Risk of Gestational Diabetes Due to Maternal and Partner Smoking

Pregnant women are among the most vulnerable to environmental exposure to tobacco smoke (EET); which has been linked to problems in the mothers’ health; one of the most frequent is gestational diabetes (GD). For this reason, there are specific interventions and prevention strategies designed to reduce this exposure risk. However, currently, they are mostly aimed only at aiding the pregnant women with smoking cessation during pregnancy and do not assess or address the risk from passive exposure due to partner smoking. The aim of this work is to study the exposure to EET of pregnant women considering active and passive smoking and to evaluate its effect on the development of GD. This is an observational case-control study within a retrospective cohort of pregnant women. Information on smoking habits was obtained from both personal interviews and recorded medical history. In total, 16.2% of mothers and 28.3% of partners declared having been active smokers during pregnancy; 36.5% of the women presented EET during pregnancy when both active and passive smoking were considered. After adjustments, the association with the EET and GD of the mother was (aOR 1.10 95% CI: 0.64–1.92); for the EET of the partner, it was (aOR 1.66 95% CI: 1.01–2.77); for both partners, it was (aOR 1.82 95% CI: 1.15–2.89), adjusted by the mother’s age and body mass index. There is a lack of education regarding the effects of passive exposure to tobacco smoke. It is essential that pregnant women and their partners are educated on the risks of active and passive smoking; this could improve the effectiveness of other GD prevention strategies.

Association of healthy lifestyle with risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study

Background No studies investigated the whole effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on OSA risk. This study aimed to examine the individual and combined effects of lifestyle factors on OSA risk among Chinese adults. Methods This cross-sectional study included 9733 participants aged 35 to 74 years from the baseline survey of Guangzhou Heart Study. OSA was evaluated by Berlin Questionnaire. The healthy lifestyle score (HLS), representing the overall effect of lifestyles, was derived from seven lifestyle factors: active smoking, passive smoking, alcohol, diet, waist-hip ratio, leisure-time physical activity, and mental status. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the multivariate logistic regression model. Results 8107 participants were divided into the non-OSA group and 1626 participants into the OSA group. No passive smoking (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74–0.94), healthy waist-hip ratio (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.58–0.77) and healthy mental status (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0. 29–0.73) were associated with a reduced risk of OSA after adjusting for confounders, while others not. Participants with higher HLS were negatively associated with OSA risk (P-trend < 0.001). In comparison to the participants with 0–3 HLS, the OR for participants with 4, 5, 6, and 7 HLS was 0.68 (95% CI 0.56–0.84), 0.71 (95% CI 0.59–0.86), 0.62 (95% CI 0.51–0.76) and 0.49 (95% CI 0.37–0.65) after adjusting for confounders. Every 1-score increment of HLS was associated with a 13% lower risk of OSA. Conclusions The results suggest that HLS reflecting the combined effect of multiple-dimensional lifestyle factors was inversely associated with OSA risk. Preventive strategies integrating multiple lifestyle factors may provide a more feasible approach for OSA prevention.

Susceptibility to tobacco use and associated factors among youth in five central and eastern European countries

