Tobacco Abuse

Fighting Nicotine Addiction Through Modern Science

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Tobacco Abuse on July 3rd, 2010

A project that uses advanced computer modeling to identify new medications for nicotine addiction has won the highest honor in the Addiction Science Awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which is world’s largest science competition for high school students. The competition is sponsored by the National Institute for Drug Addiction.

Addiction Science AwardThe winner Ameya Deshkumkh, a 16-year-old student from Arlington, Ohio came up with his winning project “Rational Drug Design Methods for the Identification of a Novel Negative Allosteric Modulator of a4b2 Nicotinic Receptors.”

Because identifying the molecule that will bind to nicotine receptors can be a very tedious task, Deshmukh used a rational drug design method. By first selecting the candidate molecules then computerizing them into molecular model, he can narrow down the roster of probable compounds. After that, he would test these on human body cells in order to identify which of these compounds would act well in treating nicotine addiction.

This year, NIDA successfully drew more than 1,500 students for more than 50 countries all over the world. The event took place at the San Jose Convention Center and was coordinated by the Society for Science and the Public. The winners of the Addiction Science Awards received cash prizes; the prize for the first placer is $2,500 plus a scholarship.

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Anti-Tobacco Groups on E-Cigarettes

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Tobacco Abuse on June 8th, 2010

It is pretty evident that we are currently living in the age of electronics; practically everything that we use has an electronic counterpart, including our books, magazines and mail. In some cases, we hardly ever use the old-school versions of these things anymore.

The e- prefix has even invaded the world of tobacco with the introduction of e-cigarettes into the market. While the product has been around for quite some time, it has thus far not been subjected to strict health regulations the way its “real” counterpart is. And why should it be when it is not exactly the real thing?

e-cigaretteThis is the notion, however, that anti-tobacco groups seem to be seeking to dispel, based on an article on the Bennington Banner. The e-cigarette is sold as a starter pack that comes with an atomizing cartridge and device as well as battery components. For all intents and purposes, it looks like a plastic toy cigarette, complete with a “filter” that lights up when the smoker takes a drag, only it weighs so much more than your normal cigarette.

The e-cigarette provides users with a dose of nicotine, the addictive component in tobacco smoke. Smokers who are trying to kick the habit have turned to e-cigarettes, using them as a quitting tool.

Groups that include the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network have collectively sent a letter to the FDA that sought a ban on e-cigarettes until regulations surrounding their safety as well as how its sale to children can be prevented are established.

It is reported in the article that carcinogens have been found in e-cigarettes, although no specific studies were cited to support this.

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Tobacco Companies Protest Against Anti-Smoking Signs in NYC!

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Tobacco Abuse on June 5th, 2010

Should we be surprised? According to a report by Reuters, tobacco companies and retailers have filed a lawsuit protesting the anti-smoking signs in New York City. The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by Philip Morris USA, Lorillard Tobacco Company, and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., along with two major retail trade groups and two convenience stores, which complained that the signs were in violation of the rights of sellers due to their being imposed on them.

anti-smoking lung cancer signThe report quoted a few lines from the lawsuit, which read in part: “The government may not force private parties to carry messages beyond purely uncontroversial factual statements that are designed to prevent consumer deception,” and goes on to say that “The signs … do not describe the risks of smoking in purely factual terms. Instead, the signs force tobacco manufacturers and retailers to communicate vivid images at the point of sale.”

The New York City Health Department developed three signs that showed a decaying tooth, diseased lung and damaged brain. The signs show the harmful effects of smoking to the body and also carry slogans that deliver such messages as “smoking causes tooth decay,” as well as a helpline number to call for those who would like to kick the habit.

Retailers in New York City were required as of December to post at least one warning sign at the cash register or next to the cigarette displays, or face a fine of $2,000. The measure is unique to NYC.

A smoke-free New York City is one of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s major priorities.

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US Cigarettes May Be More Dangerous!

