” Gallegos said.

The city has an already existing smoking ban on public parks and buildings, and if the council approves the proposed legislation, they will join other cities like Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and South Pasadena that have already adopted similar smoking ban ordinances.

In a report from the Pasadena Star News, residents who have lived with smokers are in favor of the proposal to ban smoking in specific public areas. One supporter says, “I think it is, health wise, beneficial for everyone.”

Yet there are those who are against the move reasoning out that it would be a clear violation of their rights. Advocates against the smoking ban say “it’s an intrusion on people’s rights” and “people have the right to do it. It’s not illegal.”

CAFÉ is funded by the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 through an agreement with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

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Government’s Anti-Smoking Campaign Rolls Out

Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on March 21st, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched their $54 million advertising campaign against smoking. This is by far the largest and most extensive anti-smoking campaign by the government as they aim to shock and discourage smokers from their habit.

graphic anti-smoking adsCDC Director Dr. Thomas Friedman says they are hoping to save about 5,000 Americans through ad spots that will run for at least the next 12 weeks.

Supporters of the CDC’s move say it’s high time for this type of campaign after nearly 50 years of government warnings against the dangers of smoking that did not yield the needed results. The use of graphic images has been proven to persuade smokers to quit.

In the previous year, the Food and Drug Administration already approved nine graphic images that are to be printed on cigarette labels. Some of them show mouth diseases with cancerous lesions due to cigarette smoking and a man with tracheotomy hole in his throat as a result of his tobacco use.

University of Missouri researcher Glenn Leshner and his colleagues were tasked to look into the effectiveness of using graphic images as anti-smoking advertisements aimed to discourage smokers and make them quit.

Leshner’s team found out that people often turn away from the images printed that depict the dangers of continuous smoking. This is why it is suggested that aside from the images, messages of concern and encouragement that quitting is possible should also be integrated.

CDC is helping those who want to quit by offering national help lines that share information and advice on how to say goodbye to smoking for good.

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