Background Tobacco use among young people still remains a major public health problem. Thus, the aim of this study was to perform a cross-country comparison for the factors associated with susceptibility to tobacco use among youth from five central and eastern European countries. Methods The data used in the current analysis, focusing on youth (aged 11–17 years), who have never tried or experimented with cigarette smoking, was available from the recent Global Youth Tobacco Survey (Czech Republic (2016), n = 1997; Slovakia (2016), n = 1998; Slovenia (2017), n = 1765; Romania (2017), n = 3718; Lithuania (2018), n = 1305). Simple, multiple logistic regression analyses and random-effect meta-analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with tobacco use susceptibility as the lack of a firm commitment not to smoke. Results Nearly a quarter of the students were susceptible to tobacco use in 4 of 5 countries. The following factors were identified, consistently across countries, as correlates of tobacco use susceptibility: exposure to passive smoking in public places (AOR from 1.3; p = 0.05 in Slovakia to 1.6; p < 0.01 in Czech Republic and Romania), peers smoking status (AOR from 1.8 p < 0.01 in Slovakia to 2.5; p < 0.01 Lithuania), opinion that smoking helped people feel more comfortable at celebrations (AOR from 1.3; p = 0.01 in Czech Republic to 1.9; p < 0.01 in Lithuania), noticing people using tobacco in mass media (AOR 1.5; p < 0.01 in Slovenia and 1.6; p < 0.01 in Lithuania), lack of knowledge on harmful effects of passive smoking (AOR 1.8; p < 0.01 in Slovakia and 2.4; p < 0.01 in Slovenia), lack of antismoking education provided by school (AOR 1.3; p < 0.05 in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia; 1.9; p < 0.01 in Lithuania), and family (AOR 1.5; p < 0.01 in Slovenia and Romania). Moreover those who believed that smoking makes young people look less attractive (AOR from 0.5; p < 0.01 in Romania to 0.7; p = 0.05 in Lithuania) and that people who smoke have less friends (AOR 0.7; p ≤ 0.06) turned out to be less susceptible to tobacco use initiation. In Czech Republic and Slovenia significantly higher susceptibility to tobacco use was observed among females as compared to males (AOR 1.4; p < 0.01), whereas in Romania opposite pattern, although not significant, was observed (p = 0.3). Having more money available for own expenses, positively correlated with smoking suitability in all countries (AOR > 1.5; p < 0.01) except Lithuania where youth with more money available tend to be less susceptible to tobacco use (p > 0.05). Youth who share the opinion that people who smoke have more friends were more susceptible to smoking in Romania (AOR 1.4; p = 0.04) but tend to be less susceptible in other countries. Exposure to advertisements at points of sale was significant correlate of tobacco use susceptibility in Slovakia and Slovenia (AOR 1.4 and 1.5 respectively; p < 0.05), with moderate heterogeneity between the countries. Conclusions A high proportion of youth from central and eastern European countries was susceptible to tobacco use. Social factors, and those related to educational and policy issues as well as to attitudes regarding tobacco use were strongly, and consistently across countries, correlated with tobacco use susceptibility. Slight differences in susceptibility to tobacco use between the countries were related to: sex, money available for own expenses, exposure to advertisements at points of sale and opinion that people who smoke have more friends. These factors should be considered when designing and implementing anti-tobacco activities among young people.

Association of Rare Earth Elements with Passive Smoking among Housewives in Shanxi Province, China

Background: Rare earth elements (REEs) are emerging contaminants. Previous studies reported the association between REEs and active smoking, but little is known about the effects of passive smoking on this condition. In China, female passive smoking is widespread, particularly in rural areas. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the relationship between REEs accumulation and passive smoking among rural housewives. Methods: We recruited 385 subjects in Shanxi Province of northern China, of whom 117 housewives were exposed to passive smoking, and 268 were not. We analyzed 15 REEs in the hair of housewives with ICP–MS, including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and yttrium. Results: The results indicated higher levels of 14 REEs except for Sm in both the univariate and adjusted models among the housewives exposed to passive smoking. The increasing linear trend of adjusted odds ratios of 15 REEs supported their association. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models showed that 15 REEs had a significant overall effect, and Eu had a single-exposure effect with passive smoking. Conclusion: We concluded that passive smoking might be associated with increased exposure to REEs among rural housewives.

Relationship between Parental Smoking and Children’s Pulmonary Function

Purpose: To Study/Understand the Exposure-response Relationship between Parental Smoking and Children’s Pulmonary Function Materials and Method: Participants were selected randomly who fit into the inclusion criteria. Selected participants to be then made understood for the nature of study. Subjects were asked to seat upright on table / stool facing the Spirometer machine. Spirometer was done with the RMH Helios computerized Spirometer. Subjects were asked use nose clip and exhale complete and maximum air for long duration then immediately take deep inspiration followed by complete and maximum expiration for long time. Out of 3 or 4 manoeuvres the best manoeuvre was selected and % predicted of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75 was documented. Results: Statical analysis was done by using Parametric (unpaired t test) and or nonparametric (Mann Whitney) statical test with 95 % class interval (one tailed p). Spearman’s correlation test was obtained to check the relationship between variables. Conclusion: There is a significant reduction in PEFR due to obstructive effect of parental smoking (passive smoking) on pulmonary function of the children. And with increase in number of packs per years, there is a reduction in FEV1, FVC, PEFR and FEF25 -75 of children. Keywords: Passive Smoking, Pulmonary Function, children.

Overview of current legislation, experiences and existing scenarios on allowing the sale of tobacco products only in tobacco stores: a scoping review protocol

This article presents the scoping review protocol on allowing the sale of tobacco products only in tobacco stores in Brazil. It is based on the hypothesis that limiting the sale of tobacco products only in tobacco shops would significantly prevent initiation and encourage cessation, thus reducing smoking prevalence and passive smoking in Brazil. The protocol aims to document the processes involved in the planning and methodological approach of an extensive scoping review, guided by Joanna Briggs Institute’s manual. The review protocol was prepared following PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. It was registered in the Open Science Framework.

The Effect of Public Health Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Smoking Dependence & Passive Smoking

Background: According to increasing concern about the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of smoking this study was conducted to find the effect of health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking dependence & passive smoking. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2020, by using a valid and reliable questionnaire, the data were analyzed by using SPSS, version 20 software. Results: The study showed 16.9% of participants increased their nicotine use and 12.4% decreased their nicotine use. Despite no significant change in smoking dependence, we found that smokers who used to smoke more than 30 cigarettes per day before the quarantine increased by two folds. In addition, we found that smokers who awaken at night sometimes to have cigarettes before quarantine had increased markedly by 50% during quarantine. Furthermore, smokers who had an extreme urge to smoke over the week before the quarantine have elevated markedly during the quarantine from 31 smokers to 60. Also, over 35.2 % of surveyed individuals experienced a rise in smoking desire during the quarantine. Regarding passive smoking, the surveyed individuals reported a generally slight decline in exposure to secondhand smoking. However, the number of exposed individuals to smoking for more than 8 hours increased by 27%. Conclusion: During the lockdown, individuals smoked marginally more cigarettes compared to the periods before the lockdown with no significant change in smoking dependence. There was a slight decline in exposure to secondhand smoking. However, the number of exposed individuals to household smoking for more than 8 hours had been increased.

Risk Assessment of Passive Smoking Based on Analysis of Hair Nicotine and Cotinine as Exposure Biomarkers by In-Tube Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled On-Line to LC-MS/MS

Passive smoking due to environmental tobacco smoke is a serious public health concern because it increases the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, the current status and effect of passive smoking in various lifestyles are not fully understood. In this study, we measured hair nicotine and cotinine levels as exposure biomarkers in non-smokers and assessed the risk from the actual situation of passive smoking in different lifestyle environments. Nicotine and cotinine contents in hair samples of 110 non-smoker subjects were measured by in-tube solid-phase microextraction with on-line coupling to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and self-reported lifestyle questionnaires were completed by the subjects. Nicotine and cotinine were detected at concentrations of 1.38 ng mg−1 and 12.8 pg mg−1 respectively in the hair of non-smokers, with levels significantly higher in subjects who reported being sensitive to tobacco smoke exposure. These levels were also affected by type of food intake and cooking method. Nicotine and cotinine in hair are useful biomarkers for assessing the effects of passive smoking on long-term exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, and our analytical methods can measure these exposure levels in people who are unaware of passive smoking. The results of this study suggest that the environment and places of tobacco smoke exposure and the lifestyle behaviors therein are important for the health effects of passive smoking.