Unit 21 More on Smoking13.01.13

Seminar presentations: UK Government strategies on smoking

Present your research on government strategies to the group

Do you believe that these are effective strategies?

Give reasons for your points

Can you any alternative strategies that you feel night be useful?

E cigarettes

What are e- cigarettes and can they be beneficial as an aid to giving up smoking?

Are they safe?

Pros and Cons

Facts and Figures smoking and e cigarettes

Battery powered cigarettes

Create a vapour that contains nicotine dissolved in chemicals such as propylene glycol, glycerin, or polyethylene glycol.

The amount of nicotine is 1/4/ to ½ the amount in a normal cigarette

Introduced in 2004

Sales expected to overtake those of normal cigarettes in 10 years

Do they help reduce smoking?

Very few formal trials

Most recent in New Zealand organised by Christopher Bullen and published September 7th 2013 in The Lancet.

Randomised trial funded by the New Zealand Health Research Council:

Authors randomized 657 smokers in New Zealand desiring to quit to receive either e-cigarettes with nicotine, nicotine patches, or placebo e-cigarettes for 12 weeks after starting their quit attempt. Participants were followed for 6 months, at which time their exhaled breath was checked for carbon monoxide to verify smoking cessation. The New Zealand Health Research Council funded the study. ( Lancet)

Outcomes

Task:

using the handout from the Lancet list the outcomes and assess the benefits of the study

Also refer to the recent research by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Minnesota University led by Dr Kelvin Choi c.f.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2535895/People-think-e-cigarettes-healthier-cigarettes-likely-smoke-new-research-suggests.html

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20140108/New-study-finds-link-between-common-beliefs-and-e-cigarette-use-among-young-adults.aspx

Issues: Pros and Cons

In 2 groups and using the links given make a case for the pros and cons of electronic cigarettes ( and to a lesser extent nicotine patches)

Link your argument to the benefits of health and well being

Present your information back to the group

Cons

Unregulated

Encourage smoking as a habit, especially younger smokers

Seen as cool but encourage addiction / dependancy

Flavoured, e.g. bubblegum

Contain chemicals such as diethylene glycol ( found in cleaner fluids / antifreeze) and carcinogenic nitrosamines and formaldehyde as well as nicotine

Causes an increase in airway resistance

Social implications – smoking legislation

Bibliography

Lancet, 07.09.13 http://pulmccm.org/main/2013/randomized-controlled-trials/e-cigarettes-work-well-nicotine-patches-smoking-cessation-lancet/

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation

FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes 22.07.09FDA http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm173222.htm

CHEST journal http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1187047

National Cancer Institute Factsheethttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2535895/People-think-e-cigarettes-healthier-cigarettes-likely-smoke-new-research-suggests.html

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20140108/New-study-finds-link-between-common-beliefs-and-e-cigarette-use-among-young-adults.aspx