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Tobacco Abuse on June 3rd, 2010

If you are huffing and puffing in the United States – and you are not yet at the point when you can already bring yourself to stop – then it may be worth your while to check out where you cigarettes are coming from. This may be something that is difficult for some smokers to do, as there are those who can’t smoke anything other than Marlboros.

cigarette chemicalsA study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked into the levels of nitrosamines among smokers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia in a span of 24 hours. Nitrosamine is a chemical compound that is considered as carcinogenic. The participants of the study included smokers who patronized the popular cigarette brands in their country; for the United States, these brands were Marlboro, Camel and Newport.

The results of the study indicated that those who smoked popular American brands had three times more nitrosamine in their lungs and mouth, as opposed to the smokers in Canada or Australia.

The solution, however, may not be as simple as switching cigarette brands. The study only looked into nitrosamine levels in particular, which means that there are two other carcinogenic toxins that are also present in cigarettes that were not assessed. The study, however, may eventually be used as a guide in how American cigarettes are formulated; this is now being regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a result of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Needless to say, we believe that there is now way – at least for now – that a “healthy cigarette” may be formulated. The best way to steer clear of carcinogens from cigarettes is still to kick the habit.

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Charlie Bartlett Highlights Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Films and Books, Prescription Drug Abuse, Tobacco Abuse on April 20th, 2010

With its current wide scope and strong influence on people, many journalists, publishers and filmmakers have decided to discuss the very basic things that concern real people these days — love, war, money, sex and even drugs.

Charlie Bartlett is one of the recent movies that discussed the reality of teenage prescription drug abuse. It is a comedy-drama film that revolves around the character Charlie Bartlett, played by Anton Yelchin.

Charlie BartlettCharlie is a teen who came from a wealthy family yet attends a public school after being expelled from different private academic institutions. Other actors in the film are Robert Downey Jr. as Nathan Gardner, the school principal; Kat Dennings as Susan Gardner, Charlie’s love interest and the principal’s daughter; and Tyler Hilton as Murphey Bivens, the school bully. Nathan is an alcoholic, Susan smokes a lot and Murphey beats other students while an assistant films it. These characters have basically covered a lot of teen issues.

Charlie, as the new student in school, was initially unable to fit in. However, by acting as the students’ resident psychiatrist and supplying prescription drugs (with Murphey in charge of selling the drugs), he was able to gain influence in the community. He feigned symptoms during psychiatric sessions and was able to get prescriptions for several medications from different psychiatrists, a strategy also known these days as “doctor-shopping.”

Aside from prescription drug abuse, parent’s alcohol abuse, nicotine abuse and school bullying, the film also presents the issue of teen depression and suicide. One of the school’s students, Kip Crombwell, suffers from depression and attempts suicide by drinking the drugs Charlie has supplied. His depression was rooted on the need for acceptance and low self-esteem.

Some critics thought that the movie lack a clear train of thought, but others see it as a movie that embraced the many different pressures that teens face in their lives. The movie was released in 2007.

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Stop Smoking For Your Kids

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Raising Healthy Kids, Tobacco Abuse on April 11th, 2010

When we want our kids to live a healthy life — without drugs, alcohol or tobacco, we need to make sure we practice what we preach. One of the most common things that parents want their children not to do yet they do it themselves is smoking. Many parents would advise their kids not to smoke, but many of these parents hit a stick whenever they can. This leaves the kids confused — if smoking is that bad, then why is Dad or Mom smoking?

stop smokingAside from the loss of credibility, you also expose your children to secondhand smoke. They may not smoke themselves, but they are equally at risk of developing certain illnesses due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke can come from mainstream smoke (the smoke that smokers exhale) and sidestream smoke (the smoke that floats from the end of a cigar, cigarette or pipe). It may seem not dangerous at first, but exposure to secondhand smoke has been proven to cause bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections; asthma (those who already have asthma may suffer from attacks triggered by secondhand smoke, while those who haven’t may develop asthma after significant exposure to secondhand smoke); coughing, sore throats, sniffling, and sneezing; heart disease; and cancer.

While you may opt to take your cigarette breaks outside the house or far from your kids, we go back to the initial argument pointing out that kids may not be able to avoid teen smoking if they see their parents do it.